Category Archives: Ham Radio

Seven Days in May: Earn an Indianapolis Motor Speedway QSL and the first step toward the 2026 Checkered Flag Award

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By Brian D. Smith, W9IND

The long wait is over for W9IMS paper chasers! As racing teams spend the coming week tuning up their speed machines, radio enthusiasts can tune in for their first chance at earning Indianapolis Motor Speedway QSL cards and the 2026 certificate.

The first of three special events commemorating major auto races at the legendary 2-and-a-half-mile oval begins Sunday, May 3, and continues till 11:59 p.m. Indy time on Saturday, May 9 (0359 UTC Sunday, May 10) – Race Day for the 13th running of the IndyCar Grand Prix.

To qualify for the certificate, known as Checkered Flag Award, hams and shortwave listeners must work/tune in all three of this year’s special events, which also include the Indianapolis 500 from May 18-24 and the NASCAR Brickyard 400 from July 20-26. But even if you fall short in attempting to bag the trio, you can still claim a colorful, collectible QSL card for each of the events you connect with.

Prime time for W9IMS is 6 to 10 p.m. Eastern Time (2200-0200 UTC) on weekdays, sometimes extending to midnight (0400 GMT Sunday) and beyond, and the bands of choice are 40 and 20 meters – generally on or around 7.245 and 14.245 MHz. But QRM and other issues can prompt changes in frequencies. The best bet is to check for W9IMS spots on DX Summit (www.dxsummit.fi) and eHam (www.eHam.net).

Also, while W9IMS can take to the airwaves at any time between now and the final Saturday signoff, you’ll have a better chance of finding active stations by going to the W9IMS QRZ page (www.w9ims.org) and clicking the Grand Prix link under “2026 Operating Schedule” – which displays the time slots that operators have signed up for. The same page contains additional information about W9IMS QSL cards and the certificate.

For radio amateurs who still haven’t worked W9IMS by Saturday afternoon, note that toward the end of the event, operators often start limiting calls to stations that haven’t yet worked the current special event. Another tip is to drop in for happy hour, the last hour of the last day – in this case, 11 p.m. Saturday (0300 UTC Sunday). That’s when W9IMS ops traditionally switch to contest-style QSOs, exchanging only signal reports so they can log as many stations as possible. But remember, too, that W9IMS special events can end prematurely if they encounter sparse QSOs or unfavorable solar or weather conditions.

And a final tip for hams: If you can hear W9IMS but can’t complete a QSO in the waning minutes of the special event, don’t give up. You can still create an SWL report by jotting down the details of other W9IMS contacts – including frequency, UTC, a signal report and the callsigns of several stations that you heard W9IMS contact. A valid report satisfies the requirements for a Grand Prix QSL card and the first of three credits for a certificate. SWL certificates feature operators’ names instead of callsigns but are otherwise indistinguishable from awards issued to amateur radio operators.

Remember to stay on your toes once the Grand Prix operation is over – the Indy 500 special event begins only nine days later!

Paul Notes That WWFF is Open to SWLs

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who writes:

Hello Thomas,

I think you’re familiar with this program and its website:

WWFF – World Wide Flora & Fauna : https://wwff.co/ 

I was informed by the head of the French branch that this program is not limited to amateur radio operators. SWLs (shortwave listeners) can also participate and receive awards.

Rules : https://wwff.co/wwff_cont/uploads/2025/09/WWFF-Global-Rules-V_5.10.pdf

Best of luck.

Paul JAMET

I did not realize this although I do participate in WWFF as an on-the-air activity. Thanks for the tip!

The Remarkable Life of Dr. Leslie Radnay, W1PL

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who writes:

I know many of your readers are amateur radio operators and have a passion for all things radio. A couple of years ago, I was sorting through some of my old ham QSL’s and this one from W1PL caught my eye. A quick internet check confirmed he was indeed a silent key, however, I also uncovered his incredible story which I thought I would share here. Truly a remarkable individual.

Dr. Leslie (Laci) Radnay, W1PL

Dr. Leslie (Laci) Radnay, W1PL (1912-2008), is a story of how perseverance, determination, and the love of radio got him through the most challenging of circumstances imaginable, time and time again. In fact, it is truly the stuff that Hollywood movies are made of.

In spite of all of this, he was never too busy to help others. Certainly someone to look up to and admire for what he was able to accomplish, and I feel privileged to have had even just a brief contest-style QSO with him. He was instrumental in helping to start the Hungarian Radio Amateur Association and got on the air with a self-assigned callsign in 1928.

Click on this PDF file link to read his incredible story.

Attached are images of a number of QSL cards he issued over the years.

Thank you, Dan, for sharing.

Reading through Laci Radnay’s life story, I’m struck not only by the sheer scale of what he endured, but by how completely radio remained a constant thread throughout it all. Time and again, regimes changed, borders closed, equipment was confiscated, and lives were upended—yet radio, and the community surrounding it, always found a way back into his life.

W1PL’s story is a powerful reminder that amateur radio is far more than a technical pursuit; it is a human one. It builds resilience, forges lifelong friendships across borders, and, in Laci’s case, provided continuity, purpose, and connection through some of the darkest chapters of the 20th century.

I’m deeply grateful to Dan for sharing this remarkable story, and honored to help preserve the memory of an operator whose life so beautifully embodied the very best of our radio community. -Thomas

Joe Walsh Shares How He First Learned Morse Code

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Joe’s HQ-145C was placed on auction (a Hammarlund HQ 145A in the photo)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia for sharing the following article from People Magazine: “Joe Walsh Reveals the Surprising Way He Ended Up Learning Morse Code as a Kid.”

In this short piece, musician Joe Walsh discusses the unexpected way he was first introduced to Morse code during childhood. It’s an interesting bit of background for those who follow Walsh’s involvement in amateur radio.

Read the full article here: https://people.com/joe-walsh-reveals-surprising-way-he-ended-up-learning-morse-code-as-kid-11865496

A Conversation About Amateur Radio and Hurricane Helene with Mark Hurst on Techtonic

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I wrote the following for QRPer.com, and thought readers here on the SWLing Post might appreciate it too:

I was recently invited onto Techtonic, the weekly technology program on WFMU, hosted by Mark Hurst. If you’ve never listened to Techtonic, I encourage you to check it out—it’s one of the most thoughtful shows out there about how technology shapes our lives and communities.

Mark invited me to talk about amateur radio and its role after Hurricane Helene.

Many of you know I’ve been speaking about Helene quite a bit since the storm–anything I can do to share lessons learned and help others prepare is worth the time. What struck me during our conversation was how quickly I felt a connection with Mark. He asked thoughtful questions, and he gave me room to share what I love about this hobby and the community around it.

I’ve always felt that enthusiasm is infectious, and Mark gave mine room to breathe.

Afterward, I realized something: this was the first time I’d ever been asked to discuss amateur radio on a show that approaches technology from the perspective most people experience today. And that contrast made something click for me. Perhaps part of the renewed interest in radio–especially Morse code–comes from people quietly longing for technologies that offer direct connection without intermediaries, algorithms, or someone’s marketing model riding shotgun. Amateur radio–at its very core–is open, peer-to-peer, decentralized, and resilient. When everything else falls apart, it keeps going.

Perhaps that simplicity and directness feel refreshing right now.

This isn’t about being anti-tech. I use plenty of online tools every day. But I’ve become more mindful about choosing paid services that treat me as a customer rather than a product. Over the past few years I’ve deliberately stepped back from social media, moved my email servers to Proton, shifted my web searches to Kagi, and spend most of my online “social” time on Mastodon. (I’m sure there’s a deeper post about all of this forthcoming.)

These changes weren’t born out of fear–they were born out of wanting a better “signal-to-noise” ratio, more community and less manipulation/division, and a little more privacy in a world where privacy seems to be fading.

Maybe that’s why amateur radio resonates so deeply for me. It’s a communications network that puts people first. It’s transparent, open, direct, human, and there’s no hidden agenda or algorithm at work.

There’s nothing in my conversation with Mark that will surprise regular readers here, but I hope you’ll give the episode a listen and consider subscribing to Techtonic. Mark brings years of experience in big tech and uses it to ask thoughtful, critical questions about the tools we rely on every day.

I’m grateful he invited me, and even more grateful for the conversation. Thanks, Mark!

73/72,
Thomas (K4SWL)

P.S. I’ve always said amateur radio’s greatest strength is its people. When Hazel passed, over a hundred of you reached out with messages, comments, and emails. I read every one of them. Thank you — your kindness reminded me how deeply connected this community really is.

Paul Reviews the Radtel RT-880G

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by Paul Jamet

Looking for a versatile radio?

Which radio listener hasn’t dreamed of owning a portable multi-band receiver allowing them to explore the widest possible radio spectrum?

For nearly a year now, walkie-talkies have appeared on the market which, beyond the classic VHF–UHF functions, also allow listening and transmitting on CB (27 MHz) as well as listening to LW/MW/SW bands (LSB/USB/CW). The RADTEL RT-860 has won over those who have tested it.

Read here: Dan Reviews the Radel RT-860

The arrival of the Quansheng TK-11 — available in three versions — has caused quite a stir on social networks. Then, almost at the same time, the RADTEL RT-880 and RT-880G (G for GPS) appeared, also sold under other names such as iRadio UV98.

Among all these available models, I chose — as a radio listener, especially when I’m traveling — the RADTEL RT-880G. My choice is explained mainly by its antenna connectors (SMA-Female and SMA-Male), its large color display, its GPS module, its thousand memory channels, and the possibility of simultaneously monitoring three VHF/UHF frequencies. This device is highly customizable, but its user manual would deserve to be much more detailed and explicit.

The RT-880G comes with a “standard” 18 cm antenna for VHF-UHF bands, which is also used for FM station reception. I haven’t yet tested the device on the 27 MHz (CB) band, for which a dedicated antenna is preferable. No antenna is provided for LW/MW/SW listening.

For listening to LW/MW/SW bands, the device is often shown with small donut-type loop antennas (10 cm diameter).

However, for easier transport, I simply chose this small telescopic SMA-Male antenna, 48 cm long (weight: 20 g): to which it is possible to clip a wire antenna, such as the SONY AN-71, which can prove very useful.

I also used an antenna normally intended for CB, the ABBREE 27 MHz telescopic antenna (130 cm), admittedly heavier (weight: 78 g) and bulkier, but which gives very good results for the HF band.

The purpose of this contribution — which concerns only listening — is to arouse curiosity among mobile (or stationary) listeners, to invite those who own this walkie-talkie to come here and share their experience, and to collect your comments. It is therefore not a full review of the RT-880G, but simply an illustration of what it offers for listening to LW/MW/SW bands.

For LW/MW/SW bands, the RT-880G allows you to set the:

  • step to 1 – 5 – 10 – 50 – 100 – 500 – 1,000 – and 9 kHz],
  • bandwidth [0.5 – 1.0 – 1.2 – 2.2 – 3.0 – 4.0],
  • AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
  • BFO – (Beat Frequency Oscillator) – used for fine tuning SSB reception (the minimum step being 1 kHz).

Sample Recordings

Local park where some of the recordings were made.

Here are a few audio files that will help you form an opinion.  The recordings were made with a smartphone placed near the receiver.  The recordings were made using a smartphone placed near the receiver. The sound quality is quite good, even surprising. Continue reading →

Taking the checkered flag at Indy by racing and radio

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By Brian D. Smith, W9IND

It’s Brickyard 400 week in Indianapolis, and the checkered flag awaits – not only for NASCAR drivers, but also for radio enthusiasts who’ve contacted all three of the 2025 special events staged by amateur radio station W9IMS. From now through the end of Sunday (Race Day), hams and SWLs who’ve already bagged the station during the two previous races at Indy can claim their Checkered Flag Award by working or tuning in W9IMS a third time.

The special events’ organizer, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club, also offers new and unique QSL cards for each race, providing collectible consolation prizes for those who don’t complete the clean sweep (and welcome extras for those who do).

The month of May witnessed the first two steps toward the colorful certificate with a full week of special event operation devoted to each major race at the Speedway – the IndyCar Grand Prix and the venerable Indianapolis 500. Then came a two-month wait for the third race, the Brickyard 400, which will go green on Sunday, July 27. This week’s special event will continue through the end of Race Day, with midnight in Indy (0400 UTC Monday) marking the end of on-air activity for W9IMS until May 2026.

W9IMS operates almost exclusively on 20 and 40 meters (and occasionally 2 meters on Race Day morning for fans in the stands and locals). Preferred frequencies are 14.245 and 7.245 SSB, plus or minus QRM, and 146.52 simplex FM.

A few tips on locating W9IMS:

  1. Check DX Summit (www.dxsummit.fi) for spots listing the current frequency or frequencies of W9IMS. You can customize your search by typing “W9IMS” in the box at upper right.
  1. Go to the W9IMS web page (www.w9ims.org) and look for the heading, “2025 Operating Schedule.” Click on the “NASCAR 400 at the Brickyard” link, which opens into a weeklong schedule of individual operators and their reserved time slots. Although operators frequently get on the air at unscheduled times, your odds of catching the station improve significantly during hours with a listed op.
  1. Prime time for weeknight operations is 6 to 10 p.m. in Indy (2200-0200 UTC). That’s also your most likely shot at finding W9IMS active on two bands. However, operators may continue till 11 p.m. or later if band conditions allow. It can also be fruitful to check DX Summit during mornings and early afternoons.
  2. Remember that the published schedule can be shortened by adverse circumstances, such as local thunderstorms, a lack of calling stations, and solar anomalies. Don’t wait till the final hour to look for W9IMS.
  3. But if you still haven’t worked W9IMS by the final weekend, don’t give up too soon. Toward the end of the special event, W9IMS ops often call for “only stations that haven’t worked us this week” and/or switch to contest-style operations, exchanging just signal reports to put more calls in the log.
  4. Keep in mind that both hams and SWLs are eligible for QSL cards and the certificate. So if your ham station isn’t able to work W9IMS by Sunday night, you can combine your two previous QSOs with an SWL report to fulfill the requirement for three credits. Just copy down the basic details – such as date, frequency, UTC, and the callsigns of several stations you heard W9IMS working. SWL reports count as credits too, although the certificate will likely feature your name instead of your call.
  5.  Still have questions? Email [email protected] for answers.