Brew and Activate
Claim This Podcastby Brew & Activate - N1JUR
Podcast Overview
<p>Welcome to Brew & Activate, the podcast where we dive into the fascinating world of Parks on the Air (POTA) every Friday morning! Join us for lively discussions that cover everything you need to know—from gear and antennas to optimal setups. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, we’ll explore every aspect of outdoor ham radio operations, including those topics that might initially seem less exciting. Grab your favorite beverage and tune in for a great conversation!</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/2/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 10, 2026
The Great Coax Mystery Does Coax Length Really Matter
<p>One of the biggest myths in amateur radio has nothing to do with antennas... it's the coax connecting your radio to them.</p><p>Does coax really have to be 18 feet long? Can changing the length of your feedline lower your SWR? What exactly is velocity factor, and why does everyone seem to have a different answer?</p><p>This week on <strong>Brew & Activate</strong>, we're diving into another ham radio rabbit hole to separate physics from folklore. We'll explain velocity factor in plain English, explore why coax behaves the way it does, and connect the dots between transmission lines, SWR, resonance, impedance, and real-world station performance.</p><p>Whether you're building a portable POTA station, setting up your first HF antenna, or just trying to understand why your analyzer says one thing and your radio says another, this episode will help you make sense of what your coax is really doing—and what it isn't.</p><p>*************************************************************</p><p>Affiliate Links: </p><p>I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.</p><p>Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://maddogcoils.com.au/">https://maddogcoils.com.au/</a></p><p>Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.relianceantennas.com/">https://www.relianceantennas.com/</a></p><p>Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://n1jur.com">n1jur.com</a></p><p>SpoolTenna: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://spooltenna.com">https://spooltenna.com</a></p><p>SHOW LINKS: </p><p>Discord Brew and Activate - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv">https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv</a></p><p>Brew & Activate Podcast - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/">https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/</a></p><p>Brew and Activate Merch - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livefreeandham.com/shop">https://livefreeandham.com/shop</a> </p><p>POTA Bucket List - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list">https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list</a></p><p>Guests/Hosts:</p><p>Shannon's Channel (KC1OHT) <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht">https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht</a></p><p>Help Support the Channel:</p><p>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR">https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR</a></p><p>Buy Me a Beer: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur</a></p><p>N1JUR & KC1OHT Shop: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop">https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop</a> </p><p>Follow me on:</p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://n1jur.com/">https://n1jur.com/</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/n1jur">https://www.instagram.com/n1jur</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527</a></p><p></p>
July 9, 2026
I Packed a Radio Instead of Extra Clothes
<p>Who needs another pair of socks when you can bring another antenna?</p><p>This week, Brew & Activate is coming to you from my Airbnb for a special Vacation Edition! There won't be the usual 90-minute show or deep technical dive. Instead, we're slowing things down, grabbing a cup of coffee, and seeing what happens when portable ham radio becomes part of the adventure.</p><p>We'll be setting up a travel-friendly station, activating a new Tiles location, making contacts live, and chatting about why some of the best operating isn't from the shack—it's from wherever life happens to take you.</p><p>Whether you're operating from a campsite, a cabin, a hotel, an Airbnb, or just your backyard, this stream is a reminder that amateur radio doesn't have to stay home when you leave town.</p><p>So pour yourself a fresh cup, kick back, and pretend you're on vacation with the Brew Crew for the next 40 minutes.</p><p>☕ Live portable radio operation</p><p>📻 Tiles activation from the Airbnb</p><p>🌎 Travel-friendly ham radio setup</p><p>💬 Plenty of conversation, coffee, and RF</p><p>If you've ever packed a radio before packing your suitcase... this one's for you.</p><p></p>
July 9, 2026
Your SWR Is Fine... So Why Can't You Make Contacts
<p>We spent the last two episodes learning what SWR and resonance actually mean. Now it's time to answer the biggest question of all:</p><p>How do you know if an antenna is actually performing?</p><p>In this final installment of our three-part antenna deep dive, we're moving beyond analyzer readings and getting into what really matters on the air. We'll explore why two antennas with identical SWR readings can perform completely differently, how antenna height affects your signal, why efficiency matters, and what changes as Solar Cycle 25 begins its downward swing.</p><p>We'll also tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in amateur radio: the idea that a low SWR automatically means a good antenna.</p><p>*************************************************************</p><p>Affiliate Links: </p><p>I receive no compensation for these and want to pass on the savings to all my followers.</p><p>Mad Dog Coils: Receive an additional clamp when ordering any Mad Dog Coil - Use N1JUR in the order/shipping notes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://maddogcoils.com.au/">https://maddogcoils.com.au/</a></p><p>Reliance Antennas: 10% off with Free Shipping. All orders of any Reliance Antenna or product use N1JUR at Checkout. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.relianceantennas.com/">https://www.relianceantennas.com/</a></p><p>Seeed Studios: Discount Codes on all Meshtastic Devices on my website <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://n1jur.com">n1jur.com</a></p><p>SpoolTenna: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://spooltenna.com">https://spooltenna.com</a></p><p>SHOW LINKS: </p><p>Discord Brew and Activate - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv">https://discord.gg/EcuySeKkVv</a></p><p>Brew & Activate Podcast - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/">https://rss.com/podcasts/brew-and-activate/</a></p><p>Brew and Activate Merch - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livefreeandham.com/shop">https://livefreeandham.com/shop</a> </p><p>POTA Bucket List - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list">https://n1jur.com/pota-bucket-list</a></p><p>Guests/Hosts:</p><p>Shannon's Channel (KC1OHT) <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht">https://www.youtube.com/@shannonkc1oht</a></p><p>Help Support the Channel:</p><p>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR">https://www.patreon.com/N1JUR</a></p><p>Buy Me a Beer: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/n1jur</a></p><p>N1JUR & KC1OHT Shop: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop">https://www.livefreeandham.com/shop</a> </p><p>Follow me on:</p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://n1jur.com/">https://n1jur.com/</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/n1jur">https://www.instagram.com/n1jur</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092365884527</a></p><p></p>
47 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Brew and Activate?
<p>Welcome to Brew & Activate, the podcast where we dive into the fascinating world of Parks on the Air (POTA) every Friday morning! Join us for lively discussions that cover everything you need to know—from gear and antennas to optimal setups. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, we’ll explore every aspect of outdoor ham radio operations, including those topics that might initially seem less exciting. Grab your favorite beverage and tune in for a great conversation!</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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