OT! - Any other Hams (radio that is) on here? -OT!

bettysnephew

Just got my vanity callsign - AEØDF -. Only operating on 2 meter and 440 at present. Will be looking for a HF at the upcoming Junk in the Trunk swapmeet at Collins Radio parking lot in a couple of weeks. The next door neighbor gave me her fathers' HF antennas as there are no licensed amateurs in the family. I tried to buy her dad's Collins rig but it is still too dear to her to sell. 73

Coastalcooker

For many years was K4UNQ back in high school and interest waned. Licensed lapsed. I took the test a couple of years ago, studied for tech and passed the general as well. CW is slow-maybe fifteen on a good day. Played with QRP but the bug hasn't bitten again. When I renew license I will be eighty or so. I might decide to try again.

Bob

DMW

N3ZKB here, let my license lapse back in 2007.

bettysnephew

My journey to amateur was long and tortuous. I went to Tech School and came out with a 2nd class radiotel license. Later took the test and passed for 1st class and radar endorsement. Went to USAF and tended ground based radar. Worked in the business radio world for a while and then got into industrial maintenance. Let my license drop as I was no longer using it and it was expensive to renew back then. Retired and decided I would go after my Tech. Passed it and General first time up but missed Extra by 2 questions. Not too bad since I hadn't studied for AE. Hit the books again and passed one week later. Now working on learning code and getting my shack together. My big interest is building antennas and maybe resurrecting some tube gear as all my schooling was in that area. FETs were a brand new thing back then. I still have my Heathkit VTVM LOL.
One of those no code guys ruining the hobby.

swordsmn

KI4BNH  nowadays,  an Extra-Lite (I was a Novice in my late teens & got credit for that whopping 5 -9 WPM  back when I tested, hence they call us extras who never passed 20WPM code "lites"  unofficially  (second class citizens  lol)   Used to be active in ARES  & community svc  but interest has waned a bit.   Beg  for that Collins gear... it's the Holy Grail of the classics 

Zmokin

Renewed my license, just because.  Haven't used it since i stopped 4-wheeling off-road, but I still have my handheld radios.  Might get back into it when I retire as a hobby and/or to help out in search & rescue up in the mountains.

bluebird66

KC4VAJ here, almost 25 years.

bettysnephew

@swordsmn

Beg  for that Collins gear... it's the Holy Grail of the classics.

I tried that, but she was welling up tears talking about Dad operating that gear.  He was Art Collins' favorite tech and worked on many green room projects with him directly including SSB. He is mentioned quite a few times in the book <Arthur Collins - Radio Wizard>. I wish I could have met him, but he passed away before I moved into the neighborhood. She did indicate I would get called if it was for sale, I hope that means first chance.

SaintJohnsEgger

I know this is an old thread but I'm bumping it to see if there are any new Hams around.

Just renewed W4MKH (General class) so I'm good for another 10 years. May go after my Extra later this year.

May be fun to sit around the egg during a low 'n slow while working some skip.

'73

Killit_and_Grillit

Resurrection indeed. 

I have been toying with the idea of getting one and getting some training. We got a few of those walkers that go on the same freqs but Inwould like to have a mobile and stationary one. 

A lot to learn though. 

RedSkip

Why do you need training?  Isn't it just talking over the radio for miles and miles?  Not being an ass, just asking for the education...

RRP

I know you guys are talking about ham radios and licenses. But to this day some 41 or 42 years later I still know my legal CB license code by heart! That was back before "rubber ducky" and all that "handle crap" took over the air waves! 

nolaegghead

Kd5eva.  Lapsed.  We have computers and cell phones now.  Cool though.  

HeavyG

RedSkip said:

Why do you need training?  Isn't it just talking over the radio for miles and miles?  Not being an ass, just asking for the education...

Ham radio is not really the same thing as CB radio.

The frequency bands used by hams are regulated by international treaties so there are some licensing requirements and technical and operational expectations.

You can learn more about it here - http://www.arrl.org/

nolaegghead

I cramed for a few days and passed the test.  It's pretty easy.

SciAggie

KG5FKY The frequency band used in the trackers for our high power rockets requires a license. I play around with the repeater towers sometimes just for kicks. It's nice when bad weather hits. I can monitor storm chasers and the National Weather Service guys as they get news. 

bgebrent

nolaegghead said:

I cramed for a few days and passed the test.  It's pretty easy.

nolaegghead said:

I cramed for a few days and passed the test.  It's pretty easy.

Me too.

HeavyG

nolaegghead said:

I cramed for a few days and passed the test.  It's pretty easy.

Technician class?

Spaightlabs

RRP said:

I know you guys are talking about ham radios and licenses. But to this day some 41 or 42 years later I still know my legal CB license code by heart! That was back before "rubber ducky" and all that "handle crap" took over the air waves! 

Haven't thought of or needed this in over 40 years...KAUE9965.  Bunch of dorks.

Killit_and_Grillit

nolaegghead said:

Kd5eva.  Lapsed.  We have computers and cell phones now.  Cool though.  

Agreed but in the unlikely event that this whole "infrastructure" thing goes tits up...I'd like a backup plan for a phone call. 

How else will will I get my @nolaegghead smartass entertainment at 0200 if there is no internet. 

nolaegghead

Killit_and_Grillit said:

nolaegghead said:

Kd5eva.  Lapsed.  We have computers and cell phones now.  Cool though.  

Agreed but in the unlikely event that this whole "infrastructure" thing goes tits up...I'd like a backup plan for a phone call. 

How else will will I get my @nolaegghead smartass entertainment at 0200 if there is no internet. 

If society collapses, I still have some radios.  So will others.

nolaegghead

HeavyG said:

nolaegghead said:

I cramed for a few days and passed the test.  It's pretty easy.

Technician class?

Yep. NEVER was interested in learning morse.

Killit_and_Grillit

nolaegghead said:

Killit_and_Grillit said:

nolaegghead said:

Kd5eva.  Lapsed.  We have computers and cell phones now.  Cool though.  

Agreed but in the unlikely event that this whole "infrastructure" thing goes tits up...I'd like a backup plan for a phone call. 

How else will will I get my @nolaegghead smartass entertainment at 0200 if there is no internet. 

If society collapses, I still have some radios.  So will others.

Good. I refuse to live in a post apocalyptic world where I can't figure out how to dry age squirrel loins, mitigate smoke output during long smokes to avoid marauders, or if people are still complaining about Royal Oak when zombies are running rampant. 

RRP

Spaightlabs said:

Haven't thought of or needed this in over 40 years...KAUE9965.  Bunch of dorks.

LOL - I know! But at that time I was surrounded by "law abiding citizens" who would have strung me up using my standing wave meter cables. Actually I made good friends to this very day by loaning out, or explaining how to properly use that standing wave meter, or even working that "magic" myself for some 10 thumb friends! 

nolaegghead

Killit_and_Grillit said:

nolaegghead said:

Killit_and_Grillit said:

nolaegghead said:

Kd5eva.  Lapsed.  We have computers and cell phones now.  Cool though.  

Agreed but in the unlikely event that this whole "infrastructure" thing goes tits up...I'd like a backup plan for a phone call. 

How else will will I get my @nolaegghead smartass entertainment at 0200 if there is no internet. 

If society collapses, I still have some radios.  So will others.

Good. I refuse to live in a post apocalyptic world where I can't figure out how to dry age squirrel loins, mitigate smoke output during long smokes to avoid marauders, or if people are still complaining about Royal Oak when zombies are running rampant. 

I agree, fully.  This is why I print every page of this forum and bind it in binders (not of the female type) for the post apocalyptic, (and seemingly more probable) world. 

In reality, we would quickly be identified as a food source in said post apocalyptic world, and would be involved in constant gun battles with neighbors. 

HeavyG

nolaegghead said:

HeavyG said:

nolaegghead said:

I cramed for a few days and passed the test.  It's pretty easy.

Technician class?

Yep. NEVER was interested in learning morse.

They dropped the Morse requirement for licenses 10 years or so ago.

I always thought that every license class should still at least have to be able to pass a 5 wpm test otherwise hams were just CB'ers.

nolaegghead

HeavyG said:

nolaegghead said:

HeavyG said:

nolaegghead said:

I cramed for a few days and passed the test.  It's pretty easy.

Technician class?

Yep. NEVER was interested in learning morse.

They dropped the Morse requirement for licenses 10 years or so ago.

I always thought that every license class should still at least have to be able to pass a 5 wpm test otherwise hams were just CB'ers.

Didn't know that.  Back in '98, it was only not a requirement for technician's.

SaintJohnsEgger

Got my first  CB back in 1974 though I had been involved with Ham radio for several years at that time.

RedSkip

@HeavyG Thanks, I have some reading to do.  Didn't realize thy were international...

OhioEgger

Took the exam three times, back when you had to go to an FCC office to take it.
Tech in 1977, Advanced in 1979, Extra in 1980. Theory wasn't hard, but getting my code speed up to 20 wpm was a bear.

CodyA88

kg4wmu here.  wanted to talk to the world about 10 years ago but the interested has since faded.  Still pull out the HT from time to time and see whats going on.  Just a tech.  maybe someday I'll get the passion to study up for the general.