Field Radio Podcast

Utah DCC: Amateur Digital Modes - Something for Everyone John Mitton KK7L

In this episode of the Field Radio Podcast I get started on the new project of building a field raspberry pi go box.

On this episode I discuss give a presentation on getting started with amateur radio field operations. I walk through the process of gear selection and preparation and avoiding the pitfalls with field operations.

Episode 22 - Lessons Learned From Public Service Events - On this episode Chris Fielding (KG7IVS) joins me in the studio to discuss lessons learned from public service events. The training item discusses how you can use your public service events to hone your skills for a real emergency.

On this episode it is part two of the discussion on NVIS or Near Vertical Incident Skywave propagation used to make contacts within a typical skip zone. The training item discusses best practices for organizing creating a family emergency communication plan.

On this episode I discuss the NVIS or Near Vertical Incident Skywave propagation used to make contacts within a typical skip zone of long path HF. The training item discusses best practices for creating a family emergency communication plan.

Jeff McGrath N1SC presented using Digital Modes for Field Day at the Utah Digital Communications Conference. Jeff covers the use of digital modes, interfacing FLDIGI with N3FJP logging software, and shares his use of macro's.

Greg Lane N4KGL joins us on the show to give an introduction to the Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) Challenge.  The goal of Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) is to practice communication via amateur radio under difficult circumstances, in many different ways, being ever ready, and independent of external resources until it becomes second nature. The unique aspect of RaDAR is adding movement to outdoor operating. That is stations rapidly deploy, move with all necessary gear and redeploy. This is a stress test of operating capabilities but can be enjoyable and rewarding when undertaken in the great outdoors. 

Our guest this week is George Dewar VY2GF of Prince Edward Island. His passion, along with Bernie Cormier VE9BGC, is activating lighthouses and is part of the Maritime Lighthouse Amateur Radio Group. It was a pleasure speaking with George and hearing about Lighthouses On The Air, he gives us information on how they activate and how you can also get involved. Also, is a replay of the Ham Radio Workbench where I discuss with George and Jeremy the future of our programs after the end of the Ham Radio 360 network.

I had the chance to attend the Orlando Hamcation this year. The Orlando Hamcation is the second largest hamfest in the United States next to the Dayton Hamvention in May. While there between scanning the swaps table and checking out new products I had the chance to interview some vendors that are related to field radio. Also a tour of the Brevard communications motor home.

Chris Fielding KG7IVS is back on the show to help us understand the Q codes and Morse Code prosigns that are ingrained in our hobby. This is a good episode to listen to if you are a new operator and heard these terms thrown around the club meetings or on the air.

Tyler White is an amateur radio operator and a primitive survival skill expert. Tyler is the host of the TJack Survival YouTube channel that has a host of instructional videos on primitive survival skills. Tyler outlines the need for us to start thinking about the need to aquire some basic survival skills. He also discusses how amateur radio plays a roll in this skill set.

In this episode we discuss winter field day plans with Clint Miller KC0JUO. We also cover how events like this is a great tool to practice your emergency communication plans in an all weather environment.

Paul Cowley KB7VML from Iowa is back on the show to discuss the different methods and tools to use to get your antennas up in the air, how to keep them in the air, and how to bring them back down safely. This is an overlooked area of the hobby where you have to be inventive and adaptable to the situation.

Mark Waggoner (N6MRW) is a relatively new amateur radio operator. Once licensed he became active in his local groups and emcomm related activities. Mark found the need for a portable, low cost, effective 5watt repeater. Mark took on the project to create an ammo can repeater, then had a successful deployment during a national guard exercise. In this episode we also talk about the MTC Radio Help A Ham 2017 project to help some operators out with some equipment this holiday season. You can learn more about the project at MTCRadio.com

You may have seen the big blue batteries at your local hamfest, you may have heard about how LiFEPO4 batteries are changing how Amateur Radio operators operate in the field longer and lighter. In this episode John has a in-depth conversation with Kevin Zanjani the national sales manager of Bioenno Power. Learn about the technology behind LiFEPO4 and how well the out perform other battery technology. Also get a look at solar technology and what to look for when purchasing solar for your field setup.  

Amateur Radio operators participated in a joint communication exercise with the Iowa National Guard titled "Operation Stable Mercury" Paul Cowley KB7VML is our guest on the show to give us an inside look at the operational objectives, amateur radio role, and lessons learned deploying multi band, multi mode, multi operator exercise.  

With the recent events in the United States the need for Amateur Radio in emergency communications has been affirmed. David Goldenberg W0DHG is the Emergency Coordinator for the LAX ARES Section. David provides great insight into organizational leadership, interfacing with served agencies, training, equipment, and operating modes used for emergency communication.

Kevin Reeve N7RXE is instrumental in Amateur Radio operators supporting the LOTOJA Classic Bike Race. Kevin gives us a look into the organization and coordination of event communications. This event spans over 200 miles, three states, multiple public safety jurisdictions, 4 net controls, 8 repeaters including mobile repeaters, APRS iGates, Portable Digipeaters, 135 operators, and 40 vehicles beaconing APRS. This event has it all! Kevin gives a great overview of how they successfully organize this event, and advice for organizations looking to support or improve event support.

As we continue our journey into field radio we're reminded we need gear to take along.  One primary means of field operation is the venerable FM Transceiver.  In this episode of the field Radio Podcast we're joined by David Goldenburg (W0DHG) Co-host of the Ham Radio Now show to discuss selecting a VHF/UHF mobile radio for field portable use and other related items for field radio operations.

Galen KF5BET, Abbi KF5BEW, Kendra KF5FYS.

Welcome to the First Episode of Field Radio Podcast! I'm John, W7DBO, a third-generation ham from Utah.  I'll be your host for the new Field Radio Podcast.  It's my desire to make this show your bi-weekly source for all things Field Radio.  I'll feature interviews, reviews, build projects and real-time experiences along the way.  Thank you for listening, I hope you enjoy the show! ----- In this episode we catch up with Cale (K4CDN) the progenitor of all things Ham Radio 360.   Cale and I chat about the Ham Radio 360 brand, his podcasting adventures and the Genesis of this Field Radio Podcast. Following that, Chris Fielding (KG7IVS) a friend and fellow field operator tells us about his field radio portable setup and an interesting DX contact he got while at scout camp.    

John, W7DBO, introduces the new Field Radio Podcast