Talk to me about amateur shortwave radio

[mikegideon]

I had one of those on loan to me, but the owner needed it back. That would be a great tool to have for sure.

They're making some cool hand held antenna analyzers these days. There's a lot to be said for the ones that generate their own signal, so you can match the antenna before you dump your transmitter into it. The swept frequency ones are even better.

[TGO David]

Well, if you came by my house right now, we would have to tune an antenna with an Agilent spectrum analyzer and return loss bridge, 'cause the leftie chick hid my watt meter . The good stuff will work in a pinch.

I tell ya what... as soon as I get my gear in and installed, I'll hit you up and see what you've got handy.

[kb4ns]

the leftie chick hid my watt meter

They're after our ham gear too?!?!

[mikegideon]

I tell ya what... as soon as I get my gear in and installed, I'll hit you up and see what you've got handy.

I'm afraid I may get bit with this bug too. HF is the fun stuff, so I'm probably gonna tackle elements 2-4. I have plenty of development toys.

[hardknox00001]

I had one of those on loan to me, but the owner needed it back. That would be a great tool to have for sure.

Well, I am way over here close to Smithville and I have one, even rigged a power cord to plug into cig lighter in vehicle cause those things eat batteries like obama spends money. I go to M'boro regularly so if needed, I would be willing to bring it by with some notice...................

[Photoguy67]

Even better if you can find somebody with one of these........

MFJ Enterprises Inc.

I have one of those, holler at me David and I will be glad to come help you tune up.

[TGO David]

Well, I am way over here close to Smithville and I have one, even rigged a power cord to plug into cig lighter in vehicle cause those things eat batteries like obama spends money. I go to M'boro regularly so if needed, I would be willing to bring it by with some notice...................

I have one of those, holler at me David and I will be glad to come help you tune up.

You guys are awesome. Thanks much!

[Guest ScottD]

You guys are awesome. Thanks much!

That's something you will find in the Ham community. Much like with guns, most guys are more than willing to help you out.

[Guest uofmeet]

Yup, I am willing to help out, but i am in the Evil corner of TN(memphis) but most hams are very helpful. But anyone in the memphis area interested in gettin into ham, just let me know.

[Guest DefensiveGuy]

Oh, you all have hit on my primary hobby since 1978. Licensed since 78 and Extra since 86. Ive done many of the offshots of this multifaceted hobby. Communicated with the Space Station, Mir, and Shuttle several times. Have run High Speed Meteor Scatter (bouncing digital computer generated signals off small meteors, its a long story) for many years with 100 grids + on 2 meters. Many countries worked on HF. Worked all 50 states with CW (morse code). Skywarn for decades, local Emergency Management for Ham and Job. Built up a repeater here from old gear and ran for years. Ran a IRLP node (tieing in radios via internet, yes a bit controversial) for years.

Anyway, after all this bragging; I agree with what KB4NS and others said. To limit yourself to FM 2m and 440 with a dual bander is like limiting yourself to a .22 with guns. Much more out there to play with. Yes i does cost to do some of these things but i've managed not to spend allot because i scrounge and build more than by ready built (rare for me). That is most of the fun for me. Think of what folks spend on hunting, boating, camping, etc. So ham radio in comparison is not that expensive.

Now im going back to my roots. Having a ball day camping with QRP (low power) radios and doing CW contacts. Minimalistic gear in these times of turmoil around the world :-)

73

Chuck

Ham Call AF4O

[Guest ScottD]

Oh ya David, btw, Field Day is next month, the 26th and 27th. I'll get you the information on where our club is holding ours, and you can come out and play radio.

[Guest uofmeet]

Field day is awesome, and a great way to figure out if you like HF and what radios you like without having to buy anything. Just show up and enjoy. For the Shelby county people, The Delta Club will be at Freeman Partk near Stage and Bartlett Blvd if anyone wants to come out and try it. We will also have a station set up to where you don't even need a ham license to try it out if you want to.

73

Jeff

Edited June 2, 2010 by uofmeet

[Capbyrd]

Congrats David. This is something that I have always been interested in but never took the time to do it. I'm a little bit jealous.

[Guest uofmeet]

Congrats David. This is something that I have always been interested in but never took the time to do it. I'm a little bit jealous.

My offer still stands. you want me to help you get it, I can do that.

[Guest PapaB]

I don't know whether I should thank you or be mad at you for starting this thread. My wife and I got our tickets in 1991 but let them expire. Now I'm thinking about getting one again. I can't afford this so thanks a lot!

I had my Technicians but would go for the General this time. The one thing I'm not sure about is whether or not it would do any good where I live. I'm down in a hollow and couldn't put up much of an antenna here. I know VHF would be poor here but I'm not sure about 10 or 20 meters. Are any of you down in a hollow? Any advice would be welcome.

[hardknox00001]

I don't know whether I should thank you or be mad at you for starting this thread. My wife and I got our tickets in 1991 but let them expire. Now I'm thinking about getting one again. I can't afford this so thanks a lot!

I had my Technicians but would go for the General this time. The one thing I'm not sure about is whether or not it would do any good where I live. I'm down in a hollow and couldn't put up much of an antenna here. I know VHF would be poor here but I'm not sure about 10 or 20 meters. Are any of you down in a hollow? Any advice would be welcome.

Well, the only true way to know is to try. I would think that you would be able to have some sort of success. 80 -20 meters seems to be the hot spots right now with current solar cycle conditions with sporatic openings on the rest of the bands, and most are working with a simple dipole mounted as high as their conditions will allow, and having some success. Can I guarantee that you'll get to Japan or Australia, no but I would think that a simple setup would allow North and South America and Europe. Besides, some of the super stations with their super beam antennas mounted on a 200' tower out there could probably pick you out of a tomato can, just have to get something out there to get their attention.

I have a simple station now, the only antenna I have for HF is a Gap Titan DX multiband vertical. I have talked to Russia, Italy, France (who surrendered immediatly), Hawaii (dude had previous mentioned super station), all over the US, Costa Rica, etc, etc. I am sort of in the same area as you, over here on the Smith Fork Creek just north of Dowelltown so I would think that you would have some success of some sort.........

[Guest uofmeet]

I am using a random wire in a couple of trees and i do not do to terribly bad. Of course i have a tuner. I used to use a trapped dipole at about 15-20 ft off the ground and did fine. It doesn't take a lot. Although height helps, But if condidtions are right, you will get out farther than you imagine.

[enfield]

So, David, did you get your callsign yet?

[Guest uofmeet]

I am sure he does. If i knew his last name, I could probably figure it out.

73's

Edited June 2, 2010 by uofmeet

[Guest ScottD]

He did get his call, and checked into the local net last night. I'll let him give his call, assuming he wants to (I know on ARFCOM, they are a bit paranoid about giving it out).

[enfield]

Understandable -- I don't post mine everywhere. Too much info available on the web.

[TGO David]

I do have it. I don't intend on posting it publicly but if you PM me...

[TGO David]

Just a few notes...

1. 60m has reportedly opened up nicely as of late.

2. I'm sitting for my General test this Saturday. Should have no problems as I've been acing them on HamTestsOnline this week.

3. If someone would buy my damned HK 45 (for sale in the Trading Post) soon, I'll buy a HF rig for the house and be able to put my upgraded ticket to use.

[chipperi]

Good Luck on the General... I havent bothered to take it because I cant afford a HF rig right now.

73s

KJ4QCV

Kingsport Amateur Radio Club

W4TRC Repeater 146.970 tone123.0

[enfield]

Good luck on the test - you should do fine.