Show Notes

Amateur Radio Topics:

• FCC Warns Pittsburgh Amateur Radio Operator for 911 Interference
  • The Federal Communications Commission has sent a notice of licensed operation and harmful interference to an amateur radio operator in Pittsburgh regarding transmissions on a 911 emergency services channel from a handheld transceiver. Last summer, the FCC received a complaint from Allegheny County, Pa., Emergency Services concerning interference with one of its UHF “T-Band” emergency communications channels. The interference affected the county’s west EMS dispatch channel on 470.4375 MHz. After the agents notified Kundston of the issue, he produced a Baofeng BTech UV-Pro handheld radio.
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/L5 (Radioworld)
• Hamvention Announces Award Recipients
  • Technical Achievement Award Robert Famiglio K3RF
  • Amateur of the Year Award Dr. Jose “Otis” Vicens NP4G
  • Special Achievement Award Martha Fell N3QBE and Joe Fell W3GMS
  • Club of the Year Long Island CW Club
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/L6 (Hamvention)
• Ham Deck
  • Ham Deck playing cards are a portable reference system for amateur radio operators. The deck focuses on practical lookups used during real operating sessions.
    • Band plan summaries by region
    • Common calling frequencies
    • Digital mode frequency references
    • Operating reminders and checklists
    • Compact lookup tables for common station tasks
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/L7 (hamdeck)

Open Source / Linux Topics:

• Ubuntu 26.04 Beta is now available to download
  • The beta release of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS “Resolute Raccoon” is now available for download, arriving a month ahead of the planned stable release on April 23, 2026.  This version runs on the latest Linux kernel 7.0 release candidate and features the new GNOME 50 desktop environment along with a new default system monitoring utility called Resources. 
  • Visual updates include colorful new folder icons, a fully opaque Ubuntu Dock, a new default wallpaper, and a refreshed boot spinner animation.  The release also introduces OpenJDK 25 as the default Java runtime, updated Mesa 26.0.2, and includes AI packages like AMD ROCm and NVIDIA CUDA. 
  • Key Info:
    • Availability: ISOs are available for Intel/AMD 64-bit, generic ARM, and Raspberry Pi, with beta flavors like Lubuntu, Xubuntu, and Kubuntu also released. 
    • Stability Warning: The beta is not officially supported yet; users should back up data and test in a virtual machine as beta software may break file managers or require driver tweaks. 
    • Known Issues: The Software & Updates utility is not preinstalled, and some flavors like Ubuntu MATE and Ubuntu Kylin may not have beta images available yet. 
    • Upgrade Path: Installing updates on a beta version will automatically upgrade the system to the final stable release when it launches. 
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/L3 (OMG Ubuntu)
• Local privilege escalation in snapd 
  • CVE-2026-3888 - Local privilege escalation in snapd on Linux allows local attackers to get root privilege by re-creating snap’s private /tmp directory when systemd-tmpfiles is configured to automatically clean up this directory. This issue affects Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, 18.04 LTS, 20.04 LTS, 22.04 LTS, and 24.04 LTS.
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/L2 (ubuntu)
• YOLO Linux
  • YOLO Linux is a modern Linux distribution designed from first principles to prioritize user outcomes over system management, featuring a conversational AI agent that replaces the traditional command line. Instead of requiring users to memorize commands or configure complex settings, YOLO Linux allows them to describe their intent in plain language (e.g., “Install the browser” or “Connect to the VPN”), and the AI agent automatically handles the installation, configuration, and security. Built on a standard Linux 6.12 kernel, it maintains a zero-shell security posture by eliminating direct user access to the terminal, thereby reducing the attack surface while ensuring all operations are logged, auditable, and explainable. This approach aims to make Linux accessible to everyone by removing the learning curve associated with traditional operating system administration. 
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/L4 (yololinux)

Linux in the Ham Shack Topics:

• GPL Violation Discussion on IU8LMC’s FT2 and Decodium
  • Onno (VK6FLAB) from Foundations of Amateur Radio podcast let us know over on Mastodon that IU8LMC’s FT2 and Decodium was under scrutiny due to violations of the GPL (source code not released).
  • Reddit Discussion from Last Month: https://lhs.fyi/L8
  • Decodium Shannon Repo: https://lhs.fyi/L9
  • WSJT-X Improved Comment: https://lhs.fyi/La
  • WSJT-X Improved Version 3.10 Released: https://lhs.fyi/Lb (Sourceforge)

Announcements & Feedback:

• Can you help support the show?  
  • You can do that via Patreon, Paypal, Merch
• We DESPERATELY need topics! 
  • Weekender episodes - anything goes!  
  • And 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]
• Come see us at Hamvention - May 15-17, 2026 - Booth 2206
• Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX
  • There will be a memorial service for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, MO 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
  • Jonathan Traum
• X
  • tsham
• Mastadon
  • OSIOU
  • bjb
  • VZ5ZSH
  • Jessica Dail
  • Jorn Franke
• Live Show Participants
  • Dan, KB6NU
  • Steve, KJ5T

Be Kind - Send Good Code

The Web App

Link to the web app - Morse Buddy

Be Kind

This is definitely still a work in progress and completely free. I'd appreciate constructive criticism, feature requests and bug reports in the comments.  Software bugs, not Vibroplex bugs; but if you can leave a Vibroplex bug in the comments that would be awesome as well.

That's all for now, so clean up your sending and keep folks from spinning the dial when they hear your call.

Ham College episode 136 is now available for download.

Technician Exam Questions Part 22.
T8A – Basic characteristics of FM and SSB: Bandwidth of various modulation modes: CW, SSB, FM, fast-scan TV, Choice of emission type: selection of USB vs LSB, use of SSB for weak signal work, use of FM for VHF.
T8B – Amateur satellite operation: Doppler shift, basic orbits, operating protocols, modulation mode selection, transmitter power considerations, telemetry and telecommand, satellite tracking programs, beacons, uplink and downlink mode definitions, spin fading, definition of “LEO”, setting uplink power.

Download
YouTube

Show Notes

Spin the Random Topic Wheel (Segment 1)

• “Your Dream Car”

This Weekend in Hedonism (Segment 2)

Cheryl’s Recipe Corner

• Honey Balsamic Glazed Ham

• Description:

  • Russ was never a fan of baked ham, until he moved here and tried my mom’s (which I’ve shared that recipe before in the past; it was an orange juice and brown sugar mixture). While we hadn’t gotten the chance to try this recipe yet, he was excited to try it (because what is better with ham that a lot of tasty mustard?). This is in my menu rotation for Easter.

• Ingredients

  • 1/2 fully cooked bone-in ham (about 7 lb. total; preferably shank end)
  • 2 tsp. black peppercorns
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup whole-grain mustard
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

• Directions

  • Heat oven to 375°F. Place ham, cut side down, on rack set in roasting pan; add 1/4 cup water to pan. Score ham on all sides in diamond pattern, cutting only 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Cover ham and pan tightly with foil and bake 11/2 hours.
  • Meanwhile, using heavy pan, crush peppercorns; place in bowl. Add honey, mustards, and vinegar and whisk to combine. Transfer 1/2 cup glaze to small bowl and reserve for serving.
  • Brush one-third of glaze (about 1/3 cup) over ham and bake, uncovered, 15 minutes; rotate ham in oven and repeat with another 1/3 cup glaze and bake another 15 minutes. Brush remaining 1/3 cup glaze over ham and bake until ham is heated through and internal temperature registers 140°F, 15 to 20 minutes more. Slice and serve with remaining glaze.

Cheryl’s Mixed Drink Corner

• White Sangria

• Description:

  • I have always been a huge fan of fruity drinks, and I am a huge fan of white wine… so what could be better for your Easter related meal?

• Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup Applejack
  • 1/2 medium green apple, cored and diced
  • 1 medium orange, halved
  • 1 lime, thinly sliced
  • 1 mango or nectarine, pitted and sliced
  • 1 cup hulled and sliced strawberries
  • 2 (750-mL) bottles dry white wine, chilled
  • 1 (750-mL) bottle prosecco, chilled, to serve
  • Fresh mint or basil sprigs, to garnish

• Directions

• In a microwave-safe glass measuring cup, combine the sugar with ⅓ cup water. Microwave until the sugar is dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir well, then let cool completely.

• In a large pitcher, combine the Applejack and apple. Let sit for 10 minutes until the flavors incorporate.

• Squeeze half of the orange into the pitcher. Cut the remaining half of the orange into thin slices. Add the orange slices, lime, mango or nectarine, and strawberries; stir to combine. Pour the white wine over the fruit and stir to combine. Add 2 tablespoons of the simple syrup and taste for sweetness. Add more simple syrup, 1 tablespoon at a time, if desired.

• Serve the sangria over ice, topped with a splash of chilled prosecco, if you like. Garnish with fresh mint or basil sprigs.

Russ’s Drink Corner

• (I will occasionally pick something from Russ’s collection to mention… but I didn’t have time tonight)

Bill’s Whatever Corner

• Charlie Russel Irish Style Red Ale - Harvest Moon Brewing - Belt, Montana
  • 5.5% ABV 20 IBU
  • Because the water in Belt is almost identical to the classic Burton water in England, we have brewed a beer very similar to an ale from that region. Two row pale ale malt combined with hops of a soft, flowery character but not overly aromatic or bitter, combine for an ale to be enjoyed year round. This ale is red in color and has malt character like an amber ale but with the hoppiness of a pale ale.

Segment 3 (Announcements & Feedback)

• Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX

  • There will be a memorial service for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, MO 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!

• Please Help Support the Show

  • Patreon, Paypal, Merch, Topics, YouTube

Segment 4 (New Subscribers, New Supporters & Live Participants)

• Patreon

  • John Stengel

• Live Show Participants

  • Delring, KQ4ALK
  • Mike, K6GTE

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Dan Romanchik KB6NU, 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 Baofeng UV-5R Mini Review.

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

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