Got HAM? Part II

[trapperready]

My eldest spawn (aged 11) and I passed our Technician exams this morning. I was very proud of him, as he only missed two questions (fortunately I didn't miss any -- otherwise the smack-talk from him would be unbearable). 

I also took the General and passed it. I hadn't studied the General material a ton and wasn't very confident; however, there really wasn't a downside to trying it while I was there. Even though I'll be licensed, I've still got a ton of studying left to do before I am comfortable.

Now we're just waiting for the database to get updated so we can get our call signs and begin trying things out. I also picked up a straight key and oscillator so that we can work on getting proficient copying and sending Morse code. That was my downfall when I'd looked at getting into Amateur Radio back in the early 80's.

FWIW, we were originally going to do this in 2007, but then he just seemed a little overwhelmed by some of the material. This time, we started studying from the AARL books a few weeks ago and everything seemed to click for him. It was fun studying with him and he was even able to explain a couple things to me in a way that made more sense than the book.

I guess the next step is to go to a couple of the local club meetings and start figuring out what kind of setup we're going to use.

[Boomhauer]

Excellent! Take your time researching for your station and other equipment and you'll be pleased with the results.

Before you buy, are there any HRO stores near you? They have equipment set up so you can try before you buy.

Get in touch with the local club and there will be plenty of advice for you...

[trapperready]

No HRO nearby, but there is an AES within striking distance. That's where we picked up the key.

I've also got a friend who is interested in selling off his dad's old stuff. Depending upon the price and what he's got, I may see if it's enough to get started.

[Boomhauer]

AES is also good.

[trapperready]

What I'm considering in terms of equipment is:

1) A handheld unit (or two) for hitting the local repeaters (2m & 70cm). These could also be useful when we're camping, hiking or hunting.

2) A 100w mobile rig.

Our neighborhood has a restrictive covenant in place (no HOA though), so a big permanent tower is a no-go. I doubt that I'll want a full-blown shack, but the mobile applications appeal to me. I thought this combination would be enough to get our feet wet, be useful for emergencies and not have any downside even if we decide to go with a shack down the road.

Comments? Any particular manufacturers or units you like? I'd be particularly interested in a solidly made, relatively easy to use handheld for my kid -- not something that's overwhelming with regards to all the bells and whistles.

Also, is there any consensus on a good study program for learning CW?

Thanks! I'll also be asking these questions at the local club's meeting(s), but that won't be for at least a couple weeks.

[cosine]

I haven't gotten around to learning CW yet, but found this resource a while ago that looked like it might be good: http://aa9pw.com/

If you browse around his site you'll see he has practice for Morse Code on one of his pages.

[Boomhauer]

Our neighborhood has a restrictive covenant in place (no HOA though), so a big permanent tower is a no-go. I doubt that I'll want a full-blown shack, but the mobile applications appeal to me. I thought this combination would be enough to get our feet wet, be useful for emergencies and not have any downside even if we decide to go with a shack down the road.

You may not be able to have a tower, but plenty of HAMs are making do (and doing decently well) with descrete wire antennas, and even hidden antennas in attics or as part of flagpoles.

[RocketMan]

You might research PRB-1 to see if it offers a way around the covenants.  It's been quite awhile since I looked at it.  I cannot remember if it preempts local ordinances, HOA covenants, or both.

[mtnbkr]

You may not be able to have a tower, but plenty of HAMs are making do (and doing decently well) with descrete wire antennas, and even hidden antennas in attics or as part of flagpoles.

We have an HOA, but they didn't have a problem with my Hustler BTV4.  It has been in place for 2 years with no complaints.  When I asked them about it prior to installing, I asked if I could put a 16' tall antenna in for "shortwave listening" (I operate QRP, so no fear of causing interference).  They said "sure, we don't regulate that, enjoy".

Chris

[Owens]

Trapperready,

Welcomed to the land of magnetic waves and congrats on passing the exams.

For a clandestine antenna, you may want to look into what is called a J-pole. They can be easily made out of TV twin lead or copper pipe.
A good source of info on them (and a host of other stuff) is http://forums.qrz.com/index.php

And yes, DO learn code - there is  a lot of free software out there that can help.

73,
owens

[mtnbkr]

Good book on low profile radio: http://www.amazon.com/Low-Profile-Amateur-Radio-Publication/dp/0872594114

Also, consider QRP/portable operation for HF.  It's not as cool as having the giant rig with huge tower, but you'll not get as much attention from the neighbors and you can take your radio on trips to use outside the home.  I make as many contacts while away as I do at home.

Also, with QRP, you have fewer concerns with RF exposure if you're running an indoor antenna. 

Chris

[trapperready]

I'm already interested in QRP. We spend a lot of time camping, backpacking and hiking and I think it would be a lot of fun to be able to work ham radio into those hobbies.

One question... are most of your low power contacts via CW, or do you use voice much?

I'll apologize in advance for potentially stupid questions. I find that the more I learn about this stuff, the more questions I come up with. At least now I can flip through a copy of "QST" and not feel like I'm reading something written in Swahili and then encrypted with PGP.

My son and I have also discovered that we can make my wife's eyes glaze over and force her to leave the room simply by saying things like "The reflector on a Yagi is normally the longest parasitic element". It's like being able to use The Force, but geekier.

[mtnbkr]

I don't know CW yet, so all of my contacts are via phone.  I won't lie to you, you'll make fewer contacts than if QRO.  Some folks won't bother if they know you're running QRP, even if a QRO signal was just as weak to them.  All you can do is put more effort into your equipment so more signal gets out.

Chris

[trapperready]

mtnbkr - When I'd read up on antennas a couple years ago, it was sounding like an attic-housed dipole was a significant lightning/fire risk. Is that incorrect, or do you just have to make really certain that you've got all the grounding and wiring squared away.

Also, when folks talk about flagpoles, are they talking about setting up a vertical antenna and then disguising it by attaching a flag, or can they modify/add-on to an existing flagpole to achieve the same thing? The reason I ask is that we've got an existing 20' aluminum flagpole in the front yard.

[mtnbkr]

It can be a risk.  At QRO levels, you can develop quite a bit of energy at the ends of the dipole.  I've seen pics where other people have set fires with large amounts of power into a dipole where the ends were too close to other structures.  As for preventing that, I don't know offhand.  I'm sure proper grounding and not putting the dipole ends too close to other structures is a good start.

I think the flag pole method is accomplished both ways, with a standard flag pole tuned with a tuner or a vertical antenna disguised like a flagpole.  If you can borrow a tuner, try using that to load your flagpole.  It probably won't be as efficient as a dedicated antenna, but may work good enough.  You'll want to add ground radials.

Chris

[trapperready]

Any experience with a Buddipole antenna (or know anyone that uses one)?

Just out of curiosity, what sort of equipment are you running?

[mtnbkr]

No on both accounts, though I've heard you can make one for next to nothing.  Personally, unless you're in an area where you don't have supports for a dipole or similar, there are better antennas.

At home, I run an Yaesu FT-817nd with a Hustler 4BTV vertical antenna.  I use Times Microwave LMR-400 coax to connect the two (with QRP, you want to reduce losses whenever possible).  My antenna is on a small townhouse lot and I didn't want the antenna in the middle of my small yard, so the radial field is offset and not as big as it should be.  It works though, I've made contacts as far west as the West Coast and as far north as Canada.  I run the radio off AC power, though it can run from batteries (internal or external).

While away from home, I either use a coax-fed dipole cut to the specific frequency or a 122' ladder-line fed dipole with a tuner to reach from 10m to 80m.  I frequently run the rig on battery power when away from home.  The results have been roughly the same as the results above.

If I don't have supports (trees), I can use a 16' crappie pole to turn a dipole into an inverted V.

Chris