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#Post#: 5742--------------------------------------------------
TGIF Amateur Radio Net Summary – September 5, 2025
DIR By: VE3RD
Date: September 6, 2025, 11:57 am
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TGIF Amateur Radio Net Summary – September 5, 2025
Good evening, and welcome to the TGIF Amateur Radio Net on
September 5, 2025. This is [Net Control Station, KW0Z], your net
control for tonight. The TGIF Net is a weekly gathering of
amateur radio operators from around the world, coming together
to share experiences, discuss radio-related topics, and enjoy
the camaraderie of our hobby.
We meet every Friday evening on this frequency to exchange
ideas, stories, and technical knowledge. Tonight’s discussion
topic is “How We Got Started in Amateur Radio,” where we’ll
explore your early experiences with CB radio, shortwave
listening, scanners, or repairing electronics like radios, TVs,
or VCRs.
We’ll also have our TGIF Trading Post segment for buying,
selling, trading, or sharing stories about radio gear and swap
meets. Please wait for my call to check in, and when you do,
give your call sign phonetically, your name, and your location.
Let’s begin with check-ins. This is [KW0Z], go ahead with your
check-ins.
List of Check-ins
Below is a comprehensive list of all check-ins noted in the
transcript of the TGIF Amateur Radio Net on September 5, 2025:
KM4GWB
KB1PZS (Bob, Connecticut)
KC3JS
KD6KWV
ZL2BEZ (Wellington, New Zealand)
KC3NRS (Jerry, Oswego, Illinois)
KE2KL (Angel)
NY2S (Tom, West Palm Beach, Florida)
W3MTN (Doug)
AF8X (Gary)
K7DCE (Doug)
WD4LED (Steve)
KA1PIT (Dwight)
KB3JQQ (Scott)
N9NJS (Lee)
KB4OCE (Chris)
KE8PCQ (David)
WB3GCK (Craig)
WD8KOB (Rod)
N6PAW (Gary)
VE6PLC (Cliff)
KF8I (Clint)
KN4RW (Rudy)
KC1MNJ (Martha)
KC1LKO (Miguel)
N6CZE (Gary, West Central, Ohio)
KJ4LWZ (Glenn)
WC7V (WSC7Z)
EXO
KE4TLC (Kerry)
KE8APO (Dave)
NY4NC (Steven, Wake Forest, North Carolina)
KA3NGT (Bruce)
KA7DLB (Sharon)
KD0CIV (Dolores)
KD9VITO (Kerry)
JN4TVI (Juliet)
KV9Q (Mike)
N3TJK (Tim, Pasadena, Maryland)
KF5MD (Mark)
KC4EXO
KB4QCE
N9DRF
KC5LAA
NG5N
KC0MYP (Dana, Mason, Michigan)
AE6ML (Mike)
K2OZ (Dan)
WB3GTM (Mike)
KA2YET (Angel)
KF6S (James Valley)
N4ZWR (Sam)
K4WZV (Robert)
NP4M (Noel)
N4LDB (Lance)
K5GU (Leland)
KD4BJA (Kirk)
KF5KHS (Michael, Corsicana, Texas)
EA7KDO/SK (Mitch Savage)
KM9Q (Scott)
N8ZC (Carrie, Bancroft, Michigan)
WE8M (David)
KB9LIQ (Ben)
KB8KES (Mike)
WD9HGO (Paul)
N9DYO (Herb)
KB8PFL (Ed)
KD8PUD (Larry, Swanton, Ohio)
KC8USA (Fred)
KD9WSO
NS8G
K8WF (Bill)
KD9LOR (Doug)
VE3RD
WX4BDP (Brandon, Cedartown, Georgia)
WB3IHY (Joe)
KC9SIO (Steve)
N4HYK (Doc, Central West Florida)
N4RJJ (Bob)
VE2FCR (Leo)
KB3NUN (Eddie)
Total Check-ins: Approximately 90, as noted by the net control.
Summary of the Marketplace
The TGIF Trading Post segment, which focused on buying, selling,
trading, or sharing stories about amateur radio gear and swap
meets, had limited participation but included some notable
contributions:
Steve (KW0Z):
Shared his recent activities, including browsing QRZ, eBay, and
Facebook Marketplace for radio gear. He discussed his project of
wiring an audio console for the TGIF net, mentioning challenges
with crossed wires and debugging. He also shared a story about
selling an old IFR-FM service monitor to a ham in Kansas City,
meeting at a Sonic parking lot to trade stories and complete the
transaction.
Doc (N4HYK):
Commented on the lack of activity in the trading segment,
reflecting on how modern amateur radio operators tend to buy new
equipment rather than use or build used or homebrew gear, as was
more common in the past. He commended those who still engage in
building and crafting their own equipment, like antennas, and
expressed surprise at the low participation in the trading
discussion.
No other stations contributed specific trading stories, as the
segment transitioned into broader discussions about amateur
radio experiences. Steve noted the appeal of modern "craft
projects" like 3D-printed stands for hotspots, mentioning his
recent acquisition of a 3D-printed stand for his TGIF hotspot.
Overall, the marketplace discussion was brief, with only Steve
and Doc contributing. The focus shifted to nostalgic reflections
on homebrewing and the evolution of amateur radio practices
rather than active trading or swap meet stories.
TGIF Amateur Radio Net Discussion – How We Got Started in
Amateur Radio
The discussion segment centered on how participants got started
in amateur radio, including their experiences with Citizens Band
(CB) radio, shortwave listening, scanners, or repairing
electronics like radios, TVs, or VCRs. The net control, Steve
(KW0Z), encouraged participants to share stories about their
early radio experiences, technical projects, and what drew them
to the hobby. Below is a summary of the key contributions:
Steve (KW0Z):
Shared his early experiences starting in the 1960s at age 11,
working in a two-way radio shop soldering microphone and coax
cables and climbing towers. He emphasized the hands-on nature of
radio work back then, including soldering crimp connections for
reliability.
Recounted visiting Associated Radio in 2016, expecting to
discuss building transmitters but finding modern amateur radio
focused on purchasing equipment. He described his recent project
of building audio cables and debugging an audio console for the
net, highlighting his ongoing hands-on approach.
Mentioned his CB radio experience, noting the transition from 8
or 14 channels to 23 and then 40, and his work on scanners and
low-band business radios. He also held a second-class radio
telephone license, which delayed his amateur radio license
pursuit until later.
Doc (N4HYK):
Expressed nostalgia for the era when hams commonly used homebrew
or used equipment, contrasting it with the modern trend of
buying new gear. He commended those who still build their own
equipment, like antennas, and noted the lack of trading activity
in the net as indicative of changing times.
Brandon (WX4BDP):
Made an announcement about his Raspberry Pi-based talk group (ID
174), renamed to "National Weather Relays," encouraging others
to join and communicate on it for weather-related relays. This
was more of an announcement than a direct contribution to the
discussion topic but reflected technical engagement with radio
platforms.
Robert (KB1PZS):
Shared a detailed story of his path to amateur radio via CB
radio and scanner enthusiasm. He started with CB in the 1970s as
a child, influenced by his truck driver father’s use of CB
radios in every car.
Recounted modifying CB radios, aligning TX/RX, and unlocking
clarifiers, learning soldering and schematics. He described
picking up discarded CB radios during spring cleanups, fixing
them by replacing blown protection diodes.
Highlighted his CB handle, "The Raven," and using a 23-channel
Lafayette radio. His pivotal moment was hearing global stations
on channel 38 lower sideband, which led to encouragement from
hams to get his technician license in 2008.
Shared a humorous memory of using his father’s Browning Golden
Eagle CB at age five, getting caught by his father an hour away
when he keyed up.
Joe (WB3IHY):
Attributed his entry into amateur radio to his older brother,
who got licensed first, sparking sibling rivalry. Joe followed
his brother’s path, earning his license and upgrading through
the ranks, initially using his brother’s radios before getting
his own.
Expressed a lifelong fascination with the science of radio,
marveling at the ability to communicate globally by "wiggling a
wire" at the right frequency. He described amateur radio as
"magic" and a natural progression for his interest in
electronics.
Jerry (KC3NRS):
Shared a story from 38 years ago when he moved into a
110-year-old farmhouse and found a mint-condition Kenwood TS520
in a barn chest, which he still uses. He noted its superior
sound compared to modern radios.
Admitted to early CB use without a license, using his finger as
an antenna to receive signals. He later earned his ham license
after attending a field day and learning from experienced hams,
eventually teaching at his radio club.
Fred (KC8USA):
Discussed his wintertime hobby of repairing 8-tracks,
reel-to-reels, DVDs, and VCRs, noting that 75% of issues are due
to worn belts. He advised using devices regularly to prevent
belt deterioration and storing spare belts in the freezer to
preserve them.
Shared maintenance tips, like cleaning capstans with 90%
isopropyl alcohol and lubricating drive motor bushings,
reflecting his technical expertise in electronics repair.
David (WE8M):
Credited his father for sparking his interest in the 1970s, when
his dad got his ham license and brought home a CB radio. David
initially focused on CB (23 channels at the time) while his
father pursued ham radio.
Got his ham license in college while studying computer science,
quickly advancing from unlicensed to advanced class, then extra
class. He held the call sign NU8H for 30 years before adopting
his late father’s call sign, WE8M, to honor his legacy.
Noel (NP4M):
Shared his beginnings in Puerto Rico, where his father used a
Sears 23-channel CB radio with a mag mount antenna indoors
during storms for emergency communications. This fascinated
young Noel and planted the seed for his radio interest.
In the Bronx, he was drawn to Radio Shack’s 40-channel
walkie-talkies, sparking further interest in electronics. He
studied for his novice license with help from a mentor who
modded his Cobra 142 GTO CB to access 10 meters, leading to a
memorable first contact with Italy.
Acquired his first HF radio, an Icom 725, from a taxi driver and
later earned his general and extra class licenses in Florida,
continuing his passion for CW and electronics repair.
Mike (KB8KES):
Recalled using a Mark III CB radio to communicate with his
father during swing shifts at the mines, noting the radio’s
robust design and tight receiver. His CB call sign was KFX5561,
which covered the whole household.
Highlighted the nostalgic appeal of the radio’s tube glow and
its ability to reject interference, expressing fondness for the
CB era that led him to amateur radio.
The discussion was rich with nostalgic stories, emphasizing the
role of CB radio, family influences, and hands-on electronics
work in leading participants to amateur radio. Common themes
included early exposure through family, technical
experimentation, and the allure of Radio Shack as a hub for
radio enthusiasts. The net control, Steve, actively engaged with
each story, adding his own experiences and encouraging further
participation, creating a lively and reflective conversation.
Acknowledgments
Now, stations, I'd like to give a big shout-out to some really
special people in our amateur radio family.
Mitch Savage, EA7KDO: Founder of the DMR net. Mitch passed away
about a year, year and a half ago. He started the TGIF Radio Net
with just a single Raspberry Pi, five users, and one talk group.
Mitch developed the next-in-screen hotspot on TGIF MMDVM
hotspots and spent countless hours helping operators with
technical questions. His spirit lives on in every QSO across the
TGIF DMR network.
Ty Weaver, KG5RKI: The coding genius behind TGIF. Working with
Ty on the network's development has been a real pleasure.
Andy Nielsen, G7LRR: Manages the TGIF network website, adding
features and keeping things running smoothly.
Glenn Allison, N3MEL: Creator of the TGIF forum page. Although
retired, his work is remembered and appreciated.
Forum Management Team: Mark Rounds, 82CH; Doug Smith, KE5CDK;
and Joe Garber, WB3IHY. These operators keep our forum running
smoothly, answering questions, and guiding newcomers.
James Valley, KF6S (SK): Worked with Mitch on next-in-screen
hotspots, set standards for DMR radio, and helped develop PiStar
for the Red XA boards during the Raspberry Pi shortage.
Vic Lowen, VE3JAR: Known for excellent TGIF documentation.
Phil Thompson, VE3RD: Provides hotspot programming, net
recordings, and continues development of next-in-screen
hotspots.
Robert Gretzmann, K4WZV: Chief engineer of TGIF.network, keeping
the system running 24/7/365.
To all the operators who join our nets: your voices, your
stories, and your friendship make the TGIF radio net special.
This community keeps getting stronger with each passing week.
Your ideas help shape this net.
Thank you for joining our radio net this evening. My name is
Steve. My call sign is Kilo Whiskey Zero Zulu, KW0Z. I'm signing
off from Jefferson County, Kansas, where the prairie winds carry
our signals far and wide. Join us again next week for another
TGIF radio net on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Talk
Group 31665. The TGIF Talk Group 31665 is now back in use
worldwide for community amateur radio use. Seven three stations,
and remember, thank God it's Friday. This is KW0Z. I'll be
listening.
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