Today at work I ran into Tom Olsen, AE5AP. We didn't have a lot of time but we managed to get caught up with the latest news and stuff. Tom's a good guy, and I think we're on the same wavelength as to where we relate to our Amateur Radio hobby. It's only a hobby, everyone! Why do we have the B.S. we have everywhere now where everyone berates everyone else and so on?
I'm glad I made the decision to leave Temple ARC like I did. It was the same old crap over and over again. Tom reminded me of this: I didn't need a club in order to do what I've ultimately done in the hobby, and he's right. But I do belong to two organizations now and will join a third this coming Tuesday evening. I hope that these groups will do the right thing and work hard to promote our hobby the way it should be. If not, I can do it myself and have fun doing it.
Will it all work out? I sure hope it does...in the meantime, TGIF!!!!!
WR1TX
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Oops, Not Done...
I forgot the comparisons of Yagis vs Quagis vs Quads. The Yagis would be heavier due to the aluminum in the air, and the same could be said for the Quagis. But having said that, I have not researched these antennas enough to have a definite answer as to whether or not I will use them or not. The Quad is leading the way right now, and it may stay that way. Only more research will tell.
WR1TX
WR1TX
More on 2m/70cm Simplex Operating...and Yagis vs Quagis vs Quads
I've been getting some favorable comments about simplex operating on 2 meters and 70 cm. It seems that there are those who wish to try different things and experiment. It's great, and this is going to help my confidence.
Meanwhile, I'm looking at the VHF and above antenna possiblities for next year's potential move to a house. The research is still ongoing, but I'm looking at using quad antennas for the 6m, 2m and 70cm bands. If I get 222 MHz capability, a quad is within the realm of possibility there.
Why use quads? The front to back ratio is very good, and the gain is excellent as well. Cubex makes some great quads, but they are a little pricey. They do stand behind their work, though. There's a quad that has 8 elements each for 2m and 70cm for $195 as of now. And it's light, too! That's another consideration I'm looking at.
At least I have a year to research and save, mostly save. I'm looking at purchasing 2-3 quads, with the poles and rotators I will need to turn those things. For me they hold great promise and the ability to explore weak-signal work on VHF/UHF.
Oh, and my XYL approves of these projects!
Ham radio is experimentation; that's what I want to do. The plan is slowly becoming clearer and clearer. Stay tuned...
WR1TX
Meanwhile, I'm looking at the VHF and above antenna possiblities for next year's potential move to a house. The research is still ongoing, but I'm looking at using quad antennas for the 6m, 2m and 70cm bands. If I get 222 MHz capability, a quad is within the realm of possibility there.
Why use quads? The front to back ratio is very good, and the gain is excellent as well. Cubex makes some great quads, but they are a little pricey. They do stand behind their work, though. There's a quad that has 8 elements each for 2m and 70cm for $195 as of now. And it's light, too! That's another consideration I'm looking at.
At least I have a year to research and save, mostly save. I'm looking at purchasing 2-3 quads, with the poles and rotators I will need to turn those things. For me they hold great promise and the ability to explore weak-signal work on VHF/UHF.
Oh, and my XYL approves of these projects!
Ham radio is experimentation; that's what I want to do. The plan is slowly becoming clearer and clearer. Stay tuned...
WR1TX
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Nice Weather We're Having Here!
Don't let the post fool you; it's been hot and muggy around here lately until yesterday afternoon when we got a strong line of thunderstorms to move through. The resulting rains really cooled things off for a while, but now the humidity is back more oppressive than ever.
I actually got out and spotted for a bit; I drove up to Scott & White, which is on the highest hill in Temple and most likely Bell County, and kept my eyes to the north. As the rain started. it became quite apparent that no one had an umbrella with them. A lot of people got wet from the 1-2 inch rainfall per hour rate that was falling along with winds at my estimation were 40-45 mph. Mary was listening from the house, so she knew where I was at all times.
Once it became clear there was nothing to really see other than rain, I drove home and spent time with Mary for the rest of the evening. She has a long work day today, so I'll have a couple of hours at least to work on my website...which needs some updating, I know! Maybe I can get the Storm Spotter Central section up and posted where everyone can see it.
I'm looking forward to the first Central Texas Amateur Radio Club meeting on June 3 and the Lone Star Amateur Radio Association meeting on June 10. I think that I am now affiliated with some people that are trying to put their best foot forward for the hobby, and I hope that effort continues...I guess we'll see.
I might put the portable HF antenna back onto the balcony railing and play a little HF also; I'm enjoying having my gear in the house now, and I can operate in comfort. As long as I make sure I'm not screwing up someone else's fun it's all good!
Catch ya later...
WR1TX
I actually got out and spotted for a bit; I drove up to Scott & White, which is on the highest hill in Temple and most likely Bell County, and kept my eyes to the north. As the rain started. it became quite apparent that no one had an umbrella with them. A lot of people got wet from the 1-2 inch rainfall per hour rate that was falling along with winds at my estimation were 40-45 mph. Mary was listening from the house, so she knew where I was at all times.
Once it became clear there was nothing to really see other than rain, I drove home and spent time with Mary for the rest of the evening. She has a long work day today, so I'll have a couple of hours at least to work on my website...which needs some updating, I know! Maybe I can get the Storm Spotter Central section up and posted where everyone can see it.
I'm looking forward to the first Central Texas Amateur Radio Club meeting on June 3 and the Lone Star Amateur Radio Association meeting on June 10. I think that I am now affiliated with some people that are trying to put their best foot forward for the hobby, and I hope that effort continues...I guess we'll see.
I might put the portable HF antenna back onto the balcony railing and play a little HF also; I'm enjoying having my gear in the house now, and I can operate in comfort. As long as I make sure I'm not screwing up someone else's fun it's all good!
Catch ya later...
WR1TX
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Ugh...It's Tuesday, But the Weekend Was Good
Back to work...I really didn't want to go, but I had to. After a 3-day weekend off and being lazy for the most part, wouldn't you feel the same way, especially getting up at 4 am on your day back to work?
At least I had a good Memorial Day weekend. I got to play radio a little bit, especially yesterday with 4 contacts on 30 meters. It seemed like the Southeast was open for me, with 2 QSOs with FL stations, and one each in AL and NC. I needed NC for Worked All States, and I will get a couple of new counties to go along with that.
Mary sat with me as I was working a couple of stations and was as amazed as I with the great reports I got using that little MFJ-1625 Balcony Antenna I've been using. That little jewel is working very well, and I'll keep using it as long as possible. Once we get into our house next year, I'll hang onto this thing and use it at campsites and such, for it's actually compact and the thing works!
Speaking of QSL cards, I went bakc through the recent ones I had received and I realized that I got another county confirmed for New Hampshire. Getting Belknap County confirmed leaves me with only two to go toward completion of NH. The two northernmost ones (I can't remember the names) are the last ones for that state. CW operating has actually helped me get some more counties and prefixes that I might not have gotten otherwise. Now I'm glad I got into Morse for operating. Now if I can get my speed up a bit more I'll try to go after a few of those DX stations...
WR1TX
At least I had a good Memorial Day weekend. I got to play radio a little bit, especially yesterday with 4 contacts on 30 meters. It seemed like the Southeast was open for me, with 2 QSOs with FL stations, and one each in AL and NC. I needed NC for Worked All States, and I will get a couple of new counties to go along with that.
Mary sat with me as I was working a couple of stations and was as amazed as I with the great reports I got using that little MFJ-1625 Balcony Antenna I've been using. That little jewel is working very well, and I'll keep using it as long as possible. Once we get into our house next year, I'll hang onto this thing and use it at campsites and such, for it's actually compact and the thing works!
Speaking of QSL cards, I went bakc through the recent ones I had received and I realized that I got another county confirmed for New Hampshire. Getting Belknap County confirmed leaves me with only two to go toward completion of NH. The two northernmost ones (I can't remember the names) are the last ones for that state. CW operating has actually helped me get some more counties and prefixes that I might not have gotten otherwise. Now I'm glad I got into Morse for operating. Now if I can get my speed up a bit more I'll try to go after a few of those DX stations...
WR1TX
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Moving the Shack Again...But I Like THIS Move!
I received a surprise from the XYL today...and it was a very good one, too. It was a very unexpected one, I'll admit.
She said I could move my ham gear into the living room of the apartment. She said it with a straight face, too.
Naturally I was a bit skeptical, knowing how she liked her living room set up a certain way. I asked, "Say what?"
She repeated it: "Dear, I want you to move your gear into the living room so you can operate in comfort of the air conditioning." I almost passed out from surprise.
Well, I couldn't believe my ears, but I was very happy. She told me to set it all up by the window facing east and as long as it was fairly neat she didn't care what I did with that part of the living room. She just didn't want me to burn up in the heat and humidity while I operated as well as freeze in the cold during the winter. I agreed with her; that wasn't a good proposition, but I set everything up in the balcony closet so I wouldn't have my stuff in the XYL's way.
But I also saw this as an opportunity to expose her to some different things as well as a chance for me to try something new and different. If you didn't know, Mary has her own call: KD5OGD. She just doesn't get on the air due to the issues that the local ham radio community has had over the years, and I didn't blame her. I still don't to this day, even though I'm a little disappointed about it.
Well, I got everything in and set up, and the area I've got by the east window really looks nice and neat! Mary had a smile on her face and was actually impressed with how I set all the gear and shelving up. The only thing I had to do that didn't look all that great was run 2 sets of coax through the window screens and slip them underneath the windows themselves. I got it all looking decent, and if you keep the shades down enough you can't really tell what was done. On the outside though, you can tell where the coax was run. I'm not going to worry about it though, because Mary said that we'll just pay to replace or repair the screen when we move out next year. Cool!
After I got cooled off and turned on the Yaesu FT-857D and started tuning around, Mary asked me what my future plans were with ham radio. I told her about eventually getting into the digital modes and playing more with weak-signal 2m and 70cm. I'll also do 6m when we get moved into a house somewhere. I told her about how I was saving toward the digital stuff but also the necessary antennas for 6, 2, and 440. The explanation was simple: I wanted to play and experiment, to try different things and have fun doing it. I think Mary's noticed that I have begun to have fun again with Amateur Radio. It took my leaving the Temple ARC to do it, but I am actually enjoying the hobby again and enjoying it with others who feel the same way I do.
Tomorrow's Memorial Day, and I don't have any real plans other than sleeping in some. But I will likely get on the air and see what I can do, 30 meters being the most likely at this point, but I may do 20 and above also.
I'm even experimenting on 2 meters, and Mary watched me try this: I actually got on 144.075 and called CQ using CW. I got no takers but I did hear someone tuning up while I was calling CQ. OK, so now I know someone actually monitors the CW subband on 2; I just wish he would have answered! I'll keep trying; I am going to enjoy the experimentation, and I'm not messing up anyone's electronics in the adjacent apartments either, thanks to the filters I've installed. I don't interfere with anything at all on 2 meters and up, and nothing at all on HF either; I haven't tried 6 yet. Thank goodness for that Drake low-pass filter I bought for a song at Ham Expo in Belton. $10 and I saved everyone a lot of grief, even for myself.
Now I'm really ready to play and experiment. Anyone else want to play and have fun???
WR1TX
She said I could move my ham gear into the living room of the apartment. She said it with a straight face, too.
Naturally I was a bit skeptical, knowing how she liked her living room set up a certain way. I asked, "Say what?"
She repeated it: "Dear, I want you to move your gear into the living room so you can operate in comfort of the air conditioning." I almost passed out from surprise.
Well, I couldn't believe my ears, but I was very happy. She told me to set it all up by the window facing east and as long as it was fairly neat she didn't care what I did with that part of the living room. She just didn't want me to burn up in the heat and humidity while I operated as well as freeze in the cold during the winter. I agreed with her; that wasn't a good proposition, but I set everything up in the balcony closet so I wouldn't have my stuff in the XYL's way.
But I also saw this as an opportunity to expose her to some different things as well as a chance for me to try something new and different. If you didn't know, Mary has her own call: KD5OGD. She just doesn't get on the air due to the issues that the local ham radio community has had over the years, and I didn't blame her. I still don't to this day, even though I'm a little disappointed about it.
Well, I got everything in and set up, and the area I've got by the east window really looks nice and neat! Mary had a smile on her face and was actually impressed with how I set all the gear and shelving up. The only thing I had to do that didn't look all that great was run 2 sets of coax through the window screens and slip them underneath the windows themselves. I got it all looking decent, and if you keep the shades down enough you can't really tell what was done. On the outside though, you can tell where the coax was run. I'm not going to worry about it though, because Mary said that we'll just pay to replace or repair the screen when we move out next year. Cool!
After I got cooled off and turned on the Yaesu FT-857D and started tuning around, Mary asked me what my future plans were with ham radio. I told her about eventually getting into the digital modes and playing more with weak-signal 2m and 70cm. I'll also do 6m when we get moved into a house somewhere. I told her about how I was saving toward the digital stuff but also the necessary antennas for 6, 2, and 440. The explanation was simple: I wanted to play and experiment, to try different things and have fun doing it. I think Mary's noticed that I have begun to have fun again with Amateur Radio. It took my leaving the Temple ARC to do it, but I am actually enjoying the hobby again and enjoying it with others who feel the same way I do.
Tomorrow's Memorial Day, and I don't have any real plans other than sleeping in some. But I will likely get on the air and see what I can do, 30 meters being the most likely at this point, but I may do 20 and above also.
I'm even experimenting on 2 meters, and Mary watched me try this: I actually got on 144.075 and called CQ using CW. I got no takers but I did hear someone tuning up while I was calling CQ. OK, so now I know someone actually monitors the CW subband on 2; I just wish he would have answered! I'll keep trying; I am going to enjoy the experimentation, and I'm not messing up anyone's electronics in the adjacent apartments either, thanks to the filters I've installed. I don't interfere with anything at all on 2 meters and up, and nothing at all on HF either; I haven't tried 6 yet. Thank goodness for that Drake low-pass filter I bought for a song at Ham Expo in Belton. $10 and I saved everyone a lot of grief, even for myself.
Now I'm really ready to play and experiment. Anyone else want to play and have fun???
WR1TX
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