Ham Radio 2.0

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Watch a successful Parks on the Air activation during the July 4th 13 Colonies event. See our portable field radio setup in action. This video documents our team setting up a full Parks on the Air station in a local park. We focus on the challenges and rewards of operating portable during the busy 13 Colonies event, highlighting the specific equipment needed to make contacts in the field. Whether...

Tired of digging through a messy backpack every time you want to go portable? In this video I show you exactly what a properly configured ham radio go bag looks like in real life — the Blue Ridge Overland Gear Gadget Bag loaded for APRS, Meshtastic, Mesh Core, GMRS, and everyday portable operations. This rugged clamshell EDC bag with fully modular Velcro pouches is built for hams who actually use...

Get a first look at Linux Mint 22.3. See the updated desktop environment and core apps to decide if this OS fits your needs. This walkthrough covers the Linux Mint 22.3 interface and its primary features. If you are considering a switch to a new Linux operating system, this overview highlights how the desktop environment behaves during daily tasks and displays the default application set included...

Part of my "Hot Topics" show, I am inviting multiple folks onto the channel tonight to talk about this topic that came up during the last episode in this series. Can we call CQ on VHF/UHF? What is your reason for saying yes or no? Join the chat tonight for a good discussion. Find the Hot Topics Show here - https://www.youtube.com/show/VLPLeTNcamnf_T4?sbp=Kgs1RFVBZXhyX3J2OEAB&sttick=0 Become a...

Meshcore 1.16.0 has been released and it has some exciting new updates. Let's talk about them! Today's video is sponsored by SpecFive - find some excellent devices for Meshcore here - https://specfive.com?sca_ref=7246271.KyGRZJaXNbi7N5P Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ham-radio-2-0--2042782/support .

MeshCore is facing serious trademark issues that could fracture the community. Learn the timeline of these legal challenges here. This breakdown covers the current situation surrounding the MeshCore project and why the trademark dispute puts the future of the ecosystem at risk. If you follow open source development or are invested in this community, this update clarifies the timeline of events and...

Find the best meshtastic devices for 2026. Compare NRF52 hardware, solar power options, and LoRa modules for your off-grid network. Building a reliable off-grid communication network requires the right hardware. This guide breaks down current meshtastic devices that prioritize low-power consumption and field durability. Whether you are setting up a stationary base or a mobile rig, knowing which bo...

Tonight I invite Jason, KM4ACK, onto the channel to talk about how to use Graphene OS, what apps are available, and how it relates to Ham Radio @KM4ACK Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ham-radio-2-0--2042782/support .

Galveston Meshtastic Solar Node Update – 4 Months Later! SpecFive relay battery failed. Swapped it for the compact Seeed Studio P1 solar node in Galveston, TX. War driving showed strong Meshtastic activity but almost zero Meshcore nodes. Fixed rust issues and secured everything with painted brackets + zip ties. Monitoring through summer with antenna upgrades planned. How many Meshtastic nodes are...

Get a first look at the DFW Ham Expo 2026. See what the crowd and venue look like right before the doors open on Saturday morning. This video captures the scene at the DFW Ham Expo, held inside a repurposed department store at an old mall. If you are curious about the atmosphere of a major amateur radio convention, this gives you an early view of the setup on the weekend before Father's Day. We wa...

Finding the best GMRS radios for 2026 starts here. I have narrowed down the top seven handheld radios to help you choose the right gear for your needs. This guide covers the most popular GMRS HT models currently available, making it perfect for anyone starting their journey into personal radio communication. Whether you are looking for reliable handheld radios for off-roading, hiking, or emergency...

Discover GrapheneOS, the privacy-first, security-hardened mobile operating system built for maximum protection. In this video, we break down exactly what GrapheneOS is, how it differs from stock Android and Google Pixel OS, its key features like verified boot, hardened memory allocator, and no Google services by default, plus who should switch to it. Perfect for anyone wanting to de-Google their p...

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Learn how Wi-Fi Halo works and find the best 12V batteries to power your RV or camping gear. We break down the latest connectivity and power tech. This video explains the technical capabilities of the Wi-Fi Halo 802.11ah standard, specifically its application in ad hoc radio networks for long-range connectivity. If you are interested in how modern wireless protocols are evolving, this overview pro...

On tonight's livestream I am issuing a challenge to all operators - let's light up 146.520 and make it active again. I'll be inviting some others onto the channel who have been actively participating in this effort and I invite you all to do the same. Let's see what we can do to Make Simplex Active Again! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ham-radio-2-0--2042782/s...

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Join me in the field at Galveston Island State Park for a live 146.520 national simplex test as part of the growing #52Challenge! Watch the portable Tech Prepper manpack setup with Yaesu FTM-6000, FarJ antenna, Ed Fong roll-up J-pole, DigiRig, and more while calling CQ on the national 2m FM simplex frequency. See real results, a successful contact with AB5GU, and practical tips on keeping 146.52 a...

Discover how to set up a portable APRS digipeater station for field operations and emergency preparedness! In this video, I take my go-kit APRS station to Galveston Island State Park to test a real-world digipeater configuration on 144.390 MHz. Watch as I deploy the FaraJay 2m antenna on a POTA 20 mast, configure the VGC N7500 with Bluetooth KISS TNC, run APRS-Droid as a digipeater (KC5HWB-15), an...

Let's Make a Deal with Gigaparts and an ICOM Radio Giveaway! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ham-radio-2-0--2042782/support .

Join me as I hit the roads of Galveston Island for some real-world wardriving — scouting Meshtastic and Meshcore LoRa nodes to see which mesh network is more active. From checking a long-term Spec 5 relay to testing portable nodes and repeaters, this drive reveals the current state of off-grid comms on the coast. Perfect for Meshtastic users, Meshcore enthusiasts, and anyone into LoRa mesh network...

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Is amateur radio really dying? In this video, I react to the viral "What Happened to Ham Radio?" documentary and break down the real FCC and ARRL license data showing strong growth from the 1970s to over 700,000 US hams today. I address the exaggerations about the "golden age," highlight active communities, Field Day, Parks on the Air, emergency comms, and why the hobby remains thriving. Perfect f...

Replay of this livestream Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ham-radio-2-0--2042782/support .