DU Ham Radio ... the ultimate backup. HAMS check-in.

[DemoTex]

K9STR - Extra Class
ALWAYS MONITORING 20 METERS: 14.28 mHz

Mac

[Duer 157099]

1. I'm not a ham, but I do have a question for you

I listen to my radio all day, and there seems to be a ham operator in the neighborhood, because he keeps bleeding into my radio (AM) and it drives me nuts. Actually I'm not even sure if it's ham or CB.

What can I do?

[DemoTex]

7. Probably CB

Check your radio, too. Most likely you are require to "accept interference." A local ham radio operator will work you through that. Contact the local ham club (through the ARRL.COM).
Mac

[liberaldemocrat7]

11. WA2UTV

Since 1974

[enigmatic]

12. CB, most likely

Alot CBers tweak their rigs to get more transmitting power (which is against the law)and they often bleed onto neighbors TV and radios..

[CoffeeCat]

2. I know nothing about HAM radios...

Do you mind if I ask some questions?

What do you use them for?

Why are they the "ultimate backup"?

[DemoTex]

13. Answers (maybe)

Do you mind if I ask some questions? No.

What do you use them for? World-wide wireless communication.

Why are they the "ultimate backup"? Because, all other forms of communication are compromised before they start, so to speak. Ham Radio is based on the basics, be it single-side band (SSB) or continuous-wave (CW). Know what I mean, Vern?

[LynzM]

68. Also the ultimate backup

Because there's such a wide dispersement of people who both know how to send and receive information, and this network could be used (and is) during times of weather emergency to monitor the situation, dispatch aid, etc.

[LynzM]

69. KC9GOV

I'm never on, but that's me. I got my license when Briarius and I were driving from Indiana to CT, so we could talk on the way :)

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. Well, I ate ham for dinner last night after watching Da Bears head to the Super Bowl...

I know this is not helpful, but I wanted to say hi to a friend who hasn't been around much lately.

:hi: DemoTex!

[Fridays Child]

4. I don't have a ham radio but I do have one that picks up that frequency.

I'll have to learn how to use it.

[enigmatic]

5. Not a Ham but I monitior all the time on 3950

As well as the AM dial (mostly the one lung stations from 1200-1500) and all the SW bands, too.

What kind of shack and rig do you have?

[DemoTex]

17. Mostly ICOM stuff.

IC 756-PRO for my HF habit. Great radio!

[enigmatic]

18. Nice Boat Anchor!

That's beautiful; I collect radios (mostly shortwave and transistors from the 50's and 60's) and use my Zenith Transoceanic and Heathkit GR-81 to do alot of my monitoring these days..

[5X]

25. Which Trans-Oceanic do you have?

I just got finished fixing one that I was given a couple
of years ago. Royal 1000.
Great radio.

[enigmatic]

29. This one

T-600 it's one of the last ones made before they went transistor, and I love it.

I'm dying to get a Transoceanic "bomber" radio; it's my Holy Grail right now:

[5X]

33. Nice radios, and the tube ones do sound good.

The Royal 1000 was the first transistor one and was all
hand wired.
I also was just given a BC-342, WWII tank radio, but the
base station version with a power supply built in.
Covers 1500Kc to 18000kc. Great for am listening.

[enigmatic]

34. Wow, I'd love to see that

It's really an addiction for me, and I've culled my radio herd somewhat, but I just picked up 2 more this weekend:)

[5X]

40. Here it is, if this works...

[enigmatic]

41. Oh, that's SWEET!

I'm jealous, man!:thumbsup:

[5X]

42. Thats a real boat anchor,

must weigh 40 pounds.

[hunter]

55. I would drag that radio home without a second thought.

My wife would roll her eyes, and look at me, without saying a word, but it would be like "What the hell is that?"

[Crabby Appleton]

75. I had this model when I was a kid

[Maddy McCall]

6. I would LOVE to get into ham radio.

I use radios with the fire department work that I do, but I know next to nothing about ham radio operation.

How much is the initial investment?

Don't you have to apprentice under someone before you get your license (is a license even required?)?

Any info you can provide, I'd love to read.

Thanks for bringing up this topic. (Ham ops on DU should have their own group...and again, I don't even know if y'all do.)

I'd love to know more.

[enigmatic]

10. It's pretty easy to get a Tech Licence

You don't have to know CW (Morse Code), which is the biggest obstacle for most people interested. A good used rig would cost you around 200 bucks, but you could get a used handheld for less if you look around.

[Maddy McCall]

14. Thanks for the info.

When I've got more time, I just might look into this.

:hi:

[enigmatic]

16. I know it's a cliche, but try ebay

There are some good used rigs there all the time:)

[KatyaR]

58. Also check out eham.net--

I've bought two handhelds through this site, and you can find just about anything there.

[KatyaR]

59. I would betcha that with your fire department connections,

your area emergency management people are either hams or are hooked into that "network" of folks. Ask around--I think it would be easier than you think to find some local resources.

I used to belong to a club that was into both community activities and emergency work/weather spotting. Of course, being in Oklahoma helps--the National Weather Service, TV/radio stations, and Civil Defense depend heavily on them during storm season and other times. We had a lot of hams from around this area who went to the eastern part of the state last week to work the ice storms there. They were a big help in the areas that had lost power, because they were able to operate on battery backups and generators.

[uppityperson]

19. That is good to hear as the Morse Code thing is what has stumped me

[enigmatic]

21. It's been a boost for Hams

To get fresh blood, which is badly, badly needed. There are still some old-timers that shun the Techs, but they are fewer and fewer these days..

[uppityperson]

32. Link to How to Be a Ham, or would that be hammer?

http://www.hamradio-online.com/firstlicense.html (some links don't work)
http://www.hamradio-online.com/welcome.html has some info:
Novice License

The Novice license is the traditional entry point to Amateur Radio. With the Novice license, you may operate CW on several shortwave bands; operate single-sideband voice communications in the 28 MHz band; operate voice and packet data on the 222 MHz VHF band; and operate all of the above, plus television on the 1.2 GHz microwave band. To obtain a Novice license you mast pass a 25 question written test and a 5 words per minute Morse Code proficiency examination.

Technician License

The Technician license is now split into two categories: one with a 5 word per minute code proficiency examination, and one with no code required. Either license requires passing a 30 question exam, plus the Novice exam. If you opt to pass the 5 word per minute code test, you also have access to all of the Novice shortwave bands. No code license holders have access to all of the VHF and UHF Amateur radio allocations and can use FM voice repeater, packet data networks, television and satellite communication links, and even operate their own repeaters. Because of the "no code" option, this has become the most popular of the Amateur Radio licenses.

General License

The General license permits extensive access to the shortwave radio bands, including CW, voice and data, plus all of the VHF and UHF bands. The General class license requires a written exam and a 13 word per minute code test.

Advanced License

The Advanced license grants access to more of the shortwave frequencies. An additional written exam is required but the code test remains at 13 words per minute. If you have already passed the General class code test, you do not need to retake the code test.

Amateur Extra License

The Amateur Extra is the top of the line license and grants all available access. In addition to a tough written exam, you must pass a 20 word per minute Morse code exam.

[enigmatic]

35. Thanks for this!

:thumbsup:

[alfredo]

44. I could copy 40-50 WPM, but never learned to send.

I used a Collins R-390A and an Underwood or Royal Telegraphers Mill.

I am glad they dropped the morse because my arthritis slows me down. In a way I am not sure they should be lowering their standards. Morse may be dead, but it is a skill that should be preserved. No matter how bad the fist, QRM or QRN one can communicate cheaply.

[DemoTex]

27. BTW: ALL CODE REQ. DROPPED!

No MORSE CODE required now!

[enigmatic]

30. Whoa

I didn't know that! I guess it's finally time for me to get onboard!:)

[DemoTex]

56. Go for it! The written exams are SO easy!

All of the questions and answers are published. You can get computer tutorials and zip through the exams - all the way to Amateur Extra - in a few weeks.
Volunteers administer the exams. Check ARRL for exam sessions in your area.

BTW: Beautiful radios!

http://www.arrl.org/

[5X]

60. I have volunteer examiner credentials for both ARRL and W5YI

I have worked at several examination sessions
but not in a couple of years.

edit spelling.

[KatyaR]

57. KD5MCD here--since 2000!

And Maddy, you can build some small rigs from kits. I'm looking at honing my CW (morse code) skills and I can build a transmitter and keyer for less than 100 bucks for use on the 30 or 40 meter bands. I've never build an electrical board in my life, but I'm gonna try. :<)

It's a great hobby--you'll love it!

[greenbriar]

8. hubby is

N0qoe

[DemoTex]

20. MLD/67220?

KC?

[tridim]

9. My Dad has been trying to get me interested in ham radio for 30 years

He asked again over Xmas, and I said no thanks. The Internet kind of made ham obsolete.

He uses the "What if there's a nuclear war?" reason every time, I guess as a joke. I just tell him his radio wont survive the EMP, it has no tubes.

Oh, I do listen to shortwave every once in a while, and I played with a 2 meter handheld once. Other than that, it's Dad's hobby.

[hunter]

26. Radio will survive.

What bothers me is that the expertise to build radios is not as widespread as it used to be.

It used to be that every kid who was interested in electronics had built a radio of some sort.

I guess I'm an old dude. I've built radios with tubes.

But I never got a ham license. Computers and the internet were just too enticing... I've been on the internet since 1979.

In my ideal world the FCC wouldn't be so busy selling the radio spectrum to commercial interests, and would take some time to create a system that would allow for a proliferation of low power non-profit neighborhood radio stations.

At the very minimum every high school and college should have it's own broadcast radio station, which would teach people how to roll their own community radio stations, and maybe get a few people interested in ham radio.

[tridim]

47. Don't get me wrong, I love electronics..

and I too have built lots of radios as a kid, even zenier diode crystal sets back in the 70's. I build micro-robots I just never wanted to sit in the basement for hours talking to random people about how well my antenna is transmitting. :)

[5X]

15. ni5x, hence the du name,

Our power was out when we got home from work tonight and
I had lots of back up batteries, battery operated tv,
lamps, radios. We cooked dinner by candle light and I thought
of powering the dsl modem by battery but decided to wait
for the power company.

It is the ultimate back up if treated the right way and
the lessons learned along the way prepare you for after
the big one hits.

To answer some of the questions:
No apprenticeship, just study a book or take practice tests
on the internet. Now I see some of the questions have been
answered.

[cloudbase]

22. I'm a throwback

to the "old" days. I'm a CW freak, and generally hang out on the low end of 20 and 40 meters. Got my first license back in the days when novices had to use crystals.

[DemoTex]

24. I'm a CW freak-o too!

Got mine with the ASA on the HCM trail: 35-45 WPM.

[necso]

23. Seems like a good topic for a group.

(I don't.)

[hayu_lol]

31. KB6UBP/7

A great hobby with something for everyone. High power, low power, world-wide capability and even still, a lot of building possibilities.

Code is still a lot of fun, particularly for the very low power crew. 73 magazine used to offer really good code learning tapes that made the process easy.

[necso]

48. I don't Ham,

but I have had friends who did. Throw in a little tinkering, and I find it a very good craft/art.

It's also a good emergency capability.

[enigmatic]

38. DU Hams Group?

That might be worth a look to see if it's do-able..

[necso]

49. It could take some doing,

but a thread in GD and another in the Lounge might worked if they're kicked.

Since I don't Ham (and don't even know the lingo), it really isn't appropriate for me to start these threads.

[enigmatic]

51. I'd like to see how many Hams/Radio Buffs there are here on DU

It might be worth a look...

[necso]

52. Not everybody checks in here every day,

and a group could be a good place to collect Hams (provided they have a star), with the occassional plug-thread that makes it into the Latest.

We also have a fair number of overseas members, I believe. A guy I used to work with was always talking about how far he reached (keyed Morse) on lower-power (and with a good antenna).

[enigmatic]

53. I'm going to pm Skinner about this

Let's see what happens:)

[necso]

54. It'd be a nice Topic. /nt

[DBoon]

39. I'd go for it

a lot of the Ham nets seem real reactionary to me (if they deal with politics at all).

Would love to see a DU net

[necso]

50. Indeed. /nt

[DemoTex]

63. Ever listen to the 40-meter Texas afternoon nets?

:puke:

I even talked to Riley about some of that shit.

[GreenPartyVoter]

28. Well, I think my ticket expired this past year. Was N1SVA

[sfwriter]

36. KG6COA - Inactive for more than a year and moving to Missouri...

I'll be there in February. I've got a Yeasu FT-50.

[DBoon]

37. I'll give it a try

haven't used my ham radio in a while

KF6FLJ

[MadHound]

43. Ha! Now I'll have to get my antenna up

I have an old Hallicrafter receiver that still works, Model S-408. My parents original radio, grew up with it as a kid and it still works. Haven't bothered to put up the antenna, but now I have an excuse. DU radio, I can at least listen in.

[5X]

45. How do we get a ham radio or amateur radio group started?

We probably need multiple threads looking for other
hams as a start.

[Davis_X_Machina]

46. Ham for thirty years...

...going back to the mid '70's as a rockbound novice, working from the old W1BCH club station at Boston College High School.

Current rig is an IC-718, replacing a IC-730, replacing a FT-101B.

Nearer sunspot maximum I will bring the second rig into school, and run a B&W windowsill antenna from the classroom window. During the last peak (89-92 or so) had 40+ countries worked and confirmed from my classroom during study halls, passing periods, etc. Put QSL's up for Parents' night.

Mostly work CW, chasing DX in a very desultory fashion. Also 2m.

Have a colleague in the next classroom over who has over 370 DXCC. Jealous? Not much....

[DemoTex]

64. I was a Novice in the early 60s.

WA4IYD. Renewed about 10 years ago with a Technician, then Tech Plus. Got a General real quick, and then the Extra. Had a big advantage on the Morse Code. My mission in LAOS/N. Viet Nam had my ASA radio ops copying 35-45 WPM. I listened and learned.

73s

[bmbmd]

61. My dad got his HAM license in 1929. W5ILF.

He traded four shotgun cells for a crystal, and built his first coil with copper wire salvaged from a starter on an old car wrapped around a quaker oats box. His first contact was in Cinncinati, Ohio-and he was hooked. He won his first silver star in WWII by taking a ham rig to the top of an enemy-held hill in north Africa and relaying enemy positions by code back to a battle ship. He was a heck of a guy, and never (not one time) voted for a republican in his life. Thanks for keeping HAM alive.

[DemoTex]

62. Is your dad still alive? Or SK (SILENT KEY)?

He might have saved my dad's life. My dad was in the North Africa battles. He was captured by the Germans near the Kasserine Pass and escaped three days later. He was later wounded in Italy, recovered, and fought his way north to become one of the first US Army officers to walk through the gates of the Dachau camp near Munich. My dad is 86.5 now, and still a yellow-dog Democrat.

W5ILF is still shown as active on QRZ.COM:
JAMES B BXXXX
114 ARANSAS
LXXXXXX TX 7XXXX
USA

[bmbmd]

73. Buried him Christmas Eve

two years ago. He paid his dues up before he died, though-it was the last check he wrote, as a matter of fact. And yes-that's him. He went to Dachau, also. He described his military service as a boat ride to Africa followed by a walk to Berlin. 86th Infantry. Give my best to your dad.

[DemoTex]

65. Why am I not surprised? Smarter people tend to be DUers.

Smarter people tend to be HAMS.

[Thor_MN]

66. Had my novice license years ago as WD0EGZ

But never used it. Didn't have any money back then to buy equipment. Should look into getting licensed again now that I can afford it.

[Briarius]

67. I am!

N9YES -General (2 questions shy of extra :grr:)
Unfortunately, we're on a little lot in the city so I don't really have a set up here :( I've got a Heatkit and a NorCal40 QRP rig. Oh, and the 2m in the car.

73

[Oeditpus Rex]

70. Used to be

N6SMG. Tech. Worked 2 meters and 220.

Activity in our repeater group went to hell, and I was intimidated by the 20 WPM CW for the General ticket, so I let it drop.

Still got my mobile, though — Alinco ALR-206T. Ancient.

[DemoTex]

71. Kick-it, O=R!

You are as good as a Amateur Extra. All those HF freqs!

73

[Oeditpus Rex]

72. I dunno

Another reason I let my ticket slip was it seemed like all anybody wanted to talk about were their rigs — what they had and what they wanted to get. Bored the hell out of me.

I see upthread where they've dropped the CW requirement for all classes, though. That'd certainly make it less intimidating. And the role of emergency communications always appealed to me.

[Oeditpus Rex]

74. Wow, seriously cool!

I just found an old friend at qrz.com — WW4Q. He used to live out here. We go back to the CB days. :7

[havocmom]

76. Advice to those of us who are not hams

Copy, paste AND PRINT out this info. Make sure you have batteries and your list with your radio. One never knows when the ham you know to dial to might be really important.

[qnr]

77. I was in communications in the CG. Everything from CW to Satcomm. Never

went for my license though. Didn't want to do for a hobby what I did for a living.