Category: Red Summit RF

Gary W0MNA and Martha W0ERI have been licensed for over 50 years each and are still building, activating, and teaching others to do the same. Based in Leavenworth, Kansas, they are regulars at Four Days in May and Ozark Con, where they mentor the Friday evening build session and beta test new kit designs for the Four State QRP Group.

In this episode we talk about how they each got into ham radio, their decades of kit building and homebrew projects, their SOTA activations as a team, and the very active club they run in Leavenworth where monthly build sessions, outdoor operating events, and ARES work keep a growing membership engaged year round.

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.

**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 #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #SOTA #POTA #PortableOps #kitbuilding #ARES #FourDaysinMay #OzarkCon #elmering #hamradioclub

Paul VK3HN has been building homebrew radio gear since the late 1970s and activating SOTA summits in the Australian bush since around 2015 — and he’ll tell you the two pursuits feed off each other perfectly. His Summit Prowler series of homebrew superhet transceivers were designed specifically for backpacking and activating, with every design decision driven by the constraints of the trail.

In this episode Paul walks through his journey from a scratch built 2 meter FM receiver as a teenager to a series of increasingly refined portable CW and SSB transceivers, shares how his 20 year career as a software engineer made the jump to Arduino and Si5351 easier than most, and talks about choosing to stay a builder rather than become a full time YouTuber.

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.

Paul’s Blog: https://vk3hn.wordpress.com/
Paul’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulTaylorVK3HN
Paul’s GitHub Site: https://github.com/prt459

**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 #SOTA #PortableOps #superhet #Si5351 #Arduino #VK3HN #SummitProwler #CW #SSB

In this Homebrew Workbench Roundtable, Adam K6ARK, Tobias KK7BCO, and I dig into QRP antenna tuners and workbench projects. We cover L-match and T-match concepts, Adam’s K6ARK QRP Antenna Matching Unit, and the G0FUW HB-ATU based on the classic Heathkit HFT-9 circuit. Tobias built two scratch versions plus a kit. I just got my parts together.

On the antenna side, Tobias is working on a trapped vertical for 15, 17, and 20 meters, I added 60 meter legs to my linked dipole, and Adam built an aftermarket battery bank for the Yaesu FT-3DR and some tiny QRP bandpass filters.

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.

**SolderSmoke DISCORD INVITE**: https://discord.gg/GYVRZSBVFC
Tobias’s Blog: https://kk7bco.com/
K6ARK website: https://k6ark.com/

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 #antennatuner #ATU #Tmatch #Zmatch #GQRP #linkeddipole #portableops #K6ARK

In this roundtable episode, Dan KC7MSU, Brian W7JET, and I debrief on Field Day, touch on the 13 Colonies special event, and I share highlights from a three day SOTA excursion with my wife W7NRS just before Field Day.

Superstition Amateur Radio Club: https://superstitionarc.org/
Morsle CW Practice: https://morsle.fun/

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.

**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

Saurabh Bhasin N6RUN has climbed the highest peak on every continent, finished five Ironmans, runs mountain ultras, and is active in SOTA.

In this episode we talk about how mountaineering and ham radio collided for Saurabh, his Everest summit on May 14, 2025, and his six month attempt to get a Nepalese amateur radio license that never panned out. If you are into SOTA, endurance sports, or both at the highest level, this one is for you.

Saurabh’s Instagram: @mtn_runr

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.

**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 #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #SOTA #POTA #PortableOps #mountaineering #Everest #SevenSummits #Ironman #ultrarunning #N6RUN #2M #2meters #fm

In this Homebrew Workbench Roundtable, Tobias KK7BCO and I are joined by Mitch NK3H, filling in for Adam K6ARK, to talk through what is on our benches right now.

We cover frequency counter builds and wiring lessons learned, a direct conversion receiver that’s now pulling in W1AW, Mitch’s SuperHET power amplifier improvements, and a look at using local AI agents for ham radio related tasks. We close out by announcing our next group build, the GQRP Club’s Limerick Sudden ATU kit.

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.

**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 #frequencycounter #SuperHET #KiCad #PCBdesign #SOTA #FT8 #directconversion #GQRP

Stuart M0SGV started soldering at age 8 in the 1950s, building crystal sets with a copper tip heated over a gas cooker. Nearly 70 years later he is still at the bench, building tube transmitters from 1949 magazine circuits, Hans Summers QMX and QDX rigs, a Michigan Mighty Mite, and a high voltage power supply built from scratch to power all of it.

In this episode Stuart walks us through a dozen homebrew projects, shares his philosophy on project selection, and offers hard won advice on soldering and why leaded solder is non-negotiable. We also talk about his connections to the Michigan QRP Club and G QRP Club, and his next big project: a QO-100 geostationary satellite transceiver.

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.

**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 #tuberadio #vacuumtube #vintageradio #QCX #QMX #HansSummers #QO100 #satellite #GQRP #MichiganQRP #FourDaysinMay #soldering #FDIM

Barb WB2CBA is a civil engineer by trade and an open source QRP designer by passion. Every circuit he’s created has gone straight to GitHub with no paywalls and no kits he controls exclusively, and builders around the world have taken notice. In this episode Barb walks us through his major designs from the uSDX collaboration to the Pebble HF, talks about his experience at Four Days in May, and shares what it feels like to see strangers around the world building circuits he designed and released for free.

If you’re into QRP, digital modes, or homebrew radio, this one is worth your time.
GitHub: github.com/WB2CBA
Pebble HF: pebblehf.com

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.

**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 #testequipment #RFprojects #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #scratchbuild #HFtransceiver #opensource #FT8 #digitalmodes #ADX #PebbleHF #Si5351 #QRPp #WSPR #FourDaysinMay #FDIM

Derek W7DLZ has earned the SOTA Mountain Goat award five times over and he’s closing in on a sixth. Since his first activation in September 2021, Derek has operated from hundreds of summits across six associations and twenty-two regions at a pace that’s hard to believe, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
In this episode we cover his preferred radio, antenna choices, and operating philosophy.
If you’re into SOTA, QRP field ops, or just want to hear what genuine passion for a hobby sounds like, this one’s for you.

https://www.qrz.com/db/W7DLZ

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.

**DISCORD INVITE**: https://discord.gg/WVE3vVveWU

#apdz #SOTA #POTA #PortableOps #HamRadio #QRP # CW #Workbench #Electronics #homebrewradio #DIYradio #testequipment #RFprojects #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #scratchbuild #ManhattanStyle #BITX #SolderSmoke #HFtransceiver #QRPSSB #directconversion #analogradio #morsecode

Bonus Episode: Scratch Building a Frequency Counter? Rex W1REX Breaks Down His X-Checker Circuit

This one wasn’t planned as an episode — but it was too good not to share.
As part of our ongoing Beginner Project Series, we’re scratch building a frequency counter based on Rex Harper W1REX’s X-Checker kit from QRPme.com. Before we put iron to board, we sat down with Rex himself to walk through the circuit — and what came out of that conversation is exactly the kind of deep-dive explanation that doesn’t show up in any build guide.
If you’re following along with the Beginner Project Series and building this circuit from scratch, this video will give you a much clearer picture of what’s actually happening on that board — straight from the designer himself.
Rex Harper W1REX is the one-man operation behind QRPme.com, home of the Tuna Tin 2, the Rockmite, MePADs, and dozens of other beloved QRP kits. He’s been designing and kitting ham radio projects for decades and is a fixture in the QRP homebrew community.
Resources mentioned:

X-Checker kit: https://www.qrpme.com/?p=product&id=Q17

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.

#apdz #SOTA #POTA #PortableOps #HamRadio #QRP #Workbench #Electronics #homebrewradio #DIYradio #testequipment #RFprojects #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #scratchbuild #ManhattanStyle #BITX #SolderSmoke #HFtransceiver #QRPSSB #directconversion #analogradio #FrequencyCounter