QSO Today Podcast - Interviews with the leaders in amateur radio
501 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsQSO Today is a weekly conversation, or QSO, between amateur radio operators about ham radio. Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, hosts a new guest every week to talk about their ham radio journey, their specialized expertise in ham radio, and how amateur radio has impacted their personal and professional lives. QSO Today is targeted at anyone interested in amateur radio who wants to learn more about this fascinating hobby.
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Episodes
Episode 498 Glam Ham NW6S
April 19, 2024 14:25 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBGlam Ham, Natalie, NW6S, is a lot of things including actress, comedian, writer for both film and television, painter, and now an amateur radio operator. The awareness of amateur radio came to Natalie almost naturally and has become and enjoyable sideline in her life. As Glam Ham on TikTok, she has amassed almost one-hundred thousand subscribers who are interested in what she says and demonstrates about amateur radio. NW6S is my QSO Today.
Episode 497 Steve Shorey G3ZPS
April 12, 2024 13:05 - 1 hour - 50.2 MBIn this episode of QSO Today, we are joined by Steve Shorey, G3ZPS, who shares his captivating journey through the world of amateur radio. Starting with his early days of constructing tube transmitters from found parts, to securing electronics apprenticeships fueled by his passion for the hobby, and taking a hiatus to focus on family life, Steve's story is one of passion and dedication. Now back in the fold, he finds joy in revisiting old operating modes and refurbishing the vintage equipmen...
Episode 496 Irad Deutsch 4Z1AC
April 05, 2024 13:29 - 1 hour - 51.2 MBIrad Deutsch, 4Z1AC, began his ham radio journey at the age of twelve. With a strong foundation in software development and a keen interest in the fusion of ham radio and digital technology, Irad has emerged as a leading voice in modernizing communication methods within the amateur radio sphere through his creation of VarAC digital mode. His dedication to preserving the human connection in ham radio while embracing the advancements of the digital age makes him an influential and insightful f...
Episode 495 Charles Wilmott M0OXO
March 29, 2024 13:05 - 49 minutes - 34.9 MBCharles Wilmott, M0OXO, operates a private, self-funded, QSL management bureau, where he sorts and distributes both physical and electronic QSL cards for distribution around the World for the best known DXpeditions including 3YOK Bouvet and Peter I Islands, as well as for IOTA, or Islands on the air. We touch on Charles’ ham radio beginnings and his private career as a police officer in Sheffield, South Yorkshire , United Kingdom, made famous by its founding industries of steel and coal, ...
Episode 494 Fred Hopengarten K1VR
March 22, 2024 14:39 - 1 hour - 43.5 MBFred Hopengarten K1VR, and his wife Betty, were guests in my home after an afternoon of touring with me the unusual sites around Jerusalem and Gush Etzion, where I live a few years ago. Fred has a long history in amateur radio and took to the law rather than engineering as a profession specializing in communications law and antenna regulations for both commercial broadcasting and amateur radio. His book, Antenna Zoning for the Radio Amateur, is a must read for hams that need and want exter...
Episode 493 Jonathan Kramer W6JLK
March 16, 2024 18:31 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBDr. Jonathan Kramer W6JLK, transitioned into becoming an communications law attorney after a successful career in cable television engineering in addition to his amateur radio activities. Kramer W6JLK stressed that amateurs should be very active in local government as a way to advocate for antenna and tower rights, especially in areas of strong HOA controls. W6JLK and I discuss the first Motorola simulcast radio system in Kern County, California, and his use of AREDN and portable radios for...
Episode 492 Linas Balsys LY2H
March 09, 2024 17:27 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBLinus Balsys, LY2H, dives into the fascinating realm of field operations in his native Lithuania, QRP techniques, Morse code, digital modes, and much more. Linus talks about his exploration of the great outdoors with park activations, hillfort castles, chases awards, and delves into satellite communications. From his Renault Trafic campervan equipped with cutting-edge ham radio gear like the Icom IC-705 and the QRP-Labs QMX. Linus showcases the innovation and affordability of modern equipm...
Episode 491 Paul Barnes W4YRL
March 01, 2024 14:27 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBPaul Barnes, W4YRL, now a ham for over 65 years, enjoys FT8, CW, and getting on the air with modest wire antennas. Paul has traveled to over 50 countries and enjoyed operating from abroad. He credits the hobby for a happy career in electronics focused on simulators for space, military, and nuclear power plants, and for the life long friends that he has made along the way. W4YRL is my QSO Today.
Episode 490 HRWB Podcast 201 with Eric Guth 4Z1UG
February 24, 2024 18:20 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBEric Guth, 4Z1UG, was a guest at the celebration of the 200th Ham Radio Workbench Podcast. Eric joined George, KJ6VU, Vince, VE6LK, and Mark, N6MTS in a special episode of their podcast that became HRWB episode 201. This recording of that HRWB episode is added to the QSO Today "official record" for posterity.
Episode 489 John Rusciano NG0Z
February 17, 2024 18:42 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBJohn Rusciano, NG0Z, knew that eventually living in an HOA would meet he and his family’s needs, even if it meant not having a ham radio station and outside antennas. The state of the art and ubiquitous Internet connectivity made it possible for John to build his ultimate remotely controlled amateur radio station at his vacation home, away from the city's electronic noise and the restrictions of HOA. NG0Z allows me to interrogate him about all of the aspects of building his remote station i...
Episode 488 Charles Powell NK8O
February 10, 2024 18:24 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBCharles Powell, NK8O, would argue that an early interest in radio and communications aided him in making a transition from professional French Horn player to pediatric doctor rather than suffer the mid-life crisis. Charles likes just about everything that ham radio offers including POTA, CW, kit building, old rigs, and operating his own DXpeditions from exotic locations around the world. NK8O and I discuss these topics and more in this QSO Today.
Episode 487 Jonathan Taylor K1RFD
February 02, 2024 13:17 - 1 hour - 42.3 MBJonathan Taylor, K1RFD, has reached his 50th year has a ham radio operator, is the creator of Echolink, one of the first amateur radio Voice over Internet Service linking amateur radio stations, the receiver of technical innovation awards, and author of "VoIP: Internet Linking for Radio Amateurs", now in its second edition. K1RFD checks all of the ham radio boxes for operating, homebrewing, software development, radio restoration, and is my QSO Today.
Episode 486 Lanny Aldrich K1LEC
January 27, 2024 17:54 - 1 hour - 52.4 MBLanny Aldrich, K1LEC, began his professional career as a third generation commercial dairy farmer in Vermont. Amateur radio was his hobby that he pursued at a steady pace to pursue DX, build operating skills, and contribute to the hobby by just being involved. Just his advice on antennas is a prize from our conversation. K1LEC is my QSO Today
Episode 485 Martin Buehring KB4MG
January 20, 2024 18:22 - 1 hour - 45.1 MBMartin, Marty, Buehring, KB4MG, discovered amateur radio in private high school growing up in Chicago, Illinois, and went on for a career in electronics engineering following the development of semiconductors from basic transistors to Large Scale Integrates circuits and ASICS. Marty believes that ham radio clubs are key to ham radio success. KB4MG is my QSO Today.
Episode 484 Richard Gutknecht NZ2I
January 13, 2024 18:51 - 1 hour - 50.6 MBRichard Gutknecht NZ2I, is a second generation amateur radio operator, catching the bug at an early age and getting the Novice license at age 15. Answering his country’s call to duty, Rick joined the Air Force and became an active ham while stationed in Germany. Now retired, Rick enjoys getting on the air, volunteering for his amateur radio club, and now producing and co-hosting a podcast on current events and American history. NZ2I is my QSO Today.
Episode 483 William Thomas WT0DX
January 06, 2024 18:18 - 1 hour - 52.9 MBWilliam Thomas, WT0DX, was inspired by an early interest in electronics, amateur radio, building Heathkits, to spend a career as an engineer and inventor, with over 150 patents, in the electronics and ultimately the cable television industry where he was given the Cable TV Pioneer award by the National Cable Television Association. Bill is the co-inventor of the Interactive Program Guide still found on most cable television systems. Now retired, WT0DX, spends his time giving back to amate...
Episode 482 Ram Muthukrishnan VU2JXN
December 30, 2023 17:22 - 1 hour - 62.4 MBRam Muthukrishnan, VU2JXN, while growing up in India, had a difficult time finding any information about amateur radio in the libraries and magazines. It was not until Ram attended university that he met licensed amateur radio operators and could pursue the hobby. CW is Ram’s favorite operating mode, especially after attending CW Academy. He modified his SSB only BitX transceiver to operate CW and to use it for CW practice. As a software engineer by trade, Ram has a keen interest in softw...
Episode 481 Mark Wohlschlegal WC3W
December 23, 2023 17:14 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBMark Wohlschlegal, WC3W, knew at age 12 that amateur radio would set the course of his life pursuing engineering degrees leading to a career in big system and equipment sales and marketing. An additional love of flying, boating, and motorcycle touring kept Mark and his family active outside of work. Now retired, WC3W operates a remote HF station, in Florida, with a partner and describes it all in this QSO today.
Episode 480 Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT
December 16, 2023 17:35 - 1 hour - 64 MBCaryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, while inspired at a young age to ham radio, it wasn’t until after a successful career as a professional writer and journalist that she re-discovered amateur radio in 2014. Her ham radio history was pretty thoroughly covered in a recent Ham Radio Workbench podcast a few weeks ago. Our conversation explored her professional history leading to her reporting for Ham Radio Newsline and her love for CW. KD2GUT is my QSO Today.
Episode 479 Ante Laurijssen VA2BBW
December 09, 2023 18:10 - 1 hour - 46 MBAnte Laurijssen, VA2BBW, enjoys the simple amateur radio art of chasing DX and making contacts on CW, and operating QRP, from Gatineau, in Southwest Quebec, Canada . When operating POTA, Ante taught himself to send CW with his left while recording his log with his right hand. VA2BBW is the Radio Amateurs of Canada Awards Manager, enjoys giving back to the hobby, and is my QSO Today.
Episode 478 Don Westacott VE6HQ
December 02, 2023 16:48 - 1 hour - 54.3 MBDon Westacott VE6HQ, believes that his early foundation in amateur radio contributed to his professional success through the multiple disciplines and out of the box thinking that is amateur radio. After a successful career and an expert in subsurface measurements and remote sensing for the petroleum industry, Don now likes to work 20 meters and refine his test equipment bench using the latest low cost solutions like the NanoVNA. VE6HQ is my QSO Today.
Episode 477 Steve Stroh N8GNJ
November 24, 2023 13:12 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBSteve Stroh, N8GNJ, has always enjoyed the confluence of computers, data communications, and amateur radio from the earliest days of AX.25 packet radio to the current AREDN and SDR (software defined radio). Steve uses his Zero Retries newsletter on Substack, to communicate the amazing amateur radio technology developments in data communications that does not get covered in the standard amateur radio journals. N8GNJ shares his experience and interesting stories in this QSO Today.
Episode 476 David Okrent W7DAO
November 18, 2023 15:57 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBDavid Okrent W7DAO, like many hams grew up with shortwave radio, electronic kits, and a radio interest that led to a professional career related to our hobby. David focuses the use of these skills and expertise on emergency rescue and treatment as a military medical corpsman, as an EMT, and providing volunteer support to the Red Cross. Contribution and giving back to his community drives W7DAO, who is my QSO Today.
Episode 475 Kay Savetz K6KJN
November 10, 2023 13:45 - 1 hour - 48.7 MBKay Savetz, K6KJN, followed his father, Steve, into amateur radio when he entered college and Journalism school at the beginning of the Atari computer age. Tech journalism is Kay’s profession leading him to be the technical historian specializing in amateur radio and communications at the Internet Archive. We deep dive into Kay’s interest in amateur radio, technology and communications history, and the Atari 8 bit computers in this QSO Today.
Episode 474 Alan Higbie K0AV
November 04, 2023 19:41 - 1 hour - 48.4 MBAlan Higbie, K0AV, is a ham over sixty years, with an interest in CW, contesting, working DX, and working 2BSIQ mode. Alan has developed special expertise in finding RF noise sources around his QTH using a portable SDR receiver, and as a trial lawyer, he has had the opportunity to live in unusual places that lead to unusual ham radio operating events. K0AV is my QSO Today.
Episode 473 Joshua Wander 4X4BB
October 27, 2023 12:10 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBJoshua Wander, 4X4BB, began in amateur radio as a “prepper” where radio is one of the elements of being prepared for disaster, natural or otherwise. Origionally, Josh was from Pennsylvania, where he grew up, but immigrated to Israel with his family 10 years ago when I first met him. Josh is many things including journalist on many war fronts, volunteer rescuer of refugees from the Ukraine into Israel, and most recently one of the ZAKA team members who is recovering, identifying, and prepar...
Episode 471 Ron Gang 4X1MK
October 14, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 50.4 MBRon Gang, 4X1MK, had his early amateur radio beginnings in Canada, and later immigrated, as part of a group, to Israel in the 1970s, where his amateur radio license, skills, and equipment were highly appreciated and valued. Always an active amateur radio operator, 4X1MK is willing to try every operating mode. Ron is also a musician and painter who shares his amateur radio story and his perspectives of the amateur radio service in Israel, past and present.
Episode 470 Tony Fishpool G4WIF
October 06, 2023 13:37 - 1 hour - 43.3 MBTony Fishpool, G4WIF, is still active in the United Kingdoms G-QRP Club and contributes to the quarterly Sprat Magazine, is the author of a book on Test Equipment for the QRPer, an numberious article on equipment building with particular attention to detail and budget. I am please to present to you this re-edited and mastered QSO with Tony Fishpool, G4WIF.
Episode 469 George Fremin K5TR
September 30, 2023 17:46 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBToday's podcast is a reprise of my interview with George Fremin, K5TR in April of 2017. George is a world class contester and DXer, with years of experience building and maintaining first class multi-operator contest stations. George gives some important advice on tower safety and working on antenna towers. We also touch on the “flow state” that is achievable during intense contesting rounds in this QSO Today.
Episode 468 David Casler KE0OG
September 22, 2023 13:28 - 1 hour - 49.2 MBI interviewed Dave Casler, KE0OG, in September 2017, at a time when 10 meters was dead, and the discussion of ham radio education was as important then, as it is today. Dave creates ham radio Youtube videos from the Western Slope of Colorado to educate and inform his ham radio audience. Beginning with videos to aid in obtaining ham radio licenses, Dave has created a catalog of how-to videos for ham radio that are interesting and well produced. Dave is a retired project engineer from the ...
Episode 467 Kyle Krieg AA0Z
September 16, 2023 19:05 - 1 hour - 65.7 MBKyle Krieg AA0Z, says that radio, in his case CB Radio, was the pre-internet social network that he used with his friends in his mid-west rural town. Imagine American Graffiti with radios. Eventually learning that amateur radio can take Kyle to a higher level, AA07 jumped in completely, immersing himself in POTA - Parks on the Air, portable operation, software defined radio, and remote control. We both agree that ham radio contesting should be even more gamified and we discuss all of thes...
Episode 466 Dave Sumner K1ZZ
September 01, 2023 15:12 - 1 hour - 43.8 MBI revisit my 2017 interview with Dave Sumner, K1ZZ. He's the ex-CEO and General Manager of the ARRL, retiring in 2016 after a 44-year tenure where he started as an intern. Today, Dave discusses his views on ham radio, operating methods, and his long career at ARRL.
Episode 465 Jack Mandelman K1VT
August 25, 2023 14:51 - 1 hour - 43.9 MBDr. Jack Mandelman, K1VT, was my guest in 2018, after meeting him on a DMR talk group. As my head is down in preparation for the upcoming QSO Today Academy Event, I wanted to bring back this great interview with Jack. Jack is on the short list for holding the most patents, over 700 Worldwide, in the area of semiconductor physics, while at the same time a successful ham radio operator working DX and CW. Jack is exploring satellite communications and DMR. K1VT shares his ham radio story e...
Episode 464 Frank Brickle AB2KT
August 18, 2023 14:55 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBDr. Frank Brickle, AB2KT, was my guest in Episode 212, in August of 2018, five years ago. He is both a musical composer and a technology expert. He earned a Ph.D. in Music from Princeton University and has been involved in computer science and signal processing since 1970. He was an early pioneer in development of Software Defined Radio for the US Government, and later by private industry, and was the Co-deleloper of PowerSDR software with Bob McGwier, N4HY. Frank is also a classical musi...
Episode 463 Thomas Langer KD9FPC
August 11, 2023 14:56 - 1 hour - 46 MBThomas Langer, KD9FPC, grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a child, he was introduced to his father's amateur radio and developed a passion for electronics and radio. Years later, after a successful entrepreneurial career, and only after facing a major health issue, which changed the course of his life, that Tom fully embraced amateur radio. Tom believes that this hobby is not only mentally stimulating but also serves as a way to connect with others, especially when chronic illness often th...
Episode 462 John Bignell VE1JMB
August 05, 2023 19:31 - 1 hour - 46.3 MBJohn Bignell VE1JMB, makes a difference by serving his Halifax, Nova Scotia community for many years as a paramedic and EMT. While involved with two-way radio as part of his profession for many years, amateur radio seemed like the most natural next step to John’s radio life, but also to re-enforcing his community’s emergency response when everything else fails during a disaster. VE1JMB is my QSO Today.
Episode 461 Martin Butler M1MRB
July 29, 2023 18:28 - 1 hour - 54.4 MBMartin Butler, M1MRB, is the co-founder, along with son, Colin, M6BOY, and one of the hosts of the popular bi-weekly ICQ Amateur Ham Radio podcast. Martin had an early interest in electronics and a successful career in the computer industry in the UK. Martin joined the amateur radio ranks in 2000, and is an active committee member of the Sutton and Cheam Radio Society. M1MRB is my QSO Today.
Episode 460 Richard Rudman W6TIA
July 21, 2023 14:38 - 1 hour - 50.3 MBRichard Rudman, W6TIA, found an early love for electricity, electronics, and radio from frayed electrical cords and Boston’s Washington Street electronic surplus stores in the late 1950s. Radio and Technology would serve Richard well for over 65 years as a broadcast engineer in the prestigious and large Los Angeles market. Amateur radio expertise and business acumen make Richard Rudman a leader in Emergency Alert System or EAS. W6TIA is my QSO Today.
Episode 459 Beau Ambur K6EAU
July 14, 2023 13:46 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBBeau Ambur, K6EAU, is a relatively new ham, and a long time member of the hacker community. This intersection of ham radio with hacking led to his new ham radio license just as the Covid 19 pandemic broke out. Through trial and error, Beau has found the right combination of activities to scratch his amateur radio itch. I know that you will enjoy this QSO Today with Beau especially when we discuss using ham radio fox hunting techniques to recover radiosondes, or weather balloon transmitters.
Episode 458 Ulrich Rohde N1UL
July 07, 2023 13:23 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBDr. Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, is a trailblazer in the world of RF oscillator and receiver design. Throughout the past four decades, N1UL has penned more than 60 articles for esteemed publications like QST and QEX magazines. Not only that, but he has also contributed to the field through his books, academic papers, and various articles. Dr. Rohde continues to impact on his family business, the Munich-based Rohde and Schwarz test equipment company, as well as on amateur radio manufacturers such as ...
Episode 457 Graham Firth G3MFJ
July 01, 2023 18:40 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBGraham Firth, G3MFJ, joined our amateur radio hobby almost sixty years ago as a kid growing up in Yorkshire, England. Electronics and electronics building was the driver and is still Graham's first love in the hobby. QRP was the natural choice of this builder and a way to avoid television interference to his neighbors. Graham is active in the G-QRP group, builds QRP kits for the group, and still plays a mean bass guitar. G3MFJ is my guest on QSO Today.
Episode 456 Jeff Murray K1NSS
June 23, 2023 12:12 - 1 hour - 49.8 MBJeff Murray, K1NSS, draws cartoons and tells stories about ham radio and the people who use it. He shares his funny pictures and tales on his website, dashtoons.com. Like many cartoonists, Jeff makes ham radio social commentary using Dash the dog, to poke fun at amateur radio and us. K1NSS is my QSO Today.
Episode 455 Ed Tipler WI6RE
June 17, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBEd Tipler, WI6RE, began his ham radio journey on a rural farm in Washington State, and ultimately landed an engineering job at the China Lake Navel Weapons Test Range in California’s Mojave Desert. Ed continues to serve his community of Ridgecrest with both commercial and amateur radio services connected by IRLP and Allstar. WI6RE is my QSO Today.
Episode 454 Bob Hopkins WB2UDC
June 10, 2023 10:30 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBBob Hopkins, WB2UDC, agrees that having an elmer was the fastest way to ham radio success, and being an elmer and paying it forward benefits everyone including the elmer, the new ham, and the hobby. WB2UDC loves to make large public demonstrations for kids by making contacts to the ISS, the International Space Station, and the US Space Shuttles when they were flying. This reprise of my conversation with Bob Hopkins, WB2UDC, from January 2016, is my QSO Today.
Episode 453 Chris Cancilla W4CEC
June 03, 2023 20:52 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBChris Cancilla W4CEC is a relatively new ham, and has a long history in the Boy Scouts, especially teaching the radio merit badge, Jamboree on the Air, and training young scouts to eventually become amateurs themselves. Chris is also a professional Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI expert and a seasoned author of science fiction and technical books on EDI. W4CEC is my QSO Today.
Episode 452 George Heron N2APB
May 25, 2023 13:13 - 1 hour - 66 MBGeorge Heron, N2APB, loves the design, collaboration, and building of electronic devices for amateur radio, along with his friend and mentor, Joe Everhart, N2CX, now a silent key. Together, they shared their discoveries live on their Chat with the Designers podcast, until October 2018. Every aspect of amateur radio interests George, from test equipment and restored vintage radios to stand alone SDR transceivers and more efficient designs of magnetic loop antennas. N2APB is Eric, 4Z1UG’s ...
Episode 451 Alan Johnston KU2Y
May 20, 2023 19:32 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBAlan Johnston, KU2Y, has a continued interest in amateur satellites since his early beginnings in ham radio over 40 years ago. Now the AMSAT’s VP of Educational Relations, Alan reaches out to educate the general public about intriguing world amateur satellites, and satellite technology using Cubesatsim, a live classroom simulation of satellite communications. Furthermore, he turns to high-altitude balloon launches as a practical, hands-on approach to bringing amateur payloads closer to spa...
Episode 450 Baris Dinc OH2UDS
May 12, 2023 12:17 - 1 hour - 54.7 MBBaris Dinc, OH2UDS, has a passion for amateur radio that has shaped his life and career in remarkable ways. Growing up in Turkey with a father who loved tinkering with electronics, Baris was exposed to the world of radio communication early on through articles in the Turkish Amateur Radio Society Magazine, which further ignited his love for the craft. Baris was the only child under 18 to hold a Turkish amateur license with the call sign TA7W. This early achievement set the stage for an illu...
Episode 449 Ron Schwartz VE3VN
May 06, 2023 17:45 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBRon Schwartz, VE3VN, maintains his enthusiasm for participating in CW contests using his SO2R station and tower farm. For more than five decades, Ron has been an avid ham radio operator and ham radio blogger with an enduring passion for climbing towers and rigging antennas. In recent years, Ron has pursued an interest in EME - moon bounce , Tropospheric ducting, and meteor scatter. VE3VN is my QSO Today.
Episode 448 Dave Olean K1WHS
April 29, 2023 17:28 - 1 hour - 47.4 MBDave Olean K1WHS, and his brother, started with modest and simple surplus and homebrew VHF rigs, modified and upgraded over a long period of time to operate EME or moon-bounce, meteor scatter, and bouncing signals off of the Aurora Borealis that appears in the Northern skies. Dave demonstrates that one can make a ham radio career out of very modest equipment to solve complex problems leading to real expertise. K1WHS is my QSO Today.