leroydb 0 #1 February 28, 2004 Just had a contact with the US Virigin Islands this afternoonLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b1jercat 0 #2 February 28, 2004 Been there done that, I let my lic go some while ago. It is a kick to talk to people around the world. I was always amazed by the fact you can send code faster than you can talk. I still have a Yeasu FT 101 grathering dust somewhere. blue skies N7JTR Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkF 0 #3 February 28, 2004 Well I don't get that far with only 10 watts from a ancient FT-301S...Give us a shout on IRLP node #6340 sometime between about 0300z and 1800z - could be a bit of amusement. You could try node #6499 but I wouldn't bet on it being there, it's a repeater awfully close to a fucking pager system squirting out about a squigawatt of digital crap which manages to break through a better than -100db cavity set... Ooroo Mark F... VK3ZMF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #4 February 28, 2004 you playing around with the hf radio again????...... what kinda antenna did ya use???? longwire????? ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #5 February 28, 2004 Man, I haven't been on the air in years - Everything is sitting here next to me - Ten-Tec 580 Delta, and a GAP vertical in the backyard, all ready with the flick of a switch. All I ever really did was casual HF work. Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #6 February 28, 2004 dipole tuned for 11m but also works ok for 10m. Looking to DX on fm if i can find the people I ma thinking abotu a directional antena for when I go to Asscrackistan... point that sukker at the USA east coast and wait for the skip to kick inLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #7 February 28, 2004 You guys have alot of 10m repeaters out that way? I love ten meters HF 'cuz it's so hot during the day and when the sunspot numbers are up - Too bad they're sinking right now. By the time they're rocking again I should have a tribander up at around 35-40 feet in addition to the GAP. I wish I had room for a longwire for 40 and 80. Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glipazide 0 #8 February 28, 2004 Yo. I was licensed as a ham at the age of 14. That was back when you ahd to learn 5wpm code. Then the classes changed and they say I have to take the tech test to advance. Thats BS. So I stayed novice. I have contacted a few islands, including Christmas Island.. Islands are my favorite. Also have a 1010 #. KC4JOT Clint S.http://sexygirlabs.com/url] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b1jercat 0 #9 February 28, 2004 Funny, I just rembered I was making phone calls with a hand held before cell phones were around. I could get on ten meters fairly easily, new project for the day. blue skies hot skip jerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #10 February 28, 2004 Any one else DX 2m? Seems to be going away, but we've got a ton of 2m repeaters around here in New England. Lots of fun - learning cw to get my next license. Jen kb1kqgArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b1jercat 0 #11 February 28, 2004 QuoteYo. I was licensed as a ham at the age of 14. That was back when you ahd to learn 5wpm code. Then the classes changed and they say I have to take the tech test to advance. Thats BS. So I stayed novice. I have contacted a few islands, including Christmas Island.. Islands are my favorite. Also have a 1010 #. KC4JOT Clint S. I too had to do the 5WPM thing, and the guy who was my teacher, his call sign was AH8HA which as you may know 8 designate a island region. The reasoning was people would see his call and think island and he would get more qsl's. Could I do 5wpm today? not on your life. blues jerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #12 February 28, 2004 I'm holding a General class ticket right now, KB2NYA. I was fairly proficient at code, I think my speed was around 20 or so when I was on 40 and 80 on a regular basis. Haven't used it in a while so I'd have a challenge even with 5. I still have my Bencher paddle with the MFJ memory keyer built in. I'd have to get on the air and really listen for awhile. I used to be able to copy in my head and just write down the important stuff like call and QTH. For some reason I've been able to resist selling my equipment for jump money and stuff. _.. . _._ _... .._ _ _ _. _._ _ ._ ..._._ Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #13 February 28, 2004 I was into it for a while in my teens, but moved on. I gave all my gear away when I left Tidewater. mh ."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jayruss 0 #14 February 28, 2004 Cool, My dad and I both got our license at the same time and like our USPA # and license all of them are consecutive.KE6IZH __________________________________________________ "Beware how you take away hope from another human being." -Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycop 0 #15 February 29, 2004 My Grandpa was a retired engineer and built all his own radios. He used to talk in code to people all over the world (late 60's early 70's). He had QSL cards from all over too. I still remember his call letters; K8AJT "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #16 February 29, 2004 The advent of LSI has made it possible for people to build their own again, but now without being overwhelmed with tube theory, etc. Czech out Ramsey Electronics. They make inexpensive kits that they claim to have worked most of the world with. I've chatted with people as far away as Austrailia by using Roger Wilco over the Internet. Very much like Amateur Radio. One thing I miss is going to hamfests. I loved all the exotic and offbeat electronic gear you could pick up in a place like that. ."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycop 0 #17 February 29, 2004 The name of the kits he built was "Heathkit". He also built a console with two types of code keys and a voice microphone. It was really high-speed for it's time and it was all vacuum tubes. I've got alot of great memories sitting there watching him dot and dash on his code keys, I had no idea what he was saying but it sounded cool! "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peacefuljeffrey 0 #18 February 29, 2004 Like I need another hobby... but... Judging from how much I enjoy internet chatting with people so distant -- I guess I just like communications... I think I might like to get a bit into this radio stuff. First, what does "HAM" mean?? I've wondered that for decades. Second, please post or PM what one has to do to get a start in this kind of radio hobby. What must one buy, and know, to do it? It seems fascinating. I taught myself Morse code for the letters in the alphabet years ago, and I still could recite them, but I never did gain any proficiency at receiving it. Is there any kind of common conventional way to train to send and receive Morse code? Is there even a computer tutorial program for it? Thanks.-Jeffrey "With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #19 February 29, 2004 wow everybody so technical... i was just remeber ing what i learned in a tech school the air force sent me to.... hehehehe... no liscence required for military trafic...... really don't like you transmiting on normal bands though,, had a radio you could go cruse around in a car and tune it to every ststion a car will pick up...... never did get to try the this is god talking to you skit with random people... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glipazide 0 #20 February 29, 2004 check out www.qrz.com They have a classifieds section and I belive you can find some software and a key for morse code practice. It isnt required to know morse code to get license now.. But if you want to get more privleges, you will have to know code. Im not sure but I think its like 15wpm for the extra class.. I have a nice rig if your interested. GL with it. Clint S.http://sexygirlabs.com/url] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glipazide 0 #21 February 29, 2004 QuoteAny one else DX 2m? Seems to be going away, but we've got a ton of 2m repeaters around here in New England. Lots of fun - learning cw to get my next license. Jen kb1kqg Jen, Why does KB1KQG belong to a Shawn D. ?http://sexygirlabs.com/url] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
souleh 0 #22 February 29, 2004 I might have a 50w PLL FM (88-108) transmitter + line limiter on ebay soon.. *cough* Any takers? 'buttplugs? where?' - geno Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #23 February 29, 2004 50w... thats good for about 4-10 miles?Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seedy 0 #24 February 29, 2004 13 wpm for Advanced class 20 wpm for Extra class Not very active except on 2meters now. My call sign is KF0UG I intend to live forever -- so far, so good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
souleh 0 #25 February 29, 2004 Depends on the height of the aerial and the type used. A dipole at a reasonable height will kick out around 12 miles. Get a unidirectional or J-Pole up nice and high with perfect line of sight and you could reach 20. Edit: but this isnt really HAM.. the emphasis is on high quality signal output and minimal bleeding 'buttplugs? where?' - geno Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites