Why Hasn't Ham Radio Died?

Ham radio was supposed to be a relic—left behind by smartphones, Starlink, and modern comms. But instead of fading out, it evolved.

In this story, I dive deep into the ambivalent resistance that shaped today’s ham radio community—from the software stewards who built IRLP, Echolink, and FT8, to the battles with purists over what counts as “real radio.”

Featuring hams like VE7LTD (IRLP), K1RFD (Echolink), and K1JT (FT8), we trace how old-school and digital innovators found common ground—sometimes by accident.

Whether you’re a diehard SSB operator, a park-chasing POTA addict, or just got your license and want to know the backstory behind the bands—this one’s for you.

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Mentioned in this episode:
Quin - K8QS
   / @hamradioperspectives  

FT8 by K1JT: https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/...
Echolink: https://www.echolink.org
IRLP: https://www.irlp.net
Parks on the Air: https://parksontheair.com