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I still love Amateur (Ham) Radio!

catman

catman

Addicted Member
Banned
G'day all, of many hobbies Amateur (Ham) Radio continues to be a passionate hobby of mine since 1985.

Today was one of those really enjoyable Ham Radio days with some quite interesting antenna research (using a 'resonant breaker' LC network) on a metal mast to (successfully) block unwanted parasitic RF current flow, to being net control on a wide ranging and very interesting and enjpyable phone 40 m net this afternoon, to hopefully a little later this evening, a successful 2 metre NBFM simplex radio contact to a Ham friend out fishing on a boat.

I'm hoping that the path might be workable at least. He will be using a small DIY Moxon 2 m antenna and I'll be using my old reliable DIY 2 m three element yagi and some CW (on a straight hand key) tomorrow morning on 40 m. Have a listen on 7.042 MHz at 22 hours UTC. Ham Radio can be so much fun. :yes: Regards, Felix (vk4fuq) aka catman.
 

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My father ( KAØCSI) was into it real heavy for a while.
I just wiki'd "why is it called HAM radio"..

The word "ham" is the informal name give to amateur operators. It was first used in 1909, but did not gain widespread use until the 1920's when the term spread from the USA to Europe.

Up to about 1916, the word was used slang for "poor operator" or "incompetent". The term was also used by professional radiotelegraph operators to suggest that amateur enthusiasts were unskilled

LOL ..that sounds like my Dad...:D Just joking.I really have no idea and absolutely no interest..Although back in the early 70's I repaired a **** load of linear amplifiers.
 
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Our companies Calibration Tech was also a HUGE Ham Radio nut....er.....fan.
He built a 100 foot metal tower in his backyard (no HOA in his neighborhood), and had so many antenna, dish, etc., on it, that it looked like something that the NSA would use?

Still....he had MORE electrical/electronic knowledge in his little pinkie, than most people have in their entire bodies.......................................................


Steve
 
Glad that you are enjoying your Amateur (Ham) Radio hobby, it can be quite a bit of fun.

Not able to put up an HF antenna at my current location, so looking at the possibility of HF mobile. Just looking for a deal on a mobile rig.

I was a net control operator for several nets, it can be quite a bit of fun, and it sharpens ones skills.

I like that CW key, a real "brass pounders" key. Just remember, radio operators used to be called "sparks".
 
sold my receiver otherwise i would have tried tuning in ..nothing here now that will pull in distant signals
 
G'day all, on the key, I've checked on this, and a friend advises that it is a 'W.T.8 AMP key and yes, they were made for the military'. I bought it from a local Ham Radio convention many years ago. It keys well, but it 'demands' a good fist!

A couple of general pictures, my 20 m Quad loop (I love this antennna...it is very special, although quirky). The metal mast running down the middle has an unusual effect, negated by using an LC 'resonant breaker'.

My beloved Yaesu FRG-100 communications receiver that I very nearly blew up the other day (and don't know how). Thankfully it has been restored to full working order and it's a lovely receiver!

My two 50 watt solar panels that keep the 12 volt lead acid batteries nice and charged (assuming that there is sunshine.) :D Regards, Felix (vk4fuq) aka catman.
 

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Aww, Felix...Wish you were closer, maybe we could do a deal on a SERIOUS radio...One of my ol' Bacon-Fryers...Prolly AREN'T too many R-390As down there in Oz, altho I've heard, for some odd reason, guys HAVE found a disproportionate number of R-391s down there...The version w/the Collins Autotune mechanism. I have one, but never have got the Autotune gizmo to work, it requires a seperate power supply.
 
G'day all, damn bad HF propagation this morning. A very poor CW path on 7.042 MHz. Stations are all very weak. The band will 'open' soon I expect! Regards, Felix (vk4fuq) aka catman.
 
Well, the sked worked.

G'day all, no radio contact to my fishing friend last last as they were still setting up but a successful short contact this morning just a few minutes ago which was surprising given the general difficulty of the path.

Another station actually closer to my fishing friend actually had much weaker copy than I despite using a larger yagi and more power.

My little DIY three element yagi and eight watts of RF power worked just fine. Ain't radio strange, but fun! :yes: Regards, Felix (vk4fuq) aka catman.
 
i am far from an expert .only thing i know is upper side band will carry much further and clearer .not sure how carrier wave fits into the equation though .
 
G'day mate, yes upper side band SSB on 2 m is frequently used for exactly the reasons you mention, but for local (around town) working, we normally use narrow band FM modulation.

Single sideband is more suited to longer distance 'weak signal' working. Regards, Felix (vk4fuq) aka catman.
 
used to use ssb for short distance as in 20 miles ..clear as bell it was ..also got further out no problem .cant remember now if used fm or am ..may well have been both . land of cape horn is the only regular regular place i remember .antenna was directional 3x 18 foot dipoles lied flat in the attic wired in parallel . used max of 10 watts but mainly run 5 because of the neighbours tv viewing .
 
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