I Passed My Amateur Extra Exam!
After a five-day study sprint, I’m officially an Amateur Extra! 🎉 I couldn’t wait for the next local test session — so I scheduled an online exam with WM7X, took the test, and passed! When I first got into ham…
W2DIY
Celebrating International Marconi Day: My First Event Station Experience with W2GSB
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to celebrate International Marconi Day by operating as W2GSB, the official event station for the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club. It was my first time ever operating at a club station — and also…
Unboxing the Xiegu G90: A Compact HF Radio That Won’t Break the Bank
Ever since I upgraded to General, I knew I wanted to get on HF—but I didn’t want to drop a fortune right away. That’s when I came across the Xiegu G90. It’s compact, full-featured, and one of the most affordable…
How to Study for Your Ham Radio License
Getting your ham radio license might sound intimidating at first, but it’s way more approachable than most people think. I started with zero experience—and now I’ve passed both the Technician and General exams. Right now, I’m studying for my Amateur…
Programming the Baofeng UV-5R with CHIRP: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Programming a Baofeng UV-5R for the first time can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re trying to manually enter frequencies on that tiny keypad. But here’s the good news: CHIRP makes the whole process way easier. If your radio is…
General Class License Upgrade on April Fools’ Day – My Next Steps
This morning, I got the email from the FCC — my General Class license upgrade has officially been processed. And yep, it happened on April Fools’ Day! But don’t worry, it’s not a prank — I passed my General Class…
From KE2FFT to W2DIY: Changing My Ham Radio Callsign (and Everything That Came With It)
When I first got licensed on February 27, 2025, I was issued the callsign KE2FFT. A few weeks later, I decided to change my ham radio callsign, and that’s when I found W2DIY. I had already set up a bunch…
Handhelds, Mobiles & More: My Beginner Ham Radio Lineup
Everyone starts somewhere — and this is where my ham radio journey began. I’ve picked up a few radios along the way, each one marking a step in the learning process. Here’s a look at my beginner ham radio setup,…
Welcome to W2DIY
Hey there — I’m Daniel, and welcome to W2DIY. I’m a new ham just starting out and learning the ropes of this incredible hobby. I started this blog to document my journey, share what I’m picking up along the way,…
How to Get Your Ham Radio License (Step-by-Step Guide)
Online courses: Ham Radio Prep is what I personally used — it’s video-based, easy to follow, and designed for complete beginners. Books: The ARRL Technician Manual or Gordon West’s study guides are popular options. Free apps and sites: Try HamStudy.org,…