Practical Wireless

Practical Wireless is aimed at the licensed radio amateur and caters for the amateur radio hobby. Practical Wireless is a ‘doing’ magazine focusing on the practical and constructional side of amateur radio and appeals to all ages. Written by expert authors and contributors, Practical Wireless reflects developments in the technology, participants, activities and licensing framework of the hobby.

Practical Wireless • September 2026 Vol. 102 No. 9

Keylines

STAY INSPIRED and find your next practical build

New Panadapter for QMX series • The QRP Labs QMX series of transceivers encourages experimentation and fun, and has spurred a number of third-party accessories. Steffen Lav, OZ1LAV, has created a panadapter for this radio, using an M5Stack Tab5 — an ESP32-P4 with a 5-inch 720 × 1280 touch display. The display is quite nice. The project is getting active updates, and all of the code is on Github.

New from ML&S

Remembering the ‘Russian Woodpecker’ • Georg Wiessala recalls an HF phenomenon from the past, investigates covert comms & makes a case for still using HF.

Roberts Radios • Tony Jones G7ETW gets nostalgic as he repairs some portable radios of old.

Available to Order • All issues of Practical Wireless from 1965 to 2025 are conveniently available on handy CD-ROMS

A summer of DX! • Tim GW4VXE reports an astonishing month for propagation at both VHF and UHF.

The 18th Practical Wireless 70MHz Contest Rules • Colin Redwood G6MXL invites readers to participate in the Practical Wireless 70MHz Contest.

The 18th Practical Wireless 70MHz Contest Rules

WRTC 2026 • Don G3XTT takes us behind the scenes of the recent World Radiosport Team Championship, held for the first time in the UK.

WRTC and more… • Steve G4JVG has another busy column with lots to report, of activities past and those yet to come.

Shack Control Unit • Peter Edwards GW8ARR describes the building of a comprehensive shack control unit.

TYT TM-D70W Dual Band transceiver • Richard G3UGF says “TYTech – A strong contender”.

Rigflow • Mike Richards G4WNC starts by introducing an interesting new software package for Hermes Lite users.

The Hiroyasu IC-980 Pro & Pro-Max • Richard G3UGF says the Hiroyasu is full of FUN-ctions.

St Kilda Success: Activating Bioda Mòr • Ben Lloyd GW4BML successfully tackled a SOTA activation from a rare island in the St Kilda group. Here is his story.

More on impedance • Jeff has more to explain to Natalie about the topic of impedance.

Broadcasting history • Keith and Garry invite you for another stroll through the archives.

VA6 improvements, antenna clinic and more • Keith G4MIU returns with a column detailing a range of antenna measurements.

Your Letters • Send your letters to: Practical Wireless Letters, Warners Group Publications plc West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH E-mail: practicalwireless@warnersgroup.co.uk

Rallies & Events • All information published here reflects the situation up to and including 22nd July 2026. Readers are advised to always check with the organisers of any rally or event before setting out for a visit. To get your event on this list, email the full details, as early as possible, to: practicalwireless@warnersgroup.co.uk

Next Month • in the UK’s best & only independent amateur radio magazine…