Sofas on the Air

Afleveringen

1. Forrest: Founder of the Brass Knuckle Gang! | Sofas on the Air Ep. 17

   28 oktober 2026 · 2 uur 28 min

   Afspelen
   Saddle up for Episode 17 of Sofas on the Air as Ara (N6ARA) and Mark (KD7DTS) are joined by none other than Forrest (KI7QCF) - the Godfather of the Brass Knuckle Gang and founder of the QRQ Crew! The SOFAteers enjoy a glass of High West Midsummer Night’s Dram to lubricate a deep dive into high-speed CW, Forrest's legendary key collection, the explosive growth of BKG, mountain-topping SOTA adventures, and all the behind-the-scenes stories you won't see anywhere else. Hit play, keep it real, and join the ride!As always, the Sofa was captained by Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA. Lees meer

   PATREON

   We strongly believe that in-person chats are more fun! Want to help us fly SOTA icons out for in-person interviews?

   Join our Patreon (and Discord) community!

   https://www.patreon.com/c/SofasOnTheAir

   Are you audio-only? We're on most of the Podcast services!

   - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nCqdV4j1TdPEenmwpCEPS?si=82449a53352a477d

   - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sofas-on-the-air/id1820292444

   SHOW NOTES

   Brass Knuckle Gang: https://www.bkg.club/

   QRQ Crew: https://www.qrqcrew.club

   Bandpass filter talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzXHuE4UW6I

   Sources for stuff you may want to purchase and/or install:

   - KI6CR Paddles - https://www.ki6cr-labs.com/

   - Ara’s N6ARA Store: https://n6ara.com

   - NR7Y Firmware: https://briand.github.io/cw-firmware-docs/hardware/rework-overview/

   CHAPTERS

   0:00 - Intro: Welcoming Forrest KI7QCF

   10:25 - Drink: High West A Midsummer Night’s Dram (Act 13, Scene 7)

   21:41 - Topic 1: Brass Knuckle Gang (BKG) Origins & Growth

   1:09:20 - Topic 2: Keeping It Real & YouTube Community Impact

   1:19:44 - Topic 3: The QRQ Crew & High-Speed CW

   1:31:40 - Topic 4: The KI7QCF Key Collection

   1:50:10 - Topic 5: SOTA Activations & Forrest's Goat Plan

   2:08:49 - Patreon Questions

   2:23:52 - Other Plugs & Shoutouts

   2:27:05 - Outro & Closing Credits

   THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

   Umesh KK6TXI - outro music

   Di KO6BTM - intro/outro graphics and cover art

2. Chris KI6CR Launches Two New Products! | Sofas on the Air Ep. 16

   13 oktober 2026 · 2 uur 39 min

   Afspelen
   In Episode 16 of Sofas on the Air, Chris (KI6CR) sips coffee while chatting about amateur radio, Summits on the Air (SOTA), and his latest hardware and software creations. Chris discusses his innovative SOTA Planner tool for mapping out multi-summit activations, his Activator Toolkit WordPress plugin for automating post-hike blog summaries and contact maps, and two new Morse code products: a custom-designed miniature Elecraft KH1 paddle and a Quansheng adapter that enables modification-free CW operation on NR7Y-enhanced 'Shengs. Lees meer

   As always, the Sofa was captained by Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA.

   PATREON

   We strongly believe that in-person chats are more fun! Want to help us fly SOTA icons out for in-person interviews? Join our Patreon (and Discord) community!

   https://www.patreon.com/c/SofasOnTheAir

   Are you audio-only? We're on most of the Podcast services!

   - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nCqdV4j1TdPEenmwpCEPS?si=82449a53352a477d- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sofas-on-the-air/id1820292444

   SHOW NOTES

   The SOTA Planner: https://sotaplanner.com/

   Activator Toolkit: https://wordpress.org/plugins/activator-toolkit-for-sota/

   Chris Online

   https://www.ki6cr-labs.com/

   https://www.ki6cr.com/

   https://www.youtube.com/@KI6CR

   https://www.instagram.com/ki6cr_chris/

   Ara’s N6ARA Store: https://n6ara.com

   CHAPTERS

   0:00 How Ya Doing?

   18:00 Topic 1: How’d Ya Get Into SOTA

   37:10 Topic 2: Project #1 - the SOTA Planner

   1:15:45 Topic 3: Project #2 - Activator Toolkit

   1:28:25 Topic 4: Project #3 - Elecraft KH1 Paddle

   1:55:17 Topic 5: Project #4 - Quansheng Adapter for CW

   2:09:57 Topic 6: Chris Starts a Company

   2:26:47 Topic 7: Patreon Giveaway!

   2:32:30 Other plugs

   2:35:57 Thanks to our Patreons & Outro

   THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

   Umesh KK6TXI - outro music

   Di KO6BTM - intro/outro graphics and cover art

3. Thomas K4SWL: The QRPer | Sofas on the Air Ep. 15

   24 augustus 2026 · 3 uur 14 min

   Afspelen
   In Episode 15 of Sofas on the Air, hosts Ara (N6ARA) and Mark (KD7DTS) fly in their very first Patreon-funded guest: QRP Amateur Radio Club International Hall of Famer, QRPer.com founder, and Ham Radio Workbench co-host Thomas Witherspoon (K4SWL). Accompanied by tasty beverages, the Sofa journeys through Thomas’s portable operating journey, his appreciation for the unique experiences of both Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA) activations, and insights from his recent radio trip to England. The hosts also answer Patreon supporter questions, conduct a giveaway powered by radioactivity, dive into their favorite non-radio YouTube channels, and reflect on operating strategies for shifting solar cycles, all while sharing updates on new field gear and manufacturing projects like the N6ARA TinyFilter. As always, the Sofa was captained by Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA. Lees meer

   PATREON

   We strongly believe that in-person chats are more fun! Want to help us fly SOTA icons out for in-person interviews? Join our Patreon (and Discord) community!

   https://www.patreon.com/c/SofasOnTheAir

   SHOW NOTES Thomas’ Menagerie of Ham Topics

   https://swling.com/

   https://qrper.com/

   https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasK4SWL

   https://www.hamradioworkbench.com/

   https://www.patreon.com/qrpswl

   CHAPTERS

   0:00 How Ya Doing?

   22:42 New word: commensality

   36:19 Topic 1: The Ara & Thomas Origin Story

   1:14:02 Topic 2: Patreon Questions

   1:31:12 Topic 3: Thomas’ trip to England

   2:01:30 Topic 4: The NR7Y 'Sheng Giveaway

   2:21:05 Topic 5: Tangent! Favorite YouTube Channels

   2:41:25 Topic 6: The Next Solar Cycle

   3:01:18 Manufacturing the N6ARA TinyFilter - an update!

   3:12:40 Thanks to our Patreons & Outro

   THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

   Umesh KK6TXI - outro music

   Di KO6BTM - intro/outro graphics and cover art

4. LIVE from the W6TRW Field Day: Ham Radio Speed Dating | Sofas Ep. 14

   28 juni 2026 · 2 uur 27 min

   Afspelen

   Guests Josh KI6NAZ, Adam K6ARK, Doug WA6RLR and Becky W6BKY talk satellites, antennas, safety and more! This episode was recorded live and streamed via satellite from the 2026 W6TRW Field Day site.

5. Brian NR7Y: Bringing 2m CW to the Quansheng | Sofas on the Air Ep. 13

   22 juni 2026 · 2 uur 2 min

   Afspelen
   Brian NR7Y is our very first DX guest. He flew into Los Angeles today just for this episode, and we’re tremendously excited to welcome him to this Sofa. There’s a funny story behind how he got here - stay tuned for that! In this episode you’ll hear Brian give a deep dive into his ‘NR7Y mod’, which enables amazingly good morse code on affordable VHF/UHF radios. We’ll also hear from Ara on the continuing pick ‘n place machine installation journey, and the upcoming release of the new N6ARA TinyFilters. If you make it to the end, we’re giving away an NR7Y mod’ed Quangsheng radio! Listen carefully & enter to win in the comments!As always, the Sofa was captained by Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA.PATREONWe strongly believe that in-person chats are more fun! Want to help us fly SOTA icons out for in-person interviews? Join our Patreon (and Discord) community!https://www.patreon.com/c/SofasOnTheAirAre you audio-only? We're on most of the Podcast services!- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nCqdV4j1TdPEenmwpCEPS?si=82449a53352a477d- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sofas-on-the-air/id1820292444SHOW NOTESNR7Y's K5v1 Mod: https://github.com/briand/uv-k5-firmware-custom-cw/releasesNR7Y'sK5v3/K1 Mod: https://github.com/briand/uv-k1-k5v3-firmware-custom/releasesNR7Y's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BrianMaybeMediaThe BKG site: https://www.bkg.club/Ara’s TinyFilter for 2m: https://n6ara.com/product/tinyfilter-2m/CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to the Sofa9:45 The N6ARA Tinyfilter & Pick 'n Place Machine25:58 NR7Y Mod, Chapter 1: The Original Hack34:28 NR7Y Mod, Chapter 2: First Firmware Mod (K5v1)44:15 NR7Y Mod, Chapter 3: Firmware for the K5v3 & K11:12:26 NR7Y Mod, Chapter 4: Feature Expansion, Limits & What's Next1:18:00 Special BKG Event1:23:01 Question from KI6NAZ/HRCC1:38:49 What CAN'T be done with the Quansheng?!?1:44:04 Just for the Listeners1:47:13 W6TRW Field Day Plans1:57:42 Thanks to our NR7Y-enabling Patreons & OutroTHANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSUmesh KK6TXI - … Lees meer

6. Tim N7KOM: Welcome to the Brass Knuckle Gang! | Sofas on the Air Ep. 12

   4 juni 2026 · 1 uur 57 min

   Afspelen
   It's another Tidalwave Tim session on the Sofa! In this episode, Ara shares his adventures at 4 Days in May and Dayton Hamvention, Mark debriefs on livestreaming during a backpacking activation/livestream with Adam K6ARK, Tim dishes on learning to check his coax during contests (7QP), and there's a shallow but enthusiastic dive into Meshcore (official Sofas channel is #sofas). As always, the Sofa was captained by Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA.__PATREON__We strongly believe that in-person chats are more fun! Want to help us fly SOTA icons out for in-person interviews? Join our Patreon (and Discord) community!https://www.patreon.com/c/SofasOnTheAirAre you audio-only? We're on most of the Podcast services!- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nCqdV4j1TdPEenmwpCEPS?si=82449a53352a477d- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sofas-on-the-air/id1820292444__SHOW NOTES__Beverage tastings:- Paperback - Bunny with a Chainsaw: https://paperback.la/pub/bwac- Paperback - Paperback IPA - https://untappd.com/b/paperback-brewing-co-paperback-ipa/6497197- Paperback - Baby Bunny with a Chainsaw: https://untappd.com/b/paperback-brewing-co-baby-bunny-with-a-chainsaw/6246274The BKG site: https://www.bkg.club/Tim's (American) Traps (since etsy banned them): https://ko-fi.com/s/dd65bda269Tim's (Canadian) Traps: https://ve6lk.com/shop/Zippy Paddle by Zeus K8CES - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7255380G7UFO's KX2 USB-C mod: https://shop.g7ufo.radio/collections/kxusbc2-unofficial-internal-usb-c-charger-for-the-elecraft-kx2__THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS__Umesh KK6TXI - outro musicDi KO6BTM - intro/outro graphics and cover art Lees meer

7. David N6AN: from Teen with Tubes to 2024 SOTA Challenge Winner | Sofas on the Air Ep. 11

   21 april 2026 · 1 uur 45 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode we welcome David N6AN! David was #1 in the USA for the 2024 10m SOTA challenge, and #5 in the world - all done while QRP. He's a consummate contester and DXer, with ears trained to hear CW whispered by a mouse across a canyon in a hurricane. Lees meer

   In this episode David shares his journey from eager teen to seasoned CW op amidst plenty of jokes and fun tangents into activations and other SOTA-ventures!

   As always, the Sofa was captained by Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA.

   __PATREON__

   We strongly believe that in-person chats are more fun! Want to help us fly SOTA icons out for in-person interviews? Join our Patreon (and Discord) community!

   https://www.patreon.com/c/SofasOnTheAir

   Are you audio-only? We're on most of the Podcast services!

   - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nCqdV4j1TdPEenmwpCEPS?si=82449a53352a477d

   - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sofas-on-the-air/id1820292444

   __SHOW NOTES__

   Ara N6ARA on YouTube: @N6ARAElectronics

   The N6ARA Store: https://n6ara.com/

   Drink tastings:

   - Hazy IPA by MadeWest Brewing Co.

   - N6ARA: Opt Outside by Chapman Crafted Beer

   - N6AN: Pink Lemonade by Spindrift

   High Speed Telegraphy Record: https://youtu.be/Gkn4SsUMMnI?si=DbZALXIRUrSly6tD

   __CHAPTERS__

   0:00 Welcome and Episode Summary

   2:47 Drink tasting

   5:22 The Retrorig for April Fools

   18:41 Today's Activation: Pebble Build!

   33:59 David's Ham Journey

   1:03:14 How did David get SO good at Morse Code?

   1:14:25 Winning the 10m SOTA Challenge in America

   1:29:00 Telegraphy Competitions

   1:43:48 Thanks to our Patreons and... DIT DIT!

   __THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS__

   Umesh KK6TXI - outro music

   Di KO6BTM - intro/outro graphics and cover art

8. The TinyGawant lives! (plus a SOTA DXpedition and Winter Field Day) | Sofas on the Air Ep. 10

   16 februari 2026 · 1 uur 38 min

   Afspelen
   If you’re a regular listener, you may have noticed we’ve been - dare I say - a bit radio silent. Well, today we’re back - and Ara and I are going to catch up on all the shenanigans that kept us out of the studio! Stay tuned to hear about Ara’s newest product - the TinyGawant - along with Mark and Di’s SOTA DXpedition to Australia, Winter Field Day, and a few spoilers from Ara on upcoming product concepts! Lees meer

   As always, the Sofa was captained by Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA, with Di KO6BTM running the studio system.

   __PATREON__

   We strongly believe that in-person chats are more fun! Want to help us fly SOTA icons out for in-person interviews? Join our Patreon (and Discord) community!https://www.patreon.com/c/SofasOnTheAir

   __SHOW NOTES__

   Ara N6ARA on YouTube:⁠ @N6ARAElectronics ⁠

   The N6ARA Store: https://n6ara.com/

   Drink tastings:

   - Hi Dez by Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.

   - Opt Outside by Chapman Crafted Beer

   __CHAPTERS__

   0:00 Mark and Ara catch up

   6:43 The TinyGawant Antenna

   26:59 SOTA DXpedition in Australia

   43:48 Winter Field Day with W6TRW

   57:27 Ara gets a surprise!

   1:04:56 Ara’s Future Products?!?

   1:33:11 Thanks to our Patreons

   __THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS__

   Umesh KK6TXI - outro music

   Di KO6BTM - intro/outro graphics

9. Josh KI6NAZ: Crash Course in SOTA, YouTube and Testing Antennas | Sofas Ep. 9

   16 december 2025 · 2 uur 13 min

   Afspelen
   Friend of the 'pod Josh KI6NAZ, from the little-known @HamRadioCrashCourse drops by the sofa to get nerdy... and share how he entered the SOTA-verse! Lees meer

   This episode covers Josh's disastrous first SOTA activation and Mark's theories on the importance of balancing technical, physical, and mental skills for success. Ara shows hardware for his nearly complete "Antennode" project, which uses Raspberry Pis and LoRa to automate antenna A/B testing and provide a scientific method for evaluating antenna performance without expensive equipment. Josh dives deep into the challenges of content creation, emphasizing the need for consistency over perfection. Finally, the whole team gets passionate about building sustainable ham club club leadership, and how to empower new members to take the initiative in gettin' stuff done!

   As always, the Sofa was captained by Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA, with Di KO6BTM running the studio system and Ormoo noshing on kibbles.

   Patreon: Want to help us fly SOTA icons out for in-person interviews, and support our audio upgrades? We believe strongly that in-person chats are more fun!

   https://www.patreon.com/c/SofasOnTheAir

   __SHOW NOTES__

   Josh KI6NAZ on YouTube: @HamRadioCrashCourse

   Ara N6ARA on YouTube: @N6ARAElectronics

   The N6ARA Store: https://n6ara.com/

   Drink tasting: Elysian "Contact Haze"

   __CHAPTERS__0:00 Welcome & beers

   3:07 Josh's hot takes on AI

   8:30 Josh's first (failed) SOTA, and need for "Intro to SOTA" days

   30:27 Mark's principles of "SOTA Success"

   36:07 The "Antennode" - antenna science!

   1:02:13 Developing ham club leaders

   1:17:19 Patreon questions! (YouTube... how does that work??)

   1:45:34 Turning the tables - Josh's questions for Ara & Mark

   __THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS__

   Umesh KK6TXI - outro music

   Di KO6BTM - intro/outro graphics

10. Justin K5EM - Building Community through Radiosport | Sofas on the Air Ep. 8

    3 november 2025 · 1 uur 53 min

    Afspelen
    Ara's friend Justin K5EM drops by the sofa to share his pro tips on how friendly radio events (including SOTA!) can build community both locally, and around the world. Lees meer

    As always, this episode was captained by Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA, with Di KO6BTM running the studio system.

    Patreon: Want to help us fly SOTA icons out for in-person interviews, and support our audio upgrades? We believe strongly that in-person chats are more fun! https://www.patreon.com/c/SofasOnTheAir

    __SHOW NOTES__

    Drink tasting: Sake - Kunoichi by Moon Bloom

    Supercon: https://hackaday.io/superconference/

    Salmon Run QSO Party: https://salmonrun.wwdxc.org/

    Palau DX: https://www.qrz.com/db/T88WA

    SOTAMAT: https://sotamat.com/

    Non-Ormoo SOTACAT: https://store.invertedlabs.com/product/sotacat/

    __Chapters__

    0:00 Intros

    8:00 Mark's SOTA Goat activation

    19:50 Justin's ham journey

    42:51 DXpedition in Palau

    1:09:01 Salmon Run QSO Party

    1:30:51 SOTACAT

    1:42:12 Thanks to our Patreon supporters

    __THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS__

    Umesh KK6TXI - outro music

    Di KO6BTM - intro/outro graphicsNote: Amazon links, if any, are affiliate links

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