K7NHB;

I just sent off for my ARRL Morse Proficiency Certificate (20 WPM, pencil copy); copied the transmission on 17 JAN 2008 (1400z), my copy was in the mailbox that night.

I had a (telephone) dialogue with someone at the ARRL section that transmits and grades these; I called them both BEFORE the transmission (by a few days, so I could know what exactly was best for them in terms of processing my submission- pitfalls, mistakes *in submission*, etc), AND afterwords, when I had a question / comment.

I might be able to clear up a question or two.

What you need is "one minute of solid copy of the highest speed that you copied". They base this on five character groups, though the W1AW transmission is plain text (an excerpt from an article (not necessarily QST), or an encyclopedia, an article from the TV guide, whatever).

What you do is multiply the speed (that you are trying for) by five, and that is the number of 100%, perfect, uninterrupted characters that you need. If you managed to copy most of the 15 WPM segement, and 15 WPM is what you are trying for, then you need 15 x 5 = 75 perfect characters copied. For 20 WPM the character count would be 100 characters.

Afterwords, on your copy (whether by pencil or keyboard) underline your character count in red. Make a statement to the effect that you produced your copy without aid of any kind, and sign and date it. Be sure to indicate the date, time, and frequency of the W1AW transmission you copied.

In my case, I copied the transmission on a legal pad with pencil. I picked a portion of the 20 WPM segment, and I underlined 103 characters (I rounded it up to the closest word), *in my case* I did not count puncuation, but puncuation probably counts (so I submitted 103+ characters for my 'score', it spanned a couple of sentences).

My handwriting is pretty bad when I copy, so I ALSO submitted a typed transcript in addition to the raw pencil copy, and underlined the same characters in red ink. I ALSO put the required statement about producing the copy without aid of any kind on my transcribed copy, AND on my cover letter. The date time and freq(s) were listed on all three items (cover letter, raw copy, transcribed copy).

On 17 JAN (at least at my QTH) W1AW was jammed just after the QST callup and just after the CW bulletin occurred (before the test) on 20 meters, so I made a note on my raw copy, transcription, and cover letter that I changed from 14.047.5 to 18.097.5 due to (probable) jamming (this is why I called ARRL just after the transmission). Apparantly, some militant 'no-coders' (probably, or at least 'anti-ham') think that they are helping the ham radio community out by jamming the code proficiency run. They deserve to be in prison, and strictly speaking, they CAN go to prison for this.

Congrats, Colin.

I'll be taking that step myself soon.

I've been licensed since 1985, but being in the military (and moving every 2-3 years, living in the barracks / single NCO quarters) I never had the real estate for setting up an HF station. Most of my experience is in VHF / UHF.

Most of my experience on HF thus far was as an occasional volunteer MARS op in MARS stations overseas. I have the code, I was taught CW in the army (Signals Intell). (I imagine my sending is a little rusty, I will need practice, but I will take things slowly and carefully... there are some local slow CW nets that will be helpful).

My new ICOM 703+ arrived this past friday, I am waiting for some antenna-stuff. I joined FISTS and NAQCC. Can't wait for all the equipment to come together...

Thanks all for further comments...

K5LXP; I have that book ("Low Profile..."), and one of my QRP books has a chapter on "stealth operating". Suffice to say... an *outside* horizontal antenna just isn't in the cards. Ho high supports (trees etc.). I could run a wire loop around the inside my apartment, near the ceiling, but there would only be about 7.5 feet or so elevation above the ground. I *could* perhaps "spot-glue" near-invisible wire along the seams between the bricks outside; near the roof, early in the morning, I MIGHT not get caught. I don't see getting a ladder and attempting to put up a wire along / near the top of the building through. Even at 3 AM, there is still occasional foot traffic - the people in this apartment complex LIKE to complain about each other - thats *why* I spoke to the apartment manager first and "secured permission", he imposed limitations, but at least he will allow *something*.

N3OX; Yes, at first (when I got interested in ham radio again) I thought about magloops. Intruiging, and would probably work (even as an indoor antenna, they SEEM to have some tolerance for lower elevation). I might still try that. The only thing that turns me off on them is (a) narrow bandwidth, frequent re-tunes; BUT I think one could get used to it and proficient at it (b) High voltages, even at QRP levels, apparantly. There is a lot of foot traffic where I live, a lot of them are younger people; sometimes intoxicated, probably curious, and someone grabbing an outdoor magloop is BOUND to happen. Of course my manager DID authorize a ("reasonable") mast support. Thanks for those links, expecially the second one, I bookmarked it.

Thanks for comments;

Some of us are just "stuck".


All I have is a small grassy area in front of my apartment, about 10x20 feet for a *total* antenna footprint.

There is NO place to string wire; Just a couple of bushes / clusters of bushes.. a kind of 'horizontal L' is possible by wrapping a wire around the NE corner of the building, on top of / through bushes, maybe 70 feet or so total length, BUT *MAX* elevation can only be about 6 or 7 feet. The manufacturer of PAR End-Fedz emailed back to me and basically said 'dont bother trying a horizontal wire so low'.

The manager will NOT allow radials strung out all over the place, even at 3 in the morning, and definitely NOT crossing the sidewalk in front of my apartment (about 10 feet away). I didn't ask (specifically) if I could have *one* coax cable cross the sidewalk into a larger grassy area, BUT again, a lot of radials won't be allowed. Two of the apartment maintenance people live near me, and the staff has been known to evict people (usually for good, justifiable reasons). If necessary, 2 or 3 radials would probably be okay, but they would have to fit in that 10x20 foot area (they couldn't be streight, they would have to snake and curve around a bit, and I can't dig up the sidewalk to bury any...)

Its looking like an Outbacker/Outreach is my ONLY option. The only other thing I can think of is a Petlowany (TAK-tenna) on a mast, and a large base (probably PVC) ... I might try that later on (kind of a hassle to tune / change bands; I will have to homebrew some kind of mount / mast / base, guy lines of ANY kind will NOT be allowed).

Ooops - I was wrong, the standard PAC-12 kit / parts do not include 160 meter operation (might not be a big deal).

The outreach apparantly can work at 160.

A big problem (for me) is that I can't put out lotz of radials for the PAC-12 (in the reviews section, people are talking about 8 to 16 radials).

Again, *maybe* the PAC-12 could work on the AlphaDelta Outpost mount, and at least lessen the need for radials?

(Its looking like the best solution for me is the Outbacker Outreach / Outpost, for a smaller overall footprint (no radials for neighbors to complain about)).

Has anyone been in a position to compare both the Pacific Antennas PAC-12 and the Outbacker Outreach when mounted on the Alpha-Delta Outpost tripod? ( ... and ... an idea ... what about the PAC-12 mounted on the Outpost?)

Common sense (?) tells me that the PAC-12 might outperform the Outbacker. How much? A *LOT*? Or will the two antennas be "in approximately the same general range, with one *somewhat* outperforming the other".

Both can operate on the 160 meter band. (The PAC-12 with a 160M coil. For other bands, I think I would use the PAC-12 with the multiband coil kit. OR I could just build other coils for bands). The Outreach has a problem tuning the CW segments, but there is a fix (homebrewed capacity hat, or longer "stinger").

The outreach strikes me as being more convenient and easier to tune;

Just change a plug/wanderlead to change bands, and basically if you have it tuned on 40 meters its usually OK on other bands.

With the PAC-12, I would have to change the tap on a multiband coil, OR change coils.

The Outreach/Outpost combination *shouldn't* require a counterpoise (Texas soil, fairly dry but not bone-dry).

BUT maybe the PAC-12 might work with the Outpost, *perhaps* it wouldn't need a counterpoise (or minimal counterpoise-ing) on the Outpost tripod.
----- -----
I am in a restrictive environment. My apartment manager actually suprised me on the subject, he said he wouldn't mind if I put up an antenna, IF I took it down in the daytime (basically - he said I could operate at night, and MAYBE during the day on weekends, DEPENDING on how intrusive the antenna looked).

I brought up wire strung on bushes (not good, I could only get maybe 6-7 feet of elevation - I dont have any trees or other supports available), and I described "some kind of antenna on a tripod and a mast, in front of my apartment" (I DID NOT explain that the Outpost was large-ish (not THAT big, some people's barbecue pits are bigger), or that with an Outreach, the antenna would be maybe 15 or so feet tall. The apartment manager indicated that he wouldn't mind as long as wires were not strung on bushes during business hours, or that a "weird looking mast and gizmo" wasn't up during business hours.

I will be buying a new ICOM 703+ next month - strictly QRP, mostly CW. I *will* buy an Outbacker Joey / Micromount tripod (80 - 2 meters); I think it would be a nice thing to have, and it might work indoors for casual operating (or even just outside a window).

BUT I also want (need) a better *vertical* antenna that can perform (as well as can be expected) just outside my apartment ( 3 to 10 feet from the building / window).

- Thanks,
Jeff / AD5WY

I will go along with N8UZE;

Some people like the code practice, and others are working towards getting a Code Proficiency Certificate.

Occasionally, I like to dig out my vintage AEA PK-232 TNC, hook it up to an ICOM R75 receiver, string 30' of wire across the apartment, and get the bulletins via AMTOR FEC. Why? It's just fun, which is the *primary* reason why people get into ham radio in the first place.

If anyone has a 1988 era International or German callbook, I need a favor.

I was granted a Class 2 German license 'DA2YO' under the Reciprocal Operating Agreement, sometime after I was granted my first license (Novice) KA1NLE (22 October 1985).

I was stationed in W. Berlin at the time.

I need the grant date, mainly. Any other data listed would also be appreciated (the address, my exact name (Sometimes I go by Jeff A. Bordeaux, Jeffrey, Jeffrey Alan, etc.), the expiration, etc.

Thanks / 73s
Jeff / AD5WY

W3LK:

I could see my electric bill. Typical monthly bill (winter) = $40 to $60.

AFTER installation of the surplus LPDA you mentioned:

Add $100+ per antenna rotation.

(KJ4AGA);

Its a receive-only antenna. A Wullenweber array, designed for radio direction finding (but you can also do general recieve through it).

BUT, I imagine an enterprising ham could make adaptations. Basically, it would be an array of verticle dipoles.

More info, and two pics:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FLR-9

One of the photos (the top of the two) is the same site from the google map referance. You can click the pics for an enlarged photo.

I thought about posting this in the Antenna Restrictions forum, but it probably wouldn't have been appropriate...

This is kind of off topic and tongue-in-cheek, but it might have entertainment value, and wish-ful thinking value to hams;

On http://maps.google.com, enter: stettenhofen, germany into the search bar.

Invoke a Satellite view.

South by southwest, you will see a big, funny looking artifact on the terrain - a kind of double circle, as if you are looking at an aerial view of Stonehenge or something. That is an AN/FLR-9 antenna... I used to work there when I was stationed in Augsburg (I know there are a few ex-ASA'ers (Army Security Agency) who are hams, some post on eHam I think ...)

Have fun zooming in. Notice the nearby parking lots, the size of automobiles compared to the size of the antenna.

What if such a thing ever came on the market as government surplus? Dunno about you, but I would LOVE to experiment with it as a ham radio antenna...

... lets talk antenna restriction, and PRB-1 ...

PRB-1 = "... a LIMITED preemption of local zoning ordinances."

I could imagine trying to work in creative negotiation with local officials about that "thing in my backyard" (not that I even have a backyard at present, much less one that was big enough).

hi hi

Jim / N0XE and AB9LZ; thanks for your input.

AB9LZ; I had a Yaesu FT-817ND for a while last year. The menus weren't overwhelming, but there is no doubt that the OHR 500 lends itself to quicker operation and tuning up. By comparison, one could almost operate the OHR 500 in their sleep. But the K1-4 *looks like* it is simpler to build and align, and covers more bands, and is a bit easier on the expenditures, especially in the long run (IE purchasing all you need to get it operating). If I wasn't up to building it, Elecraft maintains a list of volunteer builders (hopefully Elecraft has checked these guys out...), many of them will build for free if the ham is disabled.

N0XE; The only thing that puts me off on the OHR 500 at this point is I am not sure if I am up to building it, much less aligning it. I would need a freq counter, apparantly (the OHR DD-1 is probably a good choice). In the reviews, there was one that gave the radio high marks, but he had difficulty aligning it and sent it in to OHR to have it done (and still has an unexplained low pwr out on *30* meters).

Due to my health problems (cardiac + respiratory, but mainly the five pills I have to take every morning), my hands aren't that steady (for soldering... I can still send CW). My eyesight is less than optimal.

I hate to admit it, but if I go with the OHR 500 I would be strongly tempted to shell out the money to have OHR build and align the thing. And by the time I purchase the OHR WM-2, OHR DD-1, an antenna tuner, etc., I could have bought an ICOM IC-703+.

So... over the next month or so, I will order some cheap kits from Jameco (and others) just to practice building; order and build an OHR WM-2 (seems simple enough), and see how it goes.

Agree with the suggestion for the tuner - the ZM-2 sounds good. Another problem is an antenna-restrictive environment, I might need to try indoor loops, random lengths of wire strung around... I have a feeling I would get better results with a *manual* tuner versus the K1-4 ATU; the K1 might be more "fussy". The TAK-tenna has me interested - I am in contact with / dialoging with a QRP operator who uses a 40 meter TAK-tenna on multiple bands with an MFJ tuner; elevates the TAK-tenna with a telescoping swimming pool cleaning rod and a homemade base, just outside a window. He gives it high marks, and gets good performance out of it. I've dialoged with the guy that was operating the TAK-tenna *out of his basement* and making contacts.

I have a Vibroplex Code Warrier JR (and a Vibro streight key), I used them both w/ the Yaesu 817 last year. The Code Warrior Junior works pretty good for me.

Oh well. Again, appreciate the input, I'll make up my mind when the time comes.

Aaron - thanks for your input.

Yes - I had already perused the OHR 500 review thread (and the Elecraft K1 thread); but I hadn't noticed specifically if anyone had built both rigs. I will have to review both of those threads again.

Agree - my *impression* is that the OHR 500 would be the tougher of the two to build *and align*. I recently noticed that apparantly you need a freq counter (and a DVM) to align it (OHR of course recommends their DD-1). Hmmm.

Size isn't specifically a factor. I am limited somewhat by output power; I live on the ground floor of a two story apartment building, and the management / staff is VERY 'antenna hostile' (specifically they oppose anything *permanent*). I am stuck with indoor antennas (which have worked - sort of - for me in the past), or something I can set up outside near a window at night and on weekends. Of course, I am thinking I want to get into CW QRP, but may change my mind later, and the K-2 would be good for that (upgradable to 100W). BUT I dunno about QRO with an indoor antenna or coming out of something that the locals might grab on to. I don't have a good (temporary) place to string wire (no good trees to string to, the ones available would still put passersby too close), there IS a nice string of bushes *next to the building*, but max height would only be about 5-6 feet. Someone just suggested to me a telescoping pool cleaning rod (4-16 feet) combined with a good homebrewed base, and a TAK-tenna. That might work.

17 meters IS a factor (I just don't have a clear idea in my head of how much it would mean to me).

To be honest, the *main* reason I like the OHR 500 is that you just 'dial, tune and launch', with no menus. Oddly, I think I like the way it looks better (which shouldn't really be a factor). I guess one could *get used* to the menus. I had A Yaesu FT-817 for a while.

Its starting to look like I will go with the K1-4. Its (probably) easier to build, more coverage, more features; and cheaper to buy and get up and running, in the long run. A built in autotuner may or may not work well, depending on my antenna situation. I might just have to build a manual tuner away, or get an MFJ manual tuner.

73s;
Jeff / AD5WY

Congratulations on achieving Extra! It is a significant accomplishment, and that license is to be treasured, regardless of ANY other considerations.

The thread has split into a 'have the licenses been dumbed down?' discussion, I will add my own two cents.

My long-winded history: I was first licensed as a Novice via a German-American ham club in Berlin, Germany in October 1985 (callsign KA1NLE). That particular club could ONLY administer the NOVICE test at the time (otherwise I probably would have tried for a higher license). I had already ordered and received ALL of the license manuals, Novice through Extra, and studied them. My morse code was exceptional, I was in Signals Intell, Radio Direction Finding and Morse Intercept, the army taught me code, my (receiving) speed was easily 25-30 GPM plus. Once or twice a year, they TRIED to get additional people from West Germany to come over to test for higher licenses, but there had to be a demand for it. That never happened while I was stationed there.

I also invoked the reciprocal operating agreement then, and was licensed by the German Bundespost as DA2YO (due to a 'quirk', functionally equivalent to a Tech Plus license).

Later, after I transferred to Fort Devens Massachusetts, I upgraded to General at ARRL / Newington (call N1EZW) in July 1987. In 1996, I retired from the army; from the summer of 1996 until my General expired in 1997 I participated in a couple of local VHF nets and Skywarn exercises, but thats about it. From 1997 until 2006, I was pretty much inactive, busy retiring, then health problems from a heart attack in 1998. Then "suddenly" I was interested again. I contacted a local club and got the date for the next test, ordered manuals and studied for 3 weeks. It was unclear whether my old General had been expired for too long, the local VEs just suggested to make it easier just to test all over again - sounded like a good idea to me. "Walked in" and passed *all four* elements in one sitting and walked away with my Extra in May 2006. 5 WPM code was a piece of cake, could have done it in my sleep... got 100% on the Tech and General written tests, and on the Extra as I recall I passed with a margin of 3 errors; I could have missed 3 more and still passed. 'Hardest Topic' for me was 'applied phase angles'; the rest of my errors were basically 'dumb mistakes'.

So I think I have some perspective. I DON'T THINK that the written tests have really been dumbed down (in the long run); I have a fairly clear memory of studying up through Extra in 1985, and that includes Advanced. I MIGHT make the Extra written exam a LITTLE longer and more comprehensive, if I had the power to do so.

If anything (and I admit I am biased), I am disappointed at the elimination of the morse code requirement; and before that the 'dumbing down' of the morse code test for ALL classes to only 5 WPM. But heck, I'm going with the flow. In the long run, it benefits us ALL if more hams are licensed... look at the statistics over the years. If nothing else, we need spectrum defense and a legislative presence.

I found my previous General license data (N1EZW) and Novice data (KA1NLE) on the VanityhqCom site.

But here's a challenge; In 1985 (I don't remember what month), I was granted DA2YO (functionally equivalent to a Tech ticket) by the German Bundespost while stationed in Berlin, Germany. Anyone know how I might be able to find the data?

I'm guessing that it isn't retrieveable anywhere.