KK4TSS

Welcome to the Shack of KK4TSS

Hi, I’m Christopher Parrish, licensed  amateur radio operator based in Louisville, Kentucky. I was introduced to ham radio by my father and have been active ever since; mostly on HF, VHF, and UHF with a love for digital modes like FT8. Whether portable or in the shack, I enjoy exploring new gear, chasing grid squares, and making contacts across the globe.

My station includes a mix of Icom, Elecraft, Yaesu, and Other radios, along with antennas for both home and field operations. I’m also an avid photographer, tinker with Raspberry Pis, and spend too much time rebuilding my shack for “just one more improvement.”

If we’ve made contact... thanks! I QSL via multiple methods (SASE appreciated), so check the info below and feel free to say hi on Twitter/X or the air.

New to Amateur Radio? 

Curious about ham radio but still unlicensed? The entry ramp is smoother than you think. The Technician exam boils down to 35 multiple-choice questions, no Morse code and you can drill them on HamStudy.org, then hop onto a Laurel VEC  session. Once the FCC posts your new call sign, key up a local repeater, announce yourself, and ask for a quick signal check; you’ll have friendly voices guiding you within seconds.

Cybersecurity in the Shack

These days, ham radio is more digital than ever with hotspots, SDRs, remote station software, and logbooks running across our networks and the internet. That’s great for convenience, but it also opens the door to some real security risks if we’re not paying attention.

I’ve seen how even simple things like default passwords or open ports can lead to problems. So here’s a quick rundown of the kinds of issues I’ve seen in amateur radio, and what you can do to stay safe.

Common Risks:

• Open Remote Access: If you’re running RemoteHams, Hamlib, or any other remote control system without a VPN or some kind of protection, If you expose these ports to the internet (like port forwarding on your router) without a VPN or some kind of protection, anyone can try to connect. 

• Outdated Hotspots and SDR Software: Pi-Star, OpenSPOT, SDR receivers all great tools, but a lot of people set them up once and forget to update them exposing SSH or web interfaces to known exploits.

• Weak or Default Passwords: I’ve seen too many systems still running with the factory default, admin/admin or pi/raspberry, which are a hacker’s dream.

• Logbook & Certificate Theft: If someone gets your LoTW credentials or your TQSL files, they could impersonate your station.

Simple Fixes You Can Do Right Now:

• Change your passwords. Make them strong and unique for each service especially your hotspot, router, QRZ, and LoTW. If that feels like too much to remember (and it is), Use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to keep strong, unique passwords for each system; no more reused logins.

• Keep your Raspberry Pi or PC updated. Set up automatic updates or check for them once a month is better than never.

• Don’t port-forward your shack to the internet. Use a secure remote access tool like ZeroTier or WireGuard instead.

• Regularly back up your logs and encrypt sensitive files (like TQSL certificates).

• Keep your PC antivirus and OS up to date, especially if you run logging software on Windows.

I’m always happy to talk with other hams about how to lock things down. If you’ve got a question about securing your station or just want to bounce an idea off me, feel free to reach out.

Power Safety in the Shack

It’s easy to get caught up in antennas and gear and forget that everything we do runs on power and if you’re not careful, it’ll remind you the hard way.

If your 12V power cables are warm during transmit, they’re too small. If your setup doesn’t have fuses, you’re trusting your house wiring to protect your gear and it won’t If you’re daisy-chaining wall warts or letting cords run under the rug, you’re asking for trouble. Even at 12 volts, shorts can cause fires and if you’re working with AC, high-voltage power supplies, or tube gear. You’re in electrocution territory. It only takes one mistake to put you on the floor.

And while we’re at it, let’s not ignore RF burns. If your mic, key, rig, or even antenna gives you a zap, that’s not normal. It’s a grounding or RF feedback problem that needs fixing.

Here’s what I recommend from experience:

• Use fused power leads everywhere. Radios, power strips, even between batteries and solar setups.

• Size your wiring right 12 AWG or better for high-current HF rigs.

• Don’t overload cheap power strips. Get something built for RF gear, not office printers.

• Add a proper station ground, especially if you’re running higher power or have multiple radios tied together.

• If you’re doing anything portable or in the field, test your connections before keying up.

• If you’re not sure about wiring AC or high-voltage gear... don’t guess! Ask.

A small fire will ruin your week. A good power setup will quietly run for years... and that’s the goal.

Hobbies

Computers, Radio, Photography, and exploring new technologies as they come along.

Memberships

ARRL Member •  National Speleological Society Member - 34548

Operating Group Memberships

100 Watts and a Wire: #2453 • SKCC: #20737 • DMC: #9965 • NDG: #3028 • BDM: #5849

ERC: #4976 • FT8DMC: #4685 • 30MDG: #9151 • EPC: #29113 • BCS: #02446

FP: #4170 • NAQCC: #9993 • YARC: #331 • YB6_DXC: #1733