About

Thanks for visiting KM6USO.net the amateur radio blog and learning journal for Brian McBreen, callsign KM6USO. I have always had an interest in radio and finally became licensed in July 2018.

I am active on the local analog repeaters and nets in Southern California, as well as AllStar (Hub 52038), DMR (Brandmeister TG31077) and D-STAR (REF012A). I have been a member and occasional net controller on the mighty PAPA System.

My base station in Thousand Oaks consists of a Kenwood TM-V71A with a Comet GP-3 antenna, an Anytone AT-D578UV III Pro with a Comet SBB-224 antenna, as well as an SDRplay RSPdx with Comet DS-150S discone and MFJ-1886TR loop antennas both in portable configurations.

I operate a homemade AllStar node (Hub 52038), as well as a ClearNode, a ZUMspot, and ThumbDV. I also experiment with a RTL-SDR and Nooelec Ham It Up v1.3 Upconverter. Primary software tools include SDRuno, GQRX, BlueDV, EchoLink, Winlink and Transceive.

My primary handheld radios are a Kenwood TH-D74, Kenwood TH-F6A, AnyTone AT-D878UV Plus and a Hytera PD362i. For vehicles and camping, I use a portable Kenwood TM-V71A with assorted external antennas and Bioenno batteries.

For broadcast AM/FM/SW reception, I enjoy a Sangean WR-16SE with a Pixel Technologies AFHD-4 antenna and an Eton Elite 750 with a MLA-30 directional loop antenna, along with a CC Skywave SSB and Eton Elite Traveler for portability.

My other hobbies include fly fishing, kayaking, history, strategy games, and collecting classic Macintosh computers. We also have a vintage Airstream trailer and love to explore the Eastern Sierras.

Updated 02-Dec-2022