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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
WC4R Rating: 2018-01-25
Read it cover to cover Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been getting QST for over 40 years. It is the best single source of ham radio information. It has changed many times over the decades which has been good for the publication. When it comes to learning about new products, the ads are priceless. I am happy they placed 99% of the ads all together in the back pages -- like getting two magazines in one. I love the ads and find it a valuable section of QST. Of course the diverse articles let me always find something of interest.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by WC4R on 2016-10-22

I have been subscribing since 1973 and never missed a year. After one year I knew I would always subscribe so I took advantage of the life membership deal. Best buy ever made. Looking back, it was a steal! The cheapest time is now, it will always increase. If you complain of rising membership rates, blame yourself for not doing the life deal.
I love having a print issue. I save every one in my library, moving the old ones to the attic.
The idea of having all the ads to the back is fantastic. I am so thankful to having so many dealers & manufacturers running their ads.
Reading QST lets me have a choice: read the articles or turn to the back portion and browse the ads. Two magazines in one.
The articles are timely, well written, and informative. I miss World Radio, 73, and others so I am very pleased QST has hung in there.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WC4R on 2014-09-12

Been getting it for over 40 years. Look forward to each issue. Read it cover to cover including all the ads. Unique (and appreciated) that the ads are all out of the way and sent to all the back pages. Don't like ads, stop turning pages! Nice that businesses support QST with those ads. Keeps me on top of things.
W9CW Rating: 2018-01-25
Improving with More Technical Articles Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I'm not sure if I necessarily like the new size and paper thickness (seems thinner to me!), but if QST continues to include more applicable technical articles, I'm happy with its editorial direction.

Now, for those hams who feel that there are too many display ads, you need to understand the economics of magazine publishing. Although QST is the journal of the ARRL, your annual membership fee to ARRL does not begin to cover the cost of paper, printing, postage, payment to free-lance authors, etc. for QST, let alone the total operation of ARRL in Newington. I spent 20 years of my life as an Advertising Director for a monthly consumer electronics magazine. Without display advertising in QST, the magazine, and likely ARRL, would cease to exist. Display advertising revenue is what determines the success or failure of any monthly magazine - a standalone publication or a journal of an association or organization.

It's quite possible that the decrease in total page count of QST effective with the January 2018 issue was driven by decreased display advertising revenue or a renegotiation of their printing contract. Its decreased size certainly allows for a more competitive, and thus more cost-effective, printing contract to a printer with web press capability, and very likely decreased postage. Also, I am sure that ARRL's business-side management would like to see even more display advertising pages, not fewer.

Most magazine publishers like to see a 50%/50% split between editorial content and display advertising. Be happy that you see quite a number of display advertising pages within QST; otherwise, you would not have a magazine to peruse each month!



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Earlier 5-star review posted by W9CW on 2013-10-02

I find QST to be a good read with each issue, some better than others. I do wish they had more QRP design and build articles, but I understand the editorial limitations.

What consistently amazes me, however, are the posts here that denigrate QST for the number of display advertising pages. Evidently, these folks don't understand the basics, and economics, of magazine publishing. Without the display advertising pages, there wouldn't be a QST. Display advertising Net Sales determines the success or failure of any magazine... either a stand-alone, or a journal of an organization.

Refer an issue of QST back in the '50s and '60s... still a significant number of display advertising pages even then. Critique QST on its editorial content, NOT the display advertising, because without the ad pages, you wouldn't be holding it in your hands!
W3PMH Rating: 2018-01-25
Too many advertisements Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Yes I agree with the previous writer about the amount of Advertisements. I can look at and review my MFJ catalog before picking up my QST issue and thus only have between 3/8 to 5/8 of the magazine to read. I do enjoy the DIY articles and look forward to each issue.
BTW where is my February issue? Monthly issues are normally in my hand by the 2nd Monday of the preceding month.
W6UXB Rating: 2018-01-24
New subscriber, pretty good Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Well I have only been an ARRL subscriber for about 3 months and I have to say was impressed with the Feb 2018 edition lots of home brew ideas and technical articles, although I do agree the advertising is a bit too much so that's why it is not a 5, I do hope they keep the small home brew projects going not many people can build their own radio but can build or learn to build nice station accessories, looking forward to upcoming projects!
WA6KYR Rating: 2018-01-13
QST is more than a magazine Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I think that QST does a very nice job with easy to read technical information and projects. Their advertisers are screened to a degree and that gives me confidence to purchase from them. One should not forget that QST is also membership into the ARRL which supports ham radio which would not even exist were it not for ARRL lobbying after World War 2.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by WA6KYR on 2017-03-19

I think the ARRL supports our interests rather well. I like QST’s diverse technical articles, the contest and DX information and the honest Product Reviews. I appreciate the tactful product improvement suggestions in QST. This is done without trashing items that may need some improvement. I think QSTs advertisements are extremely helpful in order to figure out where resources may be found for my next project. Besides the magazine we get Logbook of The World and representation in Congress. Without this organization ham radio would have been discontinued shortly after WW2 etc.
K9IKE Rating: 2018-01-13
Great Bargain, Cause Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Contests, educational info, reviews of the latest gear, status of OUR bands, as well as
ads for equipment ( whats wrong with that? )
All hams should be members of this organization.
There's ALWAYS room for improvement but keep up
the great work!
W4KVW Rating: 2018-01-12
Bad Deal Time Owned: more than 12 months.
If QST were not well over 100 pages of advertising & then also part of the ARRL it might be worth $10 a year.Because of those issues it's surely not worth an ARRL membership.I think if the ARRL is the only voice Amateur Radio has then we are voiceless.They think they makes Rules when all they make is suggestions.Even the ARRL Band Plan is just a suggestion.They stand for very little that I do & if I want too see adds for new gear I'll read my latest HRO or DX Engineering Catalog which are far more informative & interesting & they are FREE.It's no wonder to me why less than 25% of Licensed Hams in North America are ARRL members & those numbers keep dropping every year.You get a bunch of nothing for your hard earned dollars.Pretty much Worthless & that money is much better being invested in something worth while & useful.

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Earlier 3-star review posted by W4KVW on 2016-10-15

Well I received my November 2016 Edition of QST & could not help but notice that it contains 71 pages of nothing but advertisements.Each month there are more & more & making me question what happened to what was once a pretty good magazine for Amateur Radio Operators?At the rate they are going there will be less & less who will renew because it's just not worth the return.I don't feel the ARRL membership is anywhere worth what is paid for it & a big reason such a few Amateur Operators overall are even members.The ARRL is like a Union that you are required too belong to that you get a lot of nothing for those high Union Dues.I don't see me renewing next year since I don't QSL nearly as much any longer the cost is just not worth the return.The ARRL is a Poor excuse for a representative of Amateur Radio in my opinion & so many others & the magazine is a prime example of a waste of good money.
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Earlier 3-star review posted by W4KVW on 2009-11-24

If it were NOT part of the ARRL dues I doubt many folks would bother buying it on a REGULAR basis.Readership would DROP at least 50% I'd guess.If NOT for the BUREAU service ARRL membership would be a TOTAL WASTE as well.

CLAYTON
W4KVW
AC7CW Rating: 2018-01-12
Enjoyable Read Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I read the online version using the QST app on my Samsung 10.4" tablet. It's fine, navigation is excellent, it looks great, I enjoy the content and even the ads. I've read QST off and on going back to when it was printed in black and white and honestly: the hobby and the technology have only become more fascinating and the magazines can't help but follow along.
KC2FZN Rating: 2018-01-12
Need a change Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Need way more build projects. Hands on is the best way to learn and enjoy the hobby at the same time. At the present it is really boring. Need some fresh talent and minds st the helm to bring it back.
KB2SMS Rating: 2018-01-11
Worth the money IMHO Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I really like the new format. It's easier to read. The online version stinks however, it's a PITA to navigate.

I've been a member since I got my ticket. I don't agree with everything they do but we don't have any other voice for amateur radio other than the ARRL.