Today on the Bands — Friday, August 14, 2026
Friday brings a satisfying mix for the portable crowd, with a beginner-friendly KX2 walkthrough and a reflection on switching sides from activator to hunter. We also tip our hats to some silent keys, eye a budget shortwave portable with weather-band coverage, and catch up on the wider world via Newsline — from a Colombian earthquake response to Canada's first OSCAR.
- 01 A Basic Elecraft KX2 Setup & Orientation Video
K4SWL's 22-minute no-frills orientation is exactly the friendly on-ramp new KX2 owners need before their first park activation.
Read at source ↗ - 02 Ham Radio Portable Operating Insights: Transitioning from a POTA Activator to Hunter
After years of activating parks, this operator explores life on the other end of the QSO — a fresh perspective on chasing rather than being chased.
Read at source ↗ - 03 The New XHDATA D-228 DSP Shortwave/AM/FM Portable with NOAA Weather Radio
XHDATA's new dial-type D-228 packs DSP shortwave, AM/FM, and NOAA weather bands — a tempting grab-and-go listener for the EmComm kit.
Read at source ↗ - 04 Recent SKs: NU2J, K3SHD, K7AJM
A moment to remember NU2J, K3SHD, and K7AJM, three operators who shared our passion — including Marc Toussaint, who followed his father onto the air.
Read at source ↗ - 05 Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2546 for Friday, August 14th, 2026
This week's Newsline spans earthquake response in Colombia, an FCC case against a GMRS network founder, Huntsville's return, and Canada's first OSCAR cubesat designation.
Read at source ↗
The HamDaily digest — five minutes, the whole band.