Author |
Message |
Glitch
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 10:51 am: |
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Any operators here on BadWeB? Seems like there would be. The people I've met at Hamfest remind me of BadWeBbers. |
Ferris_von_bueller
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 10:56 am: |
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I listen to shortwave. Not as many ham operators around. They made it easier to get into the hobby with a no Morse code license but didn't help much. |
Slowride
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 11:01 am: |
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I just received the study exams to start my reading and hopeful certification. I found a radio I want to pick up for fairly cheap... http://www.dealextreme.com/p/dual-frequency-displa y-multi-band-walkie-talkie-with-vox-flashlight-fm- radio-vhf-uhf-41618#open%20full%20view |
Microchop
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 11:10 am: |
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Don't use it much anymore, but my call sign is KD6JEH. Still looks good on a resume. |
F_skinner
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 11:19 am: |
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Licensed in 1979 as KA4JQZ, just changed my call after over 30 years to K0JQZ (official last Thursday but not on QRZ.com yet) to reflect my current area. There was a big influx when the FCC dropped the code requirement, which was a joke at 5 wpm anyway. The numbers are still pretty high. I had no hams in my area a 10 years ago and now I have about 50 (I would hazard a guess the half are no-code hams) . Of course the problem, as I see it. Is that people that get the tech license and stay on 2 meters or 70cm get bored with it soon. That, in my opinion is not ham radio. However, that is only my opinion. I work HF, CW only, 160 through 10 meters. I do not have much fun or use for anything about 50MHz. CW has taken on a new life and I would say there are as many or more on CW than before. It is good to see. I have VHF/UHF on the S2T but only if I need it. It stays off most of the time or on the Weather Band. And Slowride, check eham.com for reviews of radios before you buy anything. Take the reviews with a grain of salt and you will be able to weed through some of the BS. I am not familiar with the brand or make in your link. It sounds too good to be true. |
F_skinner
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 11:31 am: |
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Ham in radio in Japan is something else. The Hamfest there are fantastic. I operated from Japan as 7J7AAL for four years and it was just great. Gitch, I do not get a chance to go to many hamfest. I have always wanted to go to the Dayton hamfest. It is the biggest. Slowride. http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8931 |
Slowride
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 12:35 pm: |
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Thanks Frank, you come through as always.... |
Glitch
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 01:17 pm: |
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I never operated a radio, listened a lot though. I go to Hamfest to get hard to find tubes and computer parts. Go figure, right? Anyway, I was just wondering what would be a good starting point. |
F_skinner
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 01:28 pm: |
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A starting point to get licensed or a starting point for tubes? I have a few tuber radios, Heathkit and Kenwood and a quick search always pulls up something. To get licensed, well, your in luck. They publish the question pool and answers in study books. The ARRL (ARRL.org I think) sells them but just about anywhere that sells ham gear will have them. I buy most of my stiff from HRO (Ham Radio Outlet) but before I try a radio I like to get hands on first. If I was buying a radio and did not know much about them I would have a hard time with all the different manufactures and radios out there. http://www.arrl.org/shop/Ham-Radio-License-Manual- Revised-2nd-Edition/ However, if you want to get into the hobby you must have a reason so just define your needs and if you want any help Glitch just drop me a PM. http://www.arrl.org/licensing-education-training It really helps, and I cannot stress this enough, find your local amateur radio club and just in their class. Find someone to teach you the ropes (not a Technician but a Extra class that has been around a while). They will be happy to help. http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club Frank |
Iamike
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 05:27 pm: |
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I have a Radiotelephone license for work but have avoided Ham stuff. Just didn't need another time consuming expensive hobby. I get all the playing with that stuff at work. |
Buellgrrrl
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 05:32 pm: |
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de n0egf, qrv 2 meters & 70 centimeters in far southern 4 land. |
Cityxslicker
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 06:07 pm: |
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I have a shortwave that I have used to listen to foreign radio since I was a kid. My grandfather gave it too me. and there is a CB out in the truck. Never did Ham. except for breakfast |
F_skinner
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 06:26 pm: |
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Glitch, any more questions just pm or email me. f_skinner at yahoo dot com. |
Ferris_von_bueller
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 07:28 pm: |
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The Changing Operating Classes Over the past year the Technician class has increased at an average rate of 30/day. The Tech Plus class has decreased at an average rate of 12/day. The Novice class has decreased at an average rate of 6/day. The General class has increased at an average rate of 7/day. The Advanced class has decreased at an average rate of 8/day. The Extra class has increased at an average rate of 9/day. Club Stations have increased at an average rate of 1/day. To see the license class distribution among US amateurs along with much more information, check out the FCC info page. http://www.hamdata.com/ |
Glitch
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 07:47 pm: |
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Thanks Frank! I don't need tubes, well not any more. I needed them for my old Marshal amp, and the guy that got me into computers was also a Ham Operator, and took me to my first Hamfest. Unfortunately he's 250 miles away, so I figured BadWeB would be a good starting point to find a good starting point. |
F_skinner
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 08:10 pm: |
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No problem Glitch, since the latest restructure and elimination of the Novice, Tech Plus and Advance license and the 5 wpm code test it is very easy to get a license. I have a feeling that it will not be much of a challenge for you. |
Glitch
| Posted on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 05:02 am: |
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Ltbuell
| Posted on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 07:19 pm: |
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I was licensed in '95.. call sign-KE6EYE-a late bloomer into ham radio.Its pretty fun stuff.Before that had the typical cb thing and fm frequecies..kind of a lull right now for me(i do check in on several nets down in CA via voip,that several ham clubs i use to belong to have).I need to get upgraded so i can do hf,though. |
Blasterd
| Posted on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 10:36 pm: |
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I was liscensed back in 2004 should have done it years ago, simple effecient way of communicating. My dad had been trying to get me in it for the last 15 years but i wasn't interested, now it's another way for me to spend time with him and it's kinda fun too. I now do emergency response and weather spotting. Callsign is KI4IMN.. Shout at me on the national call frequency in north Florida! |
86129squids
| Posted on Tuesday, February 01, 2011 - 12:24 am: |
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I used to have an AM/FM/CB radio on my bicycle when I was a kid- helped direct traffic around a wreck on the highway once with it. (Some dump truck drivers working locally hollered back to thank me.) I guess that qualifies me as a geek... Got an original copy of the CB radio handbook, published by The Publishing Company... |
Bcordb3
| Posted on Tuesday, February 01, 2011 - 09:41 am: |
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KE6LEL, here |
Datsaxman
| Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2011 - 02:26 am: |
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K1ECR...got to practice with all of the test questions online for free. One of those subscription services, but they let you try out the test format free. If you do it a few times, you start to see familiar questions. If you do it A LOT, you get to see all the questions. |