Live Free and Ham Podcast

In this episode of Live Free and Ham, Eric (N1JUR) and Todd (W1STJ) try to kick things off smoothly… which of course means Grouch’s PC explodes (metaphorically), the guest shows up muted, and nobody can remember the name of that gorgeous Vermont park. They’re joined by Mike W4OPS from the National Amateur Radio Alliance to talk about “making better radio operators one member at a time” while swapp...

Dust off your headphones and join our quirky crew for a rambling, real-life radio session filled with portable towers, weather woes, and the unpredictable chatter of ham enthusiasts. From dodgy aerials and improvised coax hacks to far-flung contacts spanning Canada, Ireland, England, Argentina, France, and Bermuda, this episode serves up a candid snapshot of a day spent chasing signals, swapping b...

This episode follows a weekend of hands-on radio tinkering, travel, and improvisation that captures the messy, thrilling reality of DIY amateur radio. From the sunny chaos of Florida to a backyard experiment zone, we tag along as the crew tests unconventional feedlines, tackles a 50-to-75-ohm conversion puzzle, and pushes through gear debates with both humor and stubborn curiosity. Hear how nine d...

Ten meters roared, the waterfall glowed, and somewhere in the chaos a “maritime emergency” calling spot was buried under contesters. We stepped straight into CQ Worldwide and asked a hard question: who really owns a frequency when the world shows up? From band etiquette to practical emergency options, we unpack the culture and the realities that matter when the dial is full and you still need to m...

The tide doesn’t care about your logbook—and that’s exactly why we chased it. We loaded radios, batteries, and a vertical dipole into kayaks, paddled two miles on a rising tide, and landed on a slippery sliver of grass called Eagle Island. The result? A sustained, three-hour pileup on 10 meters that reached across Europe, South America, and 20 U.S. states, with park-to-park contacts stacking like...

The best radio goals aren’t just wish lists—they’re roadmaps with real checkpoints, community support, and a bit of swagger. We kick off by tightening the feedback loop: Discord for day-to-day chatter, a new AllStar hub (580871) for live linking, monthly livestreams, and voicemails you’ll actually hear on the show. That community energy pays off fast. A tongue-in-cheek “news desk” breaks real news...

Radios bring us together; NearFest reminds us why. We packed a three-day ham festival into 24 hours—livestreams, campsite breakfasts, last-minute builds—and still found time to argue about antennas, fix MeshTastic nodes, and quiz Todd on Extra-class theory. It’s chaotic in the best way: flip-flops dividing by sixteen, Schottky vs zener symbols, and the old reliable “Eli the Iceman” to lock in AC p...

The best radio days start a little chaotic: rain on the windshield, a wire tossed higher than your plan, and a stranger asking, “What are you doing?” That moment led us into a POTA run where 10 and 15 meters opened like a faucet—France, Belgium, Spain, Germany—flowing in with the kind of clarity that makes you forget your battery just died mid-CQ. We break down why fall propagation favors 10/12/15...

Dive into the world of All-Star Link with our special guest Freddie Mack (KD5FMU), better known as the Ham Radio Crusader. In this comprehensive conversation, Freddie shares his journey from law enforcement to becoming one of the most trusted voices in the All-Star Link community, offering invaluable insights for both newcomers and experienced operators. Freddie unpacks the essentials of All-Star...

The world of mesh networking collides with ham radio as we welcome Dave KB5UTY, affectionately known as "The Mesh Dealer," to share his journey from casual GMRS user to becoming Seed Studios' ham radio ambassador for Meshtastic technology. Dave pulls back the curtain on a fascinating communication ecosystem that bridges traditional amateur radio with modern digital networking. As someone who "does...

We’re thrilled to have finally dried out and found our way back to a harmonious "work-life balance." Yet, the excitement of the 24-Hour POTA Campout still lingers in our minds! We can’t wait to gather a wonderful group of friends to reminisce about the adventure, share heartfelt stories, and celebrate the generous contributions made to the Teachers Institute. We’ll be remembering the brave souls w...

We want to share a segment where each of the three hosts picks their favorite episode from our back catalog. We'll be taking some time off for Labor Day, the 24-hour POTA weekend, and the second weekend in September. During this break, we will re-air episodes that all three of us enjoyed recording. We’ll be back soon with more exciting content! Leave us a Review via Text Message! Support the show...

We want to share a segment where each of the three hosts picks their favorite episode from our back catalog. We'll be taking some time off for Labor Day, the 24-hour POTA weekend, and the second weekend in September. During this break, we will re-air episodes that all three of us enjoyed recording. We’ll be back soon with more exciting content! Leave us a Review via Text Message! Support the show...

We want to share a segment where each of the three hosts picks their favorite episode from our back catalog. We'll be taking some time off for Labor Day, the 24-hour POTA weekend, and the second weekend in September. During this break, we will re-air episodes that all three of us enjoyed recording. We’ll be back soon with more exciting content! Leave us a Review via Text Message! Support the show...

What makes the difference between casual POTA operators and those who've activated thousands of parks? The answer might surprise you. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of elite Parks on the Air operators after discovering footage from Huntsville Hamfest featuring interviews with the program's top activators. The revelation that shook us? These operators who've made 30,000+ contac...

The countdown to our 24-Hour Parks on the Air adventure has begun! With just 30 days until we gather at Greenfield State Park, we're diving deep into our plans for this ambitious marathon activation while addressing one key concern: will the bands cooperate? September propagation can be unpredictable, but we're not letting that dampen our spirits. Our station setup will feature a Buddy Hex antenna...

Ever wondered what it really takes to install a ham radio in your vehicle? Join us for a deep dive into the challenges, surprises, and rewards of mobile ham radio installation as Todd shares his recent experience mounting a Yaesu FT-510 in his Jeep Wrangler. The journey wasn't without its hurdles. From deciding on the perfect antenna placement to puzzling through power connection issues, Todd's ca...

Picture this: a stunning sunset view from 13,000 feet, radio in hand, making contacts while floating gently down to Earth. That's exactly what Paul (N1OG) experienced during his milestone 50th skydive, bringing together his twin passions of ham radio and skydiving in spectacular fashion. In this episode, we dive deep into planning our upcoming 24-hour Parks on the Air activation at Greenfield Stat...

What if we could completely redesign the ham radio licensing system? This question sparks one of our most energetic discussions yet as we explore the gap between passing exams and becoming effective operators. Todd doesn't hold back, challenging the relevance of technical questions that rarely impact day-to-day operating. "There are questions on that test that I will never use in my ham radio care...

What if your ham radio could seamlessly connect to any Bluetooth device? Imagine a rig that automatically finds local repeaters as you drive across state lines, or logs that standardize into one universal format instead of multiple competing systems. In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle the technology gap in amateur radio and explore how manufacturers and the community could embrace innova...

The lines between ham radio's traditional Field Day and the increasingly popular Parks on the Air program are blurring, prompting a thoughtful examination of what truly matters in our hobby. As operators pack their POTA bags weekly for activations, does the annual emergency preparedness exercise of Field Day still serve its intended purpose? This episode dives deep into how the ham radio landscape...

We're back on the air after a brief hiatus, fired up and ready to reconnect with our Live Free in Ham community as we celebrate an incredible milestone – two years of podcasting! The chemistry between hosts Eric, Todd, and Paul lights up this anniversary episode with authentic conversation that weaves through recent ham radio adventures. Paul shares his journey to Wisconsin for a park activation w...

Celebrate with us as we mark 500 YouTube subscribers in this special livestream packed with giveaways, technical discussions, and the authentic ham radio camaraderie that defines Live Free and Ham. The conversation opens with Paul sharing his exhilarating journey into skydiving as he prepares for the Independence and Legends Boogie at his local drop zone. His description of the freedom found in fr...

What happens when three ham radio operators just hit record without a plan? This episode offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the authentic conversations that take place when the formalities drop and operators simply talk about what's on their minds. From the opening moments when we admit "it's been a rough week, so we just kind of press the record button and let it fly," this episode takes list...

Have you ever dismissed CB radio as just a relic of 1970s culture? This episode might change your mind completely. We welcome Walt K4OGM from Coastal Waves and Wires to challenge our preconceptions and build a bridge between two radio communities that have been divided for too long. Walt takes us on a fascinating journey through the modern world of Citizens Band radio, revealing how the 11-meter b...