View Full Version : Tech = Tech+
ke7cjy
12-20-2006, 04:30 AM
I really don't want to beat this to death as thousands of threads will, but the recent FCC release imply that Tech+ licenses become simply Tech licenses or the converse in that Tech will have limited HF privileges that Tech+ did?
The FCC release was ambiguous at best; curious to hear your interpretation?
KC2PFV
12-20-2006, 04:47 AM
Quote[/b] (ke7cjy @ Dec. 19 2006,21:30)]I really don't want to beat this to death as thousands of threads will, but the recent FCC release imply that Tech+ licenses become simply Tech licenses or the converse in that Tech will have limited HF privileges that Tech+ did?
The FCC release was ambiguous at best; curious to hear your interpretation?
It is simple. There is no such thing as a Tech + anymore. Any licensee holding any form of the Technician license will be allowed to use CW on the General class CW bands. They will also be allowed to use any mode on a certain portion of 10 meters.
Basically, it makes the most sense just to upgrade to General, since you will probably want to get access to the phone portions of the bands also.
73 de TOM KC2PFV
af2cw
12-20-2006, 04:54 AM
Not only that but you will have more bands to work with. As a Technician you will have 15, 40, 80 CW and SSB,digital and CW on 10m. So start studying for your General now and hopefully you'll have it done by the time the R&O takes affect. Good luck.
KM5FL
12-20-2006, 04:58 AM
Quote[/b] (KC2PFV @ Dec. 19 2006,23:47)]......Any licensee holding any form of the Technician license will be allowed to use CW on the General class CW bands.......
73 de TOM KC2PFV
That's not what it says here: (taken directly from the R & O dated 12/19/06).. The best advice to give is to go to the FCC website and look up the R & O. Read it closely.. 2 - 3 times if need be.
"Consistent with our decision herein to eliminate the Morse code requirement, we are eliminating this disparity by amending Section 97.301(e) to afford Technician and Technician Plus licensees identical operating privileges. Thereby, licensees in both classes of license will have voice and telegraphy privileges identical to Novice Class licensees in four HF amateur service bands. In eliminating this disparity between Technician and Technician Plus licenses, we are simplifying the amateur service licensing structure and promoting regulatory parity."
K7JEM
12-20-2006, 05:18 AM
Quote[/b] (KM5FL @ Dec. 19 2006,21:58)]Thereby, licensees in both classes of license will have voice and telegraphy privileges identical to Novice Class licensees in four HF amateur service bands. In eliminating this disparity between Technician and Technician Plus licenses, we are simplifying the amateur service licensing structure and promoting regulatory parity."
It is very clear, you quoted exactly what is being said. Techs will have identical HF privs as novices and tech+. IOW they are upgrading all techs to tech+. They will not have general privs.
Joe
If memory serves me the NCTs will gain phone from 28.3 to 28.5 MHZ on 10M and are limited to 200W.
K7JEM
12-20-2006, 05:28 AM
Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Dec. 19 2006,22:21)]If memory serves me the NCTs will gain phone from 28.3 to 28.5 MHZ on 10M and are limited to 200W.
Yes, that is the only phone band. It is the same HF allocations all the way around as novice or tech+ has.
KG4RUL
12-20-2006, 05:34 AM
Keep in mind that even though the actual order has been released by the FCC, as of 19 Dec, it does NOT take effect until 30 days after it has been published in the Federal Register. The date of this publication has not yet been released by the FCC at this time. At that point in time Technician class licensees will be able to operate:
CW ONLY
80M - 3.525 to 3.600 MHz
40M - 7.025 to 7.125 MHz
15M - 21.025 to 21.200 MHz
CW, RTTY AND DATA
10M - 28.000 to 28.300 MHz
CW AND SSB PHONE
10M - 28.300 to 28.500 MHz
All other privileges from 6M and up remain as before.
KG6YTZ
12-20-2006, 06:32 AM
As with older classes of licenses - such as Novice and Advanced - I would assume that Technician Plus licenses can still be renewed if the holder so desires. #That holder would, of course, still be limited to the privileges originally granted to the Technician Plus class.
AS FAR AS I KNOW, I don't think there has ever been a case where the elimination - by which I mean no further issuance - of one class of license has resulted in an automatic upgrade to the next higher class for an entire group of licensees - i.e.; if they stopped issuing the General license tomorrow, that wouldn't mean that all current Generals become automatic Amateur Extras. #Similarly, neither does the recent band expansion/restructuring nor the elimination of the code testing requirement mean that ANY Technician automatically becomes a General or even gains the privileges of a General.
In short, if you want to be a General, you must pass Element 3. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #And that is as it should be.
KG4RUL's post describes the pending Technician privileges exactly. #Technicians will gain the privileges previously granted to the Technician Plus class. #However, they will remain Technicians. #And, as he states, these changes are not yet in effect. #Any overly-eager Technician who has jumped the gun and has already started operating on HF deserves exactly what he gets from Riley & Co., and it'll probably be expensive.
wb4old
12-20-2006, 07:01 AM
no worry..soon NCT= no test cbEXTRA..just wait
naw cant happen=naw no code wont happen
Quote[/b] (KG4RUL @ Dec. 20 2006,00:34)]At that point in time Technician class licensees will be able to operate:
CW ONLY
80M - 3.525 to 3.600 MHz
40M - 7.025 to 7.125 MHz
15M - 21.025 to 21.200 MHz
CW, RTTY AND DATA
10M - 28.000 to 28.300 MHz
CW AND SSB PHONE
10M - 28.300 to 28.500 MHz
Kinda funny. NCI fought to get a no-code license and the Techs get mostly CW frequencies on HF. Irony in action.
LOL!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
K7JEM
12-20-2006, 03:26 PM
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 20 2006,05:40)]Quote[/b] (KG4RUL @ Dec. 20 2006,00:34)]At that point in time Technician class licensees will be able to operate:
CW ONLY
80M - 3.525 to 3.600 MHz
40M - 7.025 to 7.125 MHz
15M - 21.025 to 21.200 MHz
CW, RTTY AND DATA
10M - 28.000 to 28.300 MHz
CW AND SSB PHONE
10M - 28.300 to 28.500 MHz
Kinda funny. NCI fought to get a no-code license and the Techs get mostly CW frequencies on HF. Irony in action.
LOL!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Lets see, did NCI get a no-code HF license?
Code test was eliminated for tech+
Code test was eliminated for general
Code test was eliminated for extra
Techs get HF privs that they NEVER had before
NCI is not against the use of morse code, they are against the proficiency testing. As far as I can see, all of the code tests have now been removed.
If techs had been given any more additional HF privs than what they received, that would have been the real shocker. The fact that the FCC gave them HF privs at all is a surprise, since that option didn't even seem to be on the table.
It is not ironic, that's just the way things are.
Joe
Quote[/b] (K7JEM @ Dec. 20 2006,10:26)]If techs had been given any more additional HF privs than what they received, that would have been the real shocker. The fact that the FCC gave them HF privs at all is a surprise, since that option didn't even seem to be on the table.
I don't think it's a shocker at all. Tech+ was removed as an official license class (it was only renewable), and with element 1 going away, there couldn't have been any more tech with HF licensees. So it was a natural progression.
Quote[/b] (K7JEM @ Dec. 20 2006,10:26)]Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 20 2006,05:40)]Quote[/b] (KG4RUL @ Dec. 20 2006,00:34)]At that point in time Technician class licensees will be able to operate:
CW ONLY
80M - 3.525 to 3.600 MHz
40M - 7.025 to 7.125 MHz
15M - 21.025 to 21.200 MHz
CW, RTTY AND DATA
10M - 28.000 to 28.300 MHz
CW AND SSB PHONE
10M - 28.300 to 28.500 MHz
Kinda funny. NCI fought to get a no-code license and the Techs get mostly CW frequencies on HF. Irony in action.
LOL!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Lets see, did NCI get a no-code HF license?
Code test was eliminated for tech+
Code test was eliminated for general
Code test was eliminated for extra
Techs get HF privs that they NEVER had before
NCI is not against the use of morse code, they are against the proficiency testing. As far as I can see, all of the code tests have now been removed.
If techs had been given any more additional HF privs than what they received, that would have been the real shocker. The fact that the FCC gave them HF privs at all is a surprise, since that option didn't even seem to be on the table.
It is not ironic, that's just the way things are.
Joe
It's ironic that now that they're getting all those HF allocations, the only ones that aren't code - that people who don't know code - can use end up being 1/2 the size of the Citizens Band.
10M NCT Phone Band 28,500-28,300 = 200kHz
11M Citizens Band 27,405-26,965 = 400kHz (after all the subfrequencies are subtracted)
So, the new No Code Tech Phone Band is 28.300 to 28.500 MHz. Without code, all the rest is useless. FWIW, the Techs will still have to upgrade to get into Phone bands anywhere else. Without the General or Extry, they'll be stuck on the island with all the other Techs (and let's not forget Novices). I could care less about it personally. As a VE, this makes the job easier. As a Ham, all my HF rigs just became an investment. And now I got all these new Hammy friends. And when I want some peace and quiet, there's always the CW portions.
Can't lose fer tryin'. Call it what you want, IMHO, giving Eskimos a whole bunch of surfboards they don't want and don't know how to use, well I find that extremely ironic. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
K0RGR
12-20-2006, 04:06 PM
I think we should start calling the new allocations the "Tech Bands", instead of "Novice Bands". It's also wrong to refer to them as the General CW band, because with the exception of part of 10 meters, the Techs can't operate CW in the General Phone Band, but the Generals can.
ARRL first proposed this solution in the NPRM that became the recently decided 'Omnibus' bill. The purpose was to make it easier for Techs to learn the code, if they so desire. I'm surprised FCC didn't include the "Tech enhancement" in that one.
Generally, FCC has not taken away priveleges previously earned (please - no rants about the recent loss of CW spectrum on 80 meters for Generals and former 'Class A' ops).
I think, if nothing else, this provides a psychological improvement for newbies. Their priveleges include these bands, too - perhaps they won't be so focused on 2 meter FM now. I really expect that many will learn the code just to be able to try out the HF bands. I hope some try using machines. They are now fully empowered to "work the world", just as we promised when they studied for their ticket.
I hope somebody comes out with a cheap 10 meter SSB rig, and a mid-power CW rig for the 4 Tech bands.
Maybe the U.S. ham community will finally find out how much 10 is actually open, even at the bottom of the sunspot cycle.
Another use for these bands is cross-mode QSO's between higher class hams in the General and higher phone bands talking to newbies sending CW with keyboards down in their band. Hmmmm....... more potential for activity. On 40 meters, they can work the DX cross-mode without working cross-band.
K7JEM
12-20-2006, 04:40 PM
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 20 2006,08:46)]It's ironic that now that they're getting all those HF allocations, the only ones that aren't code - that people who don't know code - can use end up being 1/2 the size of the Citizens Band.
10M NCT Phone Band 28,500-28,300 = 200kHz
11M Citizens Band 27,405-26,965 = 400kHz (after all the subfrequencies are subtracted)
So, the new No Code Tech Phone Band is 28.300 to 28.500 MHz. Without code, all the rest is useless. FWIW, the Techs will still have to upgrade to get into Phone bands anywhere else. Without the General or Extry, they'll be stuck on the island with all the other Techs (and let's not forget Novices). I could care less about it personally. As a VE, this makes the job easier. As a Ham, all my HF rigs just became an investment. And now I got all these new Hammy friends. And when I want some peace and quiet, there's always the CW portions.
Can't lose fer tryin'. Call it what you want, IMHO, giving Eskimos a whole bunch of surfboards they don't want and don't know how to use, well I find that extremely ironic. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
You are trying to equate "no code" with "technician class". What this new rule does is give everyone the opportunity to upgrade to whatever level of HF access they want, it isn't necessarily there to give any "new" privileges to any specific license class.
In fact, the original NPRM would have given NO new privs to either tech or tech+. The fact that they did receive some HF spectrum is just bonus. It should be no surprise that this spectrum would be existing "novice class" areas, as opposed to phone privs in the general area. This had been proposed, and rejected by the FCC.
The purpose of this rule is to eliminate the code test. That being done, people can upgrade at will. When they do upgrade, they will get some CW spectrum, too. This will not be ironic either.
True irony would have been for them to request HF allocations for techs who aren't code proficient, and be awarded HF, but only on CW bands.
Since the "upgrade" hadn't been expected, and the fact that there are also voice and digital areas involved, the irony is minimal.
Joe
Quote[/b] (K0RGR @ Dec. 20 2006,09:06)]I think we should start calling the new allocations the "Tech Bands", instead of "Novice Bands".
I had suggested "Senior CITIZENS BAND" a couple of years ago.... LOL! Seriosly, this does make the Tech Class a decent entry class. They have alot of privleges above 30mHz and a sampling of most all modes on 10M, as well as CW on a couple lower freqs.
Now if they simply would change the written test answer wording and make it slightly different from wording used on the practice tests/study guides, I'd be a happy camper.
wa5tts
12-21-2006, 01:22 AM
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 20 2006,05:40)]Quote[/b] (KG4RUL @ Dec. 20 2006,00:34)]At that point in time Technician class licensees will be able to operate:
CW ONLY
80M - 3.525 to 3.600 MHz
40M - 7.025 to 7.125 MHz
15M - 21.025 to 21.200 MHz
CW, RTTY AND DATA
10M - 28.000 to 28.300 MHz
CW AND SSB PHONE
10M - 28.300 to 28.500 MHz
Kinda funny. #NCI fought to get a no-code license and the Techs get mostly CW frequencies on HF. #Irony in action.
LOL!! # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
What you talking about. we're all getting our programs for cw warmed up now. We should cover all the cw bands with our computers in about 6 months.
n5gfx
12-21-2006, 09:33 AM
Yeah, great idea. I think all us NCT's who're too lazy to learn code should just grab a copy of cwget and cwtype and then just put our new 80, 40 and 15 meter rights to good use.
We know the computer isn't too hot at decoding hand-sent cw, but for machine cw which is pretty stable, it should be no problem whatsoever to talk amongst ourselves.
If nothing else, it'll be something to do with our gear while we memorize those question pools for element 3 and 4.
ka5piu
12-21-2006, 09:57 AM
Quote[/b] (K0RGR @ Dec. 20 2006,09:06)]I think we should start calling the new allocations the "Tech Bands", instead of "Novice Bands". It's also wrong to refer to them as the General CW band, because with the exception of part of 10 meters, the Techs can't operate CW in the General Phone Band, but the Generals can.
Generally, FCC has not taken away priveleges previously earned (please - no rants about the recent loss of CW spectrum on 80 meters for Generals and former 'Class A' ops).
I think, if nothing else, this provides a psychological improvement for newbies. Their priveleges include these bands, too - perhaps they won't be so focused on 2 meter FM now. I really expect that many will learn the code just to be able to try out the HF bands. I hope some try using machines. They are now fully empowered to "work the world", just as we promised when they studied for their ticket.
I hope somebody comes out with a cheap 10 meter SSB rig, and a mid-power CW rig for the 4 Tech bands. #
Maybe the U.S. ham community will finally find out how much 10 is actually open, even at the bottom of the sunspot cycle.
Hello.
Things like the Ranger 2950/70 and the Uniden HR-2510 were excellent novice rigs.
Both have good CW and do SSB with no trouble.
Both were cheap new and allowed the Novice to work the world.
Not much to be said for the Texas Star CW transmitter but that it is cheap and works.
That thing is no more dirty than a 2 tube CW transmitter, and about as exciting.
But, I really got into CW with such a rig.
Quote[/b] (K7JEM @ Dec. 20 2006,11:40)]True irony would have been for them to request HF allocations for techs who aren't code proficient, and be awarded HF, but only on CW bands.
No I'm not trying to equate the new no-code license = Tech. The main difference here is that this is of immediate benefit to Techs. Not Tech+, Techs - who had no HF priveleges prior to this. So, Techs did get new priveleges. For all intents and purposes, giving the new Techs HF priveleges in terms of frequency allocations, MOST ARE CW priveleges. Most of the new Tech allocations are in the General CW portions of the Amateur Spectrum. To gain any additional PHONE allocations beyond that 200 kHz on 10M, Techs have to upgrade.
Realize also, the main beneficiaries of the No-Code license would be Techs and new licensees that attain the Technicians level. Everybody else has already passed the code test.
Still giving HF allocations of 200kHz of Phone spectrum while giving 650 kHz of CW spectrum to the new 'no-code Techs' - who can't use it - is extremely ironic.
Quote[/b] (kb5vez @ Dec. 20 2006,20:22)]What you talking about. we're all getting our programs for cw warmed up now. We should cover all the cw bands with our computers in about 6 months.
And you'll copy gibberish as soon as the band deteriorate or someone sends some sloppy CW. But, knock yourself out. Personally I'm looking forward to all my new Hammy friends and their magical CW machines. I'll stick to my paddles and be glad to work you, provided that you can get the bugs worked out. BTW, past a certain point, faster isn't better. It's just faster, but I imagine you'll find that out over time.
Oh, and what happens when the lights go out? Where will all my new Hammy friends and their magical machines go? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it I guess.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Dec. 19 2006,22:21)]If memory serves me the NCTs will gain phone from 28.3 to 28.5 MHZ on 10M and are limited to 200W.
My XYL is enthused about this part of the R & O (as she is an NCT). Even so, she still wishes to obtain a General ticket - at the very least - and become proficient in CW. Whether or not it's part of the test.
As for me...it all boils down to spending more $$$ for an HF/VHF rig for her car ... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 21 2006,06:25)]Oh, and what happens when the lights go out? Where will all my new Hammy friends and their magical machines go? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it I guess.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
How about backpacking with a QRP CW rig, small tuner and hand key?
Been there; done that. Have powered the rig with everything from motorcycle and automotive batteries to gel-cell/solar panels. (No hydrothermal or wind-generated power yet, but I'm working on it ...)
What, no lappy or other such 'morse machine'? Nope; don't need one ... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Quote[/b] (n8yx @ Dec. 21 2006,08:34)]Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 21 2006,06:25)]Oh, and what happens when the lights go out? Where will all my new Hammy friends and their magical machines go? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it I guess.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
How about backpacking with a QRP CW rig, small tuner and hand key?
Been there; done that. Have powered the rig with everything from motorcycle and automotive batteries to gel-cell/solar panels. (No hydrothermal or wind-generated power yet, but I'm working on it ...)
What, no lappy or other such 'morse machine'? Nope; don't need one ... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Exactly. That's my point. I have a number of QRP rigs. Except for one, they're all CW rigs and very frugal with power. All can be operated from Car/Generator/NiMH/Alkaline Batteries with a key and an outbacker. Weighs about 4 pounds all together and can be set up in about 30 seconds. Can even work burst mode this way.
The problem with computers is they use a lot of power and are very finicky about the power source. They are very twitchy about the morse they process. If it's not precise and exact, they won't process it. Most CW ops have at least one or two 'signatures' to their sending. God, I'd hate to see what a computer will do to Buzz Mode. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Oh, and I commend your XYL. The YL here is a Tech and is studying the General to upgrade. She wants a code generator for Valentines Day. She loves that Red Hot CW rig. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
http://i18.tinypic.com/2n8o86q.jpg
Quote[/b] (kb5vez @ Dec. 20 2006,18:22)]What you talking about. we're all getting our programs for cw warmed up now. We should cover all the cw bands with our computers in about 6 months.
No current algo that I'm aware of can sync correctly to a 'bug' or straight key when the weighting and/or character spacing deviate markedly from the standards encoded into them.
Thus, the majority of ops sending with one of those devices will be uncopyable to people using computer-based decoders.
Years ago, an experiment to refine machine-sent CW was undertaken; go search the ARRL's site for 'coherent CW'. It fell by the wayside...possibly due to the fact that (as NH pointed out) fading, multipath distortion and other ionospheric phenomena can combine to make the signals largely undiscernible from noise.
Few if any machines can copy QRQ CW under those conditions. CW then becomes a psionic device ... a mind is needed to work it.
What I'm hearing on the bands these days is more and more people using a hand pump...if anything, it seems to be getting more popular.
Don't be 'skeered of Morse...even though the test process no longer includes it. A few hours a week spent copying QRS on-the-air traffic or with your favorite CW tutor program can open new pathways for you. Ones which do not shackle you to your PC.
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 21 2006,06:39)]Oh, and I commend your XYL. The YL here is a Tech and is studying the General to upgrade. She wants a code generator for Valentines Day. She loves that Red Hot CW rig. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Man, did YOU get away cheap...!
Let's see...originally promised 'DSG an HT if she passed her Tech ticket (which she did @ Dayton last year). So far, that has snowballed into:
- A VX7R with accessories
- An FT901DM / FV901DM / SP901 / FTV901R / FC901 ('her' VHF/UHF base station)
- Did I mention tower, feedline and antennas for the above?
- Ditto amplifiers?
I told her about the changes to her license this past weekend, and her 'new' 10M SSB privileges ... she is now casting furtive glances at my TS940S ...
Quote[/b] (n8yx @ Dec. 21 2006,08:58)]Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 21 2006,06:39)]Oh, and I commend your XYL. The YL here is a Tech and is studying the General to upgrade. She wants a code generator for Valentines Day. She loves that Red Hot CW rig. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Man, did YOU get away cheap...!
Let's see...originally promised 'DSG an HT if she passed her Tech ticket (which she did @ Dayton last year). So far, that has snowballed into:
- A VX7R with accessories
- An FT901DM / FV901DM / SP901 / FTV901R / FC901 ('her' VHF/UHF base station)
- Did I mention tower, feedline and antennas for the above?
- Ditto amplifiers?
I told her about the changes to her license this past weekend, and her 'new' 10M SSB privileges ... she is now casting furtive glances at my TS940S ...
LOL! (YL & I) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
We share the rigs here, but she and I are conspiring to getting a house and setting up a couple of Yagis and a dual position radio room. I even got some old 12V Bus Lights to use for the radio shack. She got the VX6 (liked the higher power on 220) and she wants to get another FT-857 for the car when she gets her drivers license (which I promised when we get the car). We're hoping to work FM DX on 10M on the next cycle. Now if I could just wean her off the cellphone. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Quote[/b] ]We share the rigs here, but she and I are conspiring to getting a house and setting up a couple of Yagis and a dual position radio room.
We're looking to eventually acquire several acres - enough for a decent tower farm - and set up all the gear as a contest station. Hers, mine and 'ours' - but my 7-lines are OFF LIMITS, darnit! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
Quote[/b] ]She got the VX6 (liked the higher power on 220) and she wants to get another FT-857 for the car
We opted for 7s - several 6M repeaters in the area, and since the majority of our 220MHz activity will be in the form of mororcycle-to-motorcycle FM simplex, 300mW will work just fine.
Quote[/b] ]Now if I could just wean her off the cellphone.
Mine is of the 'cell-phone generation' (she even works for one of the big providers) but has really developed an interest in 'old school RF'. I suppose that a trip to Dayton will do that for you. Hanging 'round me and the shack/lab didn't hurt the process either... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
K0RGR
12-21-2006, 02:55 PM
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 21 2006,06:25)]Quote[/b] (kb5vez @ Dec. 20 2006,20:22)]What you talking about. we're all getting our programs for cw warmed up now. We should cover all the cw bands with our computers in about 6 months.
And you'll copy gibberish as soon as the band deteriorate or someone sends some sloppy CW. But, knock yourself out. Personally I'm looking forward to all my new Hammy friends and their magical CW machines. I'll stick to my paddles and be glad to work you, provided that you can get the bugs worked out. BTW, past a certain point, faster isn't better. It's just faster, but I imagine you'll find that out over time.
Oh, and what happens when the lights go out? Where will all my new Hammy friends and their magical machines go? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it I guess.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Don't let them discourage you - go for it!
CWGet and MixW do a fair job on machine sent code - under good conditions they work pretty well. I have found that they are very sensitive to audio level changes, so the 'selective fading' on 80 meters drives them nuts, which is why people went to frequency-shift-keying for RTTY in the first place - it's much more reliable. But I agree that it should be possible for newbies to work each other on CW using the programs. And, as long as they keep it under 30 WPM, I should be able to copy their keyboard by ear with no problems - a win-win situation for everybody.
Hmmmm....I just had an idea. Hellscreiber is really CW - it just uses a different code - not Morse. I wonder what mode it's classified as? Perhaps there's a loophole here? Need to go study the mode charts very carefully.
w5alt
12-21-2006, 03:13 PM
Quote[/b] (K0RGR @ Dec. 21 2006,10:55)]Hmmmm....I just had an idea. Hellscreiber is really CW - it just uses a different code - not Morse. I wonder what mode it's classified as? Perhaps there's a loophole here? Need to go study the mode charts very carefully.
I *think* Hellschreiber is A1B, but CW is defined as using Morse code, so it's not CW. Seemingly paradoxically, it is telegraphy, though.
At any rate, Hell is a fun mode. I'd love to find more people using it, but I rarely stumble across Hell signals on the bands.
73,
Walt, W5ALT
Quote[/b] (K0RGR @ Dec. 21 2006,09:55)]Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 21 2006,06:25)]Quote[/b] (kb5vez @ Dec. 20 2006,20:22)]What you talking about. we're all getting our programs for cw warmed up now. We should cover all the cw bands with our computers in about 6 months.
And you'll copy gibberish as soon as the band deteriorate or someone sends some sloppy CW. But, knock yourself out. Personally I'm looking forward to all my new Hammy friends and their magical CW machines. I'll stick to my paddles and be glad to work you, provided that you can get the bugs worked out. BTW, past a certain point, faster isn't better. It's just faster, but I imagine you'll find that out over time.
Oh, and what happens when the lights go out? Where will all my new Hammy friends and their magical machines go? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it I guess.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Don't let them discourage you - go for it!
CWGet and MixW do a fair job on machine sent code - under good conditions they work pretty well. I have found that they are very sensitive to audio level changes, so the 'selective fading' on 80 meters drives them nuts, which is why people went to frequency-shift-keying for RTTY in the first place - it's much more reliable. But I agree that it should be possible for newbies to work each other on CW using the programs. And, as long as they keep it under 30 WPM, I should be able to copy their keyboard by ear with no problems - a win-win situation for everybody.
Hmmmm....I just had an idea. Hellscreiber is really CW - it just uses a different code - not Morse. I wonder what mode it's classified as? Perhaps there's a loophole here? Need to go study the mode charts very carefully.
PUH-Leeze, don't let that discourage you. That wasn't my intention. Most operating is done with the lights on. But looking to all possibilities is something all Hams should do. I eagerly look forward to working the Techs on the General portion of the band. Remember 200 watts and CW means great DXing. Personally, I'm running 100 watts into a skywarmer and made it to Croatia one day, so power isn't everything. When I get a real Ham QTH with a Real Antenna, then I'll be doing more HF operating. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
N8CPA
12-21-2006, 04:05 PM
Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Dec. 21 2006,11:13)]Quote[/b] (K0RGR @ Dec. 21 2006,10:55)]Hmmmm....I just had an idea. Hellscreiber is really CW - it just uses a different code - not Morse. I wonder what mode it's classified as? Perhaps there's a loophole here? Need to go study the mode charts very carefully.
I *think* Hellschreiber is A1B, but CW is defined as using Morse code, so it's not CW. Seemingly paradoxically, it is telegraphy, though.
At any rate, Hell is a fun mode. I'd love to find more people using it, but I rarely stumble across Hell signals on the bands.
73,
Walt, W5ALT
That will be the next debate: Hell vs Highwater.
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w5alt
12-21-2006, 04:22 PM
Quote[/b] (N8CPA @ Dec. 21 2006,12:05)]That will be the next debate: Hell vs Highwater.
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I love Hellschreiber, also, but it is so darn SLOW ! I wish that with computer technology being what it is, it could be sped up by a factor of two ! There is a spare-time weekend project for some computer software guru out there! High-speed Hellschreiber!
BTW, the first dot matrix printer I ever owned used a single hammer and pounded out the letters just like a Hell machine! I believe it was the equivalent of a "Gorilla Banana" if anyone remembers that lovely device. Used with a Commodore Vic-20. Those were the days! I could type faster than that printer could print !
73, Jim
Personaly I think giving hf code privileges to the techs make sense. You can learn better through using it than just playing with it.
I wasnt worth a crap on cw till I started using it on 2 meters. My speed went up quite rapidly once I started using it.
Think of it this way there wont be a lot more debate threads on here now.
K0RGR
12-21-2006, 11:16 PM
Quote[/b] (N8CPA @ Dec. 21 2006,09:05)]Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Dec. 21 2006,11:13)]Quote[/b] (K0RGR @ Dec. 21 2006,10:55)]Hmmmm....I just had an idea. Hellscreiber is really CW - it just uses a different code - not Morse. I wonder what mode it's classified as? Perhaps there's a loophole here? Need to go study the mode charts very carefully.
I *think* Hellschreiber is A1B, but CW is defined as using Morse code, so it's not CW. Seemingly paradoxically, it is telegraphy, though.
At any rate, Hell is a fun mode. I'd love to find more people using it, but I rarely stumble across Hell signals on the bands.
73,
Walt, W5ALT
That will be the next debate: Hell vs Highwater.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Yep - I finally found it in the regs - 'CW' is defined as Morse in 97.305 . Oh well - back to perfecting that CW machine...
PE1RDW
12-22-2006, 09:06 AM
An interesting side note, the Dutch CW sending test where copied by a computer, it could sync to a signal in 2 dots and a dash and handles variations in lenght very wel, not many failed because of sloppy code, most just from making mistakes.
Offcourse this was nearly 3 years ago and these testing systems are now in a radio museum.