OP
B7510HSD
Veteran Member
Nice setup you have there!!
amateur radio
- Thread starter B7510HSD
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WoodChuckDad
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Several years ago I wanted to get my license. My father was a Ham guy for the last 10 or 15 years so he was very encouraging. Even sent me a nice little handheld. I studied for the test but never took it. He died recently and I decided to keep one of his radios to set up at our new place....but I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Getting the license shouldn't be hard, but I do not want a large antenna. I really am only interested in emergency communications. I do however have a 16 year old who is interested in getting his license, so I might help him do that and then see if he can get up and running with the 2 meter handheld my father had given me.
OP
B7510HSD
Veteran Member
Sorry for your loss. You really don't need a "BIG" antenna even for HF you can just put up a wire antenna once they are up you can barely see them.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Exactly, there are thousands of ways to skin the antenna cat.
WoodChuckDad
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My dad had a number of antennas. One was just a cable that ran to a tree. My wife would comment on it non stop. I will need to find a way to do it that is well hidden.
Trails End
Gold Member
Thanks! I've been very satisfied with it, and the rig and antennas have been
very reliable. No problems with the antennas and just one broken guy wire where
it attached to the top of the tower. Now that I've said it, watch Murphy chime in!
and, like James said, concentrate on antenna systems. I've worked the world with
never more than 100 watts. It's a great hobby.
teejk
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ok...for the benefit of us that have no idea about any of this, is there a site that will explain all of this (HF?VHF?etc.). Sounds like it is dying hobby but something I might want to goof with!
WoodChuckDad
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Not a dying hobby at all. Also, in the last few years natural disasters in our are brought down all communications. Including cell towers which loose their backup after a certain number of hours. The radios continue to work as long as you have juice. Generator, etc. being able to find out what things look like 10 or 20 miles away when the phones and tv get knocked out is pretty appealing to me.
teejk
Veteran Member
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So there is obviously a site that would educate me...I grew up with a kid that devoted all his spare time to it...he even had the fore-runner to the cell phone and as I recall he would climb poles to be able to attach his phone for free (he was one that I always suspected would end up in prison somehow). I've installed a few satellite dishes for myself (including one of those 10' mesh things that could navigate the sky before the Direct/Dish fixed dishes). What's involved?
k0ua
Epic Contributor
You can start here:
What is Ham Radio
Or you can ask me specific questions you may have.
HF= High Frequency = Those radio frequencies between 3 Megahertz and 30 Megahertz. Sometimes called the "shortwave bands" These frequencies are often used for worldwide communications without infrastructure. Just a radio, power source and antenna on each end.
VHF= Very High Frequency= Those radio frequencies between 30 and 300 Megahertz. These frequencies are often used for more localized communications, and broadcasting, etc. Many types of services are within this range.
UHF= Very High Frequency= Those radio frequencies between 300 and 3000 Megahertz. These frequencies are often used for more localized communications, and broadcasting, etc. Many types of services are within this range.
What is Ham Radio
Or you can ask me specific questions you may have.
HF= High Frequency = Those radio frequencies between 3 Megahertz and 30 Megahertz. Sometimes called the "shortwave bands" These frequencies are often used for worldwide communications without infrastructure. Just a radio, power source and antenna on each end.
VHF= Very High Frequency= Those radio frequencies between 30 and 300 Megahertz. These frequencies are often used for more localized communications, and broadcasting, etc. Many types of services are within this range.
UHF= Very High Frequency= Those radio frequencies between 300 and 3000 Megahertz. These frequencies are often used for more localized communications, and broadcasting, etc. Many types of services are within this range.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
For those that might be wondering what we mean by "ham bands", we mean bands or groupings of frequencies. It has nothing to do with musical groups. Perhaps this chart will help a bit. Or not..
Perhaps this chart will help a bit. Or not..
oosik
Epic Contributor
Hi KC7SW here. All my ham radio activity was when I was in Alaska(WL7AHL). Strictly HF - 40, 80, 160 & EME. I put up a vertical when we were first here in '82 but propagation was poor. I still have the old equipment(Collins 380 & Kenwood) but never really got back into it. Maybe some day.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
It always amazes me how many of us there are on this board.
On another note, for what it is; a wire antenna, the so called Windom or Off Center Fed Dipole is a really great performer. You would think I sell them or something for all the praise I heap on it, but no, it is just the best simple antenna I have ever found. I have a minibeam and it works well, and offers directivity and rejection of the back and sides, but there are times the OFCD/Windom will outperform it on 20 meters. Not always, not even usually, but there are times.
Chuckk
New member
I am Radio active as KB2AHZ on all HF bands VHF and UHF Owner of 2 repeaters in South central VA.
Main HF station Icom 7800 7600 backup 4 element Stepir at 60 ft for 6 thru 20 on 40 80 and 160 I run vertical full wave loops. 190 ft tower for 160 and to get my internet out here in boonies Pics on QRZ
Radio Junkie
Main HF station Icom 7800 7600 backup 4 element Stepir at 60 ft for 6 thru 20 on 40 80 and 160 I run vertical full wave loops. 190 ft tower for 160 and to get my internet out here in boonies Pics on QRZ
Radio Junkie
k0ua
Epic Contributor
OP
B7510HSD
Veteran Member
:thumbsup:OK, you are the winner so far with the coolest station.
Chuckk
New member
Great If I am the winner can you send me a new Icom 7851 I need something for the bench.
By the way I also operate all band mobile and Motor home mobile when camping.
Radio Junkie
By the way I also operate all band mobile and Motor home mobile when camping.
Radio Junkie
OP
B7510HSD
Veteran Member
Have you had any issues with your Stepir we just had to replace one at our EOC that was 4 years old the wind broke a few elements off
I'm sure the salt air didn't help it any either here on the coast.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
What are you using for HF mobile antennas?
Chuckk
New member
I have had no problems with my Stepir it has been up since they came out with the 4 element I do need to paint the tubes in the spring.
For mobile antennas I run Tarheel 200 screwdriver on both my truck and the motor home also no problems I have had both at least 10 years great antenna. I would not use any other type mobile antenna And I have tried many.
Radio Junkie
KB2AHZ
For mobile antennas I run Tarheel 200 screwdriver on both my truck and the motor home also no problems I have had both at least 10 years great antenna. I would not use any other type mobile antenna And I have tried many.
Radio Junkie
KB2AHZ
