Dennis Blanchard's guest appearances

Dennis Blanchard

QSO Today Podcast - Interviews with the leaders in amateur radio

Your Story Matters with Angela Schaefers

Sarasota Manatee Home Town Heroes

Stephen Hicks

Jonathon Aslay

Simon Sinek

Patrick Brown

Eric Anderson

Brian Clarke

Glenn Elmore

Ron Milliman

Ray Waldemar WA6NVL

Fred Cady KE7X

Gary Hoffman

Denny Johnson

Carole Perry

Bob Leo W7LR

George Heron

OwlTail

Dennis Blanchard, K1YPP,  started his ham radio journey in 1962 at the age of twelve, after discovering an old Hallicrafters receiver in the attic of the family home. Ham radio became a passion that eventually pulled his father and brother into the hobby.   In 2007, Dennis combined his love for backpacking and ham radio when he started a 6 month trek of the 2100 mile Appalachian Trail.  Dennis joins Eric, 4Z1UG, in his QSO Today to discuss his ham radio life and hiking the trail. 

Dennis Blanchard, K1YPP,  started his ham radio journey in 1962 at the age of twelve, after discovering an old Hallicrafters receiver in the attic of the family home. Ham radio became a passion that eventually pulled his father and brother into the hobby.   In 2007, Dennis combined his love for backpacking and ham radio when he started a 6 month trek of the 2100 mile Appalachian Trail.  Dennis joins Eric, 4Z1UG, in his QSO Today to discuss his ham radio life and hiking the trail.

Episode 023 Dennis Blanchard K1YPP

When siblings promise to do something together when they ‘grow up,” do they follow through? When war and a Purple Heart Medal alter those promises, should the surviving brother continue? My promise to my brother haunted me for over forty years. Finally, when there were no more excuses, I set out on the Appalachian Trail to fulfill that youthful promise. Click to Hear the Interview [iframe src=”http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=youstomat-20&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;asins=1450557465&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;fc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;lt1=_blank&amp;m=amazon&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;bc1=000000&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;f=ifr” width=120 height=240]Three Hundred Zeroes describes the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) as it meanders for almost 2,200 miles (3,500 km) through some of the most awe inspiring, remote, vibrant woodlands and mountains in the eastern United States. Maddeningly indirect at times, the trail wanders aimlessly from Springer Mountain in Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, in Maine. Along it’s length the A.T. is home to every conceivable form of plant life, vegetation, tree and animal from the minuscule pygmy shrew to the titans of the north woods, the American black bear and moose. Three Hundred Zeroes describes a Norman Rockwell America that at times seems long lost and forgotten. Walking through small boroughs, villages and out-of-the-way places, I encountered people that don’t judge others by their worldly possessions, the car they drive, or how big their house is. Conversations evolved around severe weather; trail conditions, distance traveled, and destinations. The predominate question that always arose was, “Can I help?” or “Are you hungry?” Appalachian Trail life is more often than not factored down to its lowest common denominator: honest to goodness caring and personal connections. A menagerie of personalities leads to numerous comical situations. A cast of characters with monikers such as “Cookie Monster,” “Bone Lady,” “Half-Elvis,” “Motor Butt,” “Bilge Rat,” “Privy Monster,” and “Serial Killer,” guaranteed that there was never a dull moment. Serious obstacles abound. The difficulties I encountered walking over 2,200 miles were easily underestimated and trouble began long before setting that first step on the trail. Three Hundred Zeroes demonstrates that bears, rattlesnakes, extreme weather and challenging terrain may be far less formidable than some of life’s more subtle dangers. Explore this national treasure, the Appalachian Trail through my adventures in Three Hundred Zeroes. About Dennis Dennis Blanchard was born in Bristol, Connecticut. After a stint in the U.S. Air Force he moved to New Hampshire with his wife, Jane. Never living very far from the Appalachian Trail, there was always the seductive siren’s call to hike it. To support his hiking habit he has spent most of his life working as an electronics engineer. Dennis is an avid ham radio enthusiast and has authored many pieces for magazines such as the amateur radio journal, QST and other technical magazines, as well as motorcycle adventure articles. When not off wandering in the woods he lives in Sarasota, Florida. 

When siblings promise to do something together when they ‘grow up,” do they follow through? When war and a Purple Heart Medal alter those promises, should the surviving brother continue? My promise to my brother haunted me for over forty years. Finally, when there were no more excuses, I set out on the Appalachian Trail to fulfill that youthful promise. <h2>Click to Hear the Interview</h2> <code></code>[iframe src=”<a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=youstomat-20&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;asins=1450557465&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;fc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;lt1=_blank&amp;m=amazon&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;bc1=000000&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;f=ifr”" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=youstomat-20&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;asins=1450557465&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;fc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;lt1=_blank&amp;m=amazon&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;bc1=000000&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;f=ifr”</a> width=120 height=240] Three Hundred Zeroes describes the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) as it meanders for almost 2,200 miles (3,500 km) through some of the most awe inspiring, remote, vibrant woodlands and mountains in the eastern United States. Maddeningly indirect at times, the trail wanders aimlessly from Springer Mountain in Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, in Maine. Along it’s length the A.T. is home to every conceivable form of plant life, vegetation, tree and animal from the minuscule pygmy shrew to the titans of the north woods, the American black bear and moose. Three Hundred Zeroes describes a Norman Rockwell America that at times seems long lost and forgotten. Walking through small boroughs, villages and out-of-the-way places, I encountered people that don’t judge others by their worldly possessions, the car they drive, or how big their house is. Conversations evolved around severe weather; trail conditions, distance traveled, and destinations. The predominate question that always arose was, “Can I help?” or “Are you hungry?” Appalachian Trail life is more often than not factored down to its lowest common denominator: honest to goodness caring and personal connections. A menagerie of personalities leads to numerous comical situations. A cast of characters with monikers such as “Cookie Monster,” “Bone Lady,” “Half-Elvis,” “Motor Butt,” “Bilge Rat,” “Privy Monster,” and “Serial Killer,” guaranteed that there was never a dull moment. Serious obstacles abound. The difficulties I encountered walking over 2,200 miles were easily underestimated and trouble began long before setting that first step on the trail. Three Hundred Zeroes demonstrates that bears, rattlesnakes, extreme weather and challenging terrain may be far less formidable than some of life’s more subtle dangers. Explore this national treasure, the Appalachian Trail through my adventures in Three Hundred Zeroes. <h2>About Dennis</h2> Dennis Blanchard was born in Bristol, Connecticut. After a stint in the U.S. Air Force he moved to New Hampshire with his wife, Jane. Never living very far from the Appalachian Trail, there was always the seductive siren’s call to hike it. To support his hiking habit he has spent most of his life working as an electronics engineer. Dennis is an avid ham radio enthusiast and has authored many pieces for magazines such as the amateur radio journal, QST and other technical magazines, as well as motorcycle adventure articles. When not off wandering in the woods he lives in Sarasota, Florida.

Appalachian Trail – Dennis Blanchard

Dennis Blanchard is a long time advocate of women's rights as well as an all-around interesting fellow.  He has been a lifelong amateur radio operator and a volunteer at WSLR.   He has hiked the Appalachian Trail and is a member of the Appalachian Trail located in Sarasota, a member of NOW (National Organization for Women) serving on the state board, a member of the Coalition for Peace and Justice, and a member of Veterans for Common Sense.  In this interview he shares how his parents and other people who entered his life while he was a young boy helped to shape him and make him who he is today. Some links mentioned: NOW (www.sarasotamanateenow.org, 800-301-8604)South West Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice (www.swfcpj.org)Toastmasters (www.posspeaking.freetoasthost.org 927-5665)Appalachian Trail Club (www.dennisandjane.org/atc 921-1467) Veterans for Common Sense (www.floridaveteransforcommonsense.org/)

Dennis Blanchard is a long time advocate of women's rights as well as an all-around interesting fellow.  He has been a lifelong amateur radio operator and a volunteer at WSLR.   He has hiked the Appalachian Trail and is a member of the Appalachian Trail located in Sarasota, a member of NOW (National Organization for Women) serving on the state board, a member of the Coalition for Peace and Justice, and a member of Veterans for Common Sense.  In this interview he shares how his parents and other people who entered his life while he was a young boy helped to shape him and make him who he is today.   Some links mentioned:  NOW (<a href="http://www.sarasotamanateenow.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.sarasotamanateenow.org</a>, 800-301-8604) South West Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice (<a href="http://www.swfcpj.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.swfcpj.org</a>) Toastmasters (<a href="http://www.posspeaking.freetoasthost.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.posspeaking.freetoasthost.org</a> 927-5665) Appalachian Trail Club (<a href="http://www.dennisandjane.org/atc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.dennisandjane.org/atc</a> 921-1467)  Veterans for Common Sense (<a href="http://www.floridaveteransforcommonsense.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.floridaveteransforcommonsense.org/</a>)