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Baofeng UV-5R
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Icom IC-7300
Kenwood TH-D75A
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FT8
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Ham Contests 2026
ISS Frequency
DXing
QTH
QSL
QRZ
QSO
QSY
QRT
QRP
146.520 MHz
446.000 MHz
14.074 MHz FT8
14.230 MHz SSTV
73
CQ
Rig
Elmer
CW
Ham Radio Quick Reference
Essential Q-Codes, Calling Frequencies & Ham Radio Terminology
Popular Q-Codes
QTH - My location is...
"What's your QTH?" = Where are you?
"What's your QTH?" = Where are you?
QSL - I acknowledge receipt
"QSL on that" = I understand/confirm
"QSL on that" = I understand/confirm
QRZ - Who is calling me?
Used after finishing a contact. Also see QRZ.com
Used after finishing a contact. Also see QRZ.com
QSO - A conversation/contact
"Thanks for the QSO!" Track yours with our logger
"Thanks for the QSO!" Track yours with our logger
QSY - Change frequency to...
"Let's QSY to 146.550"
"Let's QSY to 146.550"
QRT - I'm going off air
"Going QRT for dinner"
"Going QRT for dinner"
QRP - Low power operation (<5W)
"I'm running QRP today"
"I'm running QRP today"
QRM - Man-made interference
"Lots of QRM on this band"
"Lots of QRM on this band"
QRN - Natural interference (static)
"QRN is high due to the storm"
"QRN is high due to the storm"
QSB - Signal is fading
"You have some QSB on your signal"
"You have some QSB on your signal"
Calling Frequencies
VHF/UHF (Local)
146.520 MHz
National VHF Simplex Calling Frequency (2-meter band)
National VHF Simplex Calling Frequency (2-meter band)
446.000 MHz
National UHF Simplex Calling Frequency (70-cm band)
National UHF Simplex Calling Frequency (70-cm band)
52.525 MHz
6-meter "Magic Band" calling frequency
6-meter "Magic Band" calling frequency
HF (Long Distance)
14.074 MHz
Home of FT8 - the most popular digital mode
Home of FT8 - the most popular digital mode
14.230 MHz
SSTV - for sending and receiving images
SSTV - for sending and receiving images
7.171 MHz / 14.286 MHz
Common spots for AM (vintage radio) enthusiasts
Common spots for AM (vintage radio) enthusiasts
14.300 MHz
Maritime Mobile Service Net (boats at sea)
Maritime Mobile Service Net (boats at sea)
Ham Slang & Pro-Signs
73 - Best regards
How almost every conversation ends. Example: "73 and good DX!"
How almost every conversation ends. Example: "73 and good DX!"
CQ - "Seeking you"
General call to start a conversation with anyone. "CQ CQ CQ, this is W1AW"
General call to start a conversation with anyone. "CQ CQ CQ, this is W1AW"
DX - Long distance
Usually a contact in another country. "I worked some good DX today!"
Usually a contact in another country. "I worked some good DX today!"
Rig - Your radio equipment
"What rig are you running?" Check out operator profiles
"What rig are you running?" Check out operator profiles
Elmer - A mentor/experienced ham
An Elmer helps beginners learn the ropes. About ham radio mentorship
An Elmer helps beginners learn the ropes. About ham radio mentorship
POTA - Parks on the Air
Operating from a park. Track your POTA QSOs
Operating from a park. Track your POTA QSOs
SOTA - Summits on the Air
Operating from a mountain summit
Operating from a mountain summit
CW - Morse Code
The original digital mode, still popular today
The original digital mode, still popular today
SK - Silent Key
A ham who has passed away (respectful term)
A ham who has passed away (respectful term)
OM/YL/XYL - Old Man / Young Lady / Ex-Young Lady
Traditional terms for male op / female op / wife of op
Traditional terms for male op / female op / wife of op
Popular Ham Radio Equipment (2026)
Top Handheld Radios (HTs)
- Baofeng UV-5R - Budget-friendly entry-level HT
- Baofeng BF-F8HP - Higher power version (8W)
- Yaesu FT-5DR - C4FM digital with GPS
- Kenwood TH-D75A - Advanced APRS & D-STAR HT
- Anytone 878UVII - Popular DMR handheld
Top HF Transceivers
- Icom IC-7300 - Best-selling HF rig with SDR
- Icom IC-705 - Portable all-mode HF/VHF/UHF
- Yaesu FT-710 - Modern HF transceiver
- Yaesu FT-991A - All-mode HF/VHF/UHF base/mobile
- Elecraft KX3 - Premium QRP transceiver
Trending Gear in 2026
USB-C Ham Radios
M12 Portable Antennas
SDR Transceivers
Digital Mode Interfaces
Solar-Powered POTA Kits
Raspberry Pi SDR Projects