QSO Today Podcast - Interviews with the leaders in amateur radio

A "QSO" is a conversation between amateur radio operators, or "Hams". Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, interviews a new guest every week on the subject of amateur radio, their history, and the specific areas of technical and operating interest in amateur radio or ham radio. These interviews also serve as an oral history of amateur radio since WW2.

Episode 498 Glam Ham NW6S 04/19/2024

Episode 498 Glam Ham NW6S Glam 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/30900143

Episode 497 Steve Shorey G3ZPS 04/12/2024

Episode 497 Steve Shorey G3ZPS In 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 equipment that once seemed unattainable in the 1960s. Join us as G3ZPS delves into his ham radio adventures and reflects on the profound impact this hobby has had on his life, right here on QSO Today. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/30796373

Episode 496 Irad Deutsch 4Z1AC 04/05/2024

Episode 496 Irad Deutsch 4Z1AC Irad 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 figure in the community. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/30694618

Episode 495 Charles Wilmott M0OXO 03/29/2024

Episode 495 Charles Wilmott M0OXO Charles 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, and by the movie The Full Monty. M0OXO is my QSO Today. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/30594213

Episode 494 Fred Hopengarten K1VR 03/22/2024

Episode 494 Fred Hopengarten K1VR Fred 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 external antennas at their QTH. K1VR discuss antenna law, contesting, and his elaborate station in this QSO Today. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/30496808

Episode 493 Jonathan Kramer W6JLK 03/16/2024

Episode 493 Jonathan Kramer W6JLK Dr. 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 integrating ham radio with public service. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/30401433

Episode 492 Linas Balsys LY2H 03/09/2024

Episode 492 Linas Balsys LY2H Linus 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 equipment. In addition, Linus shares how ham radio skills have practical applications in daily life, from repairing electronics to enhancing relationships. Hear about his efforts to rejuvenate the ham community in Lithuania, attracting young enthusiasts through contests, digital operations, and educational classes. Linus also highlights the dual thrill of ham radio: the leap in technology with Software Defined Radios (SDRs) and the invaluable role of amateur radio in emergency communications, echoing its historical significance. Tune in for a journey through the intriguing and impactful world of ham radio with Linus Balsys, L2YH. in this QSO Today. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/30301298

Episode 491 Paul Barnes W4YRL 03/01/2024

Episode 491 Paul Barnes W4YRL Paul 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/30187673

Episode 490 HRWB Podcast 201 with Eric Guth 4Z1UG 02/24/2024

Episode 490 HRWB Podcast 201 with Eric Guth 4Z1UG Eric 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/30092078

Episode 489 John Rusciano NG0Z 02/17/2024

Episode 489 John Rusciano NG0Z John 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 in this QSO Today. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/29997198

Episode 488 Charles Powell NK8O 02/10/2024

Episode 488 Charles Powell NK8O Charles 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/29886318

Episode 487 Jonathan Taylor K1RFD 02/02/2024

Episode 487 Jonathan Taylor K1RFD Jonathan 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/29769013

Episode 486 Lanny Aldrich K1LEC 01/27/2024

Episode 486 Lanny Aldrich K1LEC Lanny 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/29673928

Episode 485 Martin Buehring KB4MG 01/20/2024

Episode 485 Martin Buehring KB4MG Martin, 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/29574788

Episode 484 Richard Gutknecht NZ2I 01/13/2024

Episode 484 Richard Gutknecht NZ2I Richard 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/29472773

Episode 483 William Thomas WT0DX 01/06/2024

Episode 483 William Thomas WT0DX William 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 amateur radio through mentoring, contributing, and testing, and he is my QSO Today. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/29368028

Episode 482 Ram Muthukrishnan VU2JXN 12/30/2023

Episode 482 Ram Muthukrishnan VU2JXN Ram 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 software defined radio, SDR, homebrewing radios, and CW. VU2JXN is my QSO Today. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/29279928

Episode 481 Mark Wohlschlegal WC3W 12/23/2023

Episode 481 Mark Wohlschlegal WC3W Mark 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/29212658

Episode 480 Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT 12/16/2023

Episode 480 Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT Caryn 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/29108928

Episode 479 Ante Laurijssen VA2BBW 12/09/2023

Episode 479 Ante Laurijssen VA2BBW Ante 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/29001003

Episode 478 Don Westacott VE6HQ 12/02/2023

Episode 478 Don Westacott VE6HQ Don 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/28897638

Episode 477 Steve Stroh N8GNJ 11/24/2023

Episode 477 Steve Stroh N8GNJ Steve 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/28779238

Episode 476 David Okrent W7DAO 11/18/2023

Episode 476 David Okrent W7DAO David 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/28699953

Episode 475 Kay Savetz K6KJN 11/10/2023

Episode 475 Kay Savetz K6KJN Kay 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/28582053

Episode 474 Alan Higbie K0AV 11/04/2023

Episode 474 Alan Higbie K0AV Alan 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/28515035

Episode 473 Joshua Wander 4X4BB 10/27/2023

Episode 473 Joshua Wander 4X4BB Joshua 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 preparing the recently slaughtered Jews by Hamas from October 7th. I was able to catch up with Josh after his shift ended today. 4X4BB is my QSO Today. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/28440860

Episode 166 Dov Gavish 4Z4DX 10/21/2023

Episode 166 Dov Gavish 4Z4DX Dov Gavish 4Z4DX is one of Israel’s best known amateurs outside of Israel, and avid DXer and DXpeditioner. Even before Parks on the Air or Summits on the Air, Dov had a rig in the car ready to go on a moment's notice. While CW is his favorite operating mode, Dov prefers whatever mode works to make the contact. 4Z4DX is my QSO Today. /episode/index/show/qsotoday/id/28382672

Episode 471 Ron Gang 4X1MK 10/14/2023

Episode 471 Ron Gang 4X1MK Ron 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/28308491

Episode 470 Tony Fishpool G4WIF 10/06/2023

Episode 470 Tony Fishpool G4WIF Tony 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/index/show/qsotoday/id/28245098

Episode 469 George Fremin K5TR 09/30/2023

Episode 469 George Fremin K5TR Today'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/index/show/qsotoday/id/28186427

QSO Today Podcast - Interviews with the leaders in amateur radio

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