The Concept

SMART stands for Saturday Morning Amateur Radio Time. The idea is to meet up regularly on a Saturday morning to demonstrate and explain what Amateur Radio is all about. This is a fortnightly pilot starting on the 13th of January 2024 for eight sessions. Should the pilot prove successful it is hoped we can continue showing a fun hobby with a fun way to learn a lot of life skills. A lot of schools are using the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program for teaching. Amateur Radio fits well with these subjects and is a fun way to learn these subjects with real-world applications. As well as covering the main topics of STEM, Amateur Radio also gives a good insight into Languages, Geography and History. These sessions are offered free to members of the public who have an inquiring mind and want to have fun. Many youngsters who had Amateur Radio as their hobby have gone on into successful careers in technical industries.

Sunday, 28 December 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 473 - Is AI About to Kill Ham Radio?

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Dan Romanchik KB6NU, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG, and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is, Is AI about to kill Ham Radio?

We would like to thank Richard French (M7GET) and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert-free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

News stories include: -

  • Up to $25,000 at Stake in New ARRL Student Coding Competition
  • Student Success with DMR Project In India
  • Jim Shaffer, KE5AL, Advocate For Blind Hams Becomes SK At 72
  • ARDC Launches 44Net Connect
  • International Reply Coupons (IRCs) to End
  • New Satellite Tracking Application Released
  • Four Buchanan Students Earn FCC License
  • World Wide Check-In on Talk Group 91
  • New Technician Class Question Pool Released

The ICQPodcast can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com


Sunday, 14 December 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 472 - Does a Ham Need a Thermal Camera?

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH), Bill Barnes (WC3B) and Leslie Butterfields (G0CIB)  to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Do I need a Thermal Camera?

We would like to thank Sean Borgerson (KK7OVF) and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert-free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

News stories include: -

  • “Space Sailors” Seeking Download Help from Ham Radio Operators
  • ARISS Video Promotes School Contacts Through ISS and Amateur Radio
  • New Restrictions for Short-Range UHF Radios in Germany
  • Indian Amateurs Help a Woman Lost in Bangladesh
  • Dr Bob Whelan, G3PJT - Silent Key
  • First HamTV Transmission from ISS Since 2018
  • SAQ Grimeton to Transmit CW Message

The ICQPodcast can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com

Sunday, 30 November 2025


 

ICQPodcast Episode 471 - Krampus event and Yaseu UK

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT and  Edmund Spicer M0MNG to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is the Krampus event and Yaseu UK

We would like to thank Pete Leng (ZL4TE), Daniel Robson (GM6CMQ) and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert-free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

News stories include: -

  • Happy 12th Birthday to AO-73 (FUNcube-1)
  • Neural Codec Called 'Milestone' for Digital Voice
  • Pirate Radio Broadcaster Agrees To $7,200 Payment
  • Opinion: futureGEO is the Most Important Amateur Radio Initiative of this Decade. Why is no one Talking About it?
  • Yasme Grant Supports Hams’ Initiatives at Bangladesh Universities
  • Santa Net Returns for 20th Consecutive Year
  • The RSGB Accessibility Champion
  • FT8 Warning to UK Hams

The ICQPodcast can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com

Tuesday, 18 November 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 470 - Going to Bouvet Island

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH) and Leslie Butterfields (G0CIB) to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Going to Bouvet Island.

We would like to thank Koos Van Den Hout (PE4KH), Anonymous Donor, Dave Renton (G1REN), Michael Nutt (K3LOE) and Michael Currier-Casavant (N1XRR) and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert-free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

News stories include: -

  • Eakinomics: Time to Jettison Legacy FCC Rules
  • 2025 “Dream Rig” Essay Contest for Young Ham Radio Operators
  • Australian Band Plan Gets Sweeping Review
  • Mountain Radio Challenge Tests Skills, Propagation
  • DRM Says It’s the Best Choice for Digital Radio in India
  • ISS SSTV Event to Celebrate 25 Years of the International Space Station
  • NARA Hosts Club Week Special Event

The ICQPodcast can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com


Sunday, 2 November 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 469 - Club Open Day and Radio Centre Win Award

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Dan Romanchik KB6NU, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG, and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Club open day and the RSGB win an award.

We would like to thank Walter Turner (W8LN), Walter Washburn (KT0D), David LeBlanc (KF7KAF), Frank Westphal (K6FW), Nicholas Bradley (G4IWO) and Ken DeLap II (KX9U) and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert-free.

To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

News stories include: -

  • Ham to Chair Newly Created University Department
  • Reminder: Keep Clear of Emergency Frequencies
  • Young Amateurs Learn New Modes for Emcomm
  • No, SDRs Haven’t Ruined DX’ing
  • Astronomy Trade Fair to Debut at Ham Radio Friedrichshafen
  • YOTA Month: Book Your GB25YOTA Operating
  • Is AO-7 Still the Oldest Satellite?
  • Latvia’s Hams Honor Nation’s First Broadcast Radio at 100

The ICQPodcast can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com