What happens when a ham radio enthusiast decides to leap from 14,000 feet? Our own Paul (N1OG "The Grouch") takes us on an extraordinary journey from New Hampshire to the skies above Illinois in pursuit of his skydiving A license.The adventure begins with Paul's meticulous planning and a cross-country road trip towing his 30-foot camper through relentless rain. Along the way, he activates POTA locations with fellow operators and makes a special stop at K9OL Carlos's QTH—the very ham whose parachute mobile operations inspired Paul's skydiving ambitions.

Through Paul's vivid storytelling, we experience the challenges of navigating gas stations with a massive trailer, boondocking at farms and vineyards, and maintaining ham radio operations off-grid.Upon arriving at Chicagoland Skydiving Center, one of the nation's premier jump schools, Paul dives into intensive ground training. His detailed account of learning emergency procedures, canopy control, landing patterns, and altitude awareness reveals surprising parallels between ham radio and skydiving—both requiring technical knowledge, systematic learning, and alertness under pressure.

The climax comes as Paul recounts his first solo jump—from the nerve-wracking exit from the aircraft to the moment of deployment at 5,500 feet, and finally, his successful landing. Despite challenges with stability during free fall, his triumph in maintaining altitude awareness and executing a controlled landing showcases the transferable skills between hobbies. His infectious excitement about "flying the parachute" captures the unique thrill of this achievement.

Whether you're a skydiving enthusiast, a ham operator curious about adventure sports, or simply someone who appreciates stories of personal challenge and growth, this episode offers an intimate look at pushing boundaries and embracing new frontiers. Follow along as we transform N1OG from "The Grouch" to "Parachute Jesus" and discover how ham radio can lead to unexpected adventures.

Want to support Paul's journey to his A license? Visit livefreeandham.com and click the GoFundMe link to help him complete his training!

Grab your radio gear and join us as we dive into Ham Fest season! This episode captures our fresh, unfiltered thoughts about Near Fest and the broader landscape of amateur radio gatherings in New England.After attending the spring Near Fest event, we share a candid assessment of what worked, what didn't, and what could transform these events for the future. From the cramped vendor spaces to the challenge of hearing announcements,

we explore the practical realities of today's ham festivals while acknowledging their irreplaceable community value. Our special guest Mike (N3MFL) brings a thoughtful perspective as we compare Near Fest to other ham gatherings and debate the merits of different venue layouts.The conversation sparks exciting ideas for reimagining ham radio events. What if we created a 24-hour POTA activation combined with camping?

What if live streaming became a central feature, allowing real-time engagement with the broader ham community? These possibilities point toward a future where ham festivals blend tradition with innovation, creating experiences that honor our roots while embracing new technologies and approaches.Throughout the episode,

Todd faces more Extra class exam questions in our "A Little Something Extra" segment, showing progress toward his license upgrade goals. We also share stories of meaningful connections made at Near Fest, including time spent with commercial vendors like Matt from Reliance Antennas, whose quality products and customer-first approach exemplify the best of the ham radio community.

Whether you're a ham fest regular or have never attended one, this conversation offers valuable insights into the evolving ham radio community. Join us in imagining—and creating—the next generation of ham radio gatherings!

What's in your pockets right now? That simple question reveals volumes about how prepared you are for life's unexpected moments. In this captivating deep-dive into Everyday Carry (EDC), we explore the practical philosophy behind the tools and gear that accompany us through daily life.

Paul, our resident EDC expert, unpacks his meticulously curated pocket setup—featuring everything from spring-assisted knives and refillable lighters to compact multi-tools and emergency communication devices. We discover that effective EDC isn't about carrying items for their own sake, but rather assembling tools that serve specific purposes in your unique circumstances.The conversation ventures beyond pockets into the realm of comprehensive preparedness, examining first aid kits that range from basic pocket essentials to advanced medical supplies including tourniquets, suture kits, and even Narcan.

We discuss vehicle-based systems that utilize MOLLE webbing for organization, specialized tools for outdoor adventures, and communication redundancies for when traditional infrastructure fails.Throughout the episode, practical wisdom emerges: the importance of water purification methods on wilderness hikes, the versatility of petroleum-based products as accelerants and lubricants, and why you should always have multiple methods for starting fire.

Technical gear discussions are balanced with real-world experiences that demonstrate why thoughtful preparedness matters.Whether you're a seasoned EDC enthusiast or just beginning to consider what you carry daily, this episode offers valuable insights into building systems that enhance your capability to handle both everyday tasks and unexpected situations. Join our Discord community to share your own EDC setups and continue the conversation about practical preparedness in an uncertain world.

The challenging Support Your Parks Weekend takes center stage as Paul shares his determined four-hour activation that yielded just 28 contacts amidst frustrating band conditions. With wind whipping his EZ-Up shelter and sporadic propagation, his story perfectly captures the resilience that defines our hobby.

Meanwhile, Todd's experiences with repeater testing reveals promising new coverage areas, giving local operators more reliable communication options.We spotlight N2MAK's heartfelt participation in World Autism Awareness Week, where he operated special event station W2A and made 174 contacts to raise awareness. His dedication to making ham radio fun while supporting a cause close to his heart demonstrates how our hobby can create positive impact beyond emergency communications.

Todd faces another round of Extra class study questions, making progress toward his upgrade while sharing the challenging journey with listeners. His persistence mirrors what many of us experience as we push our knowledge further.The conversation takes unexpected turns through everyday life intersections with radio—from providing traffic updates during a highway shutdown to making baseball game schedules work around radio activities.

These authentic glimpses into balancing passion with obligations resonate with anyone trying to fit more radio time into busy lives.Whether you're battling poor band conditions, studying for your next license, or simply looking for connection with like-minded hams, this episode reminds us that persistence and community are what truly make amateur radio rewarding. Subscribe now and join our next live stream!

When a listener submitted "How your lives have changed now that you're famous content creators" as a topic, we couldn't help but laugh—while simultaneously feeling a curious mix of humility and quiet appreciation. Truth is, none of us started this journey seeking any sort of recognition, yet here we are, two years later, occasionally being approached at hamfests by folks who know our voices before they know our faces.

Our conversation meanders through the surprising evolution from casual ham operators to content creators with actual followers. Paul "The Grouch" N1OG shares his reluctant journey from social media skeptic to Weekend Warriors creator, now approaching monetization milestones he never imagined possible.

Eric N1JUR recounts the surreal experience of being recognized during POTA activations when someone realizes they're speaking with "that YouTube guy," while Todd W1STJ muses about balancing his future content aspirations with baseball coaching duties.

What emerges throughout our discussion isn't so much about "fame" (a term we still find uncomfortable), but rather the profound connections we've formed across the amateur radio community. From collaborations with other creators to speaking with listeners who implement our suggestions in their own ham setups, these moments have transformed a simple podcast into something far more meaningful than download numbers could ever reflect.

If you've ever wondered about the human side of content creation—the countless hours mastering video editing, the late nights recording, or the genuine thrill of receiving that first comment from a stranger who appreciates your work—this episode offers an unfiltered glimpse behind the microphone. Because while we may joke about being "ham-famous," what truly matters are the friendships, skills, and community we've built along this unexpected journey.

Have you ever felt that traditional ham radio clubs were missing something crucial – the actual fun of getting on the air? You're not alone. In this episode, we're joined by the founding members of the Hillbilly Hams Amateur Radio Club, a group that decided to create their own radio community when existing clubs felt too formal and business-oriented. Shannon (K1LY), Sean (AA4AT), Amy (W4MAE), Luis (KU5GZ ), and Doug (KE4MM) share their journey of forming a club that prioritizes enjoyment, active participation, and genuine camaraderie. With their signature overalls as unofficial uniforms and a lighthearted approach to operations, they demonstrate how a small group of friends can create something special in the amateur radio world without getting bogged down in bureaucracy. The conversation reveals practical insights about club formation and heartwarming stories of radio adventures. From their first group activation to winter field day operations, the Hillbillies describe how they've created memorable radio experiences together. Their enthusiasm for Parks On The Air (POTA) shines through as they share stories of passing microphones around in a vehicle, encountering wildlife during activations, and celebrating each rare DX contact. Hearing multiple perspectives on club culture makes this discussion particularly valuable, including from two ham radio couples who have made the hobby a shared passion. Their practical advice for those considering forming their club emphasizes starting small, defining your purpose clearly, and maintaining good relationships with other radio organizations while charting your path. Whether you're considering starting your club, breathing new life into an existing one, or simply looking for inspiration to make your ham radio experience more enjoyable, the Hillbilly Hams offer a refreshing approach that reminds us why we fell in love with this hobby in the first place. Tune in to rediscover the joy of ham radio, hillbilly style!

What happens when three opinionated ham radio operators tackle the contentious topic of club business meetings? Fireworks, that's what! In this episode, we dive deep into a debate that's been dividing ham clubs for decades: how much time and energy should be devoted to formal business proceedings versus creating engaging, interactive experiences for members?

Paul brings his extensive experience running VFW meetings to argue for the critical importance of proper business procedures: "If you're not paying attention, there are people that will take advantage and personally benefit." He makes a compelling case for accountability and transparency in club finances and decision-making.

Meanwhile, Eric and Todd question whether the traditional Robert's Rules format actually serves today's ham radio community. "The business portion, although important and useful, can take away from the core purpose of building connection," Eric observes, noting how new visitors often don't return after experiencing the formality of business-heavy meetings. The conversation heats up when discussing alternatives:

Should clubs hold separate business meetings? Change meeting days? Eliminate PowerPoint presentations? As Paul memorably declares, "Nobody wants to sit through your fucking PowerPoint. Let's go do something fun!"

We also share highlights from our recent POTA activation at the historic Marconi wireless site on Cape Cod, where we encountered some interesting characters and made contacts despite challenging conditions. Whether you're a club officer frustrated with poor meeting attendance or a member who dreads the endless motions and seconds, this episode offers fresh perspectives on creating club experiences that balance necessary governance with the community engagement that makes ham radio special.