E-zines

Ham Radio publications come; and Ham Radio publications go.

In my "brief and recent" (relatively speaking) Ham Radio career, I have seen 73, Ham Radio and Ham Radio Horizons go by the wayside. Others have staying power; such as CQ and QST, which are perhaps the "Grandaddies" of Amateur Radio publications. I am sure there have been others that have come and gone way long before I even came to know what Amateur Radio was all about!

Recently, we saw WorldRadio make the metamorphosis from hard copy publication to an online version; or E-zine. This seems to have been a major success with the publication going from a "newsprint" type of publication to one which now includes color; and now has the "feel" of being right on par with CW and QST. But, for your reading enjoyment, there are other Ham Radio E-zines which are just as every bit as high quality and professional as WorldRadio; just perhaps not as well known.

One that I've mentioned before is "The K9YA Telegraph". This was perhaps the first independent Ham Radio E-zine that I was introduced to. I have been a faithful subscriber since January 2004. It's free; but don't let that fool you for a nano-second. In the 5 plus years that I have been reading this monthly E-zine, I have never failed to have been delighted with the content of this publication. This is truly a professionally, well put together E-zine which highly reflects the dedication to the hobby that the staff clearly holds.

Another that I've just recently been introduced to and have just recently subscribed to us HAM-MAG which is produced in France. This E-zine has been published for a while; but an English version was just introduced this year. Again, another professionally well done product put out for free by fellow Hams like you and me, who clearly love this hobby.

And although, these two are club related; and not really intended for the "general" Ham public (no pun intended) I cannot fail to mention the Bacon Bits Quarterly which is published by the Flying Pigs QRP Club International. Also right up there is the SKCC Centurion, which is the monthly newsletter of the Straight Key Century Club. These are not your Grandpa's newsletters, which were probably mimeographed jobs sent to him in the mail; or handed out at a meeting. Both of these club newsletters are highly polished, professional looking publications that are on the leading edge of non-commercial Ham Radio publications. They alone are well worth the price of admission to these two organizations - oh, did I forget to mention? No dues for either - both the Flying Pigs and SKCC are free to belong to. How do they manage to put out such high quality work? The "love and dedication" of their membership.

73 de Larry W2LJ