Jumped straight to General

[tweiss3]

Punched both tickets to jump straight to General last night. Since the library is still closed, they held the test outside in a parking deck. We had to bring our own chair and table, plus wear masks and gloves. It was pretty hot, but I'm just glad they still held a testing session. License showed up on the ULS this morning.

[marcspaz]

Awesome! Congratulations! You are going to love it. I talk to people around the planet, daily. The entertainment never gets old.

[tweiss3]

Thanks Marc!

 

I'm not sure if I am just lucky, but there is a pretty good hotspot of activity where I am, with many different clubs. I have a daily morning net and a few evening nets. 2M & 70CM activity is pretty good, as well as there is a huge DMR presence. I see there is a pretty good 6M group as well, but I don't have anything that can even monitor that right now.

 

I have a AT-D878 being delivered tomorrow, figured if I was going to spend real money on a nice HT, it minus well have one of the digital modes, and DMR seems to be the most common here.

[n4gix]

Congratulations on punching both tickets at one sitting. My local club will be holding a VE session August 22nd indoors at our usual meeting place at the EOC. We may have to hold two sessions due to having to limit entry because of social distancing. Masks must be worn by all present of course.

 

You made a good choice for the HT. The AT-D878 is hands down my very favorite DMR HT. I rarely ever use my XPR7550 any longer due to it being strictly UHF, as well as being way too heavy!

 

73 and again, congratulations!

[kidphc]

Congrats, wish I had done the same.  Have fun. for me the learning never stops with this hobby.

 

I never thought I'd have to become a

• pseudo electrician (all the electrical knowledge) 
• pseudo astrophysicst (sunspots you know)
• pseudo mathematician (ideal angle for the sloper is, know how do I calculate they hypotenuse again?)
• pseudo audiologist ( omg was that dit-dah or dah-dit need to check why I can't hear it)
• pseudo botanist (now honey we can't plant that tree, it won't grow fast enough to give me the height I need for the dipole, or the venerable I think this antenna needs this leaf, so it looks more like a potted plant)
• pseudo camo expert (paint it this shade, it hides with the sky better).

[Jones]

Congratulations on getting your ticket OM.  I'll be listening for you on the bands.

 

I did a big jump like that as well, but back in the day... there used to be 5 levels of license. 

 

I passed my Novice exam plus 5 WPM Morse code test with my team of Elmers, then before I even got my call sign (you had to wait for the mail back then, 4-6 weeks) I went to one of those newly-formed VE testing sessions, and took all of the written tests.  I passed the written elements for Technician, General, and Advanced class, but I missed the Extra written by 2 answers.  I also failed the 13 WPM Morse Code test which was then required for General or Advanced class.

 

All classes of ham license required Morse code then: 5 WPM for Novice and Technician, 13 WPM for General and Advanced, and 20 WPM for Extra.

 

Since I had all the written elements passed, plus 5 WPM code, when I finally got my Novice license and call sign in the mail, I was automatically a Technician.

 

3 months later, after practicing Morse Code some more, and doing some additional studying of the parts of the Extra I had troubles with, I went to another VE testing session, and passed the Extra written element, and the 20 WPM code requirement, thus bouncing me from Technician to Extra.

 

I should have gotten a ham license long before I did, but it was the code that held me back.  I was already an ISCET certified "professional" electronics technician and radio broadcasting engineer before I got my first "amateur" ticket.

[tweiss3]

 

Congrats, wish I had done the same.  Have fun. for me the learning never stops with this hobby.

 

I never thought I'd have to become a

• pseudo electrician (all the electrical knowledge) 
• pseudo astrophysicst (sunspots you know)
• pseudo mathematician (ideal angle for the sloper is, know how do I calculate they hypotenuse again?)
• pseudo audiologist ( omg was that dit-dah or dah-dit need to check why I can't hear it)
• pseudo botanist (now honey we can't plant that tree, it won't grow fast enough to give me the height I need for the dipole, or the venerable I think this antenna needs this leaf, so it looks more like a potted plant)
• pseudo camo expert (paint it this shade, it hides with the sky better).

 

• pseudo electrician - I'm an engineer, and technology/electrical hobbiest. I knew 80% of the tech stuff from  school and past experience.
• pseudo astrophysicst - not sure when i'll get into HF. First, its expensive, secondly, I can't properly get into a base station at home because I have to replace my whole house wiring(pushmatic box with no grounds), add a sub-panel in the garage (easiest way to rewire the second floor of my split level where my office is), on top of replacing plumbing issues and the need to either reside or repaint the house.
• pseudo mathematician - I due trig almost daily, engineering and stuff.
• pseudo audiologist - I'm not sure when, if ever, i will learn CW. I'm not great at languages, and often have trouble doing the translation with enough speed to even think of holding a conversation. Right now, I'm having enough trouble remembering a call sign that just talked so I can respond to them. I'm also terrible with names, it usually takes me a few days/weeks to remember.
• pseudo botanist - I currently have 2 large pin oaks that are at maximum height next to my house (4 total) plus a few other trees that I don't trust.
• pseudo camo expert - no HOA, and local zoning allows towers/antennas up to 50 without a permit.

 

 

Congratulations on getting your ticket OM.  I'll be listening for you on the bands.

 

I did a big jump like that as well, but back in the day... there used to be 5 levels of license. 

 

I passed my Novice exam plus 5 WPM Morse code test with my team of Elmers, then before I even got my call sign (you had to wait for the mail back then, 4-6 weeks) I went to one of those newly-formed VE testing sessions, and took all of the written tests.  I passed the written elements for Technician, General, and Advanced class, but I missed the Extra written by 2 answers.  I also failed the 13 WPM Morse Code test which was then required for General or Advanced class.

 

All classes of ham license required Morse code then: 5 WPM for Novice and Technician, 13 WPM for General and Advanced, and 20 WPM for Extra.

 

Since I had all the written elements passed, plus 5 WPM code, when I finally got my Novice license and call sign in the mail, I was automatically a Technician.

 

3 months later, after practicing Morse Code some more, and doing some additional studying of the parts of the Extra I had troubles with, I went to another VE testing session, and passed the Extra written element, and the 20 WPM code requirement, thus bouncing me from Technician to Extra.

 

I should have gotten a ham license long before I did, but it was the code that held me back.  I was already an ISCET certified "professional" electronics technician and radio broadcasting engineer before I got my first "amateur" ticket.

 

Yea, if I had to know CW, I'd have been screwed. I also, at almost all times, have a million other things working in my head that make it impossible to focus enough of the listening/translating that CW may be considered a pipe dream right now. I've thought about just going computer generated/translated to see how I like those contacts. Still need a base station in my office to make that happen.

 

 

[tweiss3]

Congratulations on punching both tickets at one sitting. My local club will be holding a VE session August 22nd indoors at our usual meeting place at the EOC. We may have to hold two sessions due to having to limit entry because of social distancing. Masks must be worn by all present of course.

 

You made a good choice for the HT. The AT-D878 is hands down my very favorite DMR HT. I rarely ever use my XPR7550 any longer due to it being strictly UHF, as well as being way too heavy!

 

73 and again, congratulations!

I had a BF-F8HP that I bought for listening only at the beginning of the year, before I new any better. With my few days experience, I will be keeping this D878UV I definitely, even if I don't use DMR as much. I'm able to RX signals from much farther, and hit a surprising amount of repeaters from inside my house, both Analog and DMR.

 

I've been listening to a barometer net on my way to work for about a month. Today, I was able to check in. Unfortunately my HT doesn't pick it up till half way through my commute, but I am able to check in and listen via the echolink app untill I'm in range. I also was able to continue listening at my desk after I got to work with my HT and it's all clear. I can also hit 3 DMR repeaters with ease.

 

I do think I need to upgrade the trucks mobile to a CS800D so I have VHF and DMR at 45/50W with a true antenna. I'll leave the Kenwood installed so I can swap back when going hunting and GMRS is absolutely necessary.

[kidphc]

 

• pseudo electrician - I'm an engineer, and technology/electrical hobbiest. I knew 80% of the tech stuff from  school and past experience.
• pseudo astrophysicst - not sure when i'll get into HF. First, its expensive, secondly, I can't properly get into a base station at home because I have to replace my whole house wiring(pushmatic box with no grounds), add a sub-panel in the garage (easiest way to rewire the second floor of my split level where my office is), on top of replacing plumbing issues and the need to either reside or repaint the house.
• pseudo mathematician - I due trig almost daily, engineering and stuff.
• pseudo audiologist - I'm not sure when, if ever, i will learn CW. I'm not great at languages, and often have trouble doing the translation with enough speed to even think of holding a conversation. Right now, I'm having enough trouble remembering a call sign that just talked so I can respond to them. I'm also terrible with names, it usually takes me a few days/weeks to remember.
• pseudo botanist - I currently have 2 large pin oaks that are at maximum height next to my house (4 total) plus a few other trees that I don't trust.
• pseudo camo expert - no HOA, and local zoning allows towers/antennas up to 50 without a permit.

Yea, if I had to know CW, I'd have been screwed. I also, at almost all times, have a million other things working in my head that make it impossible to focus enough of the listening/translating that CW may be considered a pipe dream right now. I've thought about just going computer generated/translated to see how I like those contacts. Still need a base station in my office to make that happen.

 

 

NO HOA... You are lucky. No one said you had to start HF with a 50 foot tower and complete array with rotator and amplifiers. A good dipole, fan dipole will work up in the trees  

 

If you are a hobby technician/electrical guy. Then shocking enough you have the skills and 1/2 the tools to home brew everything from antennas to radios. You might want to check out DIY antennas, and DIY QRP HF radio kits (not the best choice for todays conditions).

 

The ground, you can drive an 8 foot ground and tie it into your house electrical ground. Pretty sure your house has main ground for the sub panel or the water main. You tie into those. On the second floor you have to be-careful because your ground line to the outside can become an antenna. There are artifical ground kits, to tune out the ground acting like an antenna, not to create a ground.

 

If you knew CW... there is the key chain CW kit ($44 on Etsy) with a long wire, a 9 volt and a HF receiver you could be tapping CW for less then a $100.

 

Either case have fun, shake your notions of what can and can't be done and get experimenting.

[tweiss3]

NO HOA... You are lucky. No one said you had to start HF with a 50 foot tower and complete array with rotator and amplifiers. A good dipole, fan dipole will work up in the trees  

 

If you are a hobby technician/electrical guy. Then shocking enough you have the skills and 1/2 the tools to home brew everything from antennas to radios. You might want to check out DIY antennas, and DIY QRP HF radio kits (not the best choice for todays conditions).

 

The ground, you can drive an 8 foot ground and tie it into your house electrical ground. Pretty sure your house has main ground for the sub panel or the water main. You tie into those. On the second floor you have to be-careful because your ground line to the outside can become an antenna. There are artifical ground kits, to tune out the ground acting like an antenna, not to create a ground.

 

If you knew CW... there is the key chain CW kit ($44 on Etsy) with a long wire, a 9 volt and a HF receiver you could be tapping CW for less then a $100.

 

Either case have fun, shake your notions of what can and can't be done and get experimenting.

 

 

Lucky? Or unlucky? House was built in 58, so I have the challenges of that.

 

The house has no ground what so ever, none to the water, none to the panel. It needs replaced, even without the radio component. I still want to talk to a grounding/lightening specialist before I finish plans on the electrical update.

 

I have seen some of the starter HF CW kits. Cool concept, but, again, without knowing CW, its almost pointless for me. I'm trying to see if I can fabricate one up what connects to my computer via USB, and use software for generating/decoding. Still something I'm looking into.

[kidphc]

The decoders are spotty. With a little time you can get cw. Even then a qrp kit with a wire antenna thrown in the trees in the backyard with a cup of coffe and then you are off for a lot less then a full blown HF base station.

 

Just understand the limitations of your choosen setup and have fun not getting fustrated.

 

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Jones]

 

•  I have to replace my whole house wiring(pushmatic box with no grounds)

 

 

OH NO!! Not an old Bulldog PushMatic!  Those had to be the absolute WORST breakers of all time... right behind the Federal Pacific Stab-Loc.  The last time I had to maintain one of those was at KHAS-TV back in 1999.  The old section of the TV station, built in 1955, had pushmatic panels - BIG ones - with 48 single or 24 double breakers in each panel.  Back then you could still get new breakers for them from Siemens.  I think you can still get some today from ITE.  The original Bulldog breakers were junk.  Many times, when they overloaded, they wouldn't trip, just half-way disconnect, and arc, and smoke, and buzz real loud, destroying any sensitive electronics plugged into that circuit.

 

Junk that panel and get a Square-D QO series load center.  Even a less expensive Homeline series would be an improvement in safety over the old Bulldog boxes.  Check your local code requirements - some areas require newer style (and drastically more expensive) "arc-fault" breakers when replacing and upgrading old panels. In some areas, it may even be illegal for you to do it yourself.  If in doubt, have a pro install the new panel, then you can install your own new branch circuits from there.

[tweiss3]

OH NO!! Not an old Bulldog PushMatic! Those had to be the absolute WORST breakers of all time... right behind the Federal Pacific Stab-Loc. The last time I had to maintain one of those was at KHAS-TV back in 1999. The old section of the TV station, built in 1955, had pushmatic panels - BIG ones - with 48 single or 24 double breakers in each panel. Back then you could still get new breakers for them from Siemens. I think you can still get some today from ITE. The original Bulldog breakers were junk. Many times, when they overloaded, they wouldn't trip, just half-way disconnect, and arc, and smoke, and buzz real loud, destroying any sensitive electronics plugged into that circuit.

 

Junk that panel and get a Square-D QO series load center. Even a less expensive Homeline series would be an improvement in safety over the old Bulldog boxes. Check your local code requirements - some areas require newer style (and drastically more expensive) "arc-fault" breakers when replacing and upgrading old panels. In some areas, it may even be illegal for you to do it yourself. If in doubt, have a pro install the new panel, then you can install your own new branch circuits from there.

You can still get new replacement breakers, I had to get two last year. My furnace and my drier wouldn't stay on. I do have a quote to replace it, just haven't pulled the trigger yet. These boxes are the absolute worst though.

[kidphc]

OH NO!! Not an old Bulldog PushMatic!  Those had to be the absolute WORST breakers of all time... right behind the Federal Pacific Stab-Loc.  The last time I had to maintain one of those was at KHAS-TV back in 1999.  The old section of the TV station, built in 1955, had pushmatic panels - BIG ones - with 48 single or 24 double breakers in each panel.  Back then you could still get new breakers for them from Siemens.  I think you can still get some today from ITE.  The original Bulldog breakers were junk.  Many times, when they overloaded, they wouldn't trip, just half-way disconnect, and arc, and smoke, and buzz real loud, destroying any sensitive electronics plugged into that circuit.

 

Junk that panel and get a Square-D QO series load center.  Even a less expensive Homeline series would be an improvement in safety over the old Bulldog boxes.  Check your local code requirements - some areas require newer style (and drastically more expensive) "arc-fault" breakers when replacing and upgrading old panels. In some areas, it may even be illegal for you to do it yourself.  If in doubt, have a pro install the new panel, then you can install your own new branch circuits from there.

 

Wow must be some real pieces of works! They trigered a PTSD event in Jones. Takes some deep breaths you will be ok, they are only memories. lol

[tweiss3]

Wow must be some real pieces of works! They trigered a PTSD event in Jones. Takes some deep breaths you will be ok, they are only memories. lol

 

Went out of business, some say because of all the fires they caused. Ask any electrician, and they cringe when they hear the name. I think most of the problems were in higher voltage/industrial uses.

[berkinet]

OH NO!! Not an old Bulldog PushMatic! ...

We purchased a house built in 1929 that had been partially “upgraded” with bulldog breakers. Half the house was still on fused knob and tube wiring. I immediately changed out the main panel. Still have the fused knob and tube. Looks like hell but actually safer than Romex.

[Jones]

Wow must be some real pieces of works! They trigered a PTSD event in Jones. Takes some deep breaths you will be ok, they are only memories. lol

Calm down, have a beer.  .....Yes, I'm OK now.

[Jones]

We purchased a house built in 1929 that had been partially “upgraded” with bulldog breakers. Half the house was still on fused knob and tube wiring. I immediately changed out the main panel. Still have the fused knob and tube. Looks like hell but actually safer than Romex.

My house was built in 1917.  I have upgraded all of the outlets and added many more using modern wiring, but my lighting circuits are still knob and tube.  There is nothing wrong with having a "hot" wire running a foot and a half away from the "Neutral" wire through ceramic insulators.  That's not gonna short out.  Just be sure the wire is copper, not aluminum.  In my case, I have 2 separate lighting circuits of 12-AWG copper that were originally rated for 20 Amps each on the old fuse box.  I run them on 15 amp breakers, because that's the smallest I can buy for my panel.  Even with old-style incandescent bulbs, it would take thirty 60 Watt bulbs all on at once to pull 15 Amps.  With today's LED lighting, I can turn on every light in the house, and still pull less than 2 Amps on each leg.

 

Wow, I have now drifted this thread WAY off topic, but then again, that's what ham operators do on a good rag-chew session.

[berkinet]

Separate conductors also are much better at heat dissipation. Important in the event of a long-term overload that does not trip the breaker.  

[n4gix]

I have seen some of the starter HF CW kits. Cool concept, but, again, without knowing CW, its almost pointless for me. I'm trying to see if I can fabricate one up what connects to my computer via USB, and use software for generating/decoding. Still something I'm looking into.

If you ever get to the point of wanting to venture in HF, I can highly recommend the Xeigu G90. I have one sitting on top of my still nearly new Icom IC-7300. Much to my utter surprise it actually receives better than my 7300. A contact in Atlanta could not tell when I changed from the 7300 at 100watts to the G90 at only 20 watts!

 

It is 1/4th the size of the 7300. It is capped out at 20 watts. It does have an excellent antenna tuning unit built in that will handle up to 10:1 SWR.

 

It is a solidly built unit. The entire body is pretty much a heat sink, so it stays very cool even during FT8 operations. The CW decoder works very well also. For just under $500 it is a true bargain!

[tweiss3]

If you ever get to the point of wanting to venture in HF, I can highly recommend the Xeigu G90. I have one sitting on top of my still nearly new Icom IC-7300. Much to my utter surprise it actually receives better than my 7300. A contact in Atlanta could not tell when I changed from the 7300 at 100watts to the G90 at only 20 watts!

 

It is 1/4th the size of the 7300. It is capped out at 20 watts. It does have an excellent antenna tuning unit built in that will handle up to 10:1 SWR.

 

It is a solidly built unit. The entire body is pretty much a heat sink, so it stays very cool even during FT8 operations. The CW decoder works very well also. For just under $500 it is a true bargain!

 

I just bought a CS800D for the truck, the HT just doesn't have the VHF range I'd like to check into the morning net until I am on-top of work. I did see Jerry is also selling those G20 radios, and holy cow, that is one heck of a radio for the money. I can always do SSW in 10m locally, probably where I would start. I'm not sure I could fit a 1/4 wave antenna in the attic vertically though. I do still need some form of grounding established.

 

Thanks for the recommendation, because from what I see, it will cover nearly all the bases in one nice compact form.

[n4gix]

I just bought a CS800D for the truck, the HT just doesn't have the VHF range I'd like to check into the morning net until I am on-top of work.

I am a self-confessed radio geek. I have way too many radios for any single sane person.  Of course being a retired life-long bachelor what else can I spend money on?

 

I also have a CS800D that I bought about six months ago when Jerry had 'em on sale at $100 off. One of these days I will make the time to program it and replace the CS800 (UHF) that is currently in my car, along with an FT-87D (HF) and a TH-7800 (V/U analog). I also have the BFD display mounted on a flexible stalk to remote control the CS800 and FT-857.

 

I have yet another CS800 (UHF) in my ham shack.