Received #SSTV images from the #ISS using a HT with a HB9CV antenna and Robot36 on the smartphone.

I was a fun activity, and the kids enjoyed this, too.

I count this as #HamChallenge #HC10S
#hamradio #amateurradio #amateurradio

Has anyone ever set up a repeater system with a single antenna feeding two or more repeaters? How did you do it? #hamradio #hamr #amateurradio

In a milestone achievement (and I just *know* some of you who follow me will be cheering), I have successfully managed to migrate my radio operations from Windows to Linux. It hasn't been without it's issues, but it was certainly less painful than last time I tried.

As always, I have some thoughts that I shared:

https://www.vk7ben.au/2025/04/13/the-switch-to-linux/

New ham adventures...

Today, I was at a park (but not a #POTA) site, so I hunted POTA with my new-to-me KX3 as a way of learning in the field a bit of how to use it. I had 4 40m CW QSOs using the diminutive AX1 + AXE1 combo antenna with both the supplied radials attached directly to the radio, and 2 20m QSOs (one CW, one SSB) with a 5.6m whip vertical on a JPC-12 base. I used 15W because I am new to #AmateurRadio and have enough trouble, without making more trouble for myself by going truly QRP.

The QSB was heavy. I had one failed QSO in particular that started with me getting a great 599 signal, but then repeated "KZ4?" responses from the activator even when I dialed down my keyer to send my repeats more slowly, and just as their response may have included my full call sign, they faded away completely and I never pulled them back in. (But I didn't write down the call sign, so I don't remember who it was...)

My Morse code recognition sure needs more work. I suspect that when I'm better at it, it will be easier to pull signals out of the noise. I did receive a very faint signal from Europe (Germany IIRC) but I couldn't quite copy the whole call sign so I didn't attempt to reach across the pond with my meager 15 watts this time.

One last reminder — today is the last day for us #AmateurRadio operators to file comments with the FCC about potential deregulation.

Write your own text. Reference the regulations. See the instructions here for things to include in your comments. Be reasonable. Inflammatory comments won't help.

https://hamadvocate.org

Just got myself an inexpensive HAM for the car when mobile, an Anytone AT-778UVII, and I just figured out how to program it over CHIRP! Now to program all the stations in that I use on my HT #AmateurRadio #HAM

#AmateurRadio post
Last week, we visited Genova, here in Italy. While tuning into the local frequency with my portable Quansheng UV-K5, I managed to make contact with Fabio #F5VKV from France! It still amazes me every time I make a cross-border contact with just a handheld.

I have been enthralled with Space Exploration since that October day in 1957. Reading about Sputnik that October in Weekly Ready wasn't enough to quench my curiosity. Thankfully today @nasaradioclubs helps my #AmateurRadio #HamRadio Space fascination

https://nasaontheair.wordpress.com/

thanks to the nice people on the cascadia radio discord i was able to verify that i can in fact reach people on my little handheld ham radio ("ht")! i was starting to worry that the transmitter maybe didn't work.

however, i reached AJ7CM - who has a MUCH better kit than mine xD - in roosevelt and everything was actually pretty clear too! so yay ^_^

I had a tiny tiny radio arrive in the mail today, and it’s quite fun :)

https://www.vk7ben.au/2025/04/10/a-tiny-si4732-receiver/

#amateurradio #si4732 #gadgets #electronics cc:bsky

Radio propagation

High pressure is causing "weak" to "good" tropospheric radio propagation conditions over parts of the UK and Northern Europe.

#radiopropagation
#amateurradio

Baofengs, TID Radio, and other budget HAM radios may not be perfect, but they get people started. Yes, some have issues like spurious emissions, but not everyone can drop big money day one. Educate, don’t gatekeep—be kind, we all started somewhere in radio and other tech. #AmateurRadio #HAM #radio

Why I like UK and EUR ham radio youtube channels over US channels

US channels: "Look at the thing I bought!" OR "I made this. You need $750 in tooling and $500 in material to make your own."

UK/EUR channels: "I repurposed this cheap stuff. All you need are basic tools to do it yourself. It works better than anything you can buy."

If you're in IT, Networking, or Cybersecurity and not learning HAM radio, you're skipping a core piece of BCP/BDR. If the internet or cell service goes down, how do you restore ops? HAM fills that gap.
#Cybersecurity #HAMRadio #BCP #BDR #InfoSec #IT #AmateurRadio

N3VEM is an amateur radio enthusiast and model rocket builder making videos about both these hobbies:

@n3vem@makertube.net

They have already uploaded over 30 videos, if these haven't federated to your server yet you can browse them all at https://makertube.net/a/n3vem/videos

You can also follow their general account at @N3VEM@mastodon.radio

*sigh*

https://www.rac.ca/rac-will-not-attend-hamvention-this-year/

I stumbled across a Linux net and began to wonder if ham radio is just the audiobook of Mastodon.