Podcasts by On the Air
The On the Air podcast is a monthly companion to On the Air magazine, ARRL’s magazine for beginner-to-intermediate ham radio operators.
Further podcasts by Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY
Podcast on the topic Technologie
All episodes
The Value of Contest Clubs from 2023-11-09T15:12
“Contesting encompasses so much of the hobby,” says seasoned contester Craig Thompson, K9CT, “from station building, learning how to operate, understanding propagation, knowing rules, learning f...
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The Solar Eclipse QSO Party: When Operating is Science from 2023-10-12T08:26:16
Gary Mikitin’s, AF8A, article, “The Solar Eclipse QSO Party: A Fun Way Support Radio Science” in the September/October 2023 issue of On the Air details how hams can contribute data to a study on...
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Foxhunting Basics: Tracking a Transmitter from 2023-09-07T10:57
The cover story of On the Air’s September/October 2023 issue, “Foxhunting Basics,” doesn’t have anything to do with chasing down a woodland creature. Foxhunting is a radio direction-finding acti...
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Technical Coordinators: A Tech Resource in Your Section from 2023-08-10T12:11
This month, we talk with Steve Simons, W1SMS, the Technical Coordinator for the Connecticut Section, who shares his experiences as a TC, from coordinating with Emergency Operations Centers durin...
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When Messages Matter: Passing Traffic from 2023-07-13T11:06:38
Passing traffic is a ham radio activity that’s nearly as old as ham radio itself, and getting accurate messages to their destination in a timely manner takes training and skill. In addition to p...
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How to Get On the Air from an ARRL Field Day GOTA Station from 2023-06-09T08:08
For the June 2023 episode of the On the Air podcast, ARRL Radiosport & Regulatory Information Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, and ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, join us to talk...
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Getting On the Air for the June VHF Contest from 2023-05-11T12:57
With this year's ARRL June VHF Contest fast approaching on the weekend of June 10, seasoned VHF operator Bob Witte, KØNR, joins the podcast to talk about how to prepare yourself and your station...
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Where Do Hams Fit Into the Incident Command System? from 2023-04-13T14:00
The March/April 2023 issue of On the Air featured an article on “The Incident Command System and Amateur Radio,” which introduced the Incident Command System (ICS), an emergency management syste...
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The Thrill of the Chase: Radio Orienteering from 2023-03-09T14:07
Radio orienteering (aka Amateur Radio Direction Finding, or ARDF) is a radio sport like no other. It gets you out of your shack chair and bounding through the woods or a park, using a handheld r...
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How to Be On the Air All Year with VOTA from 2023-02-09T10:33
ARRL has designated 2023 “The Year of the Volunteers,” to shed light on the work of the hundreds of volunteers who make ARRL and amateur radio what it is. We’ve got a year-long on-air event to g...
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The ARRL Field Organization from 2023-01-12T08:00
As the national association for Amateur Radio in the US, ARRL offers programs and services for its members across the country. Many of these are made possible by the ARRL Field Organization, a netw...
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Running an Amateur Radio Net from 2022-12-08T00:05
For many new operators, nets are one of the easiest and best ways to connect with other hams. Some nets are focused solely on emergency communications, others provide the opportunity to pass formal...
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Operating Amateur Satellites from 2022-11-10T14:49:49
Even if you’re accessing a repeater, the range of your VHF/UHF handheld can be a bit constraining. You’ll probably never achieve coverage of, say, the entire US Eastern Seaboard or the Continental ...
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Basic Gear for Public Service from 2022-10-13T16:22
Just over two weeks ago, Hurricane Ian devastated Sanibel Island and southwestern Florida. It caused tens of billions of dollars of damage and killed more than 100 people. Arc Thames, W4CPD, the Se...
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Make a Two-Meter J-Pole Antenna from Lamp Cord from 2022-09-08T03:25
Building an antenna doesn’t have to involve yards of aluminum tubing and long runs of coax. It can be as simple as soldering and snipping (carefully!) a length of lamp cord. Frequent On the Air<...
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 32 from 2022-08-11T03:04
Getting the most out of your transceiver's scanning functions.
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 31 from 2022-07-14T01:01
Is 222 MHz really a "forgotten" frequency band?
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ARRL's On The Air -- Episode 30 from 2022-06-09T01:31
Discussing ARRL Field Day in particular and off-the-grid operating in general with ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE.
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 29 from 2022-05-12T01:13
Discover what "FM" really means, and how it is different from "AM."
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ARRL's On The Air -- Episode 28 from 2022-04-14T01:59
Should you invest in a Digital Multimeter (DMM)? As it turns out, a DMM doesn't have to be expensive and it is more useful than you might imagine.
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 27 from 2022-03-10T01:04
Relax and take an audio tour of the 10 meter band!
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 26 from 2022-02-10T01:41
YouTube is increasingly becoming the "go to" resource for information on a variety of amateur radio topics. In this episode we speak with two YouTube veterans: Dave Casler, KE0OG, and Steve Good...
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 25 from 2022-01-13T00:09
If you're thinking about giving CW operating a try, check out this conversation with Michael Fluegemann, KE8AQW.
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 24 from 2021-12-09T00:03
Learn how you can extend the "reach" of your handheld transceiver.
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 23 from 2021-11-11T00:22
Q-Signals are as old as amateur radio itself and they are still in use today. Although originally intended for CW use, you'll hear them in voice communication as well.
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 22 from 2021-10-14T00:15
Contest season is underway! Time for some tips from veteran competitor Chris Plumblee, W4WF.
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 21 from 2021-09-09T00:15
The ARRL Handbook has been published for nearly 100 years and it remains one of the top sources for information about ham radio technology and much more. Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, explains why even...
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 20 from 2021-08-12T00:15
Here's an introduction to Winlink, courtesy of Oliver Dully, K6OLI.
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 19 from 2021-07-08T00:15
Learn all about the new ARRL online Learning Center scheduled to debut this month!
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 18 from 2021-06-10T00:15
ARRL Field Day is just weeks away. Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, the president of the Nashua New Hampshire Area Radio Society, offers advice about how to enjoy one of the largest ham radio operating eve...
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 17 from 2021-05-13T00:15
A discussion of the importance of grounding with Ward Silver, N0AX
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 16 from 2021-04-08T00:15
This month it's all about Parks On The Air -- one of the most popular activities in amateur radio today. We chat with Audrey Hance, KN4TMU, who recently enjoyed her first Parks On The Air "activ...
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 15 from 2021-03-11T00:15
What does the new solar cycle have in store for the HF bands? Propagation expert Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, tells us what to expect.
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ARRL's On The Air - Episode 14 from 2021-02-11T00:15
Taking a closer look at HF antenna tuners, along with some shopping tips!
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ARRL On The Air - Episode 13 from 2021-01-14T00:15
A chat with Curt Laumann, K7ZOO, about inspiring club activity with "project nights."
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ARRL On The Air - Episode 12 from 2020-12-10T00:15
A chat with Mike Corey, KI1U, about storm spotting and SKYWARN.
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ARRL On the Air - Episode 11 from 2020-11-12T00:15
What makes a particular antenna the right one for your station? There are several things to consider beyond cost and complexity.
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ARRL On the Air - Episode 10 from 2020-10-08T00:15
An interview with ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC, about ARRL’s new “Learning Network” webinars.
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ARRL On the Air - Episode 9 from 2020-09-10T00:15
Let's talk about how to properly tune signals on the HF bands, and discover a few transceiver tools that will make listening easier.
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ARRL's On the Air - Episode 8 from 2020-08-13T00:15
The ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Initiative is for everyone -- not just college students. Find out more!
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ARRL On the Air - Episode 7 from 2020-07-09T00:15
A discussion of how to properly solder a PL259 coaxial cable connector. Also, courses that will help improve your public service skills.
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ARRL On the Air - Episode 5 from 2020-05-14T00:15
A discussion of modulation -- AM, FM, SSB and more, and a look at "go kits."
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On the Air - Episode 4 from 2020-04-09T00:30
Get tips on creating a family emergency communication plan, and learn about installing coaxial cable connectors from Dino Papas, KL0S.
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On the Air - Episode 3 from 2020-03-12T00:15
Understanding feed line loss; VHF/UHF digital vs analog; all about SKYWARN.
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On The Air - Episode 2 from 2020-02-13T03:00
VHF/UHF ground plane antenna tips; the benefits of windowed "ladder line"; and a chat with a public service volunteer in Indiana.
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On The Air - Episode 1 from 2020-01-16T07:00
Welcome to ARRL's newest podcast! The first issue of On the Air magazine has been released and Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, provides an overview of what's inside.
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Trailer Episode ARRL's On The Air Podcast from 2020-01-10T08:18
The On the Air podcast is a monthly companion to On the Air magazine, ARRL’s magazine for beginner-to-intermediate ham radio operators. In each 15-minute episode of the On the Air podcast, host ...
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