QSO Today Podcast - Interviews with the leaders in amateur radio

Fred "Freddy" McGuire, KD5FMU, discovered amateur radio almost by accident while serving as a deputy sheriff in rural eastern Oklahoma, where his department needed better communications on a limited budget. Amateur radio, along with linking technologies such as EchoLink and later AllStarLink, offered possible solutions and opened the door to a much larger interest in the hobby. Freddy embraced amateur radio, shares what he learns through his Ham Radio Crusader YouTube channel, and is always willing to lend a hand or speak at a local hamfest. KD5FMU is my QSO Today.

Jeff Banke, NZ2S, combines his electronics experience with a passion for emergency communications, Parks on the Air, equipment restoration, and mentoring new hams. As president of the Inland Empire VHF Radio Amateurs, he organizes hands-on workshops, portable operating activities, and opportunities for younger operators to develop their skills. From improving Astron power supplies to designing practical antenna solutions, Jeff believes that almost everything can be made better through experimentation. His enthusiasm for sharing knowledge and encouraging others makes NZ2S my QSO Today.

Eric Hofer, KJ4YZI, began his ham radio journey CB radio before discovering ham radio through a local Elmer and two-meter repeaters, where he developed a  lifelong interest in radios, antennas, weak-signal work, and experimenting. Through his popular Ham Radio Concepts YouTube channel, Eric encourages new and returning amateurs to explore everything from two-meter sideband,  EME moonbounce,  to satellites, digital modes, used equipment, antenna projects, and kit building. Eric works in land mobile radio, microwave, repeaters, and public-safety communications, giving him a strong technical foundation for the practical experiments he shares with his audience. KJ4YZI is my QSO Today.  

Al Rovner, K7AR, discovered amateur radio in high school through his electronics shop teacher, an active ham who helped him earn his first license in 1971. After college and a break from the hobby, Al returned to the air in 1980 and soon found that working DX was far more interesting than working all states.  That interest grew into decades of serious DXing, eventually taking him to the upper levels of the DXCC Honor Roll and sending him on DXpeditions around the world. Along the way, Al became an experienced contester and CW operator, while also embracing newer modes including FT8.  More than 50 years after he began, the excitement of arriving somewhere new, putting up an antenna, and hearing the bands come alive still drives him. K7AR is my QSO Today.

John Burwell, KI5QKX, found his way into amateur radio through 44Net, the Class A public IP address space set aside for amateur radio almost 50 years ago, now managed by ARDC. John's interest in connecting devices over the Internet led him to this remarkable ham radio resource. In this interview, we go deep into IP addressing and networking, opening the door to new ways licensed amateurs can learn, experiment, and build Internet-connected projects. KI5QKX is my QSO Today.