Ham Radio Newbie - KB5jrc

04/29/2026

It is storm season. Do you have a weather radio to get National Weather Service news? Consider getting a handheld ham, GMRS, or MURS radio. Watch my video to learn more.

PSA GMRS and MURS Radios for Weather

04/20/2026

Check out my new videos and shorts https://youtube.com/?si=A2P4PygRkebmIohK

04/20/2026

Went out to Cleburn State Park with Karen Jewell today to try my first true POTA. Unfortunately, it was a bust. Only one QSO as a hunter and even that was close to the noise floor. Perhaps it was that my antenna was to close to the ground. Perhaps something else. I need more practice.

04/04/2026

I posted several new YouTube videos and shorts.

Question: would you wat have the shorts here as reels? My goal has been to build the YouTube channel as the primary source, but i can switch.

03/15/2026

Learning to use the Xiegu G-90? I'm putting together a playlist showing how to use the features.

A collection of short videos describing the functions of the Xiegu G-90

03/15/2026

My hamsticks had a higher SWR out of the box than I'd like (in fact, the radio limited me). This video shows my adjustments and results.
BTW, sorry for the shaky content and wind noise. I'll get better with practice.

First of all, sorry for the shaky video and the wind noise. Perhaps I need to get some real equipment!And second, I recently bought some Shark hamstick anten...

03/15/2026

TIL - check your antennas first!

Today I thought I'd try using my new hamsticks. Packed up my radio, battery, cables and connectors, antennas, and tripod. I could not be heard. I couldn't see it in the sun, but my radio was protecting me from high SWR. The G90 couldn't tune it. Later, i will adjust the height to lower SWR.

03/13/2026

Hunting POTA today. In about half an hour, I made 6 US Parks on the Air contacts on 20m. Im not bragging because i know that is slow. But it was friendly and slower today making it more fun. Plus, this time, I got their park numbers so they will get credit.

03/11/2026

New video -- as a Newbie, I just turned the radio on and called. I'm trying to up my skills. I learned how and why to use the preamp. Here's the video:

New to Ham Radio? You may not be using some of the features (I know I didn't). This video is about the Preamp (P).Any suggestions? Tell me below! #...

03/09/2026

Wow, today was fun. I took my G-90 to the Shady Grove Elementary School parking lot. I made 10 DX (not in the US) contacts in an hour - on phone (voice). Yes, there is a contest, but considering i hadn't made many DX/Phone before, I am a happy camper!

Edit: 2 Spain, 2 France, Mexico, Finland, Costa Rica, Chili, and a New Mexico Parks on the Air.

02/28/2026

Updated the firmware on both my Xeigu radios today. The x6100 is super easy. In fact, I didn't reali?e it worked at first. The G-90 was more of a challenge since I made an error. But nothing are working and I got on the new, after work anti-net!