Show Notes

Amateur Radio Topics:

• eBay Restricts Listings of Radio Equipment
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MG (ARRL)
• The Dog Day Radio Amateur Radio Club, KØDOG, is back on the air from the 1st through the 7th of November. 
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MH (QRZ)
• JTTY: The New Digital Mode for Contesting, Emergency Communications and Preparedness
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MI (PileUpDX Blog)

Open Source / Linux Topics:

• Linus Torvalds is using AI to develop Linux kernel code now
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MJ (ZDNet)
• The Best Features Of Linux 7.3: Performance Improvements, Lots From Valve
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MK (Phoronix)
• Thirteen Apps. One Craft.
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MR (ArtCraft Apps)

Linux in the Ham Shack Topics:

• SDROxide Releases 1.6.10
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MN (SDROxide Github)

Github Dumpster Diving:

• Field Day Commander
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/MO (github)
  • Website: https://lhs.fyi/MP (live demo environment)

Announcements & Feedback:

• Announcements:
  • Support the show!  
    • Support us via Patreon, Paypal, Merch, Sharing our presence and the Podcast via Social Media, and Rating Us in your Podcast Application!
  • We need your feedback!
    • Comments, Questions, Show Topic Ideas! Email us at [email protected]
  • Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX
    • There will be a memorial service held for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri on November 1, 2026.  Everyone is welcome!  If you’d like to join us, please send an email to [email protected] and we’ll send you more info!
    • Facebook event page: https://lhs.fyi/mem
• Feedback:
  • Email from Paul SA7CND
    • Hi there, Really enjoy your show. Inspired by #631, I installed FreeDV (2.4.0-x86_64 AppImage) on my regular Linux Mint 22.3 PC and connected my IC7300. FreeDV connected fine with CAT control, but I found handling the audio connections in and out between program and rig … challenging, to say the least. Every so often the audio device assignments were changed and had to be redone. It may have been after PC suspend or Application restart (or just Alt-Tab?). Only once did I get any output from rig on a short test transmit. I used pavucontrol and the FreeDV audio setup Advanced button to have a chance to set up audio. Linux device names to me are not the most understandable (but that’s just me?). So after fiddling for some time I gave it up - very sorry not to have tested FreeDV in QSOs. The FreeDV samples sounded so good and robust for HF communications. Like to return if the app experience on Linux Mint is stable. My 5c 73 de Paul SA7CND Sweden
  • Email from Don - KB2YSI
    • Cheryl & Bill, I do not see holding to a strict show schedule as being all that important. Better to have flexibility.
  • Email from Gene (BX8AAD)
    • Bill and Cheryl, Just wanted to send a quick note to let you know that I appreciate The Weekender and hope you keep that content coming in some format.  It’s the part of LHS that allows us to get to know you both, and it is that personal touch as much as the technical content that has kept me listening for all these years.  I started listening to LHS early when Richard was co-host, and went back and relistened to all the episodes prior to that first one I listened to.  And of course I keep listening to each episode without fail.  Keep up the good work. 73, Gene (BX8AAD)
  • Email from Bob, K4RFK
    • Hi Bill, Hi Cheryl, Just listening to “The Weekender” #634 and thought I’d comment.  The Weekender was never my favorite eppisodes but I didn’t hate them either.  They were generally OK.  A modified weekender with a variable format sounds fine but dont discard the regular weekender at the risk of show burnout.  Wouldn’t want to see you folks go away. Here is something to check out for a show subject.  ContestLogX. Just found this contest logger for Linux and it looks really good even though it’s still in beta. I found this just before the PA QSO Party and decided to give it a go.  It worked great, no problems whatsoever.  I emailed Steve and asked for one or two changes in the UI and hemade them that same day.  Give it a try and see what you think.  Might be good for a show. Steve N9OH is a contester and the developer.
  • Email from Luca LUC4N3X
    • Hi Linux in the Ham Shack team, I’m Luca, an independent developer from Italy and the creator of Levyra, a GPL-3.0 music player for Android and Windows. Your show regularly mixes Linux, open-source software and practical technology, so I thought Levyra might be worth putting in front of your listeners. It combines local music and online playback while keeping the project fully open source, with no mandatory Levyra account, no ads and no analytics/tracking. Android is built with Kotlin, Jetpack Compose and Media3; Windows uses Compose Multiplatform and libVLC. If it looks interesting, feel free to try it, discuss it or pass it along to listeners who like discovering open-source projects. This isn’t sponsored and an honest critical take is absolutely welcome. Thanks, Luca LUC4N3X
    • Github: https://lhs.fyi/MQ
  • Discord comment from Justin AB3E
    • Regarding the question of the utility of the weekenders on the most recent episode, I think they could be retired now because you both give life updates at the beginning of the episode now. I like that, and I liked the weekenders for what it’s worth
  • Discord comment from G7VRI - JonTheNiceGuy
    • I agree, I prefer the “what’s going on in our lives” section. I didn’t dislike the Weekender, but it didn’t quite gel for me.

Subscribers & Supporters:

• Paypal
  • Michael Bridak
• Discord
  • Try_Angle
  • Nick - K9XN
  • jo_pg4i
• Live Show Participants
  • Tony, K4XSS
  • Jill, K1TTZ

AmateurLogic.TV Episode 221 is now available for download.

In this episode we celebrate 21 years of AmateurLogic.TV. Bill Brown’s Huntsville Balloon Forum and launch. Emile talks about his GMRS station. Tommy explores mesh devices with very low power usage. Mike reveals Moon and Mars exploration milestones. Will RADE replace SSB?
The Icom ID-5200 grand prize award drawing and winner announcement and more.

Download
YouTube

Key Segments and Highlights:
WSJTX “Jitty” Mode: Mike discusses the new JTTY (Jitty) digital mode within the WSJTX software, comparing it to older modes like PSK31 and its capability for weak signal communication (9:19 – 13:00).
Mesh Networking Power Comparison: Tommy presents a technical look at Meshtastic and Mesh Core devices, specifically testing the power consumption of ESP32 versus NRF chipset-based boards in low-power modes (13:13 – 27:55).
Space Exploration News: Mike covers updates on NASA’s Artemis program and milestones regarding the Perseverance rover’s travel on Mars (28:14 – 30:25).
GMRS and Station Setup: Emile discusses his GMRS station setup and the ongoing topic of antenna installation (30:25 – 45:30).
Radar Rally: A brief announcement about the upcoming Radar (Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio) event scheduled for November 7th, 2026 (45:31 – 48:15).
Huntsville Hamfest Balloon Forum: A feature segment covering Bill Brown’s presentation on Pico balloons and the subsequent launch at the Huntsville Hamfest (48:15 – 1:06:58).
RAID/FreeDV Voice Mode: The hosts explore the potential of RAID (Radio Authenticoder), a new digital voice mode that aims to offer efficient, natural-sounding communication on HF (1:07:00 – 1:14:30).
Icom ID-5200A Giveaway: The hosts announce the grand prize winner of the Icom ID-5200A transceiver contest, Stan Carter (K5JNT)

AmateurLogic.TV Episode 221 is now available for download.

In this episode we celebrate 21 years of AmateurLogic.TV. Bill Brown’s Huntsville Balloon Forum and launch. Emile talks about his GMRS station. Tommy explores mesh devices with very low power usage. Mike reveals Moon and Mars exploration milestones. Will RADE replace SSB?
The Icom ID-5200 grand prize award drawing and winner announcement and more.

Download
YouTube

Key Segments and Highlights:
WSJTX “Jitty” Mode: Mike discusses the new JTTY (Jitty) digital mode within the WSJTX software, comparing it to older modes like PSK31 and its capability for weak signal communication (9:19 – 13:00).
Mesh Networking Power Comparison: Tommy presents a technical look at Meshtastic and Mesh Core devices, specifically testing the power consumption of ESP32 versus NRF chipset-based boards in low-power modes (13:13 – 27:55).
Space Exploration News: Mike covers updates on NASA’s Artemis program and milestones regarding the Perseverance rover’s travel on Mars (28:14 – 30:25).
GMRS and Station Setup: Emile discusses his GMRS station setup and the ongoing topic of antenna installation (30:25 – 45:30).
Radar Rally: A brief announcement about the upcoming Radar (Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio) event scheduled for November 7th, 2026 (45:31 – 48:15).
Huntsville Hamfest Balloon Forum: A feature segment covering Bill Brown’s presentation on Pico balloons and the subsequent launch at the Huntsville Hamfest (48:15 – 1:06:58).
RAID/FreeDV Voice Mode: The hosts explore the potential of RAID (Radio Authenticoder), a new digital voice mode that aims to offer efficient, natural-sounding communication on HF (1:07:00 – 1:14:30).
Icom ID-5200A Giveaway: The hosts announce the grand prize winner of the Icom ID-5200A transceiver contest, Stan Carter (K5JNT)

Band conditions were not too bad, considering what the solar numbers had been just a short time ago. I was able to put a few new items that were recently added to the shack through their paces during this contest, but more on that in another post.

For this contest, I found that search and pounce was the way to go. I entered in the CW-only category (surprise, surprise!) and, with only 100 watts and no assistance, I found that calling CQ (running) was hit and miss.

I was up early on Sunday morning, listening to very weak German stations just above the noise floor. But I hung in there, and as propagation loosened its grip on them, I was able to make contact. As the sun rose, I could see leaves falling from our maple tree through the shack window, along with frost on the roof of our shed, as the temperature sat at -3°C.

I find it very interesting how propagation can sit on a signal and then, all of a sudden, let it go, allowing me to hear the call sign and make the contact. Then, just as quickly, the signal is gone and back in the grasp of the propagation gods once again!

This is when you have to listen, work at it, and stick with a contact to get them into the log.

As you know, if you are a regular reader of the blog, I also use HamClock, more specifically, the Open HamClock Backend. The VOACAP DE-DX feature in this program is amazing.

In contests such as WAG, where you can only work German stations, I can see the propagation paths from my QTH to Germany. This is done by selecting Germany as my DX propagation destination. The program then displays the best propagation paths from my QTH to Germany. You can see this from the top picture the DE-DX path per band. 

The final results below.  

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH), Bill Barnes (WC3B) and Leslie Butterfields (G0CIB) to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Antennas for QRP and POTA.

We would like to thank Mike Wogden (G4KWQ) and Peter Weston (2E0DED) and our and monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

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