Brew and Activate

Calling CQ and getting nothing back? It might not be your radio—it might be the sky. In this episode of Brew & Activate, we break down ham radio propagation in plain English and explain MUF and LUF like you’re five years old. No math, no confusing charts—just practical tips POTA activators can use before heading out to the park. We’ll cover: • What MUF and LUF actually mean (simple explanation...

In this live stream, we dive into real-world park activations that didn’t go as planned and walk through practical fixes you can apply on your next POTA outing. We cover gear missteps, propagation surprises, logging glitches, and crowd-friendly setups, with actionable checklists and quick-build tips. If you’ve ever faced weak signals, dead batteries, or chaotic logs, this stream is for you. What y...

We’re going live with a special guest: Perry, W1GRD — the mastermind behind https://pota.news . If you’ve ever wondered, “Where did that park story come from?” or “How did I miss that activation?”… this one’s for you. We’ll dig into what POTA News actually does, the coolest features on the site, what’s new, what’s coming next, and how you can use it to stay in the loop without doom-scrolling (unle...

Join me as I dive into low-profile, RF-only self-spotting techniques you can use from the field when you have zero data or cell service. We’ll walk through hands-on demonstrations of several practical methods, including: Winlink over HF to post a spot via POTAGW, so your activation shows up on the POTA Spots page without internet access APRS/AX.25 packet spotting with i-gate or APSPOT gateways, an...

We'll dive into the most frequently asked POTA questions when activating for the first time with the hope to help you get more proficient in your Activations. Your a Hunter you say? We'll we got you covered too! Affiliate Links: I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers. Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1...

We get into the details and discussion about why you'd want to bring a wire out instead of a vertical when activating or maybe you're the type who prefers the challenge of a loop. I'll get into that and other antenna details this week. Affiliate Links: I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers. Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering a...

I’m excited to kick off this week’s discussion on a pressing issue: navigating the challenges posed by operators who occasionally take their role a bit too far in their quest to assert themselves as the "king of the park." Perhaps you've encountered a few of these so-called "lawbreakers," individuals whose disregard for the rules has left you feeling frustrated and yearning for justice to interven...

This week, we're embarking on a fascinating exploration of a topic that resonates with many of us: batteries. As outdoor activities continue to surge in popularity, the significance of reliable power sources has never been more pronounced. We’ll delve into the essential batteries used in portable applications, guide you through the process of building your own, and showcase some of the top-perform...

Hey everyone! This week, we're going to dive into the fun world of logging. I’ll be sharing some awesome features of popular apps like POLO and HAMRS, and we’ll compare some of the best logging tools used in POTA today. I’ll also chat about why I prefer one app over another when I’m out in the field. So grab your favorite cup of coffee, and let’s get ready to log some great adventures together! Ca...

Call me tacky and old-fashioned, but I love "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." This week, while Cameron debates the merits of getting in his car and driving, we're going to discuss "POTA Roves." I've invited Shannon (K1LY) and Shaun (AA4AT) to share their experiences with roves and to explain why you might want to try one yourself. Affiliate Links: I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on...

This week, I'm thrilled to dive into an electrifying concept that could elevate the world of POTA and take it to the next level—imagine blending the excitement of Head to Head (H2H) Gaming with E-Sports! We've seen some innovative moves in the contesting realm, like those short "sprints" that allow players to engage in mini-games and build a live leaderboard, updating scores in real-time. What if...

Hey there! Welcome to Brew & Activate! I’m excited to have you join me every Sunday morning for some engaging conversations about Parks on the Air (POTA) and much more. We’ll dive into all the details, including gear, antennas, setups, and even some of the less exciting topics. So grab your favorite morning coffee, settle in, and let’s explore the wonderful world of POTA together on Brew &...

Hey there! Welcome to Brew & Activate! I’m excited to have you join me every Sunday morning for some engaging conversations about Parks on the Air (POTA) and much more. We’ll dive into all the details, including gear, antennas, setups, and even some of the less exciting topics. So grab your favorite morning coffee, settle in, and let’s explore the wonderful world of POTA together on Brew &...

Hey there! Welcome to Brew & Activate! I’m excited to have you join me every Sunday morning for some engaging conversations about Parks on the Air (POTA) and much more. We’ll dive into all the details, including gear, antennas, setups, and even some of the less exciting topics. So grab your favorite morning coffee, settle in, and let’s explore the wonderful world of POTA together on Brew &...

The fall season is still with us, but winter is looming just around the corner. In this discussion, we will explore what our POTA kits should look like for winter activations. We hope to provide you with some tips and tricks to help you continue activating during the cold winter months. Hey there! Welcome to Brew & Activate! I’m excited to have you join me every Friday morning for some engagin...

Hello and welcome to Brew & Activate! I’m genuinely thrilled to have you with me every Friday morning as we embark on exciting conversations about Parks on the Air (POTA) and a variety of related topics. Together, we will explore everything from gear and antennas to setups, including those aspects that might initially seem less thrilling! This week I am super excited to get into the world of P...

This week, we’re excited to dive into a fascinating topic from one of our listeners: Late Shift vs. Early Shift! We’ll uncover what they are, reasons to choose each, and the unique benefits they bring to your lifestyle! Hello and welcome to Brew & Activate! I’m genuinely thrilled to have you with me every Friday morning as we embark on exciting conversations about Parks on the Air (POTA) and a...

Absolutely, we're ready to pick up where we left off and overcome challenges! The Brew Crew is geared up, and we'll resume our deep dive into Ham Alert. This time, we are committed to triumphing and delivering what our audience truly wants! Hello and welcome to Brew & Activate! I’m genuinely excited to have you join me every Friday morning as we engage in thrilling conversations about Parks on...

Hello and welcome to Brew & Activate! I’m genuinely thrilled to have you with me every Friday morning as we embark on exciting conversations about Parks on the Air (POTA) and a variety of related topics. Together, we will explore everything from gear and antennas to setups, including those aspects that might initially seem less thrilling! If you proudly call yourself a POTA Nerd, you likely kn...

This week, Parks on the Air (POTA) is exploding in popularity — and now more clubs than ever are using it to get members active, outdoors, and excited about radio again. In this video, I break down exactly how YOUR local club can incorporate POTA into meetings, events, and yearly planning. Whether your club is small, aging, newly revived, or already active, these ideas will work. How to launch you...

We break down the five most dependable POTA setups you’ll actually want to carry. From modular rigs to gear that solves common activation headaches, we’ll cover popularity, portability, and practical tips to maximize your field day. Bring your questions—let’s compare builds, test ideas, and boost your next POTA contact rate. Hello and welcome to Brew & Activate! I’m genuinely thrilled to have...

Hey there! Welcome to Brew & Activate! I’m excited to have you join me every Sunday morning for some fun chats about Parks on the Air (POTA) and so much more. We’ll dive into all the juicy details, like gear, antennas, setups, and even some of the not-so-fun stuff. So grab your favorite morning coffee, settle in, and let’s explore the wonderful world of POTA together on Brew & Activate! Ca...