whoo hoo!

[n7wsb]

Thought I'd mention that I passed element 1 today - went from technician to extra class (I had previously passed element 3 and 4).

Now I just need to build some decent antennas for my apartment. Maybe find a tuner too. Both of which should be pretty challenging since I've been kinda low on funds lately.

[N5LRZ]

Perhaps you forgot to mention it, but in your post you forgot to mention that you passed the 5 wpm code requirement as well.

In order to operate on HF you still need the code requirement. #If you have not passed 5 wpm code you will need to pass this requirement. #And you will also need to wait for a valid call sign to be issued to you as well. #

Just thought you would like to know.



Changes made...

OOPs just saw your call sign. My bad. Ignore this post and see following post.

[N5LRZ]

Two words for those who need inexpensive antennas.

Wire Antennas!

Loops, dipoles, end fed wires and such.

[KG4UPX]

Congrats N7WSB! Any hints or advice for those of us working on our code that would make the experience a little easier to get through. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[w3sy]

One code hint that nobody seems to give any more:

PRACTICE SENDING!

We hear about code tapes, code web sites, on the air code practice, code computer programs -- They are all good, and I recommend any and all of them. Now go get a good brass straight key and a code oscillator, and practice sending.

Send from a book, send random thoughts... does not matter. Send to a friend (who can copy code), send to yourself. Practicing sending works "the other half" of your brain when it comes to learning code.

It's shocking to me that few, if any, code classes teach this. Must be because we don't test sending any more. (We used to.) That does not mean it's a skill you don't need as you learn to copy code. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's one mental process to translate dits and dahs into letters and words. It's another process to go from letters to dits and dahs. You need BOTH processes working to build code speed.

Good luck! Yes, you can do it! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

73,
Steve W3SY

[n7wsb]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KG4UPX @ Aug. 12 2002,07:50)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Congrats N7WSB! Any hints or advice for those of us working on our code that would make the experience a little easier to get through. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
G4FON's program was pretty useful - I really messed up bad in the first part of the test (I was really really nervous, and sweating badly), but I copied the last half perfectly.

Anyhow - what I did was I learned the code using the ARRL cd's - I listed through them once and had all the characters down pretty well. Then I used G4FON's program to build speed. I used the 20 wpm setting at half speed - the actual test is just a tad slower, so its good practice.

http://www.g4fon.co.uk/

The reason why I like it is because it forces you to recognize random characters. Its really the only way I could actually learn the code like I should.

[n7wsb]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w3sy @ Aug. 12 2002,09:56)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">PRACTICE SENDING![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You bet - I think its very important! Unfortunately someone stole my electronic key from my storage locker a while back http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif. Real shame too - it was a heathkit keyer. Anyhow - I'll have to wait until I get the money for a new key.

But its still good advice.

[n7wsb]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (RArceneaux @ Aug. 12 2002,05:00)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Two words for those who need inexpensive antennas.

Wire Antennas!

Loops, dipoles, end fed wires and such.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Yeah - still though - lack of space. I have a 10 meter dipole, but its still way longer then my actual apartment. Not to mention I'm the type who worries about basking in all that radiation. I saw a antenna - I can't remember what it was called, but it was essentially a 80 meter wire wrapped in a square around two pieces of wood. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

BTW - for your post above - I think you should be able to delete mistake posts http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif. I do actually have a CSCE for 5 wpm, general and extra - plus element 2 which is my current license. According to the VE I'm legal to use HF http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif.

[N7CPC]

Congrats, keep up the good work and USE what you learned!

73 de Craig..........N7CPC http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[n7wsb]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (N7CPC @ Aug. 12 2002,11:50)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Congrats, keep up the good work and USE what you learned!

73 de Craig..........N7CPC http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I plan on it! Next field day I'll probably be the only op doing CW, but I think its kinda fun actually.

[ke5wj]

Congratulations and hope to see you on the bands.

As far as your apartment antennas, can you give a few more specifics, dimensions, constraints, etc. There's always a way to get a signal out and I've been operating out of apartments and hotel rooms for a couple years.

Congrats again and 73,

[n7wsb]

Certianly - the operating area (living room) is about 12 meters long by 4 meters wide by 2.5 meters tall.

Do you think I'll need a tuner?

[ke5wj]

What access do you have to the outside? A window? A balcony? What floor are you on? I've used a variety of loops, short verticals and doublets with success inside apartments, but what works best depends on lots of things.

If you have 12 x 4 x 2.5 meters to play with, you can put up a doublet 6 + 4 + 2.5 = 12.5 meters on each side by bending the wires around corners. I'd probably cut it for 40 meters using just the 6 + 4 meter sides. Feed it with TV twin lead and a tuner with a balun for the other bands and you'll have something to start with. You can use relatively small wire and hang it with cup hooks or even thumb tacks. If you can get it outside and up higher, that would be even better.

Another option would be a base loaded vertical about 2 meters high made from 1/2 inch aluminum tube. Wind a coil on some plastic tube about 4 inches or so in diameter with about 30 to 40 turns evenly spaced. Connect the coax center to a clip and use it to tap the coil. Adjust the tap to get best match on each band. Put it in a corner, connect the coax shield to some radials and run radials along the base board in 2 directions as long as you can. Don't worry too much about turning corners with the radials. Again, if you can get it outside or up higher, that's even better.

Others have had success with small loops, such as the one made by MFJ. I've played with them and wasn't too impressed, but your mileage may vary.

Another trick I haven't seen mentioned much is to run a 1/3 wavelength wire at about a 45 degree angle and a roughly 1/6 wavelength wire on the floor. The actual angle isn't very critical. Adjust the length of the shorter wire to get a 50 ohm match to your rig - no tuner needed, but the adjustment is somewhat touchy. I use this in hotel rooms all the time. It works well if you're above about the 3rd floor, but pitiful on the ground, unless over salt water.

Your best bet is probably to try something like a doublet, vertical, or even a random wire tacked up somewhere, see how it works, then modify it to make it work better. If you're not on the ground floor, a good ground connection will likely be impossible, so use the doublet or the radials for your counterpoise and you'll likely be OK. I don't get overly exciting about an electical ground besides what's used for the house electricity. If my indoor antenna gets struck by lightning, I think I'll be worrying about lots more important things!

Take care and hope to see you on the air.

73,

[W5LL]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KG4UPX @ Aug. 12 2002,07:50)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Congrats N7WSB! Any hints or advice for those of us working on our code that would make the experience a little easier to get through. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I used a software package called &quot;Ham Univeristy&quot;. I'm not the author and I am in no way affiliated with this product or company that makes it but I just used this one program with no prior knowledge of morse code and in 3 weeks was able to pass the 5wpm code test on my first try. I studied every day for at least 30 minutes a day.

[KG4UPX]

Thanks for the good advice W3SY &amp; W5LL.

(W3SY) in trying to learn code, I completely overlooked the importance of actually trying to send code also. I guess it a case of not being able to see the forest for the trees. Only one problem though, it's hard enough getting one side of my brain to work, let alone both sides at the same time! # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Thanks again!