On the Air

The Solar Eclipse QSO Party (or SEQP), is an on-air event coming up on April 8, the same day as the next total solar eclipse. The SEQP is a great opportunity for hams to contribute data to studies of Earth’s ionosphere, the part of our atmosphere that makes radio communications possible, and all you have to do is get on the air and operate as you normally would. The lead organizer of HamSCI, Dr. Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, joins us in this episode to explain how to get involved.

The January/February 2024 issue of On the Air featured a story from Brian McSpadden Gardener, KE8JVX, about “The First-Year Experiences of a General-Class Ham,” in which Brian detailed how he got his feet wet as a General, and how he put together his first station for HF. Brian joins this episode of the podcast to tell us a little more about his first year as a General, as well as what he’s done since then.

Maintaining a “junk box” — a collection of odds and ends that can be used in future projects and repairs — is a time-honored practice among hams. Every ham radio junk box has to start somewhere, though. The cover story of the January/February 2024 issue of On the Air, “A Fine Mess: Starting Your Junk Box,” by Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ, offers advice about how to do just that. The January 2024 episode of the On the Air podcast digs deeper by going on location to the workshop of W1AW, ARRL’s Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station. Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, welcomes us into this working space to show us some real-life junk boxes and discuss how they come in handy. Check out the VIDEO edition of this episode:Starting Your Junk Box (youtube.com) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjJpbKqjlPc)

This episode ties into a feature in the November/December issue called “Bits and Baud,” which discussed important elements of digital communication, namely the quantity of information a transmission delivers -- known as bit rate -- and the rate of speed at which the information is delivered, which is known as baud rate. The article’s author, former QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, joins us to explain more about the differences between bit rate and baud rate, as well as why hams are concerned with these measurements in the first place.

“Contesting encompasses so much of the hobby,” says seasoned contester Craig Thompson, K9CT, “from station building, learning how to operate, understanding propagation, knowing rules, learning from your peers,” that there’s something in it for every ham radio operator. As current member and former president of the Society of Midwest Contesters, Craig knows the ins and outs of running a contest club and ensuring that the value proposition makes sense to the average member. In this episode, Craig talks about why you might want to get involved with a contest club, what it entails, and how these specialized clubs stir up on-air activity that benefits every ham. This discussion extends the November/December 2023 On the Air article, “Joining a Contest Club,” by Leanna Figlewski, KC1RMP.

Gary Mikitin’s, AF8A, article, “The Solar Eclipse QSO Party: A Fun Way Support Radio Science” in the September/October 2023 issue of On the Air details how hams can contribute data to a study on how the ionosphere reflects radio signals during the eclipse via an easygoing on-air event called the Solar Eclipse QSO Party. Gary, who is the Amateur Radio Community Coordinator of HamSCI, joins us on the October episode of the On the Air podcast, to talk about just how easy it is to participate.

The cover story of On the Air’s September/October 2023 issue, “Foxhunting Basics,” doesn’t have anything to do with chasing down a woodland creature. Foxhunting is a radio direction-finding activity that you can enjoy with a radio club or group, or even with just one other friend — and they don’t even have to be a ham! Rob Zielfelder, N1NUG, explains how to get started with a couple of handheld radios and a directional antenna that you can make from inexpensive hardware store materials.One player hides somewhere with a radio, and sends intermittent transmissions, while the other player tracks them with the help of the radio’s signal meter and a map. Listen to this month’s episode for more information on how to join the fun.Check out the video version on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7OXP9cFa7Y&feature=youtu.be

This month, we talk with Steve Simons, W1SMS, the Technical Coordinator for the Connecticut Section, who shares his experiences as a TC, from coordinating with Emergency Operations Centers during an emergency, to presenting technical papers at ham club meetings, to working with the Section’s Technical Specialists to help local hams with troubleshooting and other technical matters. Check out the VIDEO edition on our YouTube channel: (3) Technical Coordinators: A Tech Resource in Your Section - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR5cp9IZSbE)

Passing traffic is a ham radio activity that’s nearly as old as ham radio itself, and getting accurate messages to their destination in a timely manner takes training and skill. In addition to participating in nets, hams also have the opportunity to take on ARRL Field Organization positions that are responsible for traffic. In this episode, we talk to Ethan Hansen, KC1OIP, who fulfills one such position, Official Relay Station, in ARRL’s National Traffic System. Listen in to learn about what it takes to become an Official Relay Station, how the position makes a difference in the community, and how it benefits your amateur radio skills and experience.

For the June 2023 episode of the On the Air podcast, ARRL Radiosport & Regulatory Information Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, and ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, join us to talk about a popular Field Day fixture known as the GOTA (Get On the Air) Station. If you’re a newer ham, or new to Field Day operating, you can find a local Field Day setup that’s running one of these beginner-friendly stations. Tune in to find out how, so you can make plans to operate from a Field Day GOTA Station on Field Day weekend, June 24 and 25.  Watch the video edition: (1) How to Get On the Air from an ARRL Field Day GOTA Station - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63W1TJD2tSE)

With this year's ARRL June VHF Contest fast approaching on the weekend of June 10, seasoned VHF operator Bob Witte, KØNR, joins the podcast to talk about how to prepare yourself and your station to join in the fun of this beginner-friendly event.Watch the video edition: (1) On the Air Podcast — Getting On the Air for the June VHF Contest! - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuYHVS5FfB4)

The March/April 2023 issue of On the Air featured an article on “The Incident Command System and Amateur Radio,” which introduced the Incident Command System (ICS), an emergency management system that public safety agencies use to respond to everything from small incidents to large-scale emergencies. ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, joins this episode of the podcast to share more about the system’s origins and uses, where and how amateur radio operators fit into the system, and where to get ICS training.Video Edition of this Episode: (3) On the Air Podcast — Where Hams fit into the Incident Command System? - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQYnrCH9Kg)

Radio orienteering (aka Amateur Radio Direction Finding, or ARDF) is a radio sport like no other. It gets you out of your shack chair and bounding through the woods or a park, using a handheld receiver and directional antenna to find a transmitter that’s located somewhere in the vicinity. People of all ages and skill levels can have fun with radio orienteering – and you don’t even need a ham radio license to join in. In this episode, we talk to USA ARDF Co-coordinator Charles Scharlau, NZØI, about how to get involved in what he calls, “the only athletic radio sport.”Check out the video edition of this episode: (1) On the Air Podcast — The Thrill of the Chase: Radio Orienteering - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGskvR0BjHw)

ARRL has designated 2023 “The Year of the Volunteers,” to shed light on the work of the hundreds of volunteers who make ARRL and amateur radio what it is. We’ve got a year-long on-air event to go with it – Volunteers On the Air, or VOTA, is already taking the bands by storm, just two months into the fun. In this episode, we talk to ARRL Director of Operations Bob Naumann, W5OV, and ARRL Radiosport Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, about rules, awards, special activations, and all things VOTA.Check out the video edition of this episode: (1) On the Air Podcast — How to Be On the Air All Year with VOTA - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9QcqSXD8nA)

As the national association for Amateur Radio in the US, ARRL offers programs and services for its members across the country. Many of these are made possible by the ARRL Field Organization, a network of ARRL member-volunteers who give of their time and knowledge to other hams, as well as to the Amateur Radio Service itself. Field Organization volunteers are positioned all over the country, in the various ARRL Sections, doing everything from offering technical advice, to liaising with government contacts, to working with young hams. In this episode of the On the Air podcast, Editorial Director Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, talks with ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, about how the Field Organization is structured, what kinds of positions and duties are available (truly, there’s something for everyone, no matter what aspect of ham radio you’re interested in), and how to get involved.

For many new operators, nets are one of the easiest and best ways to connect with other hams. Some nets are focused solely on emergency communications, others provide the opportunity to pass formal traffic throughout a region, while others are purely social occasions where you can get to know other active hams. Scheduled nets can take place monthly, weekly, or daily, and no matter their frequency (see what we did there!), nets are a great way to practice using your radio and get comfortable with the conventions of communicating on the air. The success of any net is due, at least in part, to the Net Control operator. Net Control actually runs the net, keeping everything — and everyone — organized. What’s it like running a net? What skills do you need? Are there common pitfalls? Best practices? In this episode, Ginger Wilder, KI5TJE, discusses her first time running the McKinney Amateur Radio Club (MARC) net and how she prepared to take on the challenge. She talks about her preparation and some of the unexpected things she learned from running the net. As a bonus, you can read a copy of MARC’s Net Control script on the On the Air blog at www.arrl.org/ota-blog (http://www.arrl.org/ota-blog).

Even if you’re accessing a repeater, the range of your VHF/UHF handheld can be a bit constraining. You’ll probably never achieve coverage of, say, the entire US Eastern Seaboard or the Continental Divide in the lower 48. But with a couple of handhelds and the right Yagi antenna, you can access satellites in low Earth orbit that will provide you with a much wider “footprint” than just about any repeater. Sean Kutzko, KX9X, characterized satellite operation as “a bit of a competition. It’s a bit of a game. It’s a bit exciting.” In this month’s episode, he talks about how to get started using satellites and details the reach that satellites beyond low Earth orbit are only now making available to every licensed amateur radio operator.

Just over two weeks ago Hurricane Ian devastated Sanibel Island and southwestern Florida. It caused tens of billions of dollars of damage and killed more than 100 people. Arc Thames, W4CPD, the Section Emergency Coordinator of ARRL's Northern Florida Section and Emergency Coordinator of Santa Rosa County Florida, passed traffic during the storm and shares some of his experiences. He discusses gear for ARES deployments (An HT is just fine!) and what you need to know before going out in the field.For more information on prepping for EmComm, check out the article, "Basic Gear for Public Service" in the September/October 2022 issue of On the Air magazine.

Building an antenna doesn’t have to involve yards of aluminum tubing and long runs of coax. It can be as simple as soldering and snipping (carefully!) a length of lamp cord. Frequent On the Air and QST contributor Dino Papas, KL0S, provides insight into the construction and tuning of this J-pole antenna, which he built for On the Air from a design by John H. Unrath, K6JHU. Along the way he and host Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, uncover a bit of J-pole history and dig into why an antenna analyzer is a must-have if you decide to build this project.

Getting the most out of your transceiver's scanning functions.

Is 222 MHz really a "forgotten" frequency band?

Discussing ARRL Field Day in particular and off-the-grid operating in general with ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE.

Discover what "FM" really means, and how it is different from "AM."

Should you invest in a Digital Multimeter (DMM)? As it turns out, a DMM doesn't have to be expensive and it is more useful than you might imagine.

Relax and take an audio tour of the 10 meter band!

YouTube is increasingly becoming the "go to" resource for information on a variety of amateur radio topics. In this episode we speak with two YouTube veterans: Dave Casler, KE0OG, and Steve Goodgame, K5ATA.

If you're thinking about giving CW operating a try, check out this conversation with Michael Fluegemann, KE8AQW.

Learn how you can extend the "reach" of your handheld transceiver.

Q-Signals are as old as amateur radio itself and they are still in use today. Although originally intended for CW use, you'll hear them in voice communication as well.

Contest season is underway! Time for some tips from veteran competitor Chris Plumblee, W4WF.

The ARRL Handbook has been published for nearly 100 years and it remains one of the top sources for information about ham radio technology and much more. Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, explains why even beginners will find the Handbook to be indispensable.

Here's an introduction to Winlink, courtesy of Oliver Dully, K6OLI.

Learn all about the new ARRL online Learning Center scheduled to debut this month!

ARRL Field Day is just weeks away. Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, the president of the Nashua New Hampshire Area Radio Society, offers advice about how to enjoy one of the largest ham radio operating events of the year!

A discussion of the importance of grounding with Ward Silver, N0AX

This month it's all about Parks On The Air -- one of the most popular activities in amateur radio today. We chat with Audrey Hance, KN4TMU, who recently enjoyed her first Parks On The Air "activation."

What does the new solar cycle have in store for the HF bands? Propagation expert Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, tells us what to expect.

Taking a closer look at HF antenna tuners, along with some shopping tips!

A chat with Curt Laumann, K7ZOO, about inspiring club activity with "project nights."

A chat with Mike Corey, KI1U, about storm spotting and SKYWARN.

What makes a particular antenna the right one for your station? There are several things to consider beyond cost and complexity.

An interview with ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC, about ARRL’s new “Learning Network” webinars.

Let's talk about how to properly tune signals on the HF bands, and discover a few transceiver tools that will make listening easier.

The ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Initiative is for everyone -- not just college students. Find out more!

A discussion of how to properly solder a PL259 coaxial cable connector. Also, courses that will help improve your public service skills.

It's all about ARRL Field Day!

A discussion of modulation -- AM, FM, SSB and more, and a look at "go kits."

Get tips on creating a family emergency communication plan, and learn about installing coaxial cable connectors from Dino Papas, KL0S.

Understanding feed line loss; VHF/UHF digital vs analog; all about SKYWARN.

VHF/UHF ground plane antenna tips; the benefits of windowed "ladder line"; and a chat with a public service volunteer in Indiana.

Welcome to ARRL's newest podcast! The first issue of On the Air magazine has been released and Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, provides an overview of what's inside.

The On the Air podcast is a monthly companion to On the Air magazine, ARRL’s magazine for beginner-to-intermediate ham radio operators. In each 15-minute episode of the On the Air podcast, host Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, extends the features, projects, and experiences presented in On the Air magazine. Join us for these deeper dives that offer additional resources, techniques, and hints to help you get the most from the magazine’s content. Visit https://arrl.org/ota (https://arrl.org/ota) for more information, and tune in to the On the Air.