RAIN Hamcast - SoundSage

This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #113, posted 04-20-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 12M00S there is a station ID at 06M0S then timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

Bob Heil/K9EID was the only microphone manufacturer to be inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. Bob passed on February 28, 2024. This is our third and final excerpt from Hap Holly/KC9RP's hour-long conversation with Bob conducted in 2018. At the end of part two of Hap's interview, Bob talked about the importance of perimetric equalization in the audio chain of your ham station and computer. I'm using a Heil HM12 as you hear this script.

That's it for our tribute to the late Bob Heil/K9EID, who sold well over 100,000 Heil Sound microphones during his illustrious audio career. If you open up a modern-day ham transceiver, chances are you'll find some of Bob's handywork in the audio section; and you may discover his HC-3 or HC-4 elements in the microphone plugged into your base or mobile transceiver. 73 Bob, you will be sorely missed.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #114 will post 05-04-2024.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #112, posted 04-06-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M28S there is a station ID at 07M59S then timer resets approximately every 4 minutes.]

So what microphone did Bob Heil, K9IED detest the most? We'll find out in Part 2 of Hap Holly/KC9RP interview with Bob back in 2018.

The microphone world has never been quite the same since Bob Heil/K9EID discovered what was missing in modern-day microphones, putting the audio world on it virtual 'ear' decades ago. Open up the mic in a modern-day HF radio and chances are you'll find Bob's HC-3 or HC-4 element in it; or some of Bob's handiwork in the radio's audio section. In fact, at the time of Hap's interview back in 2018, more than 100,000 of his HC elements had been sold worldwide.

Unfortunately Bob became a silent key February 28, 2024. In Bob's memory we're replaying Hap's hour-long conversation with him. This is our 2nd excerpt from that conversation. Hap will conclude his moments with the man behind Heil Sound in Part 3 of The Facts About Microphones, scheduled to drop 04-20.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #113 will post 04-20-2024.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #111, posted 03-23-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 18M01S there is a station ID at 08M50S then timer resets approximately every 4 minutes.]

The world lost a pioneer in microphone technology on Feb. 28, 2024--Bob Heil/K9EID. He was 83. In 2018, Hap Holly/KC9RP interviewed Bob for the RAIN Report. This week In Bob’s memory we bring you a replay of the first of 3 excerpts from that interview.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #112 will post 04-05-2024.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #110, posted 03-09-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 22M22S there is a station ID at 09M58S then timer resets approximately every 4 minutes.]

We hope you enjoyed the first part of a truly entertaining after-dinner talk about ham radio we shared with you the last time. It’s called “Your Code Record is Cracked.” It was given during the 1989 Dayton Hamvention Banquet in Dayton, Ohio. The speaker was Dave Bell, W6AQ, a full-time Hollywood Producer and Director. Dave produced three ham radio videos: A Ham’s Wide World, Moving Up to Amateur Radio, and the original World of Ham Radio. His movie credits include (among others) Do You Remember Love, Nadia, and The Long Walk Home, plus some made-for-TV movies. Other television credits include the series Unsolved Mysteries.

Recipient of the Dayton Hamvention 1984 Radio Amateur of the Year, Dave was an inveterate DX’er, having operated from Macao, 4U1ITU in Geneva, Switzerland, and twice from JY1, formerly King Husein’s station in Jordan. As promised, here is part two of Dave Bell’s memorable talk, “Your Code Record is Cracked.”

This concludes part two of a 1989 Dayton Hamvention Banquet address delivered by Dave Bell, W6AQ, called “Your Code Record is Cracked.” If you missed part one of this talk, you will find it available in the archive section of therainreport.com.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #111 will post 03-23-2024.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #109, posted 02-28-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M54S there is a station ID at 08M58S then 4 second timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

When is the last time you heard a truly entertaining after-dinner talk about ham radio? Well, here’s one from Hap Holly/KC9RP’s archive called "Your Code Record is Cracked." It was given during the 1989 Dayton Hamvention banquet in Dayton, Ohio. The speaker was Dave Bell/W6AQ, a full-time Hollywood Producer and Director. Dave produced three ham radio videos: A Ham’s Wide World, Moving Up to Amateur Radio, and the original World of Ham Radio. Movie credits include (among others) "Do You Remember Love", "Nadia", and "The Long Walk Home" plus, some made-for-TV movies. Other television credits include the series "Unsolved Mysteries".

Recipient of the Dayton Hamvention 1984 Radio Amateur of the Year, Dave was an inveterate DX’er, having operated from Macao, 4U1ITU in Geneva, Switzerland, and twice from JY1, (formerly King Husein’s station in Jordan). Here now is part 1 of Dave Bell’s memorable talk, “Your Code Record is Cracked.”

That concludes part one of “Your Code Record is Cracked.” But the best is yet to come—next time in part two of this humorous after-dinner talk given 35 years ago. We’ll conclude this presentation in RAIN Hamcast Podcast #110.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #110 will post 03-09-2024.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #108, posted 02-12-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR, back after a couple months of RNR while Kent Peterson/KC0DGY loaned his voice to this biweekly podcast. Good job, Kent, and mega thanks from both Hap and me for your help.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 19M33S there is a station ID at 09M58S then timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

It’s been almost 9 years since the passing of Bill Pasternak/WA6ITF, the co-founder of Amateur Radio Newsline. You oldtimers may remember Amateur Radio Newsline went under the name of Westlink Radio when Bill co-founded it in 1977. Upon Bill’s passing in 2015, his successor had already been named. She’s Caryn Murray/KD2GUT, who is in her 9th year now keeping Newsline on an even keel. Back in Caryn’s early days with Newsline, RAIN’s Hap Holly/KC9RP, spoke with this spirited lady about the challenges she faced when she started.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #109 will post 02-24-2024.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #107, posted 01-27-24. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 10M55S with timer resets approximately every 4 minutes.]

If you have noodled around the hf ham bands; you already know the chances of connecting with someone you haven’t spoken to in decades are remote. This isn’t to say it doesn’t happen...it does!

This is the story of two American airmen who served together in Korea in the 70s, later left the Air Force, went their own ways; and were reunited by chance 26 years later on ham radio in December, 2001. Former RAIN reader Rick Johnson, KD9VZD tells the story.

Thanks to: Jerry Hampshire; formerly KD9WCT; now IG0M of Alton; IL; Major Oscar Hall; K0SSE from Denver; CO.; Hap Holly; KC9RP; RAIN Producer; and Rick Johnson; KD9VZD for contributing to this 2001 RAIN Report.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #108 will post 02-03-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #106, posted 01-13-24. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 19M42S with a station break at 9M19S and timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

Today, we are dipping into the RAIN Report archives... Almost 30 years ago the Northern California DX Foundation launched its International Beacon Project. It’s still a functioning worldwide tool for the modern HF DXer today!

In 1997 RAIN’s Hap Holly/KC9RP spoke with John Troster (TRAH-ster/W6ISQ, a driving force behind this international beacon network that still provides propagation info today after 27 years thanks to the Northern California DX Foundation. You’ll find a list of these 18 CW beacons at http://www.ncdxf.org.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #107 will post 01-27-2024.

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You've connected with RAIN Hamcast Podcast #105, for 1-1-2024. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY. Happy New Year!

[Total playing time is 20+ minutes. There is a station ID midway through with 03S pauses approximately every 03M0S for timer resets]

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #105 consists of a December, 1987 podcast consisting of an early audio interview with April Moell, WA6OPS, a driving force in the 1980s and 90’s SO. CAL. Community bringing Santa and hospitalized kids and adults together as part of what became known as North Pole Network at Christmas time. Hap Holly/KC9RP voiced this heart-warming conversation as one of his early RP Reports that preceded his RAIN Reports that ran from 1990 to 2019.

Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #106 will post 1-13-2024.

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You've connected with RAIN Hamcast Podcast #103, for 12-16-23. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY.

[Total playing time is 15M44S. There is a station ID at 09M34S and 03S pauses every 02M50S for timer resets]

In this Hamcast we’ll be honoring the late Oren Brand/K9KEJ, who became a silent key November 15, 2023. Oren was a ham whose voice was heard across the United States on Saturdays for decades on his Mike Jackson Outdoors radio show. You may not recognize his name or voice unless you lived in the greater Chicago area during the 1980s and later.

Over the next few minutes we’re going to let you hear two readings by him. The first is a tongue-in-cheek commentary he wrote and subsequently voiced in 1993 for the Radio Amateur Information Network. It was introduced by Larry Miglore/KB9DIP - (8 minutes).

Our second reading by Oren is A Ham’s Christmas, written some years back by the late Walter A. Tompkins/K6ATX - (5:00 minutes).

Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #104 will post 12-30-2023.

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[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 15M57S with a 10-second station break after 8M55S. There are 3-second breaks every 2M50S.]

For this episode, we’re going to step back to a RAIN Report from early 2004, voiced by Blair Alper/KA9SEQ, reviewing a scary event that took place in South America, Nov. 18, 1978 with some ham radio elements.

As a postscript to this intriguing RAIN Report, it is unknown as to how far Joey got into establishing just how much involvement ham radio actually had in the mass suicide at the Peoples’ Temple Agricultural Settlement in Jonestown, Guyana. We shall endeavor to bring you an update to this bizarre story.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #103 is scheduled to post 12-16-2023.

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For November 18, 2023, This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #101, voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 14M31S with timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

In May, 2022 a legally blind resident of Janesville, WI studied for and passed the Amateur Radio technician exam to become a ham. She's Ericka Nelson/KD9VBX. Ericka works for the Industries For The Blind in Janesville; has been married five years to Chad/WI9HF; and is referenced by at least one church friend as being "uniquely enabled". Ericka IS unique being a lady ham who is legally blind. RAIN's Hap Holly/KC9RP recently spoke with this energetic lady.

As a footnote: you can find Ericka and her hubby, Chad on their Janesville, WI. UHF repeater on 440-950 mHz 123.0 pl, 5 mHz up offset. Happy b-day, Ericka.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #102 is scheduled to post 12-02-2023.

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You've connected with RAIN Hamcast Podcast #100, for 11-4-2023. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY.

[Total playing time is 14M25S with a station ID at 8M53S, and 2S pauses every 3M.]

If you are an HF officionado, just how low can you go? According to the ARRL website, U.S. hams could not transmit below 160 meters (1.8 mHz until 2012. That’s when the World Administrative Radio Conference voted to reallocate 472-479 kHz (630 meters) and 135.7-137.8 (2200 meters) to the U.S. Amateur Service. In 2019 a retired Green Bay, WI. ham, Tim Selner/ W9SRW let his curiosity get the best of him. RAIN’s Hap Holly/KC9RP recently spoke with Tim about life below A.M. radio. You can learn for yourself more about hamming below the U.S. broadcast band by going to 472.khz.com.

Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast updates every other Saturday on Apple, Overcast and whereever you get your Podcasts.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #101 will post 11-18-2023.

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Greetings to this replay of a RAIN Report from 2017, read by Will Rogers, K5WLR.

[Total playing time is 10M35S with a station break at 6M31S.]

If you built electronic kits while growing up, especially those marketed by HeathKit, chances are you used a small plastic too called a Nut Starter. Did you know HeathKit did not manufacture the Nut Starter? A young man named John Brake sold tools to HeathKit, one of which was the erstwhile Nut Starter. So what happened to John Brake? And the little tool that could’’’and still does? John is CEO of Desko Industries Inc. in Chino, California. RAIN’S Hap Holly, KC9RP, caught up to John to piece together the Nut Starter story.

For more information about Desko Industries Inc., go to www.Mendapump.com.

Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #100 will post 10-28-2023.

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You've connected with RAIN Hamcast Podcast #98, for 10-07-23. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY.

[Total playing times is 15M57S with a 10-second, FCC-mandated break at 08M45S]

Did you write for a ham radio news letter in years past but don’t know the whereabouts of all those columns you wrote? Or do you have a file cabinet full of old communications news letter that you don’t know what to do with? One option is DLARC, the Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications. Its Curator is Kay Savetz, K6KJN. RAIN’s Hap Holly, KC9RP recently spoke with Kay about DLARC.

You’ll find 1,300 RAIN Hamcasts and RAIN Reports in DLARC in the RAIN Collection at archive.org.

Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #99 will post 10-21-2023.

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This is RAIN Hamcast podcast #97: Radio Shack Goes 202 in '91 - Part 2, posted 09-23-23, voiced by Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

[The running times for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 14M28S; with a station break at 8M48S. Short timer resets occur approximately every 2M50S.]

In the late 1980s Radio Shack made history in the ham radio world with the introduction of its first Amateur Radio transceiver, the HTDX100 10-meter rig. Radio Shack made history once again in the ham world in 1991 with the release of its first handy-talkie, the HTDX202, a fully functional 2-meter synthesized handy talkie.

The introduction of that HT wasn't without its detractors, who predicted the fully synthesized, 12-channel, 2-meter HT would introduce increased illegal activity on the 144-148 mHz 2-meter ham ban with the talkies being so available in Radio Shack's 7,000 stores nationwide. In a summer, 1991 interview with RAIN Founder, Hap Holly/KC9RP, Ed Juge/W5TOO, Director of Market Planning for Radio Shack, poo-pooed those who predicted trouble on the horizon.

We QSYed 32 years to 1991 for an early interview conducted with Ed Juge/W5TOO, Radio Shack's Director of Market Planning in 1991, talking about Radio Shack's first ham radio handheld, the HTX202 2-meter HT with RAIN Producer, Hap Holly/KC9RP. Be advised Ed Juge became a ‘silent key’ in March, 2003; he was only 66.

Hap Holly/KC9RP, edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license; you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit these RAIN Hamcasts in their entirety via Amateur Radio. YouTube assistance from Tom Shimizu/N9JDI. 73 from RAIN, the Radio Amateur Information Network.

KEEP ON HAMMING!

RAIN Hamcast #98 will post October, 7, 2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #96, posted 09-13-23. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 14M014S with a station break at 8M46S. Short timer resets occur approximately every 2M50S.]

Did you frequently shop at your local Radio Shack store in the 90s? In August, 1991 7,000 copies of the Fall Radio Shack catalog were mailed out with an ad on page 68 that drew the attention of ham radio enthusiasts worldwide. The ad featured Radio Shack’s first handy talkie.

Just what HT was it? And who did Hap interview in the summer of 1991 from Radio Shack who strongly backed his company’s decision to enter the VHF & UHF ham radio market? Here’s a replay of part one of Hap’s interview with Ed Juge, W5TOO, Director of Market Planning.

Hap Holly/KC9RP will return with the conclusion of his 1991 conversation with Ed in podcast #97.

RAIN Hamcast Podcasts can be found in many places including Overcast, Victor Reader, THERAINREPORT.COM, and Archive.org. 73 to you all. Keep on hamming!

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #97 will post 09-23-2023.

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This is RAIN Hamcast podcast #64: He Built A Better Mouse Trap, posted 04-02-22, voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running times for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 16M30S/06M22S; timer pauses: 03M38S, 06M22S, 09M26S, 12M21S, 15M19S]

What were you doing when you were 20? Tony Berg/K9ASB was delivering pizzas in the Chicago area...not a very promising future doing that. Little did he or anyone else realize that 16 years later Tony would sell a multi million-dollar antenna company, and that he had a hand in its short-lived success in the northwest Chicago suburbs.

RAIN's Hap Holly/KC9RP got the story behind Antennex from Tony earlier this year. You'll find it on therainreport.com, or the RAIN Report channel on You Tube.

And that concludes an enlightening look at where a good work ethic and ingenuity will take you. Thanks to Tony Berg/K9ASB, the driving force and fertile mind behind Antennex, a shortlived Chicago company that made a name for itself back in the 90's by "building a better mouse trap", or rather a better mobile antenna setup, thanks largely to Tony Berg's effort. You can catch Tony these days in the northwest Chicago burbs on the 145.23 mHz Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club 2-meter repeater in Schaumburg, IL.

Hap Holly/KC9RP, edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license; you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit these RAIN Hamcasts in their entirety via Amateur Radio. YouTube assistance from Tom Shimizu/N9JDI. 73 from RAIN, the Radio Amateur Information Network.

KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #95, posted 08-26-23. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 15M04S with a station break at 8M24S. Short timer resets occur approximately every 2M50S.]

January 15, 1991 was the beginning of Operation Desert Storm for the U.S. armed forces. It was, however, a red-letter day for Passport to World Band Radio, a shortwave publication editted by Larry Magne. RAIN’s Founder, Hap Holly/KC9RP spoke with Larry Magne a few weeks following that January day for the RAIN Report.

You're invited to recommend topics you’d like us to cover. Our email address is hap@therainreport.com.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #96 will post 09-09-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #94, posted 08-12-23. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KD0DGY, sitting in for Will Rogers/K5WLR for a few weeks.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 10M47S with an ID break at about 5M50S. EchoLink and AllStar timer resets are approximately every 2M50S.]

Back when you were in high school or college, did you ever almost buy a used car until you realized its A.M. radio was missing? If American auto manufacturers have it their way, that A.M. radio (530 to 1705 kHz) would be persona non grata in future cars. But would that be such a good idea?

Last time we shared part of a conversation RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP recently had with Benn Kobb/AK4AV, a long-time technical writer and former editor of the FCC Tech News. Last time Benn talked about the Shortwave Modernization Coalition FCC petition that, if passed, could present interference to several of the stateside HF ham bands. Ben also talked about the possibility of A.M. radios being eliminated from future cars; and a short refresher about LPFM, Low Power FM stations.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio.

Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #95 will post 08-26-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #93, posted 07-29-23. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KD0DGY, sitting in for Will Rogers/K5WLR, who is mending his wife back to health.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 14M40S with an ID break at about 8M50S. EchoLink and AllStar timer resets are approximately every 2M50S.]

When you passed your license exam and received your ham radio call sign, you learned that FCC part 97 rules and regs restrict just what bands on which you can operate, how often you are required to I.D. your station, etc. But did you know for years the FCC has been issuing licenses to those in the so-called Experimental Radio Service with far fewer restrictions than your ham ticket?

The Shortwave Modernization Coalition has filed a petition with the FCC to advance the experimental service licensees (part five users) to the status of part 90 commercial users. For some answers and clarification we turned to Benn Kobb, AK4AV, who you long-time RAIN Report listeners will remember from his editing the FCC Tech News during the 90s; For decades Ben has edited the Experimental Radio News and he also was a regular RAIN contributor during the 90s.

We'll hear from Ben again next time with his thoughts on the future of A.M. radios in American automobiles, another issue the FCC grappled with this summer.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #89 will post 08-13-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #93, posted 07-29-23. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KD0DGY, sitting in for Will Rogers/K5WLR, who is mending his wife back to health.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 14M40S with an ID break at about 8M50S. EchoLink and AllStar timer resets are approximately every 2M50S.]

When you passed your license exam and received your ham radio call sign, you learned that FCC part 97 rules and regs restrict just what bands on which you can operate, how often you are required to I.D. your station, etc. But did you know for years the FCC has been issuing licenses to those in the so-called Experimental Radio Service with far fewer restrictions than your ham ticket?

The Shortwave Modernization Coalition has filed a petition with the FCC to advance the experimental service licensees (part five users) to the status of part 90 commercial users. For some answers and clarification, we turned to Benn Kobb, AK4AV, who you long-time RAIN Report listeners will remember from his editing the FCC Tech News during the 90s; For decades Ben has edited the Experimental Radio News and he also was a regular RAIN contributor during the 90s.

We'll hear from Ben again next time with his thoughts on the future of A.M. radios in American automobiles, another issue the FCC grappled with this summer.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #89 will post 08-13-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #92, posted 07-02-23.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 13M06S with timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

This is a RAIN Replay, voiced by Blair Alper, KA9SEQ. In the early to mid 1990s Mark Thompson, WB9QZB penned a column entitled Bites from QZB. These were often controversial but always thought provoking commentaries. While the focus of this first Bites from QZB are issues concerning the 70CM (440 mHz) band in the Chicago area, the problems discussed may very well paralel those occurring in your area. Former RAIN reader, Scott Childers, W9CHI (formerly WD9FXP introduced Mark's first column.

Back in the 1980s, the frequencies allocated to the 220 U.S. Amateur Radio Service were 220 to 225 mHz. In the late 1980s United Parcel Service (UPS) persuaded and cajoled the FCC to reallocate 220 to 222 mHz to commercial interests. UPS made a lot of noise about how much it needed those two mhz of spectrum to develop an Amplitude Compandered Side Band (ACSB) communications network. After all the wailing and gnashing of teeth had subsided and the dust had settled, UPS found the technology unworkable on those frequencies and abandoned the project! Art Reis, K9XI published his 220 Report during the early and mid 1990s until he ceased publishing it altogether later that decade. Here’s Arts first 220 Report he wrote and voiced for RAIN in November, 1990.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #93 will post 07-15-23.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #91, posted 06-17-23. Voiced by Kent Peterson.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M56S with timer resets approximately every 2M50S minutes.]

This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #91 for June 17, 2023;, voiced by Kent Peterson. Gordon West, WB6NOA is one of the most recognizable hams in Amateur Radio today. Few Amateur Radio operators have successfully carved out a career, criss-crossing America, both promoting and teaching ham radio to the masses. If you listened to RAIN Hamcasts #89 and #90, you already know Gordo is a spirited story teller. In this final excerpt Gordo continues his quasi-autobiographical presentation conducted in 2019 by Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, for his QSOToday weekly hour-long interview series. (You can hear Gordo’s conversation with Eric on QSOToday.com, Episode 264). Audio courtesy of QSO Today.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #92 will post 07-1-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #90, posted 06-03-23. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M48S with timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

In this edition we bring you our second excerpt from an autobiographical presentation given by ham radio author and cheerleader, Gordon West, WB6NOA. This entertaining presentation was first heard on Eric Guth, 4Z1UG’s weekly hour-long QSOToday podcast in August, 2019. By popular demand we brought you an excerpt from Gordo’s story last time in podcast #89. Here now is our second excerpt from Gordo’s life story. You can catch Gordo’s entire one-hour autobiography on QSOToday.com; episode 264. We’ll conclude our excerpts from Gordo’s entertaining presentation in RAIN Hamcast Podcast #91.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #91 will post 06-17-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #89, posted 05-21-23. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 18M25S with timer resets approximately every 3 minutes, beginning at 2M50S.]

---A replay of RAIN Hamcast 20 from May 29th, 2020---

Just who is ham radio's #1 cheerleader? It's Gordon West, WB6NOA. In the summer of 2019 Gordo was interviewed by Eric Guth, 4Z1UG for Eric's QSOToday podcast. By popular demand, here's our first of two excerpts from that conversation.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #90 will post 06-03-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #88, posted 04-22-23. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 16M32S. Short pauses for EchoLink and AllStar timer resets occur every 3 minutes beginning at 2 minutes 50 seconds.]

Editing a magazine of any kind can be most demanding and nerve racking—just ask Rich Moseson, W2VU, the mind behind CQ, a ham radio magazine that has been around for over 50 years.

From time to time, we borrow from other podcasters to share other interviewing styles with you here on the RAIN Hamcast podcast. We're borrowing this time from QSOToday, a weekly one-hour interview podcast conducted by Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, born and raised in southern California; now residing in Efrat, Israel. Back in 2017 Eric interviewed CQ Magazine editor, Rich Moseson. Here's the second of two excerpts from that conversation.

RAIN Hamcast #89 is scheduled for posting May 20th, 2023. You can listen to the entire hour-long interview with Rich on qsotoday.com, Episode 147.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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We apologize for the lengthy break in the production time of this podcast. Hap’s and Stephanie’s vacation time to Hap’s stomping grounds in northern San Diego county, along with some PC problems combined to a six-week gap. Well, what do you want for nothing but a smile!!! You know what they say, to err is human, but to REALLY foul things up takes a computer! I’m Will Rogers, K5WLR.

This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #87, posted 04-22-23. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 18M45S with a break for station ID at 8M38S. There are EchoLink and All-Star timer breaks around 2M50S, 5M50S, 8M50S, 11M50S, 14M50S and 17M50S.]

From time to time, we borrow from other podcasters to share other interviewing styles with you here on the RAIN Hamcast podcast. We're borrowing this time from QSOToday, a weekly one-hour interview podcast conducted by Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, born and raised in southern California; now residing in Efrat, Israel. Back in 2017 Eric interviewed CQ Magazine editor, Rich Moseson. Here's the first of two excerpts from that conversation.

We'll bring you our second excerpt from that conversation in RAIN Hamcast #88, scheduled for posting May 6th, 2023.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons lAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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The RAIN Hamcast Podcast is on vacation. Look for the next episode on April 15!

(During this time we are not on email or other communications).

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #86, posted 02-18-23. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 20M34S with timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

One of the notables that Hap Holly, KC9RP featured on the RAIN Report during its 29-year run was Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, Special Enforcement Counsel to the Federal Communications Commission. Riley was gracious enough to voice a weekly audio column on therainreport.com during the mid- to late 90's that Hap dubbed "The FCC Enforcement Log with Riley Hollingsworth." Unfortunately, there are no known archives of those audio columns. Riley presented a talk during the FCC forum at the 1999 Dayton Hamvention held in Trotwood, Ohio. That presentation was aired originally as a RAIN Report in 2000. The following excerpt from that talk is just as valid today as it was in 1999.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons lAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #87 will post 03-04-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #85, posted February 4th, 2023. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 12M23S with timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

The 1990s had its share of controversy in Amateur Radio. Even RAIN Report columnist Mark Thompson, WB9QZB jumped into the fray periodically in those years. In this edition of RAIN Hamcast Podcast #85, we'll look back almost 30 years to 1994 and relive some of that hullabaloo that swirled around the Amateur Radio community then…and still does now. Here are two Bytes From QZB commentaries written and voiced by Mark Thompson, WB9QZB, that reflected the turmoil of that decade.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons lAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #86 will post 02-18-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #84, posted 01-21-23. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M10S with timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

How many ham radio video podcasts do you watch now? Did you watch any ten years ago? Ham Nation perhaps? Another may have been HamRadioNow. The man behind Ham Radio Now in the beginning was Gary Pierce, KN4AQ. RAIN's Hap Holly, KC9RP recently spoke with Gary about his podcast roots. Ham Radio Now is seen Sunday night live at 7:00 PM Central on YouTube.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons lAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #84 will post 02-04-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #83, posted 01-07-23. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 12M03S with timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

HAPPY NEW YEAR! “Technology has not only overtaken us, it has left us far behind; and we're having our bitter fights over the deck chairs on the Titanic." The words of Wayne Green, W2NSD.

Does the name Wayne Green ring a bell with you? Wayne was founder of both 73 magazine and Radio Fun magazine. He published ‘73’ for almost half the 20th century; Wayne passed on in 2013, ten years ago. While Wayne had the reputation of being ham radio’s ‘gloom-&-doomer’, he showed a side of himself during a 1992 Dayton Hamvention forum few have seen - or heard. This week we present Wayne Green, W2-Never Say Die-with an excerpt from his talk, "A New Realization for Ham Radio”.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons lAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. The URL for that license (which you may want to link to from your site) is https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #84 will post 01-21-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #82, posted 12-24-22. Introduced by Will Rogers, K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 10M with Echolink and AllStar timer resets every 3M55S]

Many voices have come and gone over the past 30-plus years that Hap Holly, KC9RP has cranked out ham radio programming. Few of those voices connected with broadcasting stand out like that of outdoors sportsman, Mike Jackson. We're going to make this RAIN Hamcast podcast a little festive with a reading Mike Jackson recorded in the Radio Amateur Information Network almost 30 years ago. It's a reading of A Ham's Christmas, written by Walter A. Tompkins, K6ATX.

But just who is Mike Jackson really? Another voice often heard in the 90s during the RAIN Report was Chicagoan Angelo Polvere, KA9CSO. Angelo was heard in the late 80s writing and reading biographical pieces concerning those heard during the Bear Information Service that Hap Holly, KC9RP founded in 1985 for the Chicago-based Bear (Broadcast Employees Amateur Repeater). Angelo was later heard reading an occasional script for Hap's RAIN Report. One of those bios he wrote and read that became known as Bear-ographies featured Mike Jackson, but only at the beginning of his 5-minute bio. Here's Angelo's reading of that bio of Oren Brand, K9KEJ.

And that's a Wrap (with a capital w) for the Dec. 24, 2022 RAIN Hamcast podcast #82. Don't forget to check out the RAIN archive on archive.org.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #83 will post 01-07-2023.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #81, posted 12-10-22. Introduced by Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 13M22S with Echolink and AllStar timer resets every 3 minutes, starting at 3M]

"When the Archive had this new project they were working on this Digital Library of Amateur Radio, this sounded perfect for me because I know how to use the tools, and I'm very interested in ham radio...seemed like a dream job." The thoughts of Kay Savetz, K6KJN, Internet Archive's Program Manager, Special Collections. RAIN's Hap Holly, KC9RP spoke with this new addition to the Internet Archive staff.

To see what’s in the library so far, visit archive.org/details/dlarc. Keep in mind as Kay says "it’s still growing, and it’s not as well organized as it will be"—Kay is mainly focused on gathering content at this point. Speaking of content, Hap is pleased to announce that the RAIN archives are being added to this ham radio library. You'll find a growing RAIN collection at https://archive.org/details/rain-report.

Editorial Note: Kay and Hap are in search of missing RAIN Reports from the years 1992, 1998, 2000, and 2003. If you know the cassette whereabouts of any RAIN reports from these years, (we don't care how you got them) please contact Kay Savetz at kay@archive.org. The archive of RAIN Hamcast can be found at https://archive.org/details/rain-hamcast. All 81 biweekly RAIN Hamcast podcasts are there now.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #82 will post 12-24-2022.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #80, posted 11-26-22. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 10M3S with timer resets at 3, 6, and 9M]

Will Rogers, K5WLR continues the thread we followed the last two RAIN Hamcast Podcasts about the upcoming January, 2023 DXpedition to Bouvet Island. It seemed logical to take a look at hamcationing closer to home in the Caribbean.

Imagine: You're relaxing on a Caribbean Island, enjoying a cocoloco. The warm, prevailing trade winds softly rustle the large pond fronds shading the nearby pristine beaches; the blue Caribbean Sea gently bathes your feet. Across the way in a thatched hut is a complete ham station.

"Only in your dreams" you say? Not at all! Doug Cline, K4LT (formerly WD8AUV) has hamcationed in the Caribbean a number of times. Here’s an excerpt from his 1997 Dayton Hamvention forum talk, "Hamcationing in the Caribbean".

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #81 will post 12-10-2022.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #79, posted 11-12-22. Voiced by Eric Guth, 4Z1UG and Will Rogers, K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 19M52S with an ID break at 09M52S and timer resets at approximately every 2M50S]

"They’ve been working on this for two or three years; we can't wait to get to the ship." The words of Otis Vicens, NP4G, a Puerto Rican dentist who is scheduled to participate in the January, 2023 3Y0J DXpedition to Bouvet island. Otis was interviewed recently by Eric Guth, 4Z1UG for his QSO Today weekly podcast. This is our second of two excerpts from that conversation.

You can hear Eric's entire interview with Otis on QSOToday.com; episode 418.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #80 will post 11-29-2022.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #78, posted 10-29-22. Voiced by Eric Guth, 4Z1UG and Will Rogers, K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 18M37S with timer resets at approximately every 3M]

Otis Vicens, NP4G grew up in Puerto Rico with an appreciation for radio, a love of learning, and a career in orthodontics. In January, 2023 Otis will be one of the crew members headed for Bouvet Island as part of the 3Y0J dxpedition. Otis was recently interviewed by Eric Guth, 4Z1UG for his weekly QSO Today podcast. This is our first of two excerpts from that interview.

Excerpt 2 will be posted in Podcast #79.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #79 will post 11-12-2022.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #77, posted 10-15-22. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 20M32S with an ID break at 10M01S and timer resets about every three minutes.]

There are any number of HF antennas you could erect as a new ham with a general license under your proverbial belt. Alabama ham Don Keith, N4KC is a prolific writer with 25 books to his credit. At the August 2021 QSO Today virtual Ham Expo, he presented a virtual talk he calls "N4KC's Top Five Get-It-On-The-Air-Quick Antennas. In our first excerpt from that talk, Don talked about his #1 choice, the common dipole. In our second excerpt he covers four more antennas he recommends. You'll find his entire audio/video not-for-broadcast presentation on the RAIN Report channel on YouTube.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #78 will post 10-29-2022.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #76, posted 10-02-2022. Introduced by Will Rogers, K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 19M32S with an ID break at 9M42S and timer resets about every three minutes.]

Did you put up an outdoor HF antenna soon after you received your first ham callsign? A surprising number of hams still haven't. Don Keith, N4KC, author of more than 25 books, has discovered this in recent years. As a result, he prepared a virtual talk he calls "N4KC's Top Five Getting-On-The-Air Quick Antennas". Don shared his discovery in a virtual talk he prepared for the August 2021 QSO Today virtual Ham Expo. Here is our first of two excerpts from that talk.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #77 will post 10-17-2022.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #75, posted 09-03-2022. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M7S with a station ID break at 8M15S. There are 10-second breaks to reset Echo Link and All Star timers at 2-45, 5-28, 8-15, 11-30, and 14-40.]

Are you familiar with the name Wayne Green? Wayne was the outspoken publisher of '73' magazine from 1960 to 2003. He became a silent key on Sept. 13, 2013. Borrowing from the obituary published by the ARRL, National Association for Amateur Radio, "A hallmark of 73 was Wayne's iconic rambling and wide-ranging 'Never Say Die' editorials in which he rarely missed the opportunity to tweak the ARRL and its magazine competitors for their perceived shortcomings. There hardly was an issue that Greene would not confront; he expounded upon a variety of unconventional science, health and medical theories from cold fusion and landing on the moon to aides and cancer cures."

In the fall of 1998, Radio Amateur Information Network Founder, Hap Holly/KC9RP, approached Wayne with the idea of producing a weekly audio podcast. It became known as "Wayne Green Pontificates"—and pontificate he did as you'll hear in one such 10-minute pontification he voiced from 1999. As stated by former ARRL CEO, Dave Sumner/K1ZZ, "Wayne Green will be remembered in many different ways by many different people; but he WILL be long remembered."

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #76 will post 09-17-2022.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #74, posted 08-20-2022. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 18M17S with a station ID break at 9M12S. There are 10-second breaks to reset Echo Link and All Star timers at 2-51, 5-57, 9-12, 12-19, and 15-29.]

Just who is Eric Guth/4Z1UG? Eric grew up in Southern California. Today he resides in Israel. Eric recently released QSO Today podcast 400 in which the shoe was on the other foot. Today we bring you an excerpt from Jim Wilson/K5ND's interview with Eric, podcast producer and the mastermind behind the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expos, unique in the world of Amateur Radio. You can hear the entire one-hour interview with Eric on qsotoday.com, Episode 400. You'll find a link there to the 5th QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo coming September 17th and 18th, 2022. Congrats to Eric for his perseverance.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #75 will post 09-03-2022.

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[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 21M36S with an ID breaks at 09M59S and 19-24 with timer resets at 2-43, 5-42, 8-44, 13-07 and 21-36]

While propagation on the Amateur Radio HF bands (those below 30 mHz) is subject to the rise and fall of solar activity, the VHF/UHF bands (those 50 mHz and up) are influenced by the weather here on terra firma. Amateur Radio writer and instructor, Gordon West/WB6NOA, has often experienced such meteorlogical high and lows. Here’s an excerpt from a 1998 forum talk Gordan gave that year at the Dayton Hamvention.

Editorial Note: If you can catch "Gordo" speaking in a forum at an area hamfest, it will be worth the drive to see his entertaining presentation, whether it be live or virtual

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #74 will post 08-20-2022.

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This is the RAIN hamcast #72, posted 07-23-22 and voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 27M7S with ID breaks at 09M01S and 17M10S. 10-second Echo Link and All Star timer resets at 2-50, 5-50, 09-01 (ID), 11-40, 14-30, 20-24 and 23-03.]

“People feel closer to their neighbors in their community; they get to know them better than they ever did before they had these radios." These are the words of Alan Thompson/W6WN, Public Information Officer for the El Dorado county Amateur Radio club in northern California. According to Alan, his Neighborhood Radio Watch program has about 400 Members in El Dorado County, spread across five distinct neighborhoods, each with its own GMRS Repeater. Alan reports that his group also helped kick-start two other programs in nearby Amador County. Here’s the second excerpt of two from Alan's "Radio for the Rest of Us" talk he gave to the Third QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo in August 2021.

For more information about the El Dorado, CA Watch program, go to edcarc.com.

BE ADVISED:

The next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo will take place September 17 & 18, 2022
The FCC has reduced the cost of the 10-year GMRS license to $35.00

You’ll find the entire not-for-broadcast video edition of this podcast on the RAIN Report channel on YouTube.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from Will and the crew. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #73 will post 08-06-22.

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This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #71, posted 07-09-22. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M11S with an ID break at 09M03S and timer resets at 2-58, 6-06, 11-41 and 14-41]

"Is our hobby relevant to most people in our communities?" That's a question posed by Alan Thompson/W6WN. Alan is Public Information Officer for the El Dorado County Amateur Radio club in northern California. According to Alan, his Neighborhood Radio Watch program has about 400 Members in El Dorado County, spread across five distinct neighborhoods, each with its own GMRS Repeater. Alan reports that his group also helped kick-start two other programs in nearby Amador County. Here’s the first excerpt of two from his talk, "Radio for the Rest of Us "that he presented to the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo in August 2021. Our second excerpt will post as RAIN Hamcast #72 on 07-23-2022 where your favorite podcasts are found

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #72 will post 07-23-2022.

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[The running times for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 19M39S with 10-second timer resets at 02M50S, 05M47S; a station ID at 08M51S; and additional timer resets at 11M46S; 14M46S; and 17M52S.]

Do you live under the inflexible umbrella of a homeowner association? Jeff Mendenhall/W8GNM does. In spite of that, Jeff has found a way around his HOA constructing what he calls a "compromise beverage antenna". Here's an excerpt from his story given as part of a video he delivered to the Third QSO Today Virtual Ham Radio Expo. (Used by permission).

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a non- broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is the RAIN hamcast #69, posted 06-11-22. Introduced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running times for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M04S with a 10-second ID break at 08M02S; ten-second pause for Echolink and Allstar timer resets at 2-39, 5-27, 8-11, 11-02, 13-57 and 16-01.]

In 1964, the Voice of America (VOA) commissioned Collins Radio to build three of its largest transmitters. The 821-A1 was capable of transmitting an impressive 250 KW A.M. between 3.95 and 26.5 MHz during the Cold War from the VOA relay site in DeLano, CA. Dennis Kidder/W6DQ, Secretary of the Collins Collectors Assoc, talked about the 821-A1 during his virtual 2020 Ham Radio Expo talk. This is our second and last excerpt from his presentation (used by permission).

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for his assistance with the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is the RAIN hamcast #68, posted 05-28-22. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running times for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 14M50S with 10-second timer resets at 2M45S, 5M40S and 12M27S; and ID break at 09M37S.]

"In 1964, Voice of America decided to go to Collins and have them manufacture these 821-A1s, a 250KW AM broadcast shortwave transmitter..." Thus began a virtual presentation by Dennis Kidder/W6DQ, given during the August, 2020 Ham Radio Expo. Dennis is a published author/speaker, and member of the CCA, Collins Collectors Association. We have two excerpts from Dennis's virtual talk. Here's our first.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for his assistance with the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is the RAIN Hamcast podcast #67, posted 05-16-22. Introduced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running times for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 11M55S with 10-second timer resets at 02M52S and 05M47S; and ID break at 08M52S.]

The script for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast was read for the 05-18-12 RAIN Report by former RAIN reader Larry Miglore/KB9DIP. It read as follows:

"From the darkened studios of the Radio Amateur Information Network I'm Larry Miglore/KB9DIP. The lights are off as we go to press; the volunteers staff and RAIN's Founder & Producer, Hap Holly/KC9RP flew the coop to wander the miles of aisles in the Hara Arena in Trotwood, Ohio, looking for what's hot...and not at the 2012 Dayton Hamvention. If you happen to hear this before the Hamvention is over, you'll find the RAIN booth #329 alive with folks recording their stories as to how they got into ham radio...and why. Being the party pooper that I am (reference to Larry Miglore) I didn't go this year. However in honor of the "show of shows", I'm am able to present the most entertaining and pithy commentary ever written and read for the RAIN Report by Oren Brand/K9KEJ back in 1993. This flamboyant and Gene Sheperd-esk character is better known to outdoor officionados for his weekly Mike Jackson Outdoor show. If you've gone to local hamfests in the past few years, you'll find his observations are still right on the mark all these years later."

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for his assistance with the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is RAIN Hamcast podcast #66: The Man Behind RAIN (Hap Holly, KC9RP) - Part 2 posted 04-30-22, voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The total running times for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 18M17S; ID break: 08M43S; All Star/Echolink timer resets: 02M54S, 05M49S, 11M35S, 14M29S, 17M17S

Podcasts abound by the thousands!—Well, to be accurate 2.8 million! Everything from Aardvark Agenda(spelled with two As); to ZZ Talk (with a pair of Z's)--not to be confused with the bearded ones. There are numerous special interest podcasts, like these RAIN Hamcast podcasts for instance—another one is "CQ Blind Hams". In this RAIN Hamcast podcast we're bringing you the second and final excerpt of "The Man Behind RAIN", an interview with Hap Holly/KC9RP from the CQ Blind Hams podcast earlier this year. This second excerpt is introduced by Jullian Vargas/N1CA.

RAIN Hamcast podcast #65 containing the first excerpt from this interview together with all RAIN Hamcast podcasts and archive of most RAIN Reports from 1988 to 2019 can be found on therainreport.com.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio.

Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for his assistance with the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is RAIN Hamcast podcast #65: The Man Behind RAIN (Hap Holly, KC9RP) posted 04-16-22, voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The total running times for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M25S/08M42S. EchoLink and AllStar nodes are at: 02M52S, 05M58S, 11M:41S, and 14M49S]

Do you remember the first time you recorded an interviewed with an important person, only to learn later your carefully crafted interview didn't record? That happened some years back to Hap Holly/KC9RP when he first recorded...or rather thought he had...with Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, former President of the ARRL for years. Hap Holly/KC9RP, the "Man Behind RAIN" was interviewed this past January on the CQ Blind Hams Network. Here's our first of two excerpts from that conversation, introduced by Robert Carter/NC5R. We'll bring you our conclusion to this conversation next time on therainreport.com, the RAIN Report channel on YouTube, and wherever you find the RAIN Hamcast podcast.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for his assistance with the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is RAIN Hamcast Podcast #63: Blind Software Engineer Makes Waves Worldwide - Part 2 posted 03-19-22, voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

[The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 16M31S with an ID break after 08M51S. There is an 8-second pause for timer resets at 2.50, 5.52, 11.46 and 14.40.]

Joe Stephen/VK7JS is a blind software engineer who resides on the island of Tasmania, located some 220 miles south of mainland Australia. Today he lives on a 250-acre farm with his wife and four remaining children...at one point he had nine at home. Joe grew up in south central Australia, 15 miles from Adelaide; became a software engineer as a teenager; moved his family to Tasmania in 2017.

Joe has gained invaluable experience the past 25 years assisting Freedom Scientific, the U.S. company that developed JAWS (Job Access with Speech) a well-known speech screen reading Windows-based program for the blind. Currently Joe has modified the firmware of a handful of Chinese ham radio handhelds to be completely accessible to the blind ham worldwide. RAIN's Hap Holly/KC9RP spoke with Joe about those HTs. This is the second of two excerpts from their Zoom conversation. Be advised the Boafeng DM1801 and DM1801A talkies are hard to find. At time of publication the GD77 and RD5R are still relatively easy to purchase from Radioddity.com. Don't forget to purchase the appropriate programming cable you'll need to download Joe's modified firmware.

If you missed part one of this interview, you'll find it as RAIN Hamcast Podcast 62 on therainreport.com, on the RAIN Report channel on You Tube.

Hap Holly/KC9RP, edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license; you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. YouTube assistance from Tom Shimizu/N9JDI. 73 from RAIN.

KEEP ON HAMMING!

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Note: We’re conducting an experiment that may affect you whether you’re narrow-casting this audio service on simplex or on a network that requires frequent pauses to reset shorter timers. Which of the following would you find most useful: (1) the ‘customary’ 10-second ID break at the halfway point; or (2) both the 10-second ID break at the halfway point AND a shorter pause every three minutes for network timer reset. We’ll check the stats after two weeks. You'll hear both in this RAIN Hamcast.

This is the RAIN hamcast #62, posted 03-05-22. Running Time: 19M07S with a 10-second ID break after 08M47S. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

Tasmania is an island state of Australia, 'bout the size of West Virginia, located some 220 miles south of the mainland. This island is home to 500,000-plus residents. One such resident grew up in south central Australia, 15 miles from Adelaide; became a software engineer as a teenager; at age 47 moved his family of 11 from the Australia mainland to Tasmania in 2018; has spent the last 25 years working for Freedom Scientific, the U.S.-based developer of JAWS, a popular speech screen reader program for the blind Windows PC user; and most recently has succeeded in modifying firmware to enable the blind ham complete access to some Chinese VHF & UHF radios, not available from traditional off shore manufacturers, i.e. Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu and others. He's Joseph Stephen/VK7JS, a most articulate software engineer down under who happens to be blind. RAIN's Hap Holly/KC9RP spoke with this affable software engineer via Zoom back in January. At that time Joe's internet service provider was Skymuster, a high-orbiting satellite Internet provider, that was prone to occasional latency. Here's the first of two excerpts from Hap and Joe's conversation.

RAIN Founder, Hap Holly/KC9RP, edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license; you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. YouTube assistance from Tom Shimizu/N9JDI. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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For the next several RAIN Hamcast podcasts we’re conducting an experiment that may affect you whether you’re narrow-casting this audio service on simplex or a network that requires frequent pauses to reset shorter timers. Your preference will determine whether we continue with just the “customary” 10-second ID break before the ten-minute mark; or the six-second “timer reset” pause every three minutes. You’ll need to choose one of two RAIN podcast options: either (1) the ‘customary’ ID break every ten minutes; or (2) both the 10-second ID break every ten minutes together with a six-second pause every three minutes for network timer reset. We’ll check the stats after three weeks. You'll hear both options in this RAIN Hamcast.

A RAIN Hamcast [Extra] #200

For those who use APRS, (Automatic Packet Reporting System), Feb. 7, 2022 will remain a sad day for APRS aficionados as that’s the day Bob Bruninga/WB4APR became a silent key. In memory and respect to this ham radio visionary, the Radio Amateur Information Network presents an encore replay of two excerpts from Bob’s 2018 Dayton Hamvention talk about what he called “A Whole New World of Energy”. RAIN's Founder, Hap Holly/KC9RP, editted this talk for the July 21, 2018 RAIN Report. Here's the late Bob Bruninga/WB4APR.

The RAIN Hamcast[Extra] ©1985-2022 RAIN, all rights reserved. Hap Holly/KC9RP produces the biweekly ham radio podcast. ©1985-2022, RAIN, all rights reserved. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit this RAIN Hamcast EXTRA in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Your monetized support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. thank you to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for his YouTube assistance.

RAIN hamcast #62 will post 03-05-22. Very 73 from the Radio Amateur Information Network. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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For the next several RAIN Hamcast podcasts we’re conducting an experiment that may affect you whether you’re narrow-casting this audio service on simplex or a network that requires frequent pauses to reset shorter timers. Your preference will determine whether we continue with just the “customary” 10-second ID break before the ten-minute mark; or the six-second “timer reset” pause every three minutes. You’ll need to choose one of two RAIN podcast options: either (1) the ‘customary’ ID break every ten minutes; or (2) both the 10-second ID break every ten minutes together with a six-second pause every three minutes for network timer reset. We’ll check the stats after three weeks. You'll hear both options in this RAIN Hamcast.

This is the RAIN hamcast #61, posted 02-19-22. Running Time: 18M40S with a break after 08M49S. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

This episode starts with the voice of RAIN's Founder & Producer, Hap Holly/KC9RP, expressing his regret cajoling YouTube content creator Tom Shimizu/N9JDI into adding video to the RAIN Hamcast podcasts. In the fall of 2021 Hap sought the expansion of the RAIN Hamcast listenership by adding a static video element to the RAIN Report channel on YouTube. To Hap, combining audio with video seemed a pretty good option until he had a heart-to-heart talk with Tom in January, 2022 during which Hap learned about the challenges Tom faces adding video to Hap's RAIN Hamcasts on YouTube. This is our second excerpt from their Zoom conversation.

As a result of Hap and Tom's discussion, listeners to the RAIN Report channel on YouTube can expect to see simpler use of static video in the future. Thanks to Tom for his candor and continuing assistance with the RAIN Report channel on YouTube.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for his assistance with the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is the RAIN hamcast #60, posted 02-05-22. Running Time: 18M10S with a break after 09M26S. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

For over three decades Hap Holly/KC9RP produced the RAIN Report for the Amateur Radio Service. In the summer of 2019, Hap shelved his RAIN Report citing ‘burn out’ as a result of producing a weekly audio hamcast since 1990. Two months later, however, Hap was bitten once again by the ‘edit’ bug, resulting in what is now the RAIN Hamcast Podcast, which posts biweekly. In the fall of 2021, Hap wanted to expand the listenership to his service by adding a video element to his RAIN Report channel on YouTube—a considerable challenge for someone who has been blind since 1958. Hap was directed to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI, the content creator of his own successful A/V YouTube channel. Combining audio with video seemed a pretty straight forward process in Hap’s view until he had a heart-to-heart talk with Tom In January, 2022, during which Hap learned about the challenges Tom faces adding video to Hap's audio RAIN Hamcasts on YouTube. This is our first excerpt from their Zoom conversation.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio podcast. ©1985-2022, RAIN, all rights reserved. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. Hap wishes to thank Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for his YouTube assistance.

RAIN hamcast #61 will post 02-19-22. Very 73 from the Radio Amateur Information Network. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is the RAIN hamcast #59, posted 01-22-22. Running Time: 19M12S with a break after 09M52S. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

Until recently, holding a technician class ham license could be a frustrating experience. Then along came Anthony Luscre/K8ZT, whose instructional videos target the new ham on ZTLearn.com. After Anthony retired from teaching computer instruction for teachers and students alike, he began producing instructional ham radio videos. Here's our second excerpt from a virtual video he produced and presented to the August 2021 QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo. Anthony's video is entitled, "Technician Licensees: Life Beyond the Local Repeater". Anthony's website is: www.k8zt.com; for a listing of his presentations go to: tiny.cc/k8zt-p?

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for his assistance with the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube. Very 73 from the Radio Amateur Information Network. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is the RAIN hamcast #58, posted 01-08-22. [2022 Part 1 19M47S/09M52S]. Part 2 is scheduled to post 01-22-22 in the RAIN hamcast #59.

Holding a technician class ham license can be a frustrating experience locating accurate resources for learning what you can and can't do. Anthony Luscre/K8ZT is one midwestern ham who has endeavored to provide instructional materials targeting the new and hungry ham on one website, ZTLearn.

Now retired from his career in providing computer instruction for teachers and students, Anthony hosts his ZTLearn website, (tiny.cc/fdsd). For the next two RAIN Hamcasts we will bring you excerpts from a virtual forum presentation Anthony produced and delivered for the August, 2021 QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo. It's called "Technician Licensees: Life Beyond the Local Repeater". [2022 Part 1 19M47S/09M52S]. Part 2 is scheduled to be posted 01-22-22 in RH#59.

RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio podcast. ©1985-2022, RAIN, all rights reserved. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license—you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. Hap wishes to thank Joe Cass/W0CAS and Mark Davis for their help to secure podcast recognition and distribution for the RAIN Hamcast. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is the RAIN hamcast #57, posted 12-25-2021 on therainreport.com and on RAIN Hamcast on YouTube. voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR. (audio insert) That's the voice of Tomas Hood/NW7US, the author of many writings about space weather and effects of solar activity the past 20-plus years. Tomas has been a short wave enthusiast since 1973, a ham operator since 1990, and is a United States Army Signal Corps veteran today. He launched the first civilian space weather propagation website, HFRadio.org, in the mid 90's; hfradio later spawned sunspotwatch.com; at press time Sunspotwatch.com is being revamped for the new Solar Cycle 25. Tomas has contributed to the Space Weather Propagation column in CQ magazine for over 20 years, and for The Spectrum Monitor since 2014. A product of the Pacific northwest, Tomas resides now in Fayetteville, Ohio. RAIN's Hap Holly/KC9RP spoke with Tomas recently about Solar Cycle 25. This is the second and final excerpt from their discussion. [2021 P2 17M42S/09M37S] If you missed part one of this conversation, you'll find it as RAIN Hamcast #56 both on therainreport.com and on the RAIN Hamcast page on YouTube . RAIN Hamcast #58 will post January 8, 2022. Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio podcast. It is copyright 1985-2021 , RAIN, all rights reserved. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons license ; you are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. Thanks for YouTube Technical Assistance from Tom Shimizu/N9JDI. I'm WR/K5WLR bidding you very 73 and 44 from the Radio Amateur Information Network. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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This is the RAIN hamcast #56, posted 12-11-2021 on therainreport.com and on the YouTube RAIN Report channel (see link on therainreport.com’s main menu); voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR. When you were knee high to a grasshopper, did you undergo a game-changing experience that shaped your future career? Tomas Hood/NW7US did. Tomas has been a short wave enthusiast since 1973. He was first licensed as a ham in 1990 at age 25. In the mid 1990s Tomas launched the first civilian space weather propagation website, HFRadio.org, which later spawned sunspotwatch.com. His NW7US.us has been up and running since June, 1999. Tomas has contributed to the Space Weather Propagation column in CQ magazine for over 20 years, and for Spectrum Monitor since 2014. A product of the Pacific northwest, Tomas resides today in Fayetteville, OH. RAIN's Hap Holly/KC9RP spoke with Tomas recently about Solar Cycle 25 and the game-changing afternoon Tomas experienced in 1973 at age 8. [2021 P1 16M43S/09M22S] We'll conclude Hap's conversation with Tomas in RH57, scheduled for posting Christmas Day. The RAIN Hamcast is produced and edited by Hap Holly/KC9RP; this biweekly podcast is copyright 1985-2021 RAIN, All rights reserved. RAIN programming is formatted for Amateur Radio transmission and is made available under a Creative Commons license ; downloading, sharing, posting and transmission of this ham radio program via Amateur Radio in its entirety are encouraged. Your support and feedback are welcome on therainreport.com. Thanks for YouTube Technical Assistance from Tom Shimizu/N9JDI. KEEP ON HAMMING!

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