Everyday Ham Podcast: Amateur Radio Conversations

What does 2026 have in store for ham radio? A year into the podcast, James (K8JKU), Jim (N8JRD), and Rory (W8KNX) turn up the dial with a forward look at the hobby's near future — grounded in real gear, real operating, and real community.We start in the shack with winter POTA prep, a feather-light 33-foot mast, a fiber-fueled network overhaul, and a pair of pristine rotary phones begging for a ham project. Then we get into the predictions.On the gear side, we share our predictions for what hardware might be on the horizon — what we'd love to see from the major manufacturers and where we think the industry is heading.But hardware isn't the whole story. POTA and SOTA remain the heartbeat of growth because they lower the barrier to entry and make radio feel alive. We share why portable operating will keep rising even as solar conditions tighten.At home, we're betting on a repeater revival — AllStar links, creative nets like SSTV nights, and "leave no call unanswered" as the culture shift that keeps VHF/UHF useful and welcoming. College clubs are buzzing again, and the formula scales: be kind, run practical events, and meet people where they are — on-air, at meetups, or on Discord.AI comes up, minus the hype. Think helpful, not magical: audio-assisted logging, smarter noise control, and developer tooling that speeds up ham software. It's another tool, like a good tuner — valuable when it saves time and stays out of the way.We wrap with personal goals — Extra class ambitions and a fresh pull toward CW — and a reminder that every license class is valid. The hobby thrives when we celebrate each step and keep the airwaves friendly.Connect with us:🌐 Website: https://www.everydayham.com📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayhampodcast/💬 Discord: Join our community at everydayham.comWhat rig are you hoping to see next? How will you help revive your local repeater? Drop your predictions in our Discord or in the comments!Don't miss a single episode! Follow the Everyday Ham Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and more) and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.Short show intro audio clip Short outro audio clipThe Everyday Ham Podcast is hosted by James Mills (K8JKU), Jim Davis (N8JRD), and Rory Locke (W8KNX) – three friends who dive into the world of amateur radio with a casual, lighthearted twist. Follow us at: Website: https://www.everydayham.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayhampodcast/

A thousand subscribers may be a milestone, but the real win is what it represents: a growing community of hams trading ideas, trying new modes, and pushing for the right to put real antennas on real roofs. We open with momentum—POTA activations, contest firsts, and new video drops—then move straight into the issue shaping the future of the hobby: ARRL’s grassroots effort to pass the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act (HR 1094/S.459). If HOAs block antennas where most new homes are built, fewer operators will get on the air. We explain the stakes, the opposition from CAI, and the surprisingly easy way to send a letter that reaches your representatives in minutes.We also get practical about life in the shack and on the road. Running 500 to 1,000 watts through contest weekend revealed where filters shine and where they need tuning, and winter prep is now or never—check matches, weatherproof connectors, and tighten your grounding. On the mobile side, an EV install in a Mach‑E delivered clean VHF/UHF performance with smart power routing and a 3D‑printed head mount, plus notes on AM noise under acceleration. If you’ve avoided EVs for RF reasons, this is a reality check rooted in measurements, not myths.Gear watchers get plenty to chew on. The Icom IC‑7300 Mark II looks set to land around $1,499, squaring up against the Yaesu FTdx10 with modernized I/O and familiar ease of use. But the U.S. government shutdown is delaying FCC certifications across categories, which could push new radio launches past the holidays. Meanwhile, used IC‑7300 prices are compelling, making it a standout first HF rig. We wrap with FlexRadio’s SmartSDR 4.0—meaningful noise‑reduction improvements, a flexible subscription model, and a few early‑release quirks to monitor.If you care about the bands staying lively and accessible, this conversation matters. Tune in, tell us if you’re backing the ARRL letter, weigh in on 7300 Mark II vs FTdx10, and share your winter station game plan. Subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and pass this along to a friend who’s antenna‑curious.Short show intro audio clip Short outro audio clipThe Everyday Ham Podcast is hosted by James Mills (K8JKU), Jim Davis (N8JRD), and Rory Locke (W8KNX) – three friends who dive into the world of amateur radio with a casual, lighthearted twist. Follow us at: Website: https://www.everydayham.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayhampodcast/

A better logger doesn't just record contacts—it changes how you operate. We sit down with Sebastián KI2D, creator of Ham2K PoLo, to explore how mobile-first design, tiny UX details, and relentless iteration make portable operating smoother, faster, and less gear-heavy. From his journey growing up in Venezuela to building startups in New York—and yes, proposing the Arepa and Olive emojis—Sebastián shares the mindset behind a tool that understands what activators actually do in the field.Short show intro audio clip Short outro audio clipThe Everyday Ham Podcast is hosted by James Mills (K8JKU), Jim Davis (N8JRD), and Rory Locke (W8KNX) – three friends who dive into the world of amateur radio with a casual, lighthearted twist. Follow us at: Website: https://www.everydayham.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayhampodcast/

 FlexRadio just announced SmartSDR Plus subscriptions starting at $199/year. Time for an impromptu Saturday morning coffee chat! Join James (K8JKU), Jim (N8JRD), and Rory (W8KNX) as we discuss what this means for ham radio and share our honest opinions. Short show intro audio clip Short outro audio clipThe Everyday Ham Podcast is hosted by James Mills (K8JKU), Jim Davis (N8JRD), and Rory Locke (W8KNX) – three friends who dive into the world of amateur radio with a casual, lighthearted twist. Follow us at: Website: https://www.everydayham.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayhampodcast/

Ever wondered what happens when you combine hiking, mountaineering, and ham radio? That's exactly what Summits on the Air (SOTA) is all about! In this episode, we step away from our usual Parks on the Air discussions to explore the thrilling world of mountaintop radio operations with two accomplished SOTA enthusiasts.Meet Matt W7MDN, a pilot from Spokane who combines trail running and snowshoeing with radio, and Tim N7KOM, a mountaineer and YouTube creator from Bend who's known for his ultralight setups. Both have achieved the prestigious Mountain Goat award, representing 1,000 activation points earned by operating from mountain summits.We unpack the fundamental differences between POTA and SOTA – while parks often allow drive-up operations with 100-watt rigs, SOTA requires reaching designated activation zones near peaks with equipment disconnected from vehicles. The equipment philosophy shifts dramatically too, with most SOTA operators using 5-10 watt radios like the MTR3 or Elecraft KX2, paired with lightweight wire antennas that can be quickly deployed.The conversation dives into the meticulous planning required for SOTA activations, from researching access permissions to preparing for safety contingencies. Matt and Tim share their favorite activation stories, including Matt's Mountain Goat qualification during a January snowshoe expedition and Tim's sunrise celebration atop Mount McLaughlin complete with ceremonial goat horns.Whether you're an experienced operator looking for a new challenge or simply curious about combining outdoor adventure with radio, this episode provides a comprehensive introduction to SOTA. You'll learn about the points system, equipment recommendations, online resources, and the thriving community that makes this radio sport so rewarding.Ready to climb a mountain with your radio? This might just be the inspiration you need to earn those summit points and breathtaking views!Short show intro audio clip Short outro audio clipThe Everyday Ham Podcast is hosted by James Mills (K8JKU), Jim Davis (N8JRD), and Rory Locke (W8KNX) – three friends who dive into the world of amateur radio with a casual, lighthearted twist. Follow us at: Website: https://www.everydayham.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayhampodcast/