Cliff's Notes on Amateur Radio | HAM - GMRS - And More!

Dec 12 2024 12 ep. 70 mins 4
Cliff's Notes on Amateur Radio | HAM - GMRS - And More! Podcast artwork

Cliff's Notes on Amateur Radio is your go-to source for all things amateur radio, hosted by Cliff Ravenscraft, a passionate communicator with a rich history in early digital telephony, internet communications, and podcasting. Whether you’re a seasoned ham radio operator or just curious about the world of radio, this podcast will guide you through the fascinating landscape of amateur radio, from its nostalgic roots to its cutting-edge present. Join Cliff as he shares his personal journey from childhood fascination with radio communication to becoming a licensed amateur radio operator at the age of 51. With over 18 years of podcasting experience and a deep love for sharing knowledge, Cliff brings a unique and engaging perspective to the amateur radio community. Expect a mix of storytelling, technical insights, and discussions on the ever-evolving world of radio communication. Tune in to learn about the magic of radio waves, the thrill of connecting with others across distances, and why now is the perfect time to dive into the world of amateur radio.

  Technology
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012 - The Untold Story of ICOM’s Rise and Lido Radio’s Beginnings with Jim Newcomb

Dec 12 2024 90 mins  
In this episode of Cliff’s Notes on Amateur Radio, I sit down with Jim Newcomb, the founder of Lido Radio Products, to explore his incredible journey through the world of Amateur Radio and entrepreneurship. From his unexpected start at Icom America to creating one of the most trusted names in mobile radio mounting solutions, Jim shares behind-the-scenes insights, fascinating stor

011 - HF & POTA Gear Haul 2024 - Part 2

Nov 22 2024 74 mins  
In this episode, I continue sharing my initial amateur radio gear purchases after selling my 1974 Classic Volkswagen Beetle, which provided me with a $9,000 budget for the hobby. Radio Purchases ICOM 7300 - For Home Base Station - Amazon Link Yaesu FT-891 - For Mobile / Portable Use - Amazon Link Yaesu YSK-891 Separation Kit for FT-891 - Amazon Link Lido heavy Duty Cup Holder - Di

010 - HF & POTA Gear Haul 2024 - Part 1

Nov 21 2024 56 mins  
In this episode, I share my Amateur Radio journey over the past three and a half weeks since my first Parks On The Air activation in episode 9. I share why I've been "radio silent" when it comes to new podcast episodes for this show during this same period of time. I quickly mentioned TCRS Episode 731 and TrainWithCliff.com. I've become quite obsessed with Parks On The Air, operati

009 - My First Parks On The Air (POTA) Park Activation

Oct 13 2024 118 mins  
I'm deeply grateful for the incredible gift Mark Volstad (AI4BJ) gave me today. Mark reached out midweek, offering to assist with my first official POTA Park Activation using his own gear. This episode captures the excitement of this milestone in my amateur radio journey. This episode is lengthy and includes all 102 QSOs made during my first POTA Park activation. For a deeper under

008 - Unlocking the World of HF - A Tale of Generosity, Setups, and Connection

Oct 05 2024 75 mins  
My First Solo Adventures with HF Radio In this episode, I share my first solo adventures with HF radio, with the help of many different people who have made that possible for me. Selling the Volkswagen Beetle In the previous episode, I mentioned that I had a strategy for coming up with a budget for my amateur radio hobby. I knew I would want to make some purchases, so I decided to

007 A Burning Desire for HF: How POTA and Passion Drove Me to Get My General License

Sep 19 2024 63 mins  
In this episode, I share the story of my recent journey toward earning my General HAM Radio License and how my experience in the Parks on the Air (POTA) program motivated me to fully commit to passing the exam. You'll hear about my study techniques, my unexpected weekend adventure with a seasoned HAM operator, and how it all culminated in acing the exam. Introduction: Recap of las

006 - Reconnecting Others to their Love of Amateur Radio and My First Adventures into Digital Voice

Sep 12 2024 63 mins  
In this episode, I share how this podcast has had the unexpected benefit of reconnecting others who had previously been active in amateur radio but had lost their passion for it over time. In fact, this episode was inspired by a heartfelt Voxer message I received from my friend Marc Jeffrey (2E0MCJ), who had been inactive in amateur radio for several years, but was inspired to dust

005 - The Vanity Call Sign Trap: From Buyer's Remorse to Embracing My Call Sign: A Ham Radio Journey

Sep 08 2024 47 mins  
 In this episode of Cliff's Notes on amateur radio, I share the story of my immediate buyer's remorse after receiving my assigned call sign. It all began on August 21, 2024, the day I received my amateur radio license. I was so excited that I could hardly sleep, waking up at 4 AM to check my email. To my surprise, the FCC had already issued my license at 3:24 AM that morning!

004 - How To Get A 100% On Your Technician Amateur Radio Exam With Less Than 10 Hours of Study

Sep 05 2024 40 mins  
Are you ready to get your Technician Amateur Radio License? In the United States, the Technician license exam consists of 35 questions drawn from a pool of 423. To pass, you need to score 74% or higher—that's 26 correct answers. In this podcast episode, I'll share the exact method and study course I used to score 100% on my Technician Amateur Radio Exam with less than 10 hours of

003 - Digital Radio Options | A Conversation with Deacon Bradley (N5JOV)

Aug 28 2024 77 mins  
In this episode, I'm joined by my friend Deacon Bradley (N5JOV), a friend who has had his amateur radio license since 2020. Deacon shares his journey into amateur radio and why he chose the Yaesu FT-60 as his first radio. The conversation then shifts to the world of digital radio options such as Yaesu's Fusion, Icom's D-STAR, and the open DMR protocol.  Deacon also shares his