Testing soon and I'm wondering who else dabbles.

I dabble (KE5ASD). Right now my system needs an antenna, though.

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I'm with her

CQ de N6DOA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Wheel guns are real guns too.

N7VWB, not active but I used to sail bluewater.

I got my Tech ticket to have comms while hiking. I prefer to hike off the trail system going deep into the National Forests to places where you are a day away from cell reception. I stayed a Tech for a very long time.

Then my Tech license came due for its second renewal, so instead of renewing I figured I would upgrade to General and that would reset the clock. Work was slow and I had a lot of down time, and the next scheduled test was two months out, so I started grinding the online tests and very quickly I was getting in the high 90%.

So I added in Extra test questions with the same result.

Took the General test and passed with 100%. They offered me the Extra test and I passed easily, missing only one question. I later found out that upgrading my license did NOT renew it, so I ended up needing to do that anyway.

I still do not own any equipment to use General or Extra, but have VHF/UHF in two cars as well as my handheld for hikes.

All I have at the moment are the obligatory Baofeng hand talkies.
I'm taking the tech and general next Sat. After that's done I'll be talking with a local club and try to figure out a good base or mobile set up that's affordable.
I want to learn to walk before I try to run.
I've been told that China is trying to push others out of the market by practically giving this equipment away.
$19 HTs, $1.50 antenna, extra battery packs, etc. and all with free shipping.

I've thought about it and have looked at the Baofeng units but figured for the low price they were junk. What does a tech license cost?

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

KM8K here. Used to be somewhat active on the air but now it is pretty much just public service support.

KD5EXY here. Used to be active but not so much anymore.

KI7JEA here....


Note: Before anyone spends money on a Baofeng, check with the latest from the FCC. Seems that they have outlawed sales of this handheld because it can transmit on other than the Ham Bands....

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Ex WA6NXL, WA7ESD, HL9VL advanced class.
Came back from overseas and didn't set up a station. Forgot to renew until the grace period was up. :-(

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Paul
Salome, AZ

KJ4ZJH, General, currently not active but wanting to get back into it.

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Old paratrooper in NC

I was originally licensed K8VHB at age 13. My late father was W8QVO. During my Navy career I got my "extra class" and then became N6AO which I hold today. No longer active but use to enjoy high speed cw (50-70wpm) with selected group of gentlemen whom I'm sure are all silent keys by now considering I myself am 72. I donated all my gear to the Boy Scouts few years back. My father late in his life moved to Florida and became K4XZ. I too also reside in FL now enjoying the mild winters. 73's to all.

KY0X.
Was very active for several years on CW. Moved about 4 years ago and currently have no suitable place for an antenna. Gonna rectify that one of these fine days and get active again when I retire.
Dave
SWCA#2778

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mr mom
Fire Chief, Retired

It doesn't have to cost anything. My upcoming test is free and there is no license fee, at least non I've heard of.
I'm studying an on line test prep for $19. It seems to work since even I can answer most of the questions as it goes along.
You could find a CURRENT study manual online for even less, but for me at least, harder to do.

Not yet. There is talk of it though.
I understand that it wouldn't be illegal if you already have it, only to buy it afterwards.
Kind of a ' get it while you can " thing

KJ4xx Advanced class. Presently not active but have given serious thought to getting on QRP. Have been active MARS Ex. NNN0HVK NavMar corp MARS and it was very rewarding.

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I Cor. 10:13 "1611KJV"

My late brother was one, W4 Young Man's Fancy, as he styled himself. He was a radioman in the Navy.

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Oh well, what the hell.

In the early 80's I ran the MARS radio on my ship. I was NNN0CRJ. Never was into it as a civilian.

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Bob P.

I ordered a Baefong. $63 less a $50 credit when I opened an Amazon
Acct. with a patch cord to program it and tax etc it’s about $30. Who knows where it will lead. Now to study up and get my Tech. ticket.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

First licensed in 1967. Eventually let it expire when other interests and obligations came about in life. Got back in to the hobby 2 years ago. Extra class. I work mostly HF phone and CW and monitor 2m and 70cm when traveling. Assist some with RACES and AUXCOMM.
W9---. Not giving my call. Too many people can already find me.

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183rd FBINA

Good luck on your test. There are many more "hams" on this forum, perhaps they will speak out. I was first licensed in 1969 had a dry spell for awhile busy with other things got really active again a couple of years ago; still use my original call wb0***

Today the America Legion is running special events stations

Legion ham club to conduct Veterans Day on-air event | The American Legion

Thanks. I went last Saturday to test for Tech and General but there were
some "admin issues" and it took over 3 hrs to get my results for just the Tech. I passed that at least and I've found another test site for the General in 3 weeks.

It's strange being my age and still being so completely new at something.
I suppose that may happen more often as time moves on and I get more forgetful.

Congrats on passing from Wild Indians 8 Peru.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I have been licensed since I was 10 years old.

73 - WA2YDV

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

Congrats on passing. I've been studying but I'm not too sure about passing. I'm getting passing scores on most of the practice tests but some of the questions I struggle with. Maybe you can't teach an old dog.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

It was a lot difference back in the days when you had to pass Morse Code Tests.

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

I would bet that if you're passing the practice tests, you'll pass the actual test.
If it was like mine there was no charge. I figured I had nothing to lose by trying.
They taught this old dog

I'm going to re-learn Morse code, but I'm glad it wasn't on the test.

Biggest issues I have is memorizing the frequencies in the the band and the electrical formulas like how much X in a circuit putting Y through a
Z resistor.
Makes my brain hurt.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

What?! I'm supposed to know that?

I enjoy CW more than phone and RTTY just a little less.

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

Apparently

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Good luck with the test. I enjoy CW QRP. Jim WB7UXD

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CST 147

Well I got my Baofeng BF-F8HP. Sent it back. I was trying to program some frequencies into it using Chirp. When I pulled the cable out of the radio there was no sound from the speaker. Fooled around with and got the sound back. Next day same issue. Back it went to Amazon. I’m thinking about Yaesu Ft60(r). They seem to have a good reputation and I believe they’re made in Japan rather the China.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

I ordered the Yaesu from Amazon on Weds. the 21st and got it Fri. the 23rd. Exceptional service considering Thanksgiving was wedged between.
Solid little HT. Made in Japan rather than Chi-Com.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Back in the ‘60s I was told Morse was only required for a Radiotelegraph ticket and not Radiotelephone.

Originally Posted by rkittine View Post
It was a lot difference back in the days when you had to pass Morse Code Tests.
Back in the ‘60s I was told Morse was only required for a Radiotelegraph ticket and not Radiotelephone.
The commercial radiotelephone required no code. I had a 1st Phone with Radar endorsement for work. However my Ham license that I had at the time required code.

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Paul
Salome, AZ

An update.... passed the Technician last month and the General last Saturday.
I need to research some radios and consider working on the Extra.
Although, it’s kind of nice not having to study!

I grew up around a bunch of hams in PA! My dad still has his lisence he first got in 1943 when he was 13. He had Collins gear and then he had Drake gear along with home brew rigs. I'm into shortwave radio and have rebuilt several 30's-60's vintage vacuum tube radios. Currently listen with an NC44 National from the 30's!

My HUGE ham brother in Utah just sent me and our other brother (Co. and Md.) an EMAIL via his HAM radio system. I guess some of you know how that can be done these days but it's MAGIC to me ! He is big into emergency communications. He goes out to a big parking lot each month and sets up his 30' antenna to check in with all the HAM emergency communication guys from his SUV. If there is some big disaster in Utah and I can't get hold of him and I don't hear from him one way or another, I'll know he's adios amigo !

Extra class op here. To me, the enjoyable stuff is HF. I don't really get any particular enjoyment out of local VHF/UHF comms. But an HF radio and a couple wires in the trees can connect you to other continents. Or, you can put HF in your car and talk across the country or into Europe (or beyond) if solar conditions support it. HF opens the door into a bunch of cool possibilities.

Been licensed since 1970. Extra class since about 1990. Extra required a 20 WPM code test in those days. Also hold a Commercial Radiotelegrapher certificate - those required a 25 WPM solid copy of random code groups. Just to top it off, I also hold a commercial radio telephone ticket with a Ships Radar Endorsement.

Ham radio was more fun when the licenses were earned, not sold.

Congrats.............I would like to suggest as a HF radio you can't beat the Icom IC-7300 for performance and value.

Many hams like to buy a "shack in a box style radio" meaning it will have vhf/uhf capability as well as HF and I like the Yaesu FT 991A as the Yaesu Fusion digital mode is more popular here than D-Star (Icom digital) you shuld check whats most used in your area.

Radio choice is like picking out a car or truck or, as you may know a firearm; lots of choices and lots of opinions LOL
Good luck and have fun

Thanks Pops, that will get me started.

My dad was a Ham. I remember him saying his call letters on the radio.
W-Wilbur 8 U-uncle K-king T-tango. CQ 20 CQ 20 meter phone. He had been studying for the highest license before he passed away. Dad had many call letter post cards from ham radio operators he had talked with.

I remember dad was copying the air when he heard an emergency call for a ham operator with a phone patch near Virginia. My dad told them he had a phone patch but was in OH. They said hold on then gave him a phone number to call for the phone patch. The number was to the Pentagon. The ship's engines were stalled and the ship was stranded so to speak. They thanked my dad and later sent an invitation to tour the pentagon which dad never did.

I was wondering does ham radio still sound like Donald Duck?

Yes, if the operators are using the single sideband mode.
This is an efficient mode, compared to the AM mode, and is due to the carrier being suppressed. It is necessary to add a carrier back in at the receiving site. If the frequency is not very carefully tuned in, the audio has the familiar Donald Duck quality to it. This does save the power of transmitting the carrier and the unwanted sideband.
I only operate Morse code, and like to use hand keys.
I was first licensed in 1959, when I was 16 years old.
I just bought a 1956 manufactured Collins R 74 A receiver, something I have wanted for 5 decades. Most of my equipment has been built from kits.

73,
Mike Whiskey

I was licensed in 1958 at 10 and have been on about every band and mode there is. I have so many radios, it is now time to Cull the Heard Back as it would be said.

There are thousands of used HF Rigs on eBay and other sites. Starting with a used radio to see how and what you like, might be a good starting point. You can also Google Ham Fests in your area and go talk to Hams selling their used gear as well as mobile dealers.

73 - Bob WA2YDV

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

Always had an interest in it but never the time until I was 79. Got my tech and the next year the General. My N1GAF is not on very much now as I a am busy with other things. Do have an IC730 and the famous Baofeng, plus a Kenwood 2 meter rig in my truck. Just getting ready for when the fit hits the Shan and regular communications is dead. At the current rate of land lines in this country it wont be long.