Build it
Homebrew software and hardware are part of the hobby, not separate from it.
About / Shack
The person behind VA3HKW
Amateur radio, software development, station projects and experiments from the VA3HKW shack.
I finally got my amateur-radio licence in 2024 after being interested in radio and electronics since childhood. Like a lot of hams, I started out fascinated by CB, simple receivers and the idea that a piece of wire could pull voices out of the air.
I completed the RAC Basic course and passed with honours. Since then I’ve been exploring digital modes, Fusion/C4FM, DMR, FT8, CW, antenna building, radio control and anything else that looks like it might be fun to understand.
I enjoy building and experimenting more than chasing expensive gear. A lot of the station and the software on this server grew from the same question: could I make this myself?
The result is this site. Some tools solve a real problem in my shack. Some were built to make something more accessible. Some are personal utilities. Others exist simply because coding them was interesting.
Primary HF / all-modeYaesu FT-991A
Secondary HFIcom IC-756
VHF / UHFDiamond X50 vertical
HF antennasMostly wire, homebrew and experimental
Project philosophy
Useful first. Fancy second.
The common thread through the projects is practical experimentation: make the interface simpler, make it accessible where possible, learn how the protocol works, then keep the working version around for the next idea.
Make it usable
Where practical, projects consider screen readers, keyboard access and straightforward controls.
Keep experimenting
Experimentation is part of the process: build, test, learn and improve the next version.