-
You Can Teach an Old Seadog New Tricks
An “Extra” Sweet Victory While I may have been an #ExtraByEasterFailure, on May 18th, 2024, while with my family at Dayton’s #Hamvention, I finally passed the top-level US Amateur Radio License licensing exam. I am now, after many years, an Amateur Extra class operator. I used many resources to get here, from my experience as…
-
March 30th #HamCram After Action Report
A Partial Success On March 30th, I attempted to teach a technician class, #hamcram class, here in Ripley County, Indiana. We had people from the local area, as far south as Tennesee and as far north as West Lafayette, Indiana, and eight students. Things started off well with enthusiastic students and good questions and answers.…
-
#ExtraByEaster Failure
The best intentions I had every intention of getting my Amateur Extra license by Easter, but as usually happens, life happened. There is no need to share all of the details here, but several things came up yet again, and I will miss this deadline. The new plan The goal and backup goal is to…
-
Getting Back Online and On the Air
After leaving regular blogging for almost a decade and succumbing to the trend of short social media, I am entering a new stage in my life where I am once again focusing on my amateur radio hobby, and I decided that I wanted to document my journey again. This website will be a work in…
-
I’m baaaack…
…And hopefully for longer than the last few runs. I have Sam KJ4PDQ (G+) to thank for getting me back on the air. He reminded me that the radios work better when you turn them on… I would also like to thank Frank KN4QJ, Lamar K4LAM, Arnold KC4ZUA, and the others on the Walton County…
-
Do you Simplex?
First off I guess I should define what Simplex is. Simplex communication refers to communication that occurs in one direction only. Two definitions have arisen over time: a common definition, which is used in ANSI standard and elsewhere, and an ITU-T definition. The ITU definition of simplex is termed “half duplex” in other contexts. ANSI…
-
Soapbox on getting new hams active
I was listening to a Ham Radio Podcast (resonant frequency) and he brought up a good point and factoid. Out of every 20 newly licensed Technicians only 1 will ever get on the air. While my thought is that this is a little low, I thought it might be closer to 5-8, but still a…
-
Need recommendations for first modern HF rig.
I am looking into geting on HF more regularly, but I don’t have the time right now to continue the Heathkit HW 101 rebuild.I would like a basic rig, that will do SSB, CW, and digital modes. Computer control would be a great bonus.Will be used as a County Base Station HF for my Church…