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, 10 August 2025

Cats and Dogs

 


ICQPodcast Episode 462 - Service Aids

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, 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 Service Aids.

We would like to thank Charles Carter (AA0RI), John A. D. Andrea Snr (AA5JD), Roy Jones (VK6RR) 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: -

  • A Lightweight M17 Hotspot
  • Joint India-US Satellite Eyes Natural Disasters
  • Two WW2-Era Code-Related Events - One For Navajo Code Talkers, Another For Enigma Machine
  • Pakistan Hikes Radio-Related Fees
  • HamTV is Active on the International Space Station
  • Radio Alpha, the ARRL Museum and Research Library
  • India, Sweden Introduce New Callsign Suffixes, Prefixes
  • RSGB National Radio Centre Tourist Award
  • PRESENTER OPINION: Go to Church on Sept 13th 2025…and Bring an HF Radio!

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


Sunday, 27 July 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 461 - Ham Radio Friedrichshafen 2025 Part Two

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 Ham Radio Friedrichshafen 2025 Part Two

We would like to thank Charles Carter 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: -

  • Hams Decode SSMIS Satellite Data Removed by DoD, NOAA
  • MMDVM Project Drops Support for M17 Mode
  • M17 Foundation Responds to Statements made by MMDVM Project Maintainer
  • 23cm Restrictions To Be Imposed In Europe
  • Safety Stand-Down: Look Up and Live
  • Canadian Amateurs in Yukon Territory Get Separate Section
  • The RSGB Releases High-Contrast Logbook to Improve Accessibility
  • National Bodies Protect 70cm Band

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


Sunday, 13 July 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 460 - Ham Radio Friedrichshafen 2025 Part One

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 Ham Radio Friedrichshafen 2025 Part One.

We would like to thank Dino Papas (KL0S), Philip Heckingbottom (VK6ADF) 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: -

  • PRSENTER OPINION : Is it time to bring back the club leadership course?
  • POTA Activator Dies in Accidental Electrocution
  • Volunteers Bring Last Commercial Maritime Station Back on Air for 26th Year
  • Hamshack Hotline To Be Discontinued
  • Grant to Aid Clublog Operations Upgrade
  • Testing for WRTC 2026 in Suffolk
  • Bye Bye Friedrichshafen for another year!
  • HamSCI Meteor Scatter QSO Party 11-12 August 2025
  • International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend
  • 100th Anniversary of JARL and Amateur Radio in Japan

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

Sunday, 29 June 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 459 - Kit Building Advice

In this episode, we join  Martin Butler M1MRB, Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH), Edmund Spicer (M0MNG) 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 Kit Building Advice.

We would like to thank Denny Morrison (GM1BAN) 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: -

  • Exam Standards Committee Annual Report
  • Radio Signals Have 'Upward Propagation' Through Ice, Stone
  • Wireless Institute of Australia Highlights Concerns Regarding IARU Restructuring Plan
  • Senate Confirms Olivia Trusty to FCC
  • ARRL Announces Logbook of The World® Systems Upgrade
  • Local, County, and State Governments Proclaim Value of Amateur Radio
  • 2025 ARRL Field Day this Weekend

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


Sunday, 15 June 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 458 - Xiegu G90 One Year On

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 Xiegu G90 one year on.

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: -

  • Shame on the ARRL Again
  • Iranian Special Event Station Honours Persian Gulf History
  • Indiana Emcomm Group in Debate Over Digital Switch
  • Broadcast Honors Armstrong's Demo of FM Radio
  • 13 Colonies Event Founder Passing the Reins After 16 Years
  • Father's Day activity at the RSGB National Radio Centre
  • Ham Radio Ireland Magazine

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

Sunday, 1 June 2025

ICQPodcast Episode 457 - 433 Alive

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 Making 433 Come Alive

We would like to thank John Mendez (KJ5JDM), Mariusz Kliber (G5ANT) 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: -

  • ARRL Influence Over IARU Could be Reduced with Proposed Restructuring
  • On-Loan DMR Kit Starts Young UK Hams On Their Journeys
  • Special Event Follows Trail of 19th Century Explorers
  • RETEVIS Launches High-Power Portable Repeater, Transforming Off-Grid Communication
  • U.S. FM Landscape by the Numbers
  • Newcomer Survey 2021-22 Results
  • New Book Release - Using the Baofeng® Radio
  • RSGB 2025 Convention
  • ARRL Foundation Accepting Grant Applications in June

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