Celebrate with us as we mark 500 YouTube subscribers in this special livestream packed with giveaways, technical discussions, and the authentic ham radio camaraderie that defines Live Free and Ham.
The conversation opens with Paul sharing his exhilarating journey into skydiving as he prepares for the Independence and Legends Boogie at his local drop zone. His description of the freedom found in freefall resonates deeply: "When the parachute opens, it's almost like a sudden reevaluation of all your life priorities." For a combat veteran who once struggled with fireworks triggering anxiety, Paul's excitement about attending his first fireworks display since 2010 marks a powerful personal milestone.
Mike from Tortoise Overland joins to share his triumphant first Parks On The Air activation, which sparks the creation of a new tradition – "POTA beers," where first-time activators must bring beverages to share at the next gathering. This moment perfectly captures the spirit of mentorship and community that permeates amateur radio.
The episode takes a fascinating technical turn when Ziggy enters the conversation, delivering insightful expertise on antenna design, particularly with NFEDs. His detailed explanations of impedance matching, capacitor selection, and optimization techniques showcase the depth of knowledge available within our community, while contrasting beautifully with operators who focus primarily on making contacts.
Throughout the livestream, viewers participate in multiple giveaways featuring Reliance Antenna products and Live Free and Ham merchandise. We also announce our upcoming 24-hour POTA event at Greenfield Park on September 6-7, inviting hams from across the region to join us for operation, food, and fellowship.
Whether you're drawn to the technical aspects of radio, the thrill of activation, or simply the warmth of ham radio friendship, this milestone celebration demonstrates why our community continues to grow and thrive. Visit livefreeandham.com to learn more about our upcoming events and join the conversation!

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Help Paul N1OG get to get his Class A Skydiving License
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Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR
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