Weekend of ham radio

[NeTree]

So I decided to do the ARRL September VHF QSO party a little differently this year. A Tech Class buddy of mine, Bob Housand KB1GQY wanted to get his feet wet with contesting, so we set up in the parking lot at Coldbrook Resort, which sits at about 900 feet.

We operated from about 3pm Saturday to 2pm Sunday, and logged quite a few contacts on 6 and 2 meters. Good practice for Bob for next years' Field Day.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Pics!!

 

[NeTree]

Pics!!

Those aren't enough?

Did ya steal the power?

Nah... they provided it willingly.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

I like the bucket truck antennae

 

[NeTree]

That's the 15 element Cushcraft for 2 meters set up on the only other thing around. We were going to set up a 440Mhz antenna on teh bucket and put the other two on the two light poles, but the other light pole was so wobbly I didn't want to chance it.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Don (a client) up here has us shoot lines in trees from time to time to set up more antenna for his comps and such.. I guess he sells internet to cruise ships and such. Broadcast over HAM I believe ..

 

[NeTree]

That would be illegal and practically impossible on amateur frequencies, Steve.

He's either a ham having you stick up antennas for contests and such, or he's putting up antennas for commercial bands and usage.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Both....

http://www.hfradio.com/

 

[NeTree]

Oh, that's marine ship-to-shore. Completely different frequencies/bands (although they're close; some rigs will do both.)

Different licenses, too.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Yup... But he also does HAM... Sorry I am not all up with what freq are what... He loves his HAM Radio though. His place up here is pretty cool ...

 

[sawinredneck]

Hard to tell for sure, but was that the TS-2000 Erik? Interesting working 2m on a contest!

 

[NeTree]

Yes, it was.

 

[MasterBlaster]

HAM radio = I don't get it. I mean, I hate talking on the phone much less a microphone and a stranger.

I guess you hafta be there?

 

[Al Smith]

Now say since you know all those radio jockeys hows about putting out some out feelers for good old Al .I'm in need of at least one c16J thyratron to fix my Monarch lathe ,two would be nice .

 

[vharrison]

I'm in need of at least one c16J thyratron to fix my Monarch lathe ,two would be nice .

Al. quit speaking Greek

 

[woodworkingboy]

Erik, what countries were you able to contact?

 

[CurSedVoyce]

I think that's what is so fun about it. Like the interweb.. you get to talk to a lot of people from all over.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Like the interweb.. you get to talk to a lot of people from all over.

It's like an "internet lite." Who likes lite beer?

 

[Newfie]

Different strokes for different folks. Keeps him busy with no time to burn the Koran.

I hate playing baseball, other guys love it. if we were all the same it would be pretty friggin boring.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Word!

 

[NeTree]

I think that's what is so fun about it. Like the interweb.. you get to talk to a lot of people from all over.

Partly, sure.

Butch, anone can pick up a phone or type on a computer. Communicating by radio is an art.

Jay, VHF frequencies are "line of sight"; you won't generally work the world on those. That's what makes it a contest. In this contest, you have to work as many "grid squares" as you can.

I do work the world on the HF bands, usually 80, 40, 20, and 15 meters. I've gotten almost 100 countries worked, so far, and always trying for more.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Thanks for explaining. Have you contacted anyone over here? What countries in Asia so far?

 

[NeTree]

Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam a few times apiece.... a few others I can't recall off the top of my head.

 

[woodworkingboy]

I see some big antennas on a few houses in town. It would be cool if they would contact you. Presumably they have English capability.

 

[NeTree]

Most of the ones I hear on voice speak English at least a little. I generally work CW (Morse code).