QST (pronounced "Q-S-T") is the official monthly magazine of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the longest-running ham radio publication in the world. It has been the primary source of technical information, project articles, news, and inspiration for amateur radio operators since 1915. In the MicroBasement, QST represents the heart of the ham radio community — a magazine that has taught generations how to build, operate, and experiment with radio equipment. This write-up covers the history of QST, when it was first published, an overview of ham radio, its project-oriented nature, the importance of QST, the role of the ARRL, its suspension during World War II, and its legacy of in-depth articles and more.
QST was first published in December 1915 by Hiram Percy Maxim and Clarence D. Tuska as a small 8-page newsletter. It began as the official organ of the American Radio Relay League, which Maxim and Tuska had just founded earlier that year to promote amateur radio and relay messages across the country. The first issue was sent to a few hundred ARRL members and cost 10 cents per copy. The magazine quickly grew in scope and circulation, becoming a monthly publication and the central hub for the growing ham radio community.
Amateur radio (ham radio) is a licensed, non-commercial radio service where individuals experiment with radio equipment, communicate worldwide, and provide emergency communications. Operators use frequencies from HF (shortwave) to microwave bands for voice, Morse code, digital modes, satellite communication, and more. Ham radio emphasizes self-training, technical experimentation, and public service. It has been vital during disasters (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes) when commercial communications fail. The hobby has attracted engineers, scientists, and hobbyists for over a century, with millions of licensed operators worldwide.
QST has always been heavily project-oriented. From its earliest issues, it published detailed construction articles for transmitters, receivers, antennas, amplifiers, and test equipment. In the 1920s–1960s, hams built much of their gear from scratch or kits, and QST provided schematics, parts lists, and step-by-step instructions. Iconic projects include homebrew superheterodyne receivers, single-sideband transmitters, VHF transverters, and early solid-state designs. Even today, QST features "hands-on" articles for building antennas, digital interfaces, QRP (low-power) rigs, and SDR (software-defined radio) projects.
QST is the single most important publication in amateur radio history. It has:
For decades, receiving QST each month was a highlight for hams — it was the "bible" of the hobby.
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) was founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim to organize amateur radio operators and promote message relaying across the U.S. It became the national association for U.S. hams, representing them before the FCC, publishing QST, sponsoring contests, and running educational programs. ARRL also maintains the Official Observer program, DXCC awards, and emergency communications networks. With over 160,000 members, ARRL remains the largest and most influential ham radio organization in the world.
During World War II (December 1941–October 1945), amateur radio was shut down in the United States for security reasons. All ham radio licenses were suspended, and most equipment was impounded. QST continued publishing during the war, but with a greatly reduced scope: no operating news, no construction projects involving transmitters, and heavy focus on war-related electronics, military service stories, and technical articles to support the war effort. Full amateur operation and normal QST content resumed in late 1945.
QST is renowned for its in-depth technical articles. Classic examples include:
QST also includes contest results, DX news, regulatory updates, product reviews, and columns like "The Doctor is IN" (technical Q&A). It remains a vital resource for both new and experienced hams.
QST has been published continuously since 1915 (except for wartime content restrictions) and remains the flagship publication of amateur radio. It has educated, inspired, and united hams worldwide for over a century. In the MicroBasement, QST connects to the golden age of ham radio, when homebrew projects and technical articles built the foundation of modern wireless communication.