QSO Today Podcast - Interviews with the leaders in amateur radio

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.

Bill and Pete at the SolderSmoke Podcast refer to my guest today as the Heathkit Guru of South Texas, a mantle that Will Everett, N5OLA, wears with pride. After returning from civilian life as a reporter and aid worker in Afghanistan in 2015, Will relicensed in 2019 and took his passion for vintage Heathkit amateur radio transceivers to a new level, restoring them to their former glory before sending them on to new owners. Operating from South Padre Island, Will enjoys CW on his Heathkit HW-101, finding quiet moments between running his coffee shops and pursuing his restoration passion. N5OLA is my QSO today.

Jim Hall, AD4EB, discovered radio as a young shortwave listener and builder, then turned a lifetime of engineering, CW, RTTY, and contesting into one of amateur radio's most demanding operating specialties: mobile QSO party contesting. In this episode, Jim shares how his early Heathkit projects, teletype machines, and work with HAL Devices led him deeper into electronics and ham radio, and how he now combines two-radio contesting, station automation, careful route planning, and the steady driving support of his wife, Melody, to win state QSO parties from the road. AD4EB's story is a fascinating look at skill, preparation, partnership, and the pure fun of chasing pileups county by county.