TexasCHLforum.com

Let me add to the Why: The challenge and the need for a variety of communication tools!

It is a large and mentally challenging hobby, which includes bouncing signals off the atmosphere, off satellites, and off the moon. There are amateur sets of frequencies in nearly every radio band (from microwave to very long wave -- don't worry if that doesn't make much sense). We also have had (and still do) amateur radio on the Space Shuttle, MIR and the International Space Station for many years now.

And, as someone else mentioned before, it has been instrumental in world affairs, including war and disasters, throughout the last 100 years, connecting people throughout the globe.

Congrats and welcome to a new hobby. I'm an extra class, WA5MUM, licensed in '65 at age 14. It's my original call, never did get a vanity call.

We (hams) were running AX25 packet protocol (internet standard digital transfer systems) that we (TAPR) developed on VHF and UHF long before Al Gore invented the internet! as well as the repeater systems adapted by cell phone companies 20 years after we did, etc. It was the tinkerers that put this stuff into operation, not the corporate thinkers......

Enjoy!

KD5OUP here. Man I need to update my info, I've moved twice since the address I'm showing right now!

I've had my license for almost 10 years but I still haven't bought a nice radio. I need to look into that...

Congrats , N5KAC here, havnt really used it in years but still keep the 2 meter charged up incase of emergancys. The last aircraft I flew had an HF radio in it , used to enjoy talking to folks to pass the time on the long flights, I guess having a antenna at 35000 feet helps, lol. Some of the astronuts are hams and have talked to other hams from the shuttle, guess that would be considered international, or intergalactic.

Sorry looks like someone beat me to to shuttle comment

KC5AV here. I've been licensed for about 12 years now. I don't to operate as much as I'd like. When I do, I enjoy PSK-31. It's a narrow band data mode that allows me to blend it with my other love... computers.
When you start looking for a rig for the house, take a look at the Kenwood TS-2000. It has all of the HF bands (with the exception of 60 meters), 6 meters, 2 meters, and 70 cm. I haven't priced them lately, but mine was about $1200 several years ago. I've been very happy with mine.

RiverRat wrote:Congrats and welcome to a new hobby. I'm an extra class, WA5MUM, licensed in '65 at age 14. It's my original call, never did get a vanity call.

We (hams) were running AX25 packet protocol (internet standard digital transfer systems) that we (TAPR) developed on VHF and UHF long before Al Gore invented the internet! as well as the repeater systems adapted by cell phone companies 20 years after we did, etc. It was the tinkerers that put this stuff into operation, not the corporate thinkers......

Enjoy!

You do have to remember that the AX.25 protocol is an offshoot of the X.25 protocol, which was developed for packet networking some years before.

And of course, we should not forget the first true network engineer, Claude Chappe, who developed and implemented his network in the 1790s!

My original call was WB5XDF, but the FCC changed it to WB5YWT because all of the "X" calls were reserved for experimental stations. (I thought that's what Hams are!). When I moved up to Advanced, I changed it to KD5GR.

Maybe we should consider a TexasCHLforum net "just in case."

Chas.

Welcome to the hobby ! Congrats on passing.





Sarge W5SRG
Emergency Coordinator
Brazoria County ARES
Alt. County Liaison Officer
Texas State RACES
President
Brazoria County Amateur Radio Service, Inc.
sarge43@att.net
713-410-5908

there is also GMRS (general mobile radio service) . Its a good service requiring no tests but it does require a license. $85.00 for 5 yrs. your lic covers your immediate family. Power is 50 watts maximum. Works well due to many repeaters. freqs are in the 467mhz area. My GMRS call is WQHX869. I use mine mainly to communicate with REACT in the county.


Sarge

Dicion, congrats for passing!

AA5LD here. Went from Novice to Extra in 9 months. Member QCWA, Royal Order Of The Wouff Hong( ), W5YI VE since 01-30-1989.

If you have deed restrictions about an outside antenna, there are lots of antennas you can build for your attic. You'd be surprised how many countries you can contact with a simple 40M dipole in your attic.

Charles, I LOVE your idea of a net!

my father has a dozen HAM radios and has dutifully tried to get one of his 4 kids involved (he says he doesnt want them put on craigslist when he passes). He showed me today a hammonds/hammons (sp?) that sold in the early 1940's for 35,000 bucks!! Sadly, it's roughly worth about 700 bucks now, but I keep telling myself to get into it at least for the survivalist part of me. I have many fond memories when I was a boy going to sleep and hearing my dad saying WCQR or something (whats the call for seeking overseas?, he loved those) and his call sign while falling sleep in the adjecent room. If even just for him, I need to get interested.

joe817 wrote:Dicion, congrats for passing!

AA5LD here. Went from Novice to Extra in 9 months. Member QCWA, Royal Order Of The Wouff Hong( ), W5YI VE since 01-30-1989.

If you have deed restrictions about an outside antenna, there are lots of antennas you can build for your attic. You'd be surprised how many countries you can contact with a simple 40M dipole in your attic.

Charles, I LOVE your idea of a net!

Yea, I've been reading all about 'Stealth Ham' these past few days :)
I think I can put up a decent wire in my back yard between the house and some trees, and have it mostly invisible to the neighbors and the street. Barring that, an attic setup would also be possible.

I am totally also liking the idea of a Net. Maybe we can use it for chl related discussion and such? That would be sweet.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:My original call was WB5XDF, but the FCC changed it to WB5YWT because all of the "X" calls were reserved for experimental stations. (I thought that's what Hams are!). When I moved up to Advanced, I changed it to KD5GR.

Maybe we should consider a TexasCHLforum net "just in case."

Chas.

Why Mr. Cotton, I didn't know you were a HAM. I love the idea of a TexasCHLforum net. I haven't had much practical experience so I'm unsure how to do anything other than local chatter. A net would be a good way to practice as well as learn from others.

T.

TLynnHughes wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote:My original call was WB5XDF, but the FCC changed it to WB5YWT because all of the "X" calls were reserved for experimental stations. (I thought that's what Hams are!). When I moved up to Advanced, I changed it to KD5GR.

Maybe we should consider a TexasCHLforum net "just in case."

Chas.

Why Mr. Cotton, I didn't know you were a HAM. I love the idea of a TexasCHLforum net. I haven't had much practical experience so I'm unsure how to do anything other than local chatter. A net would be a good way to practice as well as learn from others.

T.

GREAT idea Mr. Cotton!!!!

I am a ham also. KEØFV. Been licensed for over 25 years and active with Skywarn, one of the NCS for ARES and storm chaser.