The Impossible Contact...
from
N5EIO (Former KD4MRI)
on
March 18, 2003
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I'd like to know were I should be going with my amateur radio hobby. I have tried various modes. I have shelled out all kinds of money for everything from the latest "And God said let it have every button known to creation" rig to a retro, qrp, one crystal rig. I have worked the sats and tinkered with microwaves. I've done it all.
Or at least I've tried to... One thing keeps hanging me up whenever I try something new: nobody responds. This is not another "we should all listen more and transmit less" article. Nor is it a "we need more new hams" article. No, it is an indictment of my fellow hams for perpetuating the myth that anything about amateur radio is easy or even possible. A strong charge, I'll grant you. So then a little history is in order.
I have been a licensed amateur radio operator since the early 90's. Yes, I was a "no-code" ham. I studied long and hard for that test. No, I didn't have to learn any code but it was still very important to me. This was going to be one of those pivotal actions; I was going to DO SOMETHING for my community and myself.
After I got my ticket, I bought a used 2m Kenwood HT. It was a brick to be sure. I couldn't see wearing the thing on a belt. But I still treasured it. I often got on the local 2m repeater and announced "KD4MRI listening". Nothing. "KD4MRI, is anyone on the repeater?" Nothing. "KD4MRI, is there anyone out there?" Nothing. Then, just before I would switch off in total frustration, two or three guys would come on and start gabbing away. No it wasn't always the same guys. And no, there wasn't a net about to occur. Logic says they all couldn't have turned on their rigs at the exact same time. Somebody had to have heard me... and ignored me. It happened again and again and again...
I worked packet for a while. I could connect to a few digipeaters in the area with little or no effort. I tried to connect to the other guys I'd see "online". Nothing. I tried leaving my TNC in beacon mode calling CQ while I sat by and read or something. Nothing.
I got my General ticket after the code speed drop. I was sure that if I got on HF, that's where the "REAL" hams were. I traded my prized R-7000 receiver for a Kenwood TS-570D with the G option. That rig had more extras than I could ever learn to use. I set everything to its default setting, tuned up the antenna, and keyed the mic. "CQ, CQ,
CQ" with my call sign (at that time still a 2x3) three or four times. Nothing. Switched bands, tried different modes, different antennas. Nothing. I monitored myself with a portable SW receiver and a set of headphones to prevent feedback. Booming signal. But night after night for a year or more: nothing.
I tried microwave by fashioning a wide band FM rig from a radar detector and a modified 10-meter receiver (just like in the ARRL handbook). I never could find anybody so inclined to take the x-band plunge with me. I've bounced my signal off of distant metal structures with a clear return; it would have worked great.
I tried sats with a Yaesu FT-729, low loss cable, and two ground plane antennas. I could hear others and based on my return signal I'm pretty sure they could hear me. But once again nothing.
My financial state has changed drastically in the past year. I have sold most of my gear and now have a 2m multi-mode I can't seem to part with, the HF receiver, and a little pixie QRP transceiver. I can't afford anything else. I'm trying to convince myself really hard that all that has happened to me has been a coincidence and force myself to learn operational quality (as opposed to test quality) CW. "Surely the REAL hams are all using CW" I tell myself. Hmm...
I have to say, by now, I feel a bit like a well-seasoned junkie. I know the stuff is bad for me. I'm loosing a fortune on this seemingly pointless habit. But, in spite of it all, I keep chasing the finally satisfying "fix".
So what's my problem? Bad attitude? Yeah, maybe. After all this time and money, can you blame me? What about bad luck or bad timing? Nope. Can't buy that. The equipment worked and I was doing it by the book.
Could it be my fellow hams? "Nah, couldn't be" you say? Quick test: 1.) Have you sent more than 5 QSL cards in the past month? 2.) Have you talked to anyone you don't have a regular 'sked' with in the past week? 3.) Have you ever tried a new band or mode without absolute certainty it wasn't already brimming with contacts?
What depresses me most is I probably won't just put all the gear on a closet shelf and forget about it for a couple of decades until I magically rediscover amateur radio in my twilight years. No, I'll probably keep at it like Don Quixote, charging after windmills... Trying to contact the impossible contact.
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The Impossible Contact...
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by KU4UV on March 18, 2003
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You say you called CQ night after night for almost a year with no response? I am sorry but I find that one hard to believe. I can't believe that if someone heard you on the HF bands that they wouldn't respond. I have had the same problem you have had on 2 Meters. It seems like if they don't know, most people aren't going to bother answering you on the local repeater. It seems sometimes like I call CQ for an eternity on 10 Meters without a contact, but I am only running 25 Watts into a dipole, and sometimes the band is sporadic at best. Have you tried CW operating? I just can't believe that short of a radio/audio/antenna problem that SOMEONE on the HF bands wouldn't answer a CQ call. Don't give up. Good luck to you.
Michael Brown KU4UV
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by KA0MR on March 18, 2003
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Persistance pays off but again yes 2m FM does have this club-member mentality. Try 2mSSB there is a great bunch of us up there. Get on there meet some of the guys then get a mobile loop antenna from NØMST (best out there) or M2 and announce to the 2mSSB buddies your going to start mobiling with it. Garantee you'll have many base SSB stations to talk to. Being in Kerrville I know there are tons of Central States VHF members with equipment on 24/7 such as W5LUA to name one.
2mSSB is a blast mobile.
Bob KAØMR
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by GM0IIO on March 18, 2003
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Might help a bit if you joined your local ham radio club. Just my 2 cents....
Regards,
George
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by KD5VHZ on March 18, 2003
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I wouldn't know about HF, I'm a no code Tech working for my code test and General License, but you're so right about 2 meter FM. It was really a shock to me to find out how snobbish it was (with a few nice exceptions). I work nights from a car (and my 2 meter mobile) and scan most of the local repeaters. I make it a point to answer anyone who comes up on frequency. Sure makes the hours go by faster.
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by WB2TPS on March 18, 2003
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I won't address the 2M FM problem, that is an issue unto itself.
You talk about radios with lots of buttons, but not about antennas,propagation or technique.
Radio communication requires a knowledge of propagation and a realistic view of ones station capabilities.
What kind of signal do you have on HF? Few people will respond to an S-1 signal on a crowded band.
Have you tried calling other stations?
Did you try a contest? Working the fringes of a contest is a good way to quickly determine station capability.
And, yes, CW is the best mode for weak signal work.
There are a lot of stations running QRP and/or sub-optimal antennas. They are making contacts and having fun.
Take a hard look at your set-up and operating practice. Review the Operating and propagation sections of the Handbook.
Good Luck
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by WB2TPS on March 18, 2003
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I won't address the 2M FM problem, that is an issue unto itself.
You talk about radios with lots of buttons, but not about antennas,propagation or technique.
Radio communication requires a knowledge of propagation and a realistic view of ones station capabilities.
What kind of signal do you have on HF? Few people will respond to an S-1 signal on a crowded band.
Have you tried calling other stations?
Did you try a contest? Working the fringes of a contest is a good way to quickly determine station capability.
And, yes, CW is the best mode for weak signal work.
There are a lot of stations running QRP and/or sub-optimal antennas. They are making contacts and having fun.
Take a hard look at your set-up and operating practice. Review the Operating and propagation sections of the Handbook.
Good Luck
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by RADIO123US on March 18, 2003
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I had the same problem for a while and
was beginning to think that no one wanted
to talk to me on the HF bands. It turns out
that the problem was my antenna. It was working
more like a dummy load than an antenna. When
I put up a brand new antenna that was designed
for the band, I got an answer on my first call.
So please check to make sure your antenna system
is working properly.
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by KC7MM on March 18, 2003
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Everyone is coming up with technical details and reasons for why you aren't making a contact. No one has offered to try a QSO. Hooey! Let me know when you are available in the early evening my time (5:00-9:00 p.m. PST), a date or two (March 19,20, 21st??), give me a frequency that you are sure you can get out on, and I'll be there.
I like SSB or CW on HF. You pick your favorite. I want to get back on digital (RTTY, or PSK3. Can you work those modes? Let's chat. davery26@attbi.com
73 & DX!
Dale KC7MM
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by K3UD on March 18, 2003
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While I tend to think this might be satire there were some good points made.
2 meter FM use seems to be declining at a fast rate. 2 meter SSB and CW is not used by many hams out side of the larger metro areas. ( I sure do not hear much of it here) Same for 6 meters unless the band is open for sporadic E propogation. 2 meter packet has also declined markedly. I can't comment on the use level of SAT or microwave amateur communications because I have never used them. (did have an APX-6 on 1296 Megacycles in the 60s which was used to get some VHF contests contacts around Philadelphia)
220 always has been an almost always been a dead band in many areas. Why do manufacturers put 6, 2, and 432 in their radios but not 220?
A CQ on 160 and 75, other than during a contest is rare. There is a bit more on CQing on 40 meters but it has dropped off there quite a bit over the last 25 years or so. You almost need to be part of a regular group or net to get some air time. A CQ can still be found on 20 and 17 and 10 while 12 meters seems not to be used very much unless there is a DXpedition holding court. Like the 220 situation, major antenna manufacturers do not make many antenna designs for 17 and 12 meters. The tribander still reigns surpreme, not the 5 bander.
On the other hand, one can usually find a CW contact when calling CQ on most HF bands although I have never had a reply to an SSB or CW CQ on 12 (at least that is my experience)
Problems with the antenna system also ten to limit contacts. It took me several weeks before I made my first CW contact as a Novice because I knew nothing about antenna theory, (my antenna configuration? was actually very close to a dummy load) and was tuned up on the seconed harmonic
of my 80 meter crystal.
Keep plugging
73
George
K3UD
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by EA5ON on March 18, 2003
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I bought a 2m handie last week, first vhf operation for over 12 years although I'm on HF daily. No problems to work people for hours on end on HF, but 2m is dead. I've made 2 contacts in 1 week so far. I live in a city of around 1 million inhabitants. Someone surely hears me call? Maybe. But there again, I don't hear anyone else calling, so maybe I'm wrong?
73 de Duncan EA5ON
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by KB1FLR on March 18, 2003
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Two meter FM is alive and well up here in the northeast, but repeater usage seems to vary widely across regions. Is it possible the repeater had a PL tone? In that case you wouldn't be heard even though you could hear other hams.
You mentioned calling setting you radio to its default settings and then calling CQ. It could be that your voice chacteristics are such that you were hardly putting out any power on SSB due to insufficient gain.
On the other hand, as others have mentioned, your problem could be your antenna system. It is entirely possible to tune a vertical to 1:1 swr, and radiate next to nothing. If you were using a vertical with an insufficient ground plane/radial system, then you might be booming into you SW receiver 50 feet from your antenna, but still not be making it out of your neigborhood (so to speak).
It is much easier to make contacts with limited equipment using CW and CW ops are usually very welcoming.
Find a ham nearby that can help you figure out if your station is marginal. Join a club that maintains a repeater.
Good Luck,
Rick, KB1FLR
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by WB2WIK on March 18, 2003
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The article was amusing, so I'm not sure if you're kidding or really serious.
If you are serious, you mentioned the TS-570S but never mentioned your antenna. The antenna and operator do all the work in making wireless contacts, and the equipment is of little consequence. What kind of antenna do you have, for HF?
The 2m "ignore the new guy" phenomenon is nothing new, so as for that, I'm not terribly surprised and I believe you completely! To that end, joining a local club or two and meeting the locals face to face helps a great deal. Then, they know you, and then, they'll answer you. I had to do that, as did most others.
Maybe it's just experience, but if I call CQ on 40m CW at almost any time of day, on a clear frequency, in the right part of the band, with 5W and a dipole, I get an answer about 90% of the time. If I respond to someone else's CQ during an operating event (pick a weekend -- there's almost always something going on...last weekend it was the Virginia QSO Party), running 1W and any sort of decent antenna, I am heard 99% of the time. But if I make the call running 100W and a lousy antenna, all bets are off.
WB2WIK/6
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by W9WHE on March 18, 2003
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I can certainly understand your frustration with the vast 2 meter wasteland. If you are not a member of the club, nobody talks to you.
HOWEVER, on HF did you ever try ANSWERING a CQ? Every try dropping a comment into an ongoing QSO to join in? These two time-tested techniques work for me. As a last resort, ever join in a net? Either you have some drastic problem with your antenna and/or feedline, or you have not tried any of the above.
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by N8UZE on March 18, 2003
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Another advantage to joining a club, is that there are often members who thrive on helping someone figure out problems like this. By joining a club, you find these people. Of course you will have to accommodate their schedules as they do this on their own time but you can learn a lot this way.
Having an "Elmer" to help you is important as there are a lot of things you learn only through experience. The Elmer has that experience and can pass it on to you.
Many repeaters, especially in medium and larger cities, have a PL tone on them to prevent interference. You will need to get a copy of a current repeater directory to get the access tone setting (unless you have one of the rigs that can scan to get it).
It's difficult to diagnose problems long distance. However, I would agree that on HF, your signal might not be getting out. An Elmer can help you figure out why.
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by K1FOO on March 18, 2003
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Here's a fast and friendly way to see if you are being heard. Try checking into the Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14300 Khz any afternoon/evening up until around 9 pm. I have found the net to be professional, friendly, and they usually have several stations monitoring around the country to perform relays if necessary, so if they can't hear you, chances are pretty decent you have a technical problem at your shack/antenna. Listen for a few minutes, and when the net calls for check-ins from "any station" throw out your call, name, and QTH, and "no traffic". Don't give up! You deserve praise for sticking it out this far!
Good Luck...
Chris K1FOO
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by K7KCS on March 18, 2003
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I have thousands of QSO's 80 mtrs to AO-40. About 10 or 20 of them were the result of a CQ. The rest were the result of me calling somebody I heard. Not many of them were calling CQ either. Sometimes I read the mail on a QSO and break in when appropriate or call one of the stations when they say 73's. If I hear them I know the band is open to that area and I have a chance (not guarentee) to work them with my vertical.
Maybe someone has mentioned earlier, but the ARRL band plan list has "calling frequencies" listed that will have a better chance of producing results to a CQ, kind of like using a fishfinder to know where to put your bait in the water.
73's Tracy
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by K8AG on March 18, 2003
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Any ham who has been on the air for a short time has run into hams "lurking in the background". It is their choice as no FCC rule prohibits not returning a CQ. If what you say is true, however, I find it difficult to believe that you do did not have a major transmit or antenna problem of some sort. Receivers nowadays can find signals using a 40 watt lightbulb as an antenna. My problem, especially on 40, is usually finding a place to call CQ. Most often I will wait until I hear a CQ being called. If you heard CQs and they didn't come back to you, look at your transmitter.
Look into QRP operating techniques and maybe we will connect with pixie transceivers some day.
73
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by K1DRM on March 18, 2003
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I got my General and Extra licenses just about a year ago. Since then I've had just under 900 contacts on HF all using indoor antennas since I live in a condo. Many of those contacts came about because I responded to CQ's that I heard. But others came about from people responding to my CQ's. A couple of questions: (1) Have you tried respdong to CQ's that you hear? and (2) Have you tried contacting special event stations?
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by KD7KGX on March 18, 2003
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Geez... I have been a licensed ham since September 2000, and have had no problem finding lots of people to talk to.
I have made a TON of contacts on HF. I started off as a QRP CW operator, and have quickly worked all states, and about 70 countries. I find it hard to believe that you can't make a single CW QSO on 40m in more than a decade! Heck, if you REALLY want to talk to someone, download free PSK31 software and set your rig to 14.070 in the evening... you'll be able to make a dozen QSOs in an evening. With a decent antenna and a 100w HF rig, you will be able to talk to someone 24 hours a day.
Re VHF/UHF, the situation is a little different here... but I just picked up my first H/T last Friday, and was able to make a contact by calling 'CQ radio test' on 146.52 that evening after the battery charged. Today, sitting by my computer, I heard a conversation on a repeater, broke in with my callsign, and joined in, and the hams were happy to have me.
Most VHF/UHF voice QSOs happen over repeaters, and usually between people who know each other. You won't find a lot of people waiting for a QSO on 2m, but you will find it easy to join in a conversation, check into a net, or engage in a short QSO. Do you have a list of local repeaters? Check out http://www.artscipub.com/repeaters/ and program your H/T with local repeaters, and listen for conversations that you can join.
My point here is, maybe it's you. Not that you're a bad person and no one wants to talk to you... but that maybe you're doing something wrong. Read the 'ARRL Operations Manual' to get some hints as to proper etiquette on the various bands. Contact your local section manager and try to get a list of local VHF nets. LISTEN on 7.040 and reply to someone else calling CQ. Try PSK31 on 20 meters.
There's plenty of people out there who want to talk. You just need to find them.
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by W5HTW on March 18, 2003
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Like others who have commented, I find it almost impossible to believe you can operate on HF, calling CQ, for a year, and not have a contact. Not saying it didn't happen, but it is not anything like the norm, and that means there is something wrong. It isn't that you have bad breath, especially if you operate CW!
1. Antenna is incorrect or not working. Almost anything will receive signals. But making it transmit is a whole different ball of worms.
Are you using an antenna tuner? If so, how do you adjust it so that you know the SWR and forward power on a particular band and frequency?
Is the antenna cut for a specific frequency? Where? Is that where you are operating? Is it an all band antenna? Does it require a tuner (some do not.)
An antenna tuner, a manual one, can be set so that all RF energy pumped into it results in heat in the antenna tuner itself, and virtually none gets to the feedline or antenna. It will still receive very well.
If the ground is open on your coax between your rig and your tuner, it will still receive very well indeed. And you can still tune the rig, but you sure won't get anywhere. Check all the coax.
2. Rig. Do you see power output on the rig's output meter? Do you see forward power on your SWR/power meter?
Could you be calling CQ with the RIT engaged, so that you are transmitting on another frequency away from your receive frequency? Could the finals be tuned to a harmonic? Or not tuned at all?
Just because you hear your own signal on a local receiver, using earphones, doesn't mean it can be heard 100 yards away.
3. Hate to suggest it, but is your code readable? I've heard people calling CQ and I could barely decipher what there were attempting to say. Obviously they thought they were doing OK or they'd be practing, not getting on the air. Are you using a bug? For slow speed CW you should be on a hand key, and you should master Morse at 15 wpm minimum before you even 'think' "bug." Using a keyboard? Set to a speed you can copy? Using a keyer? If so, get tape recorder, send yourself about a half page of text from a book, at your favorite speed. Put the book away, take a break, then play the tape back and see if YOU can copy it. Having trouble? Maybe others are too.
4. Are you calling CQ at a much higher speed than you can copy, hence people are answering you and you don't realize it?
5. On SSB - find a local traffic net on 75 meters - or 40 if you have to - and try checking into it. On 20 meters and up the propagation may not favor you and you may not be heard, although the Maritime Net on 14300 is a good place to try. But on 75 meters you will be working ground wave if you try it early in the evening before the summer QRN wipes it out after dark. Try for a net in your area, listen for one, then try to check in with "no traffic." (By the way, avoid cutesy phonetics when doing so - use your call sign, or, if requested, standard phonetics.)
6. Format. Are your "CQs" fifteen minutes long? Do you vary in speed as you call? (That's call a 'swing') Try this: Keep CQs short for a while. Pick a frequency. Call: CQ CQ CQ DE CALLSIGN CALLSIGN CALLSIGN K and tune the RIT around your freq. But switch the RIT back off, or zero it, before you call again. If no response, make the CQ a bit longer. I remember hearing someone send "CQ" 24 times, then DE and his call sign twice. In that length of time he could have had a complete QSO.
7. Answer others. Listen. Hear two guys, whether on SSB or CW, talking, find something you know something about and hop in there. Just give your call sign. They'll invite you in most of the time.
8. "Listening" is not a CQ. On VHF a lot of folks don't care if you are listening. It's a coffee club. You drop into the local diner to sit and drink coffee, not with strangers, but with your friends. And that takes place on two meters as well. Answer? Make friends. That means wait until two fellas are talking, and listen until something sounds interesting to you. Then when they pause for a moment, as they are supposed to do on repeaters, hop in there, by just saying your call sign - And again I'd avoid cute phonetics.
The reality is with a dipole and 100 watts I can get on the air any evening, and a minute later be in contact with someone. No kidding. I haven't called CQ in many years.
VHF is different. While I do monitor area repeaters some, especially in bad weather, I rarely operate there. But I hear the groups who chat only with each other and do not seem to welcome outsiders. So? Find another repeater, or anothe group, or some simplex channel.
But above all ... be sure your radio is operating properly. It does not appear to be. Almost certain to be you have a problem in either your rig or your antenna or both.
Good luck. About once a week I move into the 40 meter Novice band, around 7145 KHZ and try to give the Novices who are stuck there a chance to actually hear another radio signal besides the foreign broadcast. If you hear me there give me a call. Will be glad to be a CW contact for you.
73
Ed
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by W3DCG on March 18, 2003
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hmmmm...i never work "skeds" because I can never commit- family always has first dibs on my time, so I get to the radio whenever I can. Work all manner of QRPers even if I'm not running QRP levels.
I enjoy working people under the noise QRP or QRPp, it's a challenge, and mostly, I know they are having A LOT more fun than me.
They have their little tuna tins, crystal little teeny weenie signals, and I'm willing to RAG CHEW, but I'm constantly tweaking, and well, the tiny home brew/kits have nothing to tweak, while I'll be moving the RIT back and forth to get tonal changes trying to copy.
I'm also thinking an R7 with an under 5W job... strongly consider a resonant monoband dipole.
I'd sure like to work you.
Many of my week days are wrought with boredom. Some days, quite often, I feel like I'm sinking. Just not enough resource to go arount for Peter, Paul, and Mary too. On those days, I often have not even the will for any pastime, much less my 2nd favorite, CW.
It is in these moments I might feel very much like writing in the hue of your article.
Not one ham to another, but human to human, I say hang in there. Maybe things will get worse before they get better.
But when things get better, give it another shot. Keep it simple, but with some latitude. I'm afraid Crystal control can only be so fun.
Jump back in with some classic Ten Tec, do CW.
Every CW QSO I hear, ends in a most polite and truly well meaning spirit, where blessings for you are the norm.
In the mean time, I'll send a word or two in my prayers. Most pray with hands clasped and head bowed. My head is bowed but I generally send my prayers via Morse Code, off the air (If He can hear inside your head, surely he can hear me sending mine in Morse on the keyer via Sidetone!).
Hang in there.
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by K1MKF on March 18, 2003
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I've been there, too. Tried 2m and 6m SSB, moved onto Sats, upgraded to General and moved onto HF. I've dabbled in contesting, foxhunting, dx hunting. I've bought a lot of gear then sold a lot of gear.
I've finally settled on a few rigs and concentrate on HF phone. I still find great QSOs on 17m and 12m but don't turn on the rig as much as I did a couple months ago. As the weather gets nicer and I return to motorcycling and fishing radio will take a back seat.
I have found by walking away from HAM radio for a while it has the new feeling again when I return. I suggest you pick two hobbies. HAM radio and something else to do outside when the weather is nice. That way you won't feel guilty playing radio on a beautiful day. And you'll have something to do when it rains and snows.
Mark
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by KD4FUN on March 18, 2003
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Hello Jason:
QSY over to 3.947.00 some evening and we will chat or 14.200 + or - Have phone, CW, RTTY, PACTOR, PSK31 etc Would enjoy QSO. I am active in SKYWARN and our A.R.E.S. keeps me busy and always someone to talk to. Two meter traffic here is way down but we still have some public service nets that I check into.
73 De Brian Gray KD4FUN/NNN0RGL
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by N0YGY on March 18, 2003
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Well I had to chime in and echo the comments of most of the posters here. I operate at QRP levels and CW nearly 100%. My HF antenna consists of an 85-ft house gutter that is tuned with my rig's internal tuner. It's an Elecraft K2, if anyone was intersted. I've worked all of the US and Canada with it.
I just did a quick statistical look into my QSO rate over the past two years and I'm currently at 1 QSO every other day, on average. This does include the occasional contest, but a lot are calling and answering CQ's. K3WWP has an astounding 3000+ day streak of at least 1 QSO per day! Check out his website.
I'm sure that you could e-mail anyone of the posters (including me) and set up a schedule to make sure your getting a good signal out. The bands are going to get worse as the sunspot cycle declines, but you can still work plenty of stateside stations on just about any band. 20 and 40 are probably going to give you the most contacts though.
Cheers,
Colin
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by W4WNT on March 18, 2003
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Hello Jason,
Several commenters suggested looking for radio clubs, and that is a good start. You mentioned having another HF rig. Have you tried listening to your transmitted signal? Often mic gains get overdriven to produce an unreadable signal. In our area of NC, 2m repeaters tend to be drive time operations, dead quiet the rest of the day. The contest idea is a good one. On Sunday afternoons of a two day contest I've made QRP contacts all over the world, when the contesters are looking for "fresh meat"!! Best of luck to you, I'm sure you'll be making contacts. Oh, another "test prospect" is the County Hunter's Net on 14.336. Lots of mobiles out putting out counties and listening for contacts. Just use your call letters, they are not big into phonetics.
73, Bill, W4WNT
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by W4ZJN on March 18, 2003
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Re impossible contact:
Join at least one local ham club. I really enjoy our club weekly 2M net, our monthly dinner and meeting,
and fellowship with like-minded folks!
Subscribe to at least one ham magazine and/or join the ARRL. Check out the monthly Special Event station and State QSO Party listings---both are great ways to make contacts.
Borrow or buy a copy of the ARRL Net Directory and join in on a few of the nets on your band of preference. Nearly all of the general purpose or Worked All States nets are giad to have new check-ins.
Anyone who does the above will be able to make all the contacts they want and more!
"73" John W4ZJN
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by KE2IV on March 18, 2003
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Usually I read all of the follow-on comments to these posts before responding. But I do not want to do so here.
Actually, I'm being a tiny bit dishonest - because I did see that a couple of folks "dismissed" the failure of 2M ops as being -well- an "endemic" problem.
With that I agree. Last month I carried out my 2/220 rig from NY to Tucson so as to have some hamming capability out there. I carried the rig onto cabin with the antenna and portable P/S in baggage (which, yes, got inspected by the TSC).
And, as the fellow says, you give out calls all day long and "zero" on response. Then a pair or more of "locals" come one and chat away. But, as one commentator here whom I did read said, that's 2M.
So what about the low bands?
Oh, one guy is right about - how hard did you try?
But....there is in NO WAY that there remains the same fun that we once had on the HF bands. Technology has changed ham radio but hams remain...well...amateurs!
It seems that for DX stuff too much of the activity has become listening to boring Euro or SA stations who are still "running" QSO's like they are rare DX. [YO!! Hey to everyone not in North America --- there is no RARE DX anymore from anywhere with the exception of those stupid little atolls filled with those nasty land crabs! - - so puleez stop "running QSO's"!]. Does anyone in NA still need to contact Poland for the 3000th time? I doubt it!
I really wish the Euros and the SA's would "cool it" with the "slam-bam-thank you-ma'am" QSO's and engage in some conversation.
Then maybe we wouldn't have the "gap of understanding" between all of us that we seem to be seeing in the world right now (er... you know, the world...that tiny little, ever-shrining globe we all live on together, whether we like it or not).
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by K8UPA on March 19, 2003
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Wow, no answer to a cq for over a year? You gotta have a problem with your antenna or rig. As far as the 2 meter contacts go, most of the repeaters are owned and maintained by clubs. Join one and you will most likely be pleasantly suprised next time you call. I would be very interested in trying to make a contact with you just to see if you are getting out and how you sound, maybe we can figure something out. Shoot me an email if this interests you.
73
Lou
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by AA5TB on March 19, 2003
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Sounds like you just need a knew hobby. I guess the "bug" bite didn't take.
73,
Steve - AA5TB
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RE: The Impossible Contact...
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by K3ESE on March 19, 2003
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Oy, Jason...I just had to respond, although there are a bunch of good responses already, because I enjoy this hobby so much, and have had the opposite experience.
To respond to your "test": 1. yes, 2. yes, 3. yes.
I operate 100% QRP CW, with 5W or less. My rig is an Elecraft K1, and in the last year I've had about 1000 QSOs, worked 48 States, 110 DXCC entities, and participated in many nets and contests. I can get on the air just about anytime of the day or night, and, with my 5W and a long piece of wire for an antler, work some nice ham somewhere.
Now I've started building radios, and trying to learn some theory. I've gotten two Rock-Mites on the air...they're kits that cost $25...and with the 1/4 watt they put out, worked stations over a thousand miles away, and had fun worth more than 100 times what I paid! Now I'm building a multiPIG+, a ten-band, QRP CW transceiver, and plan to put up a big horizontal loop to go with it...another simple wire antler, which should really grab those sigs.
Can you tell from my post here...I can't get enough? I wish I could bottle some of this enthusiastic enjoyment and ship it to you, as you could sure use some, and I've got plenty to spare, but this post will have to do. Good luck!
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by KB4ZVM on March 19, 2003
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Send me a date and time when I am not working, and I will have a QSO with you. I can do most modes and bands!
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The Impossible Contact...
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by K5CDL on March 19, 2003
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Jason,
I live down here in Hondo and run 6 & 2 meter ssb
in the late afternoon and evenings. I'll set up a sked with You and We can both enjoy this hobby more.I know around here it's mostly 2m FM and thats about it as far as I can tell.Anyway,I'll be waiting to here from You. 73.
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by K6TLA on March 20, 2003
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This is the dumbest thread I have ever seen. What the guy needs is sex, Prozac, or both.
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RE: The Impossible Contact...
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by W3DCG on March 20, 2003
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Not Prozac...
Money.
and sex.
and then, the qso's will come.
Just kidding, I really think the Q's will happen given 2 things:
1) A proper frame of mind.
2) A simple, effective, efficient, antenna.
3) The rig set to a QRP calling frequency, eg, 7.040, 14.040/14.060, although FISTS can tend to wipe out qrp'ers arount the .060's.
Really thinking 20 meters where a 33 foot wire is not too difficult to really make happen. And the QRN is low.
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by KB4ZVM on March 20, 2003
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Here is another thought.
Do you have a field strength meter? They are cheap and extraordinarily useful.
Not only can you see if your transmitter and antenna are putting out a signal, you can instantly see how strong it is (relatively speaking). You can also use it to determine the directional characteristics of your signal. Finally, you can use it to adjust your antenna tuner for peak operation. While adjusting your tuner, try to maximize the field strength meter instead of minimizing your SWR.
If you have a problem and are not putting out a signal, it will be instantly apparent.
Dan Allen
KB4ZVM
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by AB7R on March 20, 2003
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Jason,
Could not find an email addy for you so hope you read this. Send me an email so we can set up a sked. One of my favorite things on ham radio is meeting new people.
I operate mostly CW but phone is ok too. Also enjoy PSK and RTTY.
73
Greg
AB7R
ab7r@direcway.com
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by K0SIG on March 20, 2003
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I?ll throw in my $.02 worth on the failure to make contacts on two meters. I think a lot of the failure is the fault of the caller. Most people today scan several, if not many, 2 meter frequencies. I scan 6 repeaters and 3 simplex frequencies when in my shack. Very frequently I will here someone put out a call speaking quite rapidly saying, ?this is (garbled callsign) monitoring,? and that?s all that is said. If my scanner is not on the frequency they used I may not even here it. Since they did not say what frequency they are monitoring I have no way of knowing where they are unless I happen to be in a position to actually see where the scanner stopped. My advice is to speak slowly, call two or three times, and state what frequency you on. When I do this when traveling I get a response more often than not.
73?s and Good Luck
Greg
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by K0SIG on March 20, 2003
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I do not know why the question marks showed up in my previous post. They were not entered that way.
Greg
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by KK7WN on March 21, 2003
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Dear Impossible:
In general your observations are correct. However it has not always been so. I have been a Ham on and off for about 45 years and there is little doubt in my mind that the on air situation has become quite balkanized. You will notice that even sections of particular bands at particular times have a culture and politics unique to themselves. What is new in the last 25 years is that these groups have become very insular and less open to newcomers. In general the fellows who talk tech tend to be most receptive to new folks. The least receptive are those groups that sound like a ssb version of talk radio.I feel that the mistique of radio, which at one time made all who ventured forh, fellow travelers, is gone. Along with it has gone a lot of the comraderie of the hobby. Forget 2 meters. Find a niche in HF. Welcome, KK7WN Bob
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by N8PZD on March 21, 2003
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I have found a few things that will surely spark a contact even if it from across the street, ask someone about an automobile problem, a photography question, a gardening question, or how to build a better mouse trap (insert any household item) and be there at the same time one day per week - this is how nets began in the early 30's and we all know there are plenty of those running 24 hrs any band, any sub-band. You never mentioned a thing about nets so I think it is a comic strip filler - good filler, transparent topic however.
I don't recall your mentioning having any input connected, microphone, code key, packet interface.
I read down as far as someone setting up a sched with you, that will solve your mystery and then refer to the net component of my reply.
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by W7JOD on March 21, 2003
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Hmm.. In the past two weeks I have become active again after about 10 years. Bought a Yaesu Ft-990 on e-bay. (God, I love this rig!), layed a G5RV on the roof. I tried 17 meters for the first time. Everyone I called responded! I have no explanation for your lack of success on HF (other than 10 meters). I would be happy to setup a sked.
Steve, W7JOD
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by W4UDX on March 23, 2003
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Looks like all the hams are on eHam.net communicating instead of HF and VHF! Try PSK-31, lots of activity.
:)
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by WB2TT on March 24, 2003
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Just as a sanity to see that your stuff is working, get on 15 or 20 meter SSB and try to work some of the numerous Europeans that do nothing all day but exchange signal reports with W/VE stations.
Tam/WB2TT
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by WA2JJH on March 24, 2003
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2M REPEATER snob factor has been around since the Mid-1970's. I had many excellent QSO's on 146.52 simplex, using a 1.5 watt Drake XTAL portable. That scene is dead.
Ya gotta shop around. Just got a FT-100D. First time I had a high power all mode, all band rig. So I will now explore VHF/UHF SSB for the first time in 28 years.
Seems that VHF/UHF SSB is not popular in NYC.
I did find a fantastic 440.000 repeater. I Was welcomed in with open arms. That is the TRUE spirit of HAM radio!
Visa-vi HF, IF you cannot get easy contacts on 15M or
40M CW from 14:00H-20:00H UTC, check your antenna or feedline.
I have taken 1 year breaks from operating. very time I come back there is something new. Like you I get
an almost opiate like craving for new equipment.
This time back, I got into HI-FI SSB. As soon as I found a true D.C. to Daylight full power minirig for $700, love and excitment right out of the box!
Got a bunch of new friends this time back as well!
I have been a ham for 27 years. Despite many times I
have thought should I even renew my Ticket, Ham radio pops up with new suprises,gadgets, and now Ham radio on the internet!
Gee do I sound like Jack Knickolson in that movie.... "Is this as good as it gets!!!!!"
Keep up the faith RF Warrior!!!!
To qoute an old MOTOWN song....MAMA TOLD ME...YA GOTTA SHOP AROUND!"
73 de WA2JJH MIKE NYC
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by KG0TX on March 24, 2003
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You never said if you ever RESPONDED to a CQ...
I have been working mostly PSK31 and MFSK16 and have rarely failed to get a QSO when I called CQ if the band was open. I did try one CW CQ and got an immediate response. (I didn't complete the QSO though because I panicked and didn't call him back. :-)
Ham radio seems to be dying out (I think the internet is taking over -- for instance, why are we talking here instead of on the air?) but there is still plenty of activity out there. I don't understand why you would have so much of a problem getting a contact in so many modes unless you are living in a Faraday cage or something...
73 KG0TX
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by MS5AGI on March 25, 2003
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as you can see im not a "ham" yet just monitor station . and i have heard some of the same as he was talking about , some one calling CQ but not staying on the freq. to hear the replys . i have vintage equiptment {tube hallicrafters} and modern{aor-5000}
and every thing in between, and quoting the late Bill Cheek "give me a $5 radio And a $20.000 antenna and ill work the world", also some code isnt readable , well is Readable, just dosn't make any sense {almost like random letters}
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by KB0NLY on March 25, 2003
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WOW! Now that is a bad QSO rate. Seriously though all technical excuses aside, i doubt you would be ignored if you put out a call on one of the repeaters in my area. Club member or not, but i guess the 2m shyness problem exists in its more severe form in some places.
I have repeatedly scared the daylights out of hams driving through the area. I say that honestly, i was listening to the radio scan through the various repeaters one day, and i also have 146.520 and 146.550 in that scan, when a mobile op put out a call on 52. He was surprised when i came back the first time, more so because he had forgotten how loud the volume was set on his radio, it had been a few hours since he last talked to someone.
If you can be heard you will get a reply! I completely agree with the previous post mentioning that you should state what frequency you are on. I know for someone who is listening to one repeater all day may think its stupid hearing someone say something like: KB0NLY on 18 (147.180 one of our local repeaters), but it is a good idea to make mention of it. I know i do, as many other do, have the radio scanning through the various memories while i'm around to hear the radio. I do it while mobile as well. And if i don't get to the radio fast enough to stop the scan i just lost track of the person calling, more seriously would be if it was a motorist in need of help, or maybe even just directions. We all know, or should know by now, how it can quicken the pulse if you get lost while on the road.
Sure you can debate the whole cell phone owner routine over and over if you like, but not everyone owns them. I just got my first cellular phone this year for business use, and even with a new user plan it still can get expensive if you rely on it to much. So i understand why some people don't have them, not to mention the problems associated with having bad credit and trying to get one! But anyway, back on track.
Listen for a conversation, if its something you have any info to add on then wait for a slight pause between transmissions and toss in your call. You will never have any one to talk to if you dont try to make friends, or at least try to get your name known.
73,
Scott, KB0NLY
www.qsl.net/kb0nly
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by WB1W on March 25, 2003
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Reminds me of my early ham days. I was surprised to find, although my antenna had excellent reception, it wasn't "getting out".
Reception is easy - even a coat hanger will do. But transmitting is tougher. Try another antenna. Trust me, it took a few tries to get it... but now I get DX every time I turn the rig on :o)
Location will also have an effect. At one old address I tried every type and style of dipole known to man, and none of them would really get out. Simply the geography, surroundings, trees, who knows. I gave up and tried a multi-band vertical. For that particular setup, and location, it worked like a charm.
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by W6RLF on March 27, 2003
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Hope you're still reading the posts on this; and hopefully you've got the e-mails coming to you.
I don't know that I have much to add, but your post really resonated with me. I got my Novice license at age 12. I had no "elmers" to help me. I was using a very poor antenna (a ground-mounted vertical with no radials and probably poorly matched) and pretty marginal equipment. I made no contacts as a Novice, and none for a while as a general. I was ready to give up ham radio until I finally realized that I might try a dipole. Even though that first dipole was only 5 five feet (!!) off the ground, I began to make contacts. I shortly thereafter strung dipoles up higher, and I was off to the races.
I've been a ham for 41 years, and for that time have used dipoles primarily, with some long wires, and a vertical (with radials!) I've found what many others have, that it's hard to beat the basic dipole. There are some antennas that are amazingly poor performers (at least in some configurations and locations), but the basic dipole will almost always get out decently.
Secondly, I empathize with your comments about VHF and repeaters. I am troubled that so many hams' introduction to ham radio is through VHF and repeaters, because it is very hard to get anyone to come back to you on many repeaters.
I hope you won't give up on this hobby, and will give HF another try, if you can afford to get some HF gear again. Good used equipment is a good way to go. Get something decent, get a good SWR meter, put up a dipole, and things should work out better for you. I also concur with the thought of joining the local ham club; I wish I had been able to take advantage of some help then; I would have figured things out much more quickly.
And keep using this site and the other ham sites with forums for advice. I've been getting into old equipment, and have frequently sought (and received) advice and info I needed.
73,
Paul
W6RLF
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