QSO Today Podcast - Interviews with the leaders in amateur radio

Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD, has reached his 50th year has a ham radio operator, is the creator of Echolink, one of the first amateur radio Voice over Internet Service linking amateur radio stations, the receiver of technical innovation awards, and author of "VoIP: Internet Linking for Radio Amateurs", now in its second edition. K1RFD checks all of the ham radio boxes for operating, homebrewing, software development, radio restoration, and is my QSO Today.

Lanny Aldrich, K1LEC, began his professional career as a third generation commercial dairy farmer in Vermont. Amateur radio was his hobby that he pursued at a steady pace to pursue DX, build operating skills, and contribute to the hobby by just being involved. Just his advice on antennas is a prize from our conversation. K1LEC is my QSO Today

Martin, Marty, Buehring, KB4MG, discovered amateur radio in private high school growing up in Chicago, Illinois, and went on for a career in electronics engineering following the development of semiconductors from basic transistors to Large Scale Integrates circuits and ASICS. Marty believes that ham radio clubs are key to ham radio success. KB4MG is my QSO Today.

Richard Gutknecht NZ2I, is a second generation amateur radio operator, catching the bug at an early age and getting the Novice license at age 15. Answering his country's call to duty, Rick joined the Air Force and became an active ham while stationed in Germany. Now retired, Rick enjoys getting on the air, volunteering for his amateur radio club, and now producing and co-hosting a podcast on current events and American history. NZ2I is my QSO Today.

William Thomas, WT0DX, was inspired by an early interest in electronics, amateur radio, building Heathkits, to spend a career as an engineer and inventor, with over 150 patents, in the electronics and ultimately the cable television industry where he was given the Cable TV Pioneer award by the National Cable Television Association. Bill is the co-inventor of the Interactive Program Guide still found on most cable television systems. Now retired, WT0DX, spends his time giving back to amateur radio through mentoring, contributing, and testing, and he is my QSO Today.

Ram Muthukrishnan, VU2JXN, while growing up in India, had a difficult time finding any information about amateur radio in the libraries and magazines. It was not until Ram attended university that he met licensed amateur radio operators and could pursue the hobby. CW is Ram's favorite operating mode, especially after attending CW Academy. He modified his SSB only BitX transceiver to operate CW and to use it for CW practice. As a software engineer by trade, Ram has a keen interest in software defined radio, SDR, homebrewing radios, and CW. VU2JXN is my QSO Today.

Mark Wohlschlegal, WC3W, knew at age 12 that amateur radio would set the course of his life pursuing engineering degrees leading to a career in big system and equipment sales and marketing. An additional love of flying, boating, and motorcycle touring kept Mark and his family active outside of work. Now retired, WC3W operates a remote HF station, in Florida, with a partner and describes it all in this QSO today.

Caryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, while inspired at a young age to ham radio, it wasn't until after a successful career as a professional writer and journalist that she re-discovered amateur radio in 2014. Her ham radio history was pretty thoroughly covered in a recent Ham Radio Workbench podcast a few weeks ago. Our conversation explored her professional history leading to her reporting for Ham Radio Newsline and her love for CW. KD2GUT is my QSO Today.

Ante Laurijssen, VA2BBW, enjoys the simple amateur radio art of chasing DX and making contacts on CW, and operating QRP, from Gatineau, in Southwest Quebec, Canada . When operating POTA, Ante taught himself to send CW with his left while recording his log with his right hand. VA2BBW is the Radio Amateurs of Canada Awards Manager, enjoys giving back to the hobby, and is my QSO Today.

Don Westacott VE6HQ, believes that his early foundation in amateur radio contributed to his professional success through the multiple disciplines and out of the box thinking that is amateur radio. After a successful career and an expert in subsurface measurements and remote sensing for the petroleum industry, Don now likes to work 20 meters and refine his test equipment bench using the latest low cost solutions like the NanoVNA. VE6HQ is my QSO Today.

Steve Stroh, N8GNJ, has always enjoyed the confluence of computers, data communications, and amateur radio from the earliest days of AX.25 packet radio to the current AREDN and SDR (software defined radio). Steve uses his Zero Retries newsletter on Substack, to communicate the amazing amateur radio technology developments in data communications that does not get covered in the standard amateur radio journals. N8GNJ shares his experience and interesting stories in this QSO Today.

David Okrent W7DAO, like many hams grew up with shortwave radio, electronic kits, and a radio interest that led to a professional career related to our hobby. David focuses the use of these skills and expertise on emergency rescue and treatment as a military medical corpsman, as an EMT, and providing volunteer support to the Red Cross. Contribution and giving back to his community drives W7DAO, who is my QSO Today.

Kay Savetz, K6KJN, followed his father, Steve, into amateur radio when he entered college and Journalism school at the beginning of the Atari computer age. Tech journalism is Kay's profession leading him to be the technical historian specializing in amateur radio and communications at the Internet Archive. We deep dive into Kay's interest in amateur radio, technology and communications history, and the Atari 8 bit computers in this QSO Today.

Alan Higbie, K0AV, is a ham over sixty years, with an interest in CW, contesting, working DX, and working 2BSIQ mode. Alan has developed special expertise in finding RF noise sources around his QTH using a portable SDR receiver, and as a trial lawyer, he has had the opportunity to live in unusual places that lead to unusual ham radio operating events. K0AV is my QSO Today.

Joshua Wander, 4X4BB, began in amateur radio as a "prepper" where radio is one of the elements of being prepared for disaster, natural or otherwise. Origionally, Josh was from Pennsylvania, where he grew up, but immigrated to Israel with his family 10 years ago when I first met him. Josh is many things including journalist on many war fronts, volunteer rescuer of refugees from the Ukraine into Israel, and most recently one of the ZAKA team members who is recovering, identifying, and preparing the recently slaughtered Jews by Hamas from October 7th. I was able to catch up with Josh after his shift ended today. 4X4BB is my QSO Today.

Dov Gavish 4Z4DX is one of Israel's best known amateurs outside of Israel, and avid DXer and DXpeditioner. Even before Parks on the Air or Summits on the Air, Dov had a rig in the car ready to go on a moment's notice. While CW is his favorite operating mode, Dov prefers whatever mode works to make the contact. 4Z4DX is my QSO Today.

Ron Gang, 4X1MK, had his early amateur radio beginnings in Canada, and later immigrated, as part of a group, to Israel in the 1970s, where his amateur radio license, skills, and equipment were highly appreciated and valued. Always an active amateur radio operator, 4X1MK is willing to try every operating mode. Ron is also a musician and painter who shares his amateur radio story and his perspectives of the amateur radio service in Israel, past and present.

Tony Fishpool, G4WIF, is still active in the United Kingdoms G-QRP Club and contributes to the quarterly Sprat Magazine, is the author of a book on Test Equipment for the QRPer, an numberious article on equipment building with particular attention to detail and budget. I am please to present to you this re-edited and mastered QSO with Tony Fishpool, G4WIF.

Today's podcast is a reprise of my interview with George Fremin, K5TR in April of 2017. George is a world class contester and DXer, with years of experience building and maintaining first class multi-operator contest stations. George gives some important advice on tower safety and working on antenna towers. We also touch on the "flow state" that is achievable during intense contesting rounds in this QSO Today.

I interviewed Dave Casler, KE0OG, in September 2017, at a time when 10 meters was dead, and the discussion of ham radio education was as important then, as it is today. Dave creates ham radio Youtube videos from the Western Slope of Colorado to educate and inform his ham radio audience. Beginning with videos to aid in obtaining ham radio licenses, Dave has created a catalog of how-to videos for ham radio that are interesting and well produced. Dave is a retired project engineer from the aerospace industry and a self published author of both fiction and non-fiction works. KE0OG is my QSO Today in this reprise of the earlier interview, now re-mastered and cleaned up.

Kyle Krieg AA0Z, says that radio, in his case CB Radio, was the pre-internet social network that he used with his friends in his mid-west rural town. Imagine American Graffiti with radios. Eventually learning that amateur radio can take Kyle to a higher level, AA07 jumped in completely, immersing himself in POTA - Parks on the Air, portable operation, software defined radio, and remote control. We both agree that ham radio contesting should be even more gamified and we discuss all of these topics in this QSO Today.

I revisit my 2017 interview with Dave Sumner, K1ZZ. He's the ex-CEO and General Manager of the ARRL, retiring in 2016 after a 44-year tenure where he started as an intern. Today, Dave discusses his views on ham radio, operating methods, and his long career at ARRL.

Dr. Jack Mandelman, K1VT, was my guest in 2018, after meeting him on a DMR talk group. As my head is down in preparation for the upcoming QSO Today Academy Event, I wanted to bring back this great interview with Jack. Jack is on the short list for holding the most patents, over 700 Worldwide, in the area of semiconductor physics, while at the same time a successful ham radio operator working DX and CW. Jack is exploring satellite communications and DMR. K1VT shares his ham radio story episode of QSO Today.

Dr. Frank Brickle, AB2KT, was my guest in Episode 212, in August of 2018, five years ago. He is both a musical composer and a technology expert. He earned a Ph.D. in Music from Princeton University and has been involved in computer science and signal processing since 1970. He was an early pioneer in development of Software Defined Radio for the US Government, and later by private industry, and was the Co-deleloper of PowerSDR software with Bob McGwier, N4HY. Frank is also a classical music composer and has his written compositions performed worldwide. AB2KT is my QSO Today in this remastered audio version of the original interview.

Thomas Langer, KD9FPC, grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a child, he was introduced to his father's amateur radio and developed a passion for electronics and radio. Years later, after a successful entrepreneurial career, and only after facing a major health issue, which changed the course of his life, that Tom fully embraced amateur radio. Tom believes that this hobby is not only mentally stimulating but also serves as a way to connect with others, especially when chronic illness often threatens human relationships outside of immediate family. KD9FPC is my "QSO Today."

John Bignell VE1JMB, makes a difference by serving his Halifax, Nova Scotia community for many years as a paramedic and EMT. While involved with two-way radio as part of his profession for many years, amateur radio seemed like the most natural next step to John's radio life, but also to re-enforcing his community's emergency response when everything else fails during a disaster. VE1JMB is my QSO Today.

Martin Butler, M1MRB, is the co-founder, along with son, Colin, M6BOY, and one of the hosts of the popular bi-weekly ICQ Amateur Ham Radio podcast. Martin had an early interest in electronics and a successful career in the computer industry in the UK. Martin joined the amateur radio ranks in 2000, and is an active committee member of the Sutton and Cheam Radio Society. M1MRB is my QSO Today.

Richard Rudman, W6TIA, found an early love for electricity, electronics, and radio from frayed electrical cords and Boston's Washington Street electronic surplus stores in the late 1950s. Radio and Technology would serve Richard well for over 65 years as a broadcast engineer in the prestigious and large Los Angeles market. Amateur radio expertise and business acumen make Richard Rudman a leader in Emergency Alert System or EAS. W6TIA is my QSO Today.

Beau Ambur, K6EAU, is a relatively new ham, and a long time member of the hacker community. This intersection of ham radio with hacking led to his new ham radio license just as the Covid 19 pandemic broke out. Through trial and error, Beau has found the right combination of activities to scratch his amateur radio itch. I know that you will enjoy this QSO Today with Beau especially when we discuss using ham radio fox hunting techniques to recover radiosondes, or weather balloon transmitters.

Dr. Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, is a trailblazer in the world of RF oscillator and receiver design. Throughout the past four decades, N1UL has penned more than 60 articles for esteemed publications like QST and QEX magazines. Not only that, but he has also contributed to the field through his books, academic papers, and various articles. Dr. Rohde continues to impact on his family business, the Munich-based Rohde and Schwarz test equipment company, as well as on amateur radio manufacturers such as Icom where he played a key role in the design of the IC-7850. Ulrich Rohde was featured in this month's QST magazine, and N1UL is my QSO Today.

Graham Firth, G3MFJ, joined our amateur radio hobby almost sixty years ago as a kid growing up in Yorkshire, England. Electronics and electronics building was the driver and is still Graham's first love in the hobby. QRP was the natural choice of this builder and a way to avoid television interference to his neighbors. Graham is active in the G-QRP group, builds QRP kits for the group, and still plays a mean bass guitar. G3MFJ is my guest on QSO Today.

Jeff Murray, K1NSS, draws cartoons and tells stories about ham radio and the people who use it. He shares his funny pictures and tales on his website, dashtoons.com. Like many cartoonists, Jeff makes ham radio social commentary using Dash the dog, to poke fun at amateur radio and us. K1NSS is my QSO Today.

Ed Tipler, WI6RE, began his ham radio journey on a rural farm in Washington State, and ultimately landed an engineering job at the China Lake Navel Weapons Test Range in California's Mojave Desert. Ed continues to serve his community of Ridgecrest with both commercial and amateur radio services connected by IRLP and Allstar. WI6RE is my QSO Today.

Bob Hopkins, WB2UDC, agrees that having an elmer was the fastest way to ham radio success, and being an elmer and paying it forward benefits everyone including the elmer, the new ham, and the hobby. WB2UDC loves to make large public demonstrations for kids by making contacts to the ISS, the International Space Station, and the US Space Shuttles when they were flying. This reprise of my conversation with Bob Hopkins, WB2UDC, from January 2016, is my QSO Today.

Chris Cancilla W4CEC is a relatively new ham, and has a long history in the Boy Scouts, especially teaching the radio merit badge, Jamboree on the Air, and training young scouts to eventually become amateurs themselves. Chris is also a professional Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI expert and a seasoned author of science fiction and technical books on EDI. W4CEC is my QSO Today.

George Heron, N2APB, loves the design, collaboration, and building of electronic devices for amateur radio, along with his friend and mentor, Joe Everhart, N2CX, now a silent key. Together, they shared their discoveries live on their Chat with the Designers podcast, until October 2018. Every aspect of amateur radio interests George, from test equipment and restored vintage radios to stand alone SDR transceivers and more efficient designs of magnetic loop antennas. N2APB is Eric, 4Z1UG's QSO Today.

Alan Johnston, KU2Y, has a continued interest in amateur satellites since his early beginnings in ham radio over 40 years ago. Now the AMSAT's VP of Educational Relations, Alan reaches out to educate the general public about intriguing world amateur satellites, and satellite technology using Cubesatsim, a live classroom simulation of satellite communications. Furthermore, he turns to high-altitude balloon launches as a practical, hands-on approach to bringing amateur payloads closer to space, thereby affording opportunities for tangible experience and simulation.KU2Y is my QSO Today.

Baris Dinc, OH2UDS, has a passion for amateur radio that has shaped his life and career in remarkable ways. Growing up in Turkey with a father who loved tinkering with electronics, Baris was exposed to the world of radio communication early on through articles in the Turkish Amateur Radio Society Magazine, which further ignited his love for the craft. Baris was the only child under 18 to hold a Turkish amateur license with the call sign TA7W. This early achievement set the stage for an illustrious career, which included earning a BSEE from Ankara University and spearheading the ambitious communications projects, QO-100 earth stations and the Mars on Earth project to interest kids in radio and satellites. OH2UDS is my QSO Today.

Ron Schwartz, VE3VN, maintains his enthusiasm for participating in CW contests using his SO2R station and tower farm. For more than five decades, Ron has been an avid ham radio operator and ham radio blogger with an enduring passion for climbing towers and rigging antennas. In recent years, Ron has pursued an interest in EME - moon bounce , Tropospheric ducting, and meteor scatter. VE3VN is my QSO Today.

Dave Olean K1WHS, and his brother, started with modest and simple surplus and homebrew VHF rigs, modified and upgraded over a long period of time to operate EME or moon-bounce, meteor scatter, and bouncing signals off of the Aurora Borealis that appears in the Northern skies. Dave demonstrates that one can make a ham radio career out of very modest equipment to solve complex problems leading to real expertise. K1WHS is my QSO Today.

Bob Vinikoor W3CFE, was inspired to become an amateur radio operator by his father David, who held first license W3CFE in 1935. Bob followed this technology and media interest into the satellite TV business then later he became the owner of AM broadcasting stations in the New England states. Always active and on the air, Bob operates his remote Vermont ham radio station from around the World, and now from Israel. W3CFE is my QSO Today.

Rich Gussow, 4Z1JJ, discovered ham radio in high school and finally got his amateur radio ticket in his first year at Brooklyn College in 1976, where he quickly built up his operating skills and amateur theory to upgrade to Advanced within a year. Single Side-band is Rich's favorite mode, and now Rich enjoys working amateur satellites in voice and packet modes from his QTH in Modiin, Israel. 4Z1JJ is my QSO Today.

Nick Tusa, K5EF, embarked on his ham radio journey as a teenager in a New Orleans Jesuit high school, where he was introduced to the cutting-edge technology of a Central Electronics 10A SSB Exciter at the school's ham radio station. This early fascination sparked a lifelong friendship between Nick and Wes Schum, W9DYB, the co-founder and chief engineer of Central Electronics. Over the course of their 50-year friendship, Nick not only built a successful career in radio and communications but also became Schum's biographer. K5EF is my QSO today.

Adam Farson, VA7OJ/AB4OJ, embarked on his amateur radio journey more than six decades ago as a young enthusiast fascinated by electronics and later, ham radio in his home country of South Africa. His passion for the field of telephony led him to pursue a career in this area, where he has adapted telephony techniques and testing tools to assess the performance of amateur radio transceivers. Adam recounts his experience as both a ham radio operator and a professional in this episode of QSO Today.

A special update about the upcomming expo.

Rick Palm K1CE is a well-known figure in the ham radio community, having spent a career at the ARRL and writing columns and articles that have been widely read and appreciated by fellow enthusiasts. With a particular interest in public safety radio and ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), Rick has dedicated his time and expertise to ensuring that these critical communication channels remain reliable and effective. Although now retired and based in Florida, Rick remains an active participant in the ham radio community, regularly checking in to nets and staying involved in his local ARES chapter. K1CE is my QSO Today.

Passionate about electronics and radio since childhood, Orv Beach (W6BI) has a knack for digital modes, including CW, RTTY, packet radio, Pactor, Winlink, and AREDN. He has built and manages an extensive AREDN mountain top network in LA and Ventura Counties and delivers lectures globally on accessing this latest digital mode. Learn more about Orv Beach on my QSO Today. #HamRadio #DigitalModes #AREDN #W6BI

Robert "Bob" Glorioso, W1IS had early beginnings in electronics and radio, encouraged by his father, led Bob to advanced degrees in engineering, a stint in the US Army, and opportunities to be on the cutting edge of technology throughout his career with major corporations and his own startup. The consummate teacher, Bob has developed new hams through courses at the local ARES. W1IS has been a frequent contributor to ham radio publications for over 50 years, is a contributor to the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo, and my guest in this QSO Today.

Bob Witte K0NR is the active ham that you want in your community. Bob lives in the Colorado Rocky mountains, operates SOTA on the "teeners", maintains and operates the local repeaters, and mentors new hams. K0NR is a frequent contributor to the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo and will be a presenter next month. This interview is one that I conducted with Bob more than five years ago, and I am delighted to play it again with the help of Ben Bresky, who edited and remastered the audio.

Fred Cady, KE7X, (SK) became a silent key. I thought that in Fred's memory we should recall his love of radio and electronics that led him to a PhD in Electronic Engineering and found his love of teaching at Montana State University. Fred was the author of 14 books, when I interviewed him in April of 2018, including many on how to operate and use Elecraft transceivers. Fred loved to operate contests and work DX. So this we we will go back and remember Fred Cady, KE7Z, in this QSO Today