CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

[Link]

I'm always amazed when launching boats, at how many call signs I see in the marina's...<br />Since this is a Cyber Space Marina I thought I'd ask.<br />And since now.. Dockside Chat is one of the most read. I thought here would be the place to post.<br />A search only gave me 4 !!<br /><br />For my non-ham IBOATERS friends, here is the back round:<br />I was Introduced to Amateur Radio when I was 12 years old.. I'm a young 50 now.. got my first ticket (License) when I was a teenager .. which gave me a 20+ year career in communicatios.. <br />Anyway like boating it's just another fun hobby<br /><br />73 (Best Regards)<br />N7CEO (Ham Callsign)<br />Link

 

[Homerr]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

I never went for my ham ticket, however I did mess around with an old Heathkit from time to time.<br /><br />I stuck with CB radios for the most part. I liked to shoot some skip up on 10 meters occasionally.<br /><br />H

 

[Link]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

Heathkits, was in 7th heaven when I got stationed here at FT Lewis back in the 70's... Heathkit store was only 20 minutes up the freeway... not good for the pocket book though <br />Thanks for the reply<br /><br />Link

 

[12Footer]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

N4ZAW here. Got into CB at age 9,as my father was an ate-up CBer. I went by the handle , "Irate Pirate", A.H.#3, and a few more.<br />I got my ticket in 1990, and have been inactive since 2001. I don't have any radios anymore.<br />I still keep my license tho (just in case).

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

Ke1dk here got my ticket in 1993 as a novice ex-kb1azc up graded to tech plus one week later ex-n1qen passed my 20 wpm three weeks later and went to advanced which is my present call. I got lazy after getting my HF rights and never got my extra class ticket. I have Yaesu FT-900 in my boat and worked several contest from Long Island sound. 73's......Ted

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

DE wn2sqc, I started in electronics in 58, got my novice ticket in 72 and renewed it several times, then upgraded to Tech in 85 and General in 2000. Great hobby and many off shore sailors have a ham license for various reasons and safety is one good reason since High Frequency SSB goes around the world, unlike line of sight Marine VHF. Anyone who wants a ham license and doesn't want to learn the morse code should check it out, it's only a matter of time before the code is dropped in the US, seems to me England just dropped the code requirement for a license. 73 Ken

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

licesnsed just this year as a Tech looking to upgrade this winter.<br /><br />Bob <br />kb1joi

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

I doubt the code requirement will ever be dropped for HF. You can get a tech ticket with no code now. But you are limited to VHF only. All the fun is on HF the ITU{International Telegragh Union} regulates the world airwaves and been that you must be able to recieve at least 5 WPM and answer 7 out of 10 questions about the text that was sent or 1 minute of soild copy appoxamently 30 letters and or numbers. It's not to hard to learn.....go for it ....ted

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

Update, it was Australia (VK Land) that dropped the code requirement. The KnowCode vs NoCode debate has been going on for a long time and will probably continue on after the code requirement ends. Hey, let's bring back spark gap, then in the off season we could use our boat's secondary ignition system for a transmitter.

 

[Link]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

Been gone a couple day's.. wow thanks to all of you who replied.<br />Homerr if the bug ever bites again most of the requirements have been dropped and it is very easy to get your ticket as compared to even in the 90's. We are still getting a lot of good people joining and speaking of which<br /><br />Congradulations Bob_VT and Welcome aboard!<br /><br />I know what ya mean 12Footpheonix !!<br />I go in spirts.. In 1990 I was selling a boat to this guy when he noticed my truck plates and asked who in the dealership was a ham..told him it was my truck, but all of my equipment had been packed away for a few years..<br />Well he started telling me of all the new things etc then refused to sign the paper work on the boat until I at least tried his repeater... <br />Well that got me started again on all bands all modes until 96 when I quit again.. since then the wife (N7WGO) and I mostly use VHF for personel communications. Like you I always renew my ticket.<br /><br />BLU LUNCH <br /><br />Quote<br />" Ke1dk here got my ticket in 1993 as a novice ex-kb1azc up graded to tech plus one week later ex-n1qen passed my 20 wpm three weeks later and went to advanced which is my present call."<br /><br />Picture my middle finger here! HiHi You did in a month or so what I haven't done in 26-27 years.. still a general class here Congradulations OM <br /><br />SlowlySinking <br />Yes Ted I used to moniter one of those nets and once in a while provide phone patches and pass on messages via RTTY <br /><br />It looks like IBOATS has done two things for me in the first year I found it.<br /><br />A: JASONJ and a host of others shamed me into putting (rigging) my boat again and<br />B: Since making this post a few days ago I have since dug out enough wire, connecters, coax and a balum to put up a antenna for the IC-737 sitting two feet from me tuned to Coast to Coast AM for the last three years..<br /><br />See Dockside Chat isn't all about Jokes and little Red Pickups! <br /><br />Mabe soon we can chat on the air! If I get my stuff together <br /><br />73 Link

 

[kd6nem]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

Here's one more- I'm still a codeless tech after a dozen years or so, and still swearing that someday I'll upgrade to general. I used to say I'd make advanced, but that ticket is history. I always carry my Alinco dual band handheld when boating; I trust it more than cell phones. Not very active any more, since most of my old ham buddies have given up the sport, but I have kids coming up who have interest. I like old receivers- have a Hallicrafters SX-28 (glows in the dark!) and a National HRO 500. Also have a Heath DX-40 with VFO for whenever I buckle down and finish learning CW and get the upgrade. I do hope we never lose the CW requirement.<br /><br />Stu Bryant, KD6NEM

 

[Link]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

Bearcat Powered<br /><br />We were down in Oregon visiting with kids and just got back. With no internet access I was going into with drawels so the wife had to bring me home <br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to reply.. and yes I know what its like to upgrade.<br /><br />After WW2 and up to when I got a Ham ticket there where a set of rules you followed.. <br />A: First you made a appointment with the FCC.. second<br />B: You went up to the Federal building and took a series of tests.. written first then the CW, after you passed the first you could go on to the next level.<br />Well by that time I was in the Army working in Tactical Communications.. No Problem for me.. I knew I would come out as a Advanced Operator! <br />HiHi I knew the theory and operated a daily net at 25 WPM!<br />When I went up to the FCC office in Seattle to take the theory and CW test's I got a 98 on the written (General) but failed the 13 WPM and walked out in disbelief with a Novice license! I thought I'd come out with a Advaned license! <br />The word SCHOCKED! Comes to mind..A few weeks later as three to six weeks I got my ticket. then I called CQ CQ CQ DE KA7ICB...when a person answerd.. I was so taken back.. hardy able to answer.. again on CW... its like another post here on IBOATS.. Where you when JFK got shot? As a kid I remember... same thing with your first civillian amateur radio contact.. with CW.. knees knocking.. arms shacking.. etc etc and even at 5 WPM or less we had a great conversation.. <br />Luck to you on Upgrading..<br />73 Link<br /><br />I used to joke that I didn't need a wife.. I had a "real radio" that glowed in the dark and kept me warm at night!

 

[jsfinn]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

I'm not a ham, but my dad is. He's WD4LC0.. When I was a kid, I would always hear him talking to his buddy in Australia every Sunday morning. Every time he would transmit, it would put mess up the TV and my Sunday morning cartoons! <br /><br />I used to tool around with CB ... not very much going on with it around here anymore though..<br /><br />73.

 

[Link]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

Thanks for the reply jsfinn <br /><br />You said <br />" Every time he would transmit, it would put mess up the TV and my Sunday morning cartoons!"<br /><br />I tried telling my kids that the only real reason for the tv was to make sure that dads transmitter was working <br /><br />They didn't buy off on that either <br /> <br />73 Link

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

I thought I would add in this thought...since there is 6" of fresh snow and the temerature is in the teens I understand that NOW is the proper time to have my antenna mounted. Isn't that always the way. <br /><br />73's<br />Bob

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

Bob_VT, and start the antenna project about 30 minutes before the XYL serves the dinner she slaved over the stove all day for, it's always good to have her full cooperation. She may even be willing to help you down by shaking the ladder. This antenna work method is also good for weight loss since you probably won't be seeing any more hot food for a while, hi, hi. DE wn2sqc sk

 

[Link]

Re: CQ CQ CQ how many HAMS do we have here??

Bob_VT and SlowlySinking <br />Cute but Oh so TRUE! BTDT Soooo many times!<br />But Bob! With the snow it should be a little lighter outside this time.. <br /><br />This time of year is the worst.. get home it's already dark.. eat dinner, fire up on 40 meters and SWR Off the scale.. Don't look inside anymore.. just grab rain slicker and flash light! <br />Last thing wife hears is me mumbeling something about GREMBLIMS as I go out the door!