HAM Radio Starter Kit - Information for Beginners

[AshWilliams]

I haven't purchased the book but FYI for those that may be curious about it.

Amazon.com

Interesting!

 

[ATCclears]

The top of the QRP antenna wire pyramid is 22 gauge central office frame wire (sometimes referred to as cross connect wire). CO frame wire is incredibly strong for its size and does not easily stretch. It comes in a twisted pair. There is no need to separate the pair. Simply strip the insulation and terminate the bare wires together at each end. This turns the twisted pair into what is effectively one single conductor. The twist will have no meaningful effect on your send or receive signal.

Unfortunately, CO frame wire is used only by the telecommunications industry and is very hard to find for sale to the public. It can occasionally be found at swap meets. I was able to source this wire through my professional affiliations and can confirm that it makes a fantastic light weight antenna material.

Cheap & Easy Portable Antenna Hacks! - Off Grid Ham

What are some cheap and easy ideas to make a portable antenna better, from an off grid perspective?

offgridham.com

 

[ATCclears]

An article on QRP radios, which is generally done in the HF bands and likely requires a General or Extra license in the USA.

QRP Alternatives: After The Funeral, What Comes Next? - Off Grid Ham

Anyone not already on the Yaesu platform will have to seek QRP alternatives. Most hams were surprised, some were disappointed, and some were strangely…glad?

offgridham.com

 

[edzz]

I often find myself falling down the internet rabbit hole when people mention QRP operations, as my thoughts drift to memory's of time spent with my grandfather in his ham shack.
BTW my grandfathers last call sign was W7OE. Radio was a BIG part of his life.
He earned his handle "YB" when he first went on the air as a ten year old.
Unfortunately I have never been able to "hear" code well enough to become licensed prior to the code requirement being dropped many years after granddads passing.
This link gives a glimpse of his life.
YB

 

[sobo]

YB

Very cool! Always love reading stuff like that. Thanks, and may 7HP / W7ASL / W7OE forever rest in peace...

 

[ATCclears]

I have not tried this app. It is a training tool to learn morse code.

I became aware of the app via an email from Mac Ham Radio, which is website of ham-radio software for Apple platforms.


https://dong.digital/morsemania/

Mac Ham Radio

Mac Ham Radio -- Devoted to Amateur Radio Operators Using Apple MacOS and IOS

www.machamradio.com

 

[ATCclears]

A long but illustrative video on the Jungle Antenna.

 

[ATCclears]

Long but informative. The focus is on HF communications (which requires a General or Extra license in the USA).

I still have my eye on the IC-705.

 

[The Heretic]

https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/11cwd8r

 

[salmon creek gary]

Long but informative. The focus is on HF communications (which requires a General or Extra license in the USA).

I still have my eye on the IC-705.

Actually, ambitious Novices & Techs have some limited HF privileges; they're allowed only CW on a few bands, but they can use SSB on a portion of the 10 meter band. I"m going to try to attach the band chart here.

 

[RVTECH]

Actually, ambitious Novices & Techs have some limited HF privileges; they're allowed only CW on a few bands, but they can use SSB on a portion of the 10 meter band.

Yep - I currently a Tech now but have been making contacts on the portion of the 10 meter band I can use.

I'll be testing for General next month!

 

[AshWilliams]

Yep - I currently a Tech now but have been making contacts on the portion of the 10 meter band I can use.

I'll be testing for General next month!

Good luck man! I've been meaning to get my general but other commitments/projects keep taking priority.

 

[ATCclears]

There is an interesting tidbit in this article about wiring batteries in parallel.

Series and Parallel Battery Connection Techniques. - Off Grid Ham

Let’s take a look at series and parallel battery connection techniques and what it might mean to your off grid power system.

offgridham.com

 

[ATCclears]

Nifty jumpstart program from QRZ and GigaParts for new ham-radio operators. It ends on June 30, 2023.

The handheld transceiver is probably not high quality, but if you're just getting started...

QRZ Jumpstart GigaParts.com

QRZ Jumpstart

www.gigaparts.com

 

[cbabcock686]

This is all awesome information for a noob like me, thank you!

 

[RVTECH]

The handheld transceiver is probably not high quality, but if you're just getting started...

Probably just a Baofeng in a different case, but they are not too bad.

 

[Brians356]

Just stumbled on this thread. An Extra Class for over 40 years. I'll pop in if I can contribute anything of value.

-

 

[parallax]

The solar cycle is getting hot Any given day I can turn on my HF and make a contact anywhere in the USA/ Canada/South America And do it with 30 watts or less

 

[ATCclears]

A series of five articles is below. There may be nothing new for some, but for those pondering comms there may be some insights here for you.

A basic ham-radio license (called the Technician license in the US) is an assumed choice... but not the only choice. One can do FRS stuff with no license, or get a GMRS license (no testing, covers the family) and take advantage of local repeaters to get more range. There is also MURS but I don't know if there are licensing requirements.

I've included a link for a website of GMRS repeaters. In the Seattle area the GMRS repeater on Tiger Mountain (Issaquah area) is very active.


https://survivalblog.com/2023/04/11/commo-family-group-community-part-1-tunnel-rabbit/

https://survivalblog.com/2023/04/12/commo-family-group-community-part-2-tunnel-rabbit/

https://survivalblog.com/2023/04/13/commo-family-group-community-part-3-tunnel-rabbit/

https://survivalblog.com/2023/04/14/commo-family-group-community-part-4-tunnel-rabbit/

https://survivalblog.com/2023/04/15/commo-family-group-community-part-5-tunnel-rabbit/


https://mygmrs.com/repeaters

 

[ATCclears]

Ham radio operators are sounding the alarm over the latest threat to their beloved hobby—and this time, it is coming from Wall Street.

A group of high-frequency trading firms is asking the Federal Communications Commission to open shortwave frequencies to greater commercial use, so they can use radio to zip financial data around the world in milliseconds.

Prominent members of the amateur-radio community say interference from traders' broadcasts could ruin their hobby, which often involves tuning in to weak radio signals so they can chat with fellow hams in faraway places. Hundreds of hams have filed letters with the FCC opposing the traders' proposal, and some have railed against the plan in YouTube videos.

Brock Fansler is among those speaking out. A 40-year-old Los Angeles resident with shoulder-length hair, he likes using his radio to send digital data about weather conditions to other hams. He complains that the traders are looking to transmit with up to 20,000 watts of power, whereas amateurs are capped at 1,500 watts, and many use off-the-shelf radios with 100 watts.

Ham Radio Enthusiasts vs. High-Frequency Traders: A Battle for the Airwaves

Trading firms are asking the FCC to open shortwave frequencies to greater commercial use.

www.wsj.com