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The HAM Shack!

Nix · 25 · 1792

us Offline Nix

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The HAM Shack!
on: August 21, 2020, 12:41:08 AM


Welcome!

We aren't talking about smoked meats here....we're talking amateur radio!

I just got my US HAM license and now know that I have a lot to learn!  :ahhh

Like all comms systems, HAM radio has a lot to offer for the adventurer, SOTA enthusiast, or emergency prepper. A HAM radio is another 'tool' in your readiness plan. Regardless, HAM looks like it will be just plain fun in any case.

So, if you are an amateur radio operator....or would be amateur radio operator....check into the "net" here and let's talk HAM!  :tu:






ca Offline Chako

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #1 on: August 21, 2020, 01:26:20 AM
Good on you Nix. I fear this is something I know very little about other than having a few radios that can pick up those signals.
A little Leatherman information.

Leatherman series articles


wales Offline Smashie

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #2 on: August 21, 2020, 01:26:48 AM
It's something I've been thinking about for a while now, I can't do it where I live at the moment.

I learned a lot about radio comms in the military, so I'm pretty good with antenna lengths, sunspots etc (very little satcom at that time).

Mark
“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” - Socrates
"I'm not feeling very talky today, off you smurf". - Smashie
Complaining is mental preparation for failure.
Si vis pacem, para bellum


us Offline Nix

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #3 on: August 21, 2020, 03:53:03 AM
The whole field of antennas is really interesting to me.   :tu:

My current radio is a Yaesu handheld. The antenna it came with seems fairly....average. I've got preliminary plans to build two antennas: the first a 1/2 wavelength dipole for 2-meters, the second a Yagi directional for 2-meters. (I think the dipole should also be somewhat effective for 70cm.)

I really want the Yagi so I can contact the ISS with my little handheld, but it could be used for RDF purposes as well.

*** watch this space ***


us Offline Nix

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #4 on: August 21, 2020, 03:59:10 AM
I checked with my local ARES listings. I've programmed my HT to pick up emergency message traffic on the locally and nationally used frequencies. I'm hoping to get some ARES training to be part of the local ARES team. Naturally, the coronavirus is hampering things a bit.....



se Offline RF52

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #5 on: August 21, 2020, 10:19:06 PM
Congrats on your license :cheers:

Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk



us Offline Nix

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #6 on: August 21, 2020, 11:19:22 PM
Thanks!  :cheers:


us Offline Nix

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #7 on: August 29, 2020, 10:40:22 PM
Got a new antenna from Signal Stuff for the HT.

This morning I hiked up the top of a local hill and was able to participate in a local club's weekly meeting.

Fun stuff and it was nice to see the new antenna working. I need to find a way to test it at slightly longer ranges........



ie Offline Don Pablo

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #8 on: August 29, 2020, 11:21:08 PM
There's a local club? That's pretty cool!
Hooked, like everyone else. ;)

All hail the hook!


us Offline ezdog

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #9 on: October 12, 2020, 09:57:33 PM
Nix.You say you got your Ticket????

Well?????

What is your call sign??????

The first thing you need is a good mnemonic for your sign,I thought everyone knew that?!

Ed
KC0UKR-UglyKenwoodRadio
See what I mean.

My local favorite is a guy here whose last 3 are UIU or of course UsedIndianUnderwear!

Another guy here was NV0H may he rest in Peace and when Auto Corrected became for the rest of his days Navaho Bob!

So spill it please?

Oh and look at Arrow Antennas that guy is crazy and makes an amazing ISS Heandheld dual band that is great!
He also makes other antennas and many using Arrow Shafts,I use a few and they are sweet!

And Congrats!

(Image removed from quote.)

Welcome!

We aren't talking about smoked meats here....we're talking amateur radio!

I just got my US HAM license and now know that I have a lot to learn!  :ahhh

Like all comms systems, HAM radio has a lot to offer for the adventurer, SOTA enthusiast, or emergency prepper. A HAM radio is another 'tool' in your readiness plan. Regardless, HAM looks like it will be just plain fun in any case.

So, if you are an amateur radio operator....or would be amateur radio operator....check into the "net" here and let's talk HAM!  :tu:


(Image removed from quote.)


us Offline ezdog

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #10 on: October 14, 2020, 07:07:59 PM
Well I guess that is information that is too sensitive to talk about here? :dunno:

So what is your planned first high powered radio if you have one in mond and which Yaesu is your HT?

Are you planning to go Mobile or just a home based station?


us Offline Nix

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #11 on: October 14, 2020, 07:15:41 PM
Hey!

Yes, licensed up now.

I was trying to learn Morse (CW) but have dropped the ball recently......  :oops:

I'll try to pick that back up.

The Yaesu is a FT3D. An awesome little HT that I'm still learning about.

I'm not sure where I go from here......probably a mobile unit that can flex between truck and home. But...I have not committed to anything yet. I'm still trying to see where the HT will take me.   :D


us Offline Nix

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #12 on: October 14, 2020, 07:17:15 PM
I was checking in (by radio) with the local club meetings for a while, but I've missed the club meets for a couple weeks.  Too many distractions!


00 Offline Mechanickal

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #13 on: October 14, 2020, 09:39:06 PM
Elderly people ::)


us Offline Marcellus

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #14 on: November 01, 2020, 03:13:32 AM
Nix

Extra class  ham here.

Get your General license and you can use HF to make contacts all over the world if conditions are right.

Or check out the Fusion radio .

With your Technician license  you can make crystal clear contacts all over the world as well,  just a combination of radio frequency and the internet mode.

Had a short chat with someone in the UK today, using the Yaesu 7250 radio.

And yes,  mostly older folks,  but the internet modes have attracted the younger people into the hobby.

73


us Offline Nix

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #15 on: November 01, 2020, 04:59:58 AM
 :like:  Thanks, I plan on the general at some point.  :tu:


us Offline Sos24

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #16 on: November 01, 2020, 06:21:41 AM
I keep saying that I’m going to try for the General, but then when I really think about it, I wonder if I’ll actually grasp the information sufficiently to make it worth it.  Plus living in a townhouse in a city doesn’t really lend itself to HF.

For that reason, I think I am going to spend more time trying to learn more about digital connectivity, which is probably a better option.


us Offline Nix

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #17 on: November 01, 2020, 04:27:24 PM
There are a bunch of options. I haven't made the leap yet.....


us Offline Marcellus

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #18 on: November 01, 2020, 09:35:49 PM
Sos24
Nix

Considering that I don't  know what radios you have and what your main goals are,  the best advice I have to give both of you is:

Maybe join a local amateur radio club and ask a lot of questions.
Typically the clubs own or use a local repeater for 2M and 70cm and run regular "nets"
Those guys ( and gals)  love to help newbies.
They may be old and cranky , but most don't bite. Don't be intimidated as they were new once too.

You are likely to get yourself  a mentor ( known as an "Elmer" )

73


us Offline Nix

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #19 on: November 01, 2020, 09:41:33 PM


Maybe join a local amateur radio club and ask a lot of questions.
Typically the clubs own or use a local repeater for 2M and 70cm and run regular "nets"
Those guys ( and gals)  love to help newbies.
They may be old and cranky , but most don't bite. Don't be intimidated as they were new once too.

You are likely to get yourself  a mentor ( known as an "Elmer" )


 :tu:  I have joined a local club, but the current pandemic has limited interactions a bit. Not to worry, that will come in time!

The club does have a weekly 2m 'check in', and I have participated in a few. Everyone seems quite friendly and pleasant!

73


us Offline Marcellus

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #20 on: November 01, 2020, 10:33:13 PM
:tu:  I have joined a local club, but the current pandemic has limited interactions a bit. Not to worry, that will come in time!

The club does have a weekly 2m 'check in', and I have participated in a few. Everyone seems quite friendly and pleasant!

73

Great.
A lot of clubs have classes for upgrading your license and  host the testing.
73


us Offline Barry Rowland

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #21 on: November 24, 2020, 05:04:25 AM
Great thread Jack!  I need to do this.  I loved listening to the shortwave broadcasts when I was a kid, and I remember a friend of my Dad's that was a HAM operator. 
Barry


us Offline MadPlumbarian

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #22 on: November 24, 2020, 05:42:00 PM
Congrats, a while back I was soo into this I almost took a class and I even took a book from the local library to get any info but I couldn’t afford what I needed, or else I would have went ahead with the classes and tried to get the equipment,,
JR
"The-Mad-Plumbarian" The Punisher Of Pipes!!! JR
As I sit on my Crapper Throne in the Reading Room and explode on the Commode, thinking, how my flush beat John’s and Jerry’s pair? Jack’s had to run for the Water Closet yet ended up tripping on a Can bowing and hitting his Head on the Porcelain God! 🚽


us Offline ezdog

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #23 on: November 24, 2020, 10:11:54 PM
Congrats, a while back I was soo into this I almost took a class and I even took a book from the local library to get any info but I couldn’t afford what I needed, or else I would have went ahead with the classes and tried to get the equipment,,
JR

If you have Internet then you can learn and take practice tests online for free until you are sure that you can pass the real test and then go take the real test with a high likelihood of passing.
There are also Club training classes that you can take that insure pretty much passing the test.

Then you just need a radio and antenna to get started and you can be in for about $100 with a used mobile and antenna usually and even less if you buy a Chinese HT which seems to be the thing to do these days too.

Anyone can be a Ham,trust me.


us Offline Nix

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Re: The HAM Shack!
Reply #24 on: November 25, 2020, 01:18:22 AM
 :iagree:


 

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