Ham Radio Workbench Podcast

Encore presentation of our talk with Bill Meara of the Soldersmoke podcast.

In this episode we prepare for field operating !  Spring is in the air and it's time to get your radio gear organized.  We offer up tips and tricks to do just that in time for Field Day.   We also talk about several projects on our workbenches.

In this episode we talk with Jon and Andy from SDR Play.  Jon gives us the background on the company and hardware and Andy talks about the development of the software that drives the SDR Play radios.  SDR Play makes some of the best, user friendly and cost effective, SDR receivers on the market. 

In this episode we meet Skip, VE6BGT, a prolific builder and EME microwave operator.  Skip tells us about his microwave radio, amplifier and antenna projects.  He also recently put  his old mechanical RTTY station back on the air featuring a model 28 teletype.  Skip has a great YouTube channel.  Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/@VE6BGT  

In this episode George KJ6VU and the team are joined by Troy, K4JDA, to talk about our projects and ask questions of the HRWB team including Vince VE6LK, Mark N6MTS, Mike VA3MW, Rod VA3ON and Thomas K4SWL.    

In this episode, Ben, AI6YR, tells us all about SatNOGS, a community project to build a large network of satellite receive only ground stations.  These staions can be remotely accessed to receive anateur and non-amateur satellites.   

In this episode Jeff, W9KW, tells us all about battery technology and how to select a battery and properly take care of it.  At the end we take a dive into battery conditioners and talk about how useful they are especially if you are an avid field operator. 

Come join us at the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo on March 25th and 26th.  We kick things off on Friday March 24th at 6 PM Pacific Time with the Ham Radio Workbench live stream !  See you there. https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/  

In this episode Marcel, AI6MS, explains everything you ever wanted to know about the popular 18650 rechargable batteries.  Rick, KC6UFT, talks about his desire to build 18650 battery packs that led him to design and program his own Arduino powered 18650 battery tester.

In thi episode, our very own Vince, VE6LK, tells us about his recent POTA (Parks on the Air) adventures where he operated from several parks in snowy Alberta Canada as part of the RAC Portable Operating Challenge.  Vince shares his advice on portable gear, operating tips and challenges of operating in cold weather.   By the end of the adventure Vince racked up 3,114 km of driving, 1,300 activator QSO's in SSB, CW and Digital, 32 unique POTA locations, 9 grid squares and one oil change over 14 days.

In this episode we learn all about transverters with Dan Quigley N7HQ.  Transverters let you operate on higher frequency bands like 2m, 220, UHF, 902 and up with a common HF radio.  With Dan's experience at Flex Radio we take a close look at how these feature rich software defined radios can be used with transverters.

In this episode we continue our deep dive into repeater building focusing on wide area repeater linking and an overview of digital repeater system management.  Special "guest" George KJ6VU has many years of experience building repeater systems and is also the designer of the Sierra Radio Systems repeter control systems used by large linking systems.  

In this episode, "special guest" George, KJ6VU, talks all about how to build a repeater system.  We explain about the radios, antennas, feedline, duplexers, controllers and more.

In this episode we hear 5 great talks from BayCon 2022.  The topics include go kit prep, radio coverage modeling, building a remote control keyboard for a radio, replacing the RS232 port with Ethernet and finally an introduction to the Bench Duino development board.  

In this episode special guest Thomas Witherspoon, K4SWL, joins us to talk about his compact "Murphy Bench" project.  A workbench for small spaces.  We have several suggestions for design and equipment to outfit the bench.  On this show I am joined by regulars Mark N6MTS and Mike VA3MW.

In this episode special guest Thomas Witherspoon, K4SWL, YouTuber and blogger on all things portable operating shares his top picks for gift giving with the whole HRWB crew Rod VA3ON, Mark N6MTS, Mike VA3MW, Vince VE6LK and host George KJ6VU.

In this episode Rod VA3ON and Mike VA3MW host Michael Black who talks about how to set up your station's audio for success using digital modes.

In this episode Mark, N6MTS, describes his proposal for a universal standard interface for headsets which would allow you to plug your favorite headset into any radio.  This would be great for multi station / multi operator events like Field Day, emergency operations centers and contesting in general.  

In this episode we talk with Carlos Felix, KD9OLN, an avid skydiver and ham radio operator that blends his two hobbies into one !  Carlos works stations on HF and VHF while skydiving from 14,000 feet.  We talk with Carlos about his journey to skydiving and ham radio, the gear he uses and how it works. 

In this episode we talk with Kyle, AA0Z, who has extensive experience building and operating remote stations.  Kyle tells us about his latest project to remotely automate a big contest station.  We talk about using Node Red for station control programming and ask Kyle how he approached remote monitoring and control of the station.  We also do a quick design review of George, KJ6VU's, new station controller design and see how close it comes to meeting Kyle's remote station control requirements.