Act today. There are only a couple of weeks left to submit your group’s application to talk with a crewmember on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2027

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Space—the final frontier for mankind and ham-kind alike.

While OnAllBands has been talking a lot lately about making QSOs with rare DXCC entities (Bouvet Island, Desecheo Island, et. al.), there’s no doubt that contacting the International Space Station ranks pretty high on the list of cool things you can do with ham radio. And if you want to make this happen in 2027, there’s still time for your organization to apply to host an amateur radio contact with a crewmember on board the ISS. 

Estimated to begin around January 1 and run until June 30, 2027, crewmembers on the ISS will take part in 10-minute-long (give or take) voice-only communications with students. The Q&A will give insight about what it is like to work and live in space. Other topics that can be discussed include research being conducted on the station, satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Of course, available spots depend on crew scheduling and the ISS’s orbit.

These ISS amateur radio events are hosted by Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). The deadline to submit a proposal is May 22, 2026, 11:59 pm Pacific Time.

To maximize these radio contacts, the ARISS program looks for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the radio contact into a well-developed education plan. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in contact dates and times, according to the official ARISS proposal page. You can find out more on how to apply here.

Amateur radio and space travel go together like french fries and a Wendy’s Frosty. It’s confusing at first, but when they merge, you’ll be wanting to come back for seconds. In fact, there were three hams on NASA’s Artemis II mission—a test flight that laid the foundation for the organization’s return to the moon. Those hams are Reid Wiseman, KF5LKT; Victor Glover, KI5BKC; and Jeremy Hansen, KF5LKU. Artemis II crewmember Christina Koch is not a licensed operator.

Sadly, there was no ham radio equipment on board, according to ARISS.

The goal of this mission was to test the Orion spacecraft’s life-support, navigation, and communication systems with astronauts on board. It was the first crewed lunar flyby in about 50 years. It began on April 1, when the Orion launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The astronauts orbited around the moon and eventually returned home on April 11.

The last time we went to the moon was in 1972, when astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt spent three days exploring the Taurus-Littrow valley. Cernan was the last human to set foot on the moon. Subsequent missions to the moon solely featured unmanned probes.

Here’s a fun fact: Besides the benefits of having an ocean nearby to catch spacecraft debris, NASA uses its base in Florida as a launch point for space missions because of its proximity to the equator. That’s because the Earth’s eastward rotation spins faster the closer you get to that line, which offers a speed boost plus fuel savings. The closer you are, the more benefits you get.

From all of us at OnAllBands, best of luck in your pursuit of helping youngsters contact the ISS, providing a memory that will undoubtedly inspire them to explore beyond our world. Let us know if your organization gets one of the coveted spots; we’d love to hear about it and write about your experience!

Read this OnAllBands article by Katie, KE8LQR, about her YOTA group’s experience contacting NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, KJ5GWI, on the ISS.

The post Time is Running Out to Apply for a Chance to Contact a Ham in Space in 2027 appeared first on OnAllBands.

The 2026 edition of ARRL Field Day will be June 27-28. Your fellow hams at OnAllBands want to make sure you’re fully prepared for one of the most active and exciting weekends on the amateur radio calendar.

As we’ve said before, Field Day is whatever you or your club want to make of it:

• A contest
• Serious practice for emergency operations
• An outdoor laboratory for antenna experimentation
• The opportunity to try out an alternate power source
• The chance to promote the amateur radio service to the community
• A weekend celebration that combines good friends, QSOs, and BBQ
• All of the above…and more! 

While operators may approach the event differently, most would agree that getting your stations in top shape and being ready for the unexpected are keys to a successful weekend. Over the next couple of months, OnAllBands will be presenting suggestions on ways to make this year’s Field Day a memorable one for your group.

We begin our Field Day prep guide with one of our favorite topics: coaxial cable.

Before you consider purchasing a new transceiver, a more efficient antenna, or a strong portable telescoping mast, take the time to assess your coaxial cable well before Field Day rears its unpredictable head. Here are a few reasons to make your coax a priority:

• Coaxial cable that has seen years of use or shows signs of damage can seriously affect on-air performance.

• Cheaper coaxial cable may appear to be doing a decent job, but you’re missing out on vastly improved performance, additional QSOs, and a lot more fun on Field Day by not investing in a higher grade of cable.

• This annual gathering of hams offers a chance to test your emergency operating capabilities—the event’s main purpose since the first Field Day in 1933. That means you should have reliable gear that performs well. If your coax does what’s it’s supposed to on Field Day, you’ll know it will be ready when you’re called on for critical communication.

• It’s a relatively small investment in peace of mind and better results. Further, purchase upgraded coaxial cable for Field Day and enjoy its benefits for all your POTA and other activations for years to come.

Why Choose DX Engineering Coaxial Cable?

DX Engineering coaxial cable is trusted by amateur operators everywhere. Select DX Engineering branded coax and you’ll be using the same products relied on by high-profile DXpeditioners who have one shot to get every detail right when traveling halfway around the world. DX Engineering coaxial cable was used on these recent activations and continues to make a difference for hams just like you (see customer quotes from five-star reviews below):

• Bouvet Island 3Y0K: DX Engineering 400MAX PL-259 Low-Loss 50-ohm Coax

“400MAX has the low loss that meets my needs perfectly when running QRP and you want to maximize power to the antenna. I’ve found it to be very durable as well.”

Dudley, DX Engineering customer

• Desecheo Island KP5/NP3VI: DX Engineering RG-213U PL-259 Low-Loss 50-ohm Coax

“None better. Have used DX Engineering coax assemblies for years for both short and long runs, indoors and outdoors, running legal limit. Nicely assembled with premium PL-259s.”

John, DX Engineering customer

• Sable Island CY0S: DX Engineering RG-8X PL-259 Low-Loss 50-ohm Coax

“The best assembled coax I know of. When I want excellent preassembled coax, DX Engineering is the best choice. Durable jacket, excellent connectors, very pliable.”

Tim, DX Engineering customer

Assistance from Field Day Pros

DX Engineer’s support team has a combined 1,000-plus years of amateur radio experience. If you’re not sure what coaxial cable is right for your setup, you’ll receive knowledgeable advice to make sure you get precisely what you need.

Premade Coaxial Cable Assembly Options

DX Engineering coax assemblies are available in lengths from 1.5 to 200 feet (length options vary per type of coax). They either come with DX Engineering’s patented Next Generation crimp/solder 8U or 8X PL-259 (UHF male), Amphenol 83-1SP PL-259, Type-N male, or BNC male connectors on both ends. Assemblies also come with a PL-259 connector on one end and Type-N or BNC male connector on the other (check specific cable types for availability). DX Engineering coaxial cable can also be purchased by the foot and by the roll up to 1,000 feet.

DX Engineering coax is assembled, hi-pot tested, and heat-shrink weather-sealed for long life by our own experienced technicians. Plus, you typically receive same-day shipping on in-stock orders placed before 9 pm ET Monday-Friday.

Easy Online Ordering

Ordering premade cable assemblies is fast and simple at DXEngineering.com. Choose from these DX Engineering coaxial cables:

• RG-214 Double-Shielded 50-ohm
• RG-400 High-Isolation Double-Shielded 50-ohm
• 400MAX Low-Loss Cable 50-ohm
• RG-8U Low-Loss 50-ohm Foam Dielectric
• RG-8X Low-Loss 50-ohm Foam Dielectric
• RG-6/U 75-ohm Quad-Shield
• RG-58A/U 52-ohm
• RG-11U 75-ohm Bulk
• RG-213U Low-Loss Mil-Spec 50-ohm

Make Sure Others See Your Coax on Field Day!

Also choose DX Engineering high-visibility RG-8X cable with an orange PVC jacket. Assemblies come with DX Engineering’s patented PL-259 connectors or BNC male connectors on both ends (1.5 to 100 feet) or with a PL-259 on one end and a BNC male on the other (3 to 100 feet). High-visibility RG-8X is also available in spools of 1,000 feet or by the foot.

Also check out high-visibility BNC male RG-174 cable assemblies from 1.5 to 50 feet.

Watch this DX Engineering video on the many benefits of DX Engineering high-visibility coaxial cable for Field Day and other outdoor activations:

Cables Made to Order

DX Engineering’s online Custom Cable Builder lets you select made-to-order coaxial cables that meet your precise needs (type of coax, type of connectors on both ends, length up to 300 feet).

These custom-ordered cables are professionally assembled, hi-pot tested, and typically shipped within two business days after purchase. In addition to DX Engineering branded cable, you can order customized Times Microwave Systems® LMR®-400, LMR®-400UF, LMR®-400DB, LMR®-600, LMR®-600UF, and LMR®-600DB cable assemblies. Also available is DX Engineering Tinned Copper Braid for safely grounding your stations.

Ready to upgrade? Check out this OnAllBands article: Everything You Wanted to Know About Coax but Were Afraid to Ask

Stay tuned! OnAllBands will be featuring more Field Day essentials leading up to the big weekend, including:

• Tool kits for preparing your coaxial cable
• Power supplies
• Headsets
• LiFePO4 battery and charger combos
• Wire antennas
• Foldable and rollable solar panels

The post Guide to Prepping for ARRL Field Day 2026: Part 1, Coaxial Cables appeared first on OnAllBands.

Today, OnAllBands turns its attention to Continuous Wave in celebration of the CQ WW WPX CW Contest at the end of May. We’ll get to that and other CW contests in a moment, but first let’s look at some of the reasons why this mode continues to captivate the amateur radio community:

• For newbies, it’s a fun and challenging mode to learn.

• For emergency operators, the dits and dahs of Morse code have a better chance of cutting through the noise compared to SSB in challenging conditions. Narrow bandwidths allow for efficient filtering of noise and other signals.

• For experienced operators, there’s nothing more exciting than managing a CW pileup, running a frequency in a contest, or challenging yourself to reach higher WPM speeds.

• For QRP enthusiasts, low power and CW go together like PEPs and carriers (or peas and carrots, if you’re into the whole vegetable analogy thing).

• For all hams, it’s a way to connect to the early days and traditions of telegraphy.

• For the international community of operators, use of Q codes and standardized abbreviations shatter global language barriers, making Morse code messages universally understood.

• For collectors, mechanical design enthusiasts, and results-driven contesters, it’s a chance to equip your shack or portable station with some of the coolest, precision-made gear in all of ham radio (see below for gear available at DX Engineering).

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Plus, there’s no shortage of online CW groups and contesting opportunities. Here are a few:

The Straight Key Century Club sponsors a Monthly Weekend Sprintathon. The next one is scheduled for May 9, 1200Z to May 10, 2400Z. This event “aims to bring together operators with different skill levels in a regularly scheduled, informal operating event lasting 36 hours,” per the SKCC website. The SKCC was established in 2006 and is going strong with more than 29,000 members. Check out its website for useful resources, including the “SKCC Beginner’s Corner.”

K1USN Slow Speed Test: This is held every Friday and Monday “for those who prefer a more leisurely CW pace or are new CW operators or contesters,” according to the K1USN SST website. If you copy under 25 words per minute and are looking for a less stressful place on the air to improve your CW speed, this might be just the ticket.

Founded in 1987 by Geo, G3ZQS (SK), the CW FISTS Club (the International Morse Preservation Society) is dedicated to promoting Morse code around the world. The organization boasts chapters in the Americas, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and East Asia. Learn more about the club’s operating activities in the Americas here.

The First Class CW Operators’ Club was founded by Bob Webster, G5BW, and John Hunter, G2ZQ, in 1938. Today, there are members in more than 50 countries. The club is all about promoting high standards of CW operating. Read here about the club’s on-air events. Learn here about how to become a member.

CWops, a group that celebrates “the unique art form of Morse code,” holds popular one-hour QSO parties (CWops Tests) every Wednesday. Find out how to become a member here.

Also check out the Long Island CW Club—a great resource for learning Morse code.

Find the Key or Paddle That’s Right for You

If you’d like to dive into the CW contesting community, it’s easy to procure finely crafted CW equipment at DX Engineering, which carries Morse code straight keys, paddles, bugs, and more from leading providers in a wide range of styles, designs, materials, and prices. Here’s some of what you’ll find:

Begali Keys straight keys and paddles

Choose from more than 20 precision-made CW instruments from Begali Keys, including this WRTC 2026 Limited Edition Expedition Key. Also, take a moment to learn how Begali keys are made in this excellent OnAllBands article by Katie, KE8LQR, “A Visit to Italy’s Begali Keys Factory.” The company has been making highly coveted keys for more than 60 years.

Vibroplex iambic paddles, original bug keys, straight keys, code practice oscillator kits, and more from amateur radio’s oldest continuously operating business.

Vibroplex was founded in 1905 by telegrapher Horace Greeley Martin, who revolutionized the telegraph industry with the invention of the semi-automatic bug key, so called because of Vibroplex’s original electrified-insect logo. Vibroplex original bug keys (below) are available at DX Engineering.

Also find a nice selection of CW instruments at DX Engineering from:

• Bencher
• Chelegance
• GHD
• HA8KF
• Hi-Mound
• Kent

DX Engineering PaddlePads

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Now Let’s All Get on the Air!

While you’re busy getting ready to show off your latest QRP creation at Four Days in May (May 14-17), increase your contesting prowess at Contest University (May 14), or celebrate the best in amateur radio at Dayton Hamvention® (May 15-17), here are a few contests to round out the month: 

Canadian Prairies QSO Party: May 9, 1700Z to May 10, 0300Z. This marks the fifth running of the CPQP, an SSB/CW event on 40/20/15/10M. From the CPQP website: “This is your opportunity to get to know your western Canadian neighbors in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.”

Alessandro Volta Worldwide RTTY Contest: May 9, 1200Z to May 10, 1200Z. Hosted by the SSB and RTTY Club COMO and the Associazione Radioamatori Italiani, this annual event is designed to “increase interest in RTTY mode and to honor the Italian discoverer of electricity, Alessandro Volta.” Learn the story behind Volta’s amazing work in this article. And check out these OnAllBands posts on RTTY:

• “How RTTY Became the First Mainstream Digital Data Mode”
• “Getting Started in RTTY”

His Majesty King of Spain Contest, CW: May 16, 1200Z to May 17, 1200Z. Sponsored by the Unión de Radioaficionados Españoles (URE), this contest is available to amateurs worldwide. Choose from single- and multi-operator categories. Amateur operator and King of Spain emeritus, Juan Carlos de Borbon, EA0JC, was leader of the country from 1975-2014.

Arkansas QSO Party: May 16, 1400Z to May 17, 0200Z.

NZART Sangster Shield Contest: May 16, 0800Z to 1100Z. Hosted by the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters, this low-power CW challenge is NZART’s longest-running contest. Founded in 1926, NZART is an organization dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of amateur radio and to making the hobby accessible to everyone.

CQ WW WPX CW Contest: May 30, 0000Z to May 31, 2359Z. Participants use Morse code to contact as many unique station callsign prefixes as possible.

The post Guide to May 2026 Ham Radio Contests—CW Edition appeared first on OnAllBands.