amateur radio

B7510HSD · Feb 22, 2016

Trails End said:
I guess it's time to chime in here! I'm K1HJC and have been licensed since 1959, and
currently hold an extra class license. The station consists of an Icom IC746 PRO running
100 watts to a Tennadyne T6 6 element log periodic beam up 58 feet on a Rohn tilt-over
tower. The T6 covers 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters and works well. No antennas for 40
or 80 at this time. For VHF, I have a GAM TG-5-S 3-element vertical collinear above the
T6 log periodic. I've attached a couple of photos since the TBN golden rule is 'no pictures,
it didn't happen'.
View attachment 457970
View attachment 457971

Nice setup you have there!!

WoodChuckDad · Feb 23, 2016

Several years ago I wanted to get my license. My father was a Ham guy for the last 10 or 15 years so he was very encouraging. Even sent me a nice little handheld. I studied for the test but never took it. He died recently and I decided to keep one of his radios to set up at our new place....but I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Getting the license shouldn't be hard, but I do not want a large antenna. I really am only interested in emergency communications. I do however have a 16 year old who is interested in getting his license, so I might help him do that and then see if he can get up and running with the 2 meter handheld my father had given me.

B7510HSD · Feb 23, 2016

WoodChuckDad said:
Several years ago I wanted to get my license. My father was a Ham guy for the last 10 or 15 years so he was very encouraging. Even sent me a nice little handheld. I studied for the test but never took it. He died recently and I decided to keep one of his radios to set up at our new place....but I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Getting the license shouldn't be hard, but I do not want a large antenna. I really am only interested in emergency communications. I do however have a 16 year old who is interested in getting his license, so I might help him do that and then see if he can get up and running with the 2 meter handheld my father had given me.

Sorry for your loss. You really don't need a "BIG" antenna even for HF you can just put up a wire antenna once they are up you can barely see them.

k0ua · Feb 23, 2016

B7510HSD said:
Sorry for your loss. You really don't need a "BIG" antenna even for HF you can just put up a wire antenna once they are up you can barely see them.

Exactly, there are thousands of ways to skin the antenna cat.

WoodChuckDad · Feb 23, 2016

My dad had a number of antennas. One was just a cable that ran to a tree. My wife would comment on it non stop. I will need to find a way to do it that is well hidden.

Trails End · Feb 23, 2016

B7510HSD said:
Nice setup you have there!!

Thanks! I've been very satisfied with it, and the rig and antennas have been
very reliable. No problems with the antennas and just one broken guy wire where
it attached to the top of the tower. Now that I've said it, watch Murphy chime in!

and, like James said, concentrate on antenna systems. I've worked the world with
never more than 100 watts. It's a great hobby.

teejk · Feb 23, 2016

ok...for the benefit of us that have no idea about any of this, is there a site that will explain all of this (HF?VHF?etc.). Sounds like it is dying hobby but something I might want to goof with!

WoodChuckDad · Feb 23, 2016

teejk said:
ok...for the benefit of us that have no idea about any of this, is there a site that will explain all of this (HF?VHF?etc.). Sounds like it is dying hobby but something I might want to goof with!

Not a dying hobby at all. Also, in the last few years natural disasters in our are brought down all communications. Including cell towers which loose their backup after a certain number of hours. The radios continue to work as long as you have juice. Generator, etc. being able to find out what things look like 10 or 20 miles away when the phones and tv get knocked out is pretty appealing to me.

teejk · Feb 23, 2016

WoodChuckDad said:
Not a dying hobby at all. Also, in the last few years natural disasters in our are brought down all communications. Including cell towers which loose their backup after a certain number of hours. The radios continue to work as long as you have juice. Generator, etc. being able to find out what things look like 10 or 20 miles away when the phones and tv get knocked out is pretty appealing to me.

So there is obviously a site that would educate me...I grew up with a kid that devoted all his spare time to it...he even had the fore-runner to the cell phone and as I recall he would climb poles to be able to attach his phone for free (he was one that I always suspected would end up in prison somehow). I've installed a few satellite dishes for myself (including one of those 10' mesh things that could navigate the sky before the Direct/Dish fixed dishes). What's involved?

k0ua · Feb 23, 2016

You can start here:

What is Ham Radio

Or you can ask me specific questions you may have.

HF= High Frequency = Those radio frequencies between 3 Megahertz and 30 Megahertz. Sometimes called the "shortwave bands" These frequencies are often used for worldwide communications without infrastructure. Just a radio, power source and antenna on each end.

VHF= Very High Frequency= Those radio frequencies between 30 and 300 Megahertz. These frequencies are often used for more localized communications, and broadcasting, etc. Many types of services are within this range.

UHF= Very High Frequency= Those radio frequencies between 300 and 3000 Megahertz. These frequencies are often used for more localized communications, and broadcasting, etc. Many types of services are within this range.