Cliff's Notes on Amateur Radio | HAM - GMRS - And More!

About Cliff's Notes on Amateur Radio | HAM - GMRS - And More!

I’m Cliff Ravenscraft (KQ4UUR), a lifelong communicator who’s been podcasting since 2005. In 2024, I fulfilled a dream I’d carried since age 13 by finally becoming a licensed Amateur Radio operator. Since then, Cliff’s Notes on Amateur Radio has become my space to document this journey, sharing the joy, discoveries, and connections the hobby brings. Here you’ll find stories from the field, lessons learned through experience, and meaningful conversations with operators from across the globe. Whether you’re just getting started, deeply experienced, or rediscovering your love for the hobby, this is a space to celebrate the wonder and connection that radio brings.

Publisher

Cliff Ravenscraft

Category

technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Aug 2024

Latest episode

8 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

19 of 21 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   8 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   021 - Jeff Franklin N3FMC

   In this episode of the POTA Hunter Series, I sit down with Jeff Franklin, N3FMC (https://www.qrz.com/db/N3FMC) (“Ford Motor Company”), a familiar voice that many Parks on the Air activators recognize instantly. Jeff shares the story of how his fascination with radio began in early childhood after seeing his father’s pager and wondering how wireless communication worked. That curiosity quickly turned into experimentation with CB radios, homemade antennas, and eventually a full introduction to amateur radio. We talk about Jeff’s early days in the hobby, including learning Morse code with the help of an Elmer, building Heathkit gear, experimenting with packet radio using a Commodore 64, and working with the ARRL in Washington, D.C. during the early efforts to protect amateur radio operators from restrictive zoning regulations. Jeff also explains how he stepped away from the hobby for roughly 25 years while building a career and raising a family, only to rediscover amateur radio again recently. After returning, he quickly became a highly active POTA hunter, regularly working activators across multiple bands throughout the day from his home station near Philadelphia. Jeff also shares practical advice about dealing with malicious interference, respecting band plans, and keeping the focus on what amateur radio is supposed to be about. Fun, learning, experimentation, and connecting with great people. Resources Mentioned: Video explaining call stacking and how to manage pileups using the PoLo app: https://youtu.be/hgAhKK9rxs8?si=fYTbm32LPe76bIJ- (https://youtu.be/hgAhKK9rxs8?si=fYTbm32LPe76bIJ-) Starlink Mini Referral Link: https://starlink.com/residential?referral=RC-2708487-54905-74 (https://starlink.com/residential?referral=RC-2708487-54905-74) The Considerate POTA Operators Frequency Guide: Click Here (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ibxkwkfc5n75ropvhur58/Considerate-Condensed.pdf?rlkey=yjezc0gunehukbt2ca7wdrbat&dl=0)

2. 

   2 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   020 - My First POTA Activation of 2026, and a Surprise All States Award

   It’s been a while since I last released an episode of Cliff’s Notes on Amateur Radio, and in this episode, I share exactly why that is, what’s been happening in my world, and what finally brought me back behind the microphone. Over the past several months, amateur radio took a back seat. Work was intense, winter was cold, and my focus was deeply anchored in other creative and professional commitments. I hadn’t been activating parks, I hadn’t been on the local repeaters much, and radio simply paused for me. That pause wasn’t intentional, but it was real. What changed was an email. Actually, two emails. I start by reading a message from Pete (K6TRK (https://www.qrz.com/db/K6TRK)), who shared an incredible story about discovering this podcast, binge-listening on a long drive, and then having his second-ever POTA contact be someone he had just heard on this show. Stories like that remind me why I started documenting this journey in the first place. Then I read an email from Rick (K8DOJ (https://www.qrz.com/db/K8DOJ)) that landed at exactly the right moment. His words didn’t just encourage me to record another episode. They sent me out the door. Because of that email, I went out and completed my first Parks on the Air activation of 2026, my first since November of last year. That activation turned into one of those days that reminds you why you love radio. One hundred thirty contacts. Familiar voices. New connections. And right at the end, a contact with Hawaii that pushed me over the line for the All States Hunter award, even if I still feel like North Dakota has my name on it. I also share some practical notes from the activation, including my experience using a new headset with the Yaesu FT-891, how it performed in the field, and why hands-free operating made such a difference during the activation. From there, the episode widens out. I talk openly about my podcasting life as a whole, the shows I currently produce, and why amateur radio fits into my life differently than it did when I first got licensed. I reflect on the tension between passion, distraction, creativity, and focus, and how seasons of life naturally shift what gets attention. I also respond directly to a question Rick raised. Why was I drawn to amateur radio in the first place? Yes, I love the technology. Yes, I love learning new skills. But at the core, radio gives me another place to connect with people. To encourage. To serve. To remind someone on the other end of the signal that there’s a real human being there, not just another call sign in the log. I close the episode with a simple invitation. If this podcast matters to you, if you enjoy following this journey, or if you have a story of your own to share, send me an email. More often than not, those messages are the very thing that brings me back on the air and back to the mic. Thanks for listening, and as always, I encourage you to take everything you do in amateur radio, and in life, to the next level. Email me anytime: cliff@cliffravenscraft.com (mailto:cliff@cliffravenscraft.com) Call sign: KQ4UUR 73 and many blessings

3. 

   5 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT

   019 - Meet W0KEG Kevin “KEGMan” Giebel - A Parks on the Air Legend | POTA Hunters Series

   In my series called POTA Hunters, I sit down with the voices I hear in nearly every activation to get to know the people behind those familiar call signs. In this second episode, we meet Kevin “KEGMan” Giebel (W0KEG) (https://www.qrz.com/db/W0KEG), one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic hunters in the Parks on the Air community. Though Kevin has only been licensed for about a year and a half, his passion and presence on the bands make him one of the most recognizable voices in POTA. Highlights Hear how Kevin got started in amateur radio and the story behind his unforgettable “KEGMan” nickname. Learn how he’s achieved over 34,000 Hunter QSOs across 6,545 parks, despite activating only five times himself. Discover his setup, equipment, and his trick for making consistent contacts. Get a peek into his club’s upcoming special event activation at Split Rock Lighthouse for the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald. They will be activating under the call WØJH for the “Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald Special Event” November 7 thru 10, 2025 (https://www.qrz.com/db/W0JH) Enjoy stories about friendship, the joy of hunting, and the spirit of community that makes POTA so meaningful. Fun POTA Stats for Kevin Parks Activated: 5 Parks Hunted: 6,545+ Hunter QSOs: 34,000+ Mentions in This Episode Starlink Mini Portable Internet (https://starlink.com/roam?referral=RC-2708487-54905-74&app_source=share) — Get one free month of service when you use my referral link. Perfect for activators who want reliable internet anywhere with an open sky. (Affiliate Link Here (https://starlink.com/roam?referral=RC-2708487-54905-74&app_source=share)) HamRadioPrep.com (https://hamradioprep.com/) — Use coupon code KQ4UUR to save on your exam prep course. It’s the program I used to earn a perfect score on both my Technician and General exams. About the Series POTA Hunters is a series of episodes from the Cliff’s Notes on Amateur Radio podcast, where I connect with some of the most familiar and respected voices in the Parks on the Air community. Each conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people who make this hobby so vibrant.

Inside a recent episode

021 - Jeff Franklin N3FMC

Published 8 Mar 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] I was able to hook that up to a Commodore 64 computer which I was thrilled to have and had a take drive. There wasn't any disk drive. Used tapes to load the programs and was able to use that and I had a different AETNC controller for for that. I didn't really use packet much on HF but I had that capability. What I really enjoyed the packet was on 2 meter and it was like a bold and board service where and digit Peter so my station became like a mini repeater for 2 meter packet. Other HAMs would send stuff to me that I would receive then I rebroadcast it along the way like a chain and so we would daisy chain in order to extend our range for the 2 meter packet radio. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

3.3 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

58

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.