LHS Episode #617: Hamvention 2026 Adventure Complete

Show Notes

Hamvention Wrap-Up:

  • Attendance, on FB and Dayton area newspapers, they listed the attendance of 25-30k people for 2026. Official number for 2025 was 36,814. So, our guess on lower numbers was likely correct (it will be a few weeks before Hamvention releases the official numbers)
  • Only a handful of people asked what Linux was (this number seems down… way down, actually)
  • Many folks said they are/have moved to Linux after the Windows debacle
  • Probably a normal amount of, “What can Linux do for me?” Type questions

Announcements & Feedback:

  • Announcements:
  • Can you help support the show?
    • You can do that via Patreon, Paypal, Merch - just a few bucks a month helps us out immensely when it comes to covering the costs of giving you the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet!
  • We need topics!
    • Weekender episodes - anything goes!
    • We need ideas for things you’d like to hear about in our Deep Dive episodes! Help us out by emailing suggestions to [email protected]
  • Repeater for sale!
    • Spread the word to anyone you think might be interested, if you’re not! The repeater that Russ had set up has been taken offline because of Russ’s death. If anyone is interested in everything available (sold as a package deal only), please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll send you the details/pictures. Pickup in Billings, Montana area or along a route Bill will be traveling through in the future. The antenna is still standing in Missouri… but that is also included in the price once it is taken down.
  • Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX
    • There will be a memorial service held for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri on November 1, 2026. Everyone is welcome! If you’d like to join us, please send an email to [email protected] and we’ll send you more info!

Subscribers & Supporters:

  • Paypal
    • Bill Piotter
    • Michael Carry
  • Facebook
    • RadioCanada Ninesixseven
    • Phil D Mills
  • X / Twitter
    • Lulu Beaubeau
    • GaryASobek
  • Discord
    • James_BeEz
    • SeaLionKarpyLevistrauss
    • scojony-NS2J
    • User

  • Live Show Participants
    • Tom - N4HAI
    • Steve - KJ5T

Russ Woodman, K5TUX, co-hosts the Linux in the Ham Shack podcast which is available for download in both MP3 and OGG audio format. Contact him at [email protected].

2026 Colorado 14er & Mountaintop Event

During the Colorado 14er & Mountaintop Event, amateur radio operators from around Colorado will be activating Summits On The Air (SOTA) peaks and communicating with other radio amateurs across the state and around the world. Join in on the fun during the annual event by activating a summit or contacting (chasing) the mountaintop stations. Be ... Read more

The post 2026 Colorado 14er & Mountaintop Event appeared first on Above Average Terrain.


Bob Witte, KØNR, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Colorado, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

ICQPodcast Episode 483 – Fault Finding

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Fault Finding.

We would like to thank our Peter Weston (2E0DED) and monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate


Colin Butler, M6BOY, is the host of the ICQ Podcast, a weekly radio show about Amateur Radio. Contact him at [email protected].

Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 421

Amateur Radio Weekly

Yaesu announces new DR-3X repeater (video)

This new hardware offers 85 watts of VHF or 65 watts of UHF continuous duty, while incorporating advanced audio signal processing and an innovative interference evasion system for enhanced operational performance.
Yaesu

Icom announces ID-5200 and ID-5200D radios
Touchscreen control. Dual receive. Wi-Fi. Bluetooth®. Advanced digital connectivity… and this is only the beginning.
Icom America

Rhizomatica releases Mercury, a fully Open-Source modem for digital on HF
A completely open-source Digital Radio OFDM protocol for HF broadcast and peer-to-peer ARQ connections with compatible TCP interfaces.
Rhizomatica

Elecraft introduces the new AX4 portable antenna
Elecraft has just introduced two new products that will likely attract the attention of many POTA activators and portable operators: The AX4 portable vertical antenna and its companion BL3 balun.
QRPer

New book release: Satellite Operating for Amateur Radio
Written by Tony Milluzzi, KD8RTT, the book offers a clear step-by-step path into the world of amateur satellite operation.
ARRL

APRS messaging 36 miles with two HTs
What I really wanted to see was a true RF to RF message setup.
K4HCK

The vacuum tube’s last stand(s)
Vacuum tube technology did not simply stop evolving when the transistor appeared. In fact, some of the most sophisticated and technically impressive tube designs emerged after the transistor had already been invented.
Hackaday

Satellite TEVEL 2-3 FM transponder is open
The objective is twofold: to introduce young people to space technologies and provide an FM communication service to the Amateur Radio community.
AMSAT Francophone

DIY antennas for LoRa and Meshtastic
A complete guide to 433, 868, and 915 MHz.
VU3DXR

Build a central Field Day log server with local DHCP and GPS time
Centralized Field Day logging is one of those things that looks simple until the network hiccups, the generator burps, Windows decides it is “helping,” or one laptop thinks it is 2019 and another thinks it is next Tuesday.
Ham Radio Hacks

Guide to prepping for ARRL Field Day: LiFePO4 batteries, solar panels & generators
Examining ways to successfully operate your transmitting equipment from sources completely independent of the commercial power mains.
OnAllBands

Video

Icom ID-5200 demo
The Icom ID-5200 will get real APRS.
KM4ACK

Four Days in May (FDIM) Vendor Night
The most underrated event of the year for those coming to Hamvention. Here you can find the newest QRP radio kits released in 2026.
Ham Radio Crash Course

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Amateur Radio Weekly is curated by Cale Mooth K4HCK. Sign up free to receive ham radio's most relevant news, projects, technology and events by e-mail each week at http://www.hamweekly.com.

Adding peace of mind.

 

My choice of boot drives

In the past, when I downloaded and installed software updates, new software, or Windows updates, problems have occasionally occurred. I also like to experiment with Python scripts for automating my radio software, modifying how Windows behaves, and controlling external devices such as turning monitors on and off when I am finished using them.

Because of this, I decided to purchase another SSD and clone my main SSD to it. This gives me a safe environment to experiment in and provides peace of mind. The new experimental clone SSD is a place where, no matter what happens, it is okay. If the worst happens, I simply re-clone this SSD from my main drive and start over again.

Never again will my “eyebrow-raising” attempts to “try this” or “try that” affect my main drive.

On my PC, when it is starting up, I repeatedly press the F11 key. This brings up all the drives installed in my computer, and I can then choose the experimental drive to boot from. Once loaded, I am in an identical workspace to my main SSD.

The new drive. 

What this setup allows me to do:

  1. Try out new amateur radio software and see how it interacts with my existing software.
  2. Make changes to my radio software programs and ensure I like the changes and that there are no issues. I can even take part in my weekly mini radio contests (CWops Mini Test or Medium Speed Mini Contest) and see in real time whether the changes affected anything.
  3. Install upgraded radio software programs that are known to have issues and see if I can locate or troubleshoot the problem.  
  4. Write Python scripts, trial-run them, make changes, and experiment as much as I want. Once the script is ready, I can transfer it to my main drive.

What I currently have on my PC:

  • Drive C: Western Digital Black SN770 1TB M.2 SSD — This is my main drive.
  • Drive G: Crucial CT1000MX 1TB SSD — This is a clone of my main drive.
  • Drive E: Seagate SATA 1TB Drive — This holds images of my main drive.
  • Drive D: Western Digital Black SATA Drive — This holds another clone of my main drive.
  • Drive H: Vulcan SSD 500GB — This is my new experimental SSD.


Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

LHS Episode #616: Xenia Bound

Show Notes

Amateur Radio Topics:

Open Source / Linux Topics:

Linux in the Ham Shack Topics:

  • FreeDV 2.3.0 Released
    • More information on the 2.3.0 release can be found at our blog (https://lhs.fyi/Lv) along with information on the FlexRadio integration more specifically (https://lhs.fyi/Lw). Let me know if you have any questions and definitely feel free to tell all your friends!
  • Rhizomatica Releases Mercury
  • Graywolf

Announcements & Feedback:

  • Announcements:
    • Come see us at Hamvention!  We are counting down the minutes at this point!
    • Can you help support the show?  
    • We need topics! 
    • Repeater for sale!
    • Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX
  • Feedback:
    • Email from JL1AYH
      • Hi LHS-team, I have not done a search on whether you mentioned OpenWebRX+ already, if not then it might be a candidate: https://lhs.fyi/owr Thanks for the podcast!
    • Discord Post from Victoria (K8VSY)
    • Email from Claus Niesen (AE0S) Amateur Radio Software Award committee member
      • Hello We would like to announce the 2026 recipients of the Amateur Radio Software Award, which goes to Nate Bargmann (N0NB), George Baltz (N3GB), Daniele Forsi (IU5HKX), and Mikael Nousiainen (OH3BHX) for their work on Hamlib.  Attached is the press release of the award.  We would be happy for you to mention the award.

Subscribers & Supporters:

  • Paid Patreon
    • Patrick Ainge
  • Paypal
    • John Strunck
  • Facebook
    • Ray N Babasa
    • Megan LunaPappi
  • X / Twitter
    • md2861687955619
  • Discord
    • AMonty
    • SM0MMC
    • Grey
  • Live Show Participants
    • Steve - KJ5T
    • Adam - K3CAN
    • Grey
    • Don - KB2YSI
    • Joel - KC0YEW

Russ Woodman, K5TUX, co-hosts the Linux in the Ham Shack podcast which is available for download in both MP3 and OGG audio format. Contact him at [email protected].

Ham College 139


Ham College episode 139 is now available for download.

Technician Exam Questions Part 26 of 26
T0A – Power circuits and hazards: hazardous voltages, fuses and circuit breakers, grounding, electrical code compliance, Lightning protection; Battery safety.
T0B – Antenna safety: tower safety and grounding, installing antennas, antenna supports.
T0C – RF hazards: radiation exposure, proximity to antennas, recognized safe power levels, radiation types, duty cycle.

https://hamcollege.tv

Download
YouTube


George Thomas, W5JDX, is co-host of AmateurLogic.TV, an original amateur radio video program hosted by George Thomas (W5JDX), Tommy Martin (N5ZNO), Peter Berrett (VK3PB), and Emile Diodene (KE5QKR). Contact him at [email protected].

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