Well, 2/3 of the way in my journey to becoming a ham, I've applied the brakes and am reversing course.
Mainly because I've become really nostalgic lately and enjoying looking at photos of vintage CB radios much more than those of sophisticated HF units. The features on ham radios such as my Icom IC-7100 are endless and somewhat overwhelming whereas even large CB's like the old Browning's and Trams are simplistic in their operation.
I don't think I'd ever learn enough to take full advantage of what my Icom has to offer in even basic operation, much less venturing into D-Star and the such.
There are other reasons for the about-face.
While I like the idea of the orderliness and professionalism ham radio has to offer, truth be told I really prefer the more relaxed environment of CB, despite its occasional trials and tribulations.
I also dislike adding my name and Social Security number to one more database in order to get my ham tickets.
(I know there is an indirect way around this, but the info still has to be shared.)
And lastly, (this one's hard to explain) while sitting at the controls of my 7100 and listening to the airways, I discovered the experience lacked the excitement I'd expected. Rather, it was a somewhat cold and distant feeling totally unlike the warm and fuzzy I get twisting knobs on an old Cobra Dynascan 85, Royce 619, or a Navaho TRC-432.
So that's it. Good or bad, right or wrong, sometimes you just go with your feelings. And my feelings tell me my being a ham is akin to me searching for the banana puddin' among dishes of Tiramisu, Biscotti, and Creme Brulee.
Watch the Swapshop for good deals on equipment!
Regards,
Jim
Mainly because I've become really nostalgic lately and enjoying looking at photos of vintage CB radios much more than those of sophisticated HF units. The features on ham radios such as my Icom IC-7100 are endless and somewhat overwhelming whereas even large CB's like the old Browning's and Trams are simplistic in their operation.
I don't think I'd ever learn enough to take full advantage of what my Icom has to offer in even basic operation, much less venturing into D-Star and the such.
There are other reasons for the about-face.
While I like the idea of the orderliness and professionalism ham radio has to offer, truth be told I really prefer the more relaxed environment of CB, despite its occasional trials and tribulations.
I also dislike adding my name and Social Security number to one more database in order to get my ham tickets.
(I know there is an indirect way around this, but the info still has to be shared.)
And lastly, (this one's hard to explain) while sitting at the controls of my 7100 and listening to the airways, I discovered the experience lacked the excitement I'd expected. Rather, it was a somewhat cold and distant feeling totally unlike the warm and fuzzy I get twisting knobs on an old Cobra Dynascan 85, Royce 619, or a Navaho TRC-432.
So that's it. Good or bad, right or wrong, sometimes you just go with your feelings. And my feelings tell me my being a ham is akin to me searching for the banana puddin' among dishes of Tiramisu, Biscotti, and Creme Brulee.
Watch the Swapshop for good deals on equipment!
Regards,
Jim
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