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

When Ham Radio, Real Life, and Podcast Chaos Collide
MAY 11, 2026
When Ham Radio, Real Life, and Podcast Chaos Collide
<p>Live Free and Ham is changing things up… but don’t panic, nobody threw the radio in the dumpster. Yet.</p><p>In this episode, Eric N1JUR, Paul N1OG, and Todd W1STJ sit down for a real update on the future of the show. Todd shares why he’ll be taking a bit of a pause from regular episodes while life, work, family, baseball, and everything else pile up like a badly packed go-box. The crew also talks about shifting Live Free and Ham from a weekly schedule to every other week for the summer so the show stays fun, sustainable, and actually worth listening to.</p><p>Because let’s be honest: forcing content just to keep a schedule is how you end up with bad audio, dead batteries, three confused hams, and a podcast episode that becomes a hostage situation.</p><p>We also dig into the latest community updates, including Winlink messages, listener voicemails, the 5-2 Simplex Challenge, POTA Academy, NEAR-Fest chaos, technician license questions, ham radio wins, and the usual amount of technology fighting back.</p><p>This one is part announcement, part community check-in, part therapy session, and part reminder that ham radio is supposed to be fun.</p><p>If you’ve been following Live Free and Ham for a while, this is an episode you’ll want to catch. The show is evolving, the community is still going strong, and yes… the wheels are still mostly attached.</p><p>Join the conversation, leave us a voicemail, hop into the Discord, and let us know what you want to hear in future episodes.</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>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>
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103 MIN
Are We Still Talking on the Air… or Just Online Now?
APR 29, 2026
Are We Still Talking on the Air… or Just Online Now?
<p>Is ham radio still happening on the air… or has it moved online?</p><p>Tonight on Live Free and Ham, we’re diving into one of the biggest shifts in the hobby right now—Online Communities vs RF Communities.</p><p>Discord is active. YouTube chats are packed. Facebook groups never sleep.</p><p>But spin the dial… and things can feel a little quiet.</p><p>So what’s really going on?</p><p>Are we more connected than ever… or just connecting differently?</p><p>🎙️ In This Episode We’ll Cover:</p><p>Why online communities are exploding in ham radio</p><p>Are repeaters and ragchews actually declining?</p><p>What RF gives us that online never can</p><p>Why new hams may feel more comfortable online than on-air</p><p>Are we losing operating skills—or gaining new ones?</p><p>Where the real ham radio community lives today</p><p>💥 The Big Question:</p><p>If ham radio started today… would RF still be the main way we connect?</p><p>💬 Join the Conversation LIVE</p><p>We want to hear from you:</p><p>👉 Do you spend more time on RF or online?</p><p>👉 When was your last real ragchew?</p><p>👉 Is this evolution… or a problem?</p><p>Drop it in chat and be part of the show.</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>
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165 MIN
Airborne Activations & Daily Grind: How Far Is Too Far in POTA?
APR 27, 2026
Airborne Activations & Daily Grind: How Far Is Too Far in POTA?
<p>What happens when Parks on the Air turns from a hobby… into a daily mission?</p><p>In this episode of Live Free and Ham, Eric (N1JUR), Paul (N1OG), and Todd (W1STJ) sit down with special guest Keith (AC1RH) to talk about one of the most unique (and slightly insane) approaches to POTA we’ve seen yet—activating parks every single day.</p><p>But that’s not all…</p><p>We dive deep into aeronautical mobile operations, the real challenges of logging contacts while in motion (and sometimes feeling it 🤢), and what it actually takes to stay consistent in a hobby that’s supposed to be… you know… relaxing.</p><p>This one goes beyond gear and contacts—it’s about mindset, discipline, and maybe just a little bit of obsession.</p><p>🔥 In this episode:</p><p>What aeronautical mobile really looks like in practice</p><p>The chaos of logging while moving (and why it’s harder than it sounds)</p><p>The reality behind daily POTA activations</p><p>When consistency becomes commitment… or addiction</p><p>Tips, lessons learned, and a few “don’t try this while driving” moments</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>
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104 MIN
Best Apps for POTA? POTACat Might Be One
APR 20, 2026
Best Apps for POTA? POTACat Might Be One
<p>We had a plan for this episode…</p><p>and then we brought Casey on.</p><p>In this episode of Live Free and Ham, we sit down with the developer behind POTACat—an app that’s starting to get a lot of attention in the POTA community.</p><p>If you’ve heard the name but weren’t sure what it actually does…</p><p>this is the episode that breaks it down.</p><p>🐾 What is POTACat?</p><p>POTACat is a tool built for the Parks on the Air community that’s designed to make hunting and activating more efficient, more informed, and honestly… a little more fun.</p><p>We dig into:</p><p>What POTACat actually does</p><p>Who it’s built for (hunters, activators, or both)</p><p>How it fits into the current POTA workflow</p><p>Why it’s gaining traction so quickly in the ham radio world</p><p>🎙️ Straight From the Source</p><p>Casey walks us through:</p><p>The origin of the app</p><p>The problems he’s trying to solve</p><p>How it compares to other tools you might already be using</p><p>Where it’s heading next</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>
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133 MIN
Warning: This Ham Radio Podcast Has No Direction
APR 13, 2026
Warning: This Ham Radio Podcast Has No Direction
<p>We had a plan… and then we started talking.</p><p>In this episode of Live Free and Ham, Eric (N1JUR), Paul (N1OG), Todd (W1STJ), and Mike (N2MAK) sit down for what was supposed to be a structured show…</p><p>Yeah… that didn’t happen.</p><p>What you do get is a real, unfiltered ham radio roundtable—where the conversation goes from gear talk… to band discussions… to life… and somehow ends in complete chaos.</p><p>Along the way, we get into:</p><p>900 MHz and why nobody talks about it enough</p><p>Transverters and unlocking new parts of the hobby</p><p>The reality of ham radio gear pricing (and what’s actually worth it)</p><p>YouTube, content creation, and the “I’m quitting” moment 👀</p><p>The random tangents that happen when hams just start talking</p><p>And honestly… that’s kind of the point.</p><p>This is what ham radio sounds like when you take away the script.</p><p>It’s not polished.</p><p>It’s not structured.</p><p>But it’s real.</p><p>💬 Jump in the comments:</p><p>What’s the most off-the-rails ham conversation you’ve ever had?</p><p>📡 Join the community:</p><p>👉 Discord: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://discord.gg/zwg9mWyHmY">https://discord.gg/zwg9mWyHmY</a></p><p>👍 If you enjoy real ham radio conversations (and a little chaos)…</p><p>Hit like, subscribe, and stick around.</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>
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109 MIN