Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

Ham Radio Morse Code Trainer For Contesting

HamRadio 24-7 CW Contest Trainer is a fast, web-based tool built for amateur radio operators who want to sharpen their CW and contest skills. Practice copying real-world call signs through simulated single-caller and pileup scenarios, adjust CW speed and tone, and track your score to improve over time. Designed by contest operators for contest operators, this trainer helps you build accuracy, speed, and confidence before the next big event. Perfect for contest prep, DXing skills, and serious CW improvement. Feedback is welcomed. Ray W2RE

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Robert Higgins Robert Higgins

🏗️ The Real Cost of Installing a Communication Tower — For Ham Radio and Beyond

Installing a ham radio communication tower is a serious investment that demands planning, permits, and professional expertise. At Radio Echo Communications, we specialize in efficient, OSHA-certified tower installations nationwide. From Rohn 45 guyed towers to complete turnkey systems, our team delivers precision, safety, and long-term performance at competitive rates. Learn the real cost of tower installation, what factors influence pricing, and why the 70-foot Rohn 45 remains the gold standard for ham radio operators. Discover how Radio Echo’s experienced crew and multi-income business model keep rates affordable while setting the benchmark for quality and reliability in the industry. Discover the real cost of ham radio towers. Learn why the 70’ Rohn 45 guyed system from Radio Echo Communications is the most efficient turnkey build.

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Robert Higgins Robert Higgins

🚨 High-Frequency Trading on Ham Bands? A Looming Threat to Radio — and Financial Stability

A coalition of high-frequency trading firms wants permission to use shortwave radio frequencies — the same spectrum used by amateur radio operators — to speed up trades between global financial centers. The proposal could revolutionize how markets move money, but it also threatens to disrupt one of the most vital communication tools the world relies on during emergencies. Here’s why the Shortwave Modernization Coalition (SMC) could be the biggest risk yet — to both markets and ham radio.

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Robert Higgins Robert Higgins

Coax Loss Calculator

Optimize Your Ham Radio Station with the Free Coax Loss Calculator! Calculate coaxial cable loss, frequency, and length for popular coax types. Mobile-friendly, interactive, and designed by Ray Higgins W2RE to help every operator maximize power output.

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Robert Higgins Robert Higgins

Dipole Calculator For Ham radio Wire Antennas

Unlock the Power of Ham Radio with Our Simple Dipole Calculator! Quickly design a resonant dipole antenna for any HF band with precise measurements, optimal feedline setup, and a 1:1 Balun. Perfect for amateur radio enthusiasts, this easy-to-use tool ensures maximum signal efficiency, broad bandwidth, and minimal RF interference. Build your DIY dipole antenna today and experience crystal-clear transmissions across all your favorite ham radio bands!

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

Guy Wire Calculator

Optimize Your Ham Radio & Commercial Tower Setup with the Most Efficient Guy Wire Calculator on the Web

Planning a safe and efficient tower installation has never been easier. The HamRadio 24-7 Guy Wire Calculator lets you quickly calculate the precise guy wire length in feet or meters, including the slope angle, by simply entering your tower height and anchor distance. Perfect for ham radio operators and commercial tower professionals, this tool ensures accurate measurements, improving structural stability and maximizing antenna performance.

With a visually interactive display, animated guy wires, and a clean red and white gradient tower visualization, you can see exactly how your setup will look—and share it with your team or on social media.

Don’t risk miscalculations that could compromise your tower. Use the HamRadio 24-7 Guy Wire Calculator to achieve maximum safety, efficiency, and reliability for every tower project.

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

Ham Radio & HOA Conflicts Solved—Well, Almost! Read the Full Story

Living in an HOA doesn’t mean giving up Ham radio! Many neighborhoods restrict antennas and towers, making traditional setups tough—but we have a solution. Whether you want to operate powerful stations nearby or across the country, it’s possible. Read on to discover how HOA restrictions no longer have to limit your Ham radio passion!

Your HOA may say no to antennas, but it doesn’t have to say no to Ham radio. Learn how enthusiasts are bypassing restrictions and operating powerful stations!

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

Ham Radio Tower Install Specialists | Ham & Commercial Tower Installation Services

Radio Echo Communications is your go-to for professional ham radio tower installs and commercial tower projects. From backyard ham towers to mega rotating towers and 106’ crank-up systems for NASA and Boeing, our insured, OSHA-certified team brings decades of experience. We also handle high-frequency systems for stock trading RF and advanced communications. Explore our portfolio on HamRadio247 across social media. Want to see towers engineered to perfection? Dive in now!

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

Breaking Barriers in Ham Radio: The W2/Summit Station Story

Ham Radio Without Limits: W2RE’s W2/Summit Superstation

Perched atop a remote mountaintop QTH in the Catskills, W2RE’s W2/Summit station is a world-class Ham Radio superstation and a model of innovation. Built in 2010 after ten years of searching for the perfect ridge-top property, the project combined hands-on construction, towering antennas, and precise engineering to maximize radio propagation. Thanks to remote Ham Radio operation via www.RemoteHamRadio.com, hams worldwide can operate this station without ever setting foot on the summit.

Ray didn’t stop there. With the station vacant most of the year, he transformed it into a short-term rental on Airbnb and VRBO, turning a hobby into a profitable real estate asset. Today, remote operations plus STR income surpass full-time earnings from his previous career.

Curious how Ham Radio, mountaintop QTHs, and smart investing come together? The story of W2/Summit is just getting started.

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

How to Brand Yourself in 10 Easy Steps – Lessons from W2RE, the Ham Radio 24-7 Pioneer

Branding isn’t just for corporations—it’s how individuals like Ray Higgins, W2RE, became known worldwide as the voice of Ham Radio 24-7. From building contest stations to pioneering RemoteHamRadio, Ray proved that a strong personal brand can turn passion into influence. In this guide, you’ll discover 10 powerful steps to brand yourself in ham radio (or any field)—from creating your signature identity to showcasing expertise and staying authentic. If you’re ready to be seen, remembered, and respected, keep reading… because your “Ham Radio 24-7” moment is waiting.

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

Ham Radio is Alive and Well: Remote Access, Youth Programs, and FT8 in the Cloud

Ham radio is thriving in 2025! Remote stations, youth programs, FT8/FT4, and global DXing are inspiring the next generation of operators.

Think ham radio is a thing of the past? Think again. In 2025, the hobby is alive and growing, fueled by remote ham radio access, digital modes like FT8 and FT4, and innovative youth programs that are connecting the next generation of operators worldwide. Over 3 million amateur radio enthusiasts are exploring global DXing, participating in contests, and even supporting emergency communication when traditional systems fail. Programs like the Remote Ham Radio Youth Program are breaking barriers, giving young operators free access to professional-grade stations and sparking lifelong passion for the hobby. From seasoned operators collaborating with youth to thrilling competitions and cloud-based digital operations, ham radio is more accessible, exciting, and global than ever. Curious how this century-old hobby is evolving with technology and inspiring young operators worldwide? Keep reading—this is ham radio like you’ve never seen it before.

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

FT8 in Ham Radio: The Pros, Cons, and Why It’s Changing the Game

FT8 in Ham Radio has revolutionized amateur radio communication by making weak-signal contacts possible worldwide with minimal equipment. Invented by Nobel Prize winner Joe Taylor, K1JT, FT8 is now one of the most popular digital modes, allowing operators in antenna-restricted environments such as HOAs, apartments, and balconies to work DX they could never reach on SSB or CW. FT8 is also widely used as a propagation tool to detect band openings for other modes. Alongside FT4, it has become an essential part of modern ham radio operation. RemoteHamRadio’s cloud-based FT8 portal takes accessibility even further, enabling seamless operation without complicated software. From new operators to seasoned DX chasers, FT8 ensures amateur radio remains active, inclusive, and future-ready.

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

How to Buy Ham Radio Real Estate: A Complete Guide for Hams

As a lifelong ham radio operator and owner of multiple ham radio properties, I’ve learned that the right land can make the difference between a hobby and a truly professional station. Whether you’re building a home QTH or a remote station, selecting property that allows for towers, antennas, and future expansion is critical.

In 2010, I took the leap at age 45, using my life savings to purchase my Summit, NY QTH. The towers went up the same year, creating one of the first EPIC remote stations in the USA—the start of what became Remote Ham Radio. While the original goal was contesting, I quickly realized the potential of remote operations and went on to acquire additional properties, including Jonesport, which we discuss in this article.

This blog provides a step-by-step guide for finding and building your dream QTH. From property evaluation and zoning navigation to tower placement and remote operation setup, you’ll gain practical advice and insider tips from someone who has done it all. Start your journey today and unlock the secrets to creating a high-performance ham radio station.

Learn how to buy ham radio real estate for home QTH or remote stations with expert tips from Ray W2RE. Step-by-step guide for hams.

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

How W2RE Became the Ham Radio Tower Guy Serving Thousands of Amateurs Daily

Meet W2RE, the ham radio tower expert trusted by thousands of amateur operators worldwide. From maintaining RemoteHamRadio stations used daily, to designing and building massive MEGA stations, W2RE combines engineering skill with passion for the ham community. His educational videos, live tower streams, and photos reach over 10 million views a month, inspiring both new and experienced hams. Trusted by NASA, Homeland Security, and Boeing, W2RE keeps his focus on the amateur operator. Discover how he became the go-to tower guy for remote operations, top-tier station builds, and insights that elevate the hobby—one tower at a time.

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

What is Ham Radio

Ham Radio (Amateur Radio): Connect Worldwide and Serve Your Community

Ham radio, also known as amateur radio, is a global, non-commercial hobby and public service that allows licensed individuals to communicate, experiment, and provide emergency support. Licensed operators, or “hams,” can talk with others around the world, including astronauts in space, and contribute to disaster relief efforts when traditional communication systems fail.

The ham radio hobby offers a variety of activities, from technical experimentation with antennas and radio equipment to participating in emergency communications and international radio contests. It’s a hands-on way to learn about electronics, technology, and global communication.

In the photo is Lori KB2HZI, who earned her FCC ham radio license at just 18 years old. Her achievement highlights how youth can get involved in amateur radio, gain real-world technical experience, and become part of the worldwide ham radio community.

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to advance your skills, ham radio for beginners provides opportunities to explore technology, connect globally, and contribute to public service—all while enjoying one of the most rewarding hobbies in the world.

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

How Much Does It Really Cost to Own a Ham Radio Tower?

The cost of installing a ham radio tower is one of the most frequently asked questions in the amateur radio community. At Ham Radio 24-7, we’re dedicated to providing clear answers for operators looking to upgrade their station. In this article, we’ll break down the cost of installing a ham radio tower, explore the different types of towers available, and highlight important factors like installation cost and long-term maintenance. Whether you’re a new operator or an experienced contester, understanding the true cost of a ham radio antenna tower will help you make the best investment for your station’s performance and reliability.

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

Playing Ham Radio at the Top: My Journey to Becoming W2RE

What if your hobby could change your life? I turned my passion for Ham Radio into multiple income streams, dream stations, and some of the best ham radio real estate you can imagine.

This isn’t just about radios—it’s about leaving the 9-to-5, giving up the W2 grind, and building a life on your own terms. From starting Hudson Valley Towers to creating 20+ income streams, I’ve turned a weekend pastime into a career, a lifestyle, and true freedom.

Whether it’s DX chasing, building antennas, or running remote stations, Ham Radio can do more than fill your weekends—it can transform your future.

Dive in and see how a hobby can become your ultimate adventu

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

From CB & GMRS To Ham Radio: why you should make this switch

If you’re ready to go beyond CB and GMRS radios, HamRadio is your next adventure. With an FCC license, you gain access to a vast world of frequencies, global communication, and exciting technology. Curious about how to become a Ham Radio operator? It’s easier than you think! And for kids under 21, the RemoteHamRadio Youth Program lets you get on the air for free. All you need is a smartphone, PC, laptop, or tablet with Wi-Fi—using SDR technology, you can work the world on HF through this revolutionary service. Lets dig in deep on this article.

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

The NK2R 140 foot Rotating Tower Build in the Catskill Mountains!

Walk Through the NK2R Install 🚀📡

We’re taking you behind the scenes of the NK2R install – the first 4O3A rotating kit in the USA, spinning a 140' Rohn 55 tower with 75 elements, all GXP antennas! ⚡🏗️

This station plays beautifully, and seeing it in action is nothing short of amazing. We’ve embedded a ton of videos from our YouTube and TikTok posts, so you can watch the full build and antenna setup from every angle. 🎥🔥

Heads up – this is a deep dive, and it’ll take about 30 minutes to digest with all the videos. So grab a cup of coffee ☕, settle in, and enjoy the full blog experience!

From foundation to first rotation, this install shows what precision, planning, and teamwork can accomplish in the world of ham radio. 🌌💪

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Ray Higgins Ray Higgins

DX Launcher: The Must-Have Tool for Every Ham Radio Operator

🚀 The Tease is Over – It’s Official! 🚀

We’re excited to announce that the DX-Launcher is now LIVE to the public!

No more struggling with slingshots, ropes, or tossing weights over trees. We’ve taken the concept of the potato gun and engineered it into the most powerful and precise dipole antenna launcher ever designed for amateur radio.

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