Category: DX Commander

We’ve all seen them… Big bold text. Bright colours. Dramatic lighting. AI-generated images. Shocked faces. Red arrows! So… are YouTube thumbnails getting worse, or are creators simply adapting to an increasingly competitive platform?

In this video I have a relaxed discussion about modern thumbnails, AI as a creative tool, and the constant battle every creator faces for your attention.

I also show how I use ChatGPT – not to create my videos, but as a creative assistant to help refine titles, descriptions and thumbnail ideas. Ultimately, the ideas, the filming and the editing are still mine.

For me, there’s one simple rule:

**A thumbnail should earn the click… but the video has to deserve it.**

I’d genuinely like to know what you think.

Which thumbnail would YOU click? Don’t answer!

Callum.

Whether you’re running a Special Event Station, activating a lighthouse, a castle, a hill, or you simply find yourself with a wall of callers – everything changes!

This isn’t a video about working stations faster – it’s about looking after the people waiting to work you.

We’ll cover:

The Rule of Three
The Rule of Two
Why callers are participants, not spectators
How to manage a queue without losing the fun of amateur radio

After all… A pile-up isn’t a reward. It’s a responsibility.

73,
Callum M0MCX

Today I decided to try something a little different – AM on the UK 60 metre band.

A few of us had been chatting on 40m during the week and it got me wondering how AM would sound on 5 MHz. The result surprised me!

In this video I show:

• How I set up AM on the Kenwood TS-990S
• Why carrier power matters
• Why I turn the speech processor OFF
• How to achieve approximately 100% modulation
• A real off-air recording from the Hack Green SDR

My AM Setup Checklist:

✓ AM mode selected
✓ Speech Processor OFF
✓ Compression OFF
✓ TX Bandwidth = 100 Hz – 4 kHz (or widest available)
✓ Carrier adjusted so ALC is at or near ZERO
✓ Mic Gain adjusted for voice peaks approximately 4× carrier power
✓ Monitor audio sounds clean and natural

Example:

Carrier = 25W
Voice Peaks ≈ 100W

This gives approximately 100% modulation.

If you’re active on AM, let me know your favourite setup, microphone and operating frequency in the comments below.

Note: On AM, the audio appears on both sides of the carrier. So a 4 kHz audio bandwidth results in an RF signal approximately 8 kHz wide. If that seems a bit generous, try 100 Hz – 3 kHz instead. It’ll still sound great and occupy roughly 6 kHz of bandwidth.

73,

Callum M0MCX
DX Commander

Testing out the 3-element Yagi

A few people asked about the 3-element vertical array I mentioned recently – so I fired up MMANA-GAL and had a play.

In this video I model a simple vertical, then add a reflector, a director, and finally look at a four-element/bayed version that starts looking rather silly at low angles.

This is fixed-direction, monoband, and not for everyone – but for seaside operation, contesting, or a dedicated DX direction, it could be an absolute flamethrower.

Enjoy your radio.

DXFest 2026 is almost here! The registration form is now live. If you’re planning to attend, please complete the form so we can get an idea of numbers:

👉 https://dxcommander.com/event/dx-commander-fest-open-day-15th-aug-2026/

Date: Saturday 15th August 2026 (12:00 Noon to 16:00)

If you joined us last year, you’ll notice a lot has changed. We’ve added more antennas, the 4-Square system is fully operational, the main tower is up, and there are plenty of new projects to see around the field.

On the day:

• Live operating stations on multiple bands
• GB1NHS special event station
• Demonstrations and antenna discussions
• Software demonstrations from James M0YOM
• RSGB attendance
• Opportunity to operate the stations yourself
• Main tower lowering demonstration at 3pm
• Plenty of radio chat, tea, and antenna-related mischief

Special guests expected include:

• Tom M0YOM
• Jonathan M0JSX
• Ian G0CNN
• Darren M0CX
• Mike M0N

Whether you’re interested in antennas, operating, contesting, portable radio, station building, software, or simply meeting fellow radio amateurs, there should be something for everyone.

Keep an eye on the channel on 14th August for a couple of additional announcements, and another update on the day itself.

See you at DXFest!

73,

Callum M0XXT
DX Commander

For years, people have asked me where the DX Commander concept actually came from. Did I invent it… or discover it? That’s what this video is about.

Because the truth is – none of us invent physics. Physics already exists. What we do as engineers and radio amateurs is discover arrangements that work… then try to package those discoveries into something practical, repeatable and reliable.

This video takes you through 24 years of my obsession with wire antennas:
• hundreds of experiments
• failures and dead ends
• strange prototypes
• Cornwall in 2013
• the very first multi-band vertical attempts
• and how the DX Commander gradually evolved from all of that experimentation.

Along the way, I explain:
• why creativity often comes from obsession
• why experimentation matters more than theory sometimes
• the difference between discovering physics and inventing a product
• and why most engineering is really about solving practical problems.

I’ve still got photographs of almost every antenna experiment I ever built — including some truly awful ones! Hopefully this inspires some of you to go and experiment with antennas yourselves.

Enjoy the video.

73,
Callum M0MCX
DX Commander

PL259 or N-Type? It’s a debate that has been going on in amateur radio for decades. Many operators assume N-Type connectors are dramatically better than PL259s, particularly when it comes to loss, performance and weatherproofing.

But are we worrying about the wrong thing?

In this video I look at measurements made by the late Jim W6LG, who compared twenty PL259 connections against twenty N-Type connections and measured the actual difference.

The result might surprise you.

Perhaps instead of obsessing over connector types, we should be focusing on better coax, better antennas, improved grounding and station improvements that genuinely move the needle.

73,

Callum M0MCX
DX Commander

#HamRadio #AmateurRadio #PL259 #NType #DXCommander

Today I’m replacing the top section of Mast #2 due to the bend at the very end of the pole. What should have been a quick job turned into a pleasant afternoon in the antenna field – birds singing, aircraft overhead, tools clanking and a bit of problem-solving along the way. Sometimes it’s nice just to get outside and get things done.

I also share a few thoughts on the GoPro I’ve been using while my DJI Pocket 3 is away for repair. Let’s just say we’re not getting on particularly well…

Tomorrow I’ll be turning my attention back to the 15m Yagi and getting that project moving again.

Enjoy your radio!

73,
Callum M0MCX
DX Commander

#hamradio #amateurradio #dxcommander #antenna

Today I received a very kind surprise from John Bait G7OAE – a Rode Procaster microphone to try on our radio setup. I currently use an Electro-Voice RE27ND on Station #1 and an RE20 at home, so I’m fascinated to see how the Procaster compares for ham radio particularly on SSB.

Some broadcast-style dynamic microphones can sound fantastic on radio, but they often need quite a lot of gain. The RE20, for example, is famously “quiet” compared to hotter microphones like the RE27ND.

So the question is: Will a Rode Procaster actually work well on amateur radio?

If you use one, let me know your thoughts below.

73,
Callum M0MCX
DX Commander