Live Free and Ham Podcast
Live Free and Ham Podcast

Live Free and Ham Podcast

Live Free and Ham Pod

Overview
Episodes

Details

Welcome to Live Free and Ham Podcast; we are your bi-weekly podcast covering all things ham radio in New Hampshire, New England, and beyond. Be sure to check out our website at livefreeandham.com and our social pages on Instagram and Facebook. If you want to support the show, you can buy us a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. ************************************ Support the show: Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/ Leave the hosts a voicemail: Call and leave us a voicemail with comments or questions, or tell us how to do our jobs! 978.233.1142 Affiliate: Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10. Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel: Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates: https://livefreeandham.com Join our discord: https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs If you would also like to learn more about the hosts: Todd (W1STJ) - https://w1stj.com Eric (N1JUR) - https://n1jur.com Paul (N1OG) - https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG Ryan (W1SNH) - https://w1snh.com #livefreeandham #N1OG #N1JUR #W1STJ #NHPodcast #HamRadioPodcast #HamRadio #AmateurRadio #HamRadioPodcast #AmatuerRadioPodcast

Recent Episodes

We Had a Plan. Then We Started Talking.
APR 6, 2026
We Had a Plan. Then We Started Talking.
<p>No Eric. No Todd. No safety net.</p><p>In this episode of Live Free and Ham… things get a little… unstructured.</p><p>The Grouch (N1OG) takes over the show while Eric is off pretending he’s in Aspen and Todd is down for the count. So naturally, we brought in Tortoise (N3FML)… and yeah… it went exactly how you’d expect.</p><p>We start with:</p><p>Listener voicemails (yes… including the usual suspects)</p><p>Winlink messages from the community</p><p>A surprisingly legit round of technician questions</p><p>146.52 / simplex activity (or lack of it 👀)</p><p>…and then…</p><p>We somehow end up talking about:</p><p>Coffee wars ☕</p><p>Weather mood swings (Mother Nature needs help)</p><p>Mobile operating struggles</p><p>Ham radio in unexpected places (like… skydiving??)</p><p>And whatever else popped into our heads</p><p>This is one of those episodes where:</p><p>👉 There’s no script</p><p>👉 No real plan</p><p>👉 And absolutely no adult supervision</p><p>But honestly… that’s kind of what makes it fun.</p><p>************************************</p><p>Support the show:</p><p>Buy Us a Beer: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast</a></p><p>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast">https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/">https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/</a></p><p>************* Feedback and Questions! </p><p>You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142</p><p>Affiliate:</p><p>Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10</p><p>Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.relianceantennas.com/">https://www.relianceantennas.com/</a> CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM</p><p>Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://electronics.halibut.com/">https://electronics.halibut.com/</a> of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM </p><p>YouTube Channel:</p><p>Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham</p><p>Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR </p><p>Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch </p><p>Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ </p><p>Swag/Shows/Updates:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livefreeandham.com">https://livefreeandham.com</a></p><p>Join our Discord:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs">https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs</a></p><p>If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:</p><p>Todd (W1STJ) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://w1stj.com">https://w1stj.com</a></p><p>Eric (N1JUR) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://n1jur.com">https://n1jur.com</a></p><p>Paul (N1OG) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG">https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG</a></p><p></p>
play-circle icon
102 MIN
Live Free and Ragchew - Sunday Night Ragchew Ep. 119
MAR 30, 2026
Live Free and Ragchew - Sunday Night Ragchew Ep. 119
<p>What happens when the group from Live Free and Ham join the Ragchew Crew for a live stream? You get to Live Free and Ragchew! Welcome to the first combined stream that will be the 4th Sunday night 8:30pm Central every month going forward! We look forward to more great conversation and possibly more shenanigans and we invite you to join us!</p><p></p><p>************************************</p><p>Support the show:</p><p>Buy Us a Beer: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast</a></p><p>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast">https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/">https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/</a></p><p>************* Feedback and Questions! </p><p>You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142</p><p>Affiliate:</p><p>Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10</p><p>Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.relianceantennas.com/">https://www.relianceantennas.com/</a> CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM</p><p>Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://electronics.halibut.com/">https://electronics.halibut.com/</a> of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM </p><p>YouTube Channel:</p><p>Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham</p><p>Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR </p><p>Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch </p><p>Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ </p><p>Swag/Shows/Updates:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livefreeandham.com">https://livefreeandham.com</a></p><p>Join our Discord:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs">https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs</a></p><p>If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:</p><p>Todd (W1STJ) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://w1stj.com">https://w1stj.com</a></p><p>Eric (N1JUR) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://n1jur.com">https://n1jur.com</a></p><p>Paul (N1OG) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG">https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG</a></p>
play-circle icon
101 MIN
Live Free and Ham Crosses the Pond | Guests on The European Ham Radio Show
MAR 23, 2026
Live Free and Ham Crosses the Pond | Guests on The European Ham Radio Show
<p>Live Free and Ham goes international! 🇺🇸🌍</p><p>In this special episode, Eric, Todd, and Paul join the crew of the European Ham Radio Show to talk about how Live Free and Ham got started—and how it somehow turned into one of the most recognizable voices in the ham radio community.</p><p>What starts as a simple conversation quickly turns into a full-on ham radio roundtable… and yeah, it goes off the rails (in the best way possible).</p><p>We dive into:</p><p>The origin story of Live Free and Ham and how it grew</p><p>The rise of Parks on the Air (POTA) and why it hooks so many operators</p><p>The 146.52 / 2-meter simplex challenge and getting people back on the air</p><p>Differences between the U.S. and European ham radio scenes</p><p>Wild operating stories—from pileups to DX surprises</p><p>And then… it gets weird:</p><p>Ham radio + skydiving contacts from 12,000 feet</p><p>Portable ops in extreme conditions</p><p>Travel, DX, and chasing contacts around the world</p><p>This episode is part ham radio discussion, part origin story, and part pure chaos—with plenty of laughs along the way.</p><p>If you’ve ever wondered how Live Free and Ham came to be… or what happens when American and European hams get together…</p><p>This is the episode.</p><p>************************************</p><p>Support the show:</p><p>Buy Us a Beer: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast</a></p><p>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast">https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/">https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/</a></p><p>************* Feedback and Questions! </p><p>You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142</p><p>Affiliate:</p><p>Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10</p><p>Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.relianceantennas.com/">https://www.relianceantennas.com/</a> CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM</p><p>Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://electronics.halibut.com/">https://electronics.halibut.com/</a> of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM </p><p>YouTube Channel:</p><p>Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham</p><p>Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR </p><p>Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch </p><p>Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ </p><p>Swag/Shows/Updates:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livefreeandham.com">https://livefreeandham.com</a></p><p>Join our Discord:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs">https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs</a></p><p>If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:</p><p>Todd (W1STJ) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://w1stj.com">https://w1stj.com</a></p><p>Eric (N1JUR) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://n1jur.com">https://n1jur.com</a></p><p>Paul (N1OG) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG">https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG</a></p><p></p>
play-circle icon
98 MIN
Apparently, We’re Ruining Ham Radio… By Actually Using It
MAR 16, 2026
Apparently, We’re Ruining Ham Radio… By Actually Using It
<p></p><p>This week on Live Free and Ham, we cover a little bit of everything that makes amateur radio… well… amateur radio.</p><p>It starts with a spicy debate about 146.52 simplex activity and whether encouraging people to actually use the calling frequency is somehow “ruining the hobby.”</p><p>Then we shift into the real heartbeat of ham radio — the community.</p><p>In this episode we cover:</p><p>Listener Winlink messages</p><p>The reality of calling CQ on 146.52</p><p>Why so many antennas are on the road but nobody answers</p><p>Message relays and traffic-style contacts</p><p>Todd’s Little Something Extra technical segment</p><p>Listener voicemails</p><p>And somehow… a deep dive into coffee, Dunkin, and ham radio lifestyle</p><p>Because if there’s one thing ham radio operators do well…</p><p>It’s talking about radios… while talking about everything else.</p><p>************************************</p><p>Support the show:</p><p>Buy Us a Beer: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast</a></p><p>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast">https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/">https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/</a></p><p>************* Feedback and Questions! </p><p>You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142</p><p>Affiliate:</p><p>Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10</p><p>Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.relianceantennas.com/">https://www.relianceantennas.com/</a> CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM</p><p>Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://electronics.halibut.com/">https://electronics.halibut.com/</a> of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM </p><p>YouTube Channel:</p><p>Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham</p><p>Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR </p><p>Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch </p><p>Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ </p><p>Swag/Shows/Updates:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livefreeandham.com">https://livefreeandham.com</a></p><p>Join our Discord:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs">https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs</a></p><p>If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:</p><p>Todd (W1STJ) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://w1stj.com">https://w1stj.com</a></p><p>Eric (N1JUR) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://n1jur.com">https://n1jur.com</a></p><p>Paul (N1OG) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG">https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG</a></p><p></p>
play-circle icon
154 MIN
Simplex Is Only Dead If You Don’t Key Up
MAR 9, 2026
Simplex Is Only Dead If You Don’t Key Up
<p>What happens when you stop waiting for activity… and just create it?</p><p>In this episode, we dig into the surprising momentum behind the 2 Meter FM Activity a 52 Day Challenge</p><p>What started as a fun idea quickly turned into a grassroots movement. Emails are still coming in. Operators are asking when the next one is. And suddenly? two meters simplex — don’t feel so quiet anymore.</p><p>We talk about:</p><p>Why 146.52 MHz (the 2m FM calling frequency) matters</p><p>How “scarcity” and timing can ignite participation</p><p>Why calling CQ on simplex actually works</p><p>The growing buzz around 2m simplex activity</p><p>Creating events without contests, plaques, or pressure</p><p>The psychology of getting hams to actually key up</p><p>There’s something powerful about realizing that the bands aren’t dead — they’re just waiting for someone to start talking.</p><p>We also share updates on the upcoming YL POTA Party live stream, listener Winlink messages, and how this community keeps pushing radio forward in creative ways.</p><p>No big sponsors. No official sanctioning. Just operators deciding to make noise.</p><p>If you’ve ever thought, “Nobody’s on simplex anymore,” this episode might change your mind.</p><p>So here’s the challenge:</p><p>Instead of asking where everyone is…</p><p>Be the one who calls CQ.</p><p>************************************</p><p>Support the show:</p><p>Buy Us a Beer: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast</a></p><p>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast">https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/">https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/</a></p><p>************* Feedback and Questions! </p><p>You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142</p><p>Affiliate:</p><p>Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10</p><p>Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.relianceantennas.com/">https://www.relianceantennas.com/</a> CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM</p><p>Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://electronics.halibut.com/">https://electronics.halibut.com/</a> of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM </p><p>YouTube Channel:</p><p>Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham</p><p>Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR </p><p>Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch </p><p>Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ </p><p>Swag/Shows/Updates:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livefreeandham.com">https://livefreeandham.com</a></p><p>Join our Discord:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs">https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs</a></p><p>If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:</p><p>Todd (W1STJ) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://w1stj.com">https://w1stj.com</a></p><p>Eric (N1JUR) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://n1jur.com">https://n1jur.com</a></p><p>Paul (N1OG) - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG">https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG</a></p><p></p>
play-circle icon
94 MIN