This has become a high priority for me since my mobile radio has not been working properly... Gotta get my ham radio fix in the morning on the way to work somehow! So, I buckled down and listened to a bunch of options. Without further ado, here's my recommendations to you, with the best podcast FIRST!
My #1 Choice: HamRadio360
Instead of making a list and forcing you to read it to get to my favorite, I'm telling it to you upfront. I learned about HamRadio360 when I asked a question on Twitter.
I listened to the suggested show - and the three previous! It was great. The primary host is Cale Nelson (K4CDN), and he is excellent on the podcast. So are his co-hosts. It is really polished. There's just the right amount of banter and they do a great job keeping on task.
I really enjoy listening to them because they really approach the hobby in different ways. When I'm listening, I keep adding voice memos telling myself to go look up this product, or technology, or research this new standard. This was especially true for the Dayton episodes.
One of my favorite reasons to listen is the interviews. The team does a great job with the interviews, letting the interviewees really tell their story. I find it fascinating to listen to. The questions are well-chosen, keeping the conversation going. I don't find myself becoming bored at all, as I have in other podcasts. If anything, while I'm listening I'm usually trying to plot how to get a new piece of technology into my own shack!
This is a bi-weekly podcast! (UPDATED 6/4/2016 Corrected from my previous version where I incorrectly stated it was a twice-a-week podcast.)
They are also active on Twitter so you can continue the conversation with them after you're done listening to the show.
If you're looking for the best Ham Radio podcast, look no further than HamRadio360.
#2: ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast
This podcast was very well done. Unfortunately (or fortunately, perhaps?) the focus appears to be mostly international (really, United Kingdom). It may be possible that if I listened to it more, I would get more out of it.
I'm listing it at #2 because the hosts really get into some interesting discussions. Due to the diversity of the hosts, they can really get into the details and look at an issue from different angles. It's really fascinating to listen to. However, at times it was a bit much for me (in this case, several of the issues were very European Union-specific) and I zoned out.
This podcast comes up every two weeks (fortnightly, as they say).
If you're interested, check them out: ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast.
I'm listing it at #2 because the hosts really get into some interesting discussions. Due to the diversity of the hosts, they can really get into the details and look at an issue from different angles. It's really fascinating to listen to. However, at times it was a bit much for me (in this case, several of the issues were very European Union-specific) and I zoned out.
This podcast comes up every two weeks (fortnightly, as they say).
If you're interested, check them out: ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast.
#3: Practical Amateur Radio Podcast
This was the first podcast that I started my journey with. I picked it because the host, Jerry Taylor (KD0BIK), covered some interesting discussion on APRS back in 2010. He really went to great detail, and I really enjoyed learning about the subject.
I also really enjoyed his concept of creating more Elmers, to help mentor in the community more.
However, his podcast output has really slowed down. At this point, it may be better to use his podcast as an archive. It's too bad, because his podcasts were fun to listen to.
If you're interested, check out: Practical Amateur Radio Podcast.
I also really enjoyed his concept of creating more Elmers, to help mentor in the community more.
However, his podcast output has really slowed down. At this point, it may be better to use his podcast as an archive. It's too bad, because his podcasts were fun to listen to.
If you're interested, check out: Practical Amateur Radio Podcast.
Only three podcasts? Aren't there more?
Yes, there's quite a few more. I listened to a few others, and I'll not list them on here by name because the reason that I'm not recommending them right now may have been based on a poor listening experience with the particular episode that I picked them up on. Instead, I'll trust you to go find some more! Let me know if you have a particular favorite, and I'll give it a listen.