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Manager - N2MG
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Survey Question

Question

Keeping it in the Family - How many hams in your house? Do you have to share the shack? Do you have a roster system? Have to take it in turns to work the new ones? Comments welcome.

Results (1505 answers)

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Survey Comments

Ham Family

Before we had cell phones, there were always these instances where we could have or should have been able to stay in local 2m/70cm contact. The utility value besides the hobby aspect was clear.
I was leading a class for new hams along with several other instructors and Helene signed up not originally intending to do the optional CW part of it. But on her own, she took one of the code tape sets home. She emabarrased me with my early cw educational performance by learning the entire alphabet in less than 24 hours by the time I got home from work the next day! I was floored.
The next step took place when our VE team was having occasional trouble getting a legal 3 person team together to run test sessions. Seeing the struggle that we had, she upgraded first to General, then to Extra, just so she could help out whenever we got caught short one VE. She called herself the "extra-Extra". The amazing thing is that she has never attempted an HF contact after attaining the priveleges. She did it just for the ability to assist our team. She will no doubt get on HF someday especially if some need arises such as she and I being geographically separated sometime and wanting to stay in contact. Quite a XYL, eh?
If you ever do hear KB1EBF on the air sometime, pat her on the back for the job well done on her personal effort and for her volunteer spirit.

Joe N1KHB
Posted by N1KHB on 2004-10-31

Myself and Brother-in-law

My brother-in-law WD5TX Mike got me interested in ham radio in late 2002. I studied and listened on 2 mtrs for about 2 months and took my tech test and was granted my tech ticket in Feb, 2003. I have enjoyed ham radio very much. I have tried repeatedly to pass CW without success (yet), I'm still trying. Just completed my BBA and will soon tackle the CW. I am fascinated with CW and the whole aspect of it. I don't think that CW will ever go away. I am trying to get my XYL interested to save $$ on the cell phone bill every month, she will get her ticket probably early next year. All three of my daughters have been sitting in my lap when I'm on nets and the oldest two have actually talked on a few nets. The local hams love it when we get our youth involved. I believe that all of my girls will be interested also.
I want to wish everyone 73's.

I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of ham radio and its enormous family!
Mike
KD5VFD
Posted by KD5VFD on 2004-10-31

Just me

I'm the only one, dont think i'll bother to renew.
Posted by KC9CEW on 2004-10-30

Ham Family

My wife is also a Extra class ham, My dad was a ham until he passed away in 1997 and all three sons are hams., My mother in law is a general, along with all of my wifes three brothers and one sister, and about three of their spouces., We use the local six meter repeater (K4SIX) as a means to keep up with each other. Wonderful hobby.
Jake K5WTA

Posted by K5WTA on 2004-10-30

Ham Family

Every time I mention getting a ham ticket to my XYL, she just holds up her cell phone, and points to the computer. She thinks Ham operators are just classier CB'ers, with more money for bigger toys. I can't even get her to attend my local club activities. I did trick her into answering a call on the autopatch once. Got the couch that night. Who knows, one of these days she may see the real value and comraderie of Ham radio, and join me in the fun.
Posted by W4ABX on 2004-10-29

family of 9


Seven children, xyl and myself; four boys and three girls. The youngest son became a ham, had for himself a Swan 350 and a two element Quad at sixty five feet, gave hamming up for the computer.

Smart boy.

.:
Posted by W6TH on 2004-10-28

Ham Family

As it is right now just myself, but I have a adult son who is licensed, and both my parents (SK) were licensed. My other 2 sons and wife have no interest in ham radio at all other then putting up with dad's radios.
Posted by WA8VBX on 2004-10-27

New meaning to "HF"

A good friend had been working on me to get
my ticket since we were in Jr. High in the
mid 1980's. However, Dad said he couldn't
buy me a radio.:( It's too bad I didn't
know about homebrew!!!!! I finally passed
my Tech exam in late 2001 and my Extra in
April 2002. I've had a blast...

An elmer couple we know (KC5JBY and
KD5OEZ) kept working on my wife to her
ticket...telling her that it was great for
HF (husband finding!). Since we live in
an area where cell phone coverage is very
limited and I am notoriously cheap, my wife
finally got her ticket last year. She's
active on 2m FM just to keep up with me.
She seems to be interested in 6m and says
she wants some QSL cards, but her interest
seems to wax and wane. Now, if we could
just get the dog licensed...

Oh, well... I guess now I need to elmer my
4 year old nephew. Hey, he's alreading
disassembling and reassembling his PC, why
not?

73 es gud dx
de WN5T
Posted by former_WN5T on 2004-10-26

4 so far....

Me, my father, younger brother, and my mom's older sister all licensed.

My XYL has shown interest off and on - prediction: eventually will be licensed.

4 year old daughter intrigued by radio - turn the knobs and then you can hear people talking to you! Has already participated in several QSO's on 20 meter SSB.

The hobby has a future!
Posted by W4PA on 2004-10-26

4 so far....

Me, my father, younger brother, and my mom's older sister all licensed.

My XYL has shown interest off and on - prediction: eventually will be licensed.

4 year old daughter intrigued by radio - turn the knobs and then you can hear people talking to you! Has already participated in several QSO's on 20 meter SSB.

The hobby has a future!
Posted by W4PA on 2004-10-26

Uh...5.....

Oh yeah (I am in trouble for this one)....
my Uncle Sal is also licensed. It's 5, not 4. If he reads this, I am not going to hear the end of it :-)

Scott W4PA
Posted by W4PA on 2004-10-26

Only One

I am the only ham in this family --- well, the household is
just my wife and I as the kids are married and out of the
house. My kids do not understand ham radio. To them, if
you want to talk to someone you call them up on your cell
phone or at worse you send them an e-mail message.

The only other ham radio operator in the greater family
was my uncle Tom Manning who had a license in the late
1940s and early 1950s. He died in 1955 (I think, maybe
1954) and I can't find anyone in the family who
remembers his call sign.
It would be nice to run across some old timer who knew
him. (He lived in San Jose California so probably had a 6
sign).
Posted by K7PEH on 2004-10-26

Me, but...

So far, just me in my family since I recently got my ticket. However, my dad seems to be showing interest in possibly becoming a ham. Hopefully with any luck, he'll have time to study up, get his ticket and buy himself a radio. :)
Posted by KI4HFO on 2004-10-26

Ham Family

My XYL and I share the shack. I am KM5EW, and the XYL is KD5OGD. She doesn't operate much even on 2 meters, but I think I can get her on 6 meters if I get some gear for that band in the shack and in the truck.

At least she understands why I have loved our hobby for so long!
Posted by KM5EW on 2004-10-24

Just me, but working on Dad

Got my license at 12, I'm 22 now. My Dad is a senior electrical engineer, I have tried for years to get him to take his test. I'm pretty sure he could just about walk in and pass it. His complaint is always the same "I don't have any extra money for radios." I always tell him "Dad, I have radios piled up that I never use, I THINK I can spare one." :o)

Jason KE4NYV
www.ke4nyv.com
RPC Electronics
www.rpc-electronics.com
Posted by KE4NYV on 2004-10-24

Just Me and That's it

This is when I can get away from the everyday family things. Been a Ham since 16 my kids have grown and gone. They never were interested in OLD MAN's Toys. They had NITENDO.
KP4HE
Posted by KP4HE on 2004-10-24

Ham Family

My late Father, was W6OFY, than W7JDF
My late Mother, was K6MDM
Me, N6OFY, my son, KF6MIA, and my wife is planning to get her ticket.
Posted by N6OFY on 2004-10-22

Ham Family

My late Father, was W6OFY, than W7JDF
My late Mother, was K6MDM
Me, N6OFY, my son, KF6MIA, and my wife is planning to get her ticket.
Posted by N6OFY on 2004-10-22

3 Gens soon!

My 12 year old daughter loves Morse code, and she is now in a regular school class for a science-credit called "Ham Radio". The goal is for her to get her Tech with Morse code endorsement. Learning of her interest, my 81 year old Father who had a long career in telecommunications and was a 35 wpm radio operator in WWII is planning to get his license as well.

This is all very, very cool!
Posted by AL2I on 2004-10-22

3 Gens soon!

My 12 year old daughter loves Morse code, and she is now in a regular school class for a science-credit called "Ham Radio". The goal is for her to get her Tech with Morse code endorsement. Learning of her interest, my 81 year old Father who had a long career in telecommunications and was a 35 wpm radio operator in WWII is planning to get his license as well.

This is all very, very cool!
Posted by AL2I on 2004-10-22

Another Ham Family

I'm very lucky to have my wife K3AMM and both of our sons as hams. Son #1 is KT3G living in Charlotte, NC and not active and son #2 is N3GKQ and he lives in Fairfax, VA. and he's not active at this time either. My Dad is N3FPN who didn't get his ticket until he was 70 years old. He's now in a nursing home and is 88 years old. I've got to thank Vince, KB3OM for his kindness and patience in getting both our boy's and my Dad
licensed.

Even though I'm the one most active, I admire what they all did to get their tickets and whenever they decide to become active again the worlds greatest hobby will be there waiting for them
Posted by W3FJ on 2004-10-22

Ham Family - radio is in the blood.

Just me, sort of. My father had a CB in his car while I was a kid and could never tell me what those big towers with the horn antennas were for.
My wife is impartial. If she had the time, she'd get her ticket just for the fun of it.
However, I was adopted at birth and discovered a few years ago that my birth-grandfather was an avid ham who worked as an electronics technician when he was alive. Any guesses what I do for a living? Coincidentally, I spent my summers less than ten miles from the WOO antenna farm and now live a few miles from WWV. I guess there is some truth to the statement that "radio is in your blood."
Posted by AB0SF on 2004-10-21

Wife Yes, Kids No

My wife is a ham, but doesn't operate at all. Not even on two meters. She got her ticket to surprise me. She did. My daughter and son have had no interest at all and thinks Dad's hobby is cool, but they want to forge ahead doing their own thing. I have never pressed the issue

Lee -K0WA

Posted by K0WA on 2004-10-21

Sharing the shack

My wife got her license about a year and half ago, after listening to me for 25 years, but she only uses the mobile and very rarely on the base UHF/VHF only. Can't get her on other modes.


Posted by KC7OO on 2004-10-21

Ham Family

My wife got an old fashioned Tech ticket back in the early 80s. We were car to car and car to house long before the yuppies even thought about cell phones.

She now has a general, but still only uses 2 meters for between us.
Posted by W2BLC on 2004-10-21

All-ham family

You didn't have a catagory for spouse, harmonic, and me. My XYL is N5UPT and my daughter is AC5NF. I do share my shack with AC5NF. But I wake up early, and she wakes up late so its not a problem.
Posted by AD5X on 2004-10-20

Retired

I'm widowed and the children are grown. Just me in the whole house - which can lead to some interesting operating hours....
Posted by K4JF on 2004-10-20

we're married 'cause of radio

my XYL is a ham, her mom, dad, brother, uncle and cousin are hams. I met my wife thru ham radio. The only thing is, she is active on the 2m CB channels and I gave that up long ago. She has no interst in HF, I am trying to change that.
The girls like it when daddy talks to someone using that funny noise. They are learning Morse Code, they discovered they can talk without others understanding.
Posted by OBSERVER11 on 2004-10-20

LOOK OUT !!!!!

My entire family are hams XYL is N3YL , Mary and is a very active DX'er and great net controller. Our two sons had their extras at age 11...I pounded CW and theory into them , that was over 20 some years ago. Son #1 Bob jr. KA3S ,very big DX'er and great CW optr. Son #2 Mike KS3V not active. Also got my dad interested in ham radio many years ago , and he is WA3EBJ....very active. I have 4 little Grandaughters, and they will become hams too and will be great CW operators.
Damn,...I'm proud as can be of then ALL !

73 BOB N3OO

Posted by N3OO on 2004-10-20

Just Me....

The wife almost got hooked when we were on our Honeymoon. 3000 miles in a Rambler.... But as much fun as working the Stone Mountain repeater while a 747 was trying to land on my roof at ATL (well, almost) was, it didn't stick.

The mud monster prefers a cellphone, which may be good 'cause she'd steal my HT's anyway.

But I try....
Posted by K8LEA on 2004-10-20

Daughter is Licensed

I got my license in '99, Sarah became KB9ZNC in '01. We enjoy going to club meetings together, and Field Day. When I can get a real HF setup together, I think I can convince her to upgrade to General, and maybe get the XYL to join us.
Posted by AE0Z on 2004-10-20

LOOK OUT !!!!!

My entire family are hams XYL is N3YL , Mary and is a very active DX'er and great net controller. Our two sons had their extras at age 11...I pounded CW and theory into them , that was over 20 some years ago. Son #1 Bob jr. KA3S ,very big DX'er and great CW optr. Son #2 Mike KS3V not active. Also got my dad interested in ham radio many years ago , and he is WA3EBJ....very active. I have 4 little Grandaughters, and they will become hams too and will be great CW operators.
Damn,...I'm proud as can be of then ALL !

73 BOB N3OO

Posted by N3OO on 2004-10-20

Just me...may be....

My dad first mentioned about this hobby when I was I was 7. There were no ham operators in the family or among friends. When I turned 15 I earned my tkt. Tried getting my family interested with no luck. For some strange reason I have always suceeded in getting my bosses at work hooked up! My only hope now is my XYL, who would be joining me to the local club meeting for the very first time tonight! Fingers crossed!
My dream is to have a ham family!
Sasi VK5SN / VU3SNM / 9V1SM (ex)


Posted by VK5SN on 2004-10-20

Ham Family

I have two sons that I am trying to interest in ham radio. They are 9 and 12. Some interest shown and they like going to hamfests with me.
Posted by KC8ZVF on 2004-10-19

Ham Family

I have two sons that I am trying to interest in ham radio. They are 9 and 12. Some interest shown and they like going to hamfests with me.
Posted by KC8ZVF on 2004-10-19

Ham Family

Me and my wife share this beautiful hobby for many years.
Our 2 children, girl 15 and boy 10 at this moment, will get there licenses soon as well.
So guess that will make it to the Brady Bunch.


Posted by PE9PE on 2004-10-19

Son has license

My son was licensed at age 10 with a novice but no interest in CW only so he got his Techplus and was somewhat active on 2m and 10m in late 90s. He got interested seeing me operate 2m FM and helping with field day and other contests like the ARRL 10m. As he went through his teens over 8 years the PC has taken the top priority but he still goes to local club meetings and had fun helping run 10m at field day last summer.
The biggest problem these days for kids is TIME. School, work, sports, dating, and of course the PC craze can take a lot of it during the teen years so get them interested early! With no close friends on HR and cell phones being common place doing 2m does not have the appeal it did 20-30 years ago. But don't give up either and if there is a technical bent, communicator or contester/competitive spirit in your kids, go for it!
Posted by K0VH on 2004-10-19

My dad, my brother, and me

I was licensed in 2001, and encouraged my dad and brother to get their license last winter. I like to stay at least one license class ahead of them, though. Or in this case, 2.
Posted by KC0KBH on 2004-10-19

XYL and I

The XYL and I both have Extras. Although the shack has been my domain; I would be more than pleased to let her use the shack anytime she wanted to. Generally speaking, after a day of dealing with the public, she has no interest in yakking the night away on the radio. I have become pretty much the same; seldom are the rigs fired up unless there is some interesting DX on the cluster.
Posted by W4MGY on 2004-10-19

Elder Abuse

My child bride(K6DWW)has had priority on our shack ever since she upgraded to Extra whilst I remain a mere General (c:
Posted by K3DWW on 2004-10-19

Ham Family

I'm a second-generation ham, and have two brothers who are licensed. My son is licensed, and a nephew is working on his ticket right now, too.
Posted by K0RGR on 2004-10-19

Shhh!

That's all I need, would be for the XYL to have a ham license!
Posted by WB2WIK on 2004-10-19

Ham Family

My parents are hams, and we have two seperate ham shacks in the house. I am more active then my parents, so its nice having a shack in my room that I can use it anytime I want to.

+Steve/KD5OWO
Posted by KD5OWO on 2004-10-19

My wife and I are Hams

I got my license in 1956 with KN6USI. My wife is also a ham, I am glad the two of us share the hobby together and yes we have a radio room. However my children never had any interest. All of them were more into sports, perhaps I can interest my grandchildren into being hams and someday get Grandpa's and grandma's call letters.

Posted by K6USI on 2004-10-19

Ham Family

Just me and son N9JOK. Had Uncle (W4MO since 1928) who became SK many years ago. Also have another uncle who was W0KIA years ago, but let license lapse. Ex-wife hated ham radio ...
Posted by N9AVY on 2004-10-19