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Who Ham? You Ham?

DonTom said:
Back in those days, one had to be motivated to get a ham ticket. That has changed. Now there is no motivation to learn CW at all, not for any class of license. Back when I was young, many other hams were my young age (teens). Now everybody on CW is still my around age (70). No young ones on CW any more. But IMO, anybody who learns CW well enough to get good at it, usually gets hooked on it. There are many hams all around my age, who ONLY work CW, such as myself. Looks like when we're gone, there will be no more CW ops in the USA.
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CW does take commitment.
It is very cool to comm around the world.

I live in the South Bay but have a large enough lot to install a larger antenna... if I chose to do so. I have my Step Dad's Avanti PDL II AV122 antenna (dis-assembled and stored). It is a cb tuned antenna so don't know how/if it would work in other (close) freq's. I doubt it. May just try to sell it for something more modern.

DonTom said:
Is the Heathkit Receiver a HR-10?
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It's the Heathkit GR-91
F-I-L also left me an old ICON IC-215 crystal transciever and a Zenith Ghia Trans Ocean RD7000Y.

The Heathkit and Trans Ocean are what have me thinking about a long wire antenna.

I use a Btech UV50x2 transceiver in my jeep.

DonTom said:
I used to homebrew all my transmitters. But now, I just find it too easy to buy the stuff. My main rig is a Yaesu FTdx1200

73, -Don- AA6GA/7 Payson, AZ (RV).
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Agreed.
But that old stuff is pretty darned cool!

I learned electronics in the 60's & 70's. Starting with tube theory (as that is what was primarily used then). In the USAF ('71 - 73, early out for end of 'Nam) I was a ground radar tech so learned early solid state theory there (Keesler AFB).
Worked my way thru college doing construction and repairing old tube TV's for folks in my small town.
 
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m0t0_ryder said:
It's the Heathkit GR-91
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A generl coverage receiver. Not the best for hamming.

m0t0_ryder said:
Trans Ocean RD7000Y.
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I once owned one of those. I bought it in Vietnam at a PX in Camh Ranh Bay in 1969 and had it shipped back home (San Mateo, CA).

m0t0_ryder said:
I learned electronics in the 60's & 70's. Starting with tube theory (as that is what was primarily used then).
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Same here.

m0t0_ryder said:
In the USAF ('71 - 73, early out for end of 'Nam)
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I was drafted into the army in March of 1969 and I ended up in the infantry in the Central Highland jungles of Vietnam. I was also in the 1970 Cambodia incursion.

73, -Don- AA6GA/7 Payson, AZ (RV)
 
When I took mine the key was memorizing practice tests online. Took a few hours to be able to pass the test easily from memory. Pass the Technician test easily the first try. Just looked and mine expires this year.
 
Here's a Youtube video on FEMA (and other) frequencies used during this Covid-19 pandemic... and other disasters.

[youtube]pLZXHdU6GA8[/youtube]

Here's a link to the referenced American Disaster Shortwave Radio Frequencies.

Sounds like radio traffic has picked up since the virus began.
 
Planning to take an exam soon. Picked up Baofeng 8wt last year.
 
I have a general class HAM license. Usually just carry a handheld in my backpack for emergencies.

Was wondering if there are HAM frequency based motorcycle helmet units, so we can all talk during a group ride :) :ride
 
nich said:
I have a general class HAM license. Usually just carry a handheld in my backpack for emergencies.

Was wondering if there are HAM frequency based motorcycle helmet units, so we can all talk during a group ride :) :ride
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Cool idea, but I'm not aware of anything. I tried the Sena bluetooth interface with my Yaesu VX7, but even though it's BT it still has a lot of wires and connections to mess with to have the radio connected. It also had some issues dropping out.

It would also require others to have the same device or compatible devices. I've found that using Sena's in a group works great, and if you're out of range of each other you can just call them on the phone as long as you're in cell range.

I'd be interested in seeing what's out there if you find anything.
 
I don't know the details, but some of my paragliding friends are getting Sena mountain bike helmets to connect via Bluetooth with handheld Ham radios and its working well. I think Anytone radios have the needed functionality?

I'm still in the speaker mic camp as I don't like headphones while flying so I haven't paid attention to the details.
 
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