Hello and welcome to Episode #594 of Linux in the Ham Shack. In this episode, the hosts discuss the popular Arch-based distribution known as CachyOS. Topics include features, download and installation steps, initial configuration options, software addition and customization, performance improvements, benefits and much more. Thanks for listening and have a great week.

73 de The LHS Crew

 I have been checking DXHeat DX cluster for E44OM and this morning I saw them spotted on 10 meters at 28.005 to be exact. I double clicked on NA5B Web SDR to see if I could hear the action, if so then hit the shack to see if I could break the pileup and get E44OM in the log. When tuned to the frequency I was very disappoint to hear a solid carrier being transmitted on the exact frequency for E44OM. Some folks have way to much time on their hands.

In this special release episode, we review the first part of our Interviews from UK Hamfest 2025, including the big hardware announcement from ICOM, the IC7300 MK2.

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

• ICOM Announce the Launch of the IC7300 Mk2

• The Work of the RSGB Makers Group - UK Hamfest 2025

• The Work of Vintage Military Amateur Radio Society (VMARS) - UK Hamfest 2025

• Introduction to SDRSwitch - UK Hamfest 2025

• Kanga Products Radio Kits - UK Hamfest 2025

My bespoke portable HF antenna, called the EiffelTenna, is featured in the October issue of Practical Wireless. I was inspired by a video of Jim W6LG on his Youtube Channel as well as the further work of Jason VE5REV via Twitter (X). It’s a fun build, inexpensive, is very portable, and works 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters. I use Faraday Cloth for the counterpoise and place the tripod directly on it.

The 40 meter operation works as a center-loaded vertical, something I posted on regarding the inductor coils recently. If you intend to build the EiffelTenna, check out that article too. The EiffelTenna base alone would be good for Technicians since it works on 10 meters without a whip or coil. A stainless steel whip on top of the tripod makes for a solid vertical with its own mounting base. For windy conditions, I use some 1lb ankle weights attached to each tripod leg using the built-in velcro straps.

Shown below is the EiffelTenna deployed for testing on my driveway. (Click for full image) It is setup for 40 meters using a JPC-12 inductor coil. Others work as well or better so this was just the option used here because it’s adjustable. The RF sweep has the coil bypassed using KB9VBR’s trick for use on 20 meters. Nearly 50 ohms with SWR of 1.06 at 14.154 MHz. Note how relatively small the counterpoise cloth is in this picture.

This full antenna system packs down into an inexpensive camera tripod bag ($16 via Amazon). A RigExpert antenna analyzer is underneath the Faraday Cloth for matching in the field. Coax from RG-316 with a ferrite bead choke is wound on a wire winder printed by my public library for the cost of resin ($4). Blue ankle weights were purchased at Academy Sports while on sale.

The EiffelTenna uses traditional vertical antenna concepts with unexpected objects serving as both a ground mount and a radiating element. Thanks Jim W6LG and Jason VE5REV for the inspiration!

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 Q&A Plus.

We would like to thank Simon Wilton (G7HCD) and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

• Hurricane Watch Net Marks 60 Years of Service
• Resilience Through Amateur Radio for National Preparedness Month 2025
• Hams Help Sonoma Springs Residents with GMRS
• A Radio Homecoming, One Century Later
• Ocean Washes Away Almost All Expeditioners’ Equipment
• NASA Seeks Volunteers to Track Orion Spacecraft in 2026
• WRTC 2026 Announces PRIME Sponsor!
• Icom Unveils the IC-7300MK2 — The Evolution of a HF Legend!
• Hans Summers, G0UPL Confirmed as the RSGB Convention After-Dinner Speaker
• ESC Announces Updated Version of the Direct to Full Syllabus
• UK National Hamfest Pre-Show Walkaround Video