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Ham Radio
Amateur Radio
ARRL
ARRL Field Day
Slow Scan Television
Morse Code
Emergency Management
ARES Taskbook
Incident Command System
W1AW
10 Meters
Automatic Packet Reporting System
FT8
Go-To Station
Arrl Emergency Communication Courses
Vhf-Uhf Antennas
Contest Clubs
Public Outreach
Field Day Locator
Solar Cycle 25

The On the Air podcast is a monthly companion to On the Air magazine, ARRL’s magazine for beginner-to-intermediate ham radio operators.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes76Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHow To

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for On the Air

Latest Episodes

ARRL Education Specialist — and host of On the Air Live — Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, joins the podcast to explain the merits of the antenna presented in his March/April 2026 On the Air article “Building and Installing a 2-Meter Ground-Plane Antenna,” and ... more

The On the Air podcast goes back to basics in the February 2026 episode, when QST Technical Editor Conrad Trautmann, N2YCH, joins the podcast to discuss what repeaters are, how they work, and what you need in order to access your local repeater.

This year ARRL is celebrating America’s 250th birthday by holding an all-year operating event called America 250 Worked All States. It has already started, so listen to the January 2026 On the Air podcast to learn how to jump right in. ARRL Radiospor... more

In support of the November/December 2025 article “Ten Tips for Programming Your 2-Meter Handheld,” Karin Thompson, KD4DXX, of RT Systems, joins the podcast to talk about how to approach the crucial task of programming your handheld.

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Violetta Latham
Young contester, KN2P, who has operated at K3LR, PJ2T, W3Lpl
Contesting community
Episode: Build a 2-Meter Ground Plane with OTA and OTA Live
Karin Thompson
A ham with 35 years of experience, currently works for RT Systems specializing in amateur radio programming.
RT Systems
Episode: Programming Your Handheld
Jessica Crotty
CEO of C. Crane, known for designing and supporting quality radios and communication products
C. Crane
Episode: Preparedness Takes Practice
Colin Wheatley
Ham radio operator and contributor to On the Air Magazine
Episode: Getting in on the POTA Fun
Bart Jahnke
ARRL Radio Sport and Regulatory Information Manager
ARRL
Episode: A VHF/UHF Antenna Menagerie
Paul Bork
ARRL Contest Program Manager
ARRL
Episode: A VHF/UHF Antenna Menagerie
Sierra Harrop
ARRL Public Relations and Outreach Manager
ARRL
Episode: Have a Ham Radio Open House in April
Nathaniel Frissell
Associate Professor of Physics and Engineering at the University of Scranton
University of Scranton
Episode: Have a Ham Radio Open House in April
Wayne Greene
ARRL Educational Specialist
ARRL
Episode: Learn Even more with On the Air Live

Host

Becky Schoenfeld
Host and editor of the show, providing insights and facilitating discussions relevant to amateur radio operators and enthusiasts.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 122 ratings
  • EDC?

    You lost me in the first few minutes when you didn’t mention firearms. The concept of EDC originated in the firearm community.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    VVATC
    United States8 months ago
  • The Host makes this hard to listen to…

    The content is okay and of course anyone who loves Ham Radio wants to listen. However the Uh Um Um and drawn out lengthy questions to make them seem more important makes this show overbearing. Hate to tell the truth but it needs a new host.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Hammy 1.0
    United States2 years ago
  • companion - Yes!

    happy to have a companion to the publication

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RadioWire
    United States2 years ago
  • Great Pod

    Please add Spotify to your RSS!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DBA08021802
    United States4 years ago
  • Excellent podcasts

    I completed technician license June 2020.

    Completed general license December 2020

    Completed extra license April 2021

    Glad that ARRL has so many learning tools.

    73

    KO4ESA

    WRJR757

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    triquetra 88
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is a positive reception for the podcast as a valuable resource for learning and improving ham radio skills.
Some feedback highlights that the host's delivery may be overly drawn out, affecting listener engagement.
Listeners express a strong desire for increased content variety over repetitive themes.
Overall, the audience seems to value community-oriented discussions and feel supported in their journey within amateur radio.
Many listeners appreciate the educational depth and practical advice offered, especially for beginners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#144
France/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#141
Ukraine/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Build a 2-Meter Ground Plane with OTA and OTA Live
Q: So how did you first get into contesting?
She describes the spark beginning in 2018 with Youth DX Adventure at PJ2Y/PJ2T, enjoying the fast-paced DX style and pileups, which motivated deeper involvement in contests.
Build a 2-Meter Ground Plane with OTA and OTA Live
Q: Cool. So I read that you got licensed initially when you were 13. Is that right? Or nine? Is it nine?
She confirms she earned her technician license at nine and advanced to extra by 13, highlighting an unusually rapid early start.
Programming Your Handheld
Q: What kind of situations do you think are especially good for computer programming a radio?
It is most helpful when traveling or setting up complex communications, allowing for easier organization of data and errors correction.
Programming Your Handheld
Q: What balance between reading the manual and playing around do you suggest?
Karin advises a mix of both, encouraging listeners to read the manual but also to experiment and push buttons to learn about the radio.
Programming Your Handheld
Q: How do you recommend beginning to familiarize yourself with a new radio like a two meter handheld?
Karin suggests doing research before buying a radio and understanding local repeater frequencies and what you want to achieve with the radio.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About On the Air

What is On the Air about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Discussions often focus on aspects of amateur radio, primarily aimed at new and intermediate operators. The content covers a wide range of topics including emergency preparedness, equipment usage, programming of handheld radios, contesting, and insights into operational practices within emergency management. Notably, the episodes feature expert guests who share their experiences, providing listeners with practical advice and inspiration, making the podcast a valuable resource for those entering the ham radio community. It uniquely blends educational material with community engagement, helping listeners build confidence in their skills and knowledge about amateur radio.

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How many episodes of On the Air are there?

On the Air launched 6 years ago and published 76 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact On the Air?

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What guests have appeared on On the Air?

Recent guests on On the Air include:

1. Violetta Latham
2. Karin Thompson
3. Jessica Crotty
4. Colin Wheatley
5. Bart Jahnke
6. Paul Bork
7. Sierra Harrop
8. Nathaniel Frissell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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