Ham Radio Is More Interesting Once You Start Doing Things
Field Notes is where I document what I learn along the way—portable operating, antennas, gear, projects, activations and the ideas that need a little more room than a video description.
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Does Ham Radio Need Its Own Operating System?
Ham radio software is powerful, but configuring it can be a mess. Could a radio-focused operating system finally make the computer part easier?
146.52 Is Calling. Is Anybody Listening?
146.52 MHz is the national 2-meter FM simplex calling frequency. But is anybody listening? Maybe the problem isn't the frequency—it's us.
The Best Ham Radio Gear at a Hamfest Isn't What You Came to Buy
This week I'll be at NEAR-Fest here in New Hampshire, and I've been thinking about that question because we're surrounded by easier ways to buy equipment than we've ever had before.
FT8 Isn’t Killing Ham Radio — But It Is Changing It
Don't worry. I'm not starting another argument about whether FT8 is "real radio." We've done that.
Who Gets to Decide What Counts as a POTA Park?
Not every green space can become a POTA reference. Here's what qualifies as a POTA park, who decides, and why the rules need a line somewhere.
Stop Telling Kids About Ham Radio. Let Them Do It.
Want kids interested in ham radio? Stop making them watch demonstrations. Give them a microphone, Morse key, antenna, and something real to do.
Has POTA Peaked?
POTA isn't dead. Parks are still being activated, pileups are still happening, and somehow we're still finding new ways to carry 70 pounds of "portable" radio gear into the woods.
Meshtastic vs. Ham Radio: Are We Ignoring What New Operators Actually Want?
Meshtastic and MeshCore are everywhere right now.
Small radios. Off-grid messaging. Mesh networks. No cell service.
And I'll admit it… the technology is pretty cool.
But I've started wondering why so many hams are jumping into it.
Are we trying to turn Meshtastic into another ham radio mode? Are we using it as a gateway to bring new operators into the hobby?
Or are we slowly branching further outside amateur radio because we're more interested in "off-grid communications" than actually playing radio?
I think Meshtastic is showing us something important about what new operators want.
The question is whether amateur radio is paying attention.
The IC-7110 ASKS: Why Do We Really Prefer One Radio Brand Over Another?
The new Icom IC-7110 has plenty of modern features. But is that really why we prefer one radio brand over another? Maybe it comes down to something much simpler
Ham radio software is powerful, but configuring it can be a mess. Could a radio-focused operating system finally make the computer part easier?