Author | Lightnews

60th Melbourne Hamfest (Florida, USA)

1 2 8

Reposted by Julian oh8stn

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Sep 23

Off-Grid Power for Emergency Communications.
www.amazon.com/author/julia...
#oh8stn #hamradio #lifepo4 #solarpower

2 4

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · 26d

Melbourne Florida Hamfest
oh8stn.org/blog/2025/09...
#hamradio #oh8stn

Begin forwared message: Dear Mr. Julian,I hope this note finds you well. I’m reaching out as a fellow ham and a fan of your YouTube channel. Our club, the Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society (PCAR…

Chameleon MPAS 2 0 HF 50MHZ PORTABLE HAM RADIO ANTENNA

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Sep 23

Off-Grid Power for Emergency Communications.
www.amazon.com/author/julia...
#oh8stn #hamradio #lifepo4 #solarpower

2 4

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Sep 18

The Lab599 TX-500MP covers 160–6m (TX/RX), including CB. One rugged radio for local, regional, and global comms all without repeaters or infrastructure.
youtu.be/oQKY1BZIOwY
#HamRadio #CBRadio #TX500MP #OH8STN

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Sep 7

QRP Portable field test of the Chameleon MPAS 2.0 portable ham radio antenna from Hailuoto Island KP24iX. POTA + WWFF activation with SSB & FT8 using the Lab599 TX-500MP.

🎥 Watch here:
youtu.be/Ee8__nY4NGM

#HamRadio #oh8stn #POTA #WWFF #PortableHamRadio

IC-7300MK2: Why a 0.7 A Receive Draw Actually Matters Off-Grid

1 4

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Sep 4

New blogpost up: Icom IC-7300MK2 — Off-Grid Friendly
Why a 23% drop in receive current makes all the difference for grid-down comms.

Full post: oh8stn.org/blog/2025/09...
#hamradio #icom £ic7300mk2

I just pre-ordered the new Icom IC-7300MK2. Its reduced current draw finally makes this legendary HF rig off-grid friendly!

Lab599 TX-500MP HF 50Mhz Portable Ham Radio

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Aug 24

Finally, an HF radio for preppers. The Lab599 TX-500MP is a rugged 160–6m, 10W manpack radio the community is talking about. Join me as I share my experience with this man-portable QRP rig.

youtu.be/oQKY1BZIOwY
#hamradio #qrp

QRP Portable SSB TX-500MP & Chameleon MPAS

1 2

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Aug 19

QRP portable today with the Lab599 TX-500MP. Ran 10w SSB into the Chameleon MPAS vertical to work UK POTA station 2E0JJS (S5). A little repeat on phonetics, and we had solid copy.

youtube.com/shorts/tVx4A...

My books: www.amazon.com/author/julia...

#hamradio #qrp #oh8stn

Winlink Disaster Email Lab599 TX500MP OH8STN

youtube.com

4

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Aug 15

My first Winlink session with the Lab599 TX-500MP & LiNK500MP TNC on 40m band. Connected 760 km away with just 10W!.
📺 Watch:
youtu.be/8B5sGxHY7tY
#Winlink #TX500MP #OH8STN #HamRadio

When QRP Is Not Enough: Lightweight HF Amplifier

3 7

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Aug 7

New video out on YouTube. Topic is QRP!
QRP is efficient, portable, & powerful, but sometimes, condx demand more. In this vid, I show how a compact HF amp helped complete a failed Winlink session—without ditching my low-power strategy.
youtu.be/x77GsFs2qZ4
73
Julian oh8stn
#oh8stn #hamradio #qrp

Lab599 TX 500 Data Comms with LiNK500MP Audio Interface

1 3

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Jul 31

Just tested the LiNK500MP for the Lab599 TX-500MP. It adds RPR, audio interface for data modes, GPS, 12V input, Bluetooth LE, and mic passthrough.
🎥 Watch on YT: youtu.be/8ZWeLTq6sUE?...
More info: diy599.net

💪 Support my work: www.amazon.com/author/julia...
#HamRadio #TX500MP

Ham Radio with Microsoft Surface & Icom IC-705

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Jul 19

Now that the Yaesu FTX-1 is out, this might be a good time to take a look at how data comms work with the Icom IC-705 and a Microsoft Surface Go tablet.
With the IC-705, the wires are optional!
youtu.be/r22xilag_9A?...

#oh8stn #icom #ic705 #hamradio

Emergency Winlink Gateway

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Jul 17

Hello Operators
There is a new blog post up on the oh8stn blog.
If it's not too much to ask, please let me know what you think about the concept. Also if you think I should expand this into a downloadable guide.
73
Julian oh8stn
Blog: oh8stn.org/blog/2025/07...

A field-tested look at the Emergency Winlink Gateway—an off-grid, low-power HF email system built for rapid deployment during real-world disasters.

California wildfires: Starlink

2 1

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Jan 10

New post up. Starlink now supporting the California Wildfires with Starlink internet, and direct to cell service. Read more at oh8stn.org/blog/2025/01...

Starlink supporting victims of the California wildfires

DL4KA LiNK500 RPR TNC Audio Interface Quick Start

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Jan 9

RadioMail will soon release an update supporting this device. Short answer: Yes, you will be able to use this device to connect your HF radio to radio mail for RPR Winlinksessions. Unfortunately, Vara doesn't support iOS,,but RadioMail and this device will support RPR and your HF Radio.

1 1

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Jan 7

LiNK500 is very much like an SCS Tracker. The LiNK500 can act as a standalone RPR tracker, Winlink RPR TNC, HF APRS TNC with Android, IPhone, iPad, Windows or Linux, and it can act as an audio device for FT8, JS8Call, Vara HF or any AFSK data mode.

youtu.be/I_olnGwwuno

Merry Christmas Book Release

1 1 4

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Dec 25

New video and file drop.
Grid Down Communications
youtu.be/tdrrCoHJhbo?...

2 New Chapters Dropped: Grid Down EMCOMM

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Dec 10

2 new chapters posted.
Grid Down Emergency Communications.
oh8stn.org/blog/2024/12...
#hamradio

Hello Operators.Dropped two new sections of the book Grid Down Emergency Communications today. If you have already purchased the ebook, there is nothing to buy. You’ll find the latest files i…

NATO Phonetic Alphabet: Mastered in Minutes!

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Dec 1

So many ham radio newcomers coming to the channel. Learning NATO alphabet and numbers is high on the requested list.
I suspect heightened tensions between NATO & RUS may also have people worried.
73
Julian oh8stn
Share url: youtu.be/ULxwgAreRyw

SpaceX Starlink Disaster Grid Down Emergency Communications

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Nov 15

Testing #starlink for grid down disaster communications. Join me as I field test Starlink to Starlink with Mark @M0IAX
youtu.be/JOoXAtxQ-Hg

Testing Starlink Mini at 65° North

1

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Nov 9

Testing @Starlink Mini at 65° North with @PowerFilmSolar 100 watt solar panel for power. @m0iax thanks for helping me test 🙏
youtube.com/shorts/HkZJP...

Ultimate Off-Grid Solar Charging E-Bike Solution!

youtube.com

1

Julian oh8stn @oh8stn.bsky.social · Sep 15

This video demonstrates how and why I charge my ebike off grid, using solar power at home, and in the field, for my off grid ham radio adventures.
73
Julian oh8stn
youtu.be/sVArV6lEpKw