When I released my latest book, The CW Geek’s Guide to Having Fun with Morse Code, I sent out a press release to some of the more well-known amateur radio blogs, including Ham Radio Now, QSO Today, FOTime, and ICQPodcast. They all graciously featured me in one way or another, and being on those podcasts raised my visibility. Traffic to my blog increased, and sales of my books went up.
Then, yesterday, my friend, Jack Vaughan, tweeted about NPR’s successful new podcasting strategy, and noted that podcasting seems to be making something of a comeback. I’m not sure exactly why that is, but I’m thinking that maybe I should jump on that bandwagon.
I think that my podcast would be a little different from the other ham radio podcasts out there. For one thing, instead of being an hour long, mine would be short—15 minutes max. Short and pithy is my style, and who wants to hear me ramble on for an hour?
It will also be focused on helping new hams. That seems to be what I enjoy, and what I’m good at, and, of course, I expect that hams who have been licensed for a while will also find the topics useful.
Here are a few topics for the new podcast off the top of my head:
- Why upgrade to General?
- Building your first antenna
- What to do at a hamfest
- Tips on setting up your “shack”
- Product reviews for gadgets and gear that I’ve recently acquired
- What’s contesting all about?
- Wait for the beep: proper repeater etiquette
I could go on, but you get the drift.
So, what do you think? Would you listen to or subscribe to this podcast? What kinds of topics would you like to see covered?
Doug says
As a new ham who has used your Guides and read the CW ebook, I’m all in favor of your podcast idea. I like “short and pithy.” There’s a lot of good material in the 75 to 90 minute SolderSmoke podcast, but there’s much too much rag chewing for my taste. I listen to a 15 minute IT Security “Chet Chat” from Sophos and I find the length great.
I’ve already upgraded and been to my first hamfest, but all of the other proposed ideas are great.
My preference would be for some emphasis for VHF, as that’s where most new hams start out. I’d also like to see some emphasis on getting started in public service (ARES/RACES).
Cale K4CDN says
Yes…Email on the Way!
Dave, N8SBE says
Not certain how the ‘subscribe’ part would work. I already get WAY too much stuff in my Inbox, as it is. I use an RSS reader (formerly iGoogle, but now NetVibes, since Google pulled the plug on iGoogle) to keep up with various websites, including yours and SolderSmoke, and I check it daily at lunch at my desk.
If I find a new SolderSmoke podcast, I download it to my PC, then copy it to my smartphone, so I can listen to it on my hour-long commute (so an hour is about the right length for me).
It’s a totally manual process, except that using an RSS reader keeps me from having to root around on a dozen or more web sites looking for new content.
Scotty K3TLC says
I would love to be able to download and listen to your podcasts. I went from Technician to Extra in less than a year, which means I have the ticket but I’m still learning. Some of my local area clubs are full of “we did that 15 years ago’ folks, but everything is new to me! So yes, new stuff, basic stuff is great. Even some of the less sexy topics like “Basic station grounding”, “magnetic loop antenna basics”, and “a primer on radials and counterpoises” would be warmly received.
Blessings!
Scotty Ward (K3TLC)
“Leave this world better than you found it”
Marnee KG7SIO says
I would, yes. I like short and to the point too.
Tom AJ4UQ says
Yes, I’d definitely subscribe. 15 minutes is a great length.
In addition to teasing for upgrades, you could spend a lot of time covering the things you can do with a tech license (VHF and up and up…). Repeaters, weak signal, moonbounce, high-altitude ballooning, APRS, MESH, and more. A friend here has been a tech for over 20 years… his interest is APRS and there’s a lot for him to work with there.
I think the standard guidance applies… it’s not the license class, but what you do with it. Get on the air!
Perry says
Count me in.
Ric Peterson says
YES-I WOULD SUBSCRIBE TO A PODCAST!!
Herman Price says
I would definitely subscribe. I think 15 minutes is fine. 30 might be a bit better for more in depth subjects.
73 Herman – W5HLP
Ken KD0ZNK says
I would subscribe to the podcast that you describe. I like the shorter, to the point idea.
Ken
KD0ZNK
Andy Holman (N8AAX) says
I would subscribe for sure. I think even podcasts centered around different license levels would be great. Talk about things you can build, bands you can work, how to be successful and fun things to do in each band etc.