Hunting Polar Bears

...but not the usual kind. Ron and Ed discuss the Polar Bear Moonlight Madness, where they go out in the cold winter night and work some stations using QRP power.

Join me, with Ron (WB3AAL) and Ed (WA3WSJ) to discuss a new club that was started "just for the fun of it", but turned into another exciting time when ham radio meets the great outdoors.

This one is a lot of fun.

Spark an interest in someone

During Atlanticon 2006, I talked with my friend Omar, KW7OS, about differences between homebrew radios in the 1960's and in the 2000's. The short version is that you can still do it, easily, and inexpensively.

Omar's ham radio background started with a childhood interest, probably playing no small part finding himself as a grown-up engineer working for NASA, among other places.

This conversation started with "What kind of stuff have you done in your ham radio career that other people might want to try?"

Omar's info on QRZ.COM is at http://www.qrz.com/callsign/kw7os

And the winner of the Boston Marathon is...

And the winner of the Boston Marathon is... YOU!!!

Today we are talking about the Boston Marathon, 2006.

Here is the Q&A:

Was Dave there? Yes.
Did he run it? Sort of.
What did he run? EVERYTHING ABOVE AUDIO FREQS.

He was NET CONTROL, bay-bee! He ran the whole thing, as far as us hams are concerned. Check it out here.

Show notes

Anderson Powerpole is the standard, and it really works. Go to any of these sites to see more.

West Mountain Radio is a great source for power-related stuff (they are one of the best companies I have ever dealt with, online or off, ham radio or other). http://www.westmountainradio.com/SuperPWRgate.htm

Astron has been making power supplies since I was a kid. They are all about power. http://www.astroncorp.com/sps.shtml

NMO mounts are used very commonly for mobile antennas. They are especially good for their o-ring and waterproof design.
http://www.westcoastmall.net/shop/default.php?cPath=21_94_158

Boston Marathon links are here. http://www.baa.org

Kenwood's web site is at http://www.kenwood.net

Do you want to get your ham license? Start here, http://www.arrl.org and go to the elmer's page to see who is close-by to help. Our hobby is one that greets new members like long-lost family members!!! CQ CQ CQ CQ CQ CQ

The Prodigal Ham?

I had a great conversation with Ed Breneiser, WA3WSJ in the hallway of Atlanticon 2006. After a few minutes, I said "Wait a second! Let me capture this for the 99 Hobbies gang. This is good stuff!" Ed has been licensed since 1973, and lost interest in the hobby for a while. He re-kindled his interest and now really has "done it all". I think you will enjoy this one.

Show notes:

Ed's page at QRZ
Readiness from the ARRL and the ARRL home page
Ed's home page
His callsign shows up 700 times on Google

Hiking the Appalachian Trail

...with a radio in your backpack, that is! Listen to my interview with Ron, WB3AAL about the excitement, and the hazards, of using a battery-powered ham radio while hiking the AT. Ron gave a presentation about this at Atlanticon 2006, and later, he and I talked about it so that you could hear all about it. Ron's bio is here.

Show notes:

EPA QRP Club
Ron's web site
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society
WA3WSJ's Antenna
Ron uses a K1 and K2 for portable operation