Welcome to The Communicator

Amateur radio has always been a pursuit of contrasts—venerating the past while racing toward the future. This issue celebrates that duality from cover to cover.

We begin with history: Harry Melville Dowsett, the architect of practical radio, and the curious case of author Zane Grey’s on-air adventures in Tahiti. Then pivot sharply to the present—AI’s creeping influence, TETRA digital tech, California’s controversial Bill AB 1043 that may affect you, and a look at the ARRL’s struggle in the digital age. 

Our technical deep dives range from the IC-9700’s capabilities for digital modes to rebuilding the Icom IC-PW1 amplifier to building a vertical HF antenna without radials. For the space-minded, we track LEO satellites, pico balloons, and the mysterious Judica-Cordiglia recordings (fact or fallacy?). And don’t miss the Baker Street walkie-talkie heist or British Columbia’s 2026 QSO Party wrap-up,

Need something lighter? Check page 13's New You Can Lose, try using a bluetooth speaker IKEA-style, exploring POTACat, or enjoying a classic Spam fritter and mash recipe (yes, really).

Don't miss the run-up to the FIFA World Cup Special Event Stations and learn how to participate.

So power up, tune in, and turn the page—The Communicator has something for every communicator, now reaching 165+ countries.

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~ John VE7TI, Editor

Contents for this issue: 

Show Notes

Deep Dive Topic - Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon

• Canonical released Ubuntu 26.04 LTS “Resolute Raccoon” on April 23, 2026, marking a significant modernization of the distribution with GNOME 50 and the Linux kernel 7.0. This LTS version offers five years of standard support until April 2031, extending to ten years with Ubuntu Pro.
  • Key updates include:
    • Wayland-Only Desktop: The GNOME session now runs exclusively on Wayland, dropping Xorg support, though X11 applications remain functional via XWayland.
    • Enhanced Security: The release introduces TPM-backed full-disk encryption, post-quantum cryptography support in OpenSSL, and the Security Center app for desktop management.
    • New Default Applications: Canonical replaced legacy tools with modern GTK4/libadwaita apps, including Ptyxis (terminal), Papers (PDF), Loupe (images), Showtime (video), and Resources (system monitor).
    • Developer & Server Improvements: The toolchain features GCC 15.2 and Python 3.14, while server editions support Intel TDX and AMD SEV-SNP confidential computing.
    • Hardware Requirements: The recommended minimum RAM has increased to 6 GB to accommodate the modern desktop environment.
• Source: https://lhs.fyi/Lq (Press Release)

Subscribers & Supporters:

• Facebook
  • David Campbell
  • Amateur Radio Digital Communications
  • Stephan Forka
• X / Twitter
  • Ted Poppke
• Mastadon
  • KE9V Jeff
  • IU2WJH Salvatore
• Live Show Participants
  • K4XSS - Tony
  • K1TTZ - Jill
  • KJ5T - Steve
  • KQ4ALK - Delring
  • KB2YSI - Don
  • BX8AAD - Gene

OHB ver 4.23

 I have been sitting back and watching the many Hamclock projects evolve. What I was looking for was a project that, when finished, resembled Elwood's Hamclock. I am happy to report that I have settled on using OHB or Open Hamclock Backend. This has a very polished look and looks and operates, in my humble opinion, the closest to Elwood's Hamclock. It is a group effort and has progressed at a smooth pace. There is an OHB web page that offers support and status updates. I operate HamClock on my Pi4B, and if you operate Elwood's HamClock on a Pi, below is the process you go through to move from Elwood's version 4.22 HamClock to OHB version 4.23 HamClock. 

This script will download the script that you are going to need when entering the script listed below. As a side note, with some Pi OS's like Trixie, you will be prompted to enter your password whenever a "sudo" command is used. Just be aware that your password may be needed.  

 

4. The next command is: 

sudo fix-hosts

 I have read that you only need to enter if you are running Trixie or newer. In my case, I entered it anyway, as the instructions indicate you can if you would like to. I just did it as a just-in-case. 

5. After the above command has been entered, you may or may not be asked to reboot. I was not, but again I did anyway just to make sure. So I entered this command: 

sudo reboot now

 And it reboots the Pi, and if your HamClock starts up and is on the desktop, you need to again click on the lock and exit HamClock. 

6. You are now able to move over to either OHB, or you can also move to Hamclock.com backend. I will just be dealing with OHB in this post, but I will give you the command script for Hamclock.com backend as well. For moving to OHB enter this command: 

sudo ohb

If you want to move to Hamclock.com backend, then enter this script: 

sudo hcdc

7. Once you have done this, you can confirm that you have actually moved by entering this script: 

what

And it will confirm that you have moved to either OHB or HCDC, which over sudo command you entered above. In my case, the return script was: 

Your HamClock is set to Open HamClock Backend

   This confirmed to me that I had moved to OHB. 

 

8. The final step is to restart by entering this script: 

sudo reboot now

And once you have rebooted and HamClock goes through its startup, you will be asked if you want to go from version 4.22 to 4.23 and click YES.  

Updating

As a way of 2 side notes:

1. I did have to, for reasons not known to me, do the above process twice, as when I rebooted into the new feed for HamClock, I was not asked if I wanted to upgrade to 4.23. For some reason, it stayed on 4.22. Once I did steps 1-8 again, I was then asked to upgrade to 4.23.  

Ver 4.22 poor quality compared to 4.23

2. If you are operating Elwood's version of HamClock while it is loading, you will be asked if you want to upgrade to version 4.23, but as you say YES, you will be greeted with the following error message. To fix this, you need to change your back end. This is done by following the above 8 steps. 

Snap shot of my Win4icom setup.

Radio Control Software: Taking the Complexity Out of Ham Radio

What Are the Advantages of Radio Control Programs?

Macros in Action

• The radio goes to 40m if not already there, on VFO A
• Antenna 2 is selected.
• CW mode is chosen.
• I am dropped into the middle of the 40m CW band segment.
• A custom audio level is set.
• Filter 1 (300Hz) is applied.
• NB, Digi select, RF gain, and NR are all set to custom values optimized for 40m CW.

The Split Operation Macro

• Dual watch is turned on.
• Split is turned on
• The appropriate antenna is selected based on the current band.
• VFO A and B are set to the same band
• VFO B is set to 1kHz above VFO A
• Filters are configured for both VFOs

A Word on Reliability

Show Notes

Amateur Radio Topics:

• Cushcraft and Hy-gain Sold
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/Lh (Linton News)
• Open Hamclock Backend is now fully independent of the original source
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/Li (OHB Works)
• ARDC is Hiring
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/Lm (ARDC)
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/Ln (ARDC)

Open Source / Linux Topics:

• i486 is out
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/Lj (itsfoss)
• Puter adds OnlyOffice
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/Lj (itsfoss)
• Soulsircuit is short circuiting?
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/Lk (lilputing)
• Google Drive missing from Ubuntu 26.04
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/Ll (OMG Ubuntu)

Linux in the Ham Shack Topics:

• Linux Ham Radio KISS Serial Driver Being Modernized In 2026
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/Lo (Phoronix)
• WSJT-X 3.0.0 is Out!
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/Lp (Release Notes)

Announcements & Feedback:

• Announcements:
  • Can you help support the show?  
    • You can do that via Patreon, Paypal, Merch - just a few bucks a month helps us out immensely when it comes to covering the costs of giving you the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet!
  • We need topics! 
    • Weekender episodes - anything goes!  
    • We need ideas for things you’d like to hear about in our Deep Dive episodes!  Help us out by emailing suggestions to [email protected]
  • Come see us at Hamvention
    • May 15-17, 2026 - Booth 2206, Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio.  That is building E2/Tesla Hall, and we’re directly across from Flex Radio and Begali Keys in the big walkway between the 2 garage doors (so it’s nice and cool!).  We’ll be there from 9-5 on Friday and Saturday… and since we both have long drives ahead of us, we’ll be there at 9am and leave early (probably by 11) on Sunday… so make sure, if you’re waiting to visit us until Sunday, you get there EARLY!
    • Join us for dinner at Hamvention!
      • Friday:
        • Join Bill and I for dinner at BJ’s Brewhouse (2715 Fairfield Commons Boulevard, Beavercreek, OH 45431; it’s about 10 miles from Hamvention) on FRIDAY, May 15th, at 6pm.  Their menu is extremely diverse… pizza, pasta, burgers, steaks, etc.  Several Gluten-Free (although, because of their menu, there is a chance of cross-contamination; management told me to alert the server and they would do their best to avoid contamination) and Vegetarian options are available, too
      • Saturday:
        • Join Bill and I for dinner at Chuy’s Tex-Mex (2717 Fairfield Commons, Beavercreek, OH 45431) on Saturday, May 16th, at 6pm.  Bill and I are very keen on Mexican food, so this is somewhat of a no-brainer.  And there are Gluten-Free (again, possible risk of cross-contamination) and Vegetarian options available!
  • Repeater for sale!
    • Spread the word to anyone you think might be interested, if you’re not!  The repeater that Russ had set up has been taken offline because of Russ’s death.  If anyone is interested in everything available (sold as a package deal only), please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll send you the details/pictures.  Pickup in SW Missouri, the Billings, Montana area or at Hamvention (or if you live along the route between either of our homes and Hamvention; other places hinge on whether we will be traveling through/to where it needs to go.  Don’t hesitate to ask!).
  • 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!
• Feedback:
  • Bob, K4RFK via email:
    • How about you revisit setting up TLF and/or YFKtest and include how to set up contests that aren’t included in the initial downloads.  I’ve looked at their instructions and cant make head nor tails out of them.

Subscribers & Supporters:

• Facebook
  • Jim Mooney
  • Schm Soltana
• Mastadon
  • Corey B
• Discord
  • GregNM8B[Conover]
  • Keith K2UNI
  • macrator
  • AB4WS - Jack
  • Primit1v3
  • Deleted User
  • Voice
  • russellmckay2
  • Brian AK6MA
  • Geoff - KD8VAX
  • Noah
  • Jack KM7CIB
• Live Show Participants
  • Mike, K6GTE
  • Tucker, KJ5NIT
  • David, W4DPE
  • Don, KC9ZMY
  • Dan, KB6NUV
  • Don, KB2YSI
  • Noah
  • Jack - KM7CIB

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Dan Romanchik KB6NU, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG and Colin Butler M6BOY to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Home brewing / Kit building.

We would like to thank our John Merkel (AJ1DM) 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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• Britain Seeks Views Before it Drops the Hammer on Signal Jammers

• 2026 ARRL Field Day Merch Now Shipping

• VOA Museum Announces Expanded Hours During Hamvention

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