Any amateur "ham" radio operators here?

[1950jcb]

WB7UXD

Been licensed (General) since a friend got me interested in the mid 70s. Pretty much straight key CW. Most fun I've had was building my own QRP (low power) CW transmitter/receiver--amazing what you can do with ~1 watt. and an antenna tossed into a tree. I've met some great people on the air.

Jim

 

[CW Spook]

W0FG here; first licensed in 1963 as WN0FYG. About 275 countries worked, 90% or better on CW (I was a Morse op in the Navy), probably 125 or so also worked QRP. Did 10-meter WAS in one weekend during the 10M contest 20-25 years ago. I live about 30 miles from the Collins Radio plant and had a couple of the great Collins station setups over the years. Haven't really been active much the last few years, except messing around some with APRS on 2M.

 

[carpe pugna]

Why so many inactive users? Is the hobby dieing out?

I got my ticket back in 1972 along with my 1st Class Commercial license. I have done DXpeditions, QRP, ragchewing.

I think much of the original allure was that you could bridge cultures, bridge continents and make friends all from your shack.

Now, I can clearly speak with anyone around the world on Skype, I can have conversations with dozens of folks from around the world on the internet without leaving my office.

Most of the ragchewing on 40 and 80 for years was nothing more or less than the political forums on the internet and facebook...same subjects, same polarizing opinions.

Ham started dying when usenet began and then internet didn't help it.


Sitting here listening to Syria on my Drake R7A while typing.

_._

 

[lnmorgan]

Why so many inactive users? Is the hobby dieing out?

In my case it is a matter of having time to enjoy it. I've had my Extra Class and a Radio Telephone 1st Class Operators with Radar Endorsement for several years now and plan to be active in the future. Mostly was on 2 meters and was involved with experimentation and adaptation to place phone calls via 2meters before the advent of todays cell phones. I do keep my 2 meter rig ready for emergency situations.

 

[wacky_weeble]

Why so many inactive users? Is the hobby dieing out?

Pretty much. I have been a ham since I was 17 or 18 and by the time I was 22 I stopped.

 

[wacky_weeble]

ham radio operators in the usa are at an all time high...over 775,000 licensed operators...i love the hobby and lately have been on 2 and 10 meter a lot...i have my general license
73's
KK4EMO

Isn't 10 meter used for cb's (its been to long since I looked at the band's LOL)

 

[LennyLames]

Isn't 10 meter used for cb's (its been to long since I looked at the band's LOL)

CB is 26.965 MHz for Channel 1 up to 27.405 for Channel 40, with many restrictions that are frequently violated.

10 meter ham is 28.000 MHz to 29.700 MHz with varying modes and privileges for different license levels.

My first license was for Restricted Radiotelephone Operator permit to allow me to use marine ITU channels on my sailboat when I cruised to foreign countries. Eventually, a friend persuaded me to study and test for my ham licenses to have more communications options. HF propagation is excellent with saltwater ground.

I have Amateur Extra ham license.

... --- -- . --- ..-. -.-- --- ..- -.. --- -. --- - .--. ..- -... .-.. .. ... .... -.-- --- ..- .-. .-.. --- -.-. .- - .. --- -. ... -... ..- - .. -.- -. --- .-- .-- .... . .-. . -.-- --- ..- .-.. .. ...- . .- ... .-- . .-.. .-.. .- ... -.-- --- ..- .-. ..-. ..- .-.. .-.. -. .- -- . ... .-.-.-

 

[rwsmith]

It was always on my list

Ham has been on my list of hobbies, but it always stayed on the list behind music, art, shooting, chess and photography.

I didn't need another expensive hobby.

I had a group of friends back in the 80's that about had me talked into it.

 

[DeadAye]

Ham has been on my list of hobbies, but it always stayed on the list behind music, art, shooting, chess and photography.

I didn't need another expensive hobby.

I had a group of friends back in the 80's that about had me talked into it.

It doesn't NEED to be an expensive hobby!
Unless you get into contesting you don't need to spend a lot of money - You can get decent radios for a few hundred on eBay (not the latest and greatest, but still high quality equipment). Wire antennas are cheap and work.
Learn Morse Code and work CW for cheap and L O T S O F U N

Ham radio's big investment is in your head - There's a lot to learn Grasshopper
Getting a license is pretty much a matter of memorization = There's no code requirement anymore - just a test that you can actually get all of the questions and answers to beforehand (legally even)

-73-

 

[kennyb]

Isn't 10 meter used for cb's (its been to long since I looked at the band's LOL)

no...10 meter has never been for cb use...cb is 11 meter...as i mentioned earlier...licensed ham operators here in the usa is at an all time high with over 775,000...so much for dying out

 

[venomballistics]

nah Im kinda the antiham ...
seeing as the whole ham thing is built upon a foundation of understanding and developing broadcast technology, and I build amps and some digital electronics ... I take measures against generating RF as it plays havoc on what Im trying to acomplish

 

[Bekeart]

Why I Stopped being a ham.

Got novice back in 1964 - WN9IDE.

Never got a contact before license expired. Continued with code practice.

A few times I could copy 13 wpm solid using Wayne Greens tapes.(from 73 mag)

I would listen to 80 meter phone and say why bother. Absolutely amazing some of the misinformation I could hear on 80 meters.

Remember when Wayne was pushing 2meter repeaters as the coming thing.

The technical side was a no brainer - I had First Class Radiotelephone and degree in Engineering. Set up a couple of surplus ART-13s with 200% capacity power supplies for a friend.

Gave couple of Collins receivers to friends. 51J with single digit serial number and a surplus R-390 - When I quit, I quit completely.

Bekeart

 

[Nframecollector]

My Dad and brother are. I'm more into shortwave listening and restoring shortwave radios. Anyone know where I can sell an immaculate National NC-44?

 

[GLV]

WB9OKR, Inactive at present.

 

[Ogandydancer]

Have been Ham for several years. the most gratifying part was when I was in Navmarcorp MARS and, I would relay messages from service men to their wives and girl friends and families. Hearing them sometimes break into sobs of joy when they found out their loved ones were safe gave me a gratification I cannot explain. Also called the North Carolina Morning Net on sundays for years and participated in the North Carolina evening net and, Tarheel Net handeling traffic. Have also talked to many interesting people in all parts of the world.