Shows

podcast Live Free and Ham Pod podcast Live Free and Ham Pod

Rebrand, Resign, Repeat: AI as CEO of Our Lives

From branding experiments to a chaotic pre-show routine, this episode follows the moment you realize AI is quietly steering a lot of your workflow. We chat about rebranding attempts, channel growth quirks, and the strange confidence boost of AI-generated resumes that actually land interviews. It’s equal parts hype and humor, with a nod to the skepticism every creator secretly harbors.

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podcast Live Free and Ham Pod podcast Live Free and Ham Pod

REBOOT: Navigating Solar Activity in the Ham Radio World

Ever wondered how solar storms can impact your ham radio contacts? Join Eric (N1JUR), Paul (N1OG), and Todd (W1STJ) as we explore the thrilling and sometimes frustrating world of ham radio propagation. We'll break down the intricacies of the solar cycle and how it influences your radio experiences, plus share exciting plans for the upcoming Field Day. Don't miss our “Doing Good” segment showcasing the inspiring activities of ham radio clubs and Todd's deep dive into questions from the new extra class license pool. Whether you're a seasoned operator or a newbie, this episode promises a wealth of insights and tips to elevate your skills.

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podcast Live Free and Ham Pod podcast Live Free and Ham Pod

From Scar Stories to Ham Memories: A 2025 Catch-Up We Somehow Survived

Join us as we reminisce about the chaos, chuckles, and chaos-chasing moments of 2025. We riff on favorite Lip-Free and Ham memories, recall past episodes, and tease the wild twists that kept us in stitches—from live chats and guest drops to “diaries” we kept joking about not doing. We wander through misremembered dates, the stubborn limits of YouTube episode ordering, and the goofy mishaps that only a long-running show can conjure. Expect candid reflections, a sprinkle of inside jokes, and a lot of laughs as we relive the year’s highlights with our signature banter and comic relief. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes—plus why a few projects vanished from the public eye—you’ll get an entertaining, human-sized peek.

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podcast Live Free and Ham Pod podcast Live Free and Ham Pod

Is FT8 a Game Now? FT8 Battle Night Brings PvP Energy to Ham Radio

Tonight on Live Free and Ham, we’re going all-in on FT8 Battle—the gamified FT8 platform that turns everyday digital-mode contacts into a competitive, scoreboard-driven challenge. We talk what makes FT8 Battle Night so addictive, how the “battle” format motivates more QSOs, and why gamification is bringing new energy to FT8 operating and community participation. Plus, we hit quick community updates (Discord, AllStar, Shack Roast) and read a few Winlink Wednesday check-ins to keep the weekly rhythm rolling.

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podcast Live Free and Ham Pod podcast Live Free and Ham Pod

Winter Field Day is coming in hot… even if the bands are frozen solid

In this episode of the Live Free and Ham Podcast, Eric (N1JUR), Paul (N1OG), and Todd (W1STJ) are joined by Winter Field Day President Marvin (W0MTH) and board member / social media wrangler Mike (K1WFL) to talk all things Winter Field Day—from strategy and survival to why operating in the cold is way more fun than it sounds.

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podcast Live Free and Ham Pod podcast Live Free and Ham Pod

I Told You the World Needs More 75-Ohms

Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of nerdy niceties and chaotic chuckles. In this episode, our crew shouts “private livestream!” louder than their coffee orders, debates win links like they’re sports stats, and tangents dive headfirst into Nvidia drama, ham radio legends, and the legendary 75-ohm feeder story. It’s part tech talk, part backstage chaos, and all-firecracker-funny.

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podcast Live Free and Ham Pod podcast Live Free and Ham Pod

No Winlink, No Grouch, No Problem: The Show Must Ham On

In this episode of Live Free and Ham, Eric (N1JUR) and Todd (W1STJ) try to kick things off smoothly… which of course means Grouch’s PC explodes (metaphorically), the guest shows up muted, and nobody can remember the name of that gorgeous Vermont park.

They’re joined by Mike W4OPS from the National Amateur Radio Alliance to talk about “making better radio operators one member at a time” while swapping stories about confused Patreons who watch the livestream replay and wonder why the chat is dead, epic Parks on the Air activations, and why the phrase “these cats” somehow made it into an Apple Podcasts review.

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podcast Live Free and Ham Pod podcast Live Free and Ham Pod

Dings, Dangles, and Don’t-Call-It a Dipole

Dust off your headphones and join our quirky crew for a rambling, real-life radio session filled with portable towers, weather woes, and the unpredictable chatter of ham enthusiasts. From dodgy aerials and improvised coax hacks to far-flung contacts spanning Canada, Ireland, England, Argentina, France, and Bermuda, this episode serves up a candid snapshot of a day spent chasing signals, swapping build tips, and debating park meetups, WinLink, and POTa ethics. If you love behind-the-scenes banter, nerdy technical twists, and the camaraderie of a weekend radio club, this one’s your frequency. Plus: a birthday cue, a mystery choke on a stick, and a whole lot of “what the heck was that?” Tune in and press play on the unpredictable world of amateur radio.

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Live Free and Ham Pod Live Free and Ham Pod

50 to 75 Ohms and Back Again: A Sunshine State Snafu turned Signal Saver

This episode follows a weekend of hands-on radio tinkering, travel, and improvisation that captures the messy, thrilling reality of DIY amateur radio. From the sunny chaos of Florida to a backyard experiment zone, we tag along as the crew tests unconventional feedlines, tackles a 50-to-75-ohm conversion puzzle, and pushes through gear debates with both humor and stubborn curiosity. Hear how nine different feedline break points performed in real-life conditions, the challenges of coordinating RV wiring, and the surprising performance of a galvanized pipe antenna in a makeshift setup. We dive into the tactile joy of field tuning with manual vs. auto tuners, the drama of coax, radials, and connectors, and the thrill of a successful 59- reporting reception off an improvised vertical.

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