Tag Archives: TWiT

Ham Radio Crash Course, Net, Scheduling

Ham Nation is now on Ham Radio Crash Course

Ham Nation started May 24, 2012 on the TWiT network.  After 8 years and 485 episodes, the show moved to the Ham Radio Crash Course YouTube channel.  January 6, 2021 was the first episode on HRCC.

The transition has brought many changes to the show and ways to view the show.  This post will try to break down those changes.  There are no changes to the nets, scheduling or locations.

Hosts & Show

Bob Heil – K9EID and George – W5JDX are no longer with the show but have made appearances.  It is now produced by Josh Nass – KI6NAZ.  Randy – K7AGE is now a regular on the show.

Previously, the show recorded weekly (unless a holiday).  The show is now recorded biweekly.  First episode was Jan 6, 2021, next will be Jan 20, Feb 3, Feb 17, and so-on.

Shows will no longer be given an “episode number.”

“Show Notes” exist in the form of the video description.  There will not be a separate Wiki and will not include net check-ins.

Platform

For all the ways to view and download the show offered by the TWiT network, the only way to watch the new show is through YouTube.  Love it or hate it, that’s where the show now resides.  It brings some advantages:

  • YouTube has many “apps” on different platforms including desktop, mobile, smart TVs, video devices like Roku.  Not all platforms have the chat functionality available, though.
  • Once the show starts recording, it’s posed to the HRCC channel.  There is no more waiting for the show to be “posted” to view or download the show hours later.
  • Additionally once the show starts recording, any part of the show can be replayed or the whole show can be restarted from the beginning – even while the show is being recorded.  Parts can be replayed immediately.
  • Past episodes on HRCC are available from the Ham Nation playlist
  • Chatroom is available when the show is recording live and is integrated on the same page as the live stream.  The new chatroom doesn’t utilize IRC instead uses the YouTube chat feature.  To post in the chat requires a Google account.  Watching or viewing the show does NOT require an account.
  • Integrations with Discord and Facebook chat allow users to cross-post messages into the YouTube chat.
  • Subscribing to the HRCC channel on a mobile device will notify when the channel is recording live
  • Josh uses monetization systems to support his work. Please purchase from his shop, donate or become a patron.
  • Downloads?  There is no way to “download” a YT video without additional software.  (Technically, downloads are against TOS and could cause copyright infringement.  You have been warned.)  On Windows, YTD (YouTube Downloader) worked well – the PRO version is NOT required to download videos.  A free and open-source command line tool for Windows & Linux, check out youtube-dl.

TWiT

Shows produced and recorded on the TWiT network will remain online.  TWiT generally doesn’t remove past shows, however it has occurred.  It is recommended to download any past episodes of interest.  Links are available under “Old TWiT HN Links.”

Net, Scheduling, TWiT

No Show 12-23-2020 and 12-30-2020, Ham Nation is moving

If you missed the show on 12/16/2020, go back and watch it. Big announcements were made.

First off, the Ham Nation episode that airs on 12/23/2020 will be a “Best of Ham Nation.”  The following week (12/30/2020) will not have a live show either.  There will be no after show nets either days.

Second, Ham Nation is no longer associated with TWIT.  The show is moving to the YouTube channel of Josh KI6NAZ, Ham Radio Crash Course. When Ham Nation returns, it will return January 6, 2021 on the HRCC YouTube channel.

There are alot of questions and changes coming.  Please watch the video.  If, after watching, there are still questions about the show, reach out to Amanda – K1DDN via her email on QRZ.  She has made herself available to help answer questions about the show’s transition.  There are not changes planned for the nets at this time.

We will see you January 6, 2021 on the Ham Radio Crash Course YouTube channel!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

rev: 12/18 – include show link and wording

Net, Operating Event, Special Event Station, TWiT

K8JTK on Ham Nation episode 299 for #HamNation300

Yours truly, K8JTK, appeared on the show to promote #HamNation300 with the other digital net controllers.

Thanks to TWiT, Amanda – K1DDN, Andrew – WA8LIV from the DMR net, and Dave – N3NTV from the Echolink net.  Don’t forget to check out the other after net shows.

The episode can be download from https://twit.tv/shows/ham-nation/episodes/299.  The part of the show featuring the controllers can be seen below.

Net, Operating Event, Special Event Station, TWiT

Ham Nation 300 Special Event

Updates and where stations are operating for Ham Nation 300:

Social Media:
Facebook: Ham Nation on Twit
Facebook: #HamNation300
Twitter: #HamNation300

DX Clusters:
DX Summit
DX Heat

Ham Nation 294: Secret of Ham Nation 300

A Special Event celebrating the 300th broadcast of Ham Nation hits the ham bands May 24-31, 2017. Ham Nation hosts and after-show net control operators are presenting the event. Besides the on-air event, they encourage you to enter the summer-long Ham Nation Challenge.

Ham Nation is an audio and video podcast that is broadcast live on the internet channel TWiT.tv. Hams can view the program at 9:00 p.m. eastern time every Wednesday evening.

Hams can earn a Ham Nation 300 certificate by working six of the nine Special Event callsigns. They can receive a Clean Sweep certificate by working all nine 1×1 callsigns. Commemorative QSL cards are also available. Hams must send their QSL Card and an SASE to each station.

Contact the stations on any band. You may look up the details and rules for the on-air event on the QRZ page of the nine 1×1 callsigns in the table below. Check the QRZ.com pages frequently as we update them often.

The on-air event begins at 0300Z on May 25th and ends at 0500Z on June 1.

Software collates logs from all nine special event stations. Users download certificates and print them at home or at a self service photo shop.

The Ham Nation Challenge ends August 31, 2017. Hams may earn one of three certificates. Scoring 300 to 499 points will earn you a bronze challenge certificate. If you score 500 to 599 points you will receive a silver certificate. A score of 600 or more of the possible 750 points in the challenge will get you a Gold certificate. Hams receiving the top three scores appear on Ham Nation in September.

Hams earn challenge points by completing simple tasks like … submitting a chat room question; submitting a video or shack photo for broadcast or scoring a “selfie” with a host or net control operator.

By completing the more challenging tasks hams earn more points. More difficult tasks include … becoming a Volunteer Examiner; upgrading their amateur license or earning their WAS or DXCC. A complete list of the challenge tasks appears in the table below.

If you have questions about this event you may send an email to HamNation300@gmail.com. If you are talking about this event on social media we encourage you to use the hashtag “#HamNation300”.

Special Event Station Callsigns and Operators

Callsign Operator Personal callsign
K0H Amanda K1DDN
W0H Dale K0HYD
W1H Al K1LTJ
W2H Eric N2KOJ
W4H Kevin KC7FPF
W5H Don AE5DW
W6H Mike WT6H
W7H Steve W7UDI
W9H Val NV9L

Ham Nation Hosts Using Personal Callsigns

Callsign Host
K9EID Bob Heil
WB6NOA Gordon West
K7AGE Randy Hall
W5JDX George Thomas

Digital Mode Operators Using Personal Callsigns

Callsign Name
D-STAR
KB9VZU Dave
K8JTK Jeffrey
DMR
WA8LIV Andrew
KC8VJK Craig
KD8SNF Tate
EchoLink
N3NTV David
VO1UKZ Darryll
W8WFO Steve
N9OFU Paul
Fusion
WB6NOA Gordo

Ham Nation Challenge Tasks and Points Awarded

Points Task Limit Total Possible
10 Submit a chat room question or email Amanda a question that gets used on the show 2 20
25 Participate in a contest 2 50
25 Participate in a public service event 1 25
50 Obtain a Technician license or upgrade your license (must be earned after May 1st) 1 50
25 Become a Volunteer Examiner or an instructor 1 25
10 Work a HamNation300 1X1 special event station 9 90
10 Work a HamNation300 special event host station 4 40
10 Work a HamNation300 digital mode special event stations 4 40
10 Work a HamNation300 special event or wildcard stations on RTTY, JT65 or PSK31 3 30
10 Check into a Ham Nation after-show net 3 30
10 Submit a Show Me Your Shack photo to Dale for the video segment 2 20
25 Submit a ham radio related video that Dale uses on the video segment 1 25
25 Build an antenna or kit based on one of George or Randy’s videos 2 50
10 “Like” the Ham Nation Facebook Page 1 10
35 Earn your DXCC Award (completed after May 1st) 1 35
35 Earn your WAS Award (completed after May 1st) 1 35
25 Earn a Clean Sweep Certificate for working all nine 1×1 callsigns during on-air event 1 25
25 Work all four show hosts during on-air event 1 25
25 Become a certified weather spotter 1 25
10 Publish a “selfie” with a show host using the hashtag #HamNation300 7 70
10 Publish a “selfie” doing something ham radio related using the hashtag #HamNation300 3 30
10 Tie-Breaker: Publish a “selfie” with Dr. Tamitha Skov 1 10

On-Air Event Rules

  1. Event starts at 0300Z on May 25, 2017 and end at 0500Z on June 1, 2017
  2. The event cover all bands, all modes
  3. Any Special Event Station or Show Host may be contacted during the event
  4. Special Event stations and Show Hosts will operate at random times.
  5. Operators will Tweet, post on Ham Nation Facebook page and announce on spotting network when on air
  6. Working a minimum of six of the nine 1×1 callsigns qualifies for a Certificate
  7. You may substitute one contact with a Show Host for one of the six 1×1 callsigns required for a certificate
  8. Working all nine 1×1 callsigns earns you a Clean Sweep certificate
  9. Callsigns of participating Show Hosts are: K9EID, WB6NOA, W5JDX and K7AGE
  10. Special Event QSL cards will be available from each Special Event Station
  11. A personal QSL card may be available from participating Show Hosts
  12. A SASE required to receive QSL card from Special Event stations and Show Hosts
  13. Technician class hams can earn a digital certificate by completing two contacts in any of the four modes