Day 6: APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System), think "IoT for Amateur Radio" (my words, not his) This series is a fund raiser for the ARRL's Teacher's Institute : https://home.arrl.org/action/Donate/Donate-Now/CashProductId/2051193641
Day 11: Mobile HF Radio operations (and station tour) Operations (including working DX): A tour of all of the stuff in his truck:
Well, I can't edit my previous post. In place of the first link, take >>THIS<< to jump right to the Mobile HF Operation segment to skip the tour of all of the equipment in the truck. It can seem somewhat intimidating to a new person. Please know that he is a "power operator" and that HF Mobile can be done with a LOT less equipment.
Day 12: Mobile FM Repeaters (and a little APRS) from North Texas, but with concepts that apply anywhere. Become a member of "The Key-up Club"; people who throw out their callsign periodically rather than just always monitoring. Watch it in action >>HERE<< (a little under 6 minutes in). Otherwise, the full video is below.
I'm off to have a BOATLOAD of fun as a ROVER in the ARRL's September VHF Contest this weekend. It will make updating this thread with a link to Jason's latest videos a bit of a challenge. If someone else is willing to do so in my absence, I'd be grateful. Though I don't know Jason, it seems like this is a good place for newly licensed folks to reference in the future for ideas. Let's support his efforts as well as the ARRL's Teacher's Institute as he has asked. Even a simple $50 donation by a lot of folks can make a significant impact.
Day 16: Attending a "camping equipment" flea market, scoping out stuff that could be used for amateur radio, but to jump right to where he uses amateur radio, click >>HERE<<.
Day 17 (and 18?): A tour of a world-class VHF contest station during the September 2025 ARRL VHF Contest. Meteor Scatter, Moonbounce, and terrestrial communications.
I had a great time in the ARRL's Sepember 2025 VHF Contest, with a significantly more modest station. Lol. My Rover (mobile station) used a repurposed trailer hitch bicycle rack mount as shown below. My antennas were simple "halo's" for 6 meters, 2 meters, 1.25 meters, and 70 cm bands. I also used a triband vertical for 2/1.25/0.70 meter FM as you can see below. My 6 meter radio was a Yaesu FT-857D (you can see the head on the Lido mount) and a Yaesu FT-736R (with 2m, 1.25m, 70cm, and 23cm band modules installed). The 23cm antenna is a home built WA5VJB 10 element yagi that I could point out the window. That A/B switch allowed me to select either the vertical or the halo's. This stuff is SO FUN!
