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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2017 16:31:33 GMT
I've been going over to Hobbybroadcaster the last few days to see if they had anything to say about the SSTran situation. There's been nothing, at least publicly, but perhaps not so coincidentally I've now noticed an increase in attacks on amateur radio.
It's been no secret that the webmaster over there doesn't think much of amateur radio. On the one hand he attacks that hobby for its removal of morse code as a requirement for a license, but then on the other attacks it for its lack of technical innovation. And that, coming from someone who spends his spare time playing around with toy transmitters broadcasting in AM (Ancient Modulation). I still haven't decided if its that, or the fact that he now represents himself as a computer expert (hey, he can use google after all) that's more amusing.
The basic purpose of amateur radio is 1) emergency preparedness and 2) technical experimentation. There aren't too many pursuits these days that bother to spend time understanding how things work, never mind building and experimenting. Amateur radio is one of them.
From interference mitigation to antenna experimentation to building radio backboned digital networks, amateur radio is at some of the forefronts of radio and digital technology.
I just hope that close mindedness and pettiness from some in the radio field doesn't discourage others from getting involved in what can be an exciting, and certainly educational, hobby.
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Post by Druid Hills Radio on Nov 22, 2017 17:56:55 GMT
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Post by thelegacy on Nov 22, 2017 18:23:35 GMT
Sky Warn is one great example of what good Amateur Radio does.
However there is a few issues with the FCC and what they won't do to stop Piracy on the Amateur Radio band. Look at 40 meters 7200 Khz or 7.200 Mhz. Yesterday I monitored @ 3pm EST. I heard a licensed Ham playing George Thorogood - Bad To the Bone. This was on LSB and I was monitoring this with the NE Pennsylvania Web SDR.
On the New Radio Revolution's site I've been at random times putting up a new file so I can expose why the FCC should concentrate on Real Problem Matters such as this and shy away from worrying about Johhnny 2 Mile FM stations in areas whereas they are not causing problems.
I grew up around Amateur Radio and its great and people can learn a lot from it. However the FCC is allowing 40 meters to become another CB Radio reject wasteland. But don't blame it on No Code I hear how Laura Smith knows this and yet what has she done? It still continues EVERYDAY around 3PM EST.
If I were a betting man I bet that 5 years from Today MARK IT DOWN!! You'll hear the same thing on 7200 Khz (7.200 Mhz) K1LEM will still do his thing, Joe AC9MV will do his childish accent and Drunk Dan K9RSY will be at it still nothing done about it. And you'll still hear some more crap like "Mom He played with me Pee Pee" in a child's voice on that frequency but it will spread through out the entire 40 meter band. Ham Radio will be Pirate CB Radio in 5 years. This is why you people should be SCREAMING at the FCC toget off their duff and DO SOMETHING. Even if you have to put a pin in these folks's coax DO SOMETHING!!
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Post by Druid Hills Radio on Nov 22, 2017 18:45:20 GMT
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Post by thelegacy on Nov 22, 2017 19:26:15 GMT
I've been listening and taking note of the times to help report this.
Your a Ham Operator that is your band too. I'm not a Ham Operator and don't have my ticket because I can't afford gear but still I want to help clean up the band because this could cause certain bands to be taken away from the Ham community.
I'm trying to keep track of the times of day and report what I hear and now that I have the address this will help more. What I can't understand is that many Hams gave Laura smith's contact information and the name is passed out and yet this keeps going on. Ham's say they've reported it and got nothing done. That is sad.
I did have fun listening to the CQ contest and I've even listened to 3875 and 3880. I do like to listen to other bands. Go above 7200 Khz and its better with fewer issues. It really is fun using the Web SDR and I'm going to get a Tecsun Radio soon.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2017 20:37:27 GMT
There are upwards of a million amateur radio licensees in the U.S. alone, never mind the hundreds of thousands (millions?) around the world. Given that number, you've got to expect a few yahoos in the mix (maybe 0.0001% or lower). And it's likely that some of the few chronic abusers that are out there aren't licensed, but just trolls, looking for attention (as trolls do). They don't define the hobby by any means.
Amateur radio is many things to many people. For some, it's a vital communications channel. For others, it's a means to an end for experimentation and learning. And in the case of an emergency, it can be life saving.
It's definitely not for everyone but then it doesn't have to be. If you're not interested for whatever reason (i.e., the webmaster for Hobbybroadcaster), then find something else to do. Or criticize.
de/ve7dlc
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Post by thelegacy on Nov 22, 2017 21:26:51 GMT
I wish I could afford HF equipment as it would encourage me to study and get my ticket. I can remember when code was required at the school we had an amateur Radio club for a while but as the school for the Blind went multi-handicapped there were far more mentally challenged students coming in and the amateur Radio club faded away. Not enough upper HQ folks and I mainstreamed to Public School.
However during that time for me it was a Hobby that also had great communications opportunities for Emergency communication. I'd count on Amateur Radio for severe Weather for more then waiting for it to be reported and confirmed via Radio and TV. I can remember a member of the National Weather Service running the sky warn net.
Much of our cellular technology was in early development due to Hams as well as repeaters for Police and Fire. Hams in most part help map out their coverage areas so that there is fewer dead spots.
Why Snobby Dude doesn't like Ham Radio is something that makes little sense. Maybe he's mad cuz he can't afford HF gear. But getting a license is not too bad if you know about Radio. I really should study and get mine someday. If I do I'll never act like the clowns on 7200 when I can carry on a great QSO and maybe learn something about other areas in the process too.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2017 22:06:09 GMT
You don't need a ton of money to get started in ham radio. You can buy a perfectly good HF rig used for much less than a used Procaster or Range master. A portable dual band VHF/UHF handheld can be well under $100, even new. It's the antenna system that really matters (just as in Part 15 broadcasting).
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Post by Druid Hills Radio on Nov 27, 2017 13:14:48 GMT
While not a great rig but a good rig: I bought a near-mint condition Icom IC-718 for $350.
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