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 • December 2026 Vol. 102 No. 12

Keylines

STAY INSPIRED and find your next practical build

Newsdesk • Have you got something to tell our readers about? If so, then email practicalwireless@warnersgroup.co.uk

Hamfest 2026 • Your editor was unable to be at the National Hamfest this year but PW Designer Mike Edwards managed to get along and take some photos. We hope these give a flavour of the event if you weren't there.

The ICOM ID-5200 • Richard Constantine G3UGF takes a look at the ID-5200E – the Next Generation Radio?

Sporadic-E – Getting to Know an Exotic Phenomenon (Pt II) • Nils Schiffhauer DK8OK concludes his analysis of Sporadic E phenomena.

2026 - a good year for Sporadic E • Tim GW4VXE has another busy column and also reflects on Sporadic E propagation during the 2026 season.

Contests • Colin G6MXL offers a primer on amateur radio contesting.

Broadcasting history • Keith and Garry invite you to gallivant through their archives.

Pebble HF • Tim GM4YTD builds and reviews this new low-cost radio.

JTTY, Youth Award, Belgium Outdoor Shack and more. • Steve G4JVG has another busy and informative column covering all matters HF.

More on the EAntennas Yagi • Keith G4MIU follows up on the issues he found with the Yagi introduced in last month’s column.

The Real-life Thunderbirds • Georg Wiessala takes a look at a key international satellitebased search and rescue network and explains how radio amateurs played a part in it from the beginning.

The RSGB Convention • Steve Telenius-Lowe G4JVG says the future of amateur radio seems to be in safe hands…

Building the future of amateur radio • RSGB volunteers highlight the work that is being done to encourage youth into the hobby.

The Tecsun PL330 portable receiver • Daimon G4USI reviews a budget portable receiver from Tecsun.

JTTY • Mike G4WNC introduces the new kid on the data modes block – JTTY. A worthy replacement for traditional RTTY?

The Beauty of Decoding • Roger G3LDI emphasises the importance of correct spacing when sending Morse code.

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