Field radio takes center stage today, from Thomas's philosophy on operating without textbook perfection to the perennial puzzle of grounding when you're miles from a proper earth stake. We also tune the shortwave dial for Carlos's illustrated listening report and a fresh Imaginary Stations lineup, and spot a chance to give back with ARDC's 2027 volunteer call.

In today’s roundup

• The Uncompromising Compromise — QRPer
  K4SWL makes the case that field operating's so-called compromises are their own reward, a reassuring read for anyone chasing activations with modest gear.
• Substitutes for Ground in Portable Ham Radio Operations — OnAllBands (DX Engineering)
  When there's no ground rod on the summit or in the park, this guide to grounding substitutes tackles a problem every portable op eventually faces.
• Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radio Buenos Aires (September 15, 2026) — The SWLing Post
  Carlos Latuff pairs his cartoonist's eye with a Radio Buenos Aires catch, a reminder that shortwave listening still captures history as it unfolds.
• Volunteer with ARDC in 2027! — ARDC
  ARDC's 2027 volunteer applications are open through October 30, an invitation to lend your expertise to the committees shaping amateur radio's future.
• New Mexico and all that stuff — The SWLing Post
  The latest Imaginary Stations schedule lands, including a Shortwave Music broadcast on WRMI at 0200 UTC on 9395 kHz for tonight's dial-twisting.

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