Grouch Goes to Hamcation: Radios, Rooftop Tents, Questionable Life Choices.

Hamcation wasn’t just a hamfest… it was a full-blown radio road trip.

In this episode of Live Free and Ham, Grouch shares the behind-the-scenes stories from Hamcation — from hallway conversations and gear temptation to APRS pranks that may or may not have broken the internet (or at least someone’s ego).

We dig into:

What Hamcation is really like once the cameras stop rolling

The APRS chaos that had people talking

Honest talk about new radios, mobile rigs, and whether manufacturers are actually listening

Service dog moments that turned heads (and changed the tone)

POTA activations before and after the event

And a 24-hour Maine activation plan that might require a rooftop tent… and questionable judgment

Somewhere between debating Yaesu mobile rigs, joking about FX1 sales pitches, and reliving snowboarding decisions that reminded us we’re not 17 anymore… this episode captures what ham radio events are really about:

Community. Stories. Gear temptation. And friends you only see once a year but feel like you talk to every week.

If you’ve ever been to Hamcation, Huntsville, Dayton, or any major hamfest — you’ll recognize the vibe immediately.

If you haven’t… this is your preview.

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