Everyday Ham Podcast: Amateur Radio Conversations
Welcome to the Everyday Ham Podcast, where three friends dive into the world of amateur (ham) radio with a casual, lighthearted twist. (Visit www.everydayham.com) From discussing what we're working on, current events, and lessons learned to sharing our gripes and off-topic banter, we bring a mix of fun, relatable conversations and radio expertise. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or new to the hobby, join us for engaging chats that celebrate the quirks, challenges, and joys of being on the air.
Episodes
Do you really need that new radio? In Episode 14, James (K8JKU), Jim (N8JRD), and Rory (W8KNX) get honest about the pressure to upgrade ham radio gear and share what they’ve learned from their own buying mistakes.
We begin with a moment of remembrance for Elwood Downey, creator of HamClock, and share what his contributions meant to the community. Then we catch up around the shack — Jim’s new CW trainer, James’s hotel r...
Five watts, a tiny coil antenna on a travel tripod, and a camera-bag station that reaches across states—CW isn't a relic, it's a practical advantage. In this episode, we invited Terry W8TMB to walk us through how he learned Morse code without drowning in drills, why CW pairs perfectly with POTA and QRP, and what actually works when your sending is solid but your copy lags behind.
We compare two popular learni...
What does 2026 have in store for ham radio? A year into the podcast, James (K8JKU), Jim (N8JRD), and Rory (W8KNX) turn up the dial with a forward look at the hobby's near future — grounded in real gear, real operating, and real community.
We start in the shack with winter POTA prep, a feather-light 33-foot mast, a fiber-fueled network overhaul, and a pair of pristine rotary phones begging for a ham proje...
A thousand subscribers may be a milestone, but the real win is what it represents: a growing community of hams trading ideas, trying new modes, and pushing for the right to put real antennas on real roofs. We open with momentum—POTA activations, contest firsts, and new video drops—then move straight into the issue shaping the future of the hobby: ARRL’s grassroots effort to pass the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparednes...
A better logger doesn't just record contacts—it changes how you operate. We sit down with Sebastián KI2D, creator of Ham2K PoLo, to explore how mobile-first design, tiny UX details, and relentless iteration make portable operating smoother, faster, and less gear-heavy.
From his journey growing up in Venezuela to building startups in New York—and yes, proposing the Arepa and Olive emojis—Sebastián shares the minds...
FlexRadio just announced SmartSDR Plus subscriptions starting at $199/year. Time for an impromptu Saturday morning coffee chat! Join James (K8JKU), Jim (N8JRD), and Rory (W8KNX) as we discuss what this means for ham radio and share our honest opinions.
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The Everyday Ham Podcast is hosted by James Mills (K8JKU), Jim Davis (N8JRD), and Rory Locke (W8KNX) – three friends ...
Ever wondered what happens when you combine hiking, mountaineering, and ham radio? That's exactly what Summits on the Air (SOTA) is all about! In this episode, we step away from our usual Parks on the Air discussions to explore the thrilling world of mountaintop radio operations with two accomplished SOTA enthusiasts.
Meet Matt W7MDN, a pilot from Spokane who combines trail running and snowshoeing with r...
The tides of amateur radio innovation ebb and flow as manufacturers take turns showcasing their latest technological marvels. While Yaesu dominated last year's Tokyo Ham Fair with the FTX1, this year unquestionably belonged to ICOM, who unveiled two significant new radios that have the ham community buzzing with anticipation.
ICOM's IC-7300 Mark II represents a thoughtful evolution of what has becom...
Title: Ham Radio Spectrum Defense & The End of NOAA APT Era
Is amateur radio spectrum under siege? James (K8JKU), Jim (N8JRD), and Rory (W8KNX) tackle the controversial FCC experimental license granted to AST SpaceMobile that threatens our 70cm amateur band.
This episode covers the growing concern over spectrum encroachment, what the ARRL is doing to defend our frequencies, and why every ham needs to contact their r...
We have a very special treat for you! In this exclusive interview recorded during EAA AirVenture, we sit down with amateur radio industry veteran Ray Novak, N9JA. Surrounded by warbirds, fighter jets, and the constant buzz of the Oshkosh Air Show, Ray offers a fascinating glimpse into his world at the intersection of aviation and amateur radio.
Broadcasting from his impressive mobile setup – complete with a hex beam an...
What happens when the "Super Bowl of Amateur Radio" meets poor band conditions? The Everyday Ham team breaks down their 2025 ARRL Field Day experience with honest reflection about what worked, what didn't, and why it still matters.
Despite challenging propagation that made 20 meters nearly useless, our South Lyon Area Amateur Radio Club (SLAARC) field operation managed 680 QSOs with 16 operators includin...
The long-awaited Yaesu FTX1 Optima has finally arrived in ham shacks across America, but does it live up to the hype? We've spent days testing Yaesu's latest flagship and share our unfiltered experiences that left us reaching for our trusty FT-891s instead. From PTT issues that drop mid-transmission to strange menu bugs and disappointing receiver performance compared to the FT-710 and FT-DX10, we dive deep i...
The Dayton Hamvention 2025 delivered on every front as we explored Xenia's grounds with our South Lion Area Amateur Radio Club members in their distinctive yellow shirts. This year's highlights included the Kenwood TH-D750 triple-band mobile with its built-in D-STAR hotspot and accessibility features, Flex Radio's impressive Aurora series with integrated 500-watt amplifiers starting at $6,199, and o...
Is the Yaesu FTX-1F a True Game Changer? Plus Dayton Hamvention 2025
Yaesu has shaken the amateur radio world with the release of their new FTX-1F series, particularly the Optima model with its revolutionary modular design. We explore the groundbreaking features that have hams reaching for their wallets—from the detachable QRP head unit that can operate standalone, to the 100-watt amplifier attachment that makes this o...
In this episode of Everyday Ham, we explore how everyday hobbies — from scanning police channels to using walkie-talkies with friends — can spark a lifelong interest in amateur radio. James (K8JKU), Jim (N8JRD), and Rory (W8KNX) share their personal journeys into the hobby, along with highlights (and regrets) from the recent Toledo Hamfest. We also talk storm preparedness, building your first antenna, and why welcomin...
In this episode of Everyday Ham, James (K8JKU), Rory (W8KNX), and Jim (N8JRD) dive into the highs and lows of ham swaps, sharing their experiences from the Livonia Amateur Radio Club Swap & Shop. They break down the best strategies for scoring great deals, avoiding overpriced junk, and navigating the chaos of a busy swap meet.
But that’s not all—this episode also tackles a hot debate in the POTA and DX community. A...
As Yaesu navigates a shift in its mobile radio lineup, we're here to dissect the implications of these changes. From the unexpected discontinuation of older models to the buzz surrounding the anticipated FTX-1F release, we examine what this means for the future of mobile communication. Dive into the amateur radio community's reactions and ponder Yaesu's strategic moves with us. We'll discuss the gr...
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Everyday Ham! Join James, Rory, and Jim as they introduce themselves, share their ham radio journeys, and discuss the diversity of this amazing hobby. From family legacies to rediscovering ham radio after years away, they explore what drew them to the airwaves. They also dive into their goals for 2025, like tackling CW, and preparing for the ultimate ham pilgrimage—Dayton Hamvention...
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