A Ham I Am

[Tallman]

Sorry to those that were missed in that scan. Maybe we can add a field for the call signs that designate our operating privileges in the profile pages.
This is the reason I started this thread. If you are a licensed operator that is an accomplishment, be proud of it.
Only one life event surpasses my getting my EXTRA.(So far that is)

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Passed my General today!

I used Dan Romanchik's No-Nonsense Study Guides (available on Amazon) and the flash cards and practice tests at HamStudy.org. That combination worked great for this sixty-five-year-old brain.

Just downloaded his study guide for the Amateur Extra Class. Let the studying begin. Again.

Checking out HamStudy.org right now for the Technician license. Surprisingly I already know most of it, thanks for the inspiration and congratulations to you.

 

[Riverman]

Checking out HamStudy.org right now for the Technician license. Surprisingly I already know most of it, thanks for the inspiration and congratulations to you.

Thank you.
Your signature line is great advice for anyone wanting to get their ham license.

 

[928bolo]

If you like to chase DX then having your Extra is an advantage. Many DXpeditions will work frequencies below the US General frequency allocations. It helps reduce the size of the pile up.

For instance 3D2EU (Rotuma Island) operating CW on 80 meters, 3.505 mHz, right now. Generals can't work below 3.525 mHz. Also XR0YD, Easter Island, is on 3.503 at the moment.

Similar situations exist for SSB. Especially on 20 meters.

 

[Riverman]

If you like to chase DX then having your Extra is an advantage. . .

Just visited your website, Dave. Very nice.
Your contacts map is impressive.

 

[Blackcat630]

General definitely opens up a whole new world but I will say this...If you are a DX chaser nothing is more frustrating than hearing the station 5/9 and knowing the split he's using but NOT having the license class to work him! That happened to me a couple times and it drove me back to studying.... You can add me to the Extra list

 

[928bolo]

Just visited your website, Dave. Very nice.
Your contacts map is impressive.

Thanks. The map was quit a chore to put together. Had to find the Lat/Lon for all the 70,000 QSOs in my log!

 

[Riverman]

Talked to Chiloe Island (South America) today on 10 Meters using 10 watts and an attic dipole.

Will be trying out the Buddistick one day soon and plan on taking some pics and doing a review. The AA-54 will make tuning it easier and quicker.

 

[Riverman]

Broke out the Buddistick and gave it a try. Here are some pics.



I have a pic of the antenna raised and fully deployed but my wife would kill me if I used it as she is in the pic bent over pulling up weeds.

Here is my quick comparison between the Buddistick and an Alexloop magnetic loop atenna. Both cover 10-40 meters.

Craftsmanship
Outstanding on both.

Setup time
Alexloop wins by a little. There's not much to setting up either one.

Tuning
Tie. Tuning the Buddistick is a bit cumbersome as it requires finding the right combination of coil clip position and radial length, but once it is set in the middle of a band no further tuning is required whereas the Alexloop requires tuning every time frequency is changed slightly. However, this just involves the twist of a knob and quick SWR check.

Changing bands
Alexloop wins big here. With it, one can change bands with the twist of a knob while seated whereas to change bands on the Buddistick, the antenna must be lowered and the coil clip and radial length changed.

Power handling
Buddistick wins. Alexloop is restricted to 20 watts PEP SSB while the Buddistick can handle 250 watts.

Cost
Buddistick wins big. Antenna with optional mast and guying kit: $230.
Alexloop (antenna only): $400

Performance
Don't know. Only got the Buddistick's SWR down to 2.8:1 before I gave up. A few more tries on radial length were needed but the wind was getting up and I didn't feel like messing with the guying kit. This would make someone a really nice portable antenna. It's just not my cup of tea and can now be found in the Swap Shop.

 

[kopcicle]

General definitely opens up a whole new world but I will say this...If you are a DX chaser nothing is more frustrating than hearing the station 5/9 and knowing the split he's using but NOT having the license class to work him! That happened to me a couple times and it drove me back to studying.... You can add me to the Extra list

This was only a small but significant portion of my dilemma. I wanted to pay back.
As a VE the limitations of a general license on the VE were enough to make me want the extra license. That and I'd been doing this (radio communications) for most of my life. Why not try ? I passed all three in one sitting. Extra in a day and full VE within three weeks. I continue to teach , mentor, "Elmer" and test as I'm able.

 

[Riverman]

I passed all three in one sitting.

I am using a slightly differently timetable.
January 2018 - Technician
March 2018 - General
May 2018 - Amateur Extra

 

[Staybolt]

A while back I made the decision to enter the world of amateur radio.

I began studying for my license and even set up a station and began listening. However, one day I decided to give it up. I cited a number of reasons in a thread entitled “Reversing Course”.

I know how foolish I must have looked, but truth is the real reasons I abandoned my pursuit were not disclosed in the thread. They are twofold. First, while I was passing the practice Technician tests with ease, I was having great difficulty with the General tests. And then, my sister’s husband died. He was much more than just a brother-in-law to me. He was a father, uncle, brother and my best friend. My desire and concentration gone, I felt the need to put the ham thing behind me so as to have one less thing on my cluttered mind. Hence, I quit and sold my equipment.

But life moves on. Months later my interest rekindled and I began studying for my Technician ticket again. Yesterday I took the test and passed.

This time around I went with an old school radio, the Icom 7200. It is a snap to use and performs beautifully. I love it. And yes, I have once again begun studying for my General ticket and one day will take the test. In the meantime, I’ll hang out on 6 and 10 Meters. They’re slow right now but still fun.

And now you know the rest of the story.

Here’s a pic of my modest ham station in my garage. Hey, it beats setting up on the kitchen table and taking it down each evening. Time to build a ham shack in the backyard!

View attachment 22396


73,
Jim

I gave up because i got sick of all the cry babies and old farts that treat new guys like dirt......

 

[w9cll]

I gave up because i got sick of all the cry babies and old farts that treat new guys like dirt......

That's what the vfo knob is for, spin it to get away from the jerks.

 

[kopcicle]

I gave up because i got sick of all the cry babies and old farts that treat new guys like dirt......

Let's be clear about this. I'm an old fart and a new ham.
If I ever treat you like dirt it's because I think you deserve to be treated like something less and I'm actually giving you a break.
If you continue to be a cancer here you'll never have to hear what I think of you. The problem will take care of itself.

 

[543_Dallas]

I've heard old farts, young punks and everyone in between treat new guys and old guys like dirt on cb and the amateur bands. Anyone that thinks there is a difference between amateur radio and cb in 2018 is in denial. I enjoy radio and good conversation where I can find it and ignore the BS. Im just a dumb no code extra class cber. AM, Single Slop Bucket, FM, CW, digital modes or whatever works for me.....maybe or maybe not in that order.