Show Notes

Amateur Radio Topics:

• eBay Restricts Listings of Radio Equipment
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MG (ARRL)
• The Dog Day Radio Amateur Radio Club, KØDOG, is back on the air from the 1st through the 7th of November. 
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MH (QRZ)
• JTTY: The New Digital Mode for Contesting, Emergency Communications and Preparedness
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MI (PileUpDX Blog)

Open Source / Linux Topics:

• Linus Torvalds is using AI to develop Linux kernel code now
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MJ (ZDNet)
• The Best Features Of Linux 7.3: Performance Improvements, Lots From Valve
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MK (Phoronix)
• Thirteen Apps. One Craft.
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MR (ArtCraft Apps)

Linux in the Ham Shack Topics:

• SDROxide Releases 1.6.10
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MN (SDROxide Github)

Github Dumpster Diving:

• Field Day Commander
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MO (github)
  • Website: https://lhs.fyi/MP (live demo environment)

Announcements & Feedback:

• Announcements:
  • Support the show!  
    • Support us via Patreon, Paypal, Merch, Sharing our presence and the Podcast via Social Media, and Rating Us in your Podcast Application!
  • We need your feedback!
    • Comments, Questions, Show Topic Ideas! Email us at [email protected]
  • 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!
    • Facebook event page: https://lhs.fyi/mem
• Feedback:
  • Email from Paul SA7CND
    • Hi there, Really enjoy your show. Inspired by #631, I installed FreeDV (2.4.0-x86_64 AppImage) on my regular Linux Mint 22.3 PC and connected my IC7300. FreeDV connected fine with CAT control, but I found handling the audio connections in and out between program and rig … challenging, to say the least. Every so often the audio device assignments were changed and had to be redone. It may have been after PC suspend or Application restart (or just Alt-Tab?). Only once did I get any output from rig on a short test transmit. I used pavucontrol and the FreeDV audio setup Advanced button to have a chance to set up audio. Linux device names to me are not the most understandable (but that’s just me?). So after fiddling for some time I gave it up - very sorry not to have tested FreeDV in QSOs. The FreeDV samples sounded so good and robust for HF communications. Like to return if the app experience on Linux Mint is stable. My 5c 73 de Paul SA7CND Sweden
  • Email from Don - KB2YSI
    • Cheryl & Bill, I do not see holding to a strict show schedule as being all that important. Better to have flexibility.
  • Email from Gene (BX8AAD)
    • Bill and Cheryl, Just wanted to send a quick note to let you know that I appreciate The Weekender and hope you keep that content coming in some format.  It’s the part of LHS that allows us to get to know you both, and it is that personal touch as much as the technical content that has kept me listening for all these years.  I started listening to LHS early when Richard was co-host, and went back and relistened to all the episodes prior to that first one I listened to.  And of course I keep listening to each episode without fail.  Keep up the good work. 73, Gene (BX8AAD)
  • Email from Bob, K4RFK
    • Hi Bill, Hi Cheryl, Just listening to “The Weekender” #634 and thought I’d comment.  The Weekender was never my favorite eppisodes but I didn’t hate them either.  They were generally OK.  A modified weekender with a variable format sounds fine but dont discard the regular weekender at the risk of show burnout.  Wouldn’t want to see you folks go away. Here is something to check out for a show subject.  ContestLogX. Just found this contest logger for Linux and it looks really good even though it’s still in beta. I found this just before the PA QSO Party and decided to give it a go.  It worked great, no problems whatsoever.  I emailed Steve and asked for one or two changes in the UI and hemade them that same day.  Give it a try and see what you think.  Might be good for a show. Steve N9OH is a contester and the developer.
  • Email from Luca LUC4N3X
    • Hi Linux in the Ham Shack team, I’m Luca, an independent developer from Italy and the creator of Levyra, a GPL-3.0 music player for Android and Windows. Your show regularly mixes Linux, open-source software and practical technology, so I thought Levyra might be worth putting in front of your listeners. It combines local music and online playback while keeping the project fully open source, with no mandatory Levyra account, no ads and no analytics/tracking. Android is built with Kotlin, Jetpack Compose and Media3; Windows uses Compose Multiplatform and libVLC. If it looks interesting, feel free to try it, discuss it or pass it along to listeners who like discovering open-source projects. This isn’t sponsored and an honest critical take is absolutely welcome. Thanks, Luca LUC4N3X
    • Github: https://lhs.fyi/MQ
  • Discord comment from Justin AB3E
    • Regarding the question of the utility of the weekenders on the most recent episode, I think they could be retired now because you both give life updates at the beginning of the episode now. I like that, and I liked the weekenders for what it’s worth
  • Discord comment from G7VRI - JonTheNiceGuy
    • I agree, I prefer the “what’s going on in our lives” section. I didn’t dislike the Weekender, but it didn’t quite gel for me.

Subscribers & Supporters:

• Paypal
  • Michael Bridak
• Discord
  • Try_Angle
  • Nick - K9XN
  • jo_pg4i
• Live Show Participants
  • Tony, K4XSS
  • Jill, K1TTZ

AmateurLogic.TV Episode 221 is now available for download.

In this episode we celebrate 21 years of AmateurLogic.TV. Bill Brown’s Huntsville Balloon Forum and launch. Emile talks about his GMRS station. Tommy explores mesh devices with very low power usage. Mike reveals Moon and Mars exploration milestones. Will RADE replace SSB?
The Icom ID-5200 grand prize award drawing and winner announcement and more.

Download
YouTube

Key Segments and Highlights:
WSJTX “Jitty” Mode: Mike discusses the new JTTY (Jitty) digital mode within the WSJTX software, comparing it to older modes like PSK31 and its capability for weak signal communication (9:19 – 13:00).
Mesh Networking Power Comparison: Tommy presents a technical look at Meshtastic and Mesh Core devices, specifically testing the power consumption of ESP32 versus NRF chipset-based boards in low-power modes (13:13 – 27:55).
Space Exploration News: Mike covers updates on NASA’s Artemis program and milestones regarding the Perseverance rover’s travel on Mars (28:14 – 30:25).
GMRS and Station Setup: Emile discusses his GMRS station setup and the ongoing topic of antenna installation (30:25 – 45:30).
Radar Rally: A brief announcement about the upcoming Radar (Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio) event scheduled for November 7th, 2026 (45:31 – 48:15).
Huntsville Hamfest Balloon Forum: A feature segment covering Bill Brown’s presentation on Pico balloons and the subsequent launch at the Huntsville Hamfest (48:15 – 1:06:58).
RAID/FreeDV Voice Mode: The hosts explore the potential of RAID (Radio Authenticoder), a new digital voice mode that aims to offer efficient, natural-sounding communication on HF (1:07:00 – 1:14:30).
Icom ID-5200A Giveaway: The hosts announce the grand prize winner of the Icom ID-5200A transceiver contest, Stan Carter (K5JNT)

AmateurLogic.TV Episode 221 is now available for download.

In this episode we celebrate 21 years of AmateurLogic.TV. Bill Brown’s Huntsville Balloon Forum and launch. Emile talks about his GMRS station. Tommy explores mesh devices with very low power usage. Mike reveals Moon and Mars exploration milestones. Will RADE replace SSB?
The Icom ID-5200 grand prize award drawing and winner announcement and more.

Download
YouTube

Key Segments and Highlights:
WSJTX “Jitty” Mode: Mike discusses the new JTTY (Jitty) digital mode within the WSJTX software, comparing it to older modes like PSK31 and its capability for weak signal communication (9:19 – 13:00).
Mesh Networking Power Comparison: Tommy presents a technical look at Meshtastic and Mesh Core devices, specifically testing the power consumption of ESP32 versus NRF chipset-based boards in low-power modes (13:13 – 27:55).
Space Exploration News: Mike covers updates on NASA’s Artemis program and milestones regarding the Perseverance rover’s travel on Mars (28:14 – 30:25).
GMRS and Station Setup: Emile discusses his GMRS station setup and the ongoing topic of antenna installation (30:25 – 45:30).
Radar Rally: A brief announcement about the upcoming Radar (Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio) event scheduled for November 7th, 2026 (45:31 – 48:15).
Huntsville Hamfest Balloon Forum: A feature segment covering Bill Brown’s presentation on Pico balloons and the subsequent launch at the Huntsville Hamfest (48:15 – 1:06:58).
RAID/FreeDV Voice Mode: The hosts explore the potential of RAID (Radio Authenticoder), a new digital voice mode that aims to offer efficient, natural-sounding communication on HF (1:07:00 – 1:14:30).
Icom ID-5200A Giveaway: The hosts announce the grand prize winner of the Icom ID-5200A transceiver contest, Stan Carter (K5JNT)

Band conditions were not too bad, considering what the solar numbers had been just a short time ago. I was able to put a few new items that were recently added to the shack through their paces during this contest, but more on that in another post.

For this contest, I found that search and pounce was the way to go. I entered in the CW-only category (surprise, surprise!) and, with only 100 watts and no assistance, I found that calling CQ (running) was hit and miss.

I was up early on Sunday morning, listening to very weak German stations just above the noise floor. But I hung in there, and as propagation loosened its grip on them, I was able to make contact. As the sun rose, I could see leaves falling from our maple tree through the shack window, along with frost on the roof of our shed, as the temperature sat at -3°C.

I find it very interesting how propagation can sit on a signal and then, all of a sudden, let it go, allowing me to hear the call sign and make the contact. Then, just as quickly, the signal is gone and back in the grasp of the propagation gods once again!

This is when you have to listen, work at it, and stick with a contact to get them into the log.

As you know, if you are a regular reader of the blog, I also use HamClock, more specifically, the Open HamClock Backend. The VOACAP DE-DX feature in this program is amazing.

In contests such as WAG, where you can only work German stations, I can see the propagation paths from my QTH to Germany. This is done by selecting Germany as my DX propagation destination. The program then displays the best propagation paths from my QTH to Germany. You can see this from the top picture the DE-DX path per band. 

The final results below.  

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH), Bill Barnes (WC3B) and Leslie Butterfields (G0CIB) to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Antennas for QRP and POTA.

We would like to thank Mike Wogden (G4KWQ) and Peter Weston (2E0DED) and our and monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

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• Ten Minutes That Made History: Chile's First Direct ARISS Contact With a Public School

• Commercial AM and FM Station Counts Keep Sliding, Latest FCC Totals Show

• Set Up, Make Contact, Pack Down, Repeat: RaDAR Rally 2026 Is Coming

• A Century-Old Transmitter Sends a Message of Peace on United Nations Day

• APRS Connect Lands on iPhone — And Brings APRS OTA Along With It

A Quick-Deploy Guying System for My Hustler 4BTV

For some time now, I've been looking for a solution to a problem that many of us who use vertical antennas can relate to: what do you do when the forecast calls for high winds or freezing rain?

Living near the ocean , we aren't strangers to strong winds. Between the occasional hurricane or its remnants passing through the area and the frequent windstorms we experience, there have been plenty of occasions when I've felt it necessary to take my antenna down for protection. When winds reach 70 km/h or higher, or freezing rain is in the forecast, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

The obvious solution is to guy the antenna. However, I wasn't keen on installing a permanent guying system. Our lot is already small, and the last thing I wanted was to have guy ropes permanently stretched across the yard. I needed something that would provide additional support when the weather turned nasty but could be quickly deployed and put away when it wasn't needed.

Space guy ring

Putting the Pieces Together

The first item on my shopping list was a set of guy rings from DX Engineering. They offer a set of two specifically designed for Hustler vertical antennas. The rings are pre-drilled and UV-resistant, making them well suited to outdoor use.

Next came the rope. After looking at several options, I settled on 4 mm polyester diamond-braided rope. Polyester diamond braid offers low stretch and good resistance to UV exposure, moisture, rot, and mildew, making it a sensible choice for an outdoor installation.

For securing and being able to adjust the tension on the ropes, I chose Nite Ize CamJam carabiners. The models I purchased have a stated maximum load rating of 280 pounds. They offer a convenient way to secure the guy ropes without having to tie and untie knots every time I want to use the system.

With those three components in hand, I was ready to put my idea into practice.

Finding the Right Position for the Guy Ring

The first challenge was deciding where to install the guy ring on the antenna.

Guy ring above 20m trap

DX Engineering recommended positioning it just below the capacitance hat, which sits above the 20-metre trap. Installing it there required moving the capacitance hat upward, which produced some small changes in SWR. The SWR on 40 meters increased slightly, while 20 and 15 meters actually improved. There was no noticeable change on 10 meters.

The changes were minor, but I wasn't entirely happy with the physical installation. Once the guy ring was in place, I could see that it rested on the plastic cap at the top of the 20-metre trap. I was concerned that the pressure and movement over time could damage the cap, so I decided to look for another option.

I eventually moved the guy ring to the bottom of the 20-metre trap. This put it only about six inches lower than the originally recommended position, which I felt was a reasonable compromise for supporting the antenna. With the ring in this position, I found no noticeable change in SWR.

No Ground Anchors Required

The next challenge was figuring out where to attach the guy ropes.

I decided to use three guying points, but I didn't want to install ground anchors. Since the antenna would remain un-guyed most of the time, permanent anchors in the yard would be an inconvenience. I could easily imagine running over one with the lawn mower or spending half the winter trying to remember where they were buried under the snow!

Where I decided to place the guy ring

Fortunately, I already had three suitable attachment points: two eye hooks mounted on my deck and another on the shed.

These would serve as the anchor points for the three guy ropes, allowing me to deploy the system when needed without leaving anything stretched across the yard the rest of the time.

I permanently attached the guy ropes to the guy ring and secured the excess rope at the base of the antenna with Velcro straps. Everything could remain neatly tucked away until the weather called for extra support.

Making Deployment Quick and Easy

During my first trial run, I discovered that getting the tension right on all three ropes took a little more back-and-forth adjustment than I had anticipated.

Tension one rope affected the others, so it took a few attempts to get everything where I wanted it. Once I was satisfied with the arrangement, I marked each rope with a permanent marker at the point where it passed through the CamJam tension mechanism.

These marks provide a reference for future deployments. Rather than starting from scratch each time, I can use the marks to get the ropes close to their previously established positions and then make any necessary adjustments.

The idea is to turn what could otherwise be a time-consuming job into a quick and straightforward operation when bad weather is approaching.

Naturally, I'll still check the tension and overall stability rather than relying entirely on the marks.

And Now for the Funny Part!

Guy ring

You would think that living near the ocean, with the threat of hurricanes and strong fall storms, would have given me plenty of opportunities to test my new system.

Well, here's the funny part: since I finished setting everything up, absolutely nothing has happened!

We went through the fall without a single hurricane affecting our area, despite this being a part of the country where storm systems and their remnants are always a possibility. Even the usual bouts of nasty weather seem to have taken a break.

Perhaps I should have built this system years ago. It appears that the mere thought of being prepared is enough to keep the storms away!

CamJam

Of course, winter is still ahead of us, and freezing rain and strong winds are always possibilities here in New Brunswick. Sooner or later, I'll get the opportunity to see how well the system works in real-world conditions.

For now, I'm pleased with the result. I have a way to add support to my Hustler 4BTV when the weather warrants it, without permanently cluttering up my small lot. And when the skies clear, I can put everything away and return the yard to normal.

Guy rope secured at base of antenna