So many things have prevented me from finding time to write articles for this site, but hopefully I can soon get back on track here and write articles about my long lost hobby of amateur radio. Back in the early 60's I first acquired my Novice class license. It was at that time that I wanted to devote my career in the electronics field, and throughout the years, I have advanced in my professional career as an engineer working for IBM, maintaining mainframe Z-series computers. Originally licensed as WN8ZIQ as a novice, then WA8ZIQ as a Technician and General. Then KC8NZ as Advanced class, then KT8D as Extra Class, and finally KW5CW. Many have asked why I gave up the 2 by 1 call - KT8D, but being a very avid CW radio operator, I decided to change it when the opportunity presented itself. Hopefully in the near future, I'll become very active again in the hobby.
In the distant past, I also became involved in virtual amateur radio, using my computer, acting as the radio itself to get my feet wet again within the hobby. While it is was great experience, it is in no way any comparison to participating in the actual hobby with real transmitting and receiving equipment along with the antennas that you have to erect to actually get on the air. The mystic of getting into the hobby had to be the requirements of getting the original license, and that was to learn Morse Code. Starting at 5 words per minute, then eventually graduating to 20 words per minute, enticed me to move forward and sparked my interest in electronics.
Another motivator and friend of mine, Don Moler from Girard, Ohio, has been very instrumental in developing small antenna designs, those that can mainly be used in small lots, apartments or even small attics with very little space. Now living in an apartment complex, I've tested and used one of his small antennas and it works great for such a small antenna. But presently, with all of my activities that I presently am involved in, especially at IBM, it is difficult to continue to write daily in this blog, as I also update several others, ranging from Politics to Love Poems.
Until then, 73s to all who care to read my stuff and maybe I'll get a chance to run across you on Amateur Radio someday.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
My Long Lost Hobby - Amateur Radio
Monday, August 4, 2008
W9PPG, Bill Weinhardt's Radio Columns
With the advent of the new Technician license, now it is no longer necessary to know CW (morse code). So why would you want to learn CW anyway? It can be allot of fun if you want to learn something different. Here is the [LINK] to Bill's web pages, and you can read up on Amateur Radio, and the mode called CW (morse code).
Saturday, July 26, 2008
How Ham Radio Works
How Ham Radio Works
by Gary Brown
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Cite This!
Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:
Brown, Gary. "How Ham Radio Works." 01 April 2000. HowStuffWorks.com. 26 July 2008.
Inside this Article
Why would I get into ham radio?
Ham radio is for anyone who likes to communicate with others via wireless technology. It is also for anyone who enjoys experimentation. Licensed amateur radio operators communicate with each other in nearby places, across the country, around the world or even with astronauts in outer space!
 A young operator enjoys making friends over the radio during Kid's Day. Kid's Day is an annual event that encourages young people to get on the air, perhaps with a family member or a neighbor who is a licensed amateur radio operator. See more ham radio pictures. |
Often, younger hams get a chance to meet other hams of various ages and professions. The frequent networking often helps teens when they are making career or education choices and wish to get some advice (from professionals in many technical fields) that maybe mom, dad or the guidance counselor may not be able to give.
How many licensed ham radio operators are there?
Today, there are approximately 675,000 amateur radio operators in the United States, and more than 2.5 million around the world. To find out how to get started and who to contact in your area, call or write the non-profit organization:
- American Radio Relay League
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111
USA
Telephone: 1-800-32-NEW-HAM
AMATEUR RADIO - Getting down to BASICS !
What is Amateur Radio ?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Ham radio" redirects here. For the Frasier episode, see Ham Radio (Frasier).
Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is both a hobby and a service in which participants, called "hams," use various types of radio communications equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation and self-training.[1]
Amateur radio operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communications if necessary, while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. An estimated six million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio.[2]
The term "amateur" is not a reflection on the skills of the participants, which are often quite advanced; rather, "amateur" indicates that amateur radio communications are not allowed to be made for commercial or money-making purposes.
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