This guy outlines most of the important stuff:
http://www.w8ji.com/station_ground.htm
I wish I had interest, but it's going away very quickly.
All I can think to myself is, “blah, blah, I couldn’t care less that it’s automatic and local control”. I think that’s what goes through most people’s heads and that’s why they don’t get it.
Thanks for the link.
Chinese plugs are just shorter and narrower than the standard US plug by ~0.5mm.
Chinese plugs are just shorter and narrower than the standard US plug by ~0.5mm.
But I don't live in China.
That's the problem , if you did they would fit & you wouldn't have a problem
Actually I had the same problem, never bought wun hung lo plugs again, take it back.
That's the problem , if you did they would fit & you wouldn't have a problem
Actually I had the same problem, never bought wun hung lo plugs again, take it back.
Ah you're right. It takes me a while to catch on.
It used to be sitting up all night talking to people on the other side of the world for free was a big deal. Now, here we are.
Yep, it used to be something amazing, but I don't think young people today would consider it anything all that great. We've kinda got into that before in this thread. Of course I can't do that on 2m or 70 cm, but even using repeaters and HTs it's not anything better than what cell phones can do around town with less equipment (no mobile ant. or installation required). In fact it's LESS capable than a cell phone because I can't send pics, take pics or video, send texts, make calendar entries, use a calculator, play a game ... I suppose in some sense a ham HT would work in an emergency, provided the repeater had power of course.
If the repeater had no power an HT theoretically could talk to someone else - if anyone was listening that could do anything to help you. Right. If there was that kind of emergency, the answer back would probably be something like "We hear you and we'll get to you after we get the power back to the cell towers"
If I go on trips around town what do I make sure not to leave behind - my cell phone or my HT? There's you answer.
But, it's a hobby so I'll press on because I remember when it really was something few people could do any other way. Oh the memories.
I've been accumulating radio equipment (receivers, transmitters and transceivers - mostly vintage tube) for the last ~15 years. I'm now at a point where my "shack" is constructed and organized to the extent that I can finally begin planning the final bit - working out and erecting the backyard antennas and sitting for my HAM license. My motivation is entirely centered around an interest in restoring, maintaining and working the old equipment, rather than using it as a substitute for modern methods of communication. It is quite irrelevant to me that I can communicate with others across the globe much more efficently via the internet!
As for the HAM license, I have to say that to date I haven't even looked into what's involved to pass or made inquiries to the appropriate authority, save that my aim is to qualify for the "Advanced" certificate as that gets me onto 160m and 2200m.
So what is the most expedient course of action to get that out of the way? I'd really prefer NOT to join any kind of exclusive club for assistance (I have enough worldly experience at this stage of my life to know that is something to be avoided). Does being an employed, qualified "Electronics Technician" get me any up front credit? I don't think that there is anything much on the electrical theory side that I would have to learn, except perhaps for some theory on antenna operation, but I'd definitely need to read up on the rules and regulations.
Also, is there anyone out there experimenting with operation on 2200m or know of any good, authoritative HAM references/texts on the use of the band? There really isn't a great deal out there that I can find.
I've been accumulating radio equipment (receivers, transmitters and transceivers - mostly vintage tube) for the last ~15 years. I'm now at a point where my "shack" is constructed and organized to the extent that I can finally begin planning the final bit - working out and erecting the backyard antennas and sitting for my HAM license. My motivation is entirely centered around an interest in restoring, maintaining and working the old equipment, rather than using it as a substitute for modern methods of communication. It is quite irrelevant to me that I can communicate with others across the globe much more efficently via the internet!
As for the HAM license, I have to say that to date I haven't even looked into what's involved to pass or made inquiries to the appropriate authority, save that my aim is to qualify for the "Advanced" certificate as that gets me onto 160m and 2200m.
So what is the most expedient course of action to get that out of the way? I'd really prefer NOT to join any kind of exclusive club for assistance (I have enough worldly experience at this stage of my life to know that is something to be avoided). Does being an employed, qualified "Electronics Technician" get me any up front credit? I don't think that there is anything much on the electrical theory side that I would have to learn, except perhaps for some theory on antenna operation, but I'd definitely need to read up on the rules and regulations.
That's the point,it's a hobby!
For some reason,Ham Radio seems to be the only pastime that has to prove itself relevant in these times.
Yachting?----Every year,dozens of yachts compete in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race.
Why would you want to do this trip in a sailboat,when you could fly from Sydney to Hobart in a couple of hours?
Hunting?---You can buy meat at the Butcher!...
See,it sounds stupid for these other activities,so how is it a useful comment when used about Ham Radio?
not sure if Morse code is still a requirement
Thanks! I particularly like the book reference. It's a pity136kHz isn't a legal HAM band in America; there would be a lot more literature on the topic if it was.
not sure if Morse code is still a requirement
No, not anymore. It's been dropped for an number of years now, AFAIK.
That's the point,it's a hobby!
For some reason,Ham Radio seems to be the only pastime that has to prove itself relevant in these times.
Yachting?----Every year,dozens of yachts compete in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race.
Why would you want to do this trip in a sailboat,when you could fly from Sydney to Hobart in a couple of hours?
Hunting?---You can buy meat at the Butcher!...
See,it sounds stupid for these other activities,so how is it a useful comment when used about Ham Radio?
You're missing the whole point unfortunately. It is a hobby and doesn't have to justify itself as you said. It is, however, a matter of how interesting the hobby is to young people. For example fishing - there is no substitute for catching a real fish in the wild unless you go out and fish for one. Same thing for hunting. There is no modern "invention" that renders these hobbies irrelevant as far as fun goes. Going to a grocery store and buying a fish isn't an interesting or fun substitute for fishing for one yourself.
As far as Ham radio, there is an interesting and fun substitute for communicating with people from a handheld device. It's called a cell phone. There is an interesting and fun substitute for communicating with people all over the world without an HF rig and antenna. It's called the Internet and Skype. Those are the points you are missing.
For some reason,Ham Radio seems to be the only pastime that has to prove itself relevant in these times.
Heh. Those of us who still load (some of) our cameras with film often get asked similar questions
A cellphone is a phone!--exactly like the old black Bakelite thing on the wall back in the day!
My question is still,why should Ham Radio have to prove its relevance?