Friday brings a satisfying mix for the portable crowd, with a beginner-friendly KX2 walkthrough and a reflection on switching sides from activator to hunter. We also tip our hats to some silent keys, eye a budget shortwave portable with weather-band coverage, and catch up on the wider world via Newsline — from a Colombian earthquake response to Canada's first OSCAR.

In today’s roundup

• A Basic Elecraft KX2 Setup & Orientation Video — QRPer
  K4SWL's 22-minute no-frills orientation is exactly the friendly on-ramp new KX2 owners need before their first park activation.
• Ham Radio Portable Operating Insights: Transitioning from a POTA Activator to Hunter — OnAllBands (DX Engineering)
  After years of activating parks, this operator explores life on the other end of the QSO — a fresh perspective on chasing rather than being chased.
• The New XHDATA D-228 DSP Shortwave/AM/FM Portable with NOAA Weather Radio — The SWLing Post
  XHDATA's new dial-type D-228 packs DSP shortwave, AM/FM, and NOAA weather bands — a tempting grab-and-go listener for the EmComm kit.
• Recent SKs: NU2J, K3SHD, K7AJM — KB6NU
  A moment to remember NU2J, K3SHD, and K7AJM, three operators who shared our passion — including Marc Toussaint, who followed his father onto the air.
• Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2546 for Friday, August 14th, 2026 — Amateur Radio Newsline
  This week's Newsline spans earthquake response in Colombia, an FCC case against a GMRS network founder, Huntsville's return, and Canada's first OSCAR cubesat designation.

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