Ham Radio Workbench Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode we catch up with our good friend and show regular Thomas Witherspoon, K4SWL, to find out how things are going in the disaster recovery from hurricane Helene.  We are also joined by our good frend Josh Higgins, K7OSH, from the Hoodview ARC and discuss what we should do, as amateur radio operators, to prepare for disasters.  

In this episode, our dear friend Thomas, K4SWL, tells us about the devestation in North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.  Thomas shares his family's esperience and his advice for emergency preparation. 

We had so many interesting topics to talk about regarding emergency prep, workbench style, that we are going to do a follow up episode with our top tips for emergency prep sometime in the coming months.

In this episode we meet Colin Vallance, KC8DHY, a professional network engineer who also manages the WiFi network at DefCon and other events.  We talk with Colin about how to set up your network in the ham stack.  We also have a round table discussion about our plans for Field Day 2024.

Winter is going, and that means it’s time to start preparing for springtime operations!  George, John W7DBO, Mike VA3MW, and Rod VA3ON join to talk about their projects to prepare for Spring.

PERMALINK - https://www.hamradioworkbench.com/podcast/spring-project-roundtable

Our Website - http://www.hamradioworkbench.com/

Follow us on Twitter -  https://twitter.com/hamworkbench

Contact us -  http://hamradioworkbench.com/contact

Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamradioworkbench/

BrandMeister Talkgroup 31075 - https://hose.brandmeister.network/group/31075/

Join us LIVE Friday March 12th at the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo at 9PM EST/6PM PST

https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/

Low Band Systems - https://lowbandsystems.com

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/lbs-six2two-uhf/media/video

Some great Technical slides with all the math / science (Hamvention 2017) - https://static-sl.insales.ru/files/1/7984/4996912/original/Using_High_Performance_Multiplexer_Technology_v1c.pdf

RadioStuff - https://groups.io/g/RadioStuff

www.eb104.ru

Cool little HDMI Camera - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1526285-REG/aida_imaging_hd_100a_hdmi_pov_camera_with.html

Cool video switcher/streamer -

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/media/release/20200730-02

This week we have a mega cast to discuss how to start a workbench on a $250 budget.  George KJ6VU, Rod VA3ON, Vince VE6LK, and Dan AG7GM all present their recommendations while Mike VA3MW and Jeremy KF7IJZ give insight to the selections offered.

PERMALINK - https://www.hamradioworkbench.com/podcast/250-dollar-workbench

Our Website - http://www.hamradioworkbench.com/

Follow us on Twitter -  https://twitter.com/hamworkbench

Contact us -  http://hamradioworkbench.com/contact

Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamradioworkbench/

BrandMeister Talkgroup 31075 - https://hose.brandmeister.network/group/31075/

Join us at the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo on Friday 3/12, 2021 at 2100 EST / 1800 PST - https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/ 

BayCon 2021 Videos - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfAM3ZqzDZxL2Ez5R2oD-Qw

Mike's $31 DMM - https://www.banggood.com/ANENG-620A-4_7-inch-Large-LCD-Screen-Automatic-+-Manual-Intelligent-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-Resistance-Diode-Capacitance-Temperature-Frequency-Test-p-1805601.html?rmmds=myorder&cur_warehouse=CN&ID=6287842

Vince D'eon VE6LK - http://ve6lk.com/ and https://twitter.com/VE6LK

George Builds an IC-705 portable case - ttps://www.hamradioworkbench.com/george-kj6vus-blog.html

Tester Diode Triode Capacitor Resistor Transistor LCR ESR NPN PNP MOSFET - https://www.amazon.com/wisTek-Transistor-Capacitor-Resistor-Colorful/dp/B07SZQ7VTF/ref=sr_1_83?dchild=1&keywords=lcr+esr+meter&qid=1613767657&sr=8-83

Plasti-Dip - https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plasti-Dip/N-5yc1vZ6z7 

Veto Pro Pac - https://vetopropac.com/ 

Cycle25 Club YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_0gANQteAstN8wHJR8QPw

George's List - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SuskqruwVKmGCd15li9__VOVXv45fz8rd7jqtpyL3Yw/edit?usp=sharing

Vince's List - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JQDEhrkI1ZuVnZaAKkoyyCSBUsRNBswHgkL9JVmRsxI/edit?usp=sharing

Dan's List - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ES1RqjK2JgH22COja79vSv4Dl4XJSfucV9wjfFxRd4I/edit?usp=sharing

Rod's List

Rod - Pliers kit (6)

Craftsman

Stanley Black & Decker/Dewalt

22

https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-Pliers-6-Piece-Pouch-CMHT81716/dp/B07QL3CLRS/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=electronics+tool+set&qid=1613782573&sr=8-9

Screwdrivers (16) (iPhone)

Craftsman

Tell this story

20

https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-944979-Pieces-Set-Electronics/dp/B01HZWV0JU/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=craftsman+electronics+screwdrivers&qid=1613782859&sr=8-5

Ratcheting screwdriver/Bits

Craftsman

Have this already?

20

https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-Ratcheting-Screwdriver-26-Piece-CMHT68001/dp/B07SGVXKZ9/ref=pd_bxgy_img_3/146-1530988-4851835?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07SGVXKZ9&pd_rd_r=c4901bbb-ba48-4453-b4ad-5578484f367f&pd_rd_w=SsvfV&pd_rd_wg=JDFZ7&pf_rd_p=f325d01c-4658-4593-be83-3e12ca663f0e&pf_rd_r=MRA12DNAN97M113YKF9Z&psc=1&refRID=MRA12DNAN97M113YKF9Z

Soldering

Rod - 

Solder Station

Weller WESD51

Used 48

48

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Weller-WESD51-Digital-Solder-Station-50-W-350-850-F/114680045896?hash=item1ab376a148:g:s8AAAOSw~Q9gJadb

we1010na

New 109

0

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WE1010NA-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B077JDGY1J/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=WE1010NA&qid=1613781309&sr=8-2

Education kit

159 usd with lb solder and xcelites

Test Equipment

DMM - Digital Multi Meter

Fluke Model 101

New

51

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-101-Multimeter-Resistance-Capacitance/dp/B00HE6MIJY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=fluke+101&qid=1613781680&sr=8-1

Consumables

Solder

Kester "44" 63/37 .031

New

12.49

https://www.amazon.com/Kester-Rosin-Core-Solder-Dispense-Pak/dp/B017WK9HQS/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=SOLDER+kester+63%2F37&qid=1613781863&s=industrial&sr=1-7

Solder wick

Tiny roll (Yellow)

New

3.5

https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-Desoldering-Length-Yellow/dp/B008O9W78C/ref=sr_1_7_mod_primary_new?dchild=1&keywords=solder+wick+yellow&qid=1613782353&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=8-7

Sponge

Fits in caddy

New

2.2

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WCC104-Solder-Cleaning-Sponge/dp/B0091A7CUG/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Sponge+for+weller+soldering+iron&qid=1613782468&sr=8-3

Jeremy's List

Hakko FX-888D Soldering Station - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ANZRT4M/

Hakko CHP-170 Micro Cutters - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FZPDG1K/

Uni-T UT-139C Digital Multimeter - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016JXASYE/

Irwin VISE GRIP Wire Stripper - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OQ21CA/

iFixit Mako Precision Screwdriver Set - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0189YWOIO/

Mitotoyu Pocket Steel Rule - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OBX14Q/

1/4" Right Angle Driver Set - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0062FSAVI/

EEVBlog BM235 DMM - https://www.amazon.com/EEVblog-BM235-Brymen-Multimeter/dp/B01JZ1ADCO/

It's time for BayCon once again! In this episode, Mike Walker VA3MW walks us through his station automation and talks about leveraging Node Red for control.

PERMALINK - https://www.hamradioworkbench.com/podcast/baycon-2021-station-automation

Our Website - http://www.hamradioworkbench.com/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hamworkbench

Contact us - http://hamradioworkbench.com/contact

Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamradioworkbench/

BrandMeister Talkgroup 31075 - https://hose.brandmeister.network/group/31075/

Intro to Station Automation Video - https://youtu.be/AJGhu8r7cYU?t=11671

Using Node Red for Station Automation Video - https://youtu.be/AJGhu8r7cYU?t=15234

Steve Hicks N5AC, Chief Technology Officer for Flex Radio, joins us to talk about the approach that Flex takes to build not just radios, but radio platforms.

PERMALINK - https://www.hamradioworkbench.com/podcast/flexradio-hardware-architecture

Our Website - http://www.hamradioworkbench.com/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hamworkbench

Contact us - http://hamradioworkbench.com/contact

Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamradioworkbench/

BrandMeister Talkgroup 31075 - https://hose.brandmeister.network/group/31075/

Kevin KM6WUM joins to talk about building a portable satellite tracker.

PERMALINK - https://www.hamradioworkbench.com/podcast/portable-satellite-tracker

Our Website - http://www.hamradioworkbench.com/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hamworkbench

Contact us - http://hamradioworkbench.com/contact

Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamradioworkbench/

BrandMeister Talkgroup 31075 - https://hose.brandmeister.network/group/31075/

Mke K8MRD stops by to talk about portable operation.  George and Jeremy discuss their new ICOM IC-705s.

Our Website - http://www.hamradioworkbench.com/

Follow us on Twitter -  https://twitter.com/hamworkbench

Contact us -  http://hamradioworkbench.com/contact

Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamradioworkbench/

BrandMeister Talkgroup 31075 - https://hose.brandmeister.network/group/31075/

PERMALINK - https://www.hamradioworkbench.com/podcast/portable-ops

K8MRD Radio Stuff Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/k8mrdradiostuff

G90 Go Box/Solar Generator video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHS1ONJ3TrI&t=1s

G90 Go Box/Solar Generator build video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ45RgHDUNU

Harbor Freight Apache Cases - https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=apache%20case

Sherwood Engineering RF Receiver Comparison - http://www.sherweng.com/table.html

IC-705 ZMount - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P4LX3RF

IC-705 cage - https://www.peovi.com/product/ic705-tatical-cage/

IC-705 Cage option 2 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/protective-case-cover-folding-stand-Antenna-Bracket-For-ICOM-705-IC-705/174559653485?hash=item28a490ee6d:g:W7AAAOSwaOtf2CxQ

Ben Jordan KN6GPS from Autodesk joins to discuss considerations of RF PCB Design.

Our Website - http://www.hamradioworkbench.com/

Follow us on Twitter -  https://twitter.com/hamworkbench

Contact us -  http://hamradioworkbench.com/contact

Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamradioworkbench/

BrandMeister Talkgroup 31075 - https://hose.brandmeister.network/group/31075/

PERMALINK - https://www.hamradioworkbench.com/podcast/rf-pcb-design

Mini VNA Tiny - https://www.amazon.com/1M-3GHz-Network-Analyzer-Generator-S-Parameter/dp/B07JNLDJBJ/ref=asc_df_B07JNLDJBJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=252589173590&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15109129527556213336&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061323&hvtargid=pla-584683107281&psc=1

The transmission line design handbook - https://www.amazon.com/Transmission-Handbook-Propagation-Microwave-Hardcover/dp/0890064369

Simberian RF EM circuit simulation - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=simberian

Lime SDR - https://limemicro.com/products/boards/limesdr/

AppCad - http://www.hp.woodshot.com/

QUCS Circuit Simulator - http://qucs.sourceforge.net/

Nano VNA - https://nanovna.com/

https://www.rtl-sdr.com/reviews-of-the-nanovna-an-ultra-low-cost-50-vector-network-analyzer/

Octiave - https://www.gnu.org/software/octave/index

Open EMS field solver - https://openems.de/start/

Antenna Theory web site - http://www.antenna-theory.com/