Still a Great Hobby
lou giovannetti (KB2DHG)
on
January 8, 2010
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I have been a ham for many years now. I have seen a lot of changes in everything from equipment to license changes. -- From tubes to computers too much to list. BUT the one thing that has never changed is my total interest in this hobby.
I love reading the articles on this eHam.net and was thinking how great this hobby really is and more over how relatively cheap it is to get into. YES you read it right. This is a very affordable hobby. With all the used equipment out there, a would be Ham could get up and running for a few hundred bucks. This hobby affords all a chance to experience the wonders and thrills Amateur Radio has to offer...
I wonder how many hams out there can really appreciate the privilege it is to be an Amateur Radio Operator? I for one appreciate it!
It is just so amazing all the different branches of interest this hobby has to offer. I like collecting QSL cards, Old Vintage rigs and antenna experiments. I love CW and collecting keys. DXing and even QRP. But to me there is no better fun in this hobby than making new friends and having a great QSO!
If you are reading this it is a sure bet that you are a licensed Ham. If you are not a Ham I would strongly urge you to hit the books, computer etc. and study to get a ham ticket. Your world will surely change and you will never be board. This hobby can be a great friend to you.
Don't let anything get in your way. YOU CAN DO IT!
You do not have to buy the latest radio's My shack is filled with 20+ year old rigs that work just as well if not better than today's modern rigs.
My Drake B- Line is a wonderful station. As it is a desirable vintage station the total cost was $700. Which includes the receiver, transmitter, power supply and speaker. NOT BAD But even if that is way too much money for ya, a good search can find you a great transceiver for much much less. OH and by the way my multi band antenna cost me about $20 I made it myself!
So get into it you won't be sorry you did...
There is so much to do with AMATEUR RADIO!
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It's Cheap And It's Expensive
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by N2EY on January 8, 2010
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Yes, the price of mid- and top-of-the-line rigs is far below what it used to be, once you consider inflation. $1000 for a rig was a lot more money 40 years ago, yet you got a lot less performance.
The problem is that the cost of other things necessary to a good amateur station has gone up so much. Like a house where you can have a decent antenna.
In the bad old days, very few hams could afford a top-of-the-line rig. But most hams could find and afford a house where they could at least string up a dipole or put a vertical on the roof.
Now that's turned upside-down.
I liked it better the old way.
73 de Jim, N2EY
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RE: It's Cheap And It's Expensive
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by W3DCB on January 8, 2010
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Have been a ham since about age 13-14 and still obsessed! There is just something magical about RF! Daniel C. Baral
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Still a Great Hobby
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by VE6TL on January 8, 2010
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What continues to amaze me about this hobby is that even after more than a century of experimentation and improvements in just about every aspect of radio, we still aren't there yet. When I first started in this hobby in the early 70's, one of the most popular topics of conversation was on designing the "ultimate" rig. "If they would only take the front end from this one, combine it with the filtering of that one, add these features from yet another one, and put it in a box that makes everything easily accessible, now that would be a radio!" And here we are in 2010 still doing the same thing. The hobby seems alive and well, with new rigs coming out all the time, contesting entries continuing to climb, the number of websites related to the hobby growing, and so on. And instead of the computer/internet killing the hobby, as so many had predicted, it has actually integrated well with radio technology and made things even more fun and challenging than ever. Thanks for the article!
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Still a Great Hobby
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by N0AH on January 8, 2010
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Buy the next $5 table at your local hamfest. Then go in early, scout out the tables, and then negotiate and buy before they open the doors- You'll be home with awesome deals before they even serve the donuts-
I got this idea here in Colorado from a couple who bring in 10 empty plastic boxes at every hamfest and leave with them full, in most cases, before the crowds come in. Then they come back in with their junk to sell. Very quiet and they have scales. E-Bay-er's is my guess- And we wonder why very few rigs are out for sale when we walk in-
I think they are Hamfest Trolls and personally hang out with the Grinch- Wondering the 48 states as they bring dispear from coast to coast....... )-:
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Still a Great Hobby
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by KC8QMF on January 8, 2010
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I love this article. It's very true about used gear prices these days.You can put a station for a few hundred bucks! When I was a kid, we had an old shortwave radio.We would here stations from all over the world.Just couldn't belive what I was hearing thousands of miles away.I guess it doesn't take much to make me happy.But when I hear that call sign coming back to me,from w wire hanging from a tree.
BIG SMILE and WIDE EYES still happen! Enjoy the hobby anyway you can.My friend just got me hooked up with HRD and DM780. Can't wait to try all of this new stuff.
73 Mike/KC8QMF
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Still a Great Hobby
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by K0IC on January 8, 2010
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What I like about Amateur Radio is the variety. When one has the know how and time one can do things others spend big bucks on and get limited results. If it was not for the weather I would be stringing up a loop antenna as some say that works in some cases as well and maybe better than a tower in expensive antenna farms I can not afford. I want to prove that concept to myself. If one likes CW ham radio can be very cheap indeed.
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by KB2FCV on January 8, 2010
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I've been in this hobby 20+ years and it never grows old. I love to build stuff.. whether it's assembling a kit (built a K2 and many other things), collecting a bunch of parts and making a breadboard radio, building antennas and more. CW is my favorite mode, I collect keys and I'm on the air often. Collecting, restoring and using tube gear is alot of fun. I've aquired many nice old radios over the years and they all get used from time to time. I enjoy taking on challenges.. the past few years I've been getting an EME setup together, which including building an array of 4 homebrew yagis. Last EME contest we were picking up signals in my friend's back yard (xmit side wasn't quite ready.. 8877 amp needed a little work yet). This spring we should be making contacts. I enjoy some of the latest technology and digital modes. SDR is a relatively new concept in amateur radio and I definitely can see where it has its advantages. I've dabbled in satellites - I've worked the FM birds with a homebrew yagi. I plan on taking it further with transponder satellites. QRP and portable operating is a joy. I enjoy collecting QSL cards, it's fun to check the mailbox every day to see if a card has arrived from 1/2 way around the world. 6 and 2 meter contests are lots of fun. I discovered only in the last few years "the magic band" There are so many more things I have yet to try, this hobby offers so much!
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by AI7RR on January 8, 2010
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I'm on my second go round in this hobby we call ham radio. The first started in the 70's; then I took a long break, raised a family and spent many years in the military. After jumping back in with both feet, using only well used and homebrew equipment and antennas, I find it very difficult to find my niche. There are so many facets to explore, so many frequencies to dial, so many QSO's to make and so little time. This "HOBBY" can be more stressfull than a full time job. Anybody got an aspirin?
CQ world...de AI7RR k
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RE: It's Cheap And It's Expensive
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by WB2WIK on January 8, 2010
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Nice writeup.
I'll be licensed 45 years this coming April and never been "off the air" more than maybe 3 weeks if I was in the country, and not too much more than that if I wasn't.
Still have an AM-CW transmitter I built in 1966, and still use it (for AM work, anyway).
I think most hobbies are more expensive than this one.
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Still a Great Hobby
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by AI2IA on January 8, 2010
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Still a Great Hobby? No.
Ham Radio is a Great Activity.
Ham Radio is what you make it for yourself.
You can lose yourself in one of the many, many aspects of this techncical endeavor, or you can hop from one area of it to another any time you want.
When you make friends with other hams, that is when it really begins to get interesting.
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RE: Still a Great Hobby
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by K4DPK on January 8, 2010
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Ham radio isn't a hobby. It's a life style.
Phil C. Sr.
k4dpk
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Still a Great Hobby
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by KC2PLJ on January 8, 2010
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Yes, it's a lot of fun. I am still considered new to the hobby. Only about 4 years in. But I like everything about it. CW, SSB Digital modes, QRP, sats and I just bought my first amp! This only scratches the surface, I can't wait to try the next thing. What stress was the other fellow talking about? I think the name for that is WORK. KC2PLJ
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DUDE?
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by PLANKEYE on January 8, 2010
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This is A2AI:
Still a Great Hobby? No.
Ham Radio is a Great Activity.
Ham Radio is what you make it for yourself.
You can lose yourself in one of the many, many aspects of this techncical endeavor, or you can hop from one area of it to another any time you want.
When you make friends with other hams, that is when it really begins to get interesting.
__________________
THIS IS PLANKEYE:
Sir, you have thrown up on yourself and others so much on this site, it is really hard to take your goodwill serious.
PLANKEYE
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RE: It's Cheap And It's Expensive
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by KJ6BSO on January 9, 2010
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I haven't been licensed for very long but what I find I love about ham radio is that it allows me to use so many different skills, everything from building circuits with wire and a soldering iron to woodworking and even plumbing!
How many other activities can you say that about?
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Still a Great Hobby
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by N0BOF on January 9, 2010
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It got down to -30 below zero with wind chills -50 last night here in MN. When I can fire up the rig and talk to someone who is sitting under a palm tree in shorts and a t-shirt drinking a drink with a little umbrella in it....that's pretty cool. Helps me get through these long winter days. That is one of a thousand examples I could give that make this a great hobby.
P.S. It's actually supposed to hit 0 degrees today...yahoo.
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by K3JVB on January 9, 2010
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Yes, it is a great hobby. In my case , even better the second time around.
Today, a ham has more types of gear to choose. Wether it tube gear...or $12k rigs, it is all there.
I like to have a shack with both. And yes, todays dollars to buy more "radio". I just am not at the 12k level. Maybe some day...
Happy New Year (belated)
73
John
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by KB3IBT on January 9, 2010
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I've been a ham since 2002. I could kick myself in the head for not getting my license sooner. Although when I was 17 I did get a practice keyer and a course on tapes and books from Heathkit to study for the then novice ticket. But the excitement of driving and girls got in the way! I used to think that one needed a large antenna and a tower to get on the air. It's amazing what you can do with wire antennas in a small yard. Like many of you, I started out as a SWL way back in the 70's with a radio my grandpop left me when he died. I earned my Tech and General within 3 weeks of each other and the only thing I could afford at at the time was an HTX-10 from Radio Shack (I worked half way around the world on 25 watts!)
I now have a TS-530s and a TS-870 for HF among other radios. Yes I agree, you can do it on the cheap if you buy used. And for those that think they will never be able to spend $1000-$2000 for a newer rig, all you have to do is put away $10, $15 or even $20 in a coffee can once a week and see how much you will have in 1 or 2 years... I know times are tough and it's hard to save, but if you stop eating at Burger King or throwing money on drinks with the guys on Friday nights, you just might be able to save some cash for the stuf you need to get on the air!
HNY....KB3IBT
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Still a Great Hobby
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by K9CTB on January 9, 2010
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Great article. Yep, ham radio continues to be fun, and the capabilities of today's radios versus price is amazing. Of course, e-bay and the estate-flippers have driven the prices of vintage gear through the roof anyway, so it really is worth it to look at what you can get in a new radio for less than $1K. Leaves a lot more for you to spend on your antenna and ground system!
73 de K9CTB
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Still a Great Hobby
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by VE3TMT on January 9, 2010
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N0AH says:
"Buy the next $5 table at your local hamfest. Then go in early, scout out the tables, and then negotiate and buy before they open the doors- You'll be home with awesome deals before they even serve the donuts"
Seriously????
That really makes it fair for the rest of us that have to wait until the doors open. I can't recall how many times I've attended a flea market, whereby spotting an item on the floor behind the sellers table, not two minutes in, only for him to reply "it's sold". How can it be sold when you just opened? Obviously he "negotiated" the sale with another vendor before the rest of us were even able to look at the item.
VE3TMT
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Still a Great Hobby
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by K9CTB on January 9, 2010
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VE3TMT - Two universal truths:
1) Life isn't fair.
2) You Can't Legislate Morality.
But I am withya brother.
73 de K9CTB
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Still a Great Hobby
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by K4ELO on January 9, 2010
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It sure is. And nice to see a positive article with mostly positive comments for a change.
Right about the rigs. I bought a used S Line in 1964 for $1000, but that will buy you a lot better performance today.
Celebrating my 50th year in ham radio and still having fun.
So many new things to play with and so little time...
73
K4ELO (ex K0ZAV, KH6EFO, W9HFR)
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RE: Still a Great Hobby
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by G3LBS on January 10, 2010
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K4DPK on January 8, 2010 said -
'Ham radio isn't a hobby. It's a life style.'
Hey DPK where is your dedication old boy? Ham radio is not a life style nor a way of life IT IS LIFE ITSELF.
Particularly here at ground zero degrees in Grand Island this morning where my only contact with humanity is by ham radio.
I am disappointed when I see the eHam 'Spotlight' shacks dominated by monitors instead of soldering stations, but there we are some people can't write in logs any more, and have carpel tunnel syndrome so they can't turn a knob or use their tools (sic).
Elton John got to a state where he couldn't do his own washing, even if he wanted to.
Tongue in cheek Buffalo Gil Grand Island.
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Still a Great Hobby
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by VK5GI on January 10, 2010
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Good one, Lou. Even taking into account the cost of joining the local radio club, getting a couple of magazines a month, and buying some "precious pre-loved bits and bobs" at the local flea mart, it is still much less expensive than joining the local gold club!
Kind regards
Norm VK5GI
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Still a Great Hobby
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by KF7ATL on January 10, 2010
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I could also kick myself for waiting so long! I'm a newbie at age 53. I have only a modest station and antenna, but I'm having a blast operating SSB and CW, and I haven't even tried digital modes yet! As I learn more about the electronics, I would love to start homebrewing. Almost all of the hams that I have met through the hobby are great people. This has been a very positive experience for me, and I would recommend it to anyone.
73, Garth
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Still a Great Hobby
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by OLLIEOXEN27 on January 11, 2010
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My current station is less than $300. An FT-707 and a homebrew G5RV. I work DX consistantly on 40 meter CW. Don't know where else I could have those kind of experiences for the same investment.
oli
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by VE3GNU on January 12, 2010
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On one occasion on a cold Jan. day I managed to contact a station that was maritime-mobile near the Virgin Islands, doing some snorkeling n'such---temp. in the high 70's F. while on their way to the Panama Canal---and later the same afternoon managed to contact a weather station at Troy in the Canadian Arctic that was in virtual darkness. That, folks, was from a classroom in an Ottawa school---and didn't that make an impression on the kids!!! Aside from the 'great hobby', how about the learning opportunities!!!
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Still a Great Hobby
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by KG4YMC on January 17, 2010
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Hi, everyone. I started out in 2003 as a tec. and made my first contacts on six meter ssb on tribander radio that I still have. My wife got it for me thru a local club that was from a sk widow had donated her husbands radio to the club . I didn't know what was in the box when my wife gave me the box after passing my tec. Could onely use the six meter band , and one of the club members helped me get on six with a crude version of a 6 rotatable dipole and an old at12 I think icom 2 meter rig . But t hat is real sprite of amateur radio , they helped , me get on the air. Now I am hearing aid challenged, spelling challenged , and my fingers are getting arthris , hell to be 57 almost but hobby is still fun. I still stare at the wire antenna after taling to hawaii , or alaska , or cook il. or europe and woner how ten watts and an 40 dollar g5rv antenna up onely 30 feet can do it . I know it can be explained wish I could ride that radio single and see how it got there. Ok, mabey I am a romatic , but that is the magic of radio , enjoy the ride. kgf4ymc
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RE: Still a Great Hobby
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by N7SGS on January 19, 2010
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YES, I REALLY wanted to make this a retirement hobby. Recently, after many years, upgraded to General, and was hot to get on the air. However, started reading forums on this website and became discouraged. The old schoolers continually bashing folks who do not wish to build a rig from scratch, or who do not cherish CW. Hey, why not new members to the hobby whose who only wish is to make DX contacts or belong to a group with ground rules which discourage the talking about equipment? Many forget amateur radio is a HOBBY, and for some this may require an attitude change. I suppose is is not unlike operating a vehicle, and putting up with rude and obnoxious drivers.
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RE: Still a Great Hobby
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by K4DPK on January 19, 2010
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The post by N7SGS does a great job of illustrating a problem with ham radio today, and the vast gap in the opinions of its participants.
Ham radio, like most other serious endeavors, is technical in nature, like it or not. To be interested in electronic communication without caring how it worked, or how to improve certain aspects of it, is silly.
Groups of fishermen discuss lure type and presentation, boats and other equipment. Golfers discuss types and selection of clubs and other equipment, and the methods of use. Would we expect an R/C model enthusiast to never mention the type fuel-proof dope he uses? Don’t guitar players discuss strings, fret wear and saddle height?
After a first few tries, even a bug collector learns to punch holes in the jar lid if he wants his bugs to survive.
I’m not sure how the “preferably ignorant” ham will manage to survive in the long haul. At the very least, he’ll spend less money and endure less stress if he is able to fabricate his own antennas and perform simple layouts and connections.
Consider the “preferably ignorant” fisherman. He buys the wrong bait and equipment, fishes too fast and too shallow, makes too much noise and wonders why everyone else catches fish. Then, while others are loading and leaving, his boat sinks because he didn’t know anything about bilge pumps and plugs.
How should a would-be deer hunter be treated, when he comes into the woods with a 30.06 and shoots at everything he hears? Shouldn’t he know the basics, or should he expect immediate acceptance and welcome from the other hunters who’ve been hiding from him in self-defense?
Most of the old timers I know try to help newcomers when they are receptive to our advice. I have admonished some older guys for occasionally not doing so, but I have also been disappointed and given up at times on the “preferably ignorant” newcomer.
C’mon guys. Nobody expects every new ham to be able to put new finals in his rig or to build an amplifier. But you should be able to measure out and put up a half-wave dipole, even if you did have to ask another ham how to do it.
The point is, the ticket is a beginning, a license to learn. Even if you’re only interested in DX, you’ll be more successful if you study the technicalities of propagation and the radiation angle and patterns of antennas.
Don’t come into ham radio intentionally wanting to not learn, because you’ll miss out on all the fun.
Phil C. Sr.
k4dpk
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by WB4IUY on January 19, 2010
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I've been a ham since '74 @ age 14. I still love the hobby @ age 50 and am on the air almost evey day. I meet nice folks every day on whatever mode I'm on, and can't imagine not being into amateur radio.
I build/fly R/C Airplanes, ride motorcycles, etc...but ham radio is still my favorite hobby of all.
Dave WB4IUY
wb4iuy.net
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RE: Still a Great Hobby
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by N2EY on January 20, 2010
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N7SGS writes: "YES, I REALLY wanted to make this a retirement hobby."
And you can!
AI2IA said it best: "Amateur Radio is what you make of it for yourself"
N7SGS: "However, started reading forums on this website and became discouraged. The old schoolers continually bashing folks who do not wish to build a rig from scratch, or who do not cherish CW."
And the newcomers bashing the oldtimers....
Here's a fun fact:
In ANY activity where there's a wide variety of activities and relatively little supervision, you're going to see a wide variety of opinions and interpretations. And when there's an open forum, a lot of those opinions are going to be expressed, sometimes in very undiplomatic ways.
That doesn't mean you can't have a ton of fun.
Take golf - there are serious golfers with thousands invested in equipment and even more in memberships who treat the game and its rules and traditions with great reverence and respect. And there are folks with battered old clubs for whom golf is mostly a social occasion and for whom the score card is only an approximation of what happened on the course.
Get sailboaters and powerboaters together and watch the sparks fly. Look up the arguments of vintage car and aircraft folks as to whether something should be kept absolutely original or not, or whether a rare airplane or car should be safe in a museum or exposed to the risks of being flown/driven.
N7SGS: "Hey, why not new members to the hobby whose who only wish is to make DX contacts or belong to a group with ground rules which discourage the talking about equipment?"
You can choose the Amateur Radio activities you want. But the fact is that Amateur Radio relies on technology, and the technological know-how of hams is a big part of that.
Worse, the ham without essential techno-smarts can cause all kinds of problems for others on-the-air. Just ask any DXer who has tried to work a rare one buried under those calling on-frequency because they don't understand how to "work split".
N7SGS: "Many forget amateur radio is a HOBBY, and for some this may require an attitude change."
What does being "a HOBBY" really mean in that context?
Does it mean hams shouldn't take anything seriously? That "anything goes" because it's not being done for money?
How about the golfers, sports fans and others mentioned above - should they not take their activities seriously because they are "hobbies"?
And consider the Haiti emergency communications efforts going on right now that are being done by hams. Including volunteers actually going into Haiti. Is all that just "a HOBBY"?
N7SGS: "I suppose is is not unlike operating a vehicle, and putting up with rude and obnoxious drivers."
Exactly. You can focus on them and be miserable, or focus on the vast majority who are courteous and law-abiding.
73 de Jim, N2EY
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by KB4MB on January 20, 2010
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This bashing of "appliance" operators makes no sense to me...
"In my day we made our own rigs out of scrounged materials"...
Great, and I envy that. I also envy the 40 hour work week, with the wife at home taking care of the kids. But that isn't today.
There is nothing wrong with buying a good rig and getting on the air. Don't listen to anyone on here, because this isn't ham radio here; its' out there.
Get on the air, and don't get discouraged; I rarely have run across anyone on the air who has a problem who buys rigs and antennas to play on the air.
On the other hand, I like building my own wire antennas, and wish I had more time to solder - but having two full time jobs limits me to just the antennas :)
After being off the air for 15+ years, I am glad to be back on, and hope to be on CW soon, as well as DXing, doing digital modes, and just ragchewing.
It's still a blast - and the reason is the people. My local radio club has been fun, and people helping for the sake of helping - that's what the hobby is about for me.
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by K4DPK on January 20, 2010
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KB2ING said: This bashing of "appliance" operators makes no sense to me...
"In my day we made our own rigs out of scrounged materials"...
_____________
I say: Here we have another one of you guys fabricating a trumped-up case against old timers.
The only time the words “scrounged” and “appliance” have been used in this thread was when you used them. But you present them as direct quotes. Where did you see them?
Are you so desperate to prove yourself an equal that you resort to making things up? I don’t care whether you know the code or not. I don’t care whether you buy your dipole or not. And now, I’ve gotten to a point where I no longer care whether you get the most possible enjoyment from ham radio or not.
I’m just tired of all your pissing and moaning about the old timers beating up on the new guys.
In fact, it makes me so tired that I’m thinking I won’t try to help any of you any more.
I got involved in e-ham because I thought I could help some of the new people, but all it has done is show me how they feel about us older guys.
Lots of luck when you turn enough of us against you, that you actually have to learn something to be able to operate.
Phil C. Sr.
k4dpk
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RE: Still a Great Hobby
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by N2EY on January 21, 2010
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KB2ING writes: "This bashing of "appliance" operators makes no sense to me...
"In my day we made our own rigs out of scrounged materials"... "
How is that "bashing" anybody?
The truth is that homebrewing used to be a lot more common than it is today. Same with kitbuilding, and converting surplus.
Why is it "bashing" someone if we recall how it used to be?
Buying a rig doesn't make someone an "appliance operator". That term is reserved for those who buy a rig and don't know or care how it works.
KB2ING: "Great, and I envy that."
You can be part of it. Homebrewing, kitbuilding and similar things go on today in ham radio. They're just not as common.
KB2ING: "I also envy the 40 hour work week, with the wife at home taking care of the kids. But that isn't today."
Think about why and how that changed. It wasn't the old-timer hams who changed it.
Consider also how much ham radio stuff used to cost compared to how much the average family had to spend.
KB2ING: "There is nothing wrong with buying a good rig and getting on the air."
Neither is there anything wrong with recalling how things used to be.
73 de Jim, N2EY
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RE: Still a Great Hobby
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by KB4MB on January 21, 2010
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This is the funny thing to me; in my post (just a few above), I have NEVER, EVER said anything about old timers, elmers, or anything. Just about bashing of appliance operators, as if they are less of anything.
I then gave a small explanation why times are different and why more are inclined to go "the easy route".
Nobody is less than anybody - we all have skills (well most of us) that may or may not be relate to our hobbies.
The only thing I object to is the immediate downgrading of anybody based on anything. It isn't normally done on the air, but it is rampant here. So much so that someone a few posts above my original didn't even want to get on the air because of the exclusivity that he sees here. I wanted to give a viewpoint on why he should reconsider.
--Kris, KB4MB
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RE: Still a Great Hobby
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by KB4MB on January 21, 2010
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And I just want to make it clear, I was only responding to the post by: N7SGS, nobody else in my original post. The reply, quote feature, or branching would have made this easier to see, but this isn't available on this site.
My comments have in no way related to any posts above it, so please take it in that context.
--Kris, KB4MB
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RE: Still a Great Hobby
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by N7SGS on January 21, 2010
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Just to set the record straight, I am NOT by nature a plug & go person. My background is USN aviation electronics and 40 years of maintaining mainframe computers. It is an OBSESSION to know how every machine and piece of gear functions internally. This said, at age 68, and on the downhill slope of life, it may not be my choice to "arc and spark" with amateur radio. Sure, I can do the numbers and build an antenna. Yes, have built many electronic devices in my day. This said, sure don't rebuild our car engines and transmissions any more, but still do normal service, brakes, and timing belts. What IS the objection of many to a new operator getting on the air with equipment designed and built by talented engineers? It is my promise to know the procedures, protocol, rules, and be respectful of others. The goal is to retire and participate in amateur radio for pleasure, and be part of a group to assist in the event of any national or local emergency. Is this not one of the primary reasons for ham radio? Those who wish to build their own rigs, gadgets, and antennas, the more power to them.
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Still a Great Hobby
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by N5VU on January 25, 2010
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Active since 1976 (age 16) as a ham operator. You can learn from any life experience. Started as a CBer in 1975. I learned a lot about HV being a CBer. It seemed that that little wire that was on top of the glowing vacuum came un-soldered. Yep, you guessed it, the plate cap complete with HV. It was then that I could actually recommend a procedure in transmitter maintenance. OUCH! 800 VDC hurts like crap! After a year of CB, I figured out that this was a dead end. Studied on my own and got WN5VSS.
Next lesson: When using a Swan 350, never trust the dial. It appears that I was on 7.098.5 talking to W3AKD on CW. Yep, the FCC Office in Orlando issued the Official Notice of Violation. I remember it very well. I opened the mail box to find not one, but two QSO verifications. One from W3AKD and one from the FCC. I thought, "Dang, this hobby was short lived."
Next lesson: Aww shucks, it don't matter nohow, I wouldn't change anything if I had the chance to do it again. Well, maybe the 800 VDC thingy I would change.
I love being a ham operator: You get the experience first and the lesson later.
I love innovation. I'm glad we are making forward improvements in all aspects of life, including Ham Radio. I have always loved contesting. Paper dupe sheets and all. Thank goodness for N1MM logger.
I don't even mind the no-coders. If everybody liked code, then the lower portions of the band would be too crowded to nab that rare DX. On the flip side of this coin, If I were to be required to take a keyboard test to get on RTTY or any other digital mode, I would be a no-boarder. Thank goodness for Marcos!
Ham radio offers something for all comers. There is room for all in the ham radio shack of life. And when I start aging and forgetting things, I believe that I will remember my fun times on ham radio to the end.
73 & God Bless, Marcel N5VU
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