I am looking forward to an HF radio rig that can do AM/ SSB , right now , I only have the TYT 9800 for lower stuff, that does 6m, and the top of 10M in FM. I tried to program some digital radios last night now that I can register online with my callsign. The local guys on the repeater in town are all really nice. I have gotten emails from all of them as well.
Saw these online today while putzing around in the shack ^^^^ was labeled.. Summits On The Air in Iowa Made contact today with W9IMS a special events station for the Indy 500
I've been working some satellites. Since I'm doing it remote (HT in one hand, and Elk log periodic antenna in the other, I have no way to write any calls down that I make contact with. So I bought a digital voice recorder. I didn't have any way to get it close to the radio, so my wife made me a neck pouch out of leather for it today. She sort of handy...
That sounds fun bigfrank I haven't gone satellite yet.. what I've seen, it can be quite challenging. You should make a video.. that'd be cool Maybe a pic of your antenna
Maybe I'll do a video sometime. Got to get a bit better at working them first. Here is the antenna I'm using. It's an Elk log periodic antenna that works on both 2m and 70cm Getting ready to figure out how to attach it to a camera tripod so I don't have to hold it for 15 or 20 minutes every time I go out.
Will the tripod allow you to follow the sattelites path easily? It would get tiresome wielding that antenna for an extended amount of time. And, I also think your wife did a fine job.
It will just let me not have to hold it for the length of the pass overhead. I still need to be able to move it along the path, and also will need to be able to turn it to change polarity. That part I have not figured out how I'm going to do just yet
So.. have you all heard that the FCC is proposing to reinstate fees for Am Radio licenses? FCC Proposes to Reinstate Amateur Radio Service Fees Proposal lists a $50 fee for license application, upgrades, vanity call signs, and renewal of license. Guess I better get after the Am Extra license class before fees go into effect. $50 seems a bit steep to me, and will likely cause many to not become operators in the first place, as well as some that may not wish to renew their license. I'll likely pay for renewal if it does happen, as it equates to $5 per year.
So, with all the craziness in the world today, some peppers are preparing for potential EMP exposure. HRCC on YouTube did a video on it recently.. Personally I've not gotten there yet, but I do have metal trash cans around. I've been researching beverage antenna's lately, and will be working on a N-S one as well as an E-W one. They will be receive only antenna's. A vertical transmit antenna with ground radials is also on the list of projects. I'll try to keep everyone updated as I progress. 73
BTW.. Do research carefully before spending a large amount of money on advertised EMP Bags.. I've seen multiple videos in which many of them simply do not work. Also remember, to be effective, any cage/box/trash can, or whatever, must have a continuous electrical connection with no breaks or openings. Saw one video where a guy puts his cell in an EMP bag, with the USB connected to his computer.. Yep.. No protection there. Although when properly sealed, it did prevent the phone from getting signal. Not that these products can guarantee protection from an EMP blast, as if that happens and they don't work.. Well let's just say you won't be calling customer service to file a complaint. Still.. an ounce of prevention & all that I've even seen where some people are actually purchasing spare "brains" for their vehicles. Which might not do any good if they need to be programmed.
Hadn't heard of this program until today. Seems like good emergency comm software utilizing DStar and RF
Taking my extra exam on Saturday. I’ve bee getting 86-96 on the practice exams. That includes hitting the wrong button sometimes which cannot happen on a bubble sheet. My wife also expressed interest in getting a technician level license.
