Episode 538 Will Everett N5OLA

Episode 538 Will Everett N5OLA

Author: Eric Guth, 4Z1UG July 14, 2026 Duration: 58:34

Bill and Pete at the SolderSmoke Podcast refer to my guest today as the Heathkit Guru of South Texas, a mantle that Will Everett, N5OLA, wears with pride. After returning from civilian life as a reporter and aid worker in Afghanistan in 2015, Will relicensed in 2019 and took his passion for vintage Heathkit amateur radio transceivers to a new level, restoring them to their former glory before sending them on to new owners. Operating from South Padre Island, Will enjoys CW on his Heathkit HW-101, finding quiet moments between running his coffee shops and pursuing his restoration passion. N5OLA is my QSO today.


Each week on the QSO Today Podcast-Interviews with the leaders in amateur radio, host Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, sits down for a genuine conversation with a different voice from the world of ham radio. These aren't scripted interviews, but more like the organic chats that happen between operators after a successful contact. Eric guides his guests through their unique journeys into the hobby, uncovering the specific technical niches they've mastered, whether that's building antennas, mastering Morse code, or pioneering digital modes. What makes this podcast stand out is how it explores the profound, often unexpected, ways that a passion for radio waves shapes a person's life beyond the shack. You'll hear how skills learned through amateur radio have launched careers, solved complex problems, and built lifelong friendships across the globe. It’s a series of personal portraits that, together, form a rich and human tapestry of the hobby. Tuning in provides both technical insight and personal inspiration, revealing the stories and the people behind the call signs. Whether you're a seasoned operator or just curious about the crackle of distant voices from a receiver, this podcast offers a compelling entry point into a community built on communication, experimentation, and camaraderie.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

QSO Today Podcast - Interviews with the leaders in amateur radio
Podcast Episodes
Episode 530 Jack Schuster W1WEF [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:06
In this episode of QSO Today, we sit down with Jack Schuster, W1WEF, whose amateur radio journey spans more than 73 years. From building his first crystal set at age 10 to contesting at the highest levels around the worl…
Episode 529 Jake Groenhof N0LX [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:46
Jake Groenhof, N0LX, discovered amateur radio in the 1960s thanks to his uncle's impressive home station and his father's interest in CB radio.. Over the years, Jake turned his curiosity into a lifetime of experiments —…
Episode 528 Alex Nersesian K6VHF [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:59
Alex Nersesian K6VHF is a US immigration success story. Hailing from the Republic of Georgia after the fall of the former Soviet Union, Alex credits amateur radio with finding work, career,family, and community in his ne…
Episode 527 Ron Demcko WA2TBQ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:46
Ron Demcko, WA2TBQ, found his way into electronics—and later amateur radio—thanks to the early influence of his older brother, John, KD7JR. From a young age, Ron funded his growing passion for kit building and radio expe…
Episode 526 Bob Pantazes W2ARP [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:50
Bob Pantazes, W2ARP, discovered amateur radio in high school but only became licensed at age 40. A career in electronics shaped his hands-on approach to amateur radio. With 296 DXCC entities, Bob is active in contesting,…
Episode 525 Jack Prindle AB4WS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:48
In the QSO Today podcast episode #525, host Eric Guth interviews Jack Prindle, a former law enforcement officer and amateur radio enthusiast, who shares his unique journey from his early electronics background in Kentuck…
Episode 524 Pete Corp WA2JMG [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:55
Charles "Pete" Corp, WA2JMG, operates simple rigs into wire antennas, using low power. His primary operating mode is ragchewing on CW for meaningful and reliable communications. At the urging of his grandfather, Pete pur…
Episode 523 Ron Taylor WA7GIL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:18
Ron Taylor WA7GIL, while having a love for HF CW, boat anchor restoration, and kit building, still stays current with home brew equipment using Arduino controllers, the latest ham radio software, and the NanoVNA. His bea…
Episode 522 Cathy Goodrich W4CMG [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:54
Cathy Goodrich, W4CMG, is an enthusiastic contester and dedicated DX chaser. Known for her meticulous scheduling, Cathy ensures she dedicates time each day to amateur radio, honing her operating techniques and CW rag che…
Episode 521 Walt Hudson K4OGO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:47
Walt Hudson, K4OGO, has always lived by and had a love of the sea, pursuing a career in ship building, beginning in Port Smith, Virginia. While he always had an interest in radio, including Citizens band radio, it wasn't…