Author Topic: Post your Call Sign (Read 24087 times)

retrolefty · « **on:** January 10, 2016, 08:16:33 pm »

WA6TKD in crazy California.

Not very active on the air, but proud of my discovery of Ham Radio as a youth, I'm sure it set or at least guided a path in my life.

RF is just so cool.

DimitriP · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2016, 08:21:28 pm »

Not a very good idea to do here. There are other places for that

DimitriP · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2016, 08:22:31 pm »

Quote

RF is just so cool.

You can say THAT again!!!

VK5RC · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2016, 10:29:47 pm »

In Adelaide, Sth Australia, currently trying for,1296MHz eme but have fried my pre-amp, obviously have sequencing wrong or emi up power supply.

retrolefty · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2016, 01:42:56 am »

Quote from: DimitriP on January 10, 2016, 08:22:31 pm

Quote
RF is just so cool.

You can say THAT again!!!

OK, RF is just so cool.

AF6LJ · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2016, 04:21:24 am »

First let me say Thank You Dave!!
My callsign is already posted.
While I have only been a ham since 2008, I was an RF tech from 1973 to 1994.
Sadly my carrier was cut short due to the partial loss of what eyesight I had.
Oh Well it was good while it lasted....
Besides I can still do some of what I use to do. (it just takes longer).

babysitter · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2016, 08:25:53 am »

DG3HDA, thats me! Located in JN49, only active once in 3 months or something like that.

vk6zgo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2016, 09:48:18 am »

Quote from: DimitriP on January 10, 2016, 08:21:28 pm

Not a very good idea to do here. There are other places for that

My callsign is already all over the 'Net,on QRZ.com,E-ham, VK Logger,& myriad others.
I guess I could have given myself a nickname like "Blue Wombat",but that sounded a bit "CB-ish".

PE1RKI · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2016, 04:59:17 pm »

Quote from: VK5RC on January 10, 2016, 10:29:47 pm

In Adelaide, Sth Australia, currently trying for,1296MHz eme but have fried my pre-amp, obviously have sequencing wrong or emi up power supply.

some rf coaxial relays only have 30db isolation, and if you make 500 watt, you pump 0.5 watt into the preamp.
same problem with a septum feed.

janoc · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2016, 06:08:11 pm »

OM2ATC here (had OZ2ATC for a while too). Not really active on the bands as I am more into building stuff than ragchewing - and an appartment is not very practical for a proper HF antenna.

Been too lazy to get a French callsign so far so only listening at the moment, but it will come one day

djacobow · « **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2016, 06:22:22 pm »

KK6YRE, though I just passed the Extra test so will probably change to a 2x2 soon.

Updated 3/5/2016: I'm WE6EE now. It's got EE in it and it's sort of Wee! But maybe all those lone dits won't make for a good CW callsign.

GreyWoolfe · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2016, 11:55:09 pm »

NW0LF here. Licensed in 1999. I like working special event stations and some DX. I like building antennas and I have built a couple of transceiver kits. I am also a club officer, club repeater trustee and a Volunteer Examiner Liaison doing monthly testing before our club meetings. You can check me out on QRZ.com and see my 'little pistol' shack.

By the way, RF is cool!!!

Howardlong · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2016, 08:46:49 am »

G6LVB since about 1982.

Mostly space comms, as that's also my day job, although I'm much more of a slave to the soldering iron than to the mic or key.

I've developed and integrated several ham satellites and satellite payload hardware, as well as developing and implementing software techniques in telemetry coding and modulation schemes.

I have been the radio operator on the last 14 UK scheduled ISS contacts, including the one last Friday with astronaut Tim Peake who is on the station for the next few months. I am sitting at the bottom left in this video http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35261160 , hardly my best angle.

Here is a picture of me in a clean room at ESA's ESTEC facility in Noodvijk in the Netherlands during an integration. I then went on to a second career as a dinner lady.

cgroen · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2016, 09:00:55 am »

Greetings fellow Hams

Callsign is OZ9AAR. I was once very active on EME (2M and 23CM) and HF bands. Sold all my equipment (including my 8 meter dish) some years ago but are slowly regretting it

Still have the urge to call out roadsigns in CW when I see them

Currently deep into electronics and micros (been doing that for a living for the last 30+ years)

Attached picture of my old 8M dish and observatory (14" Meade scope)

VK5RC · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2016, 10:45:12 am »

Serious dish envy++++

OZ1LQB · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2016, 12:53:08 pm »

Hi All..
OZ1LQB Claus in denmark here..
and yes hombrewing Rf stuff is cool

mathsquid · « **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2016, 11:34:18 pm »

I am hesitant to post mine--googling it turns up my home address.

(Actually my old address. I should probably update that with the FCC.)

jwm_ · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2016, 11:52:13 pm »

Quote from: mathsquid on January 13, 2016, 11:34:18 pm

I am hesitant to post mine--googling it turns up my home address.

(Actually my old address. I should probably update that with the FCC.)

You can always look up the address of anyone on the fcc site: http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp

And I'm KC6OCB

GreyWoolfe · « **Reply #18 on:** January 14, 2016, 12:56:48 pm »

Quote from: mathsquid on January 13, 2016, 11:34:18 pm

I am hesitant to post mine--googling it turns up my home address.

(Actually my old address. I should probably update that with the FCC.)

So do you not properly identify on the air with your call sign? Hams and SWL will look you up. I have had almost 1500 lookups on QRZ.com for my current call sign. Everyone's call sign with address is on QRZ.

mathsquid · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2016, 03:16:48 pm »

Quote from: GreyWoolfe on January 14, 2016, 12:56:48 pm

So do you not properly identify on the air with your call sign?

Of course I give my call sign when I transmit, but that's hardly equivalent to posting it on a forum. One is an ephemeral transmission that will likely be heard by a small number of HAMs monitoring the local repeater and a few other random people with radio scanners. The other is a written post that will be archived forever and linked to my username on here--a username that I use on some other forums as well.

Does it matter? Probably not. I doubt anyone is all that interested in pinpointing mathsquid's geographic location, but it's a privacy concern and I'd rather retain my current level of anonymity.

AF6LJ · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2016, 04:13:23 pm »

Everyone's address can be found out; it's just a matter of how much trouble someone is willing to go to.

N2IXK · « **Reply #21 on:** January 14, 2016, 04:24:22 pm »

N2IXK here. Licensed since 1988.

Haven't been terribly active on the air in recent years, but due to change in QTH can now put up a reasonable antenna and am planning to do so in the spring and return to the HF bands.

ivan747 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 14, 2016, 07:45:37 pm »

HI8NIE

wkb · « **Reply #23 on:** January 14, 2016, 10:10:00 pm »

Quote from: GreyWoolfe on January 14, 2016, 12:56:48 pm

Quote from: mathsquid on January 13, 2016, 11:34:18 pm
I am hesitant to post mine--googling it turns up my home address.

(Actually my old address. I should probably update that with the FCC.)

So do you not properly identify on the air with your call sign? Hams and SWL will look you up. I have had almost 1500 lookups on QRZ.com for my current call sign. Everyone's call sign with address is on QRZ.

Not really. Depends if people list their address or not. In PA land you can check if a call sign is in use or not, you cannot obtain the address from the government regulatory body. I.e. it is not like with the FCC in the US

KD0RC · « **Reply #24 on:** January 15, 2016, 12:03:48 am »

KD0RC, Len in Broomfield, CO. Licensed since 1970. I have been somewhat inactive, but am relocating my mobile HF rig to a camping trailer where I spend a lot of weekend time...

G7PSK · « **Reply #25 on:** January 15, 2016, 10:35:14 pm »

G7PSK from Norfolk UK.

4cx10000 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 15, 2016, 11:48:36 pm »

SM2GXN northern Sweden, quite close to the arctic circle. Mostly short wave and cw but years back active on ms as well as eme. Sadly QRT for a while until i get those antennas up again... I'm about to put up a 46m tower, but will have to wait until summer

Built quite a few amplifiers both vhf and sw, think I was first in a row of many others that modified a 4CX250B to liquid cooled, at least in Europe - I think... Took my license, think it was 1974

Richard Crowley · « **Reply #27 on:** January 16, 2016, 12:19:25 am »

My call is in my user info to the left. I am also chief engineer for a local TV station.
And an engineer working at the development fab where your computer CPU chip probably came from.

kj7e · « **Reply #28 on:** January 19, 2016, 02:02:37 am »

KJ7E,

http://www.qrz.com/db/kj7e

Like many others here, worked in the Broadcast field for many years.

w2aew · « **Reply #29 on:** January 19, 2016, 04:53:20 am »

Quote from: VK5RC on January 12, 2016, 10:45:12 am

Serious dish envy++++

...did you see the dish we used for the 70th anniversary of Project Diana? Two video links follow...

Introductory video:

Compilation of the 70th anniversary special event EME activityL

73 de W2AEW

VK5RC · « **Reply #30 on:** January 19, 2016, 09:51:54 am »

I did (head hanging low, more dish envy) and I recall a comment from one of your previous videos about you being close to the home of EME. Still trying to get there (and back) myself. 73

Sal Ammoniac · « **Reply #31 on:** January 24, 2016, 01:57:45 am »

Electro Fan · « **Reply #32 on:** January 24, 2016, 05:56:42 pm »

Quote from: w2aew on January 19, 2016, 04:53:20 am

Quote from: VK5RC on January 12, 2016, 10:45:12 am
Serious dish envy++++

...did you see the dish we used for the 70th anniversary of Project Diana? Two video links follow...

Introductory video:

Compilation of the 70th anniversary special event EME activityL

73 de W2AEW

Thanks for making and sharing the excellent videos on a beautiful event commemorating the outstanding results and significance of Project Diana. 70 years later EME is still a very impressive feat.

agronaught · « **Reply #33 on:** January 24, 2016, 09:53:14 pm »

Vk2vjb here. I've been a licenced ham for 8 years now with sporadic periods of activity. Due to multiple large noise sources near home I tend to play radio when camping/mobile.

Currently I'm completing (testing) a custom amplifier controller for the radio clubs EME efforts. This includes nice features such as relay sequencing (preamp etc), vswr and overtemp shutdown, alc shutdown for the radio, etc. It's been an interesting project.

Hopefully at some point this year we will finally be in a position for that first EME QSO.

Cheers.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Bernhard_ · « **Reply #34 on:** January 25, 2016, 08:42:11 pm »

Perfect thread for my first post here...
Hi all together, I am located in Bavaria, southern Germany.
Doing SSB jabbering on shortwave quite regularly, but no "59" stuff; current favorite band is 40 m DX.

Great Forum, fantastic to see so many Hams active here!

Bernhard, DL1BG

roffvald · « **Reply #35 on:** January 26, 2016, 01:52:25 am »

Not HAM, but I'm a commercial radio operator for Norwegian Coastal radio, C/S LGQ, personal C/S is LD2222

djacobow · « **Reply #36 on:** January 26, 2016, 04:43:27 am »

So, I just upgraded to Extra, and with it, the opportunity to upgrade my callsign. I'm thinking 2x2, with the the group-A's being impractically difficult to get.

I'm a very new ham and am not attached to my current sign at all.

So, what makes a good callsign? I don't know code now, but might learn it later. How concerned should I be about length in code? Are some letter combinations particularly likely to be mis-keyed or mis-copied?

mrpackethead · « **Reply #37 on:** January 26, 2016, 05:19:18 am »

139.80.80.80.

Oh, you mean you use wireless thinygs... doh.

GreyWoolfe · « **Reply #38 on:** January 26, 2016, 01:22:50 pm »

Quote from: djacobow on January 26, 2016, 04:43:27 am

So, I just upgraded to Extra, and with it, the opportunity to upgrade my callsign. I'm thinking 2x2, with the the group-A's being impractically difficult to get.

I'm a very new ham and am not attached to my current sign at all.

So, what makes a good callsign? I don't know code now, but might learn it later. How concerned should I be about length in code? Are some letter combinations particularly likely to be mis-keyed or mis-copied?

If you would have checked the box and initial the form 605 to change your callsign, you would have automatically received a 2x2 starting with the letter A. That is the standard scheme for Extra class licenses and they are sequentially issued. When I got my General I got a vanity call with a 1x3-K9WLF as I like wolves. After I got my Extra, I later went with the current call, NW0LF as I wanted a 2x2 and the W0LF callsign is taken. At least the vanity callsigns are now free.

Any letter combination can be mis-keyed or mis-copied depending if you are "ham"-fisted or the person receiving has bad ears. Some letters have fewer dits and dahs to them and those letter combinations are typically more desirable. Developing a good fist is paramount. Someone who sends silky smooth code will always be understood better than a key banger. That said, I barely learned enough 5 WPM code to get my General and the code was dropped right before I got my Extra. I don't do code now but someday I may put time into relearning and using it.

gmetaxas · « **Reply #39 on:** February 01, 2016, 12:18:09 pm »

QRA is SV1DEQ. I got my license in 1994. I am not active on the air for several years but ham radio was the introduction to my professional life as an Electrical and Computer Engineer.
My first acquaintance with ham radio was the Jamboree-On-The-Air (JOTA) when I was a Scout. I had always loved to play around with radios and listen to the strange sounds on various bands, including storms and NDB stations - I remember listening to the NDB that was a few km to the south of Athens Hellenikon Airport back then... "dah dit dah dit dit dit dah dit dah dit" (KVR)! Back in 1990, I was astonished with talking to other stations. A few years later I became a junior member of the Radio Amateur Association of Greece and took the preparatory course for the license exam. At that time, Morse code was mandatory to get a license so I learned to receive by ear and to send by hand - and I was really good at it!
After that, I have had relatively few QSOs around Europe and reaching not farther than Middle East. I enjoyed building and using wire antennas for 20 m and higher. Today, I want to try my hand in homebrewing modern equipment but resources are really scarce... Anyway, ham radio is the strongest motivation I ever had in pursuing a degree and a career in Electrical Engineering. And this is why I like it.

Paul Rose · « **Reply #40 on:** February 01, 2016, 09:12:21 pm »

K0EET

TheBay · « **Reply #41 on:** February 01, 2016, 11:16:56 pm »

de 2W0ODS here.

IO81 South Wales UK,

Hope to have a QSO with some on here

73's

SKPang · « **Reply #42 on:** February 08, 2016, 08:37:51 pm »

M1AFD from Essex, UK.

KEØBKM · « **Reply #43 on:** February 08, 2016, 09:29:30 pm »

ke0bkm United States

general Class

G0WZB · « **Reply #44 on:** February 08, 2016, 09:54:25 pm »

G0WZB....which is strangley my forum name
Located In Hebburn, Tyne and Wear England

Milmat1 · « **Reply #45 on:** February 11, 2016, 01:42:39 am »

"73"
.......N8QZH..

dkozel · « **Reply #46 on:** February 17, 2016, 10:49:18 am »

Hello folks, AG6PO checking into the net.

I do a lot of SDR operation and am currently marching my way up the microwave bands. This weekend will be a Summits on the Air trip near San Jose, California operating the 1.296 GHz band.

Errmy · « **Reply #47 on:** February 17, 2016, 10:59:39 am »

DM4RK here, Loc JO31ql

AdamHi · « **Reply #48 on:** March 01, 2016, 05:42:18 pm »

de W H 6 M, grid BL11ch
Honolulu, HI, USA
72 (qrp for 73)

mvs sarma · « **Reply #49 on:** March 02, 2016, 08:11:55 am »

hi,
Thanks tomoderator.
i have been a ham just last 30weeks, from India.
Callsign: VU3ZMV
Handle: sarma

I'm not yet on HF but only on Local VHF at Hyderabad, India.

regards
sarma
vu3zmv

KD0CAC John · « **Reply #50 on:** March 02, 2016, 03:26:06 pm »

Posted since I been here

KC9FJE · « **Reply #51 on:** March 04, 2016, 08:54:37 pm »

My username is my call so no hiding that one haha
12 years as a ham, nearly 1.5 as an Extra class. Mostly a digital mode operator (heavily favoring JT65 and WSPR) I tend to dabble more with guitar effects/amps than RF though in my free time but enjoy working with both. I'm currently working security overseas while knocking out my BSEE so I can make the jump to the electronics design field.

With any luck I'll get my YI call and get back on the air, until then I'm stuck to operating remotes.

borjam · « **Reply #52 on:** March 04, 2016, 09:58:06 pm »

EA2EKH here.

Exam passed in 1989, applied for call sign a year ago

(long story).

Anyway, finally!

NF6X · « **Reply #53 on:** March 05, 2016, 10:04:40 pm »

NF6X here. I play with old military radios, and I am active in the West Coast Military Radio Collectors Group. In fact, I'll be running our weekly AM net on 3985 at 19:00 PST tonight if I can get my big T-368C transmitter working again. I had it apart to deal with an issue of arcing on voice peaks, and I did something in the process that messed up the modulator plate current. Fun with high voltage and 60 year old wiring!

cadamei · « **Reply #54 on:** March 06, 2016, 12:11:12 pm »

I started a EE degree after finishing high school, but I dropped it a year later. Now 7 years on and I'm trying to tech myself what I didn't finish.

My current dilemma is choosing between an oscilloscope and an SDR.

See you all around.
cad

Dave Atom · « **Reply #55 on:** March 14, 2016, 12:02:50 pm »

G6FFB here, not been active for a while but licence is still current

Kohanbash · « **Reply #56 on:** March 14, 2016, 09:45:00 pm »

KB3RMP. Mostly local VHF/UHF in Pittsburgh, PA

AF6LJ · « **Reply #57 on:** March 14, 2016, 10:22:55 pm »

Quote from: NF6X on March 05, 2016, 10:04:40 pm

NF6X here. I play with old military radios, and I am active in the West Coast Military Radio Collectors Group. In fact, I'll be running our weekly AM net on 3985 at 19:00 PST tonight if I can get my big T-368C transmitter working again. I had it apart to deal with an issue of arcing on voice peaks, and I did something in the process that messed up the modulator plate current. Fun with high voltage and 60 year old wiring!

Oh Dear; good luck getting that beast back on the air.

Nickolaos · « **Reply #58 on:** March 24, 2016, 08:49:39 am »

Greetings from Greece.SV6RDF.I am a post graduate electronics engineering student from Greece

F6DEX · « **Reply #59 on:** March 25, 2016, 10:04:23 pm »

Hello from F6DEX Laurent

ytterligare · « **Reply #60 on:** March 30, 2016, 10:03:35 pm »

I3APR here in jn55mk, from Verona, Italy

kayaks · « **Reply #61 on:** March 30, 2016, 10:38:14 pm »

WL7CG in Valdez, Alaska. Ops mostly HF digital modes.

ArdRhi · « **Reply #62 on:** April 13, 2016, 10:11:45 pm »

NG3P here, near Valley Forge.

When I saw a 2x1 with my initials was available, I grabbed it!

JStevensAB9JS · « **Reply #63 on:** February 09, 2017, 07:51:33 pm »

"73"
John AB9JS

Johncanfield · « **Reply #64 on:** February 09, 2017, 10:53:53 pm »

QRZ..

John, WB5THT in central Texas. First licensed in 1964 as WN4UUQ, Novice class. Back then a Novice class license was good for 12 or 24 months, I forgot. Instead of learning code I had a Heathkit 2er (2 meter five watt AM transceiver) and just chatted locally. Back into the hobby about 1977 as WN5THT then WB5THT. I've been an Extra class (with 20 WPM code) since about 1994.

Currently active on JT65 using an Elecraft K3s. Since my first "real" transceiver after moving past Novice class was a Kenwood TS-520, I also have one in my station as well as a Kenwood TS-830. For 75 meter nets I use an Acom 1000 amplifier (1000 watts output.)

73 de John WB5THT

tkuhmone · « **Reply #65 on:** February 09, 2017, 11:44:45 pm »

hi,

OH7HMS here, from southern Finland. Can also use OF-prefix at call in 2017, as 100th independence year at Finland :-)

Got my license at 1998 when was on the end phase of my telecomm engineering studies. Currently setting up a remote station to central Finland. There is less radio pollution on the air and more places to put antennas for HF bands. I have tested there FT-817ND, but more powerful rig is on the list. I think 50...100W will be sufficient next step on power output. It could be SDR radio, maybe from Flexradio...

Until couple of years ago I mainly used equipment (radios, antennas and test equipment, see link) on the local hamradio club. Currently belong to a new club, there is still possiblity to have contacts and some tweaking & RF measurements with electronics :-)
http://tinyurl.com/jndeanh

Luap2 · « **Reply #66 on:** February 20, 2017, 04:43:42 pm »

WL7XQ Anchorage,Alaska

kgharibyan · « **Reply #67 on:** February 20, 2017, 04:48:15 pm »

EK7PP

Armenia

73 !

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jopie · « **Reply #68 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:04:52 am »

PG4I from the Netherlands, since 1976 (former callsigns PA3ABA and PA4TU). Mostly CW and contesting below 30 MHz. And homebuilding of course...

cprobertson1 · « **Reply #69 on:** February 24, 2017, 01:28:48 pm »

MM6XKC from Irvine, Scotland: active since November 2016 - will hopefully have an intermediate license in a month or two!

Primarily VHF-FM with occasional VHF-USB, UHF-FM and UHF-USB: will be live on from March 2017 onwards

Main Rig: Yaesu FT-991
Main antenna: Diamond X-50N Collinear (2m/70cm)
Secondary antenna: G5RV 1/2 size
Tuner: MFJ-939Y

Portable Rig: Baofeng UV-5R
Main antenna: 38cm whip
Secondary antenna: backpack mounted 90cm loaded whip for QRP work
Tertiary Antenna: 10cm Rubber Ducky or 3cm Stub antenna

W2NAP · « **Reply #70 on:** February 25, 2017, 01:00:18 am »

not on radio much, if I do any HF it is 99.9999999999% jt65/9

W9GFO · « **Reply #71 on:** March 13, 2017, 02:58:20 am »

`. ___
__,' __`. _..----....____
__...--.'``;. ,. ;``--..__ .' ,-._ _.-'
_..-''-------' `' `' `' O ``-''._ (,;') _,'
,'________________ \`-._`-','
`._ ```````````------...___ '-.._'-:
```--.._ ,. ````--...__\-.
`.--. `-` ____ | |`
`. `. ,'`````. ; ;`
`._`. __________ `. \'__/`
`-:._____/______/___/____`. \ `
| `._ `. \
`._________`-. `. `.___
SSt `------'`

At first I was just going to post a couple arrows pointing to the left, 'cause that's where you'll see my call sign, then I spotted this "move" button, then tried it with ASCII art... too much?

janoc · « **Reply #72 on:** March 13, 2017, 09:11:45 am »

Quote from: W9GFO on March 13, 2017, 02:58:20 am

At first I was just going to post a couple arrows pointing to the left, 'cause that's where you'll see my call sign, then I spotted this "move" button, then tried it with ASCII art... too much?

Richard Crowley · « **Reply #73 on:** March 13, 2017, 01:02:59 pm »

Quote from: W9GFO on March 13, 2017, 02:58:20 am

At first I was just going to post a couple arrows pointing to the left, 'cause that's where you'll see my call sign, then I spotted this "move" button, then tried it with ASCII art... too much?

The last guy who posted a large piece of ASCII art in these forums has been arrested and locked up for anti-social behavior. But perhaps that is just a coincidence.

retrolefty · « **Reply #74 on:** March 13, 2017, 04:35:37 pm »

Quote from: W9GFO on March 13, 2017, 02:58:20 am

`. ___
__,' __`. _..----....____
__...--.'``;. ,. ;``--..__ .' ,-._ _.-'
_..-''-------' `' `' `' O ``-''._ (,;') _,'
,'________________ \`-._`-','
`._ ```````````------...___ '-.._'-:
```--.._ ,. ````--...__\-.
`.--. `-` ____ | |`
`. `. ,'`````. ; ;`
`._`. __________ `. \'__/`
`-:._____/______/___/____`. \ `
| `._ `. \
`._________`-. `. `.___
SSt `------'`

At first I was just going to post a couple arrows pointing to the left, 'cause that's where you'll see my call sign, then I spotted this "move" button, then tried it with ASCII art... too much?

Never seen that before posted here, kind of unique. We Hams have a history of using what they have to get the most out of what they do have and know.

tkuhmone · « **Reply #75 on:** March 13, 2017, 11:02:54 pm »

Quote from: W9GFO on March 13, 2017, 02:58:20 am

At first I was just going to post a couple arrows pointing to the left, 'cause that's where you'll see my call sign, then I spotted this "move" button, then tried it with ASCII art... too much?

I remember this call sign was used also on the movie "Contact". I bought the movie when I got my first laptop with a DVD player

W9GFO · « **Reply #76 on:** March 14, 2017, 05:08:07 pm »

Quote from: tkuhmone on March 13, 2017, 11:02:54 pm

I remember this call sign was used also on the movie "Contact". I bought the movie when I got my first laptop with a DVD player

Yes, it was used in the movie. A brief description of how I came to have this call sign is here in this 20 year old, never been updated webpage. http://www.qsl.net/w9gfo/

raspberrypi · « **Reply #77 on:** March 15, 2017, 05:25:53 am »

I always wondered how they assign those. Is it based on country or location? How do they know its actually you and you're not just "borrowing" someone elses?

W9GFO · « **Reply #78 on:** March 15, 2017, 10:40:49 am »

Quote from: raspberrypi on March 15, 2017, 05:25:53 am

I always wondered how they assign those. Is it based on country or location? How do they know its actually you and you're not just "borrowing" someone elses?

Yes, based on country and location. In the US, the "W" prefix is used in the East and the "K" is used in the West. Vanity calls can use either. New callsigns are assigned sequentially. Other countries have their own prefixes.

"They" will know when other hams report you. Hams are self policing and almost universally takes the rules seriously. If they didn't they would risk losing (more) bands to commercial and government interests.

W2NAP · « **Reply #79 on:** March 15, 2017, 08:50:07 pm »

Quote from: W9GFO on March 15, 2017, 10:40:49 am

Yes, based on country and location. In the US, the "W" prefix is used in the East and the "K" is used in the West. Vanity calls can use either. New callsigns are assigned sequentially. Other countries have their own prefixes.

the K/W thing is mainly broadcast (AM,FM,TV) Hams get anything from a W,K,N,AA-AL all new tech/gens get a Kx# call no matter if they are east/west

W9GFO · « **Reply #80 on:** March 15, 2017, 09:27:10 pm »

Quote from: W2IBC on March 15, 2017, 08:50:07 pm

the K/W thing is mainly broadcast (AM,FM,TV) Hams get anything from a W,K,N,AA-AL all new tech/gens get a Kx# call no matter if they are east/west

I stand (sit) corrected. It is the number than denotes region for Hams not the letter. This explains it pretty well; http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?id=amateur&job=call_signs_1

And this from wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_call_signs

Theamber · « **Reply #81 on:** March 16, 2017, 04:50:13 am »

KE6OJE.

raspberrypi · « **Reply #82 on:** March 16, 2017, 07:12:31 am »

Quote from: W9GFO on March 15, 2017, 10:40:49 am

Quote from: raspberrypi on March 15, 2017, 05:25:53 am
I always wondered how they assign those. Is it based on country or location? How do they know its actually you and you're not just "borrowing" someone elses?

Yes, based on country and location. In the US, the "W" prefix is used in the East and the "K" is used in the West. Vanity calls can use either. New callsigns are assigned sequentially. Other countries have their own prefixes.

"They" will know when other hams report you. Hams are self policing and almost universally takes the rules seriously. If they didn't they would risk losing (more) bands to commercial and government interests.

Hmmm... I just ordered a baofung 455 mhz ham radio... Maybe I will get my license although I really don't like talking to the other people other then "Where are you located, can you hear me". I just like the "dx'ing" and trying to see how far/low power I can go. Unless I end up in jail before then. Press that little TX button and you are headed to jail.

raspberrypi · « **Reply #83 on:** March 16, 2017, 07:15:13 am »

Quote from: W9GFO on March 14, 2017, 05:08:07 pm

Quote from: tkuhmone on March 13, 2017, 11:02:54 pm
I remember this call sign was used also on the movie "Contact". I bought the movie when I got my first laptop with a DVD player

Yes, it was used in the movie. A brief description of how I came to have this call sign is here in this 20 year old, never been updated webpage. http://www.qsl.net/w9gfo/

I thought the spinning .gifs were the coolest thing ever when they came out. I like when you could do html in notepad.

Harb · « **Reply #84 on:** March 16, 2017, 10:06:26 am »

New here, but VK2XYP is my call............cheers

W9GFO · « **Reply #85 on:** March 16, 2017, 10:45:32 am »

Quote from: raspberrypi on March 16, 2017, 07:15:13 am

I thought the spinning .gifs were the coolest thing ever when they came out. I like when you could do html in notepad.

I made that using AutoCad along with some gif program, sure spins a lot faster now than when I made it.

W9GFO · « **Reply #86 on:** March 16, 2017, 10:53:44 am »

Quote from: raspberrypi on March 16, 2017, 07:12:31 am

Hmmm... I just ordered a baofung 455 mhz ham radio... Maybe I will get my license although I really don't like talking to the other people other then "Where are you located, can you hear me". I just like the "dx'ing" and trying to see how far/low power I can go. Unless I end up in jail before then. Press that little TX button and you are headed to jail.

There are quite a few ham activities that do not require talking.

Getting a technician license is easy. Too easy in my opinion. There are a ton of resources for studying for the test, both free and paid. Anyone who puts a little effort into it will pass.

W2NAP · « **Reply #87 on:** March 16, 2017, 02:01:41 pm »

Quote from: W9GFO on March 15, 2017, 09:27:10 pm

Quote from: W2IBC on March 15, 2017, 08:50:07 pm
the K/W thing is mainly broadcast (AM,FM,TV) Hams get anything from a W,K,N,AA-AL all new tech/gens get a Kx# call no matter if they are east/west

I stand (sit) corrected. It is the number than denotes region for Hams not the letter. This explains it pretty well; http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?id=amateur&job=call_signs_1

And this from wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_call_signs

the broadcast k/w divide is quite interesting as well.

http://earlyradiohistory.us/kwtrivia.htm#kwmap

KTGG in Michigan was issued by the FCC in the 1980s (appears someone in the office thought MI was MO or MN. also FCC gave a NY station KCBE in 2008 and a Wisconsin station KSPP in 2015

raspberrypi · « **Reply #88 on:** March 16, 2017, 10:26:30 pm »

Quote from: W9GFO on March 16, 2017, 10:45:32 am

Quote from: raspberrypi on March 16, 2017, 07:15:13 am
I thought the spinning .gifs were the coolest thing ever when they came out. I like when you could do html in notepad.

I made that using AutoCad along with some gif program, sure spins a lot faster now than when I made it.

.gif files age with time, they lose frames and appear to spin faster.

Chig · « **Reply #89 on:** March 17, 2017, 12:24:37 am »

Quote from: W9GFO on March 15, 2017, 09:27:10 pm

Quote from: W2IBC on March 15, 2017, 08:50:07 pm
the K/W thing is mainly broadcast (AM,FM,TV) Hams get anything from a W,K,N,AA-AL all new tech/gens get a Kx# call no matter if they are east/west

I stand (sit) corrected. It is the number than denotes region for Hams not the letter. This explains it pretty well; http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?id=amateur&job=call_signs_1

And this from wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_call_signs

And in Australia we have quite strict callsign areas, based on state, as per below with state capital cities in brackets.

VK0 - Australian Territories in/around Antarctica (including Macquarie Island and Heard Island, etc)
VK1 - Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)
VK2 - New South Wales (Sydney)
VK3 - Victoria (Melbourne)
VK4 - Queensland (Brisbane)
VK5 - South Australia (Adelaide)
VK6 - Western Australia (Perth)
VK7 - Tasmania (Hobart)
VK8 - Northern Territory (Darwin)
VK9 - Island/External territories not in Antarctica (Such as Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, etc)

If you're licenced as a VK2, but move to Victoria, and then apply for a new callsign, you'll be given a VK3 call. There's nothing stopping amateurs from licensing themselves in any state they wish, however... But it's $52 a year per license. While legally, i don't think you need to change your call from a VK2 to a Vk3 in the above scenario, it's generally expected that you would get a VK3 callsign if you're going to permanently operate out of VK3.

Makes chasing a 'worked all states' award a lot easier, when you just need to know what their callsign is to know where they are based. And obviously, if you ever hear a VK0 or VK9 on air, jump on it. Rarity after that would probably be VK8 followed by VK7. For special events, Australian amateurs can also use the AX prefix as well, but all other parts of the callsign remain the same - So on Australia day someone could be using AX1WIA, but in reality, it's the same station as VK1WIA, just operating with a special event callsign. The scouts movement also have reserved callsigns available to them with the suffix of SAA-SDZ.

Every now and then you'll find a VI (Victor India) prefix on air too - they're used for special events related to that particular state. I remember using the callsign VI3SAV for a Scouts and Venturers event in Victoria, probably about 18 years ago.

As far as i know, there are no 2x1 callsigns for Amateurs in VK. Pretty sure the 2x1 format is used for scientific licences, eg VK6C.

NA5WH · « **Reply #90 on:** March 19, 2017, 04:53:32 am »

NA5WH formerly KC5QYO (~1995 - 2010), even though I am now moved to 4-territory from 5-territory.

Off and on HF (mostly digital modes). Originally started with short-wave listening, then did a lot of VHF/UHF.
Recently upgraded to EXTRA as I was going to try to form a club at work here in Florida to be a counterpoise for the club at work in California for emergency stuff. (Okay... really so I could actually put up an antenna, as here in Miami its basically a no-can-do, everything has to be invisible, but of course my work is on 45 acres and has 400,000 sq ft of roof-top area, sadly next to an airport, so still ahhs to be limited height, but better than nothing). But then we had a bunch of layoffs, and lost the primary people that I was going to form with left.

TheSteve · « **Reply #91 on:** March 19, 2017, 05:09:05 am »

Quote from: raspberrypi on March 16, 2017, 07:12:31 am

Quote from: W9GFO on March 15, 2017, 10:40:49 am
Quote from: raspberrypi on March 15, 2017, 05:25:53 am
I always wondered how they assign those. Is it based on country or location? How do they know its actually you and you're not just "borrowing" someone elses?

Yes, based on country and location. In the US, the "W" prefix is used in the East and the "K" is used in the West. Vanity calls can use either. New callsigns are assigned sequentially. Other countries have their own prefixes.

"They" will know when other hams report you. Hams are self policing and almost universally takes the rules seriously. If they didn't they would risk losing (more) bands to commercial and government interests.

Hmmm... I just ordered a baofung 455 mhz ham radio... Maybe I will get my license although I really don't like talking to the other people other then "Where are you located, can you hear me". I just like the "dx'ing" and trying to see how far/low power I can go. Unless I end up in jail before then. Press that little TX button and you are headed to jail.

You might go to jail quicker if you do tx on 455 MHz vs on an amateur radio band.

VE7FM/VE7EZD

janoc · « **Reply #92 on:** March 19, 2017, 10:23:45 am »

Quote from: raspberrypi on March 16, 2017, 07:12:31 am

Hmmm... I just ordered a baofung 455 mhz ham radio... Maybe I will get my license although I really don't like talking to the other people other then "Where are you located, can you hear me". I just like the "dx'ing" and trying to see how far/low power I can go. Unless I end up in jail before then. Press that little TX button and you are headed to jail.

If you want to do DX-ing, you should probably focus on HF bands, not 455 MHz. UHF is good for relay traffic (whether digital or voice), local "walkie-talkie" style coms or talking to satellites but as it is mostly line of sight, DX-ing on it is going to be a challenge.

And be really careful about the frequency where you press that TX button. If you do it on a HAM band, you will get yelled at at worst, unless you are continuously causing interference/transmitting. Most will not bother to report you, though.

However, if you stray into one of the "pro" bands - like airband, railways or something similar that are around there too, rest assured that the van with with the antennas will show up in your neighborhood pretty quickly. The consequences are not pleasant.

Also those cheap BaoFengs are not great when it comes to signal quality (splatter), so interference is likely, especially if you hook it up to an amplifier or higher gain antenna.

Just get an entry level HAM license and be done with it - and you will learn about the rules in the process too, making life easier for everyone around you.

Chris Wilson · « **Reply #93 on:** March 21, 2017, 02:50:57 pm »

2E0ILY here in the county of Shropshire, England UK. I am a race car engineer so will be reluctant to lost this call sign if I try and pass the Advanced UK exam...

Hobbies are amateur radio, especially on LF, breeding and owning livestock guarding dogs, of which I have ten, and motorsport engineering, especially suspension design.

WA5PSA · « **Reply #94 on:** March 21, 2017, 06:48:42 pm »

Uh...WA5PSA. Since 1966.

See you in Dayton!

WA1ICI · « **Reply #95 on:** March 31, 2017, 04:55:33 am »

I first got WN1ICI in 1967 (novice call sign) in Connecticut, then upgraded to Tech a year later. At that time, the Novice license was one year, non-renewable. I worked 2-meter AM until that mode died. Through college and then a move to Silicon Valley in 1977, I was off the air, but kept renewing the license. To my surprise, I was not assigned a W6 call sign. I did some 70cm work while working in Cupertino, but then lapsed. I'm now mostly retired and living in rural Nevada. I'm somewhat active on 2 meters and 70 cm, and once the code reqirement was dropped, I've upgraded to Extra Class

.

I'm into vintage tube equipment and am slowly setting up an HF station. With a WA1 call sign, there is no problem on the VHF/UHF bands, but on HF I expect some confusion, with the local W6 and W7 stations thinking they are getting DX. We will see. I am somewhat attached to my originally-issued call sign.

- John Atwood, WA1ICI

xrunner · « **Reply #96 on:** April 16, 2017, 12:00:34 am »

Mine's shown in this thread ...

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/eevblog-member-country-qsl-cards-i've-received/

OE2WHP · « **Reply #97 on:** April 24, 2017, 10:22:21 am »

I won't post my call here. They are going to find me

just kidding.... see my nick

73

GW7MGW · « **Reply #98 on:** April 24, 2017, 11:51:00 pm »

Good way to say hello, started with VP8XBHZ a special two meter call sign, then got VP8BKM returned to UK and asked for reciprocal and told you must be joking, so took RAE and became GW7MGW, then went travelling again so got VR2ZEP as to what call sign you get with latter shown a list and asked which I wanted.

Now hardly ever used, got some radios some where, but after local RAYNET went that was really the end for me. Son was also licensed at one point also a GW7 call sign but he let it go. As to if he can send in the RAE exam and get it back I don't know, all changed now.


EEVblog Main Site	EEVblog on Youtube	EEVblog on Twitter	EEVblog on Facebook	EEVblog on Odysee