Amateur Radio

[mtnbkr]

Forgive my ignorance and this may not be the correct thread, but how does an FCC restricted radio operator’s permit factor into the Amateur radio world? Pilots have to obtain these. Does this permit get you any capability elsewhere?

It doesn't. To operate in the amateur space, you need to get that license.

Chris

[HeavyDuty]

I wish the HF bands would come back - I try and check 20 a few times per day, but nada.

I may need to find a spotting and/or propagation website or app and keep a closer watch, random isn’t working. Any suggestions?

[HeavyDuty]

I’m thinking about using my post surgical downtime to study for my Extra. I’m a General now, I passed the Advanced numerous times but always plateaued at 10 WPM.

I’m trying to decide whether to buy a book so I can make notes or use an online source.

[mtnbkr]

I wish the HF bands would come back - I try and check 20 a few times per day, but nada.

I may need to find a spotting and/or propagation website or app and keep a closer watch, random isn’t working. Any suggestions?

Try this site for propagation info: https://prop.kc2g.com/
and this one: https://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html

MUF in Boulder is 35mhz and I'm hearing traffic on 10mFM and 6mSSB here in VA. 20m isn't hot at the moment, but it is only just before 1pmET and many folks are working.

More info on your random wire? Lengthy, how you're tuning it? How it's deployed, etc?

Chris

[mtnbkr]

I’m thinking about using my post surgical downtime to study for my Extra. I’m a General now, I passed the Advanced numerous times but always plateaued at 10 WPM.

I’m trying to decide whether to buy a book so I can make notes or use an online source.

https://hamstudy.org/

One of these days I'll upgrade, but until I start traveling internationally again, I have little motivation. I need Extra in order to operate overseas.

Chris

[HeavyDuty]

Try this site for propagation info: https://prop.kc2g.com/
and this one: https://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html

MUF in Boulder is 35mhz and I'm hearing traffic on 10mFM and 6mSSB here in VA. 20m isn't hot at the moment, but it is only just before 1pmET and many folks are working.

Thanks for the link - I’ll try that.

More info on your random wire? Lengthy, how you're tuning it? How it's deployed, etc?

Chris

48’, I think. I’ll be using a MAT-30 tuner. Deployed in a drawer until after surgery.

[mtnbkr]

48’, I think. I’ll be using a MAT-30 tuner. Deployed in a drawer until after surgery.

Oh, sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were saying it was out but not receiving well. Yeah, it's not going to do much in a drawer.

Well, by the time I finished work, hit the gym, got in a short bike ride, and hit a local park for some portable radio action, the MUF was down to about 16mhz. No 10m action for me today. :|

Chris

[eclecticmoose]

I've enjoyed reading through this thread. I was first licensed as a Technician in March 2020 and passed my General exam in September 2020. Got on HF in January 2021, and got into SOTA in March 2021. After a slow start the first few months, I became hooked. Started learning Morse code in September 2021 and made my first CW QSO in December 2021.

My home station is an 80m EFHW antenna and Icom IC-7300 for HF, and a Comet GP-3 and IC-2300H for 2m FM. For portable ops I use a 40m EFHW with links and extensions for additional bands and either a Yaesu FT-818 or LNR MTR-4B rig. My HT is a Yaesu FT-60R which performs great from summits using a roll up J-pole or telescopic whip. I've also used an Arrow four element beam for SSB with my FT-818, need to do more weak signal work on 2m--especially from summits!

CW is now my primary mode--my goal besides continuing my SOTA obsession (activating and chasing) is to make more time for ragchews on CW.

Vy 73

[mtnbkr]

I've enjoyed reading through this thread. I was first licensed as a Technician in March 2020 and passed my General exam in September 2020. Got on HF in January 2021, and got into SOTA in March 2021. After a slow start the first few months, I became hooked. Started learning Morse code in September 2021 and made my first CW QSO in December 2021.

My home station is an 80m EFHW antenna and Icom IC-7300 for HF, and a Comet GP-3 and IC-2300H for 2m FM. For portable ops I use a 40m EFHW with links and extensions for additional bands and either a Yaesu FT-818 or LNR MTR-4B rig. My HT is a Yaesu FT-60R which performs great from summits using a roll up J-pole or telescopic whip. I've also used an Arrow four element beam for SSB with my FT-818, need to do more weak signal work on 2m--especially from summits!

CW is now my primary mode--my goal besides continuing my SOTA obsession (activating and chasing) is to make more time for ragchews on CW.

Vy 73

Good progress!

SOTA is what got me back into amateur radio. I should hit Mountain Goat by next Spring.

Chris

[DamonL]

I’m thinking about using my post surgical downtime to study for my Extra. I’m a General now, I passed the Advanced numerous times but always plateaued at 10 WPM.

I’m trying to decide whether to buy a book so I can make notes or use an online source.

I recommend this.

https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com

I used this to pass my Extra Exam.