Amateur radio doesn’t just live on the bands — it increasingly thrives in the digital space as well. YouTube channels, podcasts and online communities offer radio amateurs worldwide the opportunity to share knowledge, connect and find new inspiration. In this comprehensive overview, we present the most important platforms and resources that every radio amateur should know.
YouTube Channels: Experiencing Amateur Radio Visually
Video content has fundamentally changed the way we learn about and experience amateur radio. The following YouTube channels are among the best resources for radio amateurs worldwide.
DX Commander (Callum, M0MCX)
Callum McCormick runs DX Commander, one of the most popular amateur radio channels on YouTube. His focus is on building antennas, particularly his famous multi-band vertical antennas. Callum’s videos stand out for their practical and entertaining approach. He explains complex antenna theory in an accessible way and shows step by step how to build high-performance antennas from simple materials. His SOTA activations and field day videos are especially popular. With over 200,000 subscribers, he is one of the biggest names in the scene.
OH8STN — Off-Grid Ham Radio
Julian, OH8STN, specialises in off-grid amateur radio. His videos cover topics such as portable operation, solar power, digital modes and emergency communications. His detailed reviews of portable transceivers, battery systems and solar panels are particularly valuable. Julian frequently operates from the field and demonstrates in practice how to communicate effectively with minimal equipment. His expertise in JS8Call and Winlink makes him an indispensable resource for emergency communications.
Ham Radio Crash Course (HRCC)
The Ham Radio Crash Course, run by Josh, KI6NAZ, is known for its comprehensive and often hour-long livestreams where current topics in the amateur radio world are discussed. HRCC offers a mix of equipment reviews, amateur radio news and tutorials. The weekend livestreams regularly attract thousands of viewers who actively participate in the chat. Josh has also made a name for himself with his comparison tests of handheld radios.
K4SWL / Thomas Witherspoon
Thomas Witherspoon runs a successful YouTube channel alongside his well-known blog QRPer.com. His focus is on QRP operation (transmit power under 5 watts), portable operation and Parks on the Air (POTA). Thomas takes his viewers to beautiful outdoor locations and demonstrates how to make impressive contacts with minimal equipment. His calm and thorough style makes his videos particularly enjoyable to watch. The equipment reviews on his channel are among the most detailed and honest in the scene.
Ham Radio 2.0 (Jason, KC5HWB)
Jason runs Ham Radio 2.0, a channel particularly aimed at beginners but also offering valuable content for experienced radio amateurs. His videos cover a broad spectrum: from licence preparation to equipment presentations to amateur radio events and trade fairs. Jason regularly attends Hamvention and other major events, providing detailed reports. His friendly and accessible style has earned him a large and loyal community.
German-Language YouTube Channels: The DACH Scene
In the English-dominated world of amateur radio on YouTube, a vibrant German-speaking scene has emerged. These channels are made by hams for hams — no commercial interest, just passion. A selection:
- HB9BLA – Andreas Spiess 🇨🇭 – “The guy with the Swiss accent”. With over 330,000 subscribers, one of the largest electronics and amateur radio channels worldwide. Focus: microcontrollers, ESP32, LoRa and sensor technology in a radio context. English-language but a central figure for the DACH region (Germany/Austria/Switzerland).
- DL2YMR – Michael Reichardt – Build instructions and hands-on projects. Produced a complete video course for the German Class N license exam — essential for newcomers.
- DL2MAN – Manuel – Developer of the (tr)uSDX QRP transceiver. Homebrew, QRP operation and construction projects at a high technical level, with a globally engaged community around his open designs.
- DL6KA – Amateurfunk mit Pit – Hands-on videos on technology, radios and frequently asked questions in amateur radio.
- DL8MH – Heinz “just me” – Antennas, shortwave, operating modes and practical tips. A calm, structured style that makes his videos a reliable information source.
- DK1JAN – Jan – Tutorials and beginner information, especially valuable for newcomers and license candidates.
- DJ3KJ – Schau mal einer an – Robert combines amateur radio with music and brings a creative, unusual note to the scene — including his own ham radio songs.
- DL2ART – Funkwelle (Arthur Konze) – A long-running blog and video project on listening and transmitting. Arthur reduced his activity at the end of 2024, but the archive remains valuable.
- FUNKFIEBER – Outdoor radio, portable operation, SOTA/POTA activations and product reviews from a listener’s perspective.
- Funkbuddy – DO2DAP/OE2DAP – Outdoor activities, portable operation and homebrew, with a foot in the Austrian scene.
- DARC HAMRADIO – The official channel of the German Amateur Radio Club (DARC) with talk rounds, interviews (including “Interview unter dem Turm” with contest manager Paul Schimanski, DF4ZL), lectures and reports from Ham Radio Friedrichshafen.
- OE3MHU – Max 🇦🇹 – Electronics, telecommunications and amateur radio from Austria.
- OE8VIK / HB9HRQ 🇦🇹🇨🇭 – The specialist for DMR, D-STAR, C4FM and digital modes in the German-speaking world.
OM0ET – Paul from Slovakia
A glance across the northern border is worth it: Pavol Timkovic, OM0ET, runs one of the most active review channels in Central Europe from Slovakia. His focus is on detailed, honest equipment reviews and modifications — from handhelds like the Quansheng TK-11, to receivers such as the Raddy RF919, to new SDR chips like the ESP138 with TEF6686 and SI4732 SSB. Paul tests meticulously, documents measurements and openly addresses weaknesses. For anyone looking for genuine hands-on experience before a purchase decision, OM0ET is an excellent address — and a nice bridge to the neighbouring Slovak amateur radio community.
Other recommended channels include:
- RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) — Official videos from the British amateur radio society with lectures and tutorials
- W2AEW — Excellent measurement technology tutorials and RF fundamentals
- Ringway Manchester — Nostalgic and educational videos about radio technology and electronics
- TRX Lab — Detailed reviews and technical analyses of modern transceivers
- Temporarily Offline / KM4ACK — Raspberry Pi in amateur radio and digital modes
Podcasts: Amateur Radio on the Go
Podcasts offer an ideal way to stay informed about amateur radio on your commute, during exercise or in the workshop. The following productions are among the best in the field.
Ham Radio Workbench Podcast
The Ham Radio Workbench Podcast is one of the most technically demanding amateur radio podcasts. The hosts, including George, KJ6VU, and Jeremy, KF7IJZ, cover topics such as antenna construction, measurement technology, SDR (Software Defined Radio), microwave technology and amateur radio electronics. The episodes are often very detailed and in-depth — ideal for radio amateurs who want to dive deeper into technical subjects. Regular expert interviews round out the programme.
ICQ Podcast
The ICQ Podcast, produced by Martin Butler, M1MRB, and his team from Great Britain, is one of the oldest and most established amateur radio podcasts. Since 2005, the podcast has delivered weekly news, features and interviews from the amateur radio world. The show has an international focus and reports on developments from various countries and regions. The professional production and variety of topics make the ICQ Podcast a must for every informed radio amateur.
Linux in the Ham Shack
For radio amateurs who use Linux and open-source software, Linux in the Ham Shack is the perfect podcast. Hosts Richard, KB5JBV, and Russ, K5TUX, discuss the intersection of Linux and amateur radio: from logging software to digital modes to SDR applications. The podcast also covers general Linux topics, making it interesting for tech enthusiasts who are passionate about open source.
QSO Today Podcast
Eric Guth, 4Z1UG/WA6IGR, conducts in-depth interviews with interesting personalities from the amateur radio world in QSO Today. Each episode features a radio amateur and their story, projects and experiences. The range extends from DXpeditioners and contesters to antenna developers to amateur radio pioneers. With over 500 episodes, QSO Today is a true treasure trove of personal stories and expertise.
German-Language Amateur Radio Podcasts
For German-speaking listeners, there are several podcast offerings. The Amateurfunk-Podcast covers current topics from German-speaking amateur radio, presents projects and conducts interviews with OMs and YLs from the DACH region. The DARC also occasionally produces podcast formats and audio contributions available through the association’s website. Particularly noteworthy is the weekly roundup from the OeVSV, which is available as an audio podcast on oeradio.at.
Online Communities: Exchange and Networking
Beyond traditional media such as YouTube and podcasts, online communities play a central role in modern amateur radio. Here, radio amateurs can ask questions, share experiences and connect worldwide.
Reddit: r/amateurradio and Related Subreddits
Reddit hosts one of the most active amateur radio communities on the internet. The subreddit r/amateurradio has over 300,000 members and offers daily discussions on all aspects of the hobby. From technical questions to station presentations to current news, you’ll find everything here. Other relevant subreddits include r/HamRadio, r/RTLSDR, r/amateursat and r/EmComm. The community is generally helpful and welcoming to beginners.
QRZ.com
QRZ.com is far more than just a callsign database. The associated forum is one of the oldest and largest amateur radio communities on the internet. Here you’ll find discussions on practically every amateur radio topic: antennas, transceivers, operating techniques, DXpeditions, contesting and much more. The forum is divided into numerous sub-sections and offers a search function to find older posts on specific topics. QRZ.com is also indispensable as a reference for station information and addresses.
eHam.net
eHam.net is particularly known for its extensive equipment review database. Thousands of radio amateurs have shared their experiences with transceivers, antennas, accessories and software here. Before purchasing new equipment, checking eHam reviews is almost mandatory. The forum additionally offers discussions on technical topics, and the classifieds section is a popular destination for used amateur radio equipment.
DARC Forum and German-Language Communities
The German Amateur Radio Club (DARC) operates its own online forum serving as a platform for German-speaking radio amateurs. Topics ranging from local club activities to technical projects to contest reports are discussed here. The DARC forum is closely linked to the association’s activities and also offers areas for newcomers and beginners. Additionally, Funkbasis.de provides an independent German-language community offering discussions about radio in the broadest sense — including amateur radio, CB radio and radio scanners.
Facebook Groups
Despite legitimate privacy concerns, Facebook groups remain an important meeting point for radio amateurs. Large international groups like “Amateur Radio” or “QRP — Low Power Amateur Radio” have tens of thousands of members. For the German-speaking region, there are groups such as “Amateurfunk in Deutschland” and “Amateurfunk in Oesterreich”. Specific interest groups on topics like POTA, SOTA, digital modes or particular equipment types are also active on Facebook. The advantage: the barrier to entry is low, and many radio amateurs are already active on the platform.
Discord Servers
Discord has established itself as a modern communication platform in amateur radio in recent years. Several large Discord servers are dedicated to the hobby, offering text and voice channels on various topics. The advantage of Discord over traditional forums is real-time communication: questions are often answered within minutes. Discord is particularly popular among younger radio amateurs and tech enthusiasts. Some servers also organise joint radio activities and contests.
Mastodon and the Fediverse
With the rise of the Fediverse, an active amateur radio community has also formed on Mastodon. The decentralised structure of the Fediverse fits well with the ethos of many radio amateurs who value open standards and decentralised communication. Regular posts can be found under hashtags like #AmateurRadio, #HamRadio and #Amateurfunk. Some Mastodon instances even cater specifically to the tech community, further strengthening the amateur radio presence there. The Fediverse offers a privacy-friendly alternative to commercial platforms.
OeVSV and oeradio.at
The Austrian Amateur Radio Association (OeVSV) is the umbrella organisation for Austrian radio amateurs and offers current information, event announcements and technical articles through its website. Complementing this, oeradio.at has established itself as a modern information platform for the Austrian and German-speaking amateur radio community. On oeradio.at you’ll find news articles, the weekly roundup as an audio podcast, a DX cluster display, propagation forecasts and much more. The propagation information and UTC clock widget also make the site a useful tool in daily radio operations.
Tips for Effective Use of Social Media in Amateur Radio
The variety of offerings can seem overwhelming at first. Here are some practical tips for making the most of social media in amateur radio:
- Choose selectively: You don’t have to be active everywhere. Pick two or three platforms that match your interests and participate actively there.
- Give back: Communities thrive on the engagement of their members. Share your own experiences, answer beginners’ questions and contribute to discussions.
- Stay respectful: As on the bands, a friendly tone promotes exchange online too. Avoid equipment wars and dogmatic discussions.
- Mind your privacy: Consider what personal information you want to share online. Not every platform handles data with equal care.
- Use RSS feeds: Many amateur radio websites and blogs offer RSS feeds. With a feed reader, you won’t miss any important news.
- Connect locally: Online communities are great, but don’t forget your local club or regular meetup. The best connections often happen in person.
The Future of Amateur Radio Communities
The digital landscape for radio amateurs is constantly evolving. New platforms emerge while others lose relevance. The trend clearly points towards video content and real-time communication. At the same time, interest in privacy-friendly and decentralised alternatives like Mastodon and Matrix is growing.
What remains is the core of amateur radio: people connecting through their shared passion for radio technology and communication — whether via shortwave, VHF, the internet or all channels simultaneously. The channels, podcasts and communities presented here offer something for everyone, from the absolute beginner to the experienced DXer.
We wish you lots of fun discovering and connecting — on the bands and in the digital space!
73 — your oeradio.at editorial team
Transparency Notice
This article was researched and written with the support of AI (Claude, Anthropic). All content has been editorially reviewed. The channels, podcasts and communities mentioned are recommended without commercial intent and reflect the editorial assessment.
