The Ham Shack - B&B's Amateur Radio Club

[KQY61]

Hi,

I have three clubs around here doing FD. One is High Powered the other two are akin to a cookout with some operating going on. I usually go to one of those and bring my mobile RF Laboratory along (from my professional radio side). That way if something seems as if it isn't working properly, we can check it out. And, along with that, two 6m setups. One on SSB and one on FM. 'Tis the time of year for E skip.

Stan - w2ck

 

[thermographer]

It's been awhile since I've checked into B&B, far too long.
Newer ham radio operator here first licensed in 2022, started with a Xeigu G90, recently an old Navy Buddy sold me his Yeasu FT-991a. I have a Wouxun KG-UV980P mounted in a vehicle, and an Anytone 878. Outside I have a 46" telescoping fiberglass mast to hang dipoles/wire antennas.
Really enjoying the hobby, and found a great local radio club in Tennessee. Working with HF phone / Pota hunter, FT8, and DMR.

73, Kevin - W4KAM

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

That's the key (pardon the pun). Have fun with it.

We added seven folks to the hobby this morning. The exam sessions have been larger since that storm hit Western NC.

73 de w2ck

Stan

 

[poppi]

KM5LS here. Good DX today, picked up Western Sahara, Portugal and Columbia. Also been doing a lot of POTA lately. Fun time!

 

[Bsamps]

Did a search in here, I knew I’d find some radio operators in here. I found this radio near the mailbox on my property last week. Talked to the mail carrier, it’s not his. I would like nothing more than to get it back to its owner. A long shot, I’m sure. Is there a registered id or something built into the radio that would identify who it belongs to? It powers on but, I have no clue on how to operate it. I did a google search and found the manufacturer website, sent them an email but, no response.

Thanks!

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

No way to trace the serial number that I know of. MFG is in China and these sell through not only ham radio stores but all sorts of websites. I don't think anyone in the supply chain keep track of any of these.

There may be a menu option to store the owner's callsign. Most radios don't have such though. The ones that can operate a digital mode do, but this is not one of those. It is a basic, entry-level type FM-only radio. And, as such low-cost. I don't own one, so I can't check as see what menu options it might have. Maybe someone who has one will see your post and check on that.

You probably are now the owner of a radio. Maybe it will lead to you getting into the hobby. It did for my wife. She won a 2m/440 handheld at a hamfest. She handed me the radio and I handed it right back and told her to get her own license. She did.

73-w2ck

Stan

 

[Bsamps]

Thanks Stan,
Not sure if I want to engage in another expensive hobby but, ya never know. My grandfather had a ham shack but, I think that was his hobby to get away from my grandma at times. I’ll keep up my hopes that someone will remember where they lost it, and inquire. If not, then oh well. Thanks for your input.

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

Well, that is an inexpensive radio when one buys it. In your case, it's even less expensive.

What it does is allow you to use the repeaters in your area. A lot depends on just where they are in relation to you when it comes to being hand held. But a better antenna can be used and so increase the range. Both at home and in the car. Plus an external speaker and microphone can be used.

If you are content with talking within a 50-100 mile circle using repeaters, then this can be an inexpensive hobby. The price tag doesn't really go up until you get into the High Frequency part, where the radios and antennas become much larger and more costly.

So, even if the owner comes looking for the lost handheld, you can get another one for less the $50.

Should you decide to go for it, hamstudy.org is an excellent place to begin. Once you learn what you need for the Technician Class license, hamstudy can also help you find an examination session.

73-w2ck

Stan

 

[Bsamps]

Still no inquiry on the lost radio. I downloaded a user manual on the internet, and have been enjoying listening in on some conversations. I can’t respond or initiate a call but, I am enjoying tinkering with it. Perhaps I’ll look further into this ham radio thing.

 

[Bsamps]

Looks like a full charge on the battery but, it is depleting. I suppose I should find a charging cord for it. I browsed the hamstudy website. Is the technician course what I should begin with, if I decide to dig a bit deeper?

 

[blethenstrom]

Looks like a full charge on the battery but, it is depleting. I suppose I should find a charging cord for it. I browsed the hamstudy website. Is the technician course what I should begin with, if I decide to dig a bit deeper?

Yep the technician course is where you start.

 

[Bsamps]

Yep the technician course is where you start.

Thank you.

 

[blethenstrom]

Thank you.

KO4QLT here btw

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

Looks like those chargers are around $10 from multiple sources.

Yes, Technician is the level to begin with. That covers the electronics basics and VHF/UHF operation. That's what you have been listening to. VHF and/or UHF as that is what that particular radio does.

General is the next level, and that gets more into the electronics plus HF, aka shortwave, operation.

Amateur Extra is the top level and is aptly named. It covers a lot of varied subjects many of which are extra operating modes and associated equipment.

The breakdown of the 833,000 individuals with ham tickets is that 50% are Technicians. The the Generals make up slightly greater than 25% and Extras slightly less than 25%.

The idea is to keep it fairly simple to begin with and then learn while having some fun.

Note that as the operating frequency rises, the antennas become smaller. So that is a real plus when one is getting started.

Stan

 

[Bsamps]

I signed up for the tech course. I’ll start looking at that this evening. Once I get through that, I’ll decide if I want to continue. Most likely I will. I remember my grandfather would sometimes communicate with people as far as Canada, and we lived in So Florida at the time. To communicate at that long of range, I assume that’s a higher frequency? Forgive me for asking such basic questions but, I’m completely dumb with all of this. I’m sure that I’ll get a broader understanding of how this works as I move forward. Thanks for the input.

 

[Bsamps]

As I am beginning the tech course online, which I find this stuff very interesting but, some of it is very basic… I’m curious if there are printed versions of this course that some of you might recommend? I find that reading from a computer screen is very straining on the eyes at times.

 

[Bsamps]

Hi,

Looks like those chargers are around $10 from multiple sources.

Yes, Technician is the level to begin with. That covers the electronics basics and VHF/UHF operation. That's what you have been listening to. VHF and/or UHF as that is what that particular radio does.

General is the next level, and that gets more into the electronics plus HF, aka shortwave, operation.

Amateur Extra is the top level and is aptly named. It covers a lot of varied subjects many of which are extra operating modes and associated equipment.

The breakdown of the 833,000 individuals with ham tickets is that 50% are Technicians. The the Generals make up slightly greater than 25% and Extras slightly less than 25%.

The idea is to keep it fairly simple to begin with and then learn while having some fun.

Note that as the operating frequency rises, the antennas become smaller. So that is a real plus when one is getting started.

Stan

Found one on Amazon. Be here tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

The ARRL has some decent books for each license class. But, I see you have one coming.

Yes, the lower the frequency, the longer the range. Some bands have good ionospheric skip at night. The Technician class doesn't go long enough for the nighttime skip. Ten Meter single sideband is as low as it goes. That's open for long range during the daytime right now and for the next few years. That's due to the solar energy from sunspots which is on an 11 year cycle. Right now its at the peak.

Now, the General class gets you all those bands lower in frequency than 10 meters. There is the old way of saying it, in meters referring to the physical length of the radio wave. And the newer way of saying it, in cycles per second, called Hertz. Anyway, the General gets you all the bands lower in frequency that the Technician doesn't.

These lower frequency bands are split up. Some for Morse code and some for voice. And then each of those are split for General class operators and Advanced (an old class no longer available but those who hold one can keep it) and then Extra class.

The main segments are for General class and above. That's really where one wants to get to after a few years. The Extra, as I mentioned, is aptly named. But you do get additional operating frequencies.

Anyway, to begin with, you can have a lot of fun, and learn a lot along the way, with Technician and FM and repeaters. Mainly on the 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands. AKA 146 Mhz and 440 MHz.

73 - w2ck

Stan

 

[Bsamps]

Thanks Stan. Honestly, I had no intention in getting into this but, here I am… finding it very interesting and wanting to learn more. I’ll take it one step at a time and see where it leads. Thank you for your input. You seem to be very knowledgeable and I hope you don’t mind me picking your brain. Thanks again.

 

[Bsamps]

Ordered this, will be here tomorrow. The charge cord should be here today.