Who Ham? You Ham?

[m0t0_ryder]

Back in those days, one had to be motivated to get a ham ticket. That has changed. Now there is no motivation to learn CW at all, not for any class of license. Back when I was young, many other hams were my young age (teens). Now everybody on CW is still my around age (70). No young ones on CW any more. But IMO, anybody who learns CW well enough to get good at it, usually gets hooked on it. There are many hams all around my age, who ONLY work CW, such as myself. Looks like when we're gone, there will be no more CW ops in the USA.

CW does take commitment.
It is very cool to comm around the world.

I live in the South Bay but have a large enough lot to install a larger antenna... if I chose to do so. I have my Step Dad's Avanti PDL II AV122 antenna (dis-assembled and stored). It is a cb tuned antenna so don't know how/if it would work in other (close) freq's. I doubt it. May just try to sell it for something more modern.

Is the Heathkit Receiver a HR-10?

It's the Heathkit GR-91
F-I-L also left me an old ICON IC-215 crystal transciever and a Zenith Ghia Trans Ocean RD7000Y.

The Heathkit and Trans Ocean are what have me thinking about a long wire antenna.

I use a Btech UV50x2 transceiver in my jeep.

I used to homebrew all my transmitters. But now, I just find it too easy to buy the stuff. My main rig is a Yaesu FTdx1200

73, -Don- AA6GA/7 Payson, AZ (RV).

Agreed.
But that old stuff is pretty darned cool!

I learned electronics in the 60's & 70's. Starting with tube theory (as that is what was primarily used then). In the USAF ('71 - 73, early out for end of 'Nam) I was a ground radar tech so learned early solid state theory there (Keesler AFB).
Worked my way thru college doing construction and repairing old tube TV's for folks in my small town.

 

[Cincinnatus]

So who here has mounted a ham radio to their bike(s) for extending their HTs range and would be willing to share the parts used and tips/tricks?

Flexible antenna or extending? Would this work - https://www.diamondantenna.net/rh789.html?

 

[EastBayDave]

I work HF CW only.

My kind of ham, de K6JOX. :teeth

 

[DonTom]

It's the Heathkit GR-91

A generl coverage receiver. Not the best for hamming.

Trans Ocean RD7000Y.

I once owned one of those. I bought it in Vietnam at a PX in Camh Ranh Bay in 1969 and had it shipped back home (San Mateo, CA).

I learned electronics in the 60's & 70's. Starting with tube theory (as that is what was primarily used then).

Same here.

In the USAF ('71 - 73, early out for end of 'Nam)

I was drafted into the army in March of 1969 and I ended up in the infantry in the Central Highland jungles of Vietnam. I was also in the 1970 Cambodia incursion.

73, -Don- AA6GA/7 Payson, AZ (RV)

 

[DonTom]

My kind of ham, de K6JOX. :teeth

Nice to meet you. I am now all set up here for 40M CW from my RV here in Payson, AZ. I will probably be on the air in the morning, at around 7.043 Mhz or so.

73, -Don- AA6GA/7 Payson, AZ (RV).

 

[slowpoke]

I'm reading a test study book. I'm falling asleep after 3 pages. I don't know how you guys do it. :zzz

 

[1962siia]

When I took mine the key was memorizing practice tests online. Took a few hours to be able to pass the test easily from memory. Pass the Technician test easily the first try. Just looked and mine expires this year.

 

[EastBayDave]

I'm reading a test study book. I'm falling asleep after 3 pages. I don't know how you guys do it. :zzz

might be advantageous for you to get together w/a local club for classes. Go to arrl.org to lookup local clubs. I'm sure there's other links too I can't recall at this moment...?

 

[m0t0_ryder]

Here's a Youtube video on FEMA (and other) frequencies used during this Covid-19 pandemic... and other disasters.


youtu.be/pLZXHdU6GA8

Here's a link to the referenced American Disaster Shortwave Radio Frequencies.

Sounds like radio traffic has picked up since the virus began.

 

[RRR70]

Planning to take an exam soon. Picked up Baofeng 8wt last year.