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Reviews For: QST Magazine

Category: Amateur Radio Periodicals

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Review Summary For : QST Magazine
Reviews: 267MSRP: 34
Description:
Subscription comes with membership to the American Radio Relay League
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.arrl.org
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
002673.8
W8WWP Rating: 2010-12-28
Technical content is lacking Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been a subscriber to QST for many years and a reader of it when I lived at home and my dad was paying the bill. Like others who have posted here I have to agree that the quaility of the magazine has suffered. There are only a few articles that I enjoy reading every month. It seems that every month we need to read how to make a dipole or a microphone from a shower head. I submitted an article for publication but seems that relevant articles of actually using ham radio are not needed. I have also found that anytime something from MFJ is reviewed it never tells the real story. Gee, could that be because almost half of the advertising is from them? The only flip side is that the ARRL does provide some sort of voice in Congress, all though I wonder sometimes about that too. For someone just starting in the hobby, it provides a nice pretty colorful picture, just don't look for much good information unless you want to pay for more books that they publish.
N0AZZ Rating: 2010-10-29
A must join Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I read all of QST still and read all the ads also to keep up with whats new in equipment and software plus what I feel are fair reviews.

I do not agree with all the ARRL does I do feel we are failing each other by not joining after all they are the only one that goes to bat for us in legal matters at home and the IARU.

I will continue to subscribe to it till a SK.
N7OQ Rating: 2010-10-26
no good technical articles Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use to love getting my QST mag and loved the technical articles and projects. But now all I ever see is simple articles and then they don't even go into any detail. No PCB art work, what is that all about??? They took anything of value and stick it into QEX and then charge you again for that mag. Every year I question way I even renew my membership, with a dumbed down mag and questionable Ham radio support. It's embarrassing that the foreign magazines have passed us up in technical articles. Come on ARRL put something back into your mag and quit trying to suck every dime you can get from us.
KC9MXC Rating: 2010-07-21
Could be better, could be worse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The primary mission of the ARRL is as a publishing house and QST is their advertising vehicle. Occasionally I'll find some old QST magazines (60's - 70's) and for the most part not that much has changed. A typical issue contains an editorial, contest info, hints and kinks, antennas, reviews and a construction project.
Perhaps instead of pointing fingers at QST for being dry and dusty, we should contribute articles and projects that we think other hams might find interesting. As for myself I find most articles interesting and especially enjoy the Hands on Radio series.
FORMER_K0PD Rating: 2010-07-21
A must for Hams !! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I got caught up in the anti ARRL feelings that seemed to be gaining steam in the 1990's and by 2000 i stopped subcribing to it. Well here i am 10 yrs older and hopefully wiser and once again the Magazine is in my mail box again. I still do not agree with much of the politics the Arrl seems caught up in but then again i'm not setting across the table listening in to all that is goin on and for what reasons. I'm glad a old reliable trusty friend sets on my table again. Do not care for alot of the articles but i'm sure the ones i like others do not care for. QST welcome back home..
W8DTW Rating: 2010-07-21
Poor journalism Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I support ARRL so I'll remain a member and thus a subscriber. However, QST is a poor reflection on the organization and amatuer radio in general. Articles are poorly written and poorly edited (detail is omitted in the effort to save space). Content is repititious and predictable. Other publications (CQ) are equally lacking in substance and variety. The hobby deserves better...
WV1K Rating: 2010-07-21
Complimentary bird cage liner with access to useful website Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This review is based on 24 years of QST. In 2010 QST is out of date before it's in the mailbox. This is because QST has been as flexible as the steel bolt through the VFO knob used by some people. The staff puts its fingers in its ears if you say Adobe or online edition to them. If you said Kindle the effect would be more odd, I'm sure. Although, they might want to get one and pass it around for 6 months to see if anyone wanted to buy their own... The space used on "news" is a waste catering to those few without internet access and photography of events and operation is lacking, whether because of lack of contributions, thrift, or control freak editors stuck in 1991 when the demise started. The issues I receive are flicked through then put aside, usually never to be read again except when they go out the door. I don't even replace them with the CD anymore, it's so bad. I don't think they need construction articles. Most hams under 40 aren't going to build what they can buy for the same price. The focus should be antennas and operating. Even that is now missing except for the occasional piece. Yes, they'll counter that X, Y and Z fit that but a WRTC write-up is a bore. Try going out and getting the DXpeditioners to write. Try publishing charts comparing TOA etc of antennas at different heights rather than trying to peddle someone's latest CD. In one case a series on verticals was relegated to NCJ. Why ? If you wanted to read it you were sentenced to pay more, that's why. The only reasons I'm still paying for this is the website, with its pretty good archive and a few other reasons. There are the few new stations I've confirmed through LOTW and awards I'm unable to add to because I had a 25 foot tower I had to fight my own way out of from 2004 to present. ARRL advocacy ? "We can't help you" even though I was given the go for 35 feet, paid a ham to put it up because I'm maimed for life, and then had terrorist neighbors (oh, I do mean that) harass the Building Inspector into making me lower it ten feet for spite so that the beam is a foot above the roof. ARRL doesn't want to lock horns with any towns because then they're not going to be able to force ARES on the town employees(not "officials"). After a degree in History and Political Science they're bureaucrats, servants staff or employees, or known by their job in my house. Ever notice that lately, since DHS grants, ARRL has also converted to "ARRL Officials" and not "ARRL staff" ? I have a friend who could easily say he was a "former official". Instead he notes that they're legends in their own minds and finally quit after many, many years.
G3SEA Rating: 2010-07-20
QST Deja Vu ? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Other commenters may well be older hams who are experiencing the " Been there done that " syndrome ;)

I'm sure as new Hams they read it cover to cover.

The Magazine has to cater to all levels of Ham Radio.

I can also see QST going totally online in the near future.

KH6/G3SEA
VE3TMT Rating: 2010-07-20
My last subscription Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After being a subscriber for a few years I have to say this will be my last. Article content is seriously lacking, The first quarter of the magazine is ARRL feed, and the last half is the same old advertisements that never seem to change. Doesn't leave a lot for good reading. I have to shake my head at some of the questions in the "The Doctor Is In", makes me wonder how some of these guys got their ticket. I took up a subscription because CQ printed the same trash every month and now I am afraid QST is doing the same. Maybe time to pick up those European electronics mags even though they are $12 at the local book store. I will donate my QST's to the local club to help some new hams.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by VE3TMT on 2009-03-02

I renewed my membership back in November and look forward to another year of QST. I really enjoy the magazine. In my opinion way too much advertising. In the March issue, the first article doesn't start until page 30. And the advertising starts at page 103. That is almost 90 pages of ads and 100 pages of articles. Just about split down the middle. My preference would be 70% articles, 30% ads, but I am aware advertising is what pays for the magazine. Also, I have to question "The Doctor Is In" column. Are you guys making these questions up? Some of the questions I see might sound okay coming from a grade 3 student, not someone who supposedly took an exam to get their license. I guess it is meant to be the comic section of the paper.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by VE3TMT on 2008-01-25

After QST became unavailable in book stores I decided to treat myself to a paid subscription. After the normal delays I received the Feb 2008 issue in mid January. It arrived completely intact in fine condition. It is nice to have a magazine arrive before its printed month. Low and behold I arrive home from work yesterday, only to find the Jan 2008 issue in my mailbox in a cardboard mailer! What a pleasant surprise. I plan on keeping my subscription as long as possible and having full years is a bonus. I enjoy reading every issue of QST and the new contesting section is great.

Thank you QST for the nice surprise.

Max
VE3TMT
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Earlier 4-star review posted by VE3TMT on 2007-12-15

For years I have been buying QST at the local bookstore or magazine stand but no more. My only source of late has been buying older issues at flea markets but I have read them all! My first subscription issue will be here in February and I couldn't be happier. I look forward to the articles and projects although it is a shame that half of the magazine is advertising. And I can figure out why it takes 2 months for my first issue to arrive. I agree with Bob about the articles. I read 73 when I was in my teens and found the construction articles very good. Simple easy projects that didn't require a degree in engineering and a bench full of test equipment to get going.
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Earlier 4-star review posted by VE3TMT on 2004-12-09

I have heard a rumour that QST will only be carried by stores that sell amateur radio equipment. Phooey! I guess it is true since it has all but disappeared from our local book stores, and the closest radio dealer is a 2 hour drive away. I know many of you are saying "why don't I just get a subscription?" Well I did previously with another amateur magazine only to have it continually arrive 2 weeks late and torn to shreds. I cancelled my subscription after the first year. I really like QST and looked forward to picking it up each month. More articles, "read: NOT columns" would be nice, the advertising takes up almost half the magazine. I know that is what pays for the costs of running the show, but it does seem a little much at times. All in all a good read, but too bad those of us who don't live in a major city won't be able to get it anymore. Bad decision in my opinion to drop it from the book stores.
WD4MBE Rating: 2010-07-20
No Adventure Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I support the ARRL but do not really enjoy reading QST. There is no adventure in the magazine...No call to action...Seems more like something an office of bureaucrats would compose and publish.