Radio fosters a sense of connection and belonging, drawing listeners into trusted stories. TALKERS magazine and its annual conference serve as a gathering point for industry professionals, celebrating talk radio as a cultural force. The authors express gratitude for their experiences and connections within this evolving landscape, emphasizing the art of storytelling.
Ham radio operators use a unique shorthand language, with historical codes like 73 meaning “best regards” and terms such as CQ and QSL indicating specific communications. This coded communication has evolved from its origins in the 1800s, fostering a sense of belonging among operators while adapting to modern forms of interaction.
Amateur radio operators are dedicated volunteers who serve as a vital communication resource during emergencies and disaster recovery. They engage in activities like storm spotting and search and rescue while also participating in community events. Hamvention, a major gathering, showcases the amateur radio community’s commitment and offers opportunities for learning and networking.
In the most recent edition of ARRL’s On the Air, C. Crane CEO Jessica Crotty underscores the importance of being fully familiar with your equipment long before a disaster occurs. She also highlights the essential role radio plays during emergencies, offering reliable communication when other systems fail and helping communities stay informed and prepared.
The new C. Crane 2025 catalog has arrived. Did you get your copy yet?
If your AM radio reception seems worse in the summer, you’re not imagining things. Between long daylight hours, more interference, and changing atmospheric conditions, summer can throw a wrench into even the best listening setups.
Whether you’re parked at a rest stop trying to catch your favorite talk show, listening in bed at home, or sitting in your garage workshop with the radio on, those familiar fades and static bursts might be showing up more often.
Here’s why that happens – and what you can do about it.
Continue Reading
“HOT DOGS!” “SODA!” “BEER!” “PEANUTS!” – if you’ve ever been to a major league ballpark, those familiar calls from vendors instantly transport you back. The scent of fresh popcorn lingers in the air, the crack of the bat electrifies the crowd, and the collective roar rises as a deep fly ball takes flight.
Continue Reading
We’ve noticed some questions and concerns about increased static on our radios compared to others. This feedback is common with radios as sensitive and selective as ours. While this sensitivity allows them to pick up weaker, distant signals, it can also mean they’re more affected by unwanted interference, including static from electronic devices in your home or environment.
Continue Reading
Every year, we try to write an updated blog post about being prepared for an emergency. This year, we’ve decided to do something a little differently. As we witness the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, the importance of reliable communication tools becomes clearer than ever. Our friend Thomas Witherspoon from SWLing recently shared a powerful firsthand account of the role radio played during Hurricane Helene in Swannanoa, NC.
Continue Reading