Ham Radio Workbench Podcast
214 episodes - English - Latest episode: 21 days ago - ★★★★★ - 175 ratingsThis is your bi-weekly deep dive on making, DIY, electronics, and technical topics of interest to the radio amateur. Join your host George KJ6VU and the HRWB team as they discuss current developments in ham radio while introducing listeners to a plethora of topics and skills such as test equipment, 3D Printing, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and more. Ham radio is a hobby of hobbies - George and team introduce hams of all ages to experimenting and learning within ham radio, which can be one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby.
We are proudly sponsored by Autodesk Eagle PCB design tools, Flex Radio and Digikey.
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Episodes
HRWB 212 - Networking and Field Day Prep with Colin Vallance KC8DHY
June 18, 2024 10:17 - 2 hours - 149 MBIn this episode we meet Colin Vallance, KC8DHY, a professional network engineer who also manages the WiFi network at DefCon and other events. We talk with Colin about how to set up your network in the ham stack. We also have a round table discussion about our plans for Field Day 2024.
HRWB 211 - Project TouCans with Hamilton Carter KD0FNR, and Hamie Carter KO6BTY
June 04, 2024 10:00 - 2 hours - 142 MBIn this episode we meet Hamilton Carter, KD0FNR and his daughter, Hamie Carter, KO6BTY. This amazing father / daughter team have build and deployed multiple creative radio projects. One in particular, Project TouCans, puts a QRP transciever right at the dipole antenna feed point eliminating coax cables and communicates with the operator's station over Bluetooth. Follow along on thier radio adventures on their blog page at https://copaseticflow.blogspot.com
HRWB 209 - A Conversation with Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
May 28, 2024 10:00 - 2 hours - 164 MBKirk Kleinschmidt, NT0Z, has a deep background in radio and communications having spent over 30 years writing about radio. Kirk is a former Assistant Managing Editor for QST by the ARRL, aughor of the book Stealth Amateur Radio and has been a regular columnist for Monitoring Times and Popular Communications. You can follow Kirk today in his regular columns appearing in the Spectrum Monitor electronic magazine. Kirk offers up his perspective on amateur radio in this episode.
HRWB 210 - Flex Radio 8400 / 8600 New Product Announcement
May 17, 2024 13:51 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MBThis is a special edition featuring Mike Walker, VA3MW from Flex Radio, telling us all about the newly announced Flex 8400 / 8600 radios. Mike is at Hamvention 2024 and took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to tell us all about the new radios.
HRWB 208 - Modern MultiMeters with Dr. Doug Millar K6JEY
May 14, 2024 10:01 - 2 hours - 155 MBIn this episode we have our good friend, Dr. Doug Millar, K6JEY, join us to talk about multi meters, what they do and buying recommendations. Every ham radio operator or DIY electronics fan needs a good multi meter. But should you spend $20 or $200 on a meter and what's the difference? Doug explains it all.
HRWB 207 - Coaxial Stub Filters and Portable Operating with Daniel WV1T
April 30, 2024 10:30 - 2 hours - 135 MBIn this episode we meet Daniel Winn, WV1T, a very active portable ham radio opertor. Daniel was searching for a way to filter out strong local signals when operating in the field and he started building stub tuned filters with coaxial cable. This simple and cost effective approach is a great way to build notch filters that can significantly reduce unwanted interference from transmitters operating at the same location but in other HF bands. This is a great technique for Field Day and simil...
HRWB 206 - Operating from Challenging Locations with Dr. Charles Powell NK8O
April 16, 2024 09:13 - 2 hours - 135 MBIn this episode we meet our good friend, Dr. Charles Powell, NK8O. Charles is medical doctor specializing in neonatal infant care. In addition to his professional accomplishments as a doctor, musician, and head of a medical non-profit organization, Charles is an avid portable radio operator and has logged many thousands of contacts from all over the US while participating in POTA and World Wide Flora and Fauna events and from exotic locations while living in Africa. Charles is an inspira...
HRWB 205 - Universal Radio Controller with Mark Herbert G1LRO
April 02, 2024 16:21 - 2 hours - 119 MBIn this episode we meet Mark Herbert, G1LRO, designer of the Universal Radio Controller. We talk all about ham radio project building and Mark's journey of discovery as he envisioned the URC. Taking an idea, overcoming challenges and turning it into something that people can use and be inspired by.
HRWB 204 - Modern Contesting with Dr. Scott Wright K0MD and Remaking The Digikeyer with Don Johanneck
March 19, 2024 10:07 - 3 hours - 174 MBIn this episode we have two great interviews. We kick things off with Dr. Scott Wright, K0MD, who clues us in on the latest hapennings in the world of contesting. Technical innovations, operating tips and ways to encourage new hams to take up contesting. Scott is a great ambassador and spokesperson for amateur radio. We also interview Don Johanneck, a technican at Digikey, who redesigned the original Digikeyer project kit designed by the founder of Digikey, Ron Stordahl 50 years ago. Di...
HRWB 203 - Creative Antenna Projects with Ben Eadie VE6SFX
March 05, 2024 11:00 - 2 hours - 146 MBIn this episode we meet Ben, VE6SFX, who was licensed just a year ago and has already pushed the bounderies of antenna design and construction with an energetic and creative approach. As a professional special effects and prop maker for the movie and TV industry, Ben has come up with novel construction methods including a cloth J-pole, mobile slot and other interesting antenna ideas.
HRWB 202 - Cool Radio Projects with Ara N6ARA
February 21, 2024 04:03 - 2 hours - 147 MBIn this episode we meet Ara Kourchians, N6ARA, a real life professional aerospace robotics expert and avid portable ham radio operator. Ara has engiuneered some really cool products that he makes available through his web site N6ARA Electronics at www.n6ara.com
HRWB 201 - Conversation with Eric Guth from the QSO Today Podcast and HRWBOTA Update
February 06, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 61 MBIn this episode we talk with Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, the host of the QSO Today podcast and good freind of the show. We get an update on Eric's ham radio activites and celebrate passing the 200th episode milestone of the HRWB podcast. We also get an update on HRWBOTA, Ham Radio Workbenches On The Air.
HRWB 200 - Anniversary Show
February 06, 2024 11:00 - 3 hours - 217 MBIn this episode we are joined by many close friends of the show to celebrate our 200th anniversary. We kick things off with Jeremy KF7IJZ co-founder of the show along with George KJ6VU. We are also joined by Dan N7HQ, Paul WD9GCO, Troy K4JDA, Vince VE6LK, Mark N6MTS, and Thomas K4SWL. We take a look back over the first 200 episodes and look to the future of the podcast.
HRWB 199 - SOTAMAT: Summits-On-The-Air Automated with Brian AB6D
January 23, 2024 11:00 - 2 hours - 163 MBIn this episode we talk with Brian, AB6D, about his software development project SOTAMAT (pronounced sota-mate). SOTAMAT has many features that allow you to spot yourself over the air, send messages, and even remotely control hardware. This is a very interesting discussion with Brian who is a professional engineer and high tech executive who started out trying to solve a problem to spot his activations without access to the internet. For more information check out the SOTAMAT web site htt...
HRWB 198 - The European Ham Radio Show
January 09, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 80.7 MBOn this episode, George KJ6VU, Thomas K4SWL, and Vince VE6LK are invited to join Morten LB0FI and crew on the European Ham Radio Show on YouTube. We had a great time getting to know eachother and talking about all things ham radio. Check out their channel: https://www.youtube.com/@hamshoweu
HRWB 197 - EmComm Tools with Gaston, KT7RUN
December 25, 2023 20:34 - 2 hours - 155 MBIn this episode we talk with Gaston, KT7RUN, about his software development project called EmComm tools. Gaston hosts a very popular YouTube channel called The Tech Prepper. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/@TheTechPrepper
HRWB 196 - A Conversation with Dan Quigley, N7HQ, from Flex Radio
December 12, 2023 17:18 - 3 hours - 175 MBIn this show we talk about what is on Dan's workbench and the increased demand for HF spectrum. Dan is a wealth of knowledge on ham radio and electrical engineering in general. We cover a wide range of topics in this show.
HRWB 195 - 2023 Holiday Shopping Show
November 28, 2023 05:04 - 3 hours - 195 MBIn this episode we talk about great gifts for your spouse, friends, yourself or even the HRWB staff ! (Just sayin') We talk about our top picks for radios, tools, test equipment, and even non-radio gear for the shack and the field.
HRWB Special Announcement: HRWBOTA ! Ham Radio Workbenches On The Air !!
November 19, 2023 04:53 - 2 minutes - 3.69 MBYes you heard that right. The very first HRWB live on the air operating event will be Sunday December 3rd from 10 AM to 2 PM PST. We will have multiple stations operating on multiple bands and modes. Come join the fun ! For more details go to https://hrwbota.com/
HRWB 194 - Meet The Amateur Radio Newsline Team with Caryn KD2GUT, Paul WD9GCO and Skeeter N5ASH
November 15, 2023 18:49 - 3 hours - 198 MBIn this episode we meet Caryn KD2GUT, Paul WD9GCO and Skeeter N5ASH of the Amateur Radio Newsline. The AR Newsline has been the premier amateur radio news source for decades. Founded by Bill Pasternack, the AR Newline carrys on Bill 's legacy with a team of news and media professionals who bring their talents and time to serve the amateur radio community. Best of all, the AR Newsline team are a real pleasure to hang around with and talk ham radio. Amateur Radio Newsline™ is a 501(C) (...
HRWB 193 - Building Projects with Rex Harper W1REX
October 31, 2023 10:00 - 2 hours - 136 MBIn this episode we met Rex Harper, W1REX, a prolific designer and builder of ham radio projects. Rex is famous as the owner of QRPme.com where he sells a huge nubmer of ham radio kits. Rex is famous for the Tuna Tin 2, a version of Rockmite transciever and MePADs, a system for construction projects with small pieces of PCB mateiral. We talk about what's on Rex's bench and the origin of some of his cool kits.
HRWB 192 - Youth in Amateur Radio with Derek KD9MEQ
October 17, 2023 10:30 - 2 hours - 157 MBIn this episode we interview Derek, KD9MEQ, president of the Purdue University Amateur Radio Club. Derek and his fellow club members have created a very successful amateur radio club that has grown significantly in the last few years. The combination of welcoming leadership and a LOT of hands-on projects have made this an outstanding college radio club. The club has built antennas, radio, rotors and many other projects. Join us in this episode as we explore what makes for a successful cl...
HRWB 191 - SOTA and Adventure Radio with Rex KE6MT
October 03, 2023 10:02 - 3 hours - 166 MBIn this episode we talk with Rex, KE6MT, the SOTA (Summits On The Air) program manager for California. Rex gives us an update on the SOTA program and why you should be interested in this great aspect of ham radio. In the last segment we talk about the Wilderness Protocol and how, while it's a good start, its just not very practical. We define a new proposal called the Adventure Radio Protocol which uses CTCSS tones to signal various type of activity on the air on a common frequency of 146...
HRWB 190 - QSO Today Academy LIVE STREAM !
September 19, 2023 10:07 - 3 hours - 179 MBWe are coming to you live, well recorded live actually, from the QSO Today Academy. On this episode we are joined by our favorite mega-fan Troy K4JDA and the regular crowd including Vince VE6LK, Thomas K4SWL, Mike VA3MW, Mark N6MTS and host George KJ6VU. We talka bout all sorts of ham radio workbench related projects and topics.
HRWB 189 - Mastodon Social for Ham Radio with Christopher M0YNG
September 05, 2023 10:00 - 3 hours - 166 MBIn this episode we learn all about the Mastodon social media network. Mastodon is becoming very popular in the ham radio commnunity. Christopher M0YNG is an expert in Mastodon and hosts the popular mastodon.radio space for ham radio and SWLing.
HRWB 188 - RF Amplifiers with Don K9AQ
August 22, 2023 10:00 - 2 hours - 149 MBIn this episode we talk with Don K9AQ who has build many HF RF amplifiers. We take a dive in to the details about modern solid state amplifiers using LDMOS semiconductor technology.
HRWB 187 - Beverage Antennas for Low Band Reception with Gary W9XT
August 08, 2023 10:02 - 3 hours - 156 MBIn this episode, Gary, W9XT, tells us all about Beverage antennas. Invented in the 1920's by Harald Beverage at AT&T, the Beverage antenna is widely used by serious DXers on the low HF bands including 160, 80 and 40 meters. The Beverage antenna reduces the received signal strength and greatly reduces noise to make it easier to pick out weak signals.
HRWB 186 - Garrett, KD6KPC, Repeater Book Web Site and Trailer Build Project
July 25, 2023 10:28 - 2 hours - 134 MBIn this episode we meet Garrett Dow, Kd6KPC, the owner of the popular web site Repeater Book. We talk abour how Repeater Book came to be and also Garrett's radio trailer build projet.
HRWB 185 - Field Day Debrief
July 11, 2023 10:10 - 3 hours - 176 MBIn this episode, Thomas K4SWL, Mark N6MTS, Rod VA3ON, Mike VA3MW and Vince VE6LK join George KJ6VU to talk about the projects on their workbenches and take a deep dive into Field Day 2023. The crew discuss what they did for Field Day, what worked and what they would do differently in 2024.
HRWB 184 - Radios and Rockets with Vance N3VEM
June 28, 2023 17:14 - 2 hours - 152 MBIn this episode we talk with Vance, N3VEM, all about ham radio, POTA and rocketry.
HRWB 183 - Encore Presentation of our Conversation with Bill Meara of the Soldersmoke Podcast
June 13, 2023 10:49 - 1 hour - 66 MBEncore presentation of our talk with Bill Meara of the Soldersmoke podcast.
HRWB 182 - Preparing for Portable Ops
May 30, 2023 10:00 - 3 hours - 170 MBIn 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.
HRWB 181 - SDR Technology with Jon and Andy from SDR Play
May 16, 2023 15:27 - 2 hours - 146 MBIn 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.
HRWB 180 - RTTY and Microwave Projects with Skip VE6BGT
May 02, 2023 10:00 - 2 hours - 141 MBIn 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
HRWB 179 - HRWB Live Stream From The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo
April 17, 2023 10:57 - 2 hours - 145 MBIn 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.
HRWB 178 - SatNOGS Building a Satellite Earth Station with Ben AI6YR
April 04, 2023 10:10 - 2 hours - 147 MBIn 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.
HRWB 177 - Battery Conditioning with Jeff W9KW
March 21, 2023 10:48 - 2 hours - 151 MBIn 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.
HRWB - Special QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Announcement
March 10, 2023 05:36 - 6 minutes - 6.2 MBCome 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/
HRWB 176 - Building an 18650 Battery Tester
March 07, 2023 11:00 - 3 hours - 170 MBIn 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.
HRWB 175 - Vince's Excellent Adventure
February 21, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 87.1 MBIn 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 1...
HRWB 174 - Transverters with Dan N7HQ
February 07, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 86.6 MBIn 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.
HRWB 173 - Building Repeaters Part 2 - Linking and Digital Repeaters
January 25, 2023 02:44 - 2 hours - 146 MBIn 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.
HRWB 172 - Repeater Building
January 10, 2023 11:30 - 3 hours - 173 MBIn 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.
HRWB 171 - Five Great Talks from BayCon 2022
December 27, 2022 11:16 - 2 hours - 139 MBIn 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.
HRWB 170 - Designing the Murphy Bench with Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL
December 13, 2022 11:00 - 2 hours - 150 MBIn 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.
HRWB 169 - Holiday Shopping Show with Thomas K4SWL
November 29, 2022 11:00 - 2 hours - 156 MBIn 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.
HRWB 167 - Audio for Digital Modes with Michael Black
November 19, 2022 04:01 - 1 hour - 75.3 MBIn 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.
HRWB 167 Open Headset Standard Interface with Mark N6MTS
November 02, 2022 04:00 - 2 hours - 119 MBIn 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.
HRWB 166 - Parachute Mobile with Carlos KD9OLN
October 18, 2022 10:00 - 2 hours - 114 MBIn 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.
HRWB 165 - Station Controller with Kyle AA0Z
October 04, 2022 10:00 - 3 hours - 163 MBIn 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 requirement...