WB4AEG sent me this today. They also threw everything up on Github. They even made a companion book to go along with the radio. You can get it here! That is so cool. I love the fact that it has actual knobs and switches you can use. Sometimes that’s better for me in the field, if the sun is bright. Another rig I’ve been eyeballing is the zBitx from HF Signals. I love the fact that it will run off 18650 batteries! It’s neat to see there are so many options for the tinkerer aside from the big Japanese brand radios. I still need to get busy building my QCX mini. I signed up for cw academy but it was too late in the semester already. ...

Before I got my ham license I had a shoestring budget. I pondered getting a used rig like an Icom IC-706mk2g. They were still 300+ USD used. I decided I’d take a chance and buy a kit radio! Up to this point I’d only assembled a simple fm radio and other simple kits and drone repair. I figured the worst that’d happen would be a smoke show. When I finally got it fired up the first time I had a large towel with me to smother in case a 🔥 started. 🤣 ...

I love BBS systems and old POTS stuff. I’ve always wanted to try and setup a BBS node. I really enjoy doing APRS while mobile on my motorcycle. I found lots of good info from The Modern Ham ultimate guide his YouTube channel link I have ran a APRS digipeter/i-gate from my QTH on a raspberrypi4 for testing. I’ve had a few chat with repeater owner about putting a node up on our site on the hill. ...

Wow it was so awesome to make a mobile cw contact. I worked my old instructor from CW Academy Dallas K1DW! I know he works remote he was in TX. Our QSO was on 15 meters. The lowest I’ve been able to go and get a workable safe SDR is 10 meters. I need to put some radials on it. Also the plate that my mout uses is not grounded well. ...

Wow. The first one is the hardest? I don’t really care because it was absolutely thrilling. I’ve called CQ many times mostly late at night and early morning. Just putting my foot in the water when it’s a little quieter and less pressure. I was about to call it a night. I thought just one more time it might happen. It sure happened, Victor WB5HOW came right back. Instantly my brain turned to potato, excited potato I’d add. I put a note to email me on QRZ.com if needed. foreseeable errors ahead FEA. Victor got the hint and shot me an email. I was thinking his call was WD5HOW. I should have sent it 3x to confirm now come to think of it. I asked him to send his x3. Lesson learned I guess. ...