Blog Title

TD-H3 Plus hand held radio

2026-05-14T00:00:00Z

I'll be giving a talk about the TD-H3 Plus and handhelds at Bellevue Amateur Radio Club on Thursday 5/21/2026 (doors open at 7 pm).

Slides: TD-H3 Plus Presentation

My Favorite Features

Wireless programming with BLE - program from a regular computer or cell phone, no cables needed
Phone to phone cloning - easily share radio configurations
Dual listening with 101.9 FM - listen to FM broadcast while monitoring ham frequencies
Dual watch of two ham stations - monitor two frequencies simultaneously

Resources

Check out the TidRadio YouTube playlist for more information about this radio.

Youth Outreach in Ham Radio: Building Tomorrow's RF Engineers

2026-05-04T00:00:00Z

The Quiet Resurgence of RF Engineering

Anthony Templeton's recent essay, "The Quiet Resurgence of RF Engineering," covered in Zero Retries #0249, documents a significant revival in RF engineering demand. Multiple industries are simultaneously discovering a critical shortage of qualified engineers.

The numbers are striking:

The space industry launched 2,695 spacecraft in 2024, up from just 260 in 2015—a 10x increase
The global space economy reached $613 billion in 2024
The space-based RF market is valued at $18.6 billion, projected to double by 2033
5G requires 64-256 antenna chains per base station (8-16x more than 4G)
The automotive radar market is projected at $7+ billion annually

Perhaps most concerning: 73% of electrical engineering employers can't fill positions within six months, up from 45% just five years ago. The semiconductor industry alone projects a 67,000 worker shortfall by 2030.

What does this mean for young people? RF engineering represents an enormous career opportunity hiding in plain sight while everyone chases software jobs at big tech companies.

Amateur Radio: The Ultimate STEAM Laboratory

Ham radio offers young people something increasingly rare: hands-on experience with the physical world of radio waves, electronics, and wireless communication. In an age of software abstractions, understanding how signals actually propagate through the atmosphere is becoming a valuable and scarce skill.

Getting licensed is straightforward. The entry-level Technician exam covers basic regulations and radio theory. Many clubs offer free classes, and numerous online resources make self-study accessible. The hobby then opens doors to:

Building and experimenting with antennas
Satellite communication
Digital modes and software-defined radio
Emergency communications
Contesting and awards
Connecting with a global community

Resources for Educators

ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology

The ARRL Teachers Institute is a donor-funded professional development program that helps classroom educators bring wireless technology into their STEM curriculum.

What it offers:

Transportation, hotel, and meal per diem covered by grants (participants pay only a $100 enrollment fee)
Hands-on training in electronics, radio science, satellite communications, direction finding, weather science, microcontrollers, and electronic sensors
Equipment and ARRL publication library for classroom use
Graduate credit through Fresno Pacific University

The program includes specialized tracks for balloon launches, remote sensing, space communications, and radio astronomy. Teachers who complete the program can prepare students for participation in Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)—imagine the impact of having your students talk to astronauts via ham radio.

Scholarship Opportunities

ARDC Scholarship Hub

Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) awarded $740,700 in 2025 to scholarship partners supporting students in technical degrees. Over 700 scholars have received support through ARDC partnerships.

ARDC distributes funds through five established partners:

The ARRL Foundation
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
The OMIK Scholarship Fund
Native Forward
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

Many programs specifically prioritize underrepresented groups in amateur radio and digital communications fields.

ARRL Foundation Scholarships

The ARRL Foundation manages more than 170 scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000. Applicants must:

Hold an active FCC amateur radio license
Submit a completed online application with transcripts
Some scholarships require a letter of recommendation from an ARRL-affiliated club officer

Recipients are notified in June, with awards distributed in July.

A Call to Action for Families

If you have students in your life—whether your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students you teach—consider introducing them to amateur radio. Here's why:

For the STEAM-inclined student: Ham radio provides a practical foundation for electrical engineering, computer science, physics, and telecommunications careers. The hands-on experience of building antennas, understanding propagation, and working with radio equipment translates directly to in-demand skills.

For any curious young person: The hobby develops problem-solving abilities, technical literacy, and connects young people with a supportive global community of mentors eager to share knowledge.

As a strategic career investment: While peers chase saturated software markets, RF engineering expertise positions young people for high-demand, well-compensated careers in space, 5G/6G, automotive, defense, and IoT industries.

Concrete Next Steps

Find a local club at arrl.org/find-a-club—most offer youth-friendly licensing classes
Explore online study resources like hamstudy.org for free practice exams
Teachers: Apply for the next Teachers Institute session
Licensed students: Apply for scholarships through ARRL and ARDC partners
Connect with youth programs like Scouts BSA Radio Merit Badge or school radio clubs

The RF engineering talent shortage isn't going away. The industries driving our technological future—space exploration, next-generation wireless, autonomous vehicles—all need people who understand radio. Amateur radio is where that journey can begin.

NOTE: The post above was entirely written by Claude code. Here's the prompt I used. Note: I'm a terrible speller (my Mom tried).

Create a blog post about youth outreach in the ham radio community. Include information about ARRL Teachers Institue, ARDC's scholarship hub, ARRL list of scholarships, and https://www.zeroretries.org/p/zero-retries-0249 coverage of the essay "The Quiet Resurgence of RF Engineering" by Anthony Templeton. Include calls to action for families to encouage all students, especially those inclined towards STEAM to try HAM radio both for fun and as a strategic investment in a future carrer.

73 de N3PAY

m17 board came today!

2026-04-11T00:00:00Z

So much fun to be had!!

Name Stands with Big Fonts

2026-04-05T00:00:00Z

Name Stands - an experiment

Name stands went well at the recent BARC meeting. My hope is that I'll carry these from meeting to meeting passing them out each time. Hopefully this will help me learn names, and everyone in the club learn each other's names.

Here's my list of name stands. If you're not on the list, would you please send me an email with your call sign? Thanks.

My email is Matt.N3PAY@gmail.com.

Here's an "action" shot of a name stand:

Windows 11 pro reset

2026-04-02T00:00:00Z

Back in January 2026 I was exited about AtlasOS.

I use my Windows 11 pro laptop for four types of things:

HAM Radio (winLink Express, VARA, etc)
Weekly Fortnite games with a best friend
WSL running Ubuntu
Complaining about Windows 11 pro.

The AtlasOS setup recently prevented 2 and made 1 hard. So I asked Claude.AI how to reset, its advice did not work for until it suggested using the Windows 11 ISO:

Repair via Windows 11 ISO

Download the Windows 11 ISO from microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
Mount it (double-click the ISO)
Run setup.exe from the mounted drive and choose Keep my files and apps — this is an in-place repair that restores missing system files without wiping anything

70 cm curiosities

2026-03-28T00:00:00Z

I have some homework to do. What are all of these signals that I'm seeing on my local 1.AppFarms.org RTL-SDR + OpenWebRX+ scanner?

WIP: Thinking about the Universal Radio Controller V 2.2

2026-02-28T00:00:00Z

I'm thinking about how G1LRO’s Universal Radio Controller might be helpful as I work towards my goal of "More radio == More fun"

WIP: Flashing OpenGD77 to DM-1701 radio

2026-02-22T00:00:00Z

Put the radio in DFU mode. This YouTube from HAMTech Radio Scanner M0FXB talks about how to put the DM-1701 in DFU mode. Off, hold PTT and button above it, then turn on radio and notice the flashing led.

File import CSV

VHF reciever online

2026-02-03T00:00:00Z

Free to use instance of OpenWebRX+ in my garage

Slides about my setup

Notes for class 17 Jan 2026

2026-01-17T00:00:00Z

Class can be fun

ARRL Slides
NoteBook LM (Google will want you to sign in )
Cute Radio Wave Simulation
Free, as in beer, book on Technician exam by KB6NU

Matt N3PAY's bits

Section 4.4 Practical Antenna Systems (slides 77-119)
Section 5.4 Power Supplies and Batteries (slides 91-104)
Section 6.4 Nets (slides 53-78)

Section 4.4 Practical Antenna Systems (slides 77-119)

Terms

Term	Definition / Key Characteristics	Source
Net Control Station (NCS)	The station that calls the net to order and directs communications between all stations checking in.
Emergency Traffic	Messages regarding life safety or property protection. A station with emergency traffic should break in at any time.
Radiogram	The formal format used for messages exchanged on a net to ensure accuracy.
Preamble (Header)	The first part of a radiogram containing information needed to handle and track the message (includes number, precedence, station of origin, etc.).	,
Check	A count of the number of words and word equivalents in the text portion of the radiogram. It is used to verify the message was received correctly.	,
Phonetics	A standard alphabet (e.g., Alpha, Bravo) used to spell out names or unusual words to ensure accuracy during voice transmission.	,
Traffic	The term used to refer to messages passed between stations in a net.
Station of Origin	The call sign of the sending station that creates the radiogram.
Precedence	A description of the nature or urgency of the radiogram (e.g., Emergency, Priority, Welfare).
ARES	Amateur Radio Emergency Service. A group of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for public service duty. It is sponsored by the ARRL.
RACES	Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. A special part of FCC Part 97 Amateur Service providing civil defense communications during national emergencies.

Core Formula: Wavelength is proportional to frequency

Question: "What is the formula that converts frequency to wavelength? How does this relate to things like the 2 meter band, 70 centimeter band, 20 meter band, etc."

The formula for converting frequency to wavelength is based on the speed of radio waves, which travel at the speed of light (approximately 300,000,000 meters per second),. To simplify the math for radio work, you can divide the speed of light by the frequency.

For practical calculations using Megahertz (MHz), the formula is:

$$ \text{Wavelength (in meters)} = \frac{300}{\text{Frequency (in MHz)}} $$

Conversely, if you know the wavelength, you can determine the frequency using:

$$ \text{Frequency (in MHz)} = \frac{300}{\text{Wavelength (in meters)}} $$

Relationship to Amateur Bands Amateur radio bands are often identified by their approximate wavelength rather than their specific frequency range. The formula demonstrates the inverse relationship between the two: as the frequency gets higher, the wavelength gets shorter.

2 Meter Band: This band spans 144 MHz to 148 MHz. If you calculate the wavelength for 148 MHz ($300 / 148$), the result is approximately 2.03 meters, which is why it is referred to as the 2-meter band.
6 Meter Band: This band begins at 50 MHz. Using the formula ($300 / 50$), the result is exactly 6 meters.
70 Centimeter Band: This band is in the UHF range (around 440 MHz). Calculating $300 / 440$ yields approximately 0.68 meters, or 68 centimeters (commonly referred to as the 70 cm band).

This conversion is essential for building antennas, as antenna lengths are physical fractions of these wavelengths (such as a 1/2 wave dipole or 1/4 wave vertical),.

Visualize relationship

Question: "Is there an webpage that allows me to visualize the relationship between wavelength and frequency? Perhaps something where I can change the frequency and the wave is represented on screen with the wavelength marked."

TL;DR https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/cheerpj/radio-waves/latest/radio-waves.html?simulation=radio-waves

NoteBookLM's answer

Based on the provided study materials, the texts explain the mathematical relationship between frequency and wavelength—specifically that they are inversely related and calculated using the speed of light ($300,000,000$ meters per second). They also describe the physical structure of the wave, noting that electric and magnetic fields travel at right angles to one another.

However, the provided source documents do not contain a link to an interactive webpage or software tool that visualizes this relationship dynamically.

Outside Information: Recommended Visualization Tool To achieve the specific visual aid you described for your class, I recommend the PhET Interactive Simulations project provided by the University of Colorado Boulder.

Tool Name: PhET "Radio Waves & Electromagnetic Fields"
Why it fits your query: It allows you to manually oscillate a transmitter (changing the frequency) and visually see the waves radiating outward. You can demonstrate that moving the transmitter slowly (low frequency) creates large gaps between wave peaks (long wavelength), while moving it quickly (high frequency) creates peaks that are close together (short wavelength).

Teaching Application using your Sources You can use such a visualization to reinforce the specific examples found in your "Practical Antenna Systems" section notes:

The Inverse Relationship: As you increase the frequency in the simulation, students will see the wavelength shrink. This visually proves the text's rule: "the lower the frequency, the longer the wavelength, and vice versa".
Band Identification: You can relate the visual to the text's example that the 6-meter band (50 MHz) has a long wave, whereas the 2-meter band (144 MHz) has a much shorter wave.
Antenna Size: This visualizes why a 1/2 wave dipole for 40 meters (7 MHz) is physically much larger (approx. 66 feet) than a 1/2 wave dipole for 2 meters (approx. 19 inches).

Section 5.4 Power Supplies and Batteries (slides 91-104)

Question: "Generate a table of all the terms used in Tech Module 5 section 4 (that's slides 91 through 104) of the Tech Module 5 PDF file."

Here is the table of terms used in Section 5.4: Power Supplies and Batteries (slides 91 through 104) of the Tech Module 5 PDF.

Term	Definition / Key Characteristics	Source
Power Supply	A device that converts AC input power to DC current for radio equipment. Ratings include output voltage and continuous current supply capabilities.
13.8 Volts	The standard operating voltage for most mobile HF, VHF, and UHF transceivers (simulating a vehicle's electrical system while running).	,
Regulated Power Supply	A power supply that uses a circuit to minimize voltage changes (sag) as the amount of current drawn by the radio changes.	,
Voltage Drop	A reduction in voltage at the radio caused by resistance in the power wires ($V = I \times R$). It is minimized by using short, heavy-gauge wire.	,
Fuse	A safety device used to prevent overheating and fire. In mobile installations, fuses should be placed in both the positive and negative leads.
Grommet	A protective ring used to protect wiring from chafing or rubbing against exposed metal in vehicle installations.
Battery	An electrochemical power source made up of one or more cells.
Ampere-hours (Ah)	The energy rating unit for a battery. It is used to calculate operating time (Capacity in Ah / Current Draw in Amps = Hours).	,
Storage Battery	Large rechargeable batteries (typically lead-acid) used for emergency power. They contain strong acids and can release flammable hydrogen gas.
Lead-acid	A common rechargeable battery chemistry used in storage batteries.	,
Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)	A common type of rechargeable consumer battery (e.g., AA, AAA).	,
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)	A rechargeable battery chemistry commonly used in battery packs.	,
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd)	A rechargeable battery chemistry.	,
Carbon-Zinc	A disposable (non-rechargeable) battery chemistry.	,
Alkaline	A common disposable (non-rechargeable) battery chemistry.

Section 6.4 Nets (slides 53-78)

Quetion: Generate a table of all the terms used in Tech Module 6 section 4 (that's slides 53 through 78) of the Tech Module 6 PDF file.

Here is the table of terms found in Section 6.4: Nets and Section 6.5: Communications for Public Service (covering slides 53 through 78) of the Tech Module 6 PDF.

Term	Definition / Key Characteristics	Source
Net Control Station (NCS)	The station that calls the net to order and directs communications between all stations checking in.
Emergency Traffic	Messages regarding life safety or property protection. A station with emergency traffic should break in at any time.
Radiogram	The formal format used for messages exchanged on a net to ensure accuracy.
Preamble (Header)	The first part of a radiogram containing information needed to handle and track the message (includes number, precedence, station of origin, etc.).	,
Check	A count of the number of words and word equivalents in the text portion of the radiogram. It is used to verify the message was received correctly.	,
Phonetics	A standard alphabet (e.g., Alpha, Bravo) used to spell out names or unusual words to ensure accuracy during voice transmission.	,
Traffic	The term used to refer to messages passed between stations in a net.
Station of Origin	The call sign of the sending station that creates the radiogram.
Precedence	A description of the nature or urgency of the radiogram (e.g., Emergency, Priority, Welfare).
ARES	Amateur Radio Emergency Service. A group of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for public service duty. It is sponsored by the ARRL.
RACES	Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. A special part of FCC Part 97 Amateur Service providing civil defense communications during national emergencies.