Four flip-flops walk into a divider…

Live Free and Ham Podcast

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7d ago 2:21:08

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Radios bring us together; NearFest reminds us why. We packed a three-day ham festival into 24 hours—livestreams, campsite breakfasts, last-minute builds—and still found time to argue about antennas, fix MeshTastic nodes, and quiz Todd on Extra-class theory. It’s chaotic in the best way: flip-flops dividing by sixteen, Schottky vs zener symbols, and the old reliable “Eli the Iceman” to lock in AC phase memory. New hams got outfitted, veterans scored wild deals, and someone used a fox-hunt rig to find their car keys. That’s NearFest.
We dig into what actually matters in the field. End-fed vs BuddyPole vs coil; why a carbon-fiber mast can sabotage a vertical; how to run honest A/B tests without wasting a Saturday; and why a “doer” can be faster than a “tester” when the sun is dropping. MeshTastic gets real-world love too: clean configs, quiet event channels, and plans to bring MQTT online for those outside RF reach. On-air etiquette earns a moment—146.52 is perfect for a hail, not a monologue—so we talk CQ, QSY, and being a good neighbor on simplex.
The conversation wanders, like a good campfire should: Huntsville’s magic at Monte Sano, Belton’s vibe, scooters and one-wheels for event mobility, and skydiving stories that turn into a listener-powered idea—numbered “Grouch” jump plushies, signed with altitude and DZ, to fund more jumps and better stories. We close with next steps: a community-built POTA field guide with practical checklists, band plans, and setup shortcuts to help more operators get on the air with less friction.
If you enjoy smart radio talk with a little grit and a lot of heart, hit subscribe, tap the bell, and share this episode with a friend who loves a good gear debate. Leave us a review or a voicemail at 978-233-1142—what’s your best hamfest deal and your go-to portable antenna?

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Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR
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If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:
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Chapters

1. Welcome, Hosts, and Housekeeping (00:00:00)

2. Community, Merch, and Patreon (00:01:00)

3. Mailbag Dry Spell and Listener Invites (00:03:20)

4. Todd’s Extra Study Segment Begins (00:05:02)

5. Flip-Flops, Dividers, and Frequency Math (00:06:35)

6. Schottky vs Zener: Symbols and Smack Talk (00:09:40)

7. Capacitors, Phase, and Eli the Iceman (00:12:50)

8. AllStar Node Chaos and Repeater Rants (00:16:10)

9. License Wins, Club Shoutouts, and New Techs (00:19:20)

10. NearFest Recap: Live Streams and Camp Life (00:22:30)

11. Antenna Wars: BuddyPole vs End-Fed vs Coils (00:26:40)

12. Deals, Sales, and Swap-Meet Hustle (00:31:00)

13. MeshTastic Fixes and Quiet Channels (00:34:40)

14. Oddities at NearFest: Crochet and Fox Hunts (00:38:30)

15. Growth of NearFest and Camping Culture (00:41:00)

16. 146.52 Etiquette and Simplex Fatigue (00:44:30)

17. Huntsville, Belton, and Event Comparisons (00:48:20)

18. Mobility Toys: One-Wheels, Scooters, and Speed (00:51:40)

19. Skydiving Bits: Gear Drops and Mr. Potato Head (00:56:00)

20. Grouch Merch Ideas and Jump Sponsorships (01:00:30)

21. Plans Ahead: Content, Antennas, and Activations (01:04:40)

22. Final Thanks, CTAs, and Sign-Off (01:08:30)

110 episodes

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