[W8MWA] ARRL Launching New Podcast Geared Toward New Radio Amateurs

[Spence Graham]

01/28/2019

For those just getting started on their Amateur Radio journey, ARRL is
launching a new podcast aimed at answering your questions, providing
support and encouragement for newcomers to get the most out of the hobby.
The podcast “So Now What?” will launch on Thursday, March 7, and new
episodes will be posted every other Thursday, alternating new-episode weeks
with the “*ARRL The Doctor is In* <http://www.arrl.org/doctor>” podcast.

Co-hosting “So Now What?” will be ARRL Communications Content Producer
Michelle Patnode, W3MVP, and ARRL Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q.
Presented as a lively conversation, with Patnode representing newer hams
and Carcia the veteran operators, the podcast will explore questions that
newer hams may have and the issues that keep participants from staying
active in the hobby. Some episodes will feature guests to answer questions
on specific topic areas.

“No other podcast is really aimed at this segment of the Amateur Radio
community… that is being underserved, that is not getting the answers to
the many questions they have,” said ARRL Communications Manager David
Isgur, N1RSN, who will serve as the podcast’s executive producer.

Topics to be discussed in the first several episodes include getting
started, operating modes available to Technician licensees, VEC and
licensing issues, sunspots and propagation, mobile operating, contesting,
Amateur Radio in pop culture, and perceptions of Technician license holders.

Given the growing popularity of podcasts, Isgur believes that providing
this information in a podcast format will be a very effective method of
reaching out and engaging this particular part of the Amateur Radio
community, which is important for building and maintaining Amateur Radio
interest and activity.

Patnode said she is excited to ask questions she has about different
aspects of Amateur Radio, such as how to incorporate ham radio with newer
technologies like Raspberry Pi computers and Arduinos, and to learn more
about the hobby right along with the audience.

Carcia believes the “So Now What?” podcast will be a perfect complement to
the podcasts that the ARRL already offers — “ARRL The Doctor Is In” and
“ARRL Audio News.”

In addition to serving as co-host, Patnode is also the audio
editor/producer of the podcast. ARRL Graphics Department Supervisor Sue
Fagan, KB1OKW, designed the podcast logo, and ARRL Radiosport
Administrative Manager Sabrina Jackson, KC1JMW, will voice the introduction
and closing.

Listeners will be able to find the “So Now What?” podcast on *Apple iTunes*
<https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/arrl-the-doctor-is-in/id1096749595?mt=2>
, *Blubrry* <https://www.blubrry.com/arrl_the_doctor_is_in/>, or *Stitcher*
<https://www.stitcher.com/> (free registration required, or browse the site
as a guest) and through the free Stitcher app for iOS, Kindle, or Android
devices...or wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes will also be archived
on the ARRL website.

“So Now What?” will be sponsored by *LDG Electronics*
<http://www.ldgelectronics.com/>, a family owned and operated business with
laboratories in southern Maryland that offers a wide array of antenna
tuners and other Amateur Radio products.

-- 
73,

Spence

*Spencer W. Graham, II*
*WT8WV*
*73 Crosby Road*
*Morgantown, WV 26508*

*2017-2019 VP of Monongalia Wireless Association http://www.w8mwa.org/
<http://www.w8mwa.org/> *
*ARRL Volunteer Examiner *
*W5YI Volunteer Examiner*
*Laurel ARC Volunteer Examiner*
*ARRL WV Section Affiliate Club Coordinator *

*Check Out My Ham Radio Blog Site...  http://kb8fir.wordpress.com
<http://kb8fir.wordpress.com>*

*(ex-KB8FIR and ex-KA8LJO)*
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