What really makes you better at ham radio — more gear, or more time on the air?

In this episode of the Live Free and Ham Podcast, hosts Paul (N1OG) and Eric (N1JUR) are joined by Steve (KO4AFL) for a candid conversation about learning ham radio through real-world experience.

Steve shares his journey in the hobby, lessons learned along the way, and why mistakes, patience, and simply getting on the air matter more than having the perfect setup. The discussion covers common challenges operators face, realistic expectations, and how confidence is built one contact at a time.

This episode is a reminder that improvement in amateur radio doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from participation.

🎙️ Guest: Steve – KO4AFL

🎙️ Hosts: Paul – N1OG | Eric – N1JUR

Guest Links:

Steve KO4AFL - https://www.youtube.com/@KO4AFL

Ham Radio Clubhouse - https://www.youtube.com/@HamRadioClubhouse

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YouTube Channel:

Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham

Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR

Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch

Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ

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If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:

Todd (W1STJ) - https://w1stj.com

Eric (N1JUR) - https://n1jur.com

Paul (N1OG) - https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG