HAM Radio Starter Kit - Information for Beginners

[RVTECH]

This has been a 'bone of contention' for a long time with the HAM radio 'community'.

Lots of agencies and organizations have been suggesting/requesting the FCC look at the band plan and potentially reallocate certain frequencies for commercial, unlicensed uses.

 

[Brians356]

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

Problem for hams is that there are so few of us still alive and active. The Internet accelerated what was already a long decline of the hobby. That was why the radio manufacturers and ARRL were so keen to dumb down the tests and eliminate the Morse code requirement. It's harder and harder for Congress and FCC to justify retaining so much bandwidth for strictly amateur use.
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[RVTECH]

Problem for hams is that there are so few of us still alive and active.

No doubt true but there is an 'uptick' (albeit small) in the interest in HAM radio and licenses are slowly increasing.

In my area I see (hear) licensees increasing regularly however a large % of them are utilizing the 2 meter frequencies, and will probably never venture into any others at a 'General' or 'Extra' level.

Interestingly though since I did recently upgrade to General, and have been dabbling with HF, I am surprised at the amount of activity I hear on many of the bands, especially 10 and 80 meters and routinely make contact with many people all over the US, and a few in other countries although I am hindered somewhat with just a 140' dipole antenna (made out of 75 ohm TV coax!) but at times it works surprisingly well.

 

[Brians356]

Cleaning out some storage. Anyone interested in my old commercial Mini-Quad array from the 1980s? Free for the taking. (Stock photo, mine's disassembled.)


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[RVTECH]

Free for the taking.

I wish I were closer !

 

[Brians356]

I wish I were closer !

Ever get east, near I-95 through SE Oregon and SW Idaho?
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[RVTECH]

Ever get east, near I-95 through SE Oregon and SW Idaho?

Unfortunately no.

 

[Brians356]

Unfortunately no.

Know of a web forum for Inland NW (or PSNW) hams where I could offer this antenna and some other ham gear?

(I'd have taken this offline but you've blocked.)
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[The Heretic]

Know of a web forum for Inland NW (or PSNW) hams where I could offer this antenna and some other ham gear?

(I'd have taken this offline but you've blocked.)
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Reddit?

 

[RVTECH]

Know of a web forum for Inland NW (or PSNW) hams

Unfortunately no.

 

[Brians356]

Unfortunately no.

Unfortunately thanks.
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[Mono1]

Know of a web forum for Inland NW (or PSNW) hams where I could offer this antenna and some other ham gear?

(I'd have taken this offline but you've blocked.)
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Maybe these guys?

(no title)

Bringing the world together through amateur radio!

idxa.org

 

[Brians356]

Maybe these guys?

(no title)

Bringing the world together through amateur radio!

idxa.org

Thanks, good tip.
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[Brians356]

Thanks, good tip.
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Well, I applied to IDXA several days ago, but "Your subscription has not yet been approved."
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[kopcicle]

I already broke the TLDR barrier today so I'll just say I've been doing this for decades and if needed I can help.
Western Wa , Kent, near lake Meridian.

Amateur Extra and VE for the Laurel and the A.R.R.L.

 

[The Heretic]

KWAM!



Radio station gets hit by lightning

 

[GrayGoose]

KWAM!

View attachment 1469031

Radio station gets hit by lightning

Shocking!

 

[Jim Horn]

KWAM!

View attachment 1469031

Radio station gets hit by lightning

And here I thought spark gap transmitters were obsolete...

WB9SYN/7

 

[Brians356]

And here I thought spark gap transmitters were obsolete...

And illegal. Someone call the FCC.
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[Longwalkhome]

Add on feature.