Ham Radio From the Field, the Truck, and the Shack
Ham radio from the field, the truck, the shack, and occasionally the edge of questionable RF decisions.
I’m Eric — N1JUR — a ham radio operator, content creator, POTA activator, gear tinkerer, and professional over-packer of field radio bags.
This site is where I share practical ham radio content for people who want to get on the air, try Parks on the Air, build confidence with their gear, and have a little fun while making RF happen.
Start Here
New to ham radio or trying to get more comfortable on the air? Start with the basics, build confidence, and stop letting the radio stare at you like it knows something.
Latest Video
Check out the latest N1JUR video for POTA, gear, portable radio, live streams, and the occasional radio rabbit hole that was absolutely not on the schedule.
Mentors, Clubs, Field Day, and the Radio Hook
I first got into amateur radio back in 1991 when I earned my No-Code Technician license. Like a lot of hams, I was lucky enough to have mentors who pulled me into the hobby and showed me that radio was more than just equipment.
It was community, problem-solving, experimentation, and occasionally wondering why the thing that worked perfectly yesterday is now acting like it has feelings.
Early on, radio connected me with Scouting, local ham clubs, public service events, fox hunts, Field Day, and the Westford Academy High School Radio Club.
Atlantis Shuttle Crew. Student Hams. One Huge Radio Moment.
One of the most unforgettable moments from those early years was helping make contact with the Space Shuttle Atlantis using the club call.
That kind of thing leaves a mark.
You can buy radios, antennas, batteries, tuners, and enough coax to annoy your family — but the real hook is the moment you realize radio can connect you to something much bigger than the station sitting in front of you.
Life Happened. The License Stayed. The Spark Waited.
After high school, life happened.
I earned my Eagle Scout badge, got married, raised a family, coached, built a career in IT, and stayed plenty busy. My license stayed active, but the radios were eventually sold, and the hobby fell into the background for a while.
The interest never really disappeared. It was just waiting for the right excuse to come back.
On April 11, 2021, I earned my General license and jumped back into HF with both feet.
The N1JUR Timeline
A quick version of the story, minus several bins of cables and the part where every ham says, “I should really organize this stuff.”
No-Code Technician
Got licensed and discovered that radio was community, experimentation, public service, and a whole lot more than knobs and antennas.
Scouting, Clubs & Field Day
Radio connected with Scouting, local ham clubs, fox hunts, public service events, and the Westford Academy High School Radio Club.
The Contact That Stuck
Helped make contact with the Space Shuttle Atlantis using the club call. That kind of moment explains why this hobby gets under your skin.
Radio Came Back Around
Rediscovered the hobby through digital modes, portable HF, modern logging, YouTube, POTA, and a whole lot of catching up.
General License
Earned General on April 11, 2021 and jumped back into HF with both feet.
Helping Hams Get on the Air With More Confidence
Today, N1JUR is built around helping hams get on the air with more confidence.
The goal is simple: make ham radio feel more approachable, more practical, and more fun.
- Parks on the Air activations
- Portable ham radio setups
- Gear reviews from the field
- Antenna experiments
- Beginner-friendly ham radio help
- Live streams and community discussions
- The occasional RF decision that seemed smarter before I packed the truck
Practical Ham Radio Without the Pretend Perfection
The channel is built around getting on the air, learning from real setups, and making the hobby feel a little less intimidating.
Field Activations
Parks, portable setups, logging, antennas, batteries, and the lessons you only learn outside.
Field-Tested Reviews
Radios, antennas, power, accessories, and whether the thing deserves a spot in the bag.
Beginner Help
Practical explanations, real examples, and fewer assumptions that everyone already knows the thing.
Live Streams
Brew & Activate, chat chaos, Q&A, field stories, and community conversations.
If You’re Trying to Get on the Air, You’re in the Right Place
If you’re new to ham radio, getting ready for your first POTA activation, trying to figure out what gear actually matters, or just looking for other radio folks who understand the sickness — you’re in the right place.
Watch the videos, read the blog, join the community, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
We’re all still learning. Some of us are just better at pretending we packed the right cable.
