Boeing 737 to Serve as ‘Freedom Plane’ During U.S. 250th Celebrations

 

A Boeing 737 will play an important part in the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations later this year.

The National Archives this week announced the “Freedom Plane National Tour,” a traveling exhibition that will bring Founding-Era documents to eight U.S. cities between March and August. A 737 in a special patriotic livery will transport the documents from city to city, officials said.

“Americans across the country can bear witness to the people and principles that shaped our nation through the Freedom Plane National Tour,” Jim Byron, senior adviser to the archivist of the U.S., said in a statement. “There is no more noteworthy an occasion than America’s 250th birthday to share this history, to inspire our fellow Americans to champion our nation’s founding ideals into the future.”

Boeing is providing the aircraft, as well as operational support.

The tour will make stops in Atlanta, Kansas City, Missouri, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, Miami, Dearborn, Michigan, and Seattle. According to the National Archives’ schedule, the exhibition will spend about two and a half weeks in each location.

Documents selected for display include a copy of the Declaration of Independence, the 1783 Treaty of Paris, and Revolutionary War-era oaths of allegiance signed by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr.

New Comedy Podcast Tackles Ham Radio’s “Gatekeeping Problem” With Humor and Education

Guy and Gus launch innovative series as survey data reveals 73% of new operators feel intimidated by online ham radio communities

Orlando, FL – January 20, 2025 – As amateur radio experiences a post-pandemic surge in new licensees, a troubling trend has emerged: online communities have become battlegrounds where “real radio” debates and equipment tribalism drive newcomers away from a hobby designed around experimentation and connection.

Ham Radio Gizmos is tackling this challenge head-on with an innovative solution: a comedy podcast that makes learning fun again.

See the first episode here:

The show centers on twin brothers Guy and Gus Wyre, whose constant disagreements mirror the hobby’s most heated debates. Guy champions modern software-defined radios, digital modes, and computer integration. Gus lives for vintage tube equipment, heavy iron, and radios that glow before they transmit. Their sibling rivalry becomes the vehicle for education – proving both approaches have merit while reminding listeners that ham radio is big enough for everyone.

“Somewhere between firmware updates and heated forum arguments, we forgot that this hobby is supposed to be enjoyable,” says Lee Love (N2LEE), creator of Ham Radio Gizmos. “Guy and Gus exist to prove you can laugh at ourselves while learning – and that ‘real radio’ is whatever gets you on the air.”

What Makes This Different
Unlike traditional ham radio podcasts that lecture or interview, Guy and Gus creates an entertainment experience where education happens naturally through story, debate, and good-natured brotherly warfare. The innovative production format allows for consistent weekly releases, professional quality, and creative storylines – including time travel segments, historical recreations, and exaggerated character conflicts that make technical concepts memorable.

Each episode features:

• Character-driven comedy that breaks down technical barriers
• Practical troubleshooting embedded in entertaining narratives
• Historical context connecting vintage and modern approaches
• Inclusive messaging welcoming all experience levels and equipment choices

The podcast’s philosophy is simple: Ham radio should be fun. Learning should be enjoyable. And laughing at ourselves is part of the process.

Bridging the Generation Gap
The show addresses a critical industry challenge: attracting younger operators while respecting the hobby’s deep traditions. By personifying both camps through Guy (modern) and Gus (vintage), the podcast validates every operator’s path while gently mocking the tribalism that divides communities.

“We’re not saying one approach is better,” Love explains. “We’re saying the arguments are entertaining, both sides have wisdom, and the hobby thrives when we stop gatekeeping and start experimenting together.”

Proven Educational Approach
Ham Radio Gizmos represents a fresh approach to educational content creation. The character-driven format maintains broadcast-quality consistency while exploring creative formats:

• Consistent character voices and personalities across episodes
• Time travel segments featuring historical radio operators
• Rapid-fire technical debates that clarify complex concepts
• Weekly release schedules with professional production values

Early listener feedback validates the approach: audiences report higher engagement and better retention of technical concepts compared to traditional lecture formats – proof that entertainment and education can coexist.

About Ham Radio Gizmos

For Tinkerers of All Ages: The Kolbecast Episode 134

Join Chris Ranck, K3DCR (a fellow member of the Saint Maximilian Kolbe Net ) as he talks about the geography, cross-generational communication, math, science, abstract concepts, and practical applications involved in the ham radio medium.  Chris also highlights St. Max Kolbe’s engagement with media developments of his time, shares his own experience of how hobbies provide a way to explore learning as a family, and touches on the importance of mastering communication media rather than being mastered by them.  Listen to the podcast here.

Chris has also developed the Ham Radio In The Homeschool website, an informative resource offering compelling reasons on why and how to get started in ham radio, as well as ways to introduce kids to ham radio, thereby equipping them with valuable knowledge and skills that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, as well as activities that the entire family can enjoy together.

Well done, Chris!

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Cracking Enigma: Secret Ham Operators

Join Lee Love, N2LEE of Ham Radio Gizmos as he explores the story of the hams who helped crack the infamous Enigma code in World War II.

DXpeditions: Chasing the Rarest Signals on Earth

For DXing (working distant amateur radio stations) enthusiasts, the ultimate thrill lies in DXpeditions — daring radio expeditions to some of the most remote, tiny, and often uninhabited islands on the planet. 

These locations are rare on the air, and making contact with them is a prized achievement for radio amateurs worldwide.

Radio amateurs closely follow the ARRL DXCC “Most Wanted” list, which includes 340 DX entities. Some legendary island targets include:

🔹 Bouvet Island (3Y)

Often ranked the most wanted uninhabited DXCC entity, this icy island in the South Atlantic is extremely dangerous to reach. High winds, massive waves, and glaciers make DXpeditions here rare, expensive, and heroic.

🔹 Peter I Island (3Y/P)

A remote Norwegian territory in Antarctica, famous for brutal conditions and extreme isolation — a true DXer’s dream.

🔹 Baker Island (KH1/KH7Z)

An uninhabited Pacific atoll and one of the last places on Earth to welcome the New Year. A major DXpedition here in 2018 created massive excitement worldwide.

🔹 Christmas Island (VK9)

Located in the Indian Ocean, this Australian territory is popular for DXpeditions thanks to low RF noise and excellent propagation.

🔹 Montserrat (VP2M)

A classic Caribbean DX destination. Its small size and saltwater surroundings historically made it a favorite, allowing strong signals to reach every corner of the globe.

🌊 Why Island DXpeditions Are So Special

✔ Rarity – Contacts from rare islands are highly sought after for QSL cards and DXCC awards.

✔ Propagation Magic – Saltwater enhances signal strength, allowing radio waves to travel farther.

✔ Adventure – Operating radios from some of the harshest and most isolated places on Earth is a challenge few forget.

DXpeditions perfectly blend radio science, geography, and exploration, keeping the spirit of amateur radio alive and adventurous.

Happy birthday, Captain!

Another day, another birthday!

Today is my son's birthday, marking 54 years since I became a dad.  It's hard to believe the time that has gone by, but one thing I can easily believe is the man that my son became.  I've said it before and I'll keep saying it...I'm proud of my son's accomplishments and the work that he put in over the years to achieve his dreams.  

Fly high, Captain!

ISS Medical Emergency: An Orbital Ambulance Ride

Over the course of its nearly 30 years in orbit, the International Space Station has played host to more “firsts” than can possibly be counted. When you’re zipping around Earth at five miles per second, even the most mundane of events takes on a novel element. Arguably, that’s the point of a crewed orbital research complex in the first place — to study how humans can live and work in an environment that’s so unimaginably hostile that something as simple as eating lunch requires special equipment and training.

NASA has successfully completed the first medical evacuation from the Station, cutting the Crew-11 mission short by at least a month. The patient is back on terra firma and having their condition assessed in California.  This leaves just three crew members on the ISS until NASA’s Crew-12 mission can launch in early February, though it’s possible that mission’s timeline will be moved up.

What We Know (And Don’t)