<description>&lt;p&gt;What happens when you stop waiting for activity… and just create it?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we dig into the surprising momentum behind the 2 Meter FM Activity a 52 Day Challenge&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We talk about:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Why 146.52 MHz (the 2m FM calling frequency) matters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;How “scarcity” and timing can ignite participation&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Why calling CQ on simplex actually works&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The growing buzz around 2m simplex activity&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Creating events without contests, plaques, or pressure&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The psychology of getting hams to actually key up&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There’s something powerful about realizing that the bands aren’t dead — they’re just waiting for someone to start talking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;No big sponsors. No official sanctioning. Just operators deciding to make noise.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever thought, “Nobody’s on simplex anymore,” this episode might change your mind.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So here’s the challenge:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Instead of asking where everyone is…&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Be the one who calls CQ.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;************************************&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Support the show:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Buy Us a Beer: &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast"&gt;https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Patreon: &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast"&gt;https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Facebook: &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309"&gt;https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Instagram: &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/"&gt;https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;************* Feedback and Questions! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can always leave us feedback on our voicemail line at 978-233-1142&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Affiliate:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.relianceantennas.com/"&gt;https://www.relianceantennas.com/&lt;/a&gt; CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://electronics.halibut.com/"&gt;https://electronics.halibut.com/&lt;/a&gt; of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;YouTube Channel:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Eric (N1JUR) -  @N1JUR  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Paul (N1OG) -  @NovemberOneOscarGrouch  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Todd (W1STJ) -  @W1STJ &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Swag/Shows/Updates:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livefreeandham.com"&gt;https://livefreeandham.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Join our Discord:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs"&gt;https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Todd (W1STJ) - &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://w1stj.com"&gt;https://w1stj.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Eric (N1JUR) - &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://n1jur.com"&gt;https://n1jur.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Paul (N1OG) - &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG"&gt;https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Live Free and Ham Podcast

Live Free and Ham Pod

Simplex Is Only Dead If You Don’t Key Up

MAR 9, 202694 MIN
Live Free and Ham Podcast

Simplex Is Only Dead If You Don’t Key Up

MAR 9, 202694 MIN

Description

<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>