Today, I welcome a special guest: [Tank does his trademark S9+20 intro]. Frank KG5AHJ, also known as Tank Radio on YouTube, was a previous guest on the show a couple of years ago. We revisit him with some cool updates to his life, his channel, and his ham radio activities. Links: Tank Radio on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TankRadio Tank Depot …

Today I talk with N2MAK Mike, also known as "Never 2 Many Antenna Kits". Mike is New York native, Board of Directors for the Rochester Amateur Radio Association (one of the largest active clubs in the U.S), and an active Parks on the Air ham radio operator. On YouTube, Mike likes to share his antenna tests and POTA adventures, and always seems to b…

In today's episode I am joined by VK7HH Hayden Honeywood, also known Ham Radio DX. Hayden is active with ham radio the land of Australia, with extensive outreach efforts to increase the number of hams in VK-land and sometimes performing long marathon livestreams on YouTube. Hayden likes to share his discoveries, gear reviews, and radio experiments …

In this long overdue episode, several hams share about Jerry Hildeman, KG6HQD (Silent Key). Jerry was a huge influence in many people's lives through his work as a police officer, his superb videos about Summits on the Air and his indomitable spirit of getting outdoors and "just doing it". He passed in late September after a long battle with brain …

Today I am talking with Carlos KD9OLN, also known as LifeAtTerminalVelocity on YouTube. Carlos has made many appearances on various ham YouTuber livestreams and does what many would argue is the most extreme form of making contacts: While falling from the sky at 125 miles per hour. He's not the first to do this, but he's the one I know. Let's get t…

Today I am with Jim Perry KN4YCD, also known as FEPLabs Radio on YouTube. Jim is a IT and computer security nerd who is a co-host of Coffee and Ham Radios. He has made many appearances on various livestreams showing his knowledge on oscilloscopes, antenna building, digital modes, and is helping build a multi-mode digital reflector. Links: FEPLabs R…

Today we welcome back Gaston KT1RUN, most known online as The Tech Prepper. It's going to be a little bit different of an episode as we discuss ham adjacent topics like emergency communications, SHTF, tactical gear, and thoughts on communications under hostile airwaves. Links: The Tech Prepper on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTechPrepper TT…

In this episode I am rejoined by Charlie, NJ7V. Charlie was my first ever Hamdom Thoughts interview guest in 2020. He is also known as Red Summit RF on YouTube, where he hosts the All Portable Discussion Zone (APDZ), various gear tests, and Summits on the Air adventures. He is well known for his tireless scaling of elevations, a Morse code master, …

In episode 60, I am with Ara, N6ARA. Ara is known in the Summits on the Air world, and has made some cool gear operating that we'll be talking about. He's also a hardware and software nerd and has stories about high altitude balloon experiments. Links: Ara's website for his Tiny Paddle: https://n6ara.com Ara on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arkorobo…

Today I meet with Rick, WS7PB "Papa Bear". Rick is a prepper, retired from law enforcement, and a life long mariner. He says that radios used to be for work, but now they are fun. He can be found online at various livestream chats and an active member of TOADs discord. Let's get to know more about this cool ham today, on episode 59. Links: Liberty …

In today's episode we get to talk with Aname, also known on YouTube as Wild Cascadia Radio. Aname is a pretty active in the ham radio community, constantly encouraging and participating in the conversations. She hails from the pacific northwest and is an avid tinkerer. Let's get to know her more today, on Episode 58. Links Wild Cascadia Radio on Yo…

In today's episode we welcome N7KOM Tim, also known on YouTube as Upsection N7KOM. Tim is active with ham radio on the peaks, ascending snow-capped volcanoes to talk with people all over the country. Tim likes to share his adventures and has lots of experience with portable radio outdoors. Let's get to know him more today, on Episode 57. Links: Ups…

In the midst of having lots of ham fun at the West Coast division ARRL annual ham convention called Pacificon, I remembered at some points to switch on the recorder and capture a few talks. Here I comment and share those clips. We hear Gordon West WB6NOA at Breakfast with Gordo, faster-than-packet Winlink speeds used by Walnut Creek CERT, and a bit…

We welcome back Josh KI6NAZ of Ham Radio Crash Course in this special sequel interview where the questions are somewhat unplanned, and the tangents take interesting turns. Josh talks about his thoughts on entertainment, workflow, focus in producing, privacy, and life as a ham radio celebrity on YouTube. Links: Ham Radio Crash Course on YouTube: htt…

In this episode, we talk with Shane KD9NJJ, also known as Scout75 online. Scout75 is a friendly presence on many ham stream livechats, and has a few stories and good advice on operating portable. We talk about how he stumbled into ham radio, got inspired by a SOTA ham, and braves the Northern Wisconsin weather to train and practice in his craft. Li…

In this episode, I anticipate people will hit the "Next Podcast" button as I talk solo about what's been going on with Hamdom Thoughts and with AD6DM Dennis. Life happens, but in the midst of it, as long as I'm healthy, I'm going to play with different aspects of #HamRadio. For those who persevere through this monologue, thank you for your continue…

We're talking today with Chris ZL4RA, also known as Radio Runner on YouTube. Chris has some intense Summits on the Air videos, and frequently crashes various YouTube livestreams. We talk about his life in New Zealand, the ham radio licensing process there, and his attitude toward hikes and mountaineering preparation. Links: Radio Runner on YouTube:…

Today we have Frank KG5AHJ, also known as Tank Radio. You will know Tank from his animated intros on various livestreams and YouTube videos. Frank spent a while helping out Ham Radio 2.0 Jason with his channel, being a reliable and loyal friend working in the background. But lately, he's busting out on the scene with his own content. Tank Radio on …

Mike has had some recent pivots in life and I'm sure people have questions about what happened, where he's headed, and what he plans to do. Let's find out some of that today, on Episode 50. Links: K8MRD Radio Stuff on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/K8MRDRADIOSTUFF K8MRD on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/k8mrdradiostuff One of K8MRD's Amazon A…

Steve is a regular on the YouTube streams and livechats, and is also known for being a Volunteer Examiner for the Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group, helping many people become new hams via online testing. He's an OG for the Ham Radio Clubhouse and active with Parks on the Air (POTA). Links: Steve KO4AFL on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ko4afl …

Today I get to talk with Dan KD2FMW, also best known as Beersnack. Dan likes to make things work on the technical side by providing the know-how and programming skill for things such as setting up digital for radios, and programming the back-end of the FT8Off contest. You can also see him busting up often during the hilarity of Ham Radio Clubhouse.…

On today's episode I'm talking to my first ever Canadian guest: VA3SDO Dan, also known as the man behind We Build, We Learn on YouTube. Dan is a co-founder of the Ham Radio Clubhouse on YouTube, and also an OG of the discord server that started the Clubhouse. In this thought-provoking discussion he turns the interview around at several points and a…

Today I'm talking with Craig WJ6F. Craig runs the YouTube channel WJ6F Radio, where he does overviews and how-to's of ham radio gear. He also started a online group called Doomsday Prepper Forums. I'm interested in talking with him today about his take on operating and prepping, on Episode 46. Links: WJ6F Radio on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c…

Today I'm talking with Don W1FYG. Don likes operating Parks on the Air, and discusses everything ham radio. On his YouTube channel, Smoke Signals RF, he shares tips on operating from the shack or in the field, different communications modes, POTA activations, and of course, food and cigars. Links: Smoke Signals RF on YouTube: https://www.youtube.co…

K5QBF Shane is an active amateur radio operator who is the man behind the channel This Side of The Radio on YouTube. He does Parks on the Air, and has gear reviews on his channel. Shane also co-hosts the Ham Radio Clubhouse live streams. We talk about Discord, zero noise floor, and why start a channel? Links: This Side of the Radio on YouTube: http…

Some excerpts from Coffee and Ham Radio livestream (via K5ATA Goodgame) and the Ham Radio Clubhouse livestreams, where kind words were shared about the Hamdom Thoughts Podcast. Thank you all for listening! Links: Goodgame Ham Radio & Outdoors episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8ko_iGbRyg Coffee and Ham Radio: https://www.youtube.com/results?…

Today I get to talk to KK6USY, Chuck. Chuck is a very experienced ham who live streams on YouTube, does Parks on the Air and Summits on the Air activations, and has many antenna and gear reviews on his channel. He spent a long time in the Fire Service, and is really good with antenna building. We also get to hear from his dogs at a few points in th…

Today I get to talk to K5YVY, Joe Brett. Joe is a weather chaser and likes to share his contesting on live streams. He is also part of several group ham radio discussions on YouTube, including the new Ham Radio Clubhouse. We talk about getting started in amateur radio, shack building, "small" 40 foot towers, and the money sinkhole (or not!) that is…

We meet Sean, also known as the Ham Radio Dude. HRD as we call him is an active YouTuber, and does streams, product and gear reviews, and operation on his YouTube channel. He's also part of Ham Radio 2.0's YouTuber's Bunch. We get into his home-built antenna, his shack and portable ops, and I find out what Allstar is all about. Links: HAM RADIO DUD…

Today I'm talking with Doug WA6L. Doug is a CWOPS beginner class advisor and an avid tinkerer. He likes to build radio kits, and is active on various ham radio modes including DStar, AREDN, and CW. He's also a bit of a QRP nut. We banter about tech of ham radio, antennas, and digital voice. Links: Doug's website: https://dougfredericks.net/ WA6L on…

An update about Jerry KG6HQD. Please give it a listen to know more about what Jerry is going through. Links: Meal Train to help show support for Jerry & family: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/wkq867/donate/ KG6HQD Jerry's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFupjnMVW-4n3Gl3NWjkSaQ If you're using Apple Podcasts, please leave a review of thi…

I'm joined by Jim, KH2SR, in Ripon California. Jim likes to invent things for ham radio, and makes them available to the public. Some of his notable early creations include a CW transmitter keychain, and a slinky-like antenna. A self-taught engineer, Jim tries to share his brainstorms with hams to help them operate on the go. Links: QuirkyQRP Ham R…

In episode 37, I talk with K6ABJ Aaron, an active ham who is a comms lead for his local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). In all the episodes so far, I have not really focused with someone who is a leader for non-ham volunteer emergency response teams. Get his interesting perspective in light of the fires and emergency prep he's seen. Links…

In today's brief episode I share a past prediction of our 21st century life by Walter Kronkite, mention some cool new ham radio producers in the YouTube arena, and talk about the consensus around solar cycle 25. I also pose a question to the listeners. Links: Kronkite's prediction clip: https://youtu.be/V6DSu3IfRlo Dan KD2FMW: https://www.youtube.c…

In this episode, I talk a little bit about surrounding yourself interactively with other hams, and finding good clubs-- probably virtual ones are the best. I also drop in on a few friends by phone, and give them a ring unexpectedly and put them on the spot with a question or two. Being part of a club is super easy these days, but the harder part is…

Let's hear about the best portable power for ham radio! I piggyback on the 2/28 All Portable Discussion Zone (APDZ) YouTube livestream with Charlie NJ7V, Dan KC7MSU, Brian W7JET, and Mike K8MRD with extended pre- and post-recordings. A great introductory discussion about batteries and portable operations. Lots of info about how to size and build fo…

Episode 33: KC7MSU Dan likes Summits on the Air, and just as well because there are a lot of great peaks in Arizona. He's the co-host of the YouTube series All Portable Discussion Zone, and has been a previous guest on one of our Round Table episodes. We hear some of Dan's ham story, discuss some benefits of offgrid power and solar, and thoughts on…

Thoughts on generosity and how it is sometimes at odds with self-reliance and independence in our ham radio preparedness mindset. I refer to the Radical Generosity video by Amalya (Ami) Campbell, and discuss happiness, some essential aspects of ham radio, and ways we can express sharing and thanks to the community. I welcome your comments via Ancho…

We're doing it live! I guest on the YouTube channel Temporarily Offline - Ham Nuggets where I get to talk to and get grilled by KM9G Steve in Wisconsin. Steve runs a very active YouTube channel about vintage electronics and ham radio, and is the organizer of Monday Night Ham Radio and Thursday Night Ham Radio. In this episode we get into the nitty …

We talk with a very cool ham radio operator: AA0Z Kyle. Kyle is a chairperson for his local St. Louis ham club and has a comprehensive YouTube channel, where he not only talks about ham radio, but contesting, how-to's, gear, POTA, and field operations. Kyle is very active in the community, helping organize and gather hams from all over the region a…

In today's episode #29, we talk with N3WS Tom. Tom hails from the East Coast and does QRP portable operation out in some seemingly extreme weather these days. He has a YouTube channel called Tango Oscar Mike N3WS, where he discusses his hiking trips to activate POTA, gear reviews, and ham operation. We discuss the overlap of prepping with ham radio…

Hamdom Thoughts goes group round-robin again where we answer some hypothetical radio- and prep-related personal questions, including power outage panic, what we'd design as a dream radio, and something we'd like to do again if we had the chance. Returning guests KE6MT Rex, NJ7V Charlie ("Red"), and new guests K8TSG Jason, and KC7MSU Dan. Links K8TS…

In today's episode, we get to talk to Gaston, callsign KT1RUN. Gaston is known as The Tech Prepper on YouTube, where he not only talks about ham radio, but all topics related to preparedness. My kinda ham. We get into his ham software project, grid down stories, testing evac, and Winter Field Day. Links: The Tech Prepper's Instagram: https://www.in…

This episode is just me, AD6DM Dennis, talking about my 2020 goals checklist and how they turned out, as well as some thing I want to do in 2021. What do you want to do in 2021 with amateur radio? What rigs do you want to use, things you want to build, contacts you want to make, contests you want to compete in, preparedness exercises and actions yo…

Today we get to talk to one of the longest running YouTube hams that I know of, KC5HWB Jason, more popularly known as Ham Radio 2.0. Jason talks about anything that is new in amateur radio, and his reviews and discussions really do cover the gamut of ham radio topics. He also started the ham radio YouTube group The YouTuber's Bunch, and has helped …

Meet TheSmokinApe, a YouTuber who releases many helpful videos about many different aspects of ham radio and building, prepping, and EDC. The Smokin Ape has been around for years, and while he says he posts videos of things that are of interest to him, we find they are interesting to many of us viewers as well. Links TheSmokinApe on YouTube: https:…

Hamdom Thoughts is joined with K5ATA Steve, AA6XA Jeff, and AI6XG Dan where answer some hypothetical radio-related personal questions, including what keeps the hobby interesting and what would you do with a million dollars for ham radio? A special episode to banter and share ideas. Links Goodgame Ham Radio and Outdoors: https://www.youtube.com/chan…

Radio was the lifeline of many in the early- to mid-1900's. In this short episode we hear some examples of radio and possibly feel the impact of what it was like to be glued to a speaker during huge world events. Links Some Old World Radio files: https://www.oldradioworld.com/ American Historic Speeches, top 100: https://www.americanrhetoric.com/to…

K6UDA Bob is a not-too-serious but funny and fun to watch personality on YouTube. His channel is K6UDA Radio - The Ham Radio Show Your Mother Warned You About. Bob livestreams, talks about cool ham radio gear, and often shows contesting and operation.. Join us we talk about off-topic things like why he's leaving California, 2nd Amendment rights, an…

Johnny is a down-to-earth radio operator and creator of the YouTube channel Signal Search, one of my favorites. I knew him from his various gear reviews in the past, but more recently he's taken us on his journey toward building a completely new ham shack and erecting an antenna tower. He talks with us about experiences in the military, why he left…