- Enhance Outdoor Adventures with our Field Operations Guide
Whether you’re a seasoned camper, an overlanding enthusiast, or just starting to explore the great outdoors, the Field Operations Guide (FOG) from Dirt Nerds & Radios is a resource you don’t want to miss. It’s packed with essential tips and strategies to help you stay connected, camp smarter, and remain safe. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this guide so valuable. Staying Connected When It Matters Most One of the standout features of the FOG is its emphasis on reliable communication. When you’re in remote areas, cell phones aren’t always dependable. That’s where amateur radios shine. The guide … Read more - Parks on the Air: A DNR Crash Course
Are you for a looking for a unique, fun amateur radio activity? Parks on the Air (POTA) is a great way to both get out into nature & get on air. The POTA program is designed to encourage amateur radio operators (hams) to set up and operate their radio equipment from national and state parks, nature reserves, and other public lands. The idea is simple: combine the love of radio communication with outdoor adventure. How It Started After the ARRL’s National Parks on the Air special in 2016, a group of volunteers came forward that wanted to continue the fun. … Read more - Radio for Offroad & Overland Adventures: Our Essential Tips
While out on the trail, it’s vitally important to maintain some form of communication. Yes, this means you need to be able to communicate locally with your group; but many overlook or neglect the ability to communicate over longer distances in case of emergency. Recently, many have turned from CB to GMRS as a means of communicating on the trail. GMRS does a great job for trail comms, but GMRS can’t cover long distance. On most adventures and trail rides, cell phone service is limited too. This is where amateur radio shines. Amateur radio can provide communication anywhere from local … Read more - Spring Camp 2024
This year’s Dirt Nerds & Radios Spring Camp out was great. Our radio club, W8DNR, ran multiple radio configurations and was able to make several FT8 contacts. Radio wasn’t the only excitement either. The group also completed a beautiful hike within Natural Bridge State Park and even explored a few of the trails from the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway. DNR RC Radio Report The club was able to locate an appropriate location and made successful contacts during the trip. We operated in a reduced capacity due to the limited number of licensed operators available. Overall, we had 6 hours on-air … Read more - New W8DNR APRS Service
At Dirt Nerds & Radios, we’re passionate about all things radio related. Whether it’s getting on the air, tinkering with antennas, or participating in special events, our community thrives on the magic of radio communication. Today, we’re excited to unveil a new project to the amateur radio community: the W8DNR APRS Service. What Is APRS? Before we dive into the details, let’s talk about APRS. Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) was developed in the 1990s by Bob Bruninga(WB4APR/SK) for sending packets of data via radio over short distances. It combines GPS data, digital communication, and good old-fashioned radio waves to create a dynamic network … Read more - Dive into the World of Ham Radio with Our New Partnership!
We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with HamRadioPrep.com for amateur radio education. As part of our commitment to providing our community & radio club with opportunities, we have teamed up with Ham Radio Prep to offer you an exclusive 10% discount on all of their amateur radio classes! Unlock the Power of Communication Whether you’re a seasoned ham radio enthusiast or a beginner looking to explore the world of amateur radio, Ham Radio Prep has the perfect courses for you. From the basics of radio communication to their HF Master Class, their classes cater to all levels of … Read more - What is Amateur Radio?
Hey there, and welcome! Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of amateur (ham) radio. Ham radio is something that’s been connecting people across the globe for over a century. It’s a fun hobby that many of our community members enjoy, including myself! It’s become my go-to hobby whenever I have free time. So, what exactly is amateur radio? Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is a hobby where people use special radios to communicate, make friends, learn new skills, and assist in emergencies, requiring a license and offering a global community of enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. … Read more - Introducing our Amateur Radio Club!
It’s official, Dirt Nerds & Radios has its own official Amateur Radio Club. Callsign W8DNR. The Club is established as another portion of our community-oriented efforts & will be facilitating the incorporation of amateur radio technology into all manner of activities. For some of our community events, such as our off-roading activities, it is vital to safety to have reliable communications. Dirt Nerds & Radios advocates for amateur radio technologies as they provide the most potential, practical application, and educational value to those who pursue it. We hope some of the efforts made by Dirt Nerds & Radios and our … Read more - Worldwide Radio for Tech’s: Yes, you can FT8!
Does making worldwide radio contacts sound like fun? Are Technicians allowed to use FT8 on 10-meter radio? Yes, you can do FT8 on 10 meters as a technician! This is within your band privileges. Right now, we are approaching the peak of solar cycle 25 which means you’ll get the most benefit out of these privileges now. So, what is FT8? FT8 is a mode of digital communication that we use to communicate with other amateur radio operators. It is a great way to make quick contacts with other ham radio enthusiasts around the world. It requires both radios and … Read more
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