Field Notes from N1JUR
Real-world ham radio tips, portable operating lessons, gear thoughts, and activation stories from the field to the shack.
What You’ll Find Here
This blog is where I go deeper than a YouTube description. You’ll find practical ham radio guides, activation lessons, gear breakdowns, and field notes from real operating experiences.
Some posts are beginner-friendly. Some get a little more technical. And some are just honest lessons from the field — because not every activation goes perfectly, and that’s usually where the good stuff happens.
Portable operating tips
POTA, SOTA, and location-based activation ideas
Gear and antenna experiments
Beginner-friendly ham radio guides
Field stories and lessons learned
Virtual: Elmer
Throughout my life, I have always aimed to be helpful. I believe that the best way to help myself is by assisting others. When I started learning Ham Radio, it was an excellent opportunity for me to expand my reach and continue helping others.
Throughout my life, I have always aimed to be helpful. I believe that the best way to help myself is by assisting others. When I started learning Ham Radio, it was an excellent opportunity for me to expand my reach and continue helping others.
My family background involved a lot of relatives who hoarded stuff. As a kid, I had an uncle who would constantly "loan" me things but always had a condition of getting them back. This used to irk me. I remember a time when he gave me a CB Radio to use, but the day came when he asked for it back, just when I was beginning to upgrade and modify the setup. Despite having a lot of conversations, my parents encouraged me to return it, and I never forgot it. I made a vow that in any hobby if I had an abundance of something, I would share it or pass it on to others so that they could experience the same joy that I had, where they might not have been able to afford it directly.
After coming back to the hobby, I have had the opportunity to bless others by passing on equipment, antennas, and other things. It's kind of a selfish thing because by sharing these things, I get back the opportunity to go out with these folks and play radio or have a companion that I could talk to on the repeater frequently. If I gave them a mobile 2m rig, for example, it would also open up the opportunity for them to encourage others to join the hobby, which brings goodwill and life to it.
So, I came up with an idea that I'd like to share with others. This post is titled "Virtual: Elmer" because YouTube has been a great resource for others to learn about the hobby and get quick answers to resolve a problem. But, there isn’t a resource where someone can go to get how-to guides, procedural steps, or technical manuals on solving specific problems.
The end goal is to make it community-contributed, where folks can submit a guide, and it's "vetted" through the lens of making sure it's thorough, clear, and concise. All with the benefit of helping others grow.
So, what do you think? Is there a need for that type of stuff? Should I just build it and let it loose into the interwebs to see what traction it gets? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
3 things you shouldn't say to park rangers
We all have had a moment where we are asked - What are you doing? When were activating a park. So here are 3 things you never say to a park
While browsing POTA groups, I often come across arguments between hams and state park rangers. I used to find it amusing, knowing that the ham was usually the one at fault. However, I now feel compelled to address this issue myself. I want to shed some light on the topic and provide some helpful advice for new hams who are just starting to dip their toes into the world of POTA. So, here are the three things that should never be said to a park ranger when activating a park.
1: Start with I am an FCC LICENSED AMATEUR RADIO operator.
This will not win you any points, and might even get your photo posted in the Rangers Station. Try not to be forward and play like you own the place.
2: I have the right to….(insert item)
No matter what the “right” you have as a paying customer always treat others with respect and you going to get further than throwing around “shade”.
3: I paid the Park fee and read the rules, so…..
Your gonna get your butt tossed as this is not a seniority thing. You are on lands that aren’t directly owned/maintained by you - yes you pay taxes, but they - the rangers are there to keep civility and make the experience at the park great for everyone.
If you find yourself saying any of these phrases, may I suggest a different approach and consider this
1: I wasn't aware of (insert park rule). Can you direct me to an online link so I can learn more about it?
2: Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for the next time I activate the park again?
3: Have the pota flyer ready to help educate and offer the ranger an opportunity to make a QSo.
So if you are the type that doesn’t back down from an argument or likes to stir the pot, take a second to pause and think “Am I doing this activity for me or am I helping to pave the way for others to enjoy it as much as I have” As this will always help to make the Ham Radio Hobby welcoming to those that think we’re just the “tin foil hat” crew.
So have you been witness to a situation like this? Or did I miss some other statements, that should be included? Please Leave them in the comments below.
TOP 5 HAM IOS APPS : Part Deux
After the immense interest my previous post received on the Top 5 Ham apps, I decided to create a Part 2. Here are five new HAM apps for iOS that you should definitely have on your smartphone.
Following the positive feedback I received on my previous blog post about the best Ham Apps for iOS, I thought I'd share another list. Without further ado, here are five Ham Apps for iOS that I personally find useful. Please note that these apps are presented in no particular order, and some may be free or low-cost. For full transparency, I purchased these apps with my own money, so the reviews are solely based on my own opinion.
Let’s dive in!
Keep the Conversation Going
What’s one thing you stopped bringing to activations because you realized you never actually needed it? Drop into the Discord and tell the Brew Crew.
Join the N1JUR Discord
APRS is a well-liked mode utilized in ham radio. The APRS website for tracking plays a significant role in this infrastructure. Whenever possible, I employ APRS on my mobile and handheld devices. I understand that some people feel uneasy about being tracked. Still, I want to emphasize that utilizing APRS on your mobile device improves other tracking systems, particularly in VHF/UHF propagation. Your APRS data can aid in predicting when DX windows open up, as your spotting information provides insight into when and where these openings may occur. The APRS web Shortcut app is one of my smartphone's “important” apps.
APP COST: FREE
I won’t go into much detail with this app as you can easily google it and find a “butt-Ton” of reviews on the app. But if you do any Portable radio or POTA itself, you know its value as a logger. Having it on multiple platforms makes quick, speedy logging the only choice.
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You're not alone if you struggle with differentiating between UTC and military time. I often try to calculate the local time when presented with UTC. But with Zulu Time, you no longer have to go through that hassle. This straightforward app has a screen widget that displays the current Zulu time and offers a time converter to help you convert local time to UTC. It's a fantastic addition to your Ham Toolbelt.
APP COST: $3.99
This app may be simple, but it offers a wealth of information when you're out in the field. It utilizes the phone's GPS to determine your latitude, longitude, altitude, and grid square. I find this app incredibly useful when I engage in digital POTA, as it simplifies setting up WSJT-X with the correct grid square.
APP COST: FREE
Building an antenna can be challenging, especially when determining the correct length of wire. While many calculators online can help, I often find myself in a situation where I need to cut the wire and can’t access my paper calculations. That's where HamAntCal comes in - I can quickly get the wire lengths I need with just a few input values. This app offers a variety of calculations for different types of antennas, including ¼ verticals, inverted V's, ½ wave dipoles, and more. Although I don't use it frequently, I always turn to HamAntCal when I need assistance with antenna building.
APP COST: $.99
These are my favorite five Ham apps for iOS. I'm interested in hearing your feedback if you've tried any of them. Additionally, if there are any other Ham apps that you use that I didn't mention, please share them in the comments section. I'm constantly on the lookout for new Ham apps to test out!
Like What’s Happening Here?
N1JUR is built around helping more people get active in ham radio through videos, Field Notes, POTA content, live streams, gear reviews, and community.
If you already watch the channel and want to support more of the work behind it, memberships are one way to help keep the signal going.
Videos. Field Notes. Live Streams. Community.
Membership support helps keep the N1JUR ecosystem moving without turning every page into a pledge drive wearing a callsign hat.
Learn About the Community →
Review: RepeaterPhone for iOS
If you're searching for an application that can link to both echolink and Allstar, then your search is over because RepeaterPhone has arrived.
Recently, I've been searching for an iOS application that can help me connect to the Allstar node. I've been using the Echolink app for a while, but it's starting to feel outdated, even though it allows me to connect via my iPhone. Let's save those comments for later before anyone criticizes it for not being "real radio" and RF infractions.
Before I discuss the app and its features, let me give you some context. My father lives about three hours away from me and has a small radio station. He can connect to many local repeaters and uses Echolink to try to join the club nets in my area. He was successful for some time with an Echolink node connected to the club's repeater. However, for reasons I won't go into, that "lifeline" was taken down, and his communication with the club was cut off.
Although we're still working on a solution, I wanted to find a way to connect him back to the club. That's where my Allstar node comes in. We have a club repeater with a digital connection, but the feedback from members is that analog users hear "digital static" when the machine is in "digital" mode. Balancing between modes can be difficult.
Keep the Conversation Going
What’s one thing you stopped bringing to activations because you realized you never actually needed it? Drop into the Discord and tell the Brew Crew.
Join the N1JUR DiscordThat's where AllStar comes in. For those unfamiliar with this mode, it's an analog IRLP solution that provides a "digital bridge" to other nodes/repeaters worldwide. Like most digital modes, it uses nodes for rooms or reflectors, but there's a huge advantage. You don't need a digital radio.
Now that the nodes are running, I started looking for an "all-star specific" app. That's when I found RepeaterPhone. This app is available on iOS, well-designed, and easy to use. However, the price is a bit steep, considering the features it offers. But I'm not complaining since most apps with a good development team behind them should cost something. In the ham community, we tend to look for the cheapest solution, but sometimes, quality comes at a price.
App Features/Setup
It's pretty simple. First, navigate the settings app and adjust the menu options before creating a new account. One of the best features is the QRZ lookup, which quickly identifies callsigns and nodes. Once that's done, create a new account and enter your Allstar credentials, which are used to log in to the portal and access the node directory. If everything was entered correctly, your Allstar account should be active.
Now, head to the directory tab at the bottom of the page and search for the node you want to connect to. The app is designed with an intuitive layout, similar to the Echolink app, making it easy and enjoyable.
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In summary
This application is an excellent complement to your collection of iOS apps for Ham enthusiasts. Its reliable functionality allows you to stay in touch with others. My dad is a frequent app user and has found it a convenient way to connect with Echolink and Allstar and make contacts directly from his mobile device.
You can learn more about the app by heading over to
Like What’s Happening Here?
N1JUR is built around helping more people get active in ham radio through videos, Field Notes, POTA content, live streams, gear reviews, and community.
If you already watch the channel and want to support more of the work behind it, memberships are one way to help keep the signal going.
Videos. Field Notes. Live Streams. Community.
Membership support helps keep the N1JUR ecosystem moving without turning every page into a pledge drive wearing a callsign hat.
Learn About the Community →
Field Day Memories
Let's use this Field Day as an opportunity to establish connections that will enhance both the hobby and our personal enjoyment of it.
For those that have been a Ham for a while know that every year the fourth weekend of June is Field Day.
Field Day for those new to the hobby is a 2-day event where hams gather at a location outside of their own homes - usually a public field or big location and throw wires into the trees, erect massive vertical structures and yell into microphones things like “Five Alpha November Hotel.”
All the while eating food your wife would disapprove of and hanging out with friends and family around the campfire between radio sessions.
You see, field day is more than a bunch of “old men” hunkering down in a dark radio room listening to the drone of Morse code in the background.
It’s a place where people no matter your skill level - engineer, physicist, or corrections officer meet and swap stories, share experiences and swap a craft beer or two. We learn about how our voices travel far distant places over waves in the atmosphere. We seek out that illustrious DX station is giving 59 signal.
But I learned a thing or two from a mentor…….
The thing I learned with field day isn’t how much you know about impedance or the velocity factor of LMR 400 - which is coax to the average human. The memories you make with all different people, young and old, make you remember why you started this hobby.
You see, often, the gap between the older and younger generation widens, eroding the opportunity for passing on the “stories” of the past. Everyone’s busy lives can create a gap to keep us from “slowing down” and pause to listen to the wisdom of our senior generation.
I also throw a challenge to the older, wiser generation. Use the moments presented to you to come alongside a “younger” ham and “be curious.” You might be surprised that you build a connection that becomes a “bridge” to a great friendship and connection to growing your club.