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Author Topic: New to hobby and forum  (Read 321 times)

W1LEX

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New to hobby and forum
« on: February 19, 2021, 12:45:01 PM »

Great forum.  I still consider myself a new ham since I got my ticket less than a year ago.

I’ve always had an interest in radios in general.  Took my Tech exam at a local ham fest past February then I was encouraged to upgrade to General.  I took it a month later and finally took and passed the Extra month after that during the COVID pause in my life..  The final leg was taken online with strict protocols in place with 3 VE’s watching my face and screen capture as well.  I felt more under scrutiny online than in-person testing.  LOL.

I still have lots to learn and feel the license gives me a point of reference to put things into practice.

I love the idea of portable QRP operation but would love to put up a 200 FT tower someday too.

I have thus far an Icom 7100, 7300 and 705.  A Wolf River Coils SB1000 with 213” telescoping whip and a roll up J-Pole for hitting local repeaters.  They run off of LifePo4 batteries when taking my IC-705 in the field for the 10 watt output.  Also the magloop Al 705 for ultimate portability for 20m out of the backpack.
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K0UA

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2021, 03:17:41 PM »

Welcome to the hobby and welcome to the forum. If there is anything I can do for you let me know. I have been licensed for 50 years this year and would like to think I have made most of the common mistakes. :), but seriously I will be happy to answer any questions you have about anything, and the 7300 in particular as I have some of those. I have put up my share of towers thru the years also, and taken down a bunch more. :)

73  James K0UA
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73  James K0UA

K3UIM

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2021, 03:52:58 PM »

LEX: Welcome to not only the world of ham radio, but also to what I consider the greatest forum I've ever found on the subject of electronics.

We have our share of trolls, but all in all one can't really complain when we consider the help given so freely.

You'll also find an answer to any question asked, no matter what might be the problem. (Except for anything involving Maserattis(sp?) as, so far, no-one nose nuttin!) LOL

I've asked what I thought of as really dumb fundamental questions and have yet to be given anything but good reliable answers. So don't hesitate to ask!! I took a 25 year absence from hamming and when I jumped back in, discovered a whole different lingo. I felt like I should retake my novice. I was afraid I'd flunk it, so I didn't. LOL

Again, welcome aboard.

Charlie
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

KBKZ2105

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2021, 04:51:24 PM »

Congratulations and welcome to the hobby.  Lots of knowledge on this website.  Take a look at all the forums and info that is available.  Good luck.   
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W6MK

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2021, 08:05:16 PM »

Congratulations and welcome to the hobby.  Lots of knowledge on this website.  Take a look at all the forums and info that is available.  Good luck.   

The mystique of ham radio is gone.  Back in the day when there was nothing else the mystique was strong, now it's gone.  Too many other more efficient and fun ways to communicate. 

Back in the day that was ham radio, not anymore. Look at these forums and QRZ pages.  You can look someone up while your talking to them and learn more about them by there QRZ page then talking to them.  Believe me that's what everyone is doing that's why most people have a QRZ page highlighting themselves.   

It's not the same anymore and many on this site are regulars and just post galore.  That's not ham radio that's the internet talking about radio. 

It's the end of a era, better get on the train.  It's moving and your either on it or getting dragged by it.

Troll?
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W9FIB

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2021, 04:08:00 AM »

Congratulations and welcome to the hobby.  Lots of knowledge on this website.  Take a look at all the forums and info that is available.  Good luck.   

The mystique of ham radio is gone.  Back in the day when there was nothing else the mystique was strong, now it's gone.  Too many other more efficient and fun ways to communicate. 

Back in the day that was ham radio, not anymore. Look at these forums and QRZ pages.  You can look someone up while your talking to them and learn more about them by there QRZ page then talking to them.  Believe me that's what everyone is doing that's why most people have a QRZ page highlighting themselves.   

It's not the same anymore and many on this site are regulars and just post galore.  That's not ham radio that's the internet talking about radio. 

It's the end of a era, better get on the train.  It's moving and your either on it or getting dragged by it.

Troll?

Pretty much...
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

K3UIM

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2021, 06:12:36 AM »

Agreed! No question. Thanks to "Ignore" I'm not bothered any more.
Charlie
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

W1LEX

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2021, 06:32:08 AM »

Thank you for the welcome(s) all around.  Even the trolls.  LOL 

In this day and age of Facebook and social media, I still think ham radio is a neat hobby.  :-)

73
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KBKZ2105

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2021, 08:47:35 AM »

LEX what is your age?  Eham did a survey in December and I was just curious.  Again congratulations and enjoy the hobby. 

People of all ages operate ham radio. What's your age? (This is the response from Eham) / December 7, 2020


0- 18 : (1)

18-25 (0)

26-35 (2)

36-45 (0)

46-55 (7)

56-65 (12)

66+ (42)
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K1FBI

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2021, 09:06:21 AM »

Congratulations and welcome to the hobby.  Lots of knowledge on this website.  Take a look at all the forums and info that is available.  Good luck.   

The mystique of ham radio is gone.  Back in the day when there was nothing else the mystique was strong, now it's gone.  Too many other more efficient and fun ways to communicate. 

Back in the day that was ham radio, not anymore. Look at these forums and QRZ pages.  You can look someone up while your talking to them and learn more about them by there QRZ page then talking to them.  Believe me that's what everyone is doing that's why most people have a QRZ page highlighting themselves.   

It's not the same anymore and many on this site are regulars and just post galore.  That's not ham radio that's the internet talking about radio. 

It's the end of a era, better get on the train.  It's moving and your either on it or getting dragged by it.

Troll?
Quite the Chameleon, but it expands his trollability.
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KM1H

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2021, 09:15:17 AM »

Quote
Quite the Chameleon, but it expands his trollability.

For an interesting backround google the FCC involvement for Gary Davis, ex-K1LEM/W1IT/others.
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W6MK

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2021, 10:36:27 AM »

LEX what is your age?
This is the response from Eham...

Embarrassingly rude, intrusive, ageist question. Evidencing an adolescent, narcissistic personality devoid of compassion.

Which brings up the topic of the utility of such polling involving self-selecting participation.

A. Many young, teenage or younger, hams will want to be thought of as adults. They won't participate.

B. Many hams aged perhaps 20 to 50 will think such a question is silly, intrusive and meaningless.

C. Many older hams aged perhaps 60 to 90 will only be too glad to advertise their age, having survived in an ageist culture and for many more years than their parents.

I frequently have QSOs with older hams who freely announce their ages.

Frankly I could care less how many annular rings there are in person's tree trunk. Much more interesting is their ability to communicate clearly, their knowledge, their interests in a multitude of things and their sense of humor.

Such data collections are next to meaningless. Basic experimental design and data analysis ignorance.

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KBKZ2105

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2021, 12:22:25 PM »

LEX what is your age?
This is the response from Eham...

Embarrassingly rude, intrusive, ageist question. Evidencing an adolescent, narcissistic personality devoid of compassion.

Which brings up the topic of the utility of such polling involving self-selecting participation.

A. Many young, teenage or younger, hams will want to be thought of as adults. They won't participate.

B. Many hams aged perhaps 20 to 50 will think such a question is silly, intrusive and meaningless.

C. Many older hams aged perhaps 60 to 90 will only be too glad to advertise their age, having survived in an ageist culture and for many more years than their parents.

I frequently have QSOs with older hams who freely announce their ages.

Frankly I could care less how many annular rings there are in person's tree trunk. Much more interesting is their ability to communicate clearly, their knowledge, their interests in a multitude of things and their sense of humor.

Such data collections are next to meaningless. Basic experimental design and data analysis ignorance.

What would like me to tell you OM?  Eham did the survey.  I just asked the same question Eham did. 




People of all ages operate ham radio. What's your age? (This is the response from Eham) / December 7, 2020


0- 18 : (1)

18-25 (0)

26-35 (2)

36-45 (0)

46-55 (7)

56-65 (12)

66+ (42)

If Hams do not do something, most QSO we will be between our graves.

I tried to do something, I was interviewed for the CEO position for ARRL three times, I said repeatedly on interview, we must target the young and I had a solution, which I had performed a pilot test here in Texas. It works, but I simply don't have the resources like ARRL, But I digress

FYI: I did not get the job (ARRL CEO), otherwise, there would be a change in direction for the ARRL, rather trying to protect frequencies for Ham radio (Which is a great thing), but we can't protect something that we will not use!

Look, it is not all about Ham radio, How many of you are Engineers? Do you recall when you had your first exposure to Ham radio and you knew that would be your path...(I know this did for me)

Here is what I did to promote Ham radio

I went to the private schools, I provided a demonstration, and provided a small course..the kids loved it..

(And so did the parents!).. (Forget Public schools, way to much red tape,...Miserable experience!)

If I were the CEO ARRL, I would provide a mission to the Ham clubs across the USA and asked them to do the same, which is to target the private schools, and have a certain amount of quota (Per year) to provide demonstrations.

If for anything, those kids who are seeking a channel to become an engineer, Ham radio is the very best path...

Maybe it is time, to have another ARRL, and organization to promote Ham radio to the youth...I know others have tried. I believe the pilot test I did here in Texas, is one option that truly works.

Tell me what you all think?

Tom / NN2X / 73's
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W6MK

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2021, 04:01:42 PM »

1. Eham did the survey.  I just asked the same question Eham did. 

2. I tried to do something, I was interviewed for the CEO position for ARRL three times, I said repeatedly on interview, we must target the young and I had a solution, which I had performed a pilot test here in Texas. It works, but I simply don't have the resources like ARRL, But I digress

FYI: I did not get the job (ARRL CEO)

3. If I were the CEO ARRL...

4. pilot test I did here in Texas, is one option that truly works.

Tell me what you all think?
1. There's a big difference between asking an impertinent question, in a public forum, and
putting together a survey which puts no one on the spot. The psychological factor involved is usually called empathy or compassion and it has to do with an ability to understand that other people have
feelings which may not be identical to one's own.

2. Kudos for trying to do something. There were probably significant reasons you did not become the CEO of the ARRL.

3. You seem like a very forceful, top-down authoritarian personality. Often in more or less democratic organizations (like the ARRL) this doesn't fit very well.

4. Running an organization like the ARRL is a complex task. There are many competing interests most of which require application of meager resources. Recruitment of new, youthful membership, may or may not be a suitable top priority for the organization. Such recruitment, since it can be resource-demanding, may conflict directly with other vital organizational interests. Recruitment, despite seeming so superficially, may well NOT be a top way to assure the long-term survival of the ARRL and the preservation of our frequencies.

Often very small organizations, lean and mean, are the most effective in furthering their long-term agendas.

I think it's a good thing that you've decided to identify yourself. It gives people a window to try to understand who you are and why you say what you do. You yourself mentioned that looking someone up on QRZ was a best way to get to know them. I happen to disagree although your QRZ pages speaks very clearly about who you are.

Also your diatribe about the relative benefits of using smartphones or the internet among youngsters seems to me to illustrate a basic misunderstanding of what ham radio means to most hams. Most of us are not EEs nor would we be interested in that kind of work.


« Last Edit: February 20, 2021, 04:08:52 PM by W6MK »
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KBKZ2105

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Re: New to hobby and forum
« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2021, 04:51:49 PM »

Not sure how to respond to that.  Let me think on it. 
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