Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Power Line Named Blog of the Year, and Ham Radio is an embarrassing hobby.
Time.com ^

Posted on 12/29/2004 8:46:24 AM PST by entreri

Power Line Named Blog of the Year: TIME also names Power Line its Blog of the Year. “Before this year, blogs were a curiosity, a cult phenomenon, a faintly embarrassing hobby on the order of ham radio and stamp collecting. But in 2004, blogs unexpectedly vaulted into the pantheon of major media, alongside TV, radio and, yes, magazines, and it was Power Line, more than any other blog, that got them there,” writes TIME’s Lev Grossman.

(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; Technical
KEYWORDS: 2004review; manoftheyear; powerline; weblogs
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-118 last
To: texson66
Another blue state "reporter" taking aim at someting he/she knows nothing about except that its "nerdy"

Well, there's no room for a rhombic in Manhattan, which is the Center Of The Universe, don'cha'know?

Grrrr.

73 de KC8DQH

101 posted on 01/02/2005 6:52:36 PM PST by Chemist_Geek ("Drill, R&D, and conserve" should be our watchwords! Energy independence for America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: stand watie; ProudVet77
i predict that morse will not be required after THIS year.

You think the FCC would move that fast? Especially since there's no money involved? (viz. the FCC frantically shoving BPL down everyone's throats with great urgency)

Personally, I've been trying to get to five WPM for nine years now. A lot of it is insufficient practice, but it is not a trivial skill.

102 posted on 01/02/2005 7:03:07 PM PST by Chemist_Geek ("Drill, R&D, and conserve" should be our watchwords! Energy independence for America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Unknown Freeper
I would appreciate it if you experts would provide information on how one might start out as an operator. Please suggest any links, recommend equipment and offer any suggestions for the total novice.

Well, there are Gordon West's Technician book and the ARRL's book "Now You're Talking".

The exam is a fairly short (35 question) multiple choice test. Some memorization is required - allowed frequencies, etc. Very simple algebra is also required. Ohm's Law - E = I · R - is about the extent of the math. An online exam practice page, using the actual questions, is at AA9PW.com.

With the Technician license, you can use all amateur frequences above 30 MHz. These VHF, UHF, and microwave bands will support primarily local communication, but with occasional continent-wide band openings and with amateur satellites you're not limited to just 10 or 20 miles either.

There are a whole host of radios appropriate for the new Technician. Big ham radio suppliers are Amateur Electronic Supply, Ham Radio Outlet, and Universal Radio. I've had good experiences dealing with all three.

Even before you get your license, I suggest finding a local ham radio club and going to a meeting if you can. Many clubs put on classes for the Tech license as well as the Morse code. The ARRL has a Club locator based on ZIP code.

103 posted on 01/02/2005 7:44:00 PM PST by Chemist_Geek ("Drill, R&D, and conserve" should be our watchwords! Energy independence for America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Luddite Patent Counsel
BINGO:

...the only ... "embarrassment" at either hobby would have to be an insecurity-driven adolescent obesession with appearing "cool" to other adolescents. TIME needs to hire some grown-ups.

104 posted on 01/02/2005 7:48:37 PM PST by GOPJ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Chemist_Geek
YEP & NOPE it isn't.

free dixie & 73s,sw

105 posted on 01/02/2005 8:38:24 PM PST by stand watie ( being a damnyankee is no better than being a racist. it is a LEARNED prejudice against dixie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 102 | View Replies]

To: stand watie
Well, it'd be nice if I could go HF as well. I've got the CSCEs for General and Extra. I hope the FCC does move on it very quickly.

73 to you.

106 posted on 01/02/2005 8:51:37 PM PST by Chemist_Geek ("Drill, R&D, and conserve" should be our watchwords! Energy independence for America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 105 | View Replies]

To: Chemist_Geek
i'm guessing that dumping the 5wpm requirement will be tied to BPL somehow or other, but then i'm a CYNIC!

i do NOT trust either politicians OR bureaucrats as they act ONLY in THEIR selfish interest.period. end of story.

free dixie,sw

107 posted on 01/02/2005 8:58:55 PM PST by stand watie ( being a damnyankee is no better than being a racist. it is a LEARNED prejudice against dixie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 106 | View Replies]

To: BigSkyFreeper

Yup, thats how I got started. Got an old Shortwave (for y2k lol just in case) and within 4 months I had my licence.

Not an embarrassing hobby to me.

73


108 posted on 01/02/2005 9:01:00 PM PST by eXe (Si vis pacem, para bellum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Chemist_Geek
Burghardt Amateur is another ham radio supplier.
109 posted on 01/02/2005 9:15:00 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]

To: Howlin
I swear I just read that ham radios were making a HUGE surge in owners.

Really? I hadn't heard one way or the other. I do know that a lot of people are selling the wind-up shortwave radios as "blackout radios" or "disaster radios".

110 posted on 01/03/2005 3:36:43 AM PST by Chemist_Geek ("Drill, R&D, and conserve" should be our watchwords! Energy independence for America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]

To: BigSkyFreeper
Thanks for the link. I've never done business with them - have you?
111 posted on 01/03/2005 3:37:50 AM PST by Chemist_Geek ("Drill, R&D, and conserve" should be our watchwords! Energy independence for America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 109 | View Replies]

To: entreri

Posted for all:
IT is really refreshing to know that there are so many "Freepers" that are also Amateur Radio Operators. As a group we represent a large factor in this media. Best regards to all "Hams". Bill K2AFE licensed since 4/1952


112 posted on 01/03/2005 4:11:16 AM PST by k2afe (Get the U.S. out of the UN and Get the UN out of the U.S.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Luddite Patent Counsel
I am neither a ham radio operator nor a stamp collector, but the only source of "embarrassment" at either hobby would have to be an insecurity-driven adolescent obesession with appearing "cool" to other adolescents.

Also, keep in mind that nothing is inherently "cool". "Cool" is whatever people say it is. Since celebrities are usually the trendsetters in this country, if Britney Spears, Snoop Dogg, and Colin Farrell all admitted to being stamp collectors, then stamp collecting would probably be considered a "cool" thing to do.

113 posted on 01/03/2005 4:44:03 AM PST by usadave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Chemist_Geek

CG, thanks loads for all of the information. I think I have plenty of homework/research to start now.


114 posted on 01/03/2005 3:19:09 PM PST by Unknown Freeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]

To: entreri

Hey, I built a Heathkit Shortwave radio on my wedding night, and I am NOT embarrassed about it. I collect stamps, too.


115 posted on 01/03/2005 3:22:33 PM PST by snopercod ("When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk." - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Unknown Freeper
You're welcome, and good luck! Keep us posted.

Check your local library and the local ham clubs for the books; some clubs have the study books for loan.

116 posted on 01/03/2005 9:04:24 PM PST by Chemist_Geek ("Drill, R&D, and conserve" should be our watchwords! Energy independence for America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 114 | View Replies]

To: entreri

Nasty LTE sent to time.com. Extra class myself. One of the lines was, the day will soon come when MSM employees have to speak in hushed tones about their profession.


117 posted on 01/05/2005 11:47:19 AM PST by coloradan (Hence, etc.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dead

Cabover Pete with a reefer on
And a Jimmy haulin' hogs


118 posted on 01/05/2005 11:49:53 AM PST by stainlessbanner
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-118 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson