Ham Radio 360

Latest Episodes:

Ham Radio 360: Eric Guth 4Z1UG QSO Today, Allstar, Israel Ops Mar 21, 2017

Show notes

A lifetime ham, now living in Efrat, Israel, Eric Guth (4Z1UG) wanted to give back to the hobby that had given so much to him through the years; so in July of 2014, Eric launched the QSO Today Podcast as a way to connect yesterday’s elmers with today’s amateur radio operators. The results have been spectacular!

Join Eric and I as we chat Podcasting for Hams, Living as a Ham Radio Op in Israel, Allstar nodes and more in this 74th Episode of the Ham Radio 360 podcast!

For more information on Eric’s Podcast visit QSOToday.com!

Allstar Link Network

IARC

QSOToday on Twitter

QSOToday on Facebook

TDR6100 Press Release

Thanks for listening and sharing!

73 Y’all

Cale/K4CDN

Ham Radio 360: APRS Follow-up (Listener Q&A) Mar 07, 2017

Show notes

A few weeks back, on our first APRS show Kenneth Finnegan (W6KWF) helped explain the APRS Protocol. Since that time, we’ve asked for and received a number of listener questions. In this episode of the Ham Radio 360 Podcast we delve into those questions to further understand this ‘thing’ called APRS!

(4:00)

Paths? What do they mean, and What do I use?

2. (28:00)

My APRS won’t show on aprs.fi when using my 5w HT?
Why won’t my APRS messaging work?
RF Gate, I-Gate or both? 3rd Party Traffic Questions. SMSGTE
Is APRS used on other bands? 30m Robust Packet
Why does APRS only use the 144.390 frequency?

3. (49:00)

How do I digipeat through the ISS?
Can I use APRS to monitor my off-grid cabin conditions?
What is the Next Generation of APRS-can it be like ADS-B?
How is APRS developed? Is it developed?
What is the architecture of APRS-IS?
What are the uses of APRS that aren’t GPS tracking?
Why do all APRS websites suck?
Where’s the documentation?
Faraday RF, is it operational with APRS?

4. (1:13:00)

APRS Etiquette, am I doing it right?
Whats up with the 200+ symbols for things on the map?
What is the Local Freq Initiative? Does it work?
Object Beacons for the Local Freq Initiative?

5. (1:31:00)

K4CDN-5 Digipeater/I-Gate.
When to set-up an I-Gate/Digipeater?
Hardware recommendations?
How the K4CDN-5 digi changed APRS

Show Links:

Our First APRS Show with KWF

Satellite Connections

Alinco DR-135TMKIII 2M

Argent Data PNP TNC

KWF on the Wildflower Triathlon

Event Time Data Extension

Texas Digital Radio

Thanks for listening and contributing to show #73, we hope you enjoyed this episode!

73 Y’all!

Cale/K4CDN

**Ham Radio 360: W.W.F.F. aka Parks On The Air** Feb 21, 2017
Show notes

Recently a listener asked us to investigate the W.W.F.F. or Parks on the air. I had some questions too, so off went an email to the UK which directed me back to Jason Johnston (W3AAX). Jason came on the show to fill us in on the in’s and out’s of the Parks On The Air.

3,400+ National Parks, State Parks and more are available to activate or hunt in the US via WWFF/POTA. Parks On The Air/WWFF is a World Wide Organization with an award system and more! Interested in participating? Visit the Parks On The Air site today!

Links:

**Parks on the Air (KFF, WWFF in the USA):** http://parksontheair.com

**Global international site**: http://wwff.co

**Active Facebook Community**: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parksontheair/

How to get started

How to Register

Rules and FAQ

National KFF (USA) Awards

International Global Awards

RaDAR Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio

ZS6BNE Blog

Zippy FlightMax 5000 Battery

Bioenno Batteries
Stick around following the interview to hear some feedback from you, our listeners! Thank you for listening and sharing Ham Radio 360! 73 Y’all Cale/K4CDN . . . mentions:
Kenn Blanchard . Dave Jackson . Special Music by the Jellyrox (Hoop) . Podfest17 #PME17 . SurvivalTechNord
Miccoli the Sibling Band

KB1HQS in Print! Click for more info

**Ham Radio 360: SOTA with K6ABM (new guys perspective)** Feb 07, 2017
Show notes

Austin Munger just wanted a C.B. Radio to give him an alternate means of communicating when out hunting or camping. Little did he know that a random trip to HRO would turn into a full-bore hobby!

When I began this podcast, it was for me, the ‘new guy’ and while both the show and I have grown; I still feel new-ish and love learning about someones first time experience. Adventure radio is on my list for the upcoming Spring, and this Episode may be what pushes me up the hill!

Not content with kerchunking repeaters, Austin set out to challenge himself with this new ‘thing’ he’d heard about called SOTA (Summits on the Air). It didn’t take to long to figure out he was a little unprepared, but a strong will goes far when determination sets in!

Now a prolific Summit activator and chaser, Austin aka. dietsota on Instagram, spends his spare (and work) time playing in the SOTA activity log. He’s also gotten his new Bride involved…to the point of activating a Summit during their Honeymoon in Hawaii!

SOTA

SOTAwatch SOTA Spotting

Elecraft KX2, KX3 and More!

Packtenna Portable/Packable Antennae

Yaesu FT-60

Yaesu FT-1XD

SOTA Spotter (Droid)

SOTA Finder (Droid)

PocketSOTA (Droiod/iOS) from Pignology/N3WG

SOTAGoat (iOS)

Chameleon Antennas

KX3Helper Antenna

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for listening!

73 Y’all!

Cale/K4CDN

Elecraft from FDIM KX2 Debut Show!

Episode 3 (manpack/portable)

Episode 6 (SOTA)

Episode 14 (WG0AT)

Episode 23 (Packtenna)

SOTA/NPOTA (KB1HQS)

Field Day with Elecraft

APRS Questions? Visit this thread or shoot me an email

KB1HQS in Print! Click for more info

**Ham Radio 360: All about APRS with W6KWF** Jan 24, 2017
Show notes

APRS; oh the questions you’ve raised! It’s been about 2+ years since I decided I wanted to give APRS a go. I purchased a Mobilinkd TNC2 and set off. It was only a day or so later that I determined there were No Digipeater/iGates in my county, and not too many outside those bounds.

In this episode of the Ham Radio 360 podcast, Cale discusses his struggles with understanding APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) and the lack of available resources for learning about it. He describes how he was able to connect with Kenneth Fennegan, W6KWF, who offered to help him understand the ins and outs of APRS. The podcast episode features an interview with Fennegan, who provides a clear explanation of the mode and equipment in a way that is easy to understand for those new to APRS. The conversation covers topics such as the purpose of APRS, how it works, equipment needed, and how to get started using it.

Special Thanks to Kenneth for coming on and sharing his time and expertise on the subject! Below you’ll find the links we discussed!

W6KWF Blog

@KWF on Twitter

YouTube Channel

APRS.fi

Kenneth Finnegan Thesis on APRS

APRX Main Page

APRS Mailing List

APRS.org

Mobilinkd Bluetooth TNC2

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for listening to Episode 70 (wow) and telling your friends about Ham Radio 360!

73 Y’all

Cale/K4CDN

Kenneth recently created an APRS Symbol Chart that will prove Very Handy!

**Ham Radio 360: NPOTA recap with Stuart KB1HQS** Jan 10, 2017
Show notes

Stuart Thomas, KB1HQS, joined me back in February to chat about the NPOTA (National Parks on the Air) ARRL Event. This time he’s back to share with us an entire years worth of Portable Operation from NPOTA. Hear Stuarts Lessons Learned, Funny Stories, Favorite Parks and more in this episode of Ham Radio 360.

Additionally this event brought Stuart to the forefront of US Ham Portable Operations. ARRL Calendar inserts, QST Reviews near viral tweets and more were just a taste of the fame the Tall One achieved this year!

To learn more about the NPOTA event head over to the ARRL website. Congratulations to everyone involved! What an Amazing Event!

.When you look around the net at the NPOTA activators photos, you may discover a very common theme: Elecraft KX3!

Thanks Stuart for coming back on and for helping make NPOTA a success!

73 Y’all

K4CDN

KB1HQS in Print! Click for more info

Ham Radio 360: A.R.E.D.N. Amateur Radio Emer Data Network Dec 13, 2016

Show notes

*6/28/18 New AREDN Website: https://www.arednmesh.org/

In this episode of Ham Radio 360 Podcast, we learn about Ham Radio Mesh Networking and AREDN (Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network) from Randy (WU2S) and Darryl (K5DLQ). Mesh Networking over Ham Radio is discussed, along with its practical applications for emergency situations. Listeners are guided through the basic concepts of Mesh Networking, and how it can be set up and used for data communication over amateur radio frequencies. The hosts also talk about the benefits and limitations of Mesh Networking, and how AREDN can be used to create reliable and efficient emergency communication networks.

We also announce the Winners of our Annual Christmas Prize Giveaway.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

*6/28/18 New AREDN Website: https://www.arednmesh.org/

What is an AREDN Network? (video by K6AH)

RF Path Planning Using Ubiquiti AirLink (video by K5DLQ)

AREDN on Twitter @arednmesh

Equipment links listed at the bottom of the page

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas!

’73

Cale/K4CDN

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Equipment Links via amazon

Ubiquity Nano-Loco

Ubiquity NanoStations

*make sure you check the AREDN Matrix to determine compatibility

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to our Contest Winners!

KB2B22

KE0KTR

KO4XL

K9EMD

KK6RHY

KE0CSB

K1KY

KD8JAD

Ham Radio 360: NVIS Near Vertical Incidence Skywave with Ed Fong WB6IQN Nov 29, 2016

Show notes

N.V.I.S. stands for Near Vertical Incidence Skywave. It is a propagation mode that allows for communication between stations at short to medium distances, typically between 0 to 300 miles. Ed Fong, WB6IQN, is an expert on N.V.I.S. propagation and shares his knowledge on the topic in this episode. He explains the theory behind N.V.I.S. and how it can be practically applied in everyday use as well as in emergency communication situations. In addition to discussing N.V.I.S., Ed also shares information about his popular J-Pole antennas, including Dual-Band roll-ups and Tri-Band verticals, which have helped many hams get on the air over the years.

You can find Eds’ contact info here: Ed’s Antennas

You can purchase his antennae here: antennas_iqn Ebay Store

Article from QST: ARRL /DBJ-1

John Miklor: Review

To Learn More about N.V.I.S check into some of the following articles:

Patricia Gibbons – WA6UBE WHAT IS NVIS?

Wikipedia – Near Vertical Incidence Skywave

DX Engineering – Practical Guide to Emer or Temp Comm (PDF)

ARRL.org – NVIS

Put up a low antenna KK7X0 – ARRL Link PDF

Thanks for listening and supporting the show

73 Y’all

Cale/K4CDN

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When You Click through our Amazon Affiliate Link, your pricing doesn’t change-but Amazon pays me a small percentage for getting you there! It all adds up and helps fund the program! Thank you!

Bookmark this LINK

Ham Radio 360: Shopping Show v3.0 Nov 15, 2016

Show notes

It’s that time of year again! With Black Friday in sight and our mailboxes full of catalogs, it’s time to talk Ham Radio Shopping!

George and Jeremy join us to discuss New(er) Ham Radio items you may be considering for your Shack this year.

We cover the entire spectrum, from High-End HF rigs to SDR Dongles. If you are looking to find that new rig for the upcoming years operating, this show is for you!

Links to our previous Shopping Shows

Episode #21

Episode #39

As mentioned in the show:

Elecraft KX2 FDIM Interview

Stuart KB1HQS Mr. NPOTA

ELAD-Duo

WOUXUN 2m/6m HT

~~Wouxun Tri-Band HT Out of Stock~~

Wouxun Dual Band HT CrossBand Repeat

TYT MD-380

DV-Mega Single Band

DV-Mega Dual Band