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This week, Surfin' revisits the "Top 10" Amateur Radio Web sites.

Amateur Radio on Wikipedia came from left field to slide into the #2 position on the Top 10 Ham Radio Web Sites List.

In the May 2004 issue of QST, I wrote about the Top 20 ham radio-related Web sites and I thought it would be interesting to see how that list compares with the Top 10 list of today.

As I wrote back in 2004, this is an unscientific study using a variety of search engines. Also, I excluded the Web sites of various ham radio hardware and software manufacturers and dealers, despite the fact that these sites are popular -- but you and I already know who they are and how to find them.

Back in 2004, I also excluded the Web sites of foreign ham radio organizations because the primary audience of QST lives in the US and I excluded local ham radio organizations because the primary audience of QST lives throughout the US. Although the audience of the ARRL Web site may be more international than QST circa 2004, I am going to continue to exclude those Web sites to make the 2004 versus 2009 comparison fairer.

Here is the 2009 Top 10 Ham Radio Web Sites List:

1. ARRLWeb: The ARRL Home Page 'twas Number 1 in 2004, too.
2. Amateur Radio on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, was not on the list in 2004.
3. The ARRL's Welcome to the World of Ham Radio is another newcomer to the Top 10 List.
4. CQ Amateur Radio Magazine was a no-show in 2004.
5. The qrz.com Call Sign Database was Number 3 in 2004.
6. Amateur Radio Web Ring did not move; it was Number 6 in 2004.
7. AC6V's Amateur Radio and DX Reference Guide was Number 5 in 2004.
8. eHam.net was Number 7 on the 2004 list.
9. Amateur Radio on 101science.com is a newbie on the Top 10 List.
10. FCC: Wireless Services: Amateur Radio Service: Amateur Home was among the missing in '04.

Falling off the 2004 Top Ten List were #2 Ham Radio Online, #4 AMSAT, #8, IARUWeb, #9 Amateur Radio Newsline and #10, mods.dk.

Until next time, keep on surfin'!

Editor's note: Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, still wants a retro Ideal Electronic Fighter Jet for Christmas. To contact Stan, send him e-mail or add comments to his blog.

Previous: QEX: The January/February 2010 Issue

Next: Using Stamps to Enhance Your ARRL Awards