Author: admin

Vacuum Tubes Still Glow — Grayson KJ7UM on Thermatrons

Post author By admin
Post date November 1, 2026

Vacuum Tubes Still Glow — Grayson KJ7UM on Thermatrons

Grayson Evans KJ7UM wrote the book on vacuum tube homebrew radio. Literally. His Hollow State Design book, now in its third edition, covers everything from the history and theory of vacuum tubes to building your own circuits from scratch. Along the way, he coined the term Thermatron as a better name for a technology that deserved one.

In this episode we talk about his path from Georgia Tech EE student to self-taught vacuum tube builder, why Thermatrons are more accessible than most hams think, how to get a high voltage supply for about $25 on Amazon, his glue-and-go construction method on copper clad board, and the simple QRP kits he sells to get beginners started without getting shocked.

Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio, QRP, and more in this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone (AP/DZ). Every aspect of portable operations is covered in this biweekly podcast, from news and gear to achievements, the workbench, contests, awards, and beyond.

Grayson’s Web site: hollow-statedesigns.com
Grayson’s Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@hollow-statedesigns
Grayson’s Kit Catalog: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IcGCYW3_XCdMEc0hYfdJCNtbbU-RCGIi/view?usp=drive_link
Graysons Portable Operation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19_GG-BlE6XwU4AvzDrBHPFt-vLOPMzIX/view?usp=drive_link

**SolderSmoke DISCORD INVITE**: https://discord.gg/GYVRZSBVFC

Connect with us:
* Discord: https://discord.gg/WVE3vVveWU
* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/redsummitrf
* TikTok: @redsummitrf
* X (formerly Twitter): @NJ7V_

Support the channel:
* Buy us a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
* Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

#apdz #HamRadio #QRP #Workbench #Electronics #homebrewradio #DIYradio #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #scratchbuild #vacuumtube #tuberadio #thermatron #hollowstate #vintageradio #CW #KJ7UM

Ham Radio DX Youtube

Overcome Mic Fright: Make Your First Amateur Radio Call

Post author By admin
Post date November 1, 2026

Overcome Mic Fright: Make Your First Amateur Radio Call

Stop worrying about critique and start communicating. Making your first radio contact is simpler than you imagine once you break the silence. Learn to overcome the mic fright and join the global airwaves.

🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/hdrKkGk0wp8

#AmateurRadio #HamRadio #RadioCommunication #BeginnerTips

Temporarily Offline Youtube

Desoldering Secrets: The Alchemy of Electronics Repair! #shorts

Post author By admin
Post date November 1, 2026

Desoldering Secrets: The Alchemy of Electronics Repair! #shorts

Desoldering feels counterintuitive—adding fresh solder to remove old connections. Master the technique of heat and flow to clean circuit boards efficiently, turning complex electronic repairs into simple alchemy.

👉 Full Video: https://youtu.be/5FWZ1L3b5wY

Today’s Patient:
👉 My list of refurbed rigs: https://temporarilyoffline.com/blogs/tos-blog/revolving-list-of-for-sale-items
👉 Or Get One New: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/im1jzs

My Toolkit:
👉 SW-102: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/7bbtki
👉 SW-102 Case: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/x99u8q
👉 100w Dummy Load: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/rsuls0
👉 Desoldering Station: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/eou4r1
👉 Pinecil Soldering Iron: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/1qw307
👉 ABR Coax: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/ua1ifn
👉 Screwdriver set: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/710ofs
#Soldering #ElectronicsRepair #DIYTech #Engineering

Kyle - AA0Z Youtube

Let’s Attend a SMALL Hamfest!!! – Halloween Hamfest 2026

Post author By admin
Post date October 31, 2026

Let's Attend a SMALL Hamfest!!! - Halloween Hamfest 2026

Click the 👍 Like Button, 📻 Leave a Comment, 👉 Subscribe

Sterling (N0SSC) and I attend a local hamfest on Halloween. It was a HOOT!

@N0SSC

Follow me on the social networks
Twitter – @kyleaa0z

#hamradio #amateurradio #qso #sota #pota #contesting #antenna #dipole #endfed #flexradio #radiosport #contesting #cw #morsecode #antenna #trivia #portable #kx3 #elecraft #mtr4b #roundtable #flex

Intro music provided by one of these;
Silent Partner – Fortunate Note
Noir Et Blanc Vie – Brighton Lights
John Deley & the 41 Players – Heat Wave
Doug Maxwell – Psychedelicacy
Big Blues by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Temporarily Offline Youtube

Tiny Tech Secrets: Unpacking Circuit Board Mysteries & Finding the Perfect Bit! #shorts

Post author By admin
Post date October 31, 2026

Tiny Tech Secrets: Unpacking Circuit Board Mysteries & Finding the Perfect Bit! #shorts

Peeling back the casing on a Retivis UHF device. From identifying the mezzanine riser card to finding the perfect screwdriver bit for these tiny fasteners, here is what hides inside this circuit board.

👉 Full Video: https://youtu.be/5FWZ1L3b5wY

Today’s Patient:
👉 My list of refurbed rigs: https://temporarilyoffline.com/blogs/tos-blog/revolving-list-of-for-sale-items
👉 Or Get One New: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/im1jzs

#ElectronicsTeardown #Retivis #RadioRepair #CircuitBoard #Engineering

Ham Radio 2.0 Youtube

Reticulum Off-Grid Comms with @TheTechPrepper

Post author By admin
Post date October 31, 2026

Reticulum Off-Grid Comms with @TheTechPrepper

Join Gaston and I tonight to talk about Reticulum and some other projects he is working on.

Practical, decentralized communications — no towers, no carriers, no permission needed. This channel covers ham radio, Meshtastic and mesh networks, GMRS, and off-grid gear for staying connected anywhere.

★ Support the channel & help spread the word about off-grid comms ★
📧 Email list: http://hamradio2.com/signup2
💬 Text updates: http://hamradio2.com/textme
✅ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/HamRadio
✅ Shop our products: http://shop.hamradio2.com
✅ Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/hamradio2.0
Best Digital Interface for HF Radio: https://digirig.net/product/digirig-dr-891/p/1/

📻 Our Sponsors 📻
R&L Electronics: https://www.randl.com
Buy Two Way Radios: https://geni.us/Dr954X
Save 20% at https://hamradioprep.com with code JASON20
FlexRadio: https://flexradio.com
BaofengTech: https://baofengtech.com/ref/hamradio2/
Commissions may be earned on affiliate links.

Mail: 2150 W. Northwest Highway STE114-1163, Grapevine TX 76051
#OffGridComms #HamRadio #Meshtastic

Ham Radio 2.0 Youtube

I Took Ham Radio, Meshtastic and Meshcore to Las Vegas

Post author By admin
Post date October 30, 2026

I Took Ham Radio, Meshtastic and Meshcore to Las Vegas

Mail: 2150 W. Northwest Highway STE114-1163, Grapevine TX 76051
#OffGridComms #HamRadio #Meshtastic

TheSmokinApe Youtube

Do You Really Understand How Your Antenna Works?

Post author By admin
Post date October 30, 2026

Do You Really Understand How Your Antenna Works?

How do antennas actually work? What makes an antenna resonant, how does it radiate RF energy, and why do factors like impedance, polarization, radiation patterns, and antenna height matter?

In this video, we break down the fundamentals of antenna theory and explain the principles that every amateur radio operator should understand.

We’ll explore:

– How antennas radiate: How alternating currents and electromagnetic fields produce radio waves.
– Resonance: What resonance really means and why it matters.
– Impedance and SWR: Understanding feedpoint impedance, impedance matching, and reflected power.
– Radiation patterns: How antennas distribute RF energy in different directions.
– Gain and directivity: What antenna gain actually represents and why it doesn’t create additional power.
-Polarization: Horizontal versus vertical polarization and why orientation matters.
-Antenna height and ground effects: How installation conditions influence antenna performance.
-Efficiency and losses: Where transmitted power goes and why a low SWR doesn’t necessarily mean an efficient antenna.

Whether you’re new to amateur radio or an experienced operator looking to strengthen your understanding of RF fundamentals, this discussion will help you make better decisions when selecting, building, installing, and evaluating antennas.

Understanding antenna theory is about more than getting a good SWR. It’s about understanding how effectively your antenna radiates energy and where that energy goes.

Join the discussion and share your experiences in the comments!

Sponsored by http://www.pcbway.com Cheap & quick PCB, 3D Printing, CNC machining, and fabrication services from PCBWay.

👍Join this channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJlIoWR3mf7apfB1dXS97A/join

Links to products in the video:
👉 NanoVNA: https://amzn.to/4rCF2ai
👉 TinySA Ultra: https://amzn.to/3PGlAfk
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

👉👉 Join The Ham Radio Project Discord: https://discord.gg/bgpwE5WF9p 👈👈

👍Support TheSmokinApe Channel on Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/TheSmokinApe

🔥🔥🔥 Get your Ham Radio License using Ham Radio Prep:
https://www.HamRadioPrep.com/?rfsn=8915836.d56e74
USE CODE "SmokinApe" for 20% OFF

DX Commander Youtube

DX Commander Signature 9 – FREE Worldwide Shipping! 🎃

Post author By admin
Post date October 30, 2026

DX Commander Signature 9 – FREE Worldwide Shipping! 🎃

🎃 Get a Signature 9 with FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING this Halloween!
👉 Claim the deal here: https://dxcommander.com/product/free-shipping-signature-9/

You MUST use the special link above to get free shipping — the offer won’t apply through the normal Signature 9 listing.

Want a proper HF antenna without guy ropes taking over the garden? The DX Commander Signature 9 is a freestanding, multiband vertical covering 40–10 metres, with a tune available on 6 metres too.

Fancy working 80 metres? Replace the 30-metre element with a longer wire, run it up the pole and out towards a tree or suitable support. It doesn’t need to be a perfect inverted L — I’ve had great fun running 80-metre pile-ups with a similar arrangement in Cornwall.

✅ No guy ropes required
✅ Ground-post mounting
✅ Lift it off the post when you need to take it down
✅ Supplied with our latest grey spreader plates
✅ FREE shipping worldwide through the Halloween link

International orders may still attract import taxes, tariffs and courier handling fees. Free shipping covers delivery, not those charges.

Grab your Signature 9 here: https://dxcommander.com/product/free-shipping-signature-9/

See you on the bands!
Callum, M0MCX

Ham Radio Crash Course Youtube

Uh Oh! The FCC Just Voted To Ban Chinese Radio Certification Testing!

Post author By admin
Post date October 30, 2026

Uh Oh! The FCC Just Voted To Ban Chinese Radio Certification Testing!

Today the FCC voted to require all radio certifications to come from countries with Mutual Recognition Agreements with the USA. For all intents and purposes, this means China’s radio certification industry would be impacted in two years when the vote goes into effect. This impacts more than just radio to include phones, computers and cars. I expect that this vote will be documented in greater detail in the future. Until then, you can read their statement here: https://x.com/FCC/status/2115831011636604970

My intro to Amateur Radio pamphlet is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/126015747?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

The Coolest Ham Radio Gear:
As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases
—————————————————————————————————————————
📻 My new favorite beginners Radio – Baofeng Mini: https://www.radioddity.com/products/baofeng-uv-5r-mini?ref=bkobuwhc
📡 My Big List of No-Regret Gear: https://amzn.to/415oY6s
📡 You can get $10 off the VGC VN-N76 using the code "josh" here: https://www.verotelecom.com/VR-N76-Dual-Band-Handheld-Radio-p2511333.html?
$15 off at Radioddity when you use the code JOSHNASS https://www.radioddity.com/?ref=bkobuwhc
📡 My Favorite ham radio portable gear items! Check out Gigaparts for 2x the points off the gear I use the most!
https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=JOSH
📡 My favorite Handheld radio antenna is from Signal Stuff Signal Stick https://signalstuff.com/?ref=622 (This is an affliate link)
📡 I recommend the Ed Fong J-Pole? https://www.kbcubed.com/DBJ-2H-Amateur-Ham-2m-70cm-Dual-Band-Portable-Rollup-Antenna-by-Ed-Fong-p406009746
📡 Check out Radioddity ham radio radios $15.00 off Coupon code: JOSHNASS https://www.radioddity.com/?ref=bkobuwhc
📡 Great Value HTs: HTs: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/?cmid=amsreGRvTmttM0k9&afid=Mkx1eE1uN2M0S1k9&ats=bHNrMHVhZ3lZcjQ9
📡 Chameleon Antennas make the most robust antennas on the market, check them out here: https://chameleonantenna.com?bg_ref=99VqhYXETt

📻 Support Ham Radio Crash Course Content 📻
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Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/hoshnasi (includes monthly newsletter, stickers and Patron perks)
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

★ FOLLOW ME HERE ★
🪩 Website http://hamradiocrashcourse.com
📸 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/HamRadioCrashCourse
💻 Twitch https://m.twitch.tv/hamradiocrashcourse
Podcast https://hamradiocrashcourse.podbean.com/
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📨 Physical Mail Josh Nass P.O Box 5101 Cerritos, CA 90703-5101

Music by Sonic D:
Soundcloud.com/sncd
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#HRCC #hamradio #amateurradio