Interpreting HAM

[kc2kfw]

At the risk of stirring up a hornets nest, I believe that it is important to visit a few issues into this public interest ideology.

# # First, allow me to give you some background on myself, so as to provide you with a better understanding of why I would post such an article. #When I was six years old, I received my first pair of name-brand walkie-talkies. #To my amazement, the ability to talk to someone in the next bedroom without any cords or string actually worked! #However, my brothers and sisters did not share in my amazement and I did not get the opportunity to use them often - if at all.

# # When I was ten, I received a 3 channel, 1 watt CB radio. #This heightened my interest in wireless communications. #Unfortunately, because I lived in an apartment complex made of steel and brick, compounded by the fact that I had no technilogical or electrical prowess, I made very few contacts. #My interest in radio was gone in just a few short weeks.

# # At the age of 21, I purchased my first automobile. #I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be cool to put a CB in there?" #Despite my lack of funding, I was able to purchase a Cobra unit and a K40 trunk mount antenna. #For the next few years, I was set! #After about a year and a half, I was forced to sell the vehicle, but continued to use my Cobra at home - and even put up an Antron 99 antenna on my roof.

# # Some of the folks I used to talk to on the CB bands were very helpfull and understanding with me, for I still had no electrical or technilogical prowes - yet! #Unfortunately, after a few years of wonderful contacts and some SSB DX'ing on channel's 37 and 38, a new crowd of 'gentlemen' started using illegal equipment (amplifiers and such) for increasing their power. #Now, I know what you're thinking... #I should have joined the HAM community before the CB stage. #Maybe you're right. But, I did not have anyone in my family who was a HAM, let alone anyone who worked in the field of electronics or communications.

# # Since obtaining my license in September of 2002, I've put the old Cobra unit in the closet and have replaced it with other brand names, such as Kenwood, Icom and Yaesu. #After only 1 week of DX'ing on 10 meters, I found myself surrounded by the same type of obnoxious behavior which drove me from the CB bands. #I thought I had surrounded myself with a better 'class' of people, but later realized that it's not the piece of paper that makes one a better operator, but the person holding it.

# # Getting back to the point of this article, I believe that the same type of challenges which I faced are still prevalent in today's youth. #Especially those of us who are 'city-dwellers'. #You know the type... #They have no knowledge about anything, except how to tell when an unmarked police car is 'scoping' the 'hood'. #(I'm just being facetious, as you'll soon learn)

# # It is apparent to me that the larger arguments reside primarily on the ambitions of those who are already licensed. #For example, it doesn't help the boy/girl in the next building/house/dwelling to obtain a better understanding of HAM radio when he/she notices two amateurs arguing over who was on the band first. #As most parents will tell you, "You lead by example!" #And yet, amateurs are either unable to or unwilling to see this. #Your actions, and ONLY your actions, not only reflect the rest of the amateur radio community but also provide those who are just learning or are interested in learning about the hobby, with the basis of their future behavior.

# # Of course, we all have different opinions on everything in life. #And, as much, have the right to voice those opinions. #But let's try to do it with a respect which would improve our community. #There will always be people that we don't get along with. #But we must do so intelligently. #Heck, I've fallen victim to my emotions and have, in the beginning, been less than respectable. #But now, after some DX'ing and a ton of listening on the bands, I've come to realize that I must start the change within myself first. #Once I've accomplished that task, I can begin informing the amateur radio community - thus, the basis for authoring this particular article.

# # If we, as a community, are serious about keeping what's already ours while avoiding any future frequency losses, and at the same time expand the community, it is important for us to show that we can handle the responsibility for which we are licensed. #Otherwise, we will fall victim to severe losses. #Losses which we may never recover from. #At which time all arguments will be over. #Now, I don't know about you, but that does not sound very promissing to me.

# # Just for everyone's information, I was lucky and despite dropping out of High School, am now a LAN Administrator for a private non-profit organization. #I run two separate sites - one in NYC and another in WDC. #When someone wants access to anything network related, they must come through me first. #Not bad for a city dweller!

# # This article is in no way meant to be an incentive for argument. #Rather, it should be viewed as the basis for present and future HAM's to discuss amongst ourselves whether or not we should reconsider our next on-the-air action. #It is also not my intention to propogate (no pun intended) a basis for name-calling. #Instead, let's see if there's someone who might need a little extra help in self-discipline, as well as technical prowess. #We can all help out, if we try.

# # Thank you for taking the time to read my article. #This article is intended to be food for thought. #However, if one should notice errors or omissions in my logic, please feel free (as it is your right to do so) to reply to this post. #I apologize if it was long-winded, but my intentions are always to be clearly understood by everyone. #73!

Chris O. Sierra # # KC2KFW #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[K5RJP]

I too came to ham radio via CB. #I started in the late 60s and everything was done by the book like ham. #You didn't have to take a test, but you paid a fee for a license and got a call. #I was KCK8403. #It all went to hell in a hand basket when the FCC quit licensing and generally lost interest in what was happening.
When the truckers went wild was when it got interersted in ham and I am glad to say my experience has been the exact opposite of yours. #I have never met a rude ham on any band at any time in almost 25 years. #I try to keep up the tradition by acknowledging any call sign given out on VHF and going back to any CQ on the HF bands. Others I hear regularly do the same.

[KC8ULU]

I must agree with you on the majority of your post. I, like you, started into wireless with a CB when I was 14. Ham radio was a "rich man's hobby", and it seemed like alot of the people in it were snobs. At 24 I finally got to talking to a local ham that was also the Skywarn Coordinator. Mainly my interest was Skywarn, but it quickly turned to more. I actually have 2 Elmers, kc8gnl and wd8q. Both of these guys really sparked my interest into getting my license, as well as upgrading it. Now, I am a general class op, as well as active in ARES, Skywarn, and the 2 local clubs.

Oh, and the old CB equipment? Well, the old Cobra 1000 is in the closet collecting dust, and will probably be sold, and the A99 that was on my tower was used briefly for 10/17 meters until I got the dipole and tuner that are now residing on the same tower, since the A99 is now on the ground.

I have found only 1 rude person anywhere on HF, and I have yet to see anyone on our local repeaters that are rude. The "snobs" are gone, and replaced with friends. The "rich man's hobby" well, it would be nice to have the bankroll for a nice 100 foot tower, with 80 meter beam, but...in time. I am content with my 2 meter j-pole, and my 1/4 wave 80 meter dipole running from my tuner. My old Swan 350 does everything I want it to.

My fiancee has also expressed interest in the hobby, especially when she heard me talking to a station in Italy on USB. She is taking her test Saturday so she can at least get her foot in the door.

For all those that are willing to take the time to teach someone about the hobby, rather than, when someone asks what your HT is, and you say "a ham radio" and walk away, or when someone asks why your car (or in my case truck) looks like an antenna farm, and you take the time to explain it, and you see that light in their eyes spark up, I am sure I am not the only one that salutes you.

[KB9YKY]

A "1/4 wave 80 meter dipole"? Is that anything like a 40 meter dipole? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kd5rpo]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">A "1/4 wave 80 meter dipole"? Is that anything like a 40 meter dipole? [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

A quarter wave dipole is very possible and is useful if you live on a small city lot.
You cut the wire just as you would for a full size 1/2 wave dipole, but you fold each end back and keep it underneath the section fed by the feedline.
What would have been the ends of the normal antenna are held with short sections of PVC and it looks like a folded dipole but the unfed ends, now in the center, are left unconnected to anything. Feed impedance is usually lower than the regular antenna. The actual wire length may need to be adjusted for resonance.


KD5RPO

[AA8EK]

Hey KC8ULU,
Not to get off the subject,whatever the subject was, oh rude people. Get that A99 off the ground and put it back up in the air. It is an excellent antenna for 10 and 12 meters with that tuner you are using.
And as far as rude obnoxious people go, you meet them in all walks of life. Ham radio is no different than anything else and yes you are going to meet some jerks. I have been a ham for close to 30 years now and I have developed a pretty thick skin in that time. In fact if I have to I can dish it right back at them.
Enjoy your new hobby and ignore the idiots out there. You will meet a lot of interesting people who will more than make up for the jerks.
Steve Moore
Hamilton, Ohio
AA8EK

[KC8ULU]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KB9YKY @ Feb. 07 2003,15:14)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">A "1/4 wave 80 meter dipole"? Is that anything like a 40 meter dipole?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Ok, lets see, yep a 1/4 wl 80 is pretty much a 40, or a 30, or 20, or 17, or 15, or 12, or 10, or 6, fed thru a tuner, and as far as small lot, well...let's just say that 35' 11" per leg is almost too big. As far as the A-99, I have a triband beam that I obtained from an SK estate sale that is going on the tower, so for now the A99 sits on the ground. As far as rude people, it is inevitable that in any walk of life, in any hobby, there will always be someone who has the perpetual "someone peed in my Wheaties" attitude about life.

[w8qf]

Ok Ron KC8ULU 35' per ler leg with a 40' tower for the tribander.131' for an 80 meter dipole,sounds like a good fit to me and you can use the tri bander as a capasity hat and load 160 nicely if you put a good ground radial system in for the tower.Now back to the subject at hand,when Childrens Band was created I dont recall,but when I got into amature radio CB only had I think 7 channels.Now with the big boom in the late 70's it realy went to hell in a hand basket.I have found rude folks on the bands but they have been few and far between.If SSB is becomming frustrating for you try the other modes.RTTY with 25 to 50 watts works great,PSK31 with 5 or 10 watts work the world.CW with 1 watt work the world twice in the same weekend hi hi.Serioulsy though the digital modes are a lot of fun.As you grow into the hobby of amature radio I hope you will find the same joy us old folks have enjoyed.Dave AE8U

[w6th]

CB? # HMMmm, never heard of CB #in my young days. Guess that is one reason I went directly into ham radio. Second reason, ham radio was not expensive at all and most parts were free.

# # Oh, for the good old days. God Bless America the land of the free.

[W7RJR]

Today, it seems that a majority of hams got their start in CB. Certainly it is a logical starting point and not too expensive. You, like many others soon saw the light and obtained your amateur radio license. Congratulations!
I too was a CBer in the 50s, albeit, CB was a lot different then.

I welcome all CB converts to ham radio. What I ask of you though is make it history. Forget the CB lingo and practices. Please don't tell me what your 'first personal' is, thank you. Learn and embrace the culture, history and practices of those that came before you. Your acceptance into our fraternity will be much smoother.

73

[n3ntv]

I also started on 11 meters (CB), and still have in my car when on the open road when I can't find any ham's. Have now had my ticket for over 10 years and have been very active on 2meters. #There were several gentlemen in my area who wouldn't talk to me because I was a NO-CODE ham, and in their words "not a real HAM". Thankfully I met some other folks who were willing to accept me for who I was and now I have a hard time keeping my HAMTV off the air. Until a recent move, my favorite pastime was to re-transmit space shuttle pictures from my satellite dish. #My next planned project is to do satellite work. Look out world, give me a minute and I will take an hour on the soap box.

[K5MAR]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (W7RJR @ Feb. 08 2003,12:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I welcome all CB converts to ham radio. What I ask of you though is make it history. Forget the CB lingo and practices. Please don't tell me what your 'first personal' is, thank you. Learn and embrace the culture, history and practices of those that came before you. Your acceptance into our fraternity will be much smoother.

73[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Actually, I never heard the term "personal" until I became a ham. #I also started in Class D Citizen's Band (with a license) back in 1971, quit shortly after "Convoy" came out. #I had already gotten interested in Amateur Radio by then. #Remember, most of the earlier CB terms were lifted from the Ham bands. #But I can't forget the day a couple of years ago a bunch of us were on the roof of the local Red Cross chapter fixing the club tri-bander when a new Tech licensee was chewed out (on the local repeater) by an OF for using the term "base"station. # ("There is no such thing as a base in amateur radio! #There are FIXED stations, but not BASE stations!) #Those of us up there, including several 20WPM Extras, almost fell of the roof laughing!

Mark

[kc0idi]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AA8EK @ Feb. 07 2003,23:03)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">In fact if I have to I can dish it right back at them.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
A very wise man once said, "An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind." That attitude was what the entire article was about. Don't dish it back out, just walk away.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">There were several gentlemen in my area who wouldn't talk to me because I was a NO-CODE ham, and in their words "not a real HAM". [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

What's wrong with that? #I was a no code tech and had no problems. #Now I am an Extra Light (5 wpm) and still don't see any problem with people wanting or not wanting to talk to me. #Get active in a club and make your face familiar and I'll bet you will not be able to even do a "test" on the repeater without someone coming back to you. #

It's hard for most people to strike up a conversation with a stranger. #I doubt it has anything to do with your no code status.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Forget the CB lingo and practices. Please don't tell me what your 'first personal' is, thank you. Learn and embrace the culture, history and practices of those that came before you. Your acceptance into our fraternity will be much smoother.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Well, I agree a little with this one, but I think it should extend further. Leave the Q codes on CW and 10 codes on Police/CB. An occasional 10-4 won't kill anyone and I find it much less annoying than "ROGER ROGER" or "I am QSY to the computer." The problem is not with the use of codes, but with the OVERUSE of them. Don't use "codes" unless signal quality is poor. You don't use them on a cordless phone or cell phone, do you?

[K8AG]

What annoys me, Chris, is the arrogance of the folks who don't acknowledge CB as a viable stepping stone. Unlike those who had the support of other hams when they were growing up, I played with the 100 mw walkie talkies and eventually graduated to a CB in my 1973 Duster. I operated legally and was delighted when the FCC cleared out the neighbor running an illegal "linear" on CB bands and TV bands and everything that was in the path of his harmonics.
I would encourage you to leave 10 meters and try some of the other bands. There are many many good ops out there on 80, 40, etc. There is not as much bandwidth as on 10, but the vast majority of hams I meet represent great QSOs.

[k0kgs]

A VE friend of mine has a middle school son who holds a general class license and is ready for his extra test. Unfortunately, in his first weeks of SSB, he was roughed up verbally several times by "old-timers" who suggested kids aren't welcome on "their" bands. (Note: This kid knows his way around ham radio, he's a good operator. But he got bruised so badly he won't touch an HF microphone anymore. Strictly cw and PSK! Really Sad!!

[w8qf]

KC8ULU in the event your ready for 80 meters and not ready to put the tower up yet concider a magnetic loop.It would only need to be 12' square and can be easly fed with RG8X/U and you can use a coax capacitor to tune it.Were talking 48' of 2" alumi or copper tubing with 4 elbos about 2' of 1 3/4 pvc and some 2x4's for building the support.Mabe $150 or if your budget is healther forget the coax tunning stub and get a vac vairable of 5 - 750pf with 12 to 15 kv rating ( about $200) and make it remote tuneable with a small dc motor and presto you have a very efficent low cost multi bander.I would be happy to help you with the project if you like.Just rember to be safe with these as they are normaly only about 6" to 12" off the groung and at 100 watts will have about 3kv present.To the narator and other participants in this forum I appoligize for getting off the subject this far as well as for being to lazy to correct my spelling and gramer hi hi.Dave AE8U

[zs2bl]

Great posting, and certainly thought-provoking.

Guys, there seems to be one "thread" in many of the stories here - an interest in amateur radio was sparked off by CB, and u blokes have your old CB rigs gathering dust.

My suggestion is that you pass on these unused transceivers
to kids in your neighborhood - if they get the thrill of wire-free, cost-free communications, you may well turn a few youngsters into radio amateurs!

73
Rory
ZS2BL

[VK4JAM]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for posting this - I followed a similar path into radio as you (and many others). I was fortunate to find a Ham who joined the local CB radio club. He helped me get my licence. and ... "quietly lead by example".

Similarly, I believe these best way forward is to "Lead by Example". Do the right thing and encourage others to follow. Directing criticism at those doing the wrong thing often only leads to ill feeling and further bad behaviour.

Often people do what they do because they do not know any better... perhaps we should be dusting off the CB's in storage and "leading by example" #using the channels / radio equipment on which we we first started our adventure into radio communications.

I suspect there is a whole new generation out there just waiting to find someone who can show them something a little better. I remember the first time I visted a Ham shack ... Wow - look at the gear ! #... you can talk where ?!!!. I was hooked.

73

Andrew http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Great memories this brings, I too came to ham via CB about 30 or more years ago, things were different, of course, as always, but as a very small child explored the air and was hooked. I commend my parents of their direction pointing me to the positive and legal aspects of that communication. In many instances, CB served as a very helpful communication with 6 children and a mother who didn't drive. Unfortunatly, after gathering knowlegde of amateur radio practices, from fellow cbers wanting to aquire their licenses also, we couldn't afford it for awhile, but I was PREPARING! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif at age 12 I was more than ready, and eager, along with my dad, who now proudly purchase an old tube set of Yaesu twins, cadillacs those days, passed our Novice test and was one the air... cw only.. but got that ticket... After all these, years, times has changed, FCC rules and license grants have made major changes, but I have those fond memories that my friends even family will never understand.. people now, are when they first visit my shack react in one of two ways, in aww with the equipment and cards, and listening in ... or bat their eyes like I blow my money foolishly.. It is funny, either case, I don't try to show of or pretend to be this famous reknowned operator, actually I have a moderate qrp station, and I am still amazed what little mula can get you for a hobby

[N6HBJ]

Why do these type of posts keep coming up?

#I started out in CB also, back in 1978. It was fun at the time as a teenager but now I won't use it because it is a mess. 9 s-units of pure hetrodyne during the day. #DON'T EVEN TRY TO TELL ME THAT IT IS JUST AS BAD ON HAM RADIO. If you think that HAM is just as bad as CB than you need your head examined. Either that or for some reason YOU gravitate toward those particular operators.

I really wonder about these people who have all these bad experiences on HAM radio and claim it sounds just as bad as CB.

We are not going to lose our bands just because there is an occasional conflict here or there.

#Conflict exists EVERYWHERE and is PART OF LIFE! Geez, GET OVER IT ALREADY. The rest of society seems to realize this. It has nothing to do with radio.

For every negative contact in ham radio there is probably 300 positive ones. There are bad apples everywhere.

Whaddya think, the FCC is just waitin in the wings like a vulture to say "AHA those damn HAMS are actin' like CBer's again. Lets take their band away!"? Pleeeease! And the general public doesn't give a hoot either way.

# Personally I'm against no code on HF but I won't hold it against anyone. But I can see other's point. When you work hard to acheive something, you will usually appreciate it more and tend to take care of it. When something is just handed to you as a freebie, (like a CB radio liscense) many more won't respect it the way they should, and it is more likely that it will deteriorate. And CB has deteriorated a long time ago. But when you put in sweat to earn something, you tend to value it more. So those people who learned code and busted their butt are dismayed that someone else can now get their ticket with much less work. They are worried that it will deteriorate. You gotta understand that. It is human nature.

If you look hard enough, you will find something wrong with anything.

#Stop bitchin'. Start transmittin'!

[kc2kfw]

I wish to thank everyone for their posts. It was interesting to see the differences, and likenesses, we all share. It is our differences that encourages us to adapt and compromise, while our likenesses continue to keep us happy durring the effort!

I do wish to reiterate... The point of the article was not meant to be a complaint. Rather, the opposite. I have had 1000% more positive communications than the less than positive ones. To show we can all agree that we disagree - from time to time. It was not meant to show ill will, nor was it meant as a "I need a shoulder to cry on" effort. I just wanted everyone to consider the possibility of thinking before they act - for better or worse. Not so much because I don't like it. As I'm sure someone has already mentioned there's a few dials on my rigs that would take care of those who aren't as happy to meet me on the air as I would like. But, it's not about me at all. It's about elmering... Taking the time to help someone - whether technically or otherwise. There are other people listening to us that aren't HAM's, or even adults for that matter. Children and young adults who use scanners, or have even obtained tickets at younger ages should not meet with ill-will, foul language or farting and belching purposely on the air - just for a goof.

Again, I thank each and every one of you who posted a reply. Despite the fact that some were kudos and others were wondering what's wrong with me for bringing this up again. The point is, you posted a reply because you care, and I thank you for that.

73 and happy HAMming!

Chris KC2KFW http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif