Editorial Guidelines

Clear, consistent writing helps readers find and understand information. These guidelines ensure content across the site feels cohesive, regardless of who wrote it.

We follow the Associated Press Stylebook (AP Style) as our primary reference. AP Style is the standard for news organizations and technical publications because it's clear, concise, and widely understood. When this guide doesn't cover something, defer to AP Style.

Voice and tone

Write as if you're explaining something to a fellow amateur radio operator at a club meeting. Be helpful, direct, and respectful of the reader's time.

Active voice

Use active voice. It's clearer and more engaging.

Second person

Address readers directly as "you" in instructions and guides. It's more engaging than "the user" or "one."

Good: "You'll need a 50-ohm coax cable."
Avoid: "The user will need a 50-ohm coax cable."
Avoid: "One needs a 50-ohm coax cable."

Formatting conventions

Lists vs. tables

Choose the right format for your content:

When showing comparisons (correct vs. incorrect, before vs. after), always use a table. It's easier to scan and makes the relationship between items clear.

Headings

Use sentence case for headings—capitalize only the first word and proper nouns.

Numbers

Spell out numbers zero through nine. Use numerals for 10 and above. Always use numerals with units.

Abbreviations and acronyms

Spell out terms on first use, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Use the abbreviation thereafter.

First use: "The Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) enables..."
Subsequent: "APRS stations can be configured to..."

Common amateur radio abbreviations (CW, SSB, FM, HF, VHF, UHF) don't need expansion for this audience. Use judgment—if most readers will know it, skip the expansion.

Callsigns

Format callsigns in uppercase: W1ABC, KG7XYZ, JA1ABC. When including a name, use the format "Jane Smith, W1ABC" or "W1ABC (Jane Smith)."

Technical terms

Use code formatting for technical content:

Don't use code formatting for general technical terms (antenna, coax, transceiver) or brand names (Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood).

Images

Images add value when they clarify concepts, show equipment, or document activities. Every image should serve a purpose—don't add images just to break up text.

When to use images

Rights and attribution

Only use images you have the right to publish:

• Your own photos — You took it, you can use it
• Club photos — Taken at club events with implied consent
• Creative Commons — Check the specific license (some require attribution, some prohibit commercial use)
• Public domain — No restrictions
• Licensed images — Only if you have explicit permission

When attribution is required, include it in the image caption or immediately below the image:

Photo: John Smith, W1ABC
Image: ARRL, used with permission
Diagram: Creative Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Aspect ratios

Use consistent aspect ratios for visual harmony:

Composition guidelines

• Fill the frame — Get close enough that the subject is clear
• Clean backgrounds — Avoid clutter that distracts from the subject
• Good lighting — Natural light or well-lit environments; avoid harsh shadows
• Horizontal for landscapes — Antenna farms, operating positions, group shots
• Crop thoughtfully — Remove unnecessary elements, but don't cut off important details

People in photos

For club event photos showing identifiable people:

• Attendees at public club events have implied consent for event documentation
• For individual portraits or featured shots, ask permission
• Be mindful of backgrounds (license plates, addresses, computer screens)
• If someone asks to not be photographed or to have a photo removed, honor that request

Alt text

Every image needs descriptive alt text for accessibility. Describe what the image shows, not just what it is.

For technical diagrams, the alt text should convey the key information—someone using a screen reader should understand what the diagram illustrates.

Emojis

Emojis are supported in content but should be used sparingly. They can add warmth to social announcements while potentially undermining technical credibility.

When emojis work well

When to avoid emojis

Guidelines

• One or two per section maximum — More becomes noise
• Never in headings — Keep navigation clean
• Pair with text — Don't rely on emoji alone to convey meaning
• Match the tone — Casual for social content, absent for technical

For syntax and how to insert emojis, see the Markdown Reference.

Tags

Tags connect related content across the site. Consistent tagging helps readers discover articles, events, and documentation on topics they care about.

Tag format

Exception: Proper nouns keep their capitalization: FT8, ARRL, POTA.

Guidelines

• Use 2–5 tags — Fewer misses connections; more dilutes the signal
• Be specific — ft8 is better than digital
• Reuse existing tags — Check the tags page before creating new ones
• Tag at multiple levels — ["ft8", "digital-modes", "hf"]

See the Tags Reference for the complete list of current tags and detailed guidance.

Amateur radio conventions

Frequencies

Use MHz for HF and above, kHz for below 1 MHz. Include three decimal places for precision when relevant.

Power levels

Use "watts" or "W" with a space: "100 watts" or "100 W." For milliwatts, use "mW."

Q-signals and prosigns

Italicize Q-signals on first use with definitions: QSO (contact), QTH (location), QRM (interference). Common ones like QSO, QSL, and QTH don't need definitions for this audience.

Punctuation

Serial comma

Use the serial comma (Oxford comma) before "and" or "or" in a list of three or more items.

Correct: "You'll need an antenna, coax, and a radio."
Incorrect: "You'll need an antenna, coax and a radio."

Dashes

Accessibility

Write content that works for everyone, including people using screen readers or who have visual impairments.

References

For questions not covered here, consult these resources:

• AP Stylebook — Primary style reference
• Google Developer Documentation Style Guide — Technical writing guidance
• Microsoft Writing Style Guide — Accessible writing
• ARRL Style Guide — Amateur radio terminology