SWL or HAM Radio 2 Great Hobbies For Military Veterans

Shortwave Radio and HAM radio as a hobby for veterans is something that veterans looking for a fun hobby should look into.  HAM radio is a bit expensive but it does have some great benefits like

• Chatting with other veterans & HAMs globally
• Learning about Frequencies and propagation
• Electronics
• Participating in emergencies by giving assistance

Shortwave Radio has it’s benefits as well:

• If you hear a distress you can take action – if you own a HAM radio or handheld you can use it in emergency to transmit without a license ONLY For Emergency Assistance!
• Pick up contacts globally
• Pickup radio stations globally
• You are not restricted in what you can hear if it’s on the airways Shortwave and pick it up
• Technology has caught up with Radio so now Shortwave listeners can Decode SSTV- Receive images from the ISS –air Traffic in real time – Sideband Upper & Lower – Decode FT8/RTTY/PSK31 and other modes and send QSL cards confirming your pickups – You can even load them directly to YouTube as confirmation!  WOW
• The Cost Is Just A Battery Operated Radio – an eQSL account for QSL cards – FREE YouTube Channel & Lots of enthusiasm and patience on the airways.  *NOTE You can do this on HAM as well – With SWL the entry level costs is a lot lower.

Veterans Day 2022 was great!

Federally licensed radio operators who are Legionnaires will honor military service and their fellow veterans in a special on-air tribute on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Members of The American Legion Amateur Radio Club (TALARC) will operate on short-wave radio from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m., using the Federal Communications Commission specially-issued radio call sign – W9L – from National Headquarters in Indianapolis. Any ham radio operators (and shortwave listeners) who contact the station are eligible to receive an attractive commemorative certificate.

“Veterans Day is more than just a holiday,” said Marty Justis (call sign W9WMJ), president of TALARC. “It’s a time for all Americans to recognize the honorable nature of military service and the men and women who have sacrificed so much in defending our nation through the years.

Full Article CLICK HERE

Why Shortwave:

As the owner of SWLQSL & Navy veteran I have been around shortwave radio all my life and the hobby never let’s me down.  Even when I think I won’t pick up any signals out of the blue I get something really interesting.  As a military veteran I love the fact that once I got properly set up with our website and eQSL I can travel anywhere in the world and do my thing. 

My equipment fits easily in my laptop bag and works anywhere – so makes the thrill even better.  Through our website I can see what other SWL’s are doing and their awards and chat with them as well.  .

Come Join us on SWLQSL.com meet some cool people and get set up in a hobby that can be lots of fun and it’s global.  Check it out you have nothing to lose and lots to gain…

Have a great day CJ Henderson VK2021SWL – WRYG735 SWLQSL.Com