Ham Radio All Portable Discussion Zone

In this roundtable episode, Dan KC7MSU, Brian W7JET, and I debrief on Field Day, touch on the 13 Colonies special event, and I share highlights from a three day SOTA excursion with my wife W7NRS just before Field Day. Superstition Amateur Radio Club: https://superstitionarc.org/Morsle CW Practice: https://morsle.fun/Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio, QRP, and more in...

Saurabh Bhasin N6RUN has climbed the highest peak on every continent, finished five Ironmans, runs mountain ultras, and is active in SOTA.In this episode we talk about how mountaineering and ham radio collided for Saurabh, his Everest summit on May 14, 2025, and his six month attempt to get a Nepalese amateur radio license that never panned out. If you are into SOTA, endurance sports, or both at t...

In this Homebrew Workbench Roundtable, Tobias KK7BCO and I are joined by Mitch NK3H, filling in for Adam K6ARK, to talk through what is on our benches right now. We cover frequency counter builds and wiring lessons learned, a direct conversion receiver that's now pulling in W1AW, Mitch's SuperHET power amplifier improvements, and a look at using local AI agents for ham radio related tasks....

Stuart M0SGV started soldering at age 8 in the 1950s, building crystal sets with a copper tip heated over a gas cooker. Nearly 70 years later he is still at the bench, building tube transmitters from 1949 magazine circuits, Hans Summers QMX and QDX rigs, a Michigan Mighty Mite, and a high voltage power supply built from scratch to power all of it. In this episode Stuart walks us through a dozen ho...

Barb WB2CBA is a civil engineer by trade and an open source QRP designer by passion. Every circuit he's created has gone straight to GitHub with no paywalls and no kits he controls exclusively, and builders around the world have taken notice. In this episode Barb walks us through his major designs from the uSDX collaboration to the Pebble HF, talks about his experience at Four Days in May, and...

Derek W7DLZ has earned the SOTA Mountain Goat award five times over and he's closing in on a sixth. Since his first activation in September 2021, Derek has operated from hundreds of summits across six associations and twenty-two regions at a pace that's hard to believe, and he shows no signs of slowing down. In this episode we cover his preferred radio, antenna choices, and operating philo...

In this episode, I sit down with Rick N3FJZ — a prolific homebrew builder known in the SolderSmoke community for his meticulous construction, clean schematics, and commitment to all-discrete analog design. We trace his journey from his first scratch build projects to his current tranciever with a custom front panel digital display. Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio,...

In this episode, Tobias KK7BCO and I continue our discussion on the Stockton Bidirectional Wattmeter and SWR Indicator project, covering our progress, build experiences, and what we’ve learned along the way. With Adam K6ARK unavailable this month, Mitch NK3H joins the roundtable and shares details from his RF power amplifier build, including design considerations, challenges, and lessons learned f...

In this episode, we take a roundtable approach as each host brings a topic to the discussion. Brian shares insights from the Rookie Roundup and what makes it a great entry point into contesting. Dan talks about coordinating an ARISS contact, working with educators and local hams to connect students with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. I wrap things up with a look at a VHF/UHF...

In this episode, we sit down with Don Taylor, KM4UDX, to talk through his approach to homebrew radio and hands-on experimentation. From uBITX modifications to scratch-built projects and antenna work, Don shares what he’s building, what’s working, and what he’s learned along the way. We also discuss his role as president of the Vienna Wireless Society and how the club supports operators through act...

In this episode, we gather around the workbench with special guest Mitch NK3H to talk through his latest homebrew radio build—a scratch-built receiver capable of both CW and SSB. We dig into the design approach, construction techniques, challenges along the way, and what it takes to successfully build a more complex radio from the ground up. Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portab...

In this episode, we gather around the workbench to look back on our latest homebrew scratch-build project: George Dobbs’ signal generator. Join us as we discuss the design process, parts selection, challenges, lessons learned, and what it took to bring this ham radio project to life from the ground up. If you enjoy QRP, portable operations, electronics, and building your own gear, this episode is...

In this interview, I sit down with Peter Parker to talk about making radio simple, practical, and accessible for anyone. Peter is well known in the amateur radio community for his clear, no-nonsense approach to building and operating simple radios. We discuss how beginners can get started, why you don’t need expensive equipment, and the value of hands-on experimentation. Join us as we explore how...

Neville Marr, ZL2BNE, is a New Zealand amateur radio operator known for turning homebrew radio into something approachable and practical. He’s designed and shared projects like a 40-meter SDR receiver kit and regularly operates using self-built SDR transceivers, including the T41 platform. Along the way, he’s supported wider ham radio initiatives such as Reverse Beacon Network stations, and today...

In this episode of the Ham Radio Operators Roundtable, Dan (KC7MSU), Brian (W7JET), and Charlie (NJ7V) share their experiences, tips, and stories from the road and the airwaves. From tracking rare contacts across the globe to navigating hamfests and setting up stations while traveling, you’ll hear firsthand what makes this side of the hobby so exciting. Connect with us:* Discord: https://discord.g...

In this video, Dan Koellen (AI6XG) shares the stories behind some of his most creative homebrew radio and electronics projects. Dan has spent years building, modifying, and perfecting gear for ham radio, portable operations like SOTA (Summits On The Air), and experimental electronics. From modified QRP rigs and custom vacuum-tube transmitters to clever antenna transformers and portable stations, t...

In this episode we gather around the workbench to talk about what we’re currently building, experimenting with, and learning in our ham radio shacks. Then we announce something new: **group homebrew scratch-build projects** that we’ll be working on together over the coming episodes. If you enjoy building your own ham radio gear, experimenting with electronics, and learning by doing, we invite you...

In this video, Rex Harper (W1REX) shares the remarkable history of the Tuna Tin II, one of the most beloved homebrew QRP radios in amateur radio. Originally designed by Doug DeMaw (W1CER), the Tuna Tin II began as a simple, clever transceiver built into a literal tuna can. Over the years, the design was adopted by multiple ham radio clubs, evolving into a variety of kits as different organizations...

Discover Vince VE6LK, a ham radio educator and electronics experimenter, as he shares hands-on projects, DIY experiments, and practical tips for getting on the air. Perfect for beginners and seasoned hams alike, this video shows how Vince blends teaching, tinkering, and innovation to make amateur radio exciting and accessible. Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio, QRP,...

Tony EI5EM is a long-time homebrew and QRP enthusiast with a passion for building radios from the ground up. In this interview, Tony talks about what draws him to homebrew radio, why QRP is so rewarding, and shares some of the projects he’s built and put on the air. He also offers encouragement for hams who are curious about building but aren’t sure where to start. Join us as we explore how you ca...

Drawing loosely from two presentations delivered at Contest University 2022, roundtable members Dan KC7MSU, Brian W7JET, and Charlie NJ7V discuss some of the most important and commonly overlooked ham radio operating techniques. This is a practical, experience-driven conversation focused on what really makes a difference on the air. Referenced presentations:Contesting 101: Operating — Doug Grant,...

Brad, KA9JDE, is a Summits on the Air (SOTA) Mountain Goat. The stories behind his achievement are inspiring — and at times, downright harrowing. Join us as we dive into Brad’s journey through ham radio, how he discovered SOTA, the advice he has for outdoor radio operators, and even his side hobby of traveling the world in search of unforgettable scuba diving adventures. Join us as we explore how...

This is the first in a series of special episodes on building and modifying your own ham radio gear - antennas, radios, equipment peripherals, and more. In this episode: * Adam (K6ARK) walks through the steps of designing a project * Charlie (NJ7V) covers different scratch-building methods * Tobias (KK7BCO) dives into antenna experimentationConnect with us:* Discord: https://discord.gg/YDeM3JeH* T...

Dan KC7MSU shares his progress with the Ham Shack Build Project, Brian W7JET talks about contesting and remote operation, and Charlie NJ7V talks about the Summits on the Air UHV/VHF SSB/CW Challenge. Connect with us:* Discord: https://discord.gg/YDeM3JeH* TikTok: @redsummitrf* X (formerly Twitter): @NJ7V_Support the channel:* Buy us a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF* Red Summit RF A...

Jeff VE3CW has wide-ranging interests in amateur radio, including contesting, homebrewing, QRP, and portable operations. In this episode, we dive into some of his current ham radio projects, and Jeff shares encouragement and tips for hams who are new to homebrewing and portable operating. Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio, QRP, and more in this episode of the All Por...