Do we have any other Ham radio operators here? My call is KB1KOG and have had my Tech license for about 2 years now. Usually I monitor all the local repeaters and I use Echolink sometimes. If there's any other Hams out there, it would be kinda neat to have a NES conference on Echolink.
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Hams!
- Thread starter MikeD
- Start date
kb1jsl here. Don't get on as often as I used to (spend more time and $$$ playing bass). And, I haven't used Echolink, yet; though I am registered. I listen mostly to 146.970 (PL: 114.6); good group of folks hang out there and the repeater has a pretty good footprint.
kb1jsl here. Don't get on as often as I used to (spend more time and $$$ playing bass). And, I haven't used Echolink, yet; though I am registered. I listen mostly to 146.970 (PL: 114.6); good group of folks hang out there and the repeater has a pretty good footprint.
kb1jsl here. Don't get on as often as I used to (spend more time and $$$ playing bass). And, I haven't used Echolink, yet; though I am registered. I listen mostly to 146.970 (PL: 114.6); good group of folks hang out there and the repeater has a pretty good footprint.
Licensed in 1978 as WB1HJS. WI1W since 1992 I think. I haven't been active in years, but had many years of fun, especially in the tail end of the vacuum tube days -- electronics that could kill ya!! (and almost did)[shock]
Licensed in 1978 as WB1HJS. WI1W since 1992 I think. I haven't been active in years, but had many years of fun, especially in the tail end of the vacuum tube days -- electronics that could kill ya!! (and almost did)[shock]
Licensed in 1978 as WB1HJS. WI1W since 1992 I think. I haven't been active in years, but had many years of fun, especially in the tail end of the vacuum tube days -- electronics that could kill ya!! (and almost did)[shock]
Chris
NES Member
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N1LYD here. Was one of the first batch of no-code hams in my area. Had been interested for years, but never liked morse code so it went no where.
Used to be a regular on the 64 machine in Waltham on the "goin' in" and "goin' home" shows. (^_^) Those were the days. Still remember the guy who broke in one day after a sheet of ice flew up from the car in front of him and came through the windshield of his semi. I swear, he had help on the scene in 30 seconds after that call.
Used to hear as couples worked out schedules and all kinds of other daily life. Now with cell phones, the repeaters are very quiet. Kind of miss it. The radio in my truck sits on the Marlborough 2M machine all the time, but rarely do I hear any traffic.
When I was in college, having the HT and an autopatch was cool. When my kids are in college, the Blackberry will look like a dinosaur. I still have that old brick of an HT too. works great.
I miss trips up to the "Candy Store". (^_^)
Some of my fondest memories were long weekend Jeep trips to Maine or western MA where those that could not join us would go 'virtually' on a repeater. Was a nice lifeline when we had a bad mechanical failure as we could usually get parts or help easily. We were the envy of many clubs because of the long range communication.
Don't know if they still play a part, but Hams were a huge part of the Boston Marathon for many years. I manned the 5 mile water station for about 5 years.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Used to be a regular on the 64 machine in Waltham on the "goin' in" and "goin' home" shows. (^_^) Those were the days. Still remember the guy who broke in one day after a sheet of ice flew up from the car in front of him and came through the windshield of his semi. I swear, he had help on the scene in 30 seconds after that call.
Used to hear as couples worked out schedules and all kinds of other daily life. Now with cell phones, the repeaters are very quiet. Kind of miss it. The radio in my truck sits on the Marlborough 2M machine all the time, but rarely do I hear any traffic.
When I was in college, having the HT and an autopatch was cool. When my kids are in college, the Blackberry will look like a dinosaur. I still have that old brick of an HT too. works great.
I miss trips up to the "Candy Store". (^_^)
Some of my fondest memories were long weekend Jeep trips to Maine or western MA where those that could not join us would go 'virtually' on a repeater. Was a nice lifeline when we had a bad mechanical failure as we could usually get parts or help easily. We were the envy of many clubs because of the long range communication.
Don't know if they still play a part, but Hams were a huge part of the Boston Marathon for many years. I manned the 5 mile water station for about 5 years.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Chris
NES Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2005
- Messages
- 14,222
- Likes
- 10,016
N1LYD here. Was one of the first batch of no-code hams in my area. Had been interested for years, but never liked morse code so it went no where.
Used to be a regular on the 64 machine in Waltham on the "goin' in" and "goin' home" shows. (^_^) Those were the days. Still remember the guy who broke in one day after a sheet of ice flew up from the car in front of him and came through the windshield of his semi. I swear, he had help on the scene in 30 seconds after that call.
Used to hear as couples worked out schedules and all kinds of other daily life. Now with cell phones, the repeaters are very quiet. Kind of miss it. The radio in my truck sits on the Marlborough 2M machine all the time, but rarely do I hear any traffic.
When I was in college, having the HT and an autopatch was cool. When my kids are in college, the Blackberry will look like a dinosaur. I still have that old brick of an HT too. works great.
I miss trips up to the "Candy Store". (^_^)
Some of my fondest memories were long weekend Jeep trips to Maine or western MA where those that could not join us would go 'virtually' on a repeater. Was a nice lifeline when we had a bad mechanical failure as we could usually get parts or help easily. We were the envy of many clubs because of the long range communication.
Don't know if they still play a part, but Hams were a huge part of the Boston Marathon for many years. I manned the 5 mile water station for about 5 years.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Used to be a regular on the 64 machine in Waltham on the "goin' in" and "goin' home" shows. (^_^) Those were the days. Still remember the guy who broke in one day after a sheet of ice flew up from the car in front of him and came through the windshield of his semi. I swear, he had help on the scene in 30 seconds after that call.
Used to hear as couples worked out schedules and all kinds of other daily life. Now with cell phones, the repeaters are very quiet. Kind of miss it. The radio in my truck sits on the Marlborough 2M machine all the time, but rarely do I hear any traffic.
When I was in college, having the HT and an autopatch was cool. When my kids are in college, the Blackberry will look like a dinosaur. I still have that old brick of an HT too. works great.
I miss trips up to the "Candy Store". (^_^)
Some of my fondest memories were long weekend Jeep trips to Maine or western MA where those that could not join us would go 'virtually' on a repeater. Was a nice lifeline when we had a bad mechanical failure as we could usually get parts or help easily. We were the envy of many clubs because of the long range communication.
Don't know if they still play a part, but Hams were a huge part of the Boston Marathon for many years. I manned the 5 mile water station for about 5 years.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Chris
NES Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2005
- Messages
- 14,222
- Likes
- 10,016
N1LYD here. Was one of the first batch of no-code hams in my area. Had been interested for years, but never liked morse code so it went no where.
Used to be a regular on the 64 machine in Waltham on the "goin' in" and "goin' home" shows. (^_^) Those were the days. Still remember the guy who broke in one day after a sheet of ice flew up from the car in front of him and came through the windshield of his semi. I swear, he had help on the scene in 30 seconds after that call.
Used to hear as couples worked out schedules and all kinds of other daily life. Now with cell phones, the repeaters are very quiet. Kind of miss it. The radio in my truck sits on the Marlborough 2M machine all the time, but rarely do I hear any traffic.
When I was in college, having the HT and an autopatch was cool. When my kids are in college, the Blackberry will look like a dinosaur. I still have that old brick of an HT too. works great.
I miss trips up to the "Candy Store". (^_^)
Some of my fondest memories were long weekend Jeep trips to Maine or western MA where those that could not join us would go 'virtually' on a repeater. Was a nice lifeline when we had a bad mechanical failure as we could usually get parts or help easily. We were the envy of many clubs because of the long range communication.
Don't know if they still play a part, but Hams were a huge part of the Boston Marathon for many years. I manned the 5 mile water station for about 5 years.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Used to be a regular on the 64 machine in Waltham on the "goin' in" and "goin' home" shows. (^_^) Those were the days. Still remember the guy who broke in one day after a sheet of ice flew up from the car in front of him and came through the windshield of his semi. I swear, he had help on the scene in 30 seconds after that call.
Used to hear as couples worked out schedules and all kinds of other daily life. Now with cell phones, the repeaters are very quiet. Kind of miss it. The radio in my truck sits on the Marlborough 2M machine all the time, but rarely do I hear any traffic.
When I was in college, having the HT and an autopatch was cool. When my kids are in college, the Blackberry will look like a dinosaur. I still have that old brick of an HT too. works great.
I miss trips up to the "Candy Store". (^_^)
Some of my fondest memories were long weekend Jeep trips to Maine or western MA where those that could not join us would go 'virtually' on a repeater. Was a nice lifeline when we had a bad mechanical failure as we could usually get parts or help easily. We were the envy of many clubs because of the long range communication.
Don't know if they still play a part, but Hams were a huge part of the Boston Marathon for many years. I manned the 5 mile water station for about 5 years.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
I've been thinking aobut getting into it. My dad spends his winters floating around the carribian in his sail boat, and it is the only way to contact him other than email.
What's involved? Is it a huge $$ commitment to get started?
Matt
What's involved? Is it a huge $$ commitment to get started?
Matt
I've been thinking aobut getting into it. My dad spends his winters floating around the carribian in his sail boat, and it is the only way to contact him other than email.
What's involved? Is it a huge $$ commitment to get started?
Matt
What's involved? Is it a huge $$ commitment to get started?
Matt
I've been thinking aobut getting into it. My dad spends his winters floating around the carribian in his sail boat, and it is the only way to contact him other than email.
What's involved? Is it a huge $$ commitment to get started?
Matt
What's involved? Is it a huge $$ commitment to get started?
Matt
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- Dec 2, 2005
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KB1MSK
I'm KB1MSK. Used to be N1EZP when I was into it after college (packet radio, satellite), but I let my license lapse.
Recently I got a new license, trying to get the kids interested. We built a crystal radio the other weekend, from a soda bottle and some magnet wire, hooked up to my computer speakers. I was considerably more thrilled that it worked than my daughter I guess :-(
I'm KB1MSK. Used to be N1EZP when I was into it after college (packet radio, satellite), but I let my license lapse.
Recently I got a new license, trying to get the kids interested. We built a crystal radio the other weekend, from a soda bottle and some magnet wire, hooked up to my computer speakers. I was considerably more thrilled that it worked than my daughter I guess :-(
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
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- 9,361
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- 6,000
KB1MSK
I'm KB1MSK. Used to be N1EZP when I was into it after college (packet radio, satellite), but I let my license lapse.
Recently I got a new license, trying to get the kids interested. We built a crystal radio the other weekend, from a soda bottle and some magnet wire, hooked up to my computer speakers. I was considerably more thrilled that it worked than my daughter I guess :-(
I'm KB1MSK. Used to be N1EZP when I was into it after college (packet radio, satellite), but I let my license lapse.
Recently I got a new license, trying to get the kids interested. We built a crystal radio the other weekend, from a soda bottle and some magnet wire, hooked up to my computer speakers. I was considerably more thrilled that it worked than my daughter I guess :-(
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Messages
- 9,361
- Likes
- 6,000
KB1MSK
I'm KB1MSK. Used to be N1EZP when I was into it after college (packet radio, satellite), but I let my license lapse.
Recently I got a new license, trying to get the kids interested. We built a crystal radio the other weekend, from a soda bottle and some magnet wire, hooked up to my computer speakers. I was considerably more thrilled that it worked than my daughter I guess :-(
I'm KB1MSK. Used to be N1EZP when I was into it after college (packet radio, satellite), but I let my license lapse.
Recently I got a new license, trying to get the kids interested. We built a crystal radio the other weekend, from a soda bottle and some magnet wire, hooked up to my computer speakers. I was considerably more thrilled that it worked than my daughter I guess :-(
Chris
NES Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2005
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Getting the license is cheap. Hit the ARRL Website for a test area near you. You can pick up any of a bunch of study books. (Radio Shack had a good one when I was studing) and you take two (Novice and Tech) to get your basic no-code license.
Now the problem is that getting to the Caribean from here on the 50 Mhz or greater that the no-code license allows is tough.
For world wide or AM skip type ability, you still need to take a code exam. There are all kinds of tapes and PC software that can get you ready for the code. It isn't hard, but you have to make the effort. IF you have a good ear for music, it helps. Basically, you are going to train to hear patterns. You only need 6 words a minute, but I've heard that it is actually easier to train using a cadence of 20 words a minute with long enough pauses to make the actual count only 6 words a minute as it makes the patterns easier to hear.
Ham Radio Outlet in Salem NH or online is a great source for equipmnet. I also like local swap meets if you know what you want as the prices are great.
Now you can go absolutely crazy with equipment, but even cheap equipment will work great if you spend the time to set up a good antenna. My first 'base' radio was a little walkie talkie with a 30 watt amp. However, I had a well tuned cable and antenna so that 30 watts could carry a LONG distance. Total cost was about $500 by getting the basic equipment and power supply at a swap meet and then spending the time rigging the antenna.
Don't go thinking you need the latest computerized radios. Older designs work as well. Put your $$ and time in a good antenna.
You should also ask around to see what kind of bands are working well into the Carribean from New England. That will help you decide on what frequency you will need to use. The lower the frequency, the larger the antenna you will need. A lot of the theory and such will be a part of the study, so don't sweat it.
If you have a good mind for science or math, the basic concepts are not going to be hard at all.
Now the problem is that getting to the Caribean from here on the 50 Mhz or greater that the no-code license allows is tough.
For world wide or AM skip type ability, you still need to take a code exam. There are all kinds of tapes and PC software that can get you ready for the code. It isn't hard, but you have to make the effort. IF you have a good ear for music, it helps. Basically, you are going to train to hear patterns. You only need 6 words a minute, but I've heard that it is actually easier to train using a cadence of 20 words a minute with long enough pauses to make the actual count only 6 words a minute as it makes the patterns easier to hear.
Ham Radio Outlet in Salem NH or online is a great source for equipmnet. I also like local swap meets if you know what you want as the prices are great.
Now you can go absolutely crazy with equipment, but even cheap equipment will work great if you spend the time to set up a good antenna. My first 'base' radio was a little walkie talkie with a 30 watt amp. However, I had a well tuned cable and antenna so that 30 watts could carry a LONG distance. Total cost was about $500 by getting the basic equipment and power supply at a swap meet and then spending the time rigging the antenna.
Don't go thinking you need the latest computerized radios. Older designs work as well. Put your $$ and time in a good antenna.
You should also ask around to see what kind of bands are working well into the Carribean from New England. That will help you decide on what frequency you will need to use. The lower the frequency, the larger the antenna you will need. A lot of the theory and such will be a part of the study, so don't sweat it.
If you have a good mind for science or math, the basic concepts are not going to be hard at all.
Chris
NES Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2005
- Messages
- 14,222
- Likes
- 10,016
Getting the license is cheap. Hit the ARRL Website for a test area near you. You can pick up any of a bunch of study books. (Radio Shack had a good one when I was studing) and you take two (Novice and Tech) to get your basic no-code license.
Now the problem is that getting to the Caribean from here on the 50 Mhz or greater that the no-code license allows is tough.
For world wide or AM skip type ability, you still need to take a code exam. There are all kinds of tapes and PC software that can get you ready for the code. It isn't hard, but you have to make the effort. IF you have a good ear for music, it helps. Basically, you are going to train to hear patterns. You only need 6 words a minute, but I've heard that it is actually easier to train using a cadence of 20 words a minute with long enough pauses to make the actual count only 6 words a minute as it makes the patterns easier to hear.
Ham Radio Outlet in Salem NH or online is a great source for equipmnet. I also like local swap meets if you know what you want as the prices are great.
Now you can go absolutely crazy with equipment, but even cheap equipment will work great if you spend the time to set up a good antenna. My first 'base' radio was a little walkie talkie with a 30 watt amp. However, I had a well tuned cable and antenna so that 30 watts could carry a LONG distance. Total cost was about $500 by getting the basic equipment and power supply at a swap meet and then spending the time rigging the antenna.
Don't go thinking you need the latest computerized radios. Older designs work as well. Put your $$ and time in a good antenna.
You should also ask around to see what kind of bands are working well into the Carribean from New England. That will help you decide on what frequency you will need to use. The lower the frequency, the larger the antenna you will need. A lot of the theory and such will be a part of the study, so don't sweat it.
If you have a good mind for science or math, the basic concepts are not going to be hard at all.
Now the problem is that getting to the Caribean from here on the 50 Mhz or greater that the no-code license allows is tough.
For world wide or AM skip type ability, you still need to take a code exam. There are all kinds of tapes and PC software that can get you ready for the code. It isn't hard, but you have to make the effort. IF you have a good ear for music, it helps. Basically, you are going to train to hear patterns. You only need 6 words a minute, but I've heard that it is actually easier to train using a cadence of 20 words a minute with long enough pauses to make the actual count only 6 words a minute as it makes the patterns easier to hear.
Ham Radio Outlet in Salem NH or online is a great source for equipmnet. I also like local swap meets if you know what you want as the prices are great.
Now you can go absolutely crazy with equipment, but even cheap equipment will work great if you spend the time to set up a good antenna. My first 'base' radio was a little walkie talkie with a 30 watt amp. However, I had a well tuned cable and antenna so that 30 watts could carry a LONG distance. Total cost was about $500 by getting the basic equipment and power supply at a swap meet and then spending the time rigging the antenna.
Don't go thinking you need the latest computerized radios. Older designs work as well. Put your $$ and time in a good antenna.
You should also ask around to see what kind of bands are working well into the Carribean from New England. That will help you decide on what frequency you will need to use. The lower the frequency, the larger the antenna you will need. A lot of the theory and such will be a part of the study, so don't sweat it.
If you have a good mind for science or math, the basic concepts are not going to be hard at all.
Chris
NES Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2005
- Messages
- 14,222
- Likes
- 10,016
Getting the license is cheap. Hit the ARRL Website for a test area near you. You can pick up any of a bunch of study books. (Radio Shack had a good one when I was studing) and you take two (Novice and Tech) to get your basic no-code license.
Now the problem is that getting to the Caribean from here on the 50 Mhz or greater that the no-code license allows is tough.
For world wide or AM skip type ability, you still need to take a code exam. There are all kinds of tapes and PC software that can get you ready for the code. It isn't hard, but you have to make the effort. IF you have a good ear for music, it helps. Basically, you are going to train to hear patterns. You only need 6 words a minute, but I've heard that it is actually easier to train using a cadence of 20 words a minute with long enough pauses to make the actual count only 6 words a minute as it makes the patterns easier to hear.
Ham Radio Outlet in Salem NH or online is a great source for equipmnet. I also like local swap meets if you know what you want as the prices are great.
Now you can go absolutely crazy with equipment, but even cheap equipment will work great if you spend the time to set up a good antenna. My first 'base' radio was a little walkie talkie with a 30 watt amp. However, I had a well tuned cable and antenna so that 30 watts could carry a LONG distance. Total cost was about $500 by getting the basic equipment and power supply at a swap meet and then spending the time rigging the antenna.
Don't go thinking you need the latest computerized radios. Older designs work as well. Put your $$ and time in a good antenna.
You should also ask around to see what kind of bands are working well into the Carribean from New England. That will help you decide on what frequency you will need to use. The lower the frequency, the larger the antenna you will need. A lot of the theory and such will be a part of the study, so don't sweat it.
If you have a good mind for science or math, the basic concepts are not going to be hard at all.
Now the problem is that getting to the Caribean from here on the 50 Mhz or greater that the no-code license allows is tough.
For world wide or AM skip type ability, you still need to take a code exam. There are all kinds of tapes and PC software that can get you ready for the code. It isn't hard, but you have to make the effort. IF you have a good ear for music, it helps. Basically, you are going to train to hear patterns. You only need 6 words a minute, but I've heard that it is actually easier to train using a cadence of 20 words a minute with long enough pauses to make the actual count only 6 words a minute as it makes the patterns easier to hear.
Ham Radio Outlet in Salem NH or online is a great source for equipmnet. I also like local swap meets if you know what you want as the prices are great.
Now you can go absolutely crazy with equipment, but even cheap equipment will work great if you spend the time to set up a good antenna. My first 'base' radio was a little walkie talkie with a 30 watt amp. However, I had a well tuned cable and antenna so that 30 watts could carry a LONG distance. Total cost was about $500 by getting the basic equipment and power supply at a swap meet and then spending the time rigging the antenna.
Don't go thinking you need the latest computerized radios. Older designs work as well. Put your $$ and time in a good antenna.
You should also ask around to see what kind of bands are working well into the Carribean from New England. That will help you decide on what frequency you will need to use. The lower the frequency, the larger the antenna you will need. A lot of the theory and such will be a part of the study, so don't sweat it.
If you have a good mind for science or math, the basic concepts are not going to be hard at all.
I've been licensed since 1979. Haven't been active in a couple of years though. Have messed with everything from VLF-uWaves. Have tried almost all modes from sats to SSTV, packet, Hell etc. First got into RTTY with a VIC20 and I still have it too!
I've been licensed since 1979. Haven't been active in a couple of years though. Have messed with everything from VLF-uWaves. Have tried almost all modes from sats to SSTV, packet, Hell etc. First got into RTTY with a VIC20 and I still have it too!
I've been licensed since 1979. Haven't been active in a couple of years though. Have messed with everything from VLF-uWaves. Have tried almost all modes from sats to SSTV, packet, Hell etc. First got into RTTY with a VIC20 and I still have it too!
if Peanuts teachers typed instead of saying "whahwhahwhahwha" then it would look a lot like this post [shock]
I have NO idea what you guys are talking about, but you all sound really technically proficient and, umm, manly! [lol] [lol] [lol]
I have NO idea what you guys are talking about, but you all sound really technically proficient and, umm, manly! [lol] [lol] [lol]
if Peanuts teachers typed instead of saying "whahwhahwhahwha" then it would look a lot like this post [shock]
I have NO idea what you guys are talking about, but you all sound really technically proficient and, umm, manly! [lol] [lol] [lol]
I have NO idea what you guys are talking about, but you all sound really technically proficient and, umm, manly! [lol] [lol] [lol]
if Peanuts teachers typed instead of saying "whahwhahwhahwha" then it would look a lot like this post [shock]
I have NO idea what you guys are talking about, but you all sound really technically proficient and, umm, manly! [lol] [lol] [lol]
I have NO idea what you guys are talking about, but you all sound really technically proficient and, umm, manly! [lol] [lol] [lol]
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