Joe K5YVY Started with Tornadoes… Then Ham Radio Happened
In this episode of Live Free and Ham, hosts Eric and Paul sit down with Joe Brett to talk about an origin story that doesn’t start with a ham club meeting or an exam manual.
Joe’s path into ham radio started with storm chasing and tornadoes — where radios weren’t a hobby, they were a tool. What began as a way to track weather and stay informed slowly turned into curiosity, learning, and eventually… a callsign.
We dig into:
How storm chasing leads people to radios before ham radio ever enters the picture
Why weather, emergencies, and real-world needs pull people into the hobby
The moment curiosity turns into “I guess I should get licensed”
Learning radio skills out of necessity instead of theory
Why some of the best ham radio stories start outside the hobby
This episode is a reminder that nobody wakes up wanting to memorize band plans. Most hams arrive here because radios solve a real problem — and the hobby sneaks up on them later.
If you’re into weather, emergency communications, or ever wondered why radios matter when things go sideways, Joe’s story will feel very familiar.
🎙️ Live Free and Ham — where tornadoes, radios, and curiosity collide.
Guest Links:
Joe Brett K5YVY - https://www.youtube.com/@K5YVY
Ham Radio Clubhouse - https://www.youtube.com/@HamRadioClubhouse
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