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, 23 March 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 452 - ARRL Election Committee Adventures

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 ARRL EE Committee Adventures.

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

News stories include: -

  • ISS FM Repeater, APRS Digipeater Could Be Sunset in Two Years
  • ISS Astronauts Reject Call for Early Retirement of the ISS
  • VOA, Other International News Services, Marked for Cuts
  • Questions Loom After Cuts at United States Weather Agency
  • FCC Seeks Public Suggestions On Possible Deregulation
  • Work at Repeater Site Costs Ham His County Job In Washington State
  • RSGB web app
  • Special Event Stations to Celebrate 200 Years of British Train Travel
  • “Radio Connects” is 2025 ARRL Field Day Theme
  • Mills on the air (MOTA) 2025

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

Sunday, 9 March 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 451 - Using a Noise Bridge

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 Using a Noise Bridge.

We would like to thank Mike Rosenberg N9YB along with our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

News stories include: -

  • Combined Technologies Help Astronomers Fight RFI
  • Get Ready for Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio
  • Broadcast Students Get Schooled in Amateur Radio
  • Microsoft is retiring Skype
  • QRP Silent Antenna Tuning Unit with Built-in Noise Bridge
  • British Science Week – will you be taking part in an amateur radio activity?
  • ARDC to Host Community Meeting
  • Satellite SO-124 FM Repeater Now Active

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

Tuesday, 25 February 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 450 - RigExpert AA-650 Zoom Analyzer

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 Rigexpert AA-650 Zoom Analyzer.

We would like to thank an anonymous donor along with our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - 

News stories include: -

  • New Scout, Cadet and Girlguiding Youth Champion
  • Lawmakers Reconsider Measure To Protect Antennas In HOAs
  • Ham Radio Operator is Front-Runner to Lead Germany
  • Ofcom Mulls Over 6 Ghz Band Sharing For Wi-Fi And Mobile
  • Video Tribute Honours New Zealand CW Op
  • As Dogs Pull Sleds, Hams Pull Long Shifts On Air
  • Operation Veritable Special Event
  • George Washington's Birthday Special Event
  • Attending WRTC2026
  • RigExpert’s Administrative Office Destroyed in Russian Missile Attack

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

Sunday, 9 February 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 449 - A Simple Way to Receive QO-100

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), 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 A Simple Way to Receive QO-100

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

News stories include: -

  • AMSAT-Switzerland Honours Historic Ham Satellite QSO
  • Mesh Network for 70cm A Project in Canada
  • Great Falls Library Adds Ham Radio Instruction Books
  • How Are You Celebrating World Radio Day 2025?
  • Austria’s Historic Moosbrunn Shortwave Site Dismantled
  • Lonar Meteor Lake Special Event AU6LON
  • Ham Radio Outlet Employee Honoured for 60 Years in Amateur Radio
  • New RSGB Emerging Technology Web Page

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


Sunday, 26 January 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 448 - Did you Know - Q and A

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 Did you Know - Q and A

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: -

  • Ham Radio Operators Serving During California Firestorms
  • Consultation Which Seeks to Simplify the Licensing of Amateur Radio Visitors to the UK
  • Ham Radio Ireland, The Digital Magazine, Is Back
  • Girls Missed the Bus - Helped by Hams
  • DMR Radios Open Up The World To Students in India
  • RSGB is the Official British Science Week partner
  • Ham Radio Event for European Capital of Culture 2025
  • HB9RG Trophy Celebrates First Amateur Radio Contact via Satellite

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


Sunday, 12 January 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 447 - In The Grid

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 In The Grid.

We would like to thank Walter Washburn (KT0D), an Anonymous Donor 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 Operator Must Pay in First-Responder Interference Case
  • Georgia Club Donates Radio Books to Local Library
  • Year-Long Special Event Celebrates Britain's Railways
  • Parker Solar Probe 'touches' the Sun
  • Deadline Extended for ARRL Foundation Scholarship Applications
  • Straight Key Month
  • HamCation POTA Meet-up

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


Sunday, 29 December 2024

ICQPodcast Episode 446 - Portable Antennas Data Review

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 Portable Antennas Data Review.

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

News stories include: -

  • How Ghost Radio Signals Could Hold The Key To Finding Missing Flight MH370
  • YOTA Month Draws To A Close But Is Still Busy On The Air
  • Intrepid DX Group Youth Essay Contest Announces Winners
  • AM Bill Is Not Part of Congressional Stopgap Funding
  • Disappointment Immediately after Liftoff
  • Updated Equipment Can Save Lives
  • HAMSCI Plans Conference for its 'Big Year'
  • Holiday SSTV Experiment from the International Space Station
  • RSGB is looking for a new Lecture Coordinator
  • ARRL Straight Key Night 2025

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