It’s doubtful that you haven’t been affected by the recent hurricanes, no matter where you reside.  Here in the Upstate of South Carolina-we were indeed touched by Irma and in this episode of the Ham Radio 360 Podcast, I share some of my lessons learned.

Following that, I break the news that as of this episode, #87, I will be taking a much needed vacation from the Podcast grind.  The Workbench and Field Radio Podcast will stay on schedule-but HR360 is hanging up the vacation sign and going away for a bit.  3+ years of creating content and full-on engagement has taken a toll on my balance of life so I’ve decided to step away, with a potential return in January 2018.  A big thanks to all who helped take a ‘joke’ and turn into ‘something’!

The recent storms seemed to reignite the ever-smoldering embers of Ham Radio’s place in EMCOMM.  No surprise to see the many hams out in force debating the relevance of Amateur Radio in an Emergency.  Since we’ve never settled the no-code or Chi-com debates….what’s another to continue to divide the community–I guess we really are a reflection of society after all!

Just a few days after Irma brought strong winds and heavy rain to the farm, I took my seat at the front of the room for the local ARES meeting.  I believe that communications is King (especially in today’s tech-centric world)!  I also believe that Amateur Radio should have a place in the local communications response to emergent situations or times of duress.  Finally, I believe that Ham Radio will NOT save the world; but it is a great tool to have if and when something goes wrong. period.  A few months ago the local ARES-EC asked me to help get the ball rolling here in Spartanburg County, SC.  We’ll see what happens, right now it’s trending positive.  The upcoming GridEX Exercise will be a stretch for our group-but I think we’ll weather it well.

The last 86+ episodes have offered many solutions to EMCOMM issues as well as introducing many aspects of the Hobby that some of us have never heard mentioned on the local 2m repeater.  If you are a new listener, I invite you to page back through our catalog of shows, pick something you’re interested in and give it a spin.  If you’ve been here a while, thanks for sticking around!

Thanks again for listening!

73 Y’all,

Caleb Nelson/K4CDN

I was introduced to Kevin, KB9RLW, by my friend Julian OH8STN and his postings on Instagram/Twitter.  A few months back FSQ was a ‘new’ mode and some were excitedly giving it a go.  Julian had posted a link to a video on FSQ and it I knew this was a mode I was very interested in learning about!  Enter the ‘Old Tech Guy’ on Youtube and here we are!

Kevin and I set about determining the compatibility of schedules and just last week we were able to connect via a wonky Skype call and get this information together for you.  While we do spend some time discussing the FSQ mode, I also discovered Kevin is a die-hard Linux user.  Kevin fills us in on his Linux use for Ham Radio and his YouTube Channel creations.

*I’ve noted on the socials a few times last week that I did indeed mispronounce the insanely popular digital mode FT8; for whatever reason I referred to it as JT8 four different times in this show.

**Additionally, I have utilized the FSQ mode since recording this conversation with what I’d consider Success!  I can foresee this mode becoming a go-to for my friends and I locally on HF and VHF.

FLDigi Software

FSQCall Software

Kevin KB9RLW Youtube Channel

Linux in the Hamshack Podcast

OH8STN

Everything Ham Radio

thanks for listening Y’all,

Ed Bradshaw (W4EDF) recently upgraded his Ham Radio ticket to Extra Class and he wants you to know-You Can Too!

Former show guest and current Kenwood TS480 owner, Ed decided he wanted a bigger slice of the pie and set his sights on passing the Extra Class Exam.  Having put a great deal of effort into his studies and methods, Ed offered to come on the show to share what worked for him in hopes that you (and I) would get ourselves motivated to study-and Pass!

Question pool: ARRL Link

ARRL Extra Class License Manual, 11th edition

Gordon West, WB6NOA, 2016-2020 Extra Class FCC Element 4

Ham Extra by James Thomas

Ham Study (Signal Stuff)

QRZ Practice Tests

ARRL Find an exam

ARRL What to bring

Dave Casler YouTube

Extra playlist – Here

Alan Wolke, W2AEW YouTube

Must watch: Here

W4EDF: Previous Show Appearance #37

Others Recommend these Books/Aides:

K4IA Pass, the Easy Way

KB6NU No Non Sense Guide

Extra Flash Cards

Thanks for listen!!! 73 Y’all, Caleb (Cale) Nelson / K4CDN

Don Keith is a long time Ham Radio Operator who combined his love of RF and conversation into a writing career that spans nearly 40 titles.  He joins me on this episode of the Ham Radio 360 podcast to talk about his latest novel- Dial Dancing, some his other titles, copying 35 wpm CW, and more!

Don went all the way, in an effort to encapsulate the entire spectrum of ham radio magics with the sub-title of his latest work!

Link to Don’s Books on Amazon

DonKeith.com

It’s always fun to chat with another ‘radio’ guy, especially those who can stay one step ahead!  I hope you enjoy our conversation!  73 Y’all!

Caleb (Cale) Nelson / K4CDN

Larry Jacobs, WA7ZBO, is my guest this time on the Ham Radio 360 Podcast.  Larry is a long time Transmitter Hunter who offered to help me understand what is involved in Fox Hunting aka Bunny Hunting.

From the premise of the hunt to the gear involved- the in’s and out’s and best practices, Larry shares his experiences of almost 50 years!

in a show ‘first’ Larry produced this Bonus Video to help further describe the equipment and theory of use mentioned in this episode! (links and further mentions listed below)

Book: Worlds Best Hobby-Dave Bell

SoCal Transmitter Hunting

ARDF  Homing In.com

PiCon from Byonics

Book: Transmitter Hunting- J.D. Moell

Tape Measure Yagi-

OSCAR-6

Arrow 4 MHz. Offset Fox Hunt Attenuator

SDR-Direction Finding

VK3YNG Sniffer 4

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TMR Scouting Special Event:

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HR360 Mention on RTL-SDR Blog

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Thank you for listening to and supporting Ham Radio 360!

Caleb Nelson / K4CDN

This week on the Ham Radio 360 Show we discuss his upcoming Field Radio Podcast launch with John Jacobs (W7BDO)!  The Field Radio Podcast is set to premiere this Thursday (July 13 2017) on your favorite podcast player!

The Field Radio Podcast is dedicated to exploring the amateur radio hobby through the lens of getting you and your gear outdoors.

Your host, John W7DBO, will explore what gear works best, how to deploy in the field, and most importantly how to have fun!

The podcast will also explore what you can do with your gear once deployed; Including emergency communications, contesting, event support, and of course Field Day.

@fieldradiopod on Twitter

fieldradiopodcast on Facebook

Field Radio Podcast RSS Feed ***

Field Radio Podcast on Youtube

John’s email contact here

Field Radio Podcast Show Discussion in the HR360 Forums

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Following the new show announcement I’m joined by Jim Wilson K5ND to discuss Ham Radio and it’s long history with Scouting around the World!  The Scouts 60th Annual Jamboree on the Air is coming up in October (20-22)!

What a Great Way to share the Magic of Ham Radio-

Jamboree on the Air Guidelines for Amateur Radio Operators

Jamboree on the Air Event Tips

ScoutLink info for Jamboree on the Internet

Upcoming Jamboree Info July 15-28 2017

Thank you for listening to and sharing the show!