How an Amateur Radio Journey Was Nurtured With the Right Communication Tools

 

Because today is all about digital communication and social media, the allure of amateur radio may seem anachronistic to some. Yet for enthusiasts like Jackson Mettler, it represents a world of curiosity, learning, and community. From childhood walkie-talkie games to founding his high school’s first amateur radio club and dreams of a career in radio communications, Mettler’s journey embodies a thriving subculture that exists parallel to our wireless, broadband world. 

The young amateur radio member talked about his passion with ICOM, his educational outreach efforts, and his experiences in the world of ham radio.

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In February 2026, an international team of 24 amateur radio operators will embark on a bold mission to one of the most remote and inhospitable places on Earth—Bouvet Island. Among the world’s most isolated islands, Bouvet offers no harbor, no shelter, and no easy way in. Yet from this icy outpost in the South…

Few places on Earth are as inaccessible—and as coveted by amateur radio operators—as Bouvet Island. Located in the South Atlantic, this uninhabitable rock has long been regarded as the “Mount Everest of DXpeditions.” According to the DXCC Most Wanted List, Bouvet ranks near the very top of sought-after contacts, making every attempt to activate…

Bouvet Island sits at the edge of the world. It is frozen, uninhabited, and almost impossible to access. Fewer people have set foot there than in space. That level of remoteness is exactly what makes it so valuable to amateur radio operators. The island ranks tenth on ClubLog’s list of Most Wanted DXCC entities,…