Are COAX cables really worth the hype? In this video, we’re going to debunk the myths and misconceptions surrounding COAX cables in just a few minutes! From their supposed “low loss” capabilities to their alleged “reliability”, we’re putting COAX cables to the test and separating fact from fiction. Whether you’re a new ham, an experienced operator or just someone who wants to know the truth about COAX cables, this video is for you! So, sit back, relax, and let’s get ready to debunk some COAX cable myths!

This video shows step by step instructions of how to measure insertion loss using a NanoVNA.

Steve, KM9G, encourages new hams to experiment and ignore negativity. We discuss paradigms, cognitive dissonance, and the importance of innovation in ham radio. Keep hope alive!

What can we come up with to use as an antenna? Let’s play!

As amateur (ham) radio operators, we like to experiment. Come along with me for this series of videos while I find random objects to use as antennas and try and make contacts on the air.

This video features KE4JT.

Remember—if you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong!

This video is geared toward the new ham who wants a better understanding of the NanoVNA. Maybe you are kind of familiar with the NanoVNA but some stuff doesn’t make sense to you yet. Maybe you would like to know what else you can use a NanoVNA for other than use it as an antenna analyzer.

I will cover the stuff that is not explained in other videos you find on the NanoVNA and hopefully in a more understandable way.

In this video I will discuss the following:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:10 What is a Vector Network Analyzer?
• 03:41 Should you buy a NanoVNA or an Antenna Analyzer?
• 05:56 What does an Antenna Analyzer do and what is SWR?
• 07:34 How does an Antenna Analyzer work?
• 08:45 How is a NanoVNA different and what are S11 and S21 measurements?
• 10:48 What are some kinds of S11 and S21 measurements you can make?
• 13:05 Why do you have to calibrate a NanoVNA?
• 16:14 What actually is calibration and when to do a partial or full calibration?
• 18:24 Test fixtures, adapters and accepting some level of error.
• 19:31 What do some of the more expensive models of the NanoVNA give you?
• 19:52 What is dynamic range?

GMRS continues to grow with lots of new licenses being issued every month. There are a couple of things that you need to be aware of to avoid the disappointment that comes when you discover your expectations and the reality of this poplar radio service are misaligned.

In this video we’ll look at the top 10 things you need to know as you consider becoming a part of the GMRS community.

More Gadget Talk GMRS videos

• GMRS Shootout - So What’s Different B…
• Why GMRS Sucks - or Doesn’t
• GMRS Radios for Newbies: How to Work …
• GMRS Rules: What You’re Agreeing To
• Understanding GMRS Repeaters

What can we come up with to use as an antenna? Let’s play!

As amateur (ham) radio operators, we like to experiment. Come along with me for this series of videos while I find random objects to use as antennas and try and make contacts on the air.

Remember—if you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong!

Made Famous By @TheSmokinApe …

Let’s see if the Dayton Hamvention Pork Chop Sandwich is worth all the hype.

In this RATPAC Amateur Radio video Travis Johnson, KE5FXC, an Emergency Communications Coordinator with the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—speaking in an unofficial capacity as KE5SXC—addresses communications plans for large-scale events and presents the framework that he personally uses for communications planning and discusses some of the ideas behind it.

First Responders, Amateur Radio Operators, and members of the public who are interested in becoming SKYWARN® storm spotters—and current spotters who wish to refresh their skills—must do so by watching the NWS WFO Grand Forks 2025 SKYWARN® Storm Spotter Training video.

⚠️ In-person SKYWARN® Storm Spotter training will not be conducted in 2025.

Training Video

ℹ️ Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about SKYWARN, and NWS contact information, are available on the NWS WFO Grand Forks, ND SKYWARN page.

Spotter Registration and Updates

New SKYWARN® Storm Spotters—and current spotters who need to update their information—who are 16 years of age or older and in the NWS Grand Forks forecast area should visit the NWS Grand Forks Spotter Registration page to register as a spotter or update their information.

“This information will never be shared with anyone and is only used so the NWS can contact you in severe weather situations, or allow the NWS to easily plot your information when you report severe weather.”¹

About Spotter Training

This training video is about 80 minutes long and is available free of charge to all interested parties. Viewers will learn about:

• Identifying & reporting severe weather
• Spotter safety
• Severe weather climatology in ND/MN
• Thunderstorm structure and threats
• And more…

The instructors are NWS Meteorologists.

About SKYWARN®

In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning caused hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions in property and crop damages. To obtain critical weather information, the National Weather Service (NWS) established SKYWARN® with partner organizations. SKYWARN® is a volunteer program with between 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

Although SKYWARN® spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the focus is on reporting severe local thunderstorms. In an average year the United States experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes.

Since the program started in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN® spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods. SKYWARN® storm spotters are part of the ranks of citizens who form the Nation’s first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that your efforts have given your family and neighbors the precious gift of time—minutes that can help save lives. ²

Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions About SKYWARN® section of the NWS WFO Grand Forks, ND page for more information about SKYWARN®.

SKYWARN® is a registered trademark of NOAA’s National Weather Service. Rules for the usage of the SKYWARN® name and logo are available on-line.

SKYWARN® Online

http://www.weather.gov/fgf/stormspotting

SKYWARN® Contact

nws.grandforks@noaa.gov

This is a demonstration of the minimal setup to download SSTV images from the International Space Station ISS. I use a Quansheng UV-K5 set to 145.800 an sql at 0. It is then decoded on the fly using an android tablet with the Robot36 app. You may also record the audio and later decode using Robot36, MMSSTV on your computer or your other favourite decoder.

Of course a fancy self tracking YAGI array would provide better quality, but the basics may also work just fine.

When the AMSAT-OSCAR 7 (AO-7) amateur radio satellite was launched in 1974, its expected lifespan was about five years. The plucky little satellite made it to 1981 when a battery failure caused it to be written off as dead. Then, in 2002 it came back to life. The prevailing theory being that one of the cells in the satellites NiCd battery pack, in an extremely rare event, failed open — thus allowing the satellite to run (intermittently) off its solar panels.

A recent video by [Ben] on the AE4JC Amateur Radio YouTube channel goes over the construction of AO-7, its operation, death and subsequent revival are covered, as well as a recent QSO (direct contact).

The solar panels covering this satellite provided a grand total of 14 watts at maximum illumination, which later dropped to 10 watts, making for a pretty small power budget. The entire satellite was assembled in a ‘clean room’ consisting of a sectioned off part of a basement, with components produced by enthusiasts associated with AMSAT around the world. Onboard are two radio transponders: Mode A at 2 meters and Mode B at 10 meters, as well as four beacons, three of which are active due to an international treaty affecting the 13 cm beacon.

Positioned in a geocentric LEO (1,447 – 1,465 km) orbit, it’s quite amazing that after 50 years it’s still mostly operational. Most of this is due to how the satellite smartly uses the Earth’s magnetic field for alignment with magnets as well as the impact of photons to maintain its spin. This passive control combined with the relatively high altitude should allow AO-7 to function pretty much indefinitely while the PV panels keep producing enough power. All because a NiCd battery failed in a very unusual way

In this video Bill shares with us about what the proposed FCC Deregulation really means for the radio amateur, and what we need to be watchful of.

As always remember “It’s a Great Day To QSO”.

There are lots of stories going around about this FCC Deregulation document. Here are my thoughts on this subject—I will be following this story to see where it goes.

The FCC is gathering feedback on potential regulatory changes impacting telecommunications, public airwaves, and amateur radio. We explore what these proposed reviews mean for amateur radio enthusiasts and the greater marketplace landscape.

Don’t miss our insights!

What it’s going to mean to you, in 10 seconds.

Is the FCC’s new Delete, Delete, Delete agenda sounding the death knell for amateur radio? In this video Jim N4BFR breaks down the FCC’s latest public notice and what it really means for hams.

From the very real threat of spectrum auctions to possible changes in antenna regulations (PRB-1) and license fees, we’re connecting the dots on how this might affect your privileges on the air.

While amateur radio isn’t disappearing overnight, there’s plenty you should know about—plus ways to make your voice heard. Share your feedback with the FCC (preceding number 25-133) and reach out to your congressional representatives.

Stay informed, stay active, and stay on the air!

Discover how the intense demand for wireless spectrum is reshaping industries. With billions at stake and upcoming auctions on the horizon, we delve into the potential risks for amateur radio and the lucrative market for wireless carriers.

Stay informed on this critical issue!

David and Ham Radio Cat discuss their view of the FCC’s Delete, Delete, Delete

President Trump has revealed a humongous new FCC deregulation initiative. In this video, I break down what this ham radio development means for broadcasting, communications, and more. As a result, the FCC Chairman Brendan Carr issued a public notice recently titled Re: Delete, Delete, Delete, seeking for the public to comment in an effort to identify FCC rules to alleviate regulatory burdens that are unnecessary. This deregulation initiative has the potential impacts to change infrastructure deployment, digital equity, and media company regulations.

This week we talk about deregulating the FCC and what could happen if we Delete, Delete, Delete.

Let’s talk about what DOGE can and cannot do with the FCC, and what, realistically can happen if it gets deregulated.

John Nass KI6NAZ presents his thoughts about the FCC’s re: DELETE DELETE DELETE docket in this 13 minute video on the Ham Radio Crash Course Youtube Channel.

The FCC says “We’ll do it live” in taking your feedback in regards to where they should deregulate!

Want to add your thoughts? Go to https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express and use the proceeding # 25-133 in the reference field. ¹

George KJ6VU (from Sierra Radio Systems) and Josh KI6NAZ discuss the state of amateur radio repeaters.

Minimalist radio fun in the form of a challenge? Yes please.

When @HamRadioCrashCourse proposed the 1 lb POTA Pack Challenge, he had to have known I’d take it as far as I could. An upcoming work trip presented the perfect opportunity.

I prepped the “Classic Band” modified truSDX with audio amplifier circuit, larger display, and thinner/flatter filter design, and paired it up with a minimalist EFHW built from an SMA connector, custom PCB, FT37-43 toroid, and 140 ft of 36 ga PTFE insulated copper wire. A 300 mAh 3s LiPo fed it the rig power. I used the internal mic and the rig’s now amplified speaker for phone operation, a capacitive touch key installed in the rig for CW, and a custom audio adapter made it possible to run digital modes.

Here’s the story of the activation.

Some people consider ham radio operators to be the original hackers. In this talk, Dan Romanchik, KB6NU, will discuss some of the cool development projects that ham radio hackers are working on and talk about how you can get your own hacker, errrrr ham radio license.¹

This talk was presented at HOPE XV at St. John’s University in New York City on July 12, 2024.

The slides from this talk are published in KB6NU’s There is HOPE for amateur radio blog post.

You can check out all the talks from HOPE XV on the 2600’s YouTube channel. The channel has videos from all of the HOPE conferences dating back to 1994.²