New Digital Modes Changing Complexion of Bands and Perhaps of Ham Radio

ARRL ^ | 11/2/17

[bigbob]

Man you ARE a fossil ;-). But the cool thing is, radio is still magic and the oldest modes still work just as well as ever for those who prefer to use them.

[The_Media_never_lie]

as far as utility is concerned, if a group of preparation-minded hams could develop a CEOI (communications-electronics operating instruction) for a private net, some very effective communications could be exchanged during a "disaster" at very, very low power with very, very stealthy equipment (low enough power where it would be extraordinarily difficult for fox-chasers to be able to catch them). If you catch my drift.

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Why do I find this encouraging?

[Ignatz]

Bkmk

[faithhopecharity]

14.7 Watts homebrew through “antenna” consisting of clothesline with metal poles firmly in the earth and tuned manually by turning lead wire around plastic garbage can. 40 meter CW. USA to Argentina. Good skeds . Up to 599 routinely. Who needs all this incomprehensible modern computer crap?! 👻👻If ya gonna do that, just send an email or post to FR and be received all around the world.

[Nailbiter]

for later

[dsc]

“Got a...somewhat-modern HF rig?”

Nope. Total novice.

[Techster]

Bookmark

[Database]

I can confirm the recent rise in popularity of FT8. Apparently the software defaults to the same frequency as our evening traffic net. Through some negotiations this default was moved a couple kc down, but it seems many are still using the old default. After a couple months we gave up and moved our net.

[Viking2002]

I've been fiddling and grab-assing with ham since I was a teen, and decided that since I turn double nickels on my next birthday, getting my general class license is on my bucket list. I'm currently upgrading my 40 channel Washington SSB CB rig with a Turner SSB+2 power mic and better SWR meter, and putting up a TRAM mast antenna (waiting for the lightning arrestor, ground spike, all that jazz to get here - I've been using some moth-eaten 1/2 wave dipole antenna that's been through a major house fire). I've been looking for a decent, inexpensive multi-band ham starter rig on eBay. Any suggestions?

[ASOC]

I'm in it for the fun.

5 watts and one of these babys

No computers, no extra stuff.... Old school radio.

[Texas Fossil]

Have not been to a Hamfest in years, but I think that is one of the best places to look for an “inexpensive” Ham rig.

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar

Or even better, find a local Ham Club that has license classes. They are usually the people who give the exams.

https://www.qrz.com/clubs

I first sat before an FCC examiner in 1976, on Commerce Street in downtown Dallas. Had an Advanced License from that year to 1985 when I took my Amateur Extra exam. Commercial license came later.

Amateur Radio Clubs vary a lot. Some have a lot of technical oriented members, others don’t. There was a time when most were X-military or worked in commercial radio fields. Not so much now.

Now they give you the question pool and the answers. It makes it a lot easier to prep for the exam.

When I got my first license, there were study guides but the question pool was blind. I was scared to death for the first exam.

I’ve taught both Amateur and Commercial Radio license classes. (not recently)

Over the years I have been fortunate to meet some of the most interesting people because of Amateur Radio.

[Texas Fossil]

Yes.

My favorite rig is still my Collins Twins. (75S-3/32S-3) In the early 1980’s, I built a general coverage frequency synthesizer for it, giving general coverage.

My first HF rig was a Galaxy GT550A transceiver, bought it new when Galaxy was being closed down in 1976. It was a hybrid rig (mixed tube and transistor). It had a great receiver and the only real drawback was the final tubes, it used a pair of 6LB6 TV sweep tubes. The problem was it required matched pairs. I had access to cheap tubes at the time, I worked for a wholesale distributor that had a division who sold Zenith. At first I just matched them. As tubes got harder to find I modified the final wiring to allow balancing the tubes. It was a little tricky to do but worked well.

Those were good days. Still have that rig too.

[fulltlt]

Pfl

[Sasparilla]

...The human in radio has somehow been lost...

Welcome to the 21st century.

[Big Red Badger]

Still,,,
Breakin’!

[WildHighlander57]

Bookmarking your post; many thanks, as I too am hearing impaired.

[dragnet2]

And it’s the reason why many humans remain non-digital in the HF realm.

[dadgum]

Ping for later

[nnn0jeh]

Ping

[tbw2]

If you’re asking about antennas, I’d say Kent Electronics. http://www.wa5vjb.com/