Welcome to KO4SMK.org

πŸ‘‹ Who Am I?

Hi, I'm Matt β€” a licensed amateur radio operator with the callsign KO4SMK.
I'm an active member of the RATS Ham Operator Club, and I enjoy a mix of casual listening, digital modes like FT8, and operating during public service events and Parks on the Air (POTA) activations.


πŸ“» My Ham Radio Gear

Here’s a look at the hardware I use to stay connected, explore the spectrum, and support events:

🧭 Yaesu FT-5D

Mobile handheld I rely on for race operations, public service, and everyday portable use. It's compact but powerful, and great for field work. Kitted with a Diamond SRH77CA Antenna.


🏑 BTECH UV-50X2

My base station for home use, and a go-to for POTA when parked. Excellent dual-watch and programming features.


🌲 Treetenna

A rugged and portable antenna built for POTA activations. Easy to deploy and excellent for temporary ops.


πŸ“‘ RTL-SDR Dongle

Used for FT8 decoding and APRS monitoring on my dedicated Linux setup. Affordable and extremely versatile.


πŸŒ€ K480W Loop Antenna

Paired with the RTL-SDR for indoor reception. Performs surprisingly well even from an attic location.


πŸ“‘ On the Air

I am mostly a lurker on on local repeaters, but I support as many public service events as I can so you may find me out in the field somewhere.

If you’ve heard me on the air β€” feel free to reach out!


πŸ“¬ Contact

πŸ“§ Email: hello@ko4smk.org
πŸ”— RATS Club: https://rats.net


Thanks for visiting ko4smk.org β€” 73!