Brew and Activate

It starts innocently enough...

"I'm just going to try this Parks on the Air thing once."

Then suddenly you're researching antennas at midnight, convincing yourself you need one more battery, planning vacations around park numbers, and explaining to your family why the truck is permanently stocked with radios, coax, and enough gear for a weekend expedition.

Sound familiar?

This week on Brew & Activate, Eric (N1JUR) and Shannon (KC1OHT) take a hilarious trip through the life cycle of a POTA operator—from the nervous first activation to full-blown gear acquisition syndrome, award chasing, burnout, and finally becoming the Elmer who helps the next generation get on the air.

Along the way we'll share real stories, plenty of laughs, practical tips, and probably expose a few habits we've all developed along the way.

☕ Join the Brew Crew on Discord:

https://discord.gg/zwg9mWyHmY

🎁 Member Perks & Discounts:

https://n1jur.com/discounts

📬 Join the Newsletter:

https://n1jur.com/newsletter

Whether you've activated one park or one thousand, chances are you'll recognize yourself somewhere in this story.

#HamRadio #POTA #ParksOnTheAir #PortableRadio #AmateurRadio #HamRadioCommunity #BrewAndActivate #N1JUR #POTAActivation #OutdoorRadio

Affiliate Links:

I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.

Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes https://maddogcoils.com.au/

Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. https://www.relianceantennas.com/

Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website n1jur.com

SpoolTenna: https://spooltenna.com

SHOW LINKS:

Discord Brew and Activate - https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv

Brew & Activate Podcast - https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/

Brew and Activate Merch - https://livefreeandham.com/shop

POTA Bucket List - https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list

One of the biggest myths in amateur radio has nothing to do with antennas... it's the coax connecting your radio to them.

Does coax really have to be 18 feet long? Can changing the length of your feedline lower your SWR? What exactly is velocity factor, and why does everyone seem to have a different answer?

This week on Brew & Activate, we're diving into another ham radio rabbit hole to separate physics from folklore. We'll explain velocity factor in plain English, explore why coax behaves the way it does, and connect the dots between transmission lines, SWR, resonance, impedance, and real-world station performance.

Whether you're building a portable POTA station, setting up your first HF antenna, or just trying to understand why your analyzer says one thing and your radio says another, this episode will help you make sense of what your coax is really doing—and what it isn't.

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Affiliate Links:

I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.

Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes https://maddogcoils.com.au/

Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. https://www.relianceantennas.com/

Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website n1jur.com

SpoolTenna: https://spooltenna.com

SHOW LINKS:

Discord Brew and Activate - https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv

Brew & Activate Podcast - https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/

Brew and Activate Merch - https://livefreeandham.com/shop

POTA Bucket List - https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list

Guests/Hosts:

Shannon's Channel (KC1OHT) https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht

Help Support the Channel:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR

Buy Me a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur

N1JUR & KC1OHT Shop: https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop

Follow me on:

Website: https://n1jur.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n1jur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527

Who needs another pair of socks when you can bring another antenna?

This week, Brew & Activate is coming to you from my Airbnb for a special Vacation Edition! There won't be the usual 90-minute show or deep technical dive. Instead, we're slowing things down, grabbing a cup of coffee, and seeing what happens when portable ham radio becomes part of the adventure.

We'll be setting up a travel-friendly station, activating a new Tiles location, making contacts live, and chatting about why some of the best operating isn't from the shack—it's from wherever life happens to take you.

Whether you're operating from a campsite, a cabin, a hotel, an Airbnb, or just your backyard, this stream is a reminder that amateur radio doesn't have to stay home when you leave town.

So pour yourself a fresh cup, kick back, and pretend you're on vacation with the Brew Crew for the next 40 minutes.

☕ Live portable radio operation

📻 Tiles activation from the Airbnb

🌎 Travel-friendly ham radio setup

💬 Plenty of conversation, coffee, and RF

If you've ever packed a radio before packing your suitcase... this one's for you.

We spent the last two episodes learning what SWR and resonance actually mean. Now it's time to answer the biggest question of all:

How do you know if an antenna is actually performing?

In this final installment of our three-part antenna deep dive, we're moving beyond analyzer readings and getting into what really matters on the air. We'll explore why two antennas with identical SWR readings can perform completely differently, how antenna height affects your signal, why efficiency matters, and what changes as Solar Cycle 25 begins its downward swing.

We'll also tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in amateur radio: the idea that a low SWR automatically means a good antenna.

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Affiliate Links:

I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.

Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes https://maddogcoils.com.au/

Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. https://www.relianceantennas.com/

Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website n1jur.com

SpoolTenna: https://spooltenna.com

SHOW LINKS:

Discord Brew and Activate - https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv

Brew & Activate Podcast - https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/

Brew and Activate Merch - https://livefreeandham.com/shop

POTA Bucket List - https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list

Guests/Hosts:

Shannon's Channel (KC1OHT) https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht

Help Support the Channel:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR

Buy Me a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur

N1JUR & KC1OHT Shop: https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop

Follow me on:

Website: https://n1jur.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n1jur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527

Most amateur radio operators learn that a low SWR means a good antenna and a high SWR means a bad one. But what if that isn't the whole story?

In this episode of Brew & Activate, we're tackling one of the biggest myths in amateur radio: the idea that resonance and SWR are the same thing.

We'll break down what resonance actually means, why reactance (X) is often more important than SWR when tuning an antenna, and how an antenna can be perfectly resonant while still showing a 2:1 SWR. We'll also explore resistance (R), impedance matching, feedpoint impedance, and how to read antenna analyzer measurements in a way that helps you make better decisions in the field.

Whether you're deploying antennas for Parks on the Air (POTA), chasing DX, experimenting with end-fed wires, or simply trying to understand what your analyzer is telling you, this discussion will change the way you look at antenna tuning.

In This Episode

What resonance really means

Why X = 0 matters

The difference between resonance and matching

Why low SWR does not always mean a good antenna

How to interpret R and X on your analyzer

Real-world examples from portable operations

Common SWR myths many hams still believe

Join the Conversation

Do you agree that SWR is one of the most misunderstood measurements in amateur radio?

Have you ever chased a perfect SWR only to discover it didn't improve your signal?

Drop your thoughts in the comments and continue the discussion with the Brew Crew.

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Affiliate Links:

I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.

Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes https://maddogcoils.com.au/

Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. https://www.relianceantennas.com/

Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website n1jur.com

SpoolTenna: https://spooltenna.com

SHOW LINKS:

Discord Brew and Activate - https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv

Brew & Activate Podcast - https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/

Brew and Activate Merch - https://livefreeandham.com/shop

POTA Bucket List - https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list

Guests/Hosts:

Shannon's Channel (KC1OHT) https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht

Help Support the Channel:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR

Buy Me a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur

N1JUR & KC1OHT Shop: https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop

This Friday on Brew & Activate, Mike N2MAK joins me to talk about the upcoming ARRL June VHF Contest — what it is, how he is preparing for it, what operators should expect, and why VHF contesting might be way more connected to portable operating than people realize.

We’re going to dig into the crossover between portable radio, VHF/UHF operating, contest strategy, field setups, antennas, location, timing, and making contacts when you’re not running a monster station on a mountain with a beam the size of a small bridge.

If you’ve ever done POTA, SOTA, rover-style operating, simplex work, 2 meters, 6 meters, or you’ve looked at a VHF contest and thought, “Is this something I could actually try?” — this is the episode to hang out for.

Mike will be sharing how he gets ready, what bands and gear he thinks about, what newer operators should understand before jumping in, and how portable operators can use contests like this to sharpen their skills.

So grab your coffee, charge the batteries, check the coax you definitely meant to check last week, and come hang out with us live.

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Affiliate Links:

I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.

Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes https://maddogcoils.com.au/

Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. https://www.relianceantennas.com/

Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website n1jur.com

SpoolTenna: https://spooltenna.com

SHOW LINKS:

Discord Brew and Activate - https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv

Brew & Activate Podcast - https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/

Brew and Activate Merch - https://livefreeandham.com/shop

POTA Bucket List - https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list

Guests/Hosts:

Shannon's Channel (KC1OHT) https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht

Help Support the Channel:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR

Buy Me a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur

N1JUR & KC1OHT Shop: https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop

Follow me on:

Website: https://n1jur.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n1jur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527

Most ham radio operators know they should pay attention to SWR.

Far fewer understand what SWR is actually trying to tell them.

In Part 1 of our new 3-part antenna series, we're getting nerdy and diving deep into one of the most misunderstood topics in amateur radio. We'll break down Standing Wave Ratio (SWR), what causes it to change, what the numbers really mean, and why low SWR doesn't automatically mean you have a great antenna.

We'll also explore common myths, practical POTA examples, field deployment challenges, feedline behavior, reflected power, and how changing conditions in the field can impact your readings.

Whether you're running an end-fed, dipole, vertical, or loaded coil antenna, or something in between, understanding SWR is the first step toward understanding what your antenna system is actually doing.

This is Part 1 of a special 3-part Brew & Activate series:

☕ Part 1: SWR – The Most Misunderstood Number in Ham Radio

☕ Part 2: Resonance – Where Your Antenna Wants to Live

☕ Part 3: Reactance, Efficiency & Why Solar Cycle 25 Changes Everything

Affiliate Links:

I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.

Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes https://maddogcoils.com.au/

Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. https://www.relianceantennas.com/

Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website n1jur.com

SpoolTenna: https://spooltenna.com

SHOW LINKS:

Discord Brew and Activate - https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv

Brew & Activate Podcast - https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/

Brew and Activate Merch - https://livefreeandham.com/shop

POTA Bucket List - https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list

Guests/Hosts:

Shannon's Channel (KC1OHT) https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht

Help Support the Channel:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR

Buy Me a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur

N1JUR & KC1OHT Shop: https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop

Follow me on:

Website: https://n1jur.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n1jur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527

Antennas might be the most important part of your portable ham radio setup — and also the thing most of us overthink, misunderstand, rebuild, argue about, and occasionally blame when the bands are just being rude.

This week on Brew & Activate, I’m joined by Matt from Reliance Antennas to talk about everything antennas.

We’ll dig into portable antenna setups, POTA operating, end fed antennas, random wires, transformers, tuners, coax, chokes, antenna testing, field reliability, and what really matters when you’re trying to get on the air from a park.

We’ll also talk about the Reliance Antennas brand, how Matt designs and builds antennas for real-world use, and what operators should think about when choosing or building their own antenna system.

Whether you’re brand new to HF, getting into Parks on the Air, or you’ve been throwing wires into trees for years, this one should be packed with practical takeaways.

Bring your antenna questions.

Bring your hot takes.

Bring your emotionally complicated SWR stories.

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Affiliate Links:

I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.

Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes https://maddogcoils.com.au/

Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. https://www.relianceantennas.com/

Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website n1jur.com

SpoolTenna: https://spooltenna.com

SHOW LINKS:

Discord Brew and Activate - https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv

Brew & Activate Podcast - https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/

Brew and Activate Merch - https://livefreeandham.com/shop

POTA Bucket List - https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list

Guests/Hosts:

Shannon's Channel (KC1OHT) https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht

Help Support the Channel:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR

Buy Me a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur

N1JUR & KC1OHT Shop: https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop

Follow me on:

Website: https://n1jur.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n1jur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527

This week on Brew & Activate, we’re keeping it loose and opening things up for a live POTA, portable radio, and Tiles on the Air Q&A.

Bring your questions about activations, hunters, gear, antennas, go-kits, logging, pileups, quick lunch-break activations, or whatever RF weirdness is currently living rent-free in your brain.

We’ll also take a few minutes to talk about Honor & Activate, the Tiles on the Air Memorial Day weekend event, and how we can use radio to do something a little more meaningful while still having fun, getting outside, and lighting up some RF.

Whether you’re chasing parks, activating tiles, building a better go-kit, or just trying to figure out why your antenna only behaves when nobody is watching, come hang out with the Brew Crew.

Links:

Honor & Activate: https://tilesontheair.com/MemorialDay

Tiles on the Air: https://tilesontheair.com

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Affiliate Links:

I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.

Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes https://maddogcoils.com.au/

Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. https://www.relianceantennas.com/

Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website n1jur.com

SpoolTenna: https://spooltenna.com

SHOW LINKS:

Discord Brew and Activate - https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv

Brew & Activate Podcast - https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/

Brew and Activate Merch - https://livefreeandham.com/shop

POTA Bucket List - https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list

Guests/Hosts:

Shannon's Channel (KC1OHT) https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht

Help Support the Channel:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR

Buy Me a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur

N1JUR & KC1OHT Shop: https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop

Follow me on:

Website: https://n1jur.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n1jur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527

What’s actually in your POTA bag… and is it really ready?

This week on Brew & Activate, we’re talking about one of the most common portable ham radio problems: keeping your POTA go-kit organized, charged, packed, and actually ready for the next activation.

Because let’s be honest — most activations do not fall apart because of the radio. They fall apart because the coax is missing, the battery is dead, the adapter is in another bag, or the one cable you need is sitting back at the shack laughing at you.

We’ll break down practical ways to organize your POTA gear, including core kits, mission-based add-ons, pre-flight checklists, post-activation reset routines, and smarter ways to track what lives in each bag.

Then I’ll give you a first look at the gear bag tracker app I’m working on for portable operators. The goal is simple: help hams know what’s packed, what’s missing, what needs charging, and what needs to be reset before the next outing.

Bring your best “I forgot the thing” stories. We’ve all got one.

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Affiliate Links:

I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.

Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes https://maddogcoils.com.au/

Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. https://www.relianceantennas.com/

Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website n1jur.com

SpoolTenna: https://spooltenna.com

SHOW LINKS:

Discord Brew and Activate - https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv

Brew & Activate Podcast - https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/

Brew and Activate Merch - https://livefreeandham.com/shop

POTA Bucket List - https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list

Guests/Hosts:

Shannon's Channel (KC1OHT) https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht

Help Support the Channel:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR

Buy Me a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur

N1JUR & KC1OHT Shop: https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop

Follow me on:

Website: https://n1jur.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n1jur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527