OT: Ham radio forum

[darryl]

Back before packet radio was even a thing- Christmas eve, early 70s- maybe late 60s- I delivered a brand new color tv to a ham. He let us in, and left us to set it up. Him and his buddy were totally intent on their radio, and they had somebody from far away on their frequency. The excitement was high- and they were well on their way on the Christmas cheer. We got done, and he gave us a good 5 seconds or so to show them what they needed to know about the tv. Then- back at the radio. As we were about to leave, he got up and basically forced us to have a drink with them. Ok, one drink- yeah right. As we were about to leave again- same thing. Ok, two drinks. We got caught up in the excitement of it all, and he actually introduced us to this guy on the radio. Ok, three drinks. There wasn't an iota of interest in the tv. We hung around while he flitted between the antenna tuner, some other gear, the radio, the mike- I don't think I've ever been that excited about anything.

[The Artful Bodger]

Morse code operation in support of international aviation, Pyongyang 1999.

Those round multi coloured things are crocheted earphone socks, we never had such creature comforts in my time!

[RB211]

Radio navaids still use Morse to identify, but our charts show the dits and dahs. Also most airplanes these days automatically decode the morse and display the identifier. Only really comes into play with ILS’s. The FAA seems to be speeding up the dismantling of Navaids. Last month we actually lost GPS due to “testing”, guess they were jamming it. I actually had to tell the box on the 777 to actually use Navaids for position updates. It’s off by default!

[Jim Stewart]

I loved morse code. Got pretty good at many years ago, working OK at 30 wpm or so. But it's been a long time and, if I tried right now my speed would probably be around 10 wpm. But it would go up pretty fast if I were using it.

For some reason I still sometimes sound out words in my head in code. It's built in now, I think.

-js

[The Artful Bodger]

We were still using Morse Code on the international civil aviation networks in the early '70's. I used to be pretty good but not touched a key for several years.

[wmgeorge]

PSK is now considered pretty old hat. I haven't used it for years. Mind you, at least it did require an operator—unlike FT8, which is just one computer talking to another. Where's the fun in that? Make a Morse key and learn to use it.

Licensed in 1977 or so, had to learn code in those days. Got to Advanced class and kind of lost interest the last 20 years or so. PSK31 is going to be a whole new thing for me.... just reliving my days when we used to build projects out of QST and be the first on the air with a computer and ham radio, 2 meters that was...

[JRouche]

All these digital modes are bringing back memories from that old job. Always thought all of it was boring, found APRS was the most fun out of any of it. Moon bounce looked really interesting but I couldn’t afford the antennas or amps for that.

Amps are easy, compared to the need for good optics to see" what you are shooting. The Moon, no prob. Seeing it? Difficult without an orbiting sat. around the moon.

Oh, there are other programs also.

Not much scucsess so far. A very high powered laser to use as an anti-missle defence they tried in the gulf, 1987. All hand in doors basically. Did not want anyone outside for this 3hr test.

Yeah, they dream up all types of stuff. I was used to it, I had a top secret clearance. They told me to stay below decks. Luckily my place in CIC was just right. I watched my narrow band radar for 3 hrs and nadda.

GQ over. just like that,

Weird? A lil. I rode this frigate to two streaches of the gulf.

This was in the IO. Out in the middle of no where if there is a thing on the IO and PAC... LoL

Land Lubers... JR

Edit: I didnt say anything about UFO sightings though :9 Thats what I wanted to do.

Oh well. Join the Navy, bet you will see something you can not explain..

Issuse is my ship is old tech. Cameras (IR and all) wasnot there yet. Just radar..

I have never tracked a UFO or UAE. JR

The Chinese have a very nice program and we (US) deal with them and Russia on a daily basis. Well,
in space anyyway. I.S.S.

I am proud of that thing. We have the would coming together to make it happen.

Would I go on the space station? Hell no.. Fraid of high and very high places. Those Ladies and Gents are heros for me. JR

[RB211]

All these digital modes are bringing back memories from that old job. Always thought all of it was boring, found APRS was the most fun out of any of it. Moon bounce looked really interesting but I couldn’t afford the antennas or amps for that.

[Mike Burch]

PSK is now considered pretty old hat. I haven't used it for years. Mind you, at least it did require an operator—unlike FT8, which is just one computer talking to another. Where's the fun in that? Make a Morse key and learn to use it.

[wmgeorge]

Here is the new, and I am just getting set up with it, will try out PSK31 when winter rolls around or > FT8—What Is It and How Can I Get Started? – OnAllBands

Or PSK31 PSK31 Setup and Operation | bpsk31.com

A great site to learn the up to date stuff about Ham Radio > eHam.net

[JRouche]

It was a cool job, I became a HAM while working there. At first all the boards were made across a street at a fab house, the metal cases were also made in the USA. Then one day on the web page they removed the "Made in the USA." One of our key suppliers worked very hard to coordinate manufacture in China.

I learned that at an early enough age, why I'm constantly developing additional income streams.

Yeah? Sucks as it is, becha learned. I have had things fall apart and usally dont fall apart. Looks lie all hell is busting out then you get the life line.

Right RB, where was yer life line intyo flight school? Just curious? JR

[Fasturn]

Who needs a Terminal Node Controller, buy a Key and do CW. More fun, less hardware. Dit. Dit.

SKCC: 3139~

[RB211]

Oh? Is that right? You did what again? On record LoL,,

Kidding, I didnt call a freind

Could if you need JR

How many of use didnt make a transmission antea at some poit..

My first was a Di-pole. Heck yeah. My uncle had a very tall antena at his house.. (Ham)

Had the radio shack to go with it... Actually very good ties with my uncle/// JR

It was a cool job, I became a HAM while working there. At first all the boards were made across a street at a fab house, the metal cases were also made in the USA. Then one day on the web page they removed the "Made in the USA." One of our key suppliers worked very hard to coordinate manufacture in China. The final year of my job was fixing their mistakes. By the end of the year they got production down well enough I no longer had a job. I was the first one to go. The others were pretty smug that they still had a job. The owner sold the company to a father/daughter who promptly destroyed it with not knowing what the hell they were doing. Only one person stayed on to help them. Never trust another individual for your wages... I learned that at an early enough age, why I'm constantly developing additional income streams.

[JRouche]

Is this a TNC? Reminds a little of a Rig Blaster that I used to make over at West Mountain Radio when I graduated High School.

Oh? Is that right? You did what again? On record LoL,,

Kidding, I didnt call a freind

Could if you need JR

How many of use didnt make a transmission antea at some poit..

My first was a Di-pole. Heck yeah. My uncle had a very tall antena at his house.. (Ham)

Had the radio shack to go with it... Actually very good ties with my uncle/// JR

[RB211]

Is this a TNC? Reminds a little of a Rig Blaster that I used to make over at West Mountain Radio when I graduated High School.