2 Josh’s, 1 Park | Aeronautical Mobile & Africa DX from POTA US-1993

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Welcome back to Hamateur Hour! In this episode, Josh K8WOO heads out for an action-packed Parks on the Air (POTA) activation at Stonelick State Park (US-1993) This activation was one for the books—over 150 QSOs, nonstop pileups, and some major firsts along the way. I made my first aeronautical mobile contact (yep… they were at … Read more

Ham Radio Kids Table: K8WOO

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I was honored to have been invited onto the Ham Radio Kid’s Table show right after the first of the year! This collection of ham radio enthusiasts do a weekly show every Wednesday at 7pm EST! They chat all things ham radio and typically have a guest come on to talk about a topic. They … Read more

I Caught The POTA Bug!

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I said this channel wasn’t going to turn into a full-on POTA channel… but let’s be honest—I’ve officially caught the Parks on the Air bug, and I’m hooked. Just a few days after my very first POTA activation, I headed back out for round two, activating two different parks in one trip. In this video, … Read more

My First POTA Activation!

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This past weekend I tackled my very first Parks on the Air (POTA) activation, and not just one… I hit three different parks in just a few hours! As a brand-new POTA activator, I wanted to bring you along for the ride, share what I learned, and maybe inspire a few of you to get … Read more

Ham Radio Is Dying?

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While scrolling through X, I stumbled across another post lamenting the decline of ham radio. It’s a recurring theme, and as a newly licensed operator (just a few months in), I feel compelled to share my perspective. Why does this narrative of decline keep resurfacing? The core issue is simple: the hobby is aging out. … Read more

Setting Up My First HF Radio

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This weekend, I took to X to share my journey of setting up my first HF antenna. One commenter said it brought back memories of their own early days in ham radio. I laughed and replied that I was broadcasting my “trials and tribulations” to the world, hoping other new operators could learn from my … Read more

Where To Start When You Get Your Ham Radio License

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So, you’ve earned your Technician ham radio license—congratulations! But now what? When I got mine, I found myself in a strange spot. None of my friends were into radio, and the only community I’d stumbled into was online. It felt isolating, which is ironic for a hobby that’s all about connecting people. It was like … Read more

Installing A Diamond Antenna K400 Mount On My Toyota Tacoma

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My ham radio journey kicked off with setting up my handheld radio (HT), but the next step was figuring out how to make it work in my truck. I knew from the start that using an HT inside a vehicle was a recipe for disappointment—heck, that’s even a question on the Technician exam! So, I … Read more

How To Study For Your Ham Radio General License

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Greetings, fellow radio enthusiasts. I’d like to share my experience preparing for and passing the General Class ham radio license exam, detailing the study methods that led to my success. Please note that this reflects my personal approach—what worked for me may not suit everyone. My goal is to provide practical insights that might assist … Read more

How Experienced Ham Operators Can Help Newcomers

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I’ve been incredibly fortunate to engage in hobbies where the communities are warm, welcoming, and supportive. Ham radio has proven to be no exception. My journey into this world began with YouTube videos, which typically offer a one-way form of communication. However, that changed when I dove into the online communities of these YouTubers. It’s … Read more