Episodes

  • The Facts About Microphones - Part 3
    Apr 21 2024

    This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #113, posted 04-20-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

    [The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 12M00S there is a station ID at 06M0S then timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

    Bob Heil/K9EID was the only microphone manufacturer to be inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. Bob passed on February 28, 2024. This is our third and final excerpt from Hap Holly/KC9RP's hour-long conversation with Bob conducted in 2018. At the end of part two of Hap's interview, Bob talked about the importance of perimetric equalization in the audio chain of your ham station and computer. I'm using a Heil HM12 as you hear this script.

    That's it for our tribute to the late Bob Heil/K9EID, who sold well over 100,000 Heil Sound microphones during his illustrious audio career. If you open up a modern-day ham transceiver, chances are you'll find some of Bob's handywork in the audio section; and you may discover his HC-3 or HC-4 elements in the microphone plugged into your base or mobile transceiver. 73 Bob, you will be sorely missed.

    RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

    You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

    Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

    The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #114 will post 05-04-2024.

    ©1985-2024, RAIN, the Radio Amateur Information Network. All rights reserved.

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    12 mins
  • The Facts About Microphones - Part 2 of 3
    Apr 7 2024

    This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #112, posted 04-06-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

    [The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M28S there is a station ID at 07M59S then timer resets approximately every 4 minutes.]

    So what microphone did Bob Heil, K9IED detest the most? We'll find out in Part 2 of Hap Holly/KC9RP interview with Bob back in 2018.

    The microphone world has never been quite the same since Bob Heil/K9EID discovered what was missing in modern-day microphones, putting the audio world on it virtual 'ear' decades ago. Open up the mic in a modern-day HF radio and chances are you'll find Bob's HC-3 or HC-4 element in it; or some of Bob's handiwork in the radio's audio section. In fact, at the time of Hap's interview back in 2018, more than 100,000 of his HC elements had been sold worldwide.

    Unfortunately Bob became a silent key February 28, 2024. In Bob's memory we're replaying Hap's hour-long conversation with him. This is our 2nd excerpt from that conversation. Hap will conclude his moments with the man behind Heil Sound in Part 3 of The Facts About Microphones, scheduled to drop 04-20.

    RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

    You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

    Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

    The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #113 will post 04-20-2024.


    ©1985-2024, RAIN, the Radio Amateur Information Network. All rights reserved.

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    18 mins
  • The Facts About Microphones - Part 1 of 3
    Mar 26 2024

    This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #111, posted 03-23-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

    [The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 18M01S there is a station ID at 08M50S then timer resets approximately every 4 minutes.]

    The world lost a pioneer in microphone technology on Feb. 28, 2024--Bob Heil/K9EID. He was 83. In 2018, Hap Holly/KC9RP interviewed Bob for the RAIN Report. This week In Bob’s memory we bring you a replay of the first of 3 excerpts from that interview.

    RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

    You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

    Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

    The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #112 will post 04-05-2024.

    ©1985-2024, RAIN, the Radio Amateur Information Network. All rights reserved.

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    18 mins
  • Your Code Record is Cracked - Part 2
    Mar 11 2024

    This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #110, posted 03-09-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

    [The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 22M22S there is a station ID at 09M58S then timer resets approximately every 4 minutes.]

    We hope you enjoyed the first part of a truly entertaining after-dinner talk about ham radio we shared with you the last time. It’s called “Your Code Record is Cracked.” It was given during the 1989 Dayton Hamvention Banquet in Dayton, Ohio. The speaker was Dave Bell, W6AQ, a full-time Hollywood Producer and Director. Dave produced three ham radio videos: A Ham’s Wide World, Moving Up to Amateur Radio, and the original World of Ham Radio. His movie credits include (among others) Do You Remember Love, Nadia, and The Long Walk Home, plus some made-for-TV movies. Other television credits include the series Unsolved Mysteries.

    Recipient of the Dayton Hamvention 1984 Radio Amateur of the Year, Dave was an inveterate DX’er, having operated from Macao, 4U1ITU in Geneva, Switzerland, and twice from JY1, formerly King Husein’s station in Jordan. As promised, here is part two of Dave Bell’s memorable talk, “Your Code Record is Cracked.”

    This concludes part two of a 1989 Dayton Hamvention Banquet address delivered by Dave Bell, W6AQ, called “Your Code Record is Cracked.” If you missed part one of this talk, you will find it available in the archive section of therainreport.com.

    RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

    You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

    Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

    The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #111 will post 03-23-2024.

    ©1985-2024, RAIN, the Radio Amateur Information Network. All rights reserved.

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    22 mins
  • Your Code Record is Cracked.
    Feb 29 2024

    This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #109, posted 02-28-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR.

    [The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 17M54S there is a station ID at 08M58S then 4 second timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

    When is the last time you heard a truly entertaining after-dinner talk about ham radio? Well, here’s one from Hap Holly/KC9RP’s archive called "Your Code Record is Cracked." It was given during the 1989 Dayton Hamvention banquet in Dayton, Ohio. The speaker was Dave Bell/W6AQ, a full-time Hollywood Producer and Director. Dave produced three ham radio videos: A Ham’s Wide World, Moving Up to Amateur Radio, and the original World of Ham Radio. Movie credits include (among others) "Do You Remember Love", "Nadia", and "The Long Walk Home" plus, some made-for-TV movies. Other television credits include the series "Unsolved Mysteries".

    Recipient of the Dayton Hamvention 1984 Radio Amateur of the Year, Dave was an inveterate DX’er, having operated from Macao, 4U1ITU in Geneva, Switzerland, and twice from JY1, (formerly King Husein’s station in Jordan). Here now is part 1 of Dave Bell’s memorable talk, “Your Code Record is Cracked.”

    That concludes part one of “Your Code Record is Cracked.” But the best is yet to come—next time in part two of this humorous after-dinner talk given 35 years ago. We’ll conclude this presentation in RAIN Hamcast Podcast #110.

    RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

    You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

    Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

    The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #110 will post 03-09-2024.

    ©1985-2024, RAIN, the Radio Amateur Information Network. All rights reserved.

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    18 mins
  • Who's Caryn Murray?
    Feb 13 2024

    This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #108, posted 02-12-24. Voiced by Will Rogers/K5WLR, back after a couple months of RNR while Kent Peterson/KC0DGY loaned his voice to this biweekly podcast. Good job, Kent, and mega thanks from both Hap and me for your help.

    [The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 19M33S there is a station ID at 09M58S then timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

    It’s been almost 9 years since the passing of Bill Pasternak/WA6ITF, the co-founder of Amateur Radio Newsline. You oldtimers may remember Amateur Radio Newsline went under the name of Westlink Radio when Bill co-founded it in 1977. Upon Bill’s passing in 2015, his successor had already been named. She’s Caryn Murray/KD2GUT, who is in her 9th year now keeping Newsline on an even keel. Back in Caryn’s early days with Newsline, RAIN’s Hap Holly/KC9RP, spoke with this spirited lady about the challenges she faced when she started.

    RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

    You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

    Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

    The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #109 will post 02-24-2024.

    ©1985-2024, RAIN, the Radio Amateur Information Network. All rights reserved.

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    20 mins
  • Two Airman, 26 Years.
    Jan 27 2024

    This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #107, posted 01-27-24. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY.

    [The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 10M55S with timer resets approximately every 4 minutes.]

    If you have noodled around the hf ham bands; you already know the chances of connecting with someone you haven’t spoken to in decades are remote. This isn’t to say it doesn’t happen...it does!

    This is the story of two American airmen who served together in Korea in the 70s, later left the Air Force, went their own ways; and were reunited by chance 26 years later on ham radio in December, 2001. Former RAIN reader Rick Johnson, KD9VZD tells the story.

    Thanks to: Jerry Hampshire; formerly KD9WCT; now IG0M of Alton; IL; Major Oscar Hall; K0SSE from Denver; CO.; Hap Holly; KC9RP; RAIN Producer; and Rick Johnson; KD9VZD for contributing to this 2001 RAIN Report.

    RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

    You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

    Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

    The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #108 will post 02-03-2023.

    ©1985-2024, RAIN, the Radio Amateur Information Network. All rights reserved.

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    11 mins
  • The International Beacon Project
    Jan 14 2024

    This is the RAIN Hamcast Podcast #106, posted 01-13-24. Voiced by Kent Peterson/KC0DGY.

    [The running time for this RAIN Hamcast Podcast is 19M42S with a station break at 9M19S and timer resets approximately every 3 minutes.]

    Today, we are dipping into the RAIN Report archives... Almost 30 years ago the Northern California DX Foundation launched its International Beacon Project. It’s still a functioning worldwide tool for the modern HF DXer today!

    In 1997 RAIN’s Hap Holly/KC9RP spoke with John Troster (TRAH-ster/W6ISQ, a driving force behind this international beacon network that still provides propagation info today after 27 years thanks to the Northern California DX Foundation. You’ll find a list of these 18 CW beacons at http://www.ncdxf.org.

    RAIN Founder Hap Holly/KC9RP edits and produces this biweekly ham radio hamcast without monetization. Your support via PayPal and feedback on therainreport.com are appreciated. RAIN programming is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.

    You are encouraged to download, share, post and transmit the RAIN Hamcast in its entirety via Amateur Radio. Thanks to Tom Shimizu/N9JDI for posting a not-for-broadcast version of these podcasts via the RAIN Report Channel on YouTube.

    Very 73 from RAIN. KEEP ON HAMMING!

    The RAIN Hamcast Podcast #107 will post 01-27-2024.

    ©1985-2024, RAIN, the Radio Amateur Information Network. All rights reserved.

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    19 mins