Live Free and Ham Podcast

Live Free and Ham Podcast

por Live Free and Ham Pod
Temporada 1
When Ham Radio, Real Life, and Podcast Chaos Collide
Live Free and Ham is changing things up… but don’t panic, nobody threw the radio in the dumpster. Yet. In this episode, Eric N1JUR, Paul N1OG, and Todd W1STJ sit down for a real update on the future of the show. Todd shares why he’ll be taking a bit of a pause from regular episodes while life, work, family, baseball, and everything else pile up like a badly packed go-box. The crew also talks about shifting Live Free and Ham from a weekly schedule to every other week for the summer so the show stays fun, sustainable, and actually worth listening to. Because let’s be honest: forcing content just to keep a schedule is how you end up with bad audio, dead batteries, three confused hams, and a podcast episode that becomes a hostage situation. We also dig into the latest community updates, including Winlink messages, listener voicemails, the 5-2 Simplex Challenge, POTA Academy, NEAR-Fest chaos, technician license questions, ham radio wins, and the usual amount of technology fighting back. This one is part announcement, part community check-in, part therapy session, and part reminder that ham radio is supposed to be fun. If you’ve been following Live Free and Ham for a while, this is an episode you’ll want to catch. The show is evolving, the community is still going strong, and yes… the wheels are still mostly attached. Join the conversation, leave us a voicemail, hop into the Discord, and let us know what you want to hear in future episodes. ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ ************* Feedback and Questions! You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10 Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs If you would also like to learn more about the hosts: Eric (N1JUR) - https://n1jur.com Paul (N1OG) - https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG
Are We Still Talking on the Air… or Just Online Now?
Is ham radio still happening on the air… or has it moved online? Tonight on Live Free and Ham, we’re diving into one of the biggest shifts in the hobby right now—Online Communities vs RF Communities. Discord is active. YouTube chats are packed. Facebook groups never sleep. But spin the dial… and things can feel a little quiet. So what’s really going on? Are we more connected than ever… or just connecting differently? 🎙️ In This Episode We’ll Cover: Why online communities are exploding in ham radio Are repeaters and ragchews actually declining? What RF gives us that online never can Why new hams may feel more comfortable online than on-air Are we losing operating skills—or gaining new ones? Where the real ham radio community lives today 💥 The Big Question: If ham radio started today… would RF still be the main way we connect? 💬 Join the Conversation LIVE We want to hear from you: 👉 Do you spend more time on RF or online? 👉 When was your last real ragchew? 👉 Is this evolution… or a problem? Drop it in chat and be part of the show. ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ ************* Feedback and Questions! You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10 Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs 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
Airborne Activations & Daily Grind: How Far Is Too Far in POTA?
What happens when Parks on the Air turns from a hobby… into a daily mission? In this episode of Live Free and Ham, Eric (N1JUR), Paul (N1OG), and Todd (W1STJ) sit down with special guest Keith (AC1RH) to talk about one of the most unique (and slightly insane) approaches to POTA we’ve seen yet—activating parks every single day. But that’s not all… We dive deep into aeronautical mobile operations, the real challenges of logging contacts while in motion (and sometimes feeling it 🤢), and what it actually takes to stay consistent in a hobby that’s supposed to be… you know… relaxing. This one goes beyond gear and contacts—it’s about mindset, discipline, and maybe just a little bit of obsession. 🔥 In this episode: What aeronautical mobile really looks like in practice The chaos of logging while moving (and why it’s harder than it sounds) The reality behind daily POTA activations When consistency becomes commitment… or addiction Tips, lessons learned, and a few “don’t try this while driving” moments ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ ************* Feedback and Questions! You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10 Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs 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
Best Apps for POTA? POTACat Might Be One
Explícito
We had a plan for this episode… and then we brought Casey on. In this episode of Live Free and Ham, we sit down with the developer behind POTACat—an app that’s starting to get a lot of attention in the POTA community. If you’ve heard the name but weren’t sure what it actually does… this is the episode that breaks it down. 🐾 What is POTACat? POTACat is a tool built for the Parks on the Air community that’s designed to make hunting and activating more efficient, more informed, and honestly… a little more fun. We dig into: What POTACat actually does Who it’s built for (hunters, activators, or both) How it fits into the current POTA workflow Why it’s gaining traction so quickly in the ham radio world 🎙️ Straight From the Source Casey walks us through: The origin of the app The problems he’s trying to solve How it compares to other tools you might already be using Where it’s heading next ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ ************* Feedback and Questions! You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10 Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs 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
Warning: This Ham Radio Podcast Has No Direction
We had a plan… and then we started talking. In this episode of Live Free and Ham, Eric (N1JUR), Paul (N1OG), Todd (W1STJ), and Mike (N2MAK) sit down for what was supposed to be a structured show… Yeah… that didn’t happen. What you do get is a real, unfiltered ham radio roundtable—where the conversation goes from gear talk… to band discussions… to life… and somehow ends in complete chaos. Along the way, we get into: 900 MHz and why nobody talks about it enough Transverters and unlocking new parts of the hobby The reality of ham radio gear pricing (and what’s actually worth it) YouTube, content creation, and the “I’m quitting” moment 👀 The random tangents that happen when hams just start talking And honestly… that’s kind of the point. This is what ham radio sounds like when you take away the script. It’s not polished. It’s not structured. But it’s real. 💬 Jump in the comments: What’s the most off-the-rails ham conversation you’ve ever had? 📡 Join the community: 👉 Discord: https://discord.gg/zwg9mWyHmY 👍 If you enjoy real ham radio conversations (and a little chaos)… Hit like, subscribe, and stick around. ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ ************* Feedback and Questions! You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10 Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs 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
We Had a Plan. Then We Started Talking.
No Eric. No Todd. No safety net. In this episode of Live Free and Ham… things get a little… unstructured. The Grouch (N1OG) takes over the show while Eric is off pretending he’s in Aspen and Todd is down for the count. So naturally, we brought in Tortoise (N3FML)… and yeah… it went exactly how you’d expect. We start with: Listener voicemails (yes… including the usual suspects) Winlink messages from the community A surprisingly legit round of technician questions 146.52 / simplex activity (or lack of it 👀) …and then… We somehow end up talking about: Coffee wars ☕ Weather mood swings (Mother Nature needs help) Mobile operating struggles Ham radio in unexpected places (like… skydiving??) And whatever else popped into our heads This is one of those episodes where: 👉 There’s no script 👉 No real plan 👉 And absolutely no adult supervision But honestly… that’s kind of what makes it fun. ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ ************* Feedback and Questions! You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10 Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs 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
Live Free and Ragchew - Sunday Night Ragchew Ep. 119
What happens when the group from Live Free and Ham join the Ragchew Crew for a live stream? You get to Live Free and Ragchew! Welcome to the first combined stream that will be the 4th Sunday night 8:30pm Central every month going forward! We look forward to more great conversation and possibly more shenanigans and we invite you to join us! ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ ************* Feedback and Questions! You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10 Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs 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
Live Free and Ham Crosses the Pond | Guests on The European Ham Radio Show
Live Free and Ham goes international! 🇺🇸🌍 In this special episode, Eric, Todd, and Paul join the crew of the European Ham Radio Show to talk about how Live Free and Ham got started—and how it somehow turned into one of the most recognizable voices in the ham radio community. What starts as a simple conversation quickly turns into a full-on ham radio roundtable… and yeah, it goes off the rails (in the best way possible). We dive into: The origin story of Live Free and Ham and how it grew The rise of Parks on the Air (POTA) and why it hooks so many operators The 146.52 / 2-meter simplex challenge and getting people back on the air Differences between the U.S. and European ham radio scenes Wild operating stories—from pileups to DX surprises And then… it gets weird: Ham radio + skydiving contacts from 12,000 feet Portable ops in extreme conditions Travel, DX, and chasing contacts around the world This episode is part ham radio discussion, part origin story, and part pure chaos—with plenty of laughs along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how Live Free and Ham came to be… or what happens when American and European hams get together… This is the episode. ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ ************* Feedback and Questions! You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10 Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs 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
Apparently, We’re Ruining Ham Radio… By Actually Using It
This week on Live Free and Ham, we cover a little bit of everything that makes amateur radio… well… amateur radio. It starts with a spicy debate about 146.52 simplex activity and whether encouraging people to actually use the calling frequency is somehow “ruining the hobby.” Then we shift into the real heartbeat of ham radio — the community. In this episode we cover: Listener Winlink messages The reality of calling CQ on 146.52 Why so many antennas are on the road but nobody answers Message relays and traffic-style contacts Todd’s Little Something Extra technical segment Listener voicemails And somehow… a deep dive into coffee, Dunkin, and ham radio lifestyle Because if there’s one thing ham radio operators do well… It’s talking about radios… while talking about everything else. ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ ************* Feedback and Questions! You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10 Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs 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
Simplex Is Only Dead If You Don’t Key Up
What happens when you stop waiting for activity… and just create it? In this episode, we dig into the surprising momentum behind the 2 Meter FM Activity a 52 Day Challenge What started as a fun idea quickly turned into a grassroots movement. Emails are still coming in. Operators are asking when the next one is. And suddenly? two meters simplex — don’t feel so quiet anymore. We talk about: Why 146.52 MHz (the 2m FM calling frequency) matters How “scarcity” and timing can ignite participation Why calling CQ on simplex actually works The growing buzz around 2m simplex activity Creating events without contests, plaques, or pressure The psychology of getting hams to actually key up There’s something powerful about realizing that the bands aren’t dead — they’re just waiting for someone to start talking. We also share updates on the upcoming YL POTA Party live stream, listener Winlink messages, and how this community keeps pushing radio forward in creative ways. No big sponsors. No official sanctioning. Just operators deciding to make noise. If you’ve ever thought, “Nobody’s on simplex anymore,” this episode might change your mind. So here’s the challenge: Instead of asking where everyone is… Be the one who calls CQ. ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ ************* Feedback and Questions! You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10 Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs 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
1 de 14