Anyone a ham?

[Terrancelee]

No, not how you act. Rather, an amateur radio enthusiast. I've had an interest in this for many years, ever since working in commercial radio. Have never got into it though. Wondered if there were any ham fests in the east / north texas areas. Not had much luck via google. Didn't even find any gear at first monday in Canton. Went there for my first time Sunday, very large area for sure, and I never made it through it all, so could have missed some gear somewhere.

[mgadell]

I haven't been active for years, but I'm ex-WN4PYL and ex-KA5WKC. Both licenses are now expired. It was a lot of fun. I got into it as a teenager, then learned more as a radioman in the Navy. I'm sure it's computerized now, at least to some degree. The national ham organization is called the American Radio Relay League and the magazine is called QST. You might try googling them.

Mike

[iCe]

NE5U. I've been inactive for a couple of years. I moved and never put an antenna up (even though my new location is much better suited for it). I used to be very active with mobile CW. I'll get back into it if I ever put an antenna up.

[Chief]

I got my license 2 years ago and love it.

KE5ILI

I realy do like the digital modes. Our local R.A.C.E.S. group are getting ready for a big drill on Sept 22nd.

I'm Running an ICOM 706 mk IIg, Yaesu 1802m, and a vx 170 , with a dipole and a 2 meter ground plane.

I wish we had a radio store out her I need to get a new multi band dipole

[iCe]

Hey Chief, have you considered making your own? ARRL has a good antenna book. I made a G5RV and it worked great. They are very cheap and easy to make. There's a lot of info in the internet about it.

Just a side note- I took all of the tests in one sitting, including the 5WPM code test, for Extra. The rules changed and I took advantage of the slower code requirement. I eventually worked up to 20WPM CW mobile (mobile like driving down the interstate, copying and transmitting code, not parked somewhere.). It took about 6 months of daily use but I got there. I always got a kick out of someone sending NE5U/M? The question mark at the end meant that they didn't know what /M was or they were wondering if I missent

[ratbert]

I have had my license since 1974. The call is WA4BVJ. I was very active in Kentucky but not so much since I have been in Texas. It's too late for this year but you may want to check this out in 2008:

http://www.hamcom.org/cgi-bin/ccp51/cp-app.cgi

[Chief]

Michael

I was never any good at electronics and thats been my big problem. I've taken the General twice and failed it. Lucky there's a great group of HAMS out here and their trying to teach me electronics. Boy thats almost hopeless for me. I am getting better though. I've tried to build my own antennas and if you can't put a blow torch to it I'm lost. I guess it's to many years of being a shipfitter in the Navy.
If you know of anyone with a good HF rig and antenna they want to get rid of let me know. I'm a poor man but I can save up some money some how. Tha County loaned all of the R.A.C.E.S. people a ICOM 706 mkIIg and antenna but I want to get my own some day.

I hope You, Rick and other Hams don't think low of me because I didn't have to learn CW ! I plan on learning it some day.

73's to you guys

Gordon
KE5ILI

[iCe]

Gordon,

Don't sweat the CW stuff. I learned it because I wanted to. There's a program called CodeQuick that is really good. That's what I used. Just Google it. I'm pretty sure that it's still available.

Electronics- I've dabbled in it all of my life. It's not intuitive that's for sure. I've made a few boards and built a few fun things with LED's but not so much lately

PM me your address and I'll send you a fully assembled G5RV kit that I bought a long time ago. By the time it came in I had already built mine out of PVC and electrical wire. They are very easy to build. The kit that I have has a balun so you shouldn't need an antenna tuner. No charge. Hams are supposed to help their fellow hams out. Besides that it's just been sitting here doing nothing and I'm not going to use it. It might not be until this weekend before I can send it though.

[robert t]

K5RLT, got the ticket in 1987. Not real active over the past ten years, been to busy with kids growing up.

[Chief]

Cool pm on the way.

I noticed you like to fish. Come on out !! We have some great Trout fishing.
Also I listen to the mega link 147.280 sometimes. I have heard a few Texans on it.. Maybe I'll hear you.


73's
Gordon
KE5ILI

[iCe]

Originally Posted by Chief

Cool pm on the way.

I noticed you like to fish. Come on out !! We have some great Trout fishing.
Also I listen to the mega link 147.280 sometimes. I have heard a few Texans on it.. Maybe I'll hear you.


73's
Gordon
KE5ILI

Got it. Ohhh the Megalink kicks butt. NM has awesome support fro HAM operations.

[Wendy]

My 12 year old has his license. I understand nothing about it, but he took a course in school last year and got all of his FCC certifications. There's a very active group in the Clear Lake area. If anyone needs info on them, I can ask my son for the contacts.

[Jim Neely]

I'm WA5LHS. First licensed in 1963 as WN5LHS, upgraded from novice to Technician as WA5LHS. I upgraded to General and have been continuously licensed since 1963.

jn

[Terrancelee]

Cool. I picked up a portable shortwave radio several years ago but would like to get into some HF, and maybe test for license. I have no interest in cw, (sorry you "old timers"), too many years in commercial radio. Give me the spoken word or even digital data. I've always been interested in the "unseen" stuff flying through the airwaves all around us. Thanks for the link, will have to remember that next summer. I would have thought Texas would have more hamfests, what with all the open range and all.

I just wish the rigs weren't so expensive! :) I've been reading reviews of gear on this site. http://www.eham.net/

[Chief]

Terry
just do it. you can study for the technician test on line. If you pass it let us know.

Gordon
KE5ILI