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On the World’s Stage

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As amateur radio operators, we often take for granted our ability to easily reach out to the far corners of the globe. A late evening QSO with Europe, while exhilarating, is by no means uncommon. We’ll regularly trade ‘fish stories’ about that crazy contact that we made on low power with a ramshackle antenna but rarely stop to think about just how strange a notion this would be to someone not familiar with our hobby. Double this effect for anyone not familiar with the principals of RF communication, and HF communication in particular. Read More...

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Amateur Radio: The Ultimate STEM Activity

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External display output on the IC-7610 makes instruction easy.

How time does fly. It seems like just last week I made a post about my Field Day adventures in and around the Atlanta area. I explored the concept of Field Day as Amateur Radio’s open house and spending time with several different groups to learn what makes Field Day special for them. In truth, of course, it’s been a full 12 months and yet another Field Day is in the log. This year, I took Field Day on the road and spent the weekend with a marvelous group of young men and women up in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Read More...

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Amateur Radio Emergency Communications — Be Prepared

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Earlier on this blog, I wrote about Emergency Communications — Amateur Radio’s Role. In that post I touched on the things that I feel make amateur radio ideal for emergency communications:

  • Communication Options — Amateur radio offers frequencies from HF to VHF to UHF as well as communication modes from CW to D-STAR. That range of options allows local, regional, or national communications in times of need.
  • Volunteers — The number of licensed amateur radio operators has never been greater. They are eager to get involved to help out in any situation.
  • Training — There are plenty of training options available from introductory courses to management courses. That includes ARRL courses as well as FEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Incident Command System (ICS), and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training.
  • Experience — ARRL Field Day is a great way to test your club’s ability to get a station on the air, make contacts, and get everyone involved. Hopefully, you also have other events that you’re supporting in addition to your routine repeater and equipment maintenance.

I also pointed out in that blog post that there can often be a big gap between technical skills and the human skills that we bring to any emergency. It’s all well and good that we have the radios, training, and experience but if we can’t mesh with the existing first responder organization, we’re not really helping. And, in fact, we may be hindering their effectiveness. Read More...

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Amateur Radio and Scouting Intertwine at the 2017 Jamboree

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Over the years, I’m sure you have seen one thing about me that is very, very consistent — I feel strongly about getting youth involved in amateur radio. That is a big reason why we support amateur radio activities for Carol Perry’s Dayton Hamvention® Youth Forum and the Boy Scouts of America.

In doing so we provide radio stations through the Scouting Loan Stations for Scout Councils, support Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) and sponsor the National Scout Jamboree as the exclusive amateur radio transceiver supplier. Plus, for clubs with a need for Amateur radios for a special event or for support of a radio merit badge outing, check out the Radio Merit Badge radio loan program. Read More...

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Back by Popular Demand, the IC-7200 HF Rig is Here!

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As you may have noticed, our IC-7200 HF/50 MHz Transceiver is back! Usually when a rig is discontinued it is because the parts are no longer available. However the demand was so high for this rig, that when you asked, we were able to make it happen. I’m delighted that we can get more of these fantastic transceivers into the field.

Built for the Outdoors

A small and compact radio, the optional MB-116 front handles protect the front buttons and knobs. It also has a rear bumper that protects all the connectors on the back of the radio, helping to keep the elements out. In fact, it was the perfect transceiver for the Scouting loan stations that we put together some for local Boy Scout Councils. Read More...

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Radio Scouting – Mentoring the Next Generation of Hams

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Ray Novak at 2013 Jamboree

N9JA at the K2BSA 2013 Jamboree Operation. Scouts were on the air from West Virginia using Icom gear.

Icom America began its relationship with Boy Scouts of America in 1981, by loaning equipment to the K2BSA Amateur Radio Association’s jamboree operation at Fort A.P. Hill. That continued up till 2012, when Icom signed a sponsorship agreement with the Boy Scouts of America. I’m very pleased to note that we have renewed our sponsorship through 2018.

What is Radio Scouting?

Radio Scouting is a pretty simple concept – it is everything involved with amateur radio within Scouting. At the heart of Radio Scouting is talking with other Scouts on-air, sharing stories, and learning about other cultures. Radio Scouting also introduces the technology and magic of amateur radio. It does this in a number of ways starting with Jamboree-on-the-Air. Read More...

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#IcomEverywhere — Dayton Hamvention® 2016

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Last year I wrote all about the preparation for the Hamvention® in Welcome to the Big Show – complete with circus theme. I even spoke about trying to limit our activities to just three rings.

Well, this year we’re actually setting up the three rings: our main booth, the D-STAR booth, and new for 2016 our Land Mobile booth, where I’ll be spending some time.

We’re even bringing our own circus animal in Max, the Icom America mascot, star of the Zack and Max comic book adventures.

#IcomEverywhere — IC-7300 Front and Center Read More...

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National Parks on the Air and Scouting

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Icom has been a sponsor of Scouting for over 15 years by supporting Jamboree on the Air, and more recently with the station loan program for Scout councils/camps, and as the official transceiver supplier for the K2BSA National Scout Jamboree operation.  Given that background, I was fascinated to learn about the ARRL’s year-long program promoting the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. It’s called National Parks on the Air.

Scouting and National Parks

PrintThe great outdoors and Scouting go together like peas and carrots!  And it appears that the ARRL recognizes this as well as I see Youth/Scouting involvement as one of the items on the “Five Star Activator” award. Read More...