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Posted: 1/14/2021 6:38:53 PM EDT
Join the ARRL. it’s got a decent monthly magazine with good info
setup your www.qrz.com page. put up some photos of stuff you’re interested in. mine has an old pic of me shooting my CMP M1 rifle, USPSA/IPSC, jeep, etc it’s a good way to start a conversation where else can you see @Piccolo with his 1970’s army pickle suit, an M14 rifle, bottle of scotch and a pizza  ( pronounced “Q R Zed” ) find an active local club to join. get involved, go to ARRL FIELD DAY last weekend of June. help out and learn from the old guys. it’s a great way to see things in action, HF DX, CW (morse) satellite, solar, digital, etc. once you upgrade to general and start working some DX, get setup with your QSL bureau. you send them a few $$$ and or envelopes and they send you QSL cards from countries you worked get involved and see all the different directions you can explore in this goofy hobby          |
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Posted: 1/14/2021 6:42:09 PM EDT
[#1]
In before the haters say the ARRL is a waste of money.
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Posted: 1/14/2021 6:51:19 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In before the haters say the ARRL is a waste of money. In before the haters say that getting a license and all the other stuff mentioned is submission to tyranny. |
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Posted: 1/14/2021 7:01:30 PM EDT
[#3]
Its worth the membership price just fo the magazine alone.
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Posted: 1/14/2021 7:14:56 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Its worth the membership price just fo the magazine alone. I've mentioned this before... I think that with membership they have all their old QSTs available online. Some time back I went to a library to look up something on microfilm on an old issue of QST. Spent the whole afternoon going through the different issues... 60s and 70s issues have a ton of good info on homebuilding antennas and a bunch of other basic stuff. Maybe it's because I like goofing off with antennas but I found them very interesting. |
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Posted: 1/14/2021 7:16:01 PM EDT
[#5]
Meh. I joined ARRL. I haven't seen anything I liked from them so far, they mostly cater to a different subgroup of ham.
My advice: don't let anyone tell you what ham radio "is" as if it's only that. It's a lot of different things to a lot of different people. There's contesters, homebrewers, satellites, moonbounce, morse code, DXing and DXpeditions, SOTA/POTA, emergency services, and so so so much more. One value of ARRL is that it can expose you to many of those different subgroups, but so will getting out there and trying more things and talking to more hams and asking them what they like about the hobby. |
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Posted: 1/14/2021 7:25:18 PM EDT
[#6]
Great post Derek45. Try to find a local club and join.
There is no easier way to learn this stuff than hanging out or talking to an Elmer. Elmer is a ham term for old guy who knows ham radio and is willing to teach you. |
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Posted: 1/14/2021 7:59:16 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Its worth the membership price just fo the magazine alone. Use the ARRL Magazines app and you get all the magazines. |
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Posted: 1/14/2021 8:16:03 PM EDT
[#8]
The whole making contacts and logbook of the world and qrz and hambook (or whatever it is) and digital logbooks in general is definitely an aspect of amateur radio i never knew existed. And it's one of those things that until someone shows you the ropes, you're probably not going to figure it. It's not intuitive.
That said - after doing the math I purchased a lifetime membership of both ARRL and QRZ. I'm not sure i'll ever get value out of it. But i don't regret either. |
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Posted: 1/14/2021 8:22:32 PM EDT
[#9]
its not Q R Zed. we aren't british.
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Posted: 1/14/2021 8:36:31 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: its not Q R Zed. we aren't british. thanks for making my point. have you never been on HF ?  C6ARW 2013 CQWW DX Phone 10 Meter Pile-Up 10-27-13 1305-1318z |
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Posted: 1/14/2021 10:23:24 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: its not Q R Zed. we aren't british. And you've active in ham radio how long? |
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Posted: 1/14/2021 10:34:19 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: its not Q R Zed. we aren't british. I'm guessing you have never been on HF SSB. |
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Posted: 1/15/2021 12:45:32 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm guessing you have never been on HF SSB. No kidding. I’ve been on HF for a month and have heard a million “Q R Zeds”. |
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Posted: 1/15/2021 11:24:47 AM EDT
[#14]
He is pulling your chain guys.
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Posted: 1/15/2021 12:10:09 PM EDT
[#15]
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Posted: 1/15/2021 3:25:09 PM EDT
[#16]
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Posted: 1/15/2021 3:29:57 PM EDT
[#17]
 Attached FilePost Inauguration ARFCOM ham sending "Secret Squirrel" messages to imaginary sleeper cells. Seriously new hams...lighten up a bit and relax. Ham radio is a great hobby and wonderful escape from all of the the noise of current events. Read, experiment, ask questions here, and learn. It's the original social networking and if you put less focus on the TEOTWAWKI nonsense it just might fun. |
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Posted: 1/15/2021 4:36:10 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Ham radio is a great hobby and wonderful escape from all of the the noise of current events. I think they all expect to be in the middle of the noise of current events. |
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Posted: 1/15/2021 5:14:19 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In before the haters say the ARRL is a waste of money. Well, it’s the ham radio equivalent of the NRA. If you want a magazine subscription it’s OK, but pretty useless other than that. The ARRL fought tooth & nail to keep Morse code as a requirement, then when it was dropped acted like they were responsible for it happening. They are in the business of perpetuating their existence, nothing more. |
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Posted: 1/15/2021 5:17:30 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I think they all expect to be in the middle of the noise of current events.  Negative Waves Scenes from Kelly's Heroes Movie |
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Posted: 1/15/2021 5:21:09 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Well, it’s the ham radio equivalent of the NRA. If you want a magazine subscription it’s OK, but pretty useless other than that. The ARRL fought tooth & nail to keep Morse code as a requirement, then when it was dropped acted like they were responsible for it happening. They are in the business of perpetuating their existence, nothing more. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: In before the haters say the ARRL is a waste of money. Well, it’s the ham radio equivalent of the NRA. If you want a magazine subscription it’s OK, but pretty useless other than that. The ARRL fought tooth & nail to keep Morse code as a requirement, then when it was dropped acted like they were responsible for it happening. They are in the business of perpetuating their existence, nothing more. Can I call it or what? Nostradamus hasn't got anything on me.  Next thing you know, guys will be saying NVIS isn't possible on the amateur bands. 
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Posted: 1/15/2021 7:28:33 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Next thing you know, guys will be saying NVIS isn't possible on the amateur bands. It's not that it isn't possible, it just isn't a 24/7 telephone connection as people seem to think. And, it's amateur HF. It's not channelized, we don't have selcall or ALE or trunking. People have to know what they're doing, it's not plug and play. |
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Posted: 1/15/2021 11:13:05 PM EDT
[#23]
I've said that to folks on the air, ham radio is the original social media.
Well, technically the campfire is the more original.... But yeah. The EMCOMM aspect is certainly there, and useful, but just getting in the air for the enjoyment of it is awesome. So folks should definitely focus more on that. They'll enjoy it more. |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 9:08:03 AM EDT
[#24]
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Posted: 1/30/2021 11:36:40 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've mentioned this before... I think that with membership they have all their old QSTs available online. The Archives, going all the way back to 1915 shortly after the ARRL was founded by Hiram Percy Maxim. Yeah, that Hiram Percy Maxim. They have a fairly good search engine, so you can find articles on just about any subject. I use them a lot since I'm into vintage equipment. If you're working much DX, their QSL Bureau (the "buro") can save you a lot of money. |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 12:07:35 PM EDT
[#26]
Be willing to learn, take advice, and don't be an asshole.
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Posted: 1/30/2021 12:11:40 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Be willing to learn, take advice, and don't be an asshole. aw well, I’m screwed. 
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Posted: 1/30/2021 12:47:25 PM EDT
[#28]
If you're going to start HF, join Log of the World. It's free but a slight pain in the ass. Back up your certificate on it to somewhere safe, I've needed mine about three times now. I'm not typing out what it does, read about it.
http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world You don't have to be an ARRL member to use it. |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 3:48:58 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: aw well, I'm screwed. Some win and some lose, but it's fun no matter which. |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 6:13:26 PM EDT
[#30]
Where did “Zed” come from? Having a Z in my callsign I’ve always found it annoying as hell. Zulu is the phonetic for Z. The cutesy phonetics some actually get a vanity callsign to use on the air are the worst.
There was a guy years ago with LAS as his suffix & would call CQDX “Love American Style” in a heavy southern accent. The DX stations had no idea what he was talking about, but it was at least amusing. |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 6:16:08 PM EDT
[#31]
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Posted: 1/30/2021 6:21:13 PM EDT
[#32]
Advice for new hams: don’t be shy and get on the air and talk. Get on HF and talk. Too many have the radio on, complain the bands aren’t open but never talk to realize the band is still open despite no sun spots.
Don’t like the old establishment? I get it, so let’s use the airwaves |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 8:30:53 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Advice for new hams: don't be shy and get on the air and talk. Get on HF and talk. Too many have the radio on, complain the bands aren't open but never talk to realize the band is still open despite no sun spots. Don't like the old establishment? I get it, so let's use the airwaves Doing POTA activities and even playing trivia on 3916 is a lot of fun. |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 9:59:45 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm new. But this. Doing POTA activities and even playing trivia on 3916 is a lot of fun. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Advice for new hams: don't be shy and get on the air and talk. Get on HF and talk. Too many have the radio on, complain the bands aren't open but never talk to realize the band is still open despite no sun spots. Don't like the old establishment? I get it, so let's use the airwaves Doing POTA activities and even playing trivia on 3916 is a lot of fun. When I have the radio on it, my wife likes to listen to the trivia on 3916. |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 10:00:59 PM EDT
[#35]
Keep the Zed for those darn furners! They don't want to learn our language.
First, FCC screw up the alphabet, then the cancel the code! What's next? Maybe they'll let CB-ers talk on our frequencies?!  Without code (CW) it's CB! Darn CB-ers, ruining the hobby! 
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Posted: 1/30/2021 10:18:02 PM EDT
[#36]
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Posted: 1/30/2021 10:44:36 PM EDT
[#37]
Speaking of callsigns, I believe I'll be able to get into a testing session next weekend and plan to take the Amateur Extra test, which would allow me a 4-digit callsign. I've read that you can choose any available one regardless of regional number, but would it be advisable to choose an out-of-region number? I'm in Region 9, but found an available one I like that is Region 1. I certainly don't want to confuse the locals when I finally get set up and transmitting.
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Posted: 1/30/2021 10:52:07 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Speaking of callsigns, I believe I'll be able to get into a testing session next weekend and plan to take the Amateur Extra test, which would allow me a 4-digit callsign. I've read that you can choose any available one regardless of regional number, but would it be advisable to choose an out-of-region number? I'm in Region 9, but found an available one I like that is Region 1. I certainly don't want to confuse the locals when I finally get set up and transmitting. so many people move and have vanity calls it doesnt matter I have an out of area vanity call. You still get some people that dont get that it really doesnt apply anymore |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 11:07:56 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: When I have the radio on it, my wife likes to listen to the trivia on 3916. |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 11:08:11 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've read that you can choose any available one regardless of regional number, If you moved to a different district you had to get a new (sequentially issued) call sign from that district. There were no vanity calls then. |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 11:13:51 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: so many people move and have vanity calls it doesnt matter I have an out of area vanity call. You still get some people that dont get that it really doesnt apply anymore I agree, people aren't as planted in one place as they were 30 years ago. I have a vanity call with an out of region number too. I would have gone with the same letters with my region number if it were available, but its held by an active ham in my region who I have QSO'd a few times. |
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Posted: 1/30/2021 11:27:29 PM EDT
[#42]
The only reason I would go with an out-of-district number would be to get my first and last initials -- and that's not a really high priority. My district is 9, so "K9" already rolls off the tongue easily. It's just figuring out a decent 2-letter suffix...
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Posted: 1/31/2021 12:07:20 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The only reason I would go with an out-of-district number would be to get my first and last initials -- and that's not a really high priority. My district is 9, so "K9" already rolls off the tongue easily. It's just figuring out a decent 2-letter suffix... 1x2 callsigns are taken on the day they become available, you're not going to have a lot of options. I know many pick out-of-area vanity callsigns, but it can lead to little annoyances both for you and people you talk to, it's just easier if you use the correct district. |
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Posted: 1/31/2021 8:51:11 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 1x2 callsigns are taken on the day they become available, you're not going to have a lot of options. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: The only reason I would go with an out-of-district number would be to get my first and last initials -- and that's not a really high priority. My district is 9, so "K9" already rolls off the tongue easily. It's just figuring out a decent 2-letter suffix... 1x2 callsigns are taken on the day they become available, you're not going to have a lot of options. Unless I'm doing something wrong (and that's very possible), RadioQTH shows 59 1×2's with a "K9" prefix available immediately, not counting "N" and "W" prefixes. I've only had a callsign for 4 days now, so I'm pretty ignorant of this stuff.  EDIT: Apparently I'm a moron -- the website isn't updated, even though it says updated "January 30, 2021", because I find them unavailable when I enter them into the FCC database. So just how hard is it going to be to get one if I don't care what is as long as it's a 1X2? |
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Posted: 1/31/2021 9:39:54 AM EDT
[#45]
Lookp on AE7Q, it updates quickly. 2x1 and 1x2 are snapped up immediately. Your best bet it to look thru the list of ones about to be available (not expiration date) and submit an application the same day. Everyone on the same day gets the same chance, you'll seem them with dozens and dozens of applications filed. I actually like the idea of a filing fee so guys stop chasing them so rabidly.
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Posted: 1/31/2021 9:58:09 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In before the haters say that getting a license and all the other stuff mentioned is submission to tyranny. Getting a license and all the other stuff mentioned is submission to tyranny. (Test schedule Feb08.) |
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Posted: 1/31/2021 10:52:43 AM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Getting a license and all the other stuff mentioned is submission to tyranny. (Test schedule Feb08.) Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: In before the haters say that getting a license and all the other stuff mentioned is submission to tyranny. Getting a license and all the other stuff mentioned is submission to tyranny. (Test schedule Feb08.) This. (Test scheduled for Feb 6th)
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Posted: 1/31/2021 11:04:44 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This. (Test scheduled for Feb 6th) |
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Posted: 1/31/2021 11:06:22 AM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Good luck. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: This. (Test scheduled for Feb 6th) Good luck. Thanks, I've been laid up from surgery for weeks so I've been studying for Tech and General. I've done about 40 practice exams for Tech and passed them all in the high 80s to 90s. Tomorrow I'll start practicing for General. |
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Posted: 1/31/2021 1:47:23 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks, I've been laid up from surgery for weeks so I've been studying for Tech and General. I've done about 40 practice exams for Tech and passed them all in the high 80s to 90s. Tomorrow I'll start practicing for General. Good luck, we'll be the 13'ers of the ham world. |
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