Episode 12: 2026 Ham Radio Predictions: New Rigs, Community & What's Next
Published: December 4, 2025
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfnyZLXdTH0
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438895/episodes/18296133
Summary
What does 2026 hold for ham radio? Closing out year one of the podcast, the crew shares bold predictions covering new rigs, the Kenwood TM-D750A question, and where the industry is heading. The bigger story is community: why POTA and SOTA remain the heartbeat of growth, how repeaters can make a comeback, and why "leave no call unanswered" might be the culture shift the hobby needs.
In This Episode
Year one milestone and around-the-shack updates: winter POTA prep, a 33-foot featherweight mast, and a fiber network overhaul
Recent radio releases recap and what's next from the major manufacturers
Kenwood TM-D750A: when, why, and could it still be canceled?
Predictions: HF rigs, handhelds, USB-C, and a possible IC-705 Mark II
Growing the community: younger hams, college clubs, and welcoming culture
Reviving repeaters with AllStar links and creative nets
AI in ham radio: helpful, not magical
Personal goals: Extra class ambitions and a fresh pull toward CW
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:25 Year One Milestone and Housekeeping
1:03 Meet the Hosts and Shacks
1:30 Thanksgiving Deals and Rotary Phone Idea
2:50 Cold Weather POTA and Heated Mat
4:54 New Mast, Networking, and Fiber Upgrade
7:21 Main Topic: Predictions for 2026
7:49 Recent Radio Releases Recap
10:10 Kenwood TM-D750A: When and Why
12:47 Could Kenwood Cancel the 750A
15:59 Next Big Releases: HF, HTs, and USB-C
18:24 705 Mark II and Handheld Iterations
25:42 Growing the Community: Younger Hams
28:20 Clubs, Mentors, and Being Welcoming
31:52 Will POTA and SOTA Keep Rising
35:45 Reviving Repeaters and Creative Nets
40:06 Wild Cards: AI's Real Role in 2026
44:48 Extra Class Goals and CW Aspirations
48:42 Community Shoutouts and Content Plans
50:41 Closing Thanks and Holiday 73
Mentioned in This Episode
Kenwood TM-D750A
Parks on the Air: https://parksontheair.com
SOTA (Summits on the Air): https://www.sota.org.uk/
AllStar repeater linking
Winter POTA operating