Digest

This episode of the Ham Radio Workbench podcast features a special guest duo: Hamilton Carter, KD0 FNR, and his daughter, Hammy Carter, KO6 BTY. They discuss their Two Cans project, a unique radio project they've been working on. The episode also includes a roundtable discussion about what's on the workbench of each host and guest. Hamilton and Hammy share their recent foray into ham radio, including their purchase of two-meter radios for hiking and their plans to build a 10-meter CW radio. They also discuss their ongoing projects, including a PicoWa Python class for homeschoolers and a book about Mike Gladich, a CIA spy. Mark, SixMTS, provides updates on his recent Hamvention experience, including the positive feedback he received on his Open Headset Interconnected Standard (OHIS) project. He also shares his progress on the Eggnogs project, a kit for building an egg-beater antenna for use with the Sat-Nogs network. Thomas, K4 SWL, recounts his experience at Hamvention, including his presentation at Four Days in May and his participation in a POTA activation with friends. He also shares his excitement about his new Seigu X6200 radio, which he hopes will be a good alternative to the IC-705. George, KJ6VU, discusses his recent collaboration with Alan N7AKG and Kyle A0Z on a real-time logging system for contests. He believes this system has the potential to revolutionize the way contests are conducted and enjoyed. The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming segment, where Hamilton and Hammy will delve deeper into the details of their Two Cans project. The Two Cans project is a unique radio project that started with a rock mic and evolved through various iterations, including OHIS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, ultimately leading to a fully portable and wireless setup. The project involves using readily available materials, such as two cans, to create a functional and affordable radio for various applications, including portable operation and experimentation. The episode also discusses the challenges of using Wi-Fi for keying and the potential benefits of using 900 MHz point-to-point radios for extending the range of a wireless ham radio setup. The episode concludes with a discussion about the rules of POTA activations and whether or not it is permissible to operate a radio remotely from outside the park boundary. The hosts also discuss the challenges of using Wi-Fi for keying and the potential benefits of using 900 MHz point-to-point radios for extending the range of a wireless ham radio setup. They also discuss the challenges of using Wi-Fi for keying and the potential benefits of using 900 MHz point-to-point radios for extending the range of a wireless ham radio setup.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Guest Introductions

This Chapter introduces the episode and welcomes the special guests, Hamilton Carter, KD0 FNR, and his daughter, Hammy Carter, KO6 BTY. The episode also welcomes Mark, SixMTS, and Thomas, K4 SWL, who are returning from Hamvention.

00:02:11

What's on Your Workbench?

This Chapter features a roundtable discussion where each host and guest shares their current projects and activities. Hamilton and Hammy discuss their recent foray into ham radio, including their purchase of two-meter radios for hiking and their plans to build a 10-meter CW radio. They also discuss their ongoing projects, including a PicoWa Python class for homeschoolers and a book about Mike Gladich, a CIA spy. Mark shares updates on his recent Hamvention experience, including the positive feedback he received on his Open Headset Interconnected Standard (OHIS) project. He also shares his progress on the Eggnogs project, a kit for building an egg-beater antenna for use with the Sat-Nogs network. Thomas recounts his experience at Hamvention, including his presentation at Four Days in May and his participation in a POTA activation with friends. He also shares his excitement about his new Seigu X6200 radio, which he hopes will be a good alternative to the IC-705. George discusses his recent collaboration with Alan N7AKG and Kyle A0Z on a real-time logging system for contests. He believes this system has the potential to revolutionize the way contests are conducted and enjoyed.

01:08:46

Two Cans Project

This Chapter delves into the Two Cans project, a unique radio project that Hamilton and Hammy have been working on. They discuss the details of the project, including its design, functionality, and potential applications. The project started with a rock mic and evolved through various iterations, including OHIS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, ultimately leading to a fully portable and wireless setup. The project involves using readily available materials, such as two cans, to create a functional and affordable radio for various applications, including portable operation and experimentation.

01:09:27

QSO Today Podcast

This Chapter is a brief advertisement for the QSO Today podcast, hosted by Eric Gooth for Z1UG. The podcast features interviews with ham radio operators who share their stories, contributions to science and technology, and secrets to amateur radio success.

02:09:53

POTA and Remote Operation

This Chapter discusses the rules of POTA activations and whether or not it is permissible to operate a radio remotely from outside the park boundary. The discussion also explores the challenges of using Wi-Fi for keying and the potential benefits of using 900 MHz point-to-point radios for extending the range of a wireless ham radio setup.

02:15:37

Two Cans Project: Range and Challenges

This Chapter focuses on the challenges of using Wi-Fi for keying in the Two Cans project and the potential benefits of using 900 MHz point-to-point radios for extending the range of a wireless ham radio setup. The hosts discuss the potential of using 900 MHz radios for extending the range of the Two Cans project, considering the challenges of signal attenuation through trees and the potential for using directional antennas. They also discuss the limitations of using Mesh-tastic for CW operation and the possibility of using it for packet data transmission. The hosts also explore the idea of using trees as dipoles for the Two Cans project and discuss the challenges of deploying and retrieving antennas in a tree environment. They also discuss the possibility of using a military-grade antenna, the AS 2259, for the Two Cans project, which could provide a multi-band solution for portable operation.

02:23:07

Camping and Family Projects

This Chapter shifts to a discussion about camping and family projects. The hosts share their experiences with camping, including their use of tents and their recent solo camping trip. They also discuss the importance of family projects and how they can be a fun and engaging way to spend time together. The hosts also discuss the importance of family projects and how they can be a fun and engaging way to spend time together. They also discuss the importance of family projects and how they can be a fun and engaging way to spend time together.

02:30:37

Two Cans Project: Wrap-Up and Resources

This Chapter concludes the discussion about the Two Cans project and provides resources for listeners who want to learn more. The hosts discuss the progress of the project and the challenges they have faced. They also share their thoughts on the importance of family projects and how they can be a fun and engaging way to spend time together. The hosts also provide information about their blog, copacetic.com, where listeners can find more information about the Two Cans project, homeschooling, and other projects. They also encourage listeners to join their Discord server, which is a great place to connect with other ham radio enthusiasts and discuss technical topics. The hosts also provide information about their blog, copacetic.com, where listeners can find more information about the Two Cans project, homeschooling, and other projects. They also encourage listeners to join their Discord server, which is a great place to connect with other ham radio enthusiasts and discuss technical topics.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the challenges of using Wi-Fi for keying in the Two Cans project?

  The challenges of using Wi-Fi for keying in the Two Cans project include the fact that browsers send a lot of packets that can interfere with the keyer, and the Pico W can generate helicoptering noise that can be heard in the receive audio.

• What are the potential benefits of using 900 MHz point-to-point radios for extending the range of a wireless ham radio setup?

  The potential benefits of using 900 MHz point-to-point radios for extending the range of a wireless ham radio setup include the fact that they can provide a longer range than regular Wi-Fi radios, and they are relatively inexpensive.

• What are the rules of POTA activations and whether or not it is permissible to operate a radio remotely from outside the park boundary?

  The rules of POTA activations state that the activator and all equipment must be within the park's boundary and on public property. This means that it is not permissible to operate a radio remotely from outside the park boundary.

• What is the Two Cans project?

  Two Cans is a unique radio project developed by Hamilton and Hammy Carter. It involves building a compact and portable radio using readily available materials, such as two cans. The project aims to create a functional and affordable radio for various applications, including portable operation and experimentation.

• What are some of the projects that Hamilton and Hammy are working on?

  Hamilton and Hammy are working on a variety of projects, including a 10-meter CW radio, a PicoWa Python class for homeschoolers, and a book about Mike Gladich, a CIA spy.

• What is OHIS and what are its benefits?

  OHIS, which stands for Open Headset Interconnected Standard, is a project developed by Mark, SixMTS, to create a standardized interface for connecting headsets to ham radio equipment. It aims to improve the user experience and provide greater flexibility for operators using headsets.

• What is Sat-Nogs and how does it work?

  Sat-Nogs is an online network of satellite receivers that allows operators to share data and observations from various satellites. It provides a platform for collaborative research and exploration of satellite signals.

• What is the Seigu X6200 and what are its key features?

  The Seigu X6200 is a compact and ruggedized SDR transceiver that is similar in functionality to the IC-705 but without VHF/UHF capabilities. It features a removable battery pack, a wide frequency range, and a Linux-based operating system.

• What is the real-time logging system for contests that George is working on?

  George is working on a real-time logging system for contests that would allow operators to see their standings in real time as they are making contacts. This system has the potential to revolutionize the way contests are conducted and enjoyed.

• What is the AS 2259 antenna and how could it be used for the Two Cans project?

  The AS 2259 is a military-grade antenna that is designed for use in a variety of applications, including communications, navigation, and surveillance. It is a self-supporting antenna that can be deployed in a variety of environments, including trees and other challenging terrain. It could be used for the Two Cans project by attaching the radio to the top of the pole and using the four radiating elements to create a multi-band antenna.

Show Notes