Hi Phil. I noted when I checked QRZ that you were just recently licensed. Congratulations! I note also that you've 13 confirmed QSO's in your on-line logbook.

I've just passed my thirty-year mark as a General class. If any of my friends were still alive today, they'd tell you that before 1987 I had no class at all...

3 hours ago, n4gix said:

Yep, it sure is. Although I'm surprised that my "screen name" here wasn't pretty much a dead giveaway to my General hamminess.

When I first moved into this house, I had a new FT-847 rig, and set up a Gap Challenger V vertical. I was so disappointed at the horrifically high noise level that I wound up selling the rig and giving the Gap antenna away.

That's why I've decided to work entirely portable from the city park, the lakeshore, or the nearby National Park, so I'm well away from the QRM. I'm literally surrounded by power lines north, south, east and west... RF Hell!

I hope you are well recovered by now. Once I get my feet wet and find the best way to set up the Buddipole for proper tuning on all bands, maybe we can set up a SKED.

Don't wish to tempt fate Bill, as I recall saying something similar after the last op a few years ago, but so far, I'm doing better than either myself or my consultant could've hoped for. I've been left with some muscle weekness and tremors in both hands, meaning I can no longer play my guitar, which I miss enormously. But seriously Bill, every day I draw breath is a massive bonus. I was convinced that Tom would outlast me. I'm sure the 'big man' has his reasons and I'll just take all I can get and be grateful on a daily basis.

As for a SKED. I need to get up a decent antenna before getting over the pond. Currently on a homebrew OCF dipole.

Haven't been active for a very long time, but back in the day WA2VNW.  I used to live in an apartment building in Queens that didn't allow outside antennas, so I had a 20 meter dipole strung discretely between wooden dowels at opposite ends of the apartment.  I put them out (usually at night) to go on the air and pulled them in afterward.  As far as I can recall, no-one ever noticed the antenna wire itself. 

Flying complex aircraft simulation does have a certain affinity to operating a Ham Radio station.  And it doesn't hurt, when tuning a VOR, ILS or ADF, to know the Morse Code!

Mike

I'm glad it wasn't just my strange thought processes that joined the dots between flight sim and amateur radio. Thanks to all for responding.

Hey Bill, I think maybe the reason for not joining those dots with your Avsim user name is context. Now it's pointed out out, it's kind of a 'duh of course' moment;)

I gave up on that hobby long ago, about 17 years to be precise.  I still have a couple HTs and a nice little SW to listen a little, but the hobby is all but dead.  I had a lot of personal issues with it anyhow.  It was fun while it lasted though.

17 hours ago, Dougal said:

As for a SKED. I need to get up a decent antenna before getting over the pond. Currently on a homebrew OCF dipole.

I set up my Buddipole yesterday afternoon in my front yard (as you can see from the photo above) and managed to hear some folks on 20m, but didn't try to call anyone. Today is the "Indiana QSO Party" so I'm going to set up again and see if I can make some contacts.

It's amazing what one can do even with modest antennas and QRP signals.

This past two years though I've been very active on .70 cm DMR. It's not true "DX" of course, but my very first contact was with a bicycle mobile in Durban, SA. My second was with a pedestrian mobile in Wales. My third was with an Austrian gentleman near the summit of one of their mountains. I've had many hours of pleasant conversations with folks from all over the world...

...with a $100 4 watt UHF HT.

Interesting thread. I am DL1GKC and my favourite mode is CW (morse telegraphy). Helped a lot at the beginning to identify the navaids. 😊

Got my radio amateur license when I was a 14 years old boy. Still a fascinating hobby. I had to sell my superb Ultrabeam antennna because I changed the QTH. Now back on doublet.

73 de Chris

KF2DA, active most often on JT65 and other HF digital modes - running QRP (10 watts max).

Operating WSPR mode at just 1 watt to a dipole on 20 meters,  I have been heard in Australia and South Africa several times.

Indeed, this has become an interesting thread. I have ENORMOUS admiration for anyone using QRP.  I just don't have the patience;-)  TBH, as it is I often exceed my ridiculous 10 watt max for a UK Foundation licence. Shhhhhhhh..... don't tell anyone eh;-)

Being also a marine VHF licence holder, I'm aware that a GOOD antenna system is FAR more important than actual output power, even on HF.

I'm currently in the process of building several different antennas to experiment with for DXing, but being unwell means I'm usually severely limited as to how long I can actually spend on this.

G4 WJW, but rarer than rocking horse poo on the bands.  An interesting thread this.  Regards.

 

M.

On ‎5‎/‎6‎/‎2017 at 11:37 AM, Cargostorm said:

Got my radio amateur license when I was a 14 years old boy. Still a fascinating hobby. I had to sell my superb Ultrabeam antennna because I changed the QTH. Now back on doublet.

Chris, I read your entire Bio on QRZ and found it fascinating. Someday I'll need to update my Bio to more than one sentence...

I made note of your first QSL card. I highly admire anyone who managed to survive that wallpaper design!

1 hour ago, Paladin said:

G4 WJW, but rarer than rocking horse poo on the bands.  An interesting thread this.  Regards

Last Update1999-06-07 22:01:41...

Yeah, I'd say that's pretty rare!