View Full Version : Ham Radio Myths
KE5FRF
12-06-2005, 09:39 PM
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 06 2005,15:17)]Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Dec. 06 2005,11:52)]Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Dec. 06 2005,07:55)]Quote[/b] (N6BOA @ Dec. 04 2005,14:45)]Quote[/b] (N4KR @ Dec. 02 2005,18:32)]FACT: CW is the mark of a TRUE Ham Operator. The anti-CW, beer drinking, profanity spewing slobs who call themselves Hams are nothing more than the left over #garbage from a sick and twisted society. Most of them are from the CB sewer. What is a Myth is that these demented people are somehow okay and should be accepted into our family. They are NOT okay and should never have been given a license. Lets do away with the Myth that anybody should be allowed into Amateur Radio.
Wow...you really need to get help.
Disturbing post, huh? I wonder if he has any friends?
I'll be his friend!
Yep, like this is any more disturbing than starting a thread and trying to ban Code Techs, Generals, Advanced and Extras. #Who needs friends when you can start trollin'? #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
The difference, my friend, was I was attempting to be humorous and lighten the place up a bit.
My "NCTs Only Allowed" thread was just a joke. laugh more, you'll live longer.
I don't REALLY want to ban anybody, I wouldn't have any more friends to play with here on QRZ.com #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
BTW, it is such a good thing that all of our locals get along so well and this QRZ stuff just doesn't happen on the air here. I have had a lot of local higher class people here welcome me into the frey. Yes, we might not agree on every "political" hot topic in amateur radio, but they all realize I am a good op, courteous, and am here to enjoy the hobby.
But, QRZ IS NOT ham radio, and I simply get a kick out of the antics here, which would still be here if I participated or not.
wb5yiw
12-07-2005, 12:29 AM
Quote[/b] (ky7f @ Dec. 04 2005,18:18)]Researchers have discovered that if you tune your tv to one particular channel, turn the brightness down, then suddenly tune it to either Channel 1 or 2, the screen will be white, indicating a tornado is very closeby. (
Not to nit-pick, but tv's don't have a "channel one". They start with "2". If they did, we wouldn't have the six meter ham band. It's where tv channel one would be.
73's
Bryan
Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Dec. 06 2005,16:39)]Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 06 2005,15:17)]Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Dec. 06 2005,11:52)]Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Dec. 06 2005,07:55)]Quote[/b] (N6BOA @ Dec. 04 2005,14:45)]Quote[/b] (N4KR @ Dec. 02 2005,18:32)]FACT: CW is the mark of a TRUE Ham Operator. The anti-CW, beer drinking, profanity spewing slobs who call themselves Hams are nothing more than the left over garbage from a sick and twisted society. Most of them are from the CB sewer. What is a Myth is that these demented people are somehow okay and should be accepted into our family. They are NOT okay and should never have been given a license. Lets do away with the Myth that anybody should be allowed into Amateur Radio.
Wow...you really need to get help.
Disturbing post, huh? I wonder if he has any friends?
I'll be his friend!
Yep, like this is any more disturbing than starting a thread and trying to ban Code Techs, Generals, Advanced and Extras. Who needs friends when you can start trollin'? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
The difference, my friend, was I was attempting to be humorous and lighten the place up a bit.
My "NCTs Only Allowed" thread was just a joke. laugh more, you'll live longer.
I don't REALLY want to ban anybody, I wouldn't have any more friends to play with here on QRZ.com http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
You were kidding too? So was I. I hear that relaxing does wonders for the bowels.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
wb5yiw - You're correct, Brian. It's whatever the lowest channel is on the tv. Been over 35 years since I read the article in Popular Mechanics.
And to think I drink "FAT TIRE" AND "MOOSE DROOL" BEER and copy CW
wa4gch
12-07-2005, 06:04 PM
30 WPM Extra?
"And to think I drink "FAT TIRE" AND "MOOSE DROOL" BEER and copy CW "
When did they lower the speed from 45? Both my brothers passed it at 45 and feel you cheated ....
wa4gch
12-07-2005, 07:17 PM
Back in the good old days FM radio was on 30-55 mhz too then came TV and because of interferance CH-1 wad deleted i beleve in the late/mid 1940's. Thats MY story and I'M sticking to it! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
KB0NLY
12-07-2005, 08:56 PM
As always, another post turned into a CW pissing contest...
Blah, Blah, Blah...
Hopefully either way the FCC will make the decision and get it over with soon, keep it or lose it, just decide so everyone can stop bitching about it.
Myth or fact ?
You tell me
QRZ forums are for U.S. hams only and they don't like us Brits chipping in and saying something succinct ??
(Hello Jim K4JF , old mate and others who do like us to post a bit of sense now and again )
73
QRZ M3WEM
k4klb
12-08-2005, 11:57 AM
FACT:
I was turned off from ham radio for over 2 years because of the impression that all ham operators can do is whine and cry amongst themselves on this message board.
I applaude those who contribute by posting material that actually pertains to the topic. Thanks.
I would like to see an experiment that would study how long a radio transmission could stay in the atmosphere bouncing around. Could it be possible that it remain there an extended period of time before bouncing back to earth?
KC8YOQ
12-08-2005, 02:53 PM
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Nov. 29 2005,10:46)]Quote[/b] (kb7rky @ Nov. 24 2005,14:18)]Greetings, fellow Amateurs!
What is an interesting Ham Radio Myth you've heard of, had related to you, or that you've experienced yourself, and wondered if the Mythbusters could tackle it to see if it was possible?
I've been hearing about LDEs (Long Delayed Echos) on the Ham bands for decades and always found them fascinating (as you might have noticed). # I don't know if they would have a way to prove/disprove them, but I think it would be very interesting to look into this phenomena that has been around as long as radio has.
I have heard LDEs I was in the Army in Germany in the 70ties. I heard a call from a Unit thst had been disbanded 10 years. It was under the static and hash and mash but was there. I wish I had made a tape(curse me)
Quote[/b] (KI4LIO @ Dec. 08 2005,04:57)]FACT:
I was turned off from ham radio for over 2 years because of the impression that all ham operators can do is whine and cry amongst themselves on this message board.
I applaude those who contribute by posting material that actually pertains to the topic. Thanks.
I would like to see an experiment that would study how long a radio transmission could stay in the atmosphere bouncing around. Could it be possible that it remain there an extended period of time before bouncing back to earth?
I made a CQ transmission on February 22, 2003 on 14.225 and was tuning on the 20 meter band on January 1, 2004 and heard myself calling CQ. Am I imagining this? Just when I thought this was all hooey, something like this can happen and really wake you up! Kidding or not, most people are serious when they speak about this subject.
Please take the first word of every sentence for a hidden message...
KE5FRF
12-08-2005, 08:59 PM
Quote[/b] ]Please take the first word of every sentence for a hidden message...
You ain't one of'em Al kydda payple are ya? talkin' in krypto-tawlk an'all? I'm gonna hav ta ripert yew to the revinuers fer sicret coded maissiges.
Whoops, that redneck joke thread is getting me loopy, better take my prozac.
WA5BEN
12-09-2005, 12:14 AM
Quote[/b] (wa4brl @ Nov. 30 2005,09:51)]Three of the top HAM myths:
1. Existance of the "DIODE" antenna
2. That Amateur Radio is an expensive hobby
3. Somebody out there had a stable Eico 753 http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Yumpin Yehosafat! Call Cronkite! (And he durned sure won't believe it!) A STABLE "seven drifty three"?
I did, however, get a Heath HW32 to less than 100 Hz drift from cold to full operating temperature. All it took was a good selection of NPO caps, an HP frequency counter with its reference slaved to a Cesium Beam Standard, and WAY more time than it was worth. Of course when you're on an island that's about 1/2 mile wide and 3 miles "long" (with the bend in the middle), one has extra time to do these things.
Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Dec. 08 2005,13:59)]Quote[/b] ]Please take the first word of every sentence for a hidden message...
You ain't one of'em Al kydda payple are ya? talkin' in krypto-tawlk an'all? I'm gonna hav ta ripert yew to the revinuers fer sicret coded maissiges.
Whoops, that redneck joke thread is getting me loopy, better take my prozac.
10 ways to know an Amateur friend is an Al Queada plant:
10. He has a call like KJ1HAD, K0RAN, KA4MEL, KB0OM, KF4TWA...
9. You notice a 2m antenna on his camel
8. He has a naicinhceT Class License
7. His shack smells like samak air buscuits.
6. He refuses free airline drinks because he will be driving very soon.
5. His QRP rigs has a plastique battery holder
4. Your pickup backfires and your friend throws down his mike and surrenders.
3. He looks like Sadam Hussain and is panicking because the Real Saddam lost an arm in a bomb blast.
2. His tube rig has a HV ground fault and he's looking for a Jewish radio technician to fix it.
And the #1 way you can tell if your Ham friend is a terrorist...
1. He only buys a one way airline ticket to Dayton.
KC8TCQ
12-10-2005, 12:18 PM
Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Nov. 29 2005,15:56)]Here is my suggestion for a Myth, though I am not sure if it is a myth or not. At some point I heard, or was told, that if water is poured around a ground rod of a grounded antenna, that it will perform better. I don't know if there is any scientific evidence that this is true, but it is something I heard on one or two occasions.
I have heard similar but I was told to drive the rod in a bit then pull it out and pour salt into the hole then water then drive the rod in the rest of the way, then salt the ground around the rod and pour water.
Is there any scientific proof of this?
N5EAT
12-10-2005, 11:25 PM
If you've ever seen a photo of the folks who go on DX-peditions - you'll know that beer is one of the essential vitamins which keeps
cold fingers tapping upon keyers.
KB0GU
12-11-2005, 11:57 AM
My last name is Bigham.
Quote[/b] (WD8OQX @ Nov. 29 2005,06:36)]I would like to see it confirmed that a radio wave, given the right conditions, can travel full circle around the earth. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I think this one can be tied in with the "long echoe" topic. I believe I've heard both, in unison, which IMO, both are one. Of course, this won't be noticed if you're operating phone, locked in transmit, till you're finished speaking. At which time your recieve recovery time may be too short to catch your "tail-end". But, on many occasions, while operating on 40m with my Ten-Tec in full QSK, I've copied my own echoe. Could be backscatter, but unlikely on such a low frequency, and if possible, too short a round trip to copy at current rx recovery times..... or a fullcircle propagation example. More likely IMO. Anyone else have this happen to them?
Quote[/b] (K1MVP @ Nov. 29 2005,09:58)]Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Nov. 29 2005,12:56)]Quote[/b] ]At least there ARE some NCT`s who ARE "good"
and not so "bold".
I especially like the "bold" comment.
Attention all NCTs, as sub-members of our "fraternity", you must speak only when spoken too, and opinions shall be withheld in the presence of your superiors or else harsh punishment shall be inflicted upon you for your insolence. How DARE YOU be so BOLD as to have an opinion and voice it amongst the superior ranks of this land. A GOOD NCT is a QUIET NCT who keeps his mouth shut and operates in the shadows, carefull not to offend the sensitivities of his masters. A decree shall be put forth from this day hence, that all insolent NCTs will endure 40 lashes if they as much as make eye contact with those who art superior by virtue of Gods holy "fist" bestowing the CW attributes only a true nobleman shall obtain.
.
KE5FRF,
Those are your words as far as "sub members"--NOT
mine.
I have found from my experience there ARE good techs,
both "code" and NCT`s.
I have ALSO found "good" and "bad" in extra`s #and
generals, and even "advanced".
BUT I will say it`s much more common nowaday`s
for a newcomer to "think" he knows it all, than it
it was for the newcomer of years ago,(who by the
way WAS called a novice).
Man, if you call someone a "novice" nowadays, you
are considered an "elitest".
When there's not much to know, it's easy to be a know it all. And as with everything else these days... if it excludes anyone, regardless of reason, it's politically incorrect. It's also taboo to bear description, or display any behavior, or apparent possession of knowlege or ability , that will make you stand out from the generic cookie cutter mass production automatons. Doing so will bring you under fire from the sentinals of the matrix.
Quote[/b] (kd6hdx @ Dec. 02 2005,00:49)]Here are some of my memories of MYTHS / URBAN LEGENDS of the 11 meter band (which once was a ham band). #
An old geezer told me once he loaded up a rusty old spring mattress #to a tuner and had a qso on it. #(presumably all of the bedding had been stripped?) #Who knows, urban myth right?
Several old stories about this black guy on channel 6 here in So California that had a seperate 4 cylinder motor in the back of his van just to run his alternators for his 11 meter amplifiers. #Rumor is he has now passed away from cancer. Myth ? exposure to 10 meter RF in dangerous amounts, 1 or 2 KW?. #This operator lived somewhere around Pomona Ca, not sure can't remember his name. Super Fly or Duck Plucker B Stroke-ee something or other?
I have seen fluorescent garage lights flicker when the 102" whip of a jeep came in contact with them while talking through a CB with a kicker on, 100 or 200 watts?
And finally, ham radio myth #1. #I've heard that Alfred Vail actually invented Morse Code and not Samuel Morse. #Morse got a patent and Vail was apparently working for Morse at the time? #Would someone care to shed any light on this subject, I have long wondered if this is a ham radio myth? #Vail came up with a code for each letter while Morse wanted a code for each word in the dictionary?? Who knows out there?
KD6HDX 73
matress I loaded up a 150 watt light buld on 40m and had a QSO.... so, why not a matress? FACT
lotsa watts dunno.... so many things cause cancer, or maybe it's inhereted... too many variables.
fluorescent light up a few myself... without direct contact. FACT
Vail FACT
Myth or Fact ?
You tell me :
When we get older, radio's seem more complicated and the frequency readout shrinks in size ??
73
Howard
vk4jaf
12-12-2005, 05:21 AM
The myth that there is intelligent life and caring people in goverment agencies.
Adrian
VK4JAF
Quote[/b] (vk4jaf @ Dec. 11 2005,22:21)]The myth that there is intelligent life and caring people in goverment agencies.
Adrian
VK4JAF
Adrian, that is not a myth. But they are extremely rare and, for the most part, against the rules.
ki4bf
12-12-2005, 06:24 PM
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif The test for a real ham is how he or she conducts themselves while on the air, either CW, phone or whatever mode.
KI4BF
what a great set of posts and comments,
please excuse me while i nip out and slit my wrists,
73
howard
Myth: "Path Loss" is the reason that a line-of-sight 432 MHz signal is 9db weaker than a line-of-sight 144 MHz signal on quarter wave vertical antennas.
I say it's because of the size difference of the antennas.
And just for the off-topic crowd:
Myth: Technicians will never upgrade.
Busted: Did it in 1975.
Quote[/b] (m3wem @ Dec. 12 2005,16:01)]what a great set of posts and comments,
please excuse me while i nip out and slit my wrists,
73
howard
Don't do that, Howard. Then I'll never get my "whiskey every morning". :o)
And your comment about Americans objecting to others posting here is a myth... only a few disturbed ones do.....
VY 73
Jim
gi0nwg
12-13-2005, 05:38 AM
Quote[/b] (N5EAT @ Dec. 10 2005,16:25)]If you've ever seen a photo of the folks who go on DX-peditions - you'll know that beer is one of the essential vitamins which keeps
cold fingers tapping upon keyers.
It's not *one* of the essentials.... it is *the* essential supply on a DXpedition http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Andrew GI0NWG/AC6WI
(and ZL9CI and FT5XO)
Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Dec. 08 2005,11:45)]Quote[/b] (KI4LIO @ Dec. 08 2005,04:57)]FACT:
I was turned off from ham radio for over 2 years because of the impression that all ham operators can do is whine and cry amongst themselves on this message board.
I applaude those who contribute by posting material that actually pertains to the topic. Thanks.
I would like to see an experiment that would study how long a radio transmission could stay in the atmosphere bouncing around. Could it be possible that it remain there an extended period of time before bouncing back to earth?
I made a CQ transmission on February 22, 2003 on 14.225 and was tuning on the 20 meter band on January 1, 2004 and heard myself calling CQ. #Am I imagining this? #Just when I thought this was all hooey, something like this can happen and really wake you up! #Kidding or not, most people are serious when they speak about this subject.
Please take the first word of every sentence for a hidden message...
The aliens are testing.
They have special chambers in the flying saucers to store the waves. Soon they will blanket the earth with years of RF on all frequencies.
They will pick a time for the biggest impact. Probaly the last episode of "Survivor" or "American Idol" This will cause massive suicides, and make their evil intent so much easier.
Like they say, if it looks like a lizard, is somewhat slimy, and rides around in a silver colored thing that looks like a giant Marie Calender pie plate, that sucker is up to no good.
I do think that we could defeat the menace by firing up all the EME arrays and blasting them with recordings of Britney Spears.
If that doesn't work we are doomed, unless they happen to tune in on K1MAN. They may just leave on their own, scared of the felony charges for interfering with his special programs.
.
W6NJ
KI4LFP
12-13-2005, 06:33 PM
Quote[/b] (wb5yiw @ Nov. 29 2005,19:50)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Nov. 29 2005,04:42)]MYTH:
#The learning & regular use of Morse Code always produces a better quality, more intelligent, more mannerly, and just all around better operator. Hence the term "REAL HAM" which is another myth.
It's the end of world! #That's a myth I'd like to see busted.
Wireless was the end of the world when it made the telegraph obsolete. #AM was the end of the world when it was invented. Double sideband was the end of the world when people started using it instead of AM, and don't forget, the world ended when single sideband became the mode of choice. #But then the world ended when FM and repeaters got popular, and oh, my gawd, the heck that got raised when the Japanese 2 meter multimodes first hit the market. #Weak signal work on 2 meters was the end of the world. Oh, and don't forget those renegades that used SSB on 432 mhz. Of course, packet killed it again, and the internet has killed us all. #Cell phones brought about the end of the world, as did mobile computers. #Oh, I almost forgot... home computers caused the end of the world too. #Oh yeah, television was the end of the world, as was rock and roll. #The horseless carriage, the assembly line, and the transistor radio all caused the end of the world. #Oh wait, the VFO was the end of the world, real hams were "rockbound". #Hang on a minute, the world ended even earlier...the printing press caused the end of the world. #Now, even the common man could learn to read, and actually have something to read. No more sacred scrolls that were to be for the high priest only! #Arrrrghhh...I forgot, microwave ovens caused the end of the world. #Or was it the washing machine? Or dishwashers? #BPL will most certainly cause it, as will hydrogen powered cars. #Or did nuclear energy already do it? #Geez...I can't remember....oh, I know!!! #It was the discovery of fire! #That's it!
Ok, the point in all this BS....the morse horse has been beaten not only to death, but to dust, to atoms even. # Talk...about.....something......ELSE! #Or at least do the world a courtesy and not turn every single thread on every post into this same argument. #It will solve nothing. #It will save nothing, it will end...NOTHING. #Want to save CW? #Get out from in front of your computer, and get on the air.
Now back to the original topic, I like the long delayed echo idea. #I've heard about that ever since I became a ham (some 29 years ago) but have never experienced it. #But how to prove or disprove it?
73's
Bryan
yes your right all of them are hipocryts they are like cbers' if this is what being a real ham is then I dont want to be one i am 13 years old and today i found what a real ham is not
In reading these "MYTHBSters" I found out I am not a "Real Ham" and I'm not sure I want to be.....:p http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Quote[/b] (nf9a @ Dec. 13 2005,14:52)]In reading these "MYTHBSters" #I found out I am not a "Real Ham" and I'm not sure I want to be.....:p http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
That's strange.... those sure look like ham license call letters above your post. #If you're not a ham, then those are random letters??
If those do indeed refer to an FCC (or equvalent in other countries) issued license then you are a real ham. #That is the only requirement, you know.
Quote[/b] (K4JF @ Dec. 13 2005,20:57)]Quote[/b] (nf9a @ Dec. 13 2005,14:52)]In reading these "MYTHBSters" #I found out I am not a "Real Ham" and I'm not sure I want to be.....:p http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
That's strange.... those sure look like ham license call letters above your post. #If you're not a ham, then those are random letters??
If those do indeed refer to an FCC (or equvalent in other countries) issued license then you are a real ham. #That is the only requirement, you know.
People sure are grumpy.....
If you don't get a laugh once in while, then life sure sucks.
I get my cosmic relief right here on qrz.com.
Hope everyone else does http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
W6NJ
Quote[/b] (W6NJ @ Dec. 13 2005,23:49)]Quote[/b] (K4JF @ Dec. 13 2005,20:57)]Quote[/b] (nf9a @ Dec. 13 2005,14:52)]In reading these "MYTHBSters" #I found out I am not a "Real Ham" and I'm not sure I want to be.....:p http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
That's strange.... those sure look like ham license call letters above your post. #If you're not a ham, then those are random letters??
If those do indeed refer to an FCC (or equvalent in other countries) issued license then you are a real ham. #That is the only requirement, you know.
People sure are grumpy.....
If you don't get a laugh once in while, then life sure sucks.
I get my cosmic relief right here on qrz.com.
Hope everyone else does http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
W6NJ
Who are you calling grumpy, Bob? I saw nothing grumpy in the exchange you quoted.
Nothing grumpy, in my opinion, about the fact that the FCC (or equivalent) determines who are "real hams", not somebody with an axe to grind.
I still say if you have a license it means you met the requirements and are a real ham whether somebody else likes it or not.... >snort<
ab9lz
12-14-2005, 06:09 PM
Ten to twenty years ago, amateur radio was replaced by the PC as a place where an amateur (not as in radio) could contribute to the leading edge of a technical field. Green fields were opened to a new wave of home experimentors, in fact you could argue that the open source linux contributor writing code is the "real ham" of today, and it may have nothing to do with radio.
kl7aj
12-14-2005, 06:48 PM
Quote[/b] (kb7rky @ Nov. 24 2005,12:18)]Greetings, fellow Amateurs!
What is an interesting Ham Radio Myth you've heard of, had related to you, or that you've experienced yourself, and wondered if the Mythbusters could tackle it to see if it was possible?
I'm a member/administrator of the Mythbusters Fan Club ( http://www.mythbustersfanclub.com #), and, though we are not officially part of the show, we post ideas and discussions about the myths that Adam and Jamie test in a friendly and civil discussion format...even going so far as to design our own myths, complete with information, testing criteria, and a testing setup.
Also, please keep in mind our fan club is not an official site of the Mythbusters TV show...it is a privately-owned and fan-supported website.
Here's your chance to bring to light some of those nagging Ham Radio Myths you may have heard of...and who knows?
Thanks for your co-operation, and thanks to Fred, AA7BQ, for allowing me to post this message here.
73's:
Doug, KB7RKY
Administrator, Mythbusters Fan Club.com
A high SWR is worse than a LOW swr.
Unmitigated B.S. *
*buffalo sausage
To Jim, k4 jack frost ,
from howard,
thanks jim, i dont read the posts as often as I used to do a few years ago, but there you are, a good comment as always,
In the uk we can read " readers letters" and " comments" on the bbc television channel and ITV, the commercial equivalent. It makes me laugh at times and other times it makes me weep !! but eberyone is entitled to their say, good or bad, hope you have a great christmas and New Year, and i;m still trying to winkle you out of the noise on hf !!!
best regards jim,
hope the myth or fact thread keeps going, its a good topic,
regards from the U.K.
73
Howard
Quote[/b] (kl7aj @ Dec. 14 2005,11:48)]A high SWR is worse than a LOW swr.
Unmitigated B.S. *
*buffalo sausage
Correct answer is not "buffalo sausage". Correct answer is "depends".
If you are using solid state finals, they can be damaged by too high. That is bad. Hollow state not so much. Of course, how high is high?!?
Another myth: an antenna tuner tunes your antenna.
wb9eck
12-15-2005, 01:17 PM
My absolute favorite!
Someone is on the 75 meter band and says: "I'm going down to 160". 160 is UP from 75 and not down. The terms wavelength and frequency are Not interchangeable! They are inversely proportional. As frequency goes up, wavelength goes down and vice versa. Very simple. This question was on my novice test in 1970.
You could be on 3900 khz and say I'm going Down to 1900 khz but not say I'm going down to 160. Wavelength is the distance a radio wave will travel, completing a single cycle in one second and not a Nickname for the frequency or band. Ham radio has as many or more slang terms as CB "Good Buddy!".
All we had to eat was bologna sandwiches...and that was good enough!
k6sgh
12-15-2005, 03:26 PM
I would like them to prove that RF travels downhill faster than uphill.
k4wde
12-16-2005, 04:05 AM
Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Nov. 29 2005,06:42)]MYTH:
The learning & regular use of Morse Code always produces a better quality, more intelligent, more mannerly, and just all around better operator. Hence the term "REAL HAM" which is another myth.
Congratulations. You've managed to convert the thread to
code/no-code hate, and you're the very first reply. My
hat is off to you. Such speed and determination!
kb2vxa
12-17-2005, 11:14 PM
"All we had to eat was bologna sandwiches...and that was good enough!"
Are you sure that yellow stuff was mustard? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
ke5gnb
12-18-2005, 08:22 AM
Quote[/b] (NY7Q @ Nov. 29 2005,10:47)]"The learning & regular use of Morse Code always produces a better quality, more intelligent, more mannerly, and just all around better operator. Hence the term "REAL HAM" which is another myth"
Actually, this is the truth, time and time throughout history of electronics and ham radio, has shown this to be very very true.
"the real ham is an all around CW and electronics person."
this sounds like one of those 90 year old hams that are griping because the 900 megaherts was given to cell phones !!! wake up and get with the program!!!!..._._..__ is going away to a point. not everybody wants to talk in morse,and the people who do most of them use a computer to do i!!! you evidently do, and you probbaly use it to do your morse code. therefore why does it matter if I can pick out ...--..-...---- at 30wpm 10 wpm or any wpm? the millatary dosent really use it anymore with sattelites and the encryption they have. so what is the piont of morse other than allowing the generals and the extras to thumb their noses at the tech's?and you call yourself a real ham. ha!!! you are going to lose your radio if we dont get some more people interested in ham radio!!!! that includes your precious cw!!! think about it. i dont think cw has any basis on intellegence, cw has has everything to do with want to!!! and i know several hams who just dont want to. and one of those hams has been in the radio buisness for 20 years!!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif ok got my gripe out so i will shut up http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Quote[/b] (ke5gnb @ Dec. 18 2005,01:22)]not everybody wants to talk in morse,and the people who do most of them use a computer to do i!!!
Sorry, another (new) myth. Although CW is the only mode understood by both humans and computers, computers are quite limited in that mode, and rarely used.
How about the myth that a tower will fall over onto a neighbor's property vs. the myth that a tower falling collapses almost straight down. One example could be a free standing tower and another a guyed tower. Both would be stressed by sideways force (wind) or twisting.
Falling over by pivoting on the bottom is what one would think intuitively would happen but "tower experts" say it will collapse straight down.
There are lots of other ham radio related myths: SWR, ground rod length, the need for a balun etc., but I doubt the public would much care and the proof would not be nearly so dramatic as watching a tower fall.
Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Nov. 29 2005,12:45)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Nov. 29 2005,12:42)]MYTH:
#The learning & regular use of Morse Code always produces a better quality, more intelligent, more mannerly, and just all around better operator. Hence the term "REAL HAM" which is another myth.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #APPLAUSE #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Quote[/b] (ke5gnb @ Dec. 18 2005,01:22)]Quote[/b] (NY7Q @ Nov. 29 2005,10:47)]"The learning & regular use of Morse Code always produces a better quality, more intelligent, more mannerly, and just all around better operator. Hence the term "REAL HAM" which is another myth"
Actually, this is the truth, time and time throughout history of electronics and ham radio, has shown this to be very very true.
"the real ham is an all around CW and electronics person."
this sounds like one of those 90 year old hams that are griping because the 900 megaherts was given to cell phones !!! wake up and get with the program!!!!..._._..__ is going away to a point. not everybody wants to talk in morse,and the people who do most of them use a computer to do i!!! you evidently do, and you probbaly use it to do your morse code. therefore why does it matter if I can pick out ...--..-...---- at 30wpm 10 wpm or any wpm? the millatary dosent really use it anymore with sattelites and the encryption they have. so what is the piont of morse other than allowing the generals and the extras to thumb their noses at the tech's?and you call yourself a real ham. ha!!! you are going to lose your radio if we dont get some more people interested in ham radio!!!! that includes your precious cw!!! think about it. i dont think cw has any basis on intellegence, cw has has everything to do with want to!!! and i know several hams who just dont want to. and one of those hams has been in the radio buisness for 20 years!!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif ok got my gripe out so i will shut up http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Call: KE5GNB Class: Technician
4S7RO
12-21-2005, 03:20 AM
Quote[/b] (ke5gnb @ Dec. 18 2005,01:22)]Quote[/b] (NY7Q @ Nov. 29 2005,10:47)]"The learning & regular use of Morse Code always produces a better quality, more intelligent, more mannerly, and just all around better operator. Hence the term "REAL HAM" which is another myth"
Actually, this is the truth, time and time throughout history of electronics and ham radio, has shown this to be very very true.
"the real ham is an all around CW and electronics person."
this sounds like one of those 90 year old hams that are griping because the 900 megaherts was given to cell phones !!! wake up and get with the program!!!!..._._..__ is going away to a point. not everybody wants to talk in morse,and the people who do most of them use a computer to do i!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Can you tell me of a CW program that actually copies CW better than say Digipan or any of those others out there? No gibberish on the screen, but pure CW characters that I can copy.
73 de Ron, 6Y5/4S7RO
4S7RO
12-21-2005, 03:40 AM
Quote[/b] (KI4LFP @ Dec. 13 2005,11:33)]Quote[/b] (wb5yiw @ Nov. 29 2005,19:50)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Nov. 29 2005,04:42)]MYTH:
#The learning & regular use of Morse Code always produces a better quality, more intelligent, more mannerly, and just all around better operator. Hence the term "REAL HAM" which is another myth.
It's the end of world! #That's a myth I'd like to see busted.
Wireless was the end of the world when it made the telegraph obsolete. #AM was the end of the world when it was invented. Double sideband was the end of the world when people started using it instead of AM, and don't forget, the world ended when single sideband became the mode of choice. #But then the world ended when FM and repeaters got popular, and oh, my gawd, the heck that got raised when the Japanese 2 meter multimodes first hit the market. #Weak signal work on 2 meters was the end of the world. Oh, and don't forget those renegades that used SSB on 432 mhz. Of course, packet killed it again, and the internet has killed us all. #Cell phones brought about the end of the world, as did mobile computers. #Oh, I almost forgot... home computers caused the end of the world too. #Oh yeah, television was the end of the world, as was rock and roll. #The horseless carriage, the assembly line, and the transistor radio all caused the end of the world. #Oh wait, the VFO was the end of the world, real hams were "rockbound". #Hang on a minute, the world ended even earlier...the printing press caused the end of the world. #Now, even the common man could learn to read, and actually have something to read. No more sacred scrolls that were to be for the high priest only! #Arrrrghhh...I forgot, microwave ovens caused the end of the world. #Or was it the washing machine? Or dishwashers? #BPL will most certainly cause it, as will hydrogen powered cars. #Or did nuclear energy already do it? #Geez...I can't remember....oh, I know!!! #It was the discovery of fire! #That's it!
Ok, the point in all this BS....the morse horse has been beaten not only to death, but to dust, to atoms even. # Talk...about.....something......ELSE! #Or at least do the world a courtesy and not turn every single thread on every post into this same argument. #It will solve nothing. #It will save nothing, it will end...NOTHING. #Want to save CW? #Get out from in front of your computer, and get on the air.
Now back to the original topic, I like the long delayed echo idea. #I've heard about that ever since I became a ham (some 29 years ago) but have never experienced it. #But how to prove or disprove it?
73's
Bryan
Oh I hate CW - cos I can't send the apostrophe in "73's"
I just send 73....how I wish they'd drop that damn apostrophe )-: #
73 de Ron
Myth or Fact,
You tell Me :
tangential thought to the original thread :
Thermat's last theorem has ( or can be ) proved ( or proven )???
73
Howard
ab8ma
12-21-2005, 11:18 PM
Quote[/b] (m3wem @ Dec. 21 2005,23:08)]Myth or Fact,
You tell Me :
tangential thought to the original thread :
Thermat's last theorem has ( or can be ) proved ( or proven )???
73
Howard
Well. Either you are a cricket fan, or you do not believe that 1 is greater than 0.
Do the House of Lords bat first?
ab8ma
12-21-2005, 11:38 PM
Or do you mean Fermat's ? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
ab8ma
12-21-2005, 11:45 PM
I have discovered a truly remarkable proof which this margin is too small to contain.
MYTH: That you can have an intelligent thread on QRZ.
CONFIRMED: As long as you don't mention BC, CB or CW.
As the Macy*s Commercial says Ho! HO! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
ab8ma
12-21-2005, 11:52 PM
X**N + Y**N = Z**N
has no non-zero integer solutions for x, y and z when n > 2
vk4xjb
12-22-2005, 12:40 AM
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 22 2005,09:49)]CONFIRMED: As long as you don't mention BC, CB or CW.
BC?
n9kpn
12-22-2005, 05:59 AM
Quote[/b] (kb2vxa @ Dec. 17 2005,17:14)]"All we had to eat was bologna sandwiches...and that was good enough!"
Were your's fried? #I love fried bologna sandwiches. #Being a "Northerner" raised by a Southern mom I was lucky enough to learn of this fabulous delicacy. #And I've been lucky enough to find this on buffet lines at southern Shony's!
Now #I've gone and done it. #I have to go make myself a fried bolonga sandwich..... #And to think I'm a HAM....
Quote[/b] (vk4xjb @ Dec. 21 2005,19:40)]Quote[/b] (n2nh @ Dec. 22 2005,09:49)]CONFIRMED: As long as you don't mention BC, CB or CW.
BC?
Just ask the pope. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
http://picayune.uclick.com/comics/crbc/2005/crbc051222.gif
vk4xjb
12-22-2005, 07:05 AM
That BC #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
The one of the 3 I like doing in bed before I go to sleep.
kb7uxe
12-25-2005, 08:44 AM
Hello from Dan. kb7uxe.
I remember somewhere I heard that some fellas had some big high voltage power lines running across their property.
They dug trenches and buried cable in a circle below the hi-voltage power lines. Seems this generated "free" power for them, that is until the power company fround out.
So, can this be done? is it a myth?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Thanks, Dan kb7uxe.
kb7uxe ~AT~ comcast.net
KC0UWF
12-29-2005, 07:16 AM
Quote[/b] (AE4ZV @ Nov. 29 2005,13:03)]I heard one:
Someone said ANY topic started here will eventually turn into the old argument about code / no code. Any truth to this one? LOL.
73'
Frank.
i like this one....LOL
I'm learning my code. doing good at it. i enjoy talking onthe local nets and State wide fiber optic repeaters. lots of great guys out there.
40 years ago, I believe just about the only way to get on the air was to build your own transmiter and reciever, right??? and that took alot of electronic learning.
but guess what, I ordered a brand new 2 meter radio with antenna. and ya know what? I didn't have to build a thing, that right, they come preassembled now.
I have no intrest in learning how to solder wires or building elect things.
I like my radios like I like my computers, Plug and Play.
CW is fasinating, how it uses less power to communicate over long distance. the whole world (ham op's) can talk to each other using the same language. I hope I learn to hear words instead of letters in the code someday,
my 2 cents...
newbie ham here and loving it.
N0DVG
01-01-2006, 06:28 AM
I am convinced CW is a Cure All for all problems lets require 13 WPM for Cell phone and Drivers licenses. Boy wouldn't The highways be a dream during rush hour.
Then Maybe even for Docotors maybe that would lower the prices they charge us. Well maybe not HI HI
Quote[/b] (4S7RO @ Dec. 20 2005,20:20)]Can you tell me of a CW program that actually copies CW better than say Digipan or any of those others out there? No gibberish on the screen, but pure CW characters that I can copy.
73 de Ron, 6Y5/4S7RO
Nope.
WA7VTD
01-02-2006, 04:38 PM
PLEEEEZE....let's not let this interesting new topic be hijacked by the "CW or no CW" debate. (It's pointless, everyone knows a CW iron man is the epitome of the Real Amateur). Just kidding (even though it's true).
I also am interested in LDEs. I can relate an experience with them around 1989 on 40 M CW. Over the course of several hours one evening (during which I also observed zillions of "whistlers" -- which are not supposed to be heard above LF and, on rare occasions, MF frequencies), I heard delayed echos of my own signal. At first I thought it was another operator, so I made several back-to-back QSYs. Each time I stopped on a new frequency, I sent one dit. As long as one to two seconds later, I heard the dit "echoed," at a slighty different pitch, suggesting Doppler. I phoned a friend and had him come up on the band to confirm this. He heard what was happening with my sigs but as I recall, was not able to reproduce it from his location about ten miles North, at much lower elevation, on an much more low-angle antenna of opposite polarization to mine.
Some time thereafter, I read in an updated edition of ther ARRL Handbook that contrary to decades of prevailing wisdom, it had been demonstrated that under certain circumstances, backscatter had been observed on frequencies as high as 40 meters.
I don't know for certain what the explanation was, but the simultaneous loud presence of whistlers on 40 led me to ponder whether the Earth's magnetic lines of force were acrting as conductors for the radio energy -- a concept with which both Tesla and the Pentagon's HAARP project experimented.
And the "Woopdecker" also known as Over the Horizon RADAR (OHR) supposedly operated under the principle of HF backscatter -- thought the whoe notion of OHR was later revealed to be a cover story for what the Russians and Americans were actually up to, somehting aboput which I canot recall the actual purpose.
Does anyone have any anectdotes or knoweldge
on the subject of HF LDEs to share?
HF LDEs -- fact or myth?
73,
Kevin Hunt WA7VTD
Oregon
w0jrm
01-04-2006, 03:57 AM
Quote[/b] ]The rig was still operational and when ever the wind blew the curtains in the dilapidated shack, it caused the hand to tap out weird CW characters.
This is from a movie called "On The Beach". Not sure when it was released.
The story of the movie is set in a post-nuclear war America. The only survivors are military men in submarines, or something like that. They spend months tracking down this signal, only to discover that it's source is a coke bottle tied to a window blind.
Great movie, I'll have to dig it out and watch it when I finish moving.
MM0RZZ
01-04-2006, 08:14 PM
Yes LDEs exist, there are records of LDEs going back into the 20's, and I spoke to a telecoms engineer who had recorded them back in the 80s.
One author in the 70s even related the echos to astronomical maps and theorised that they were due to a spacecraft from an alien race that was parked in a Langrangian orbit and was trying to contact the us ! I believe he got out more with the money thus earned !!
The movie "On the beach" I believe was circa 1965 and had one G.Peck as the sub captain, new the story but never saw the film sadly
as it caught my imagination.
73s Ken
kd6oji
01-04-2006, 10:52 PM
NCTs should NEVER have any say so in club matters, should only speak when spoken to and should be seen and not heard.
Must be a myth. I am currently a member of the Board of Directors with my local club, and also an NCT.. I guess the OT's in the club thought I would be suitable for the job, code or not.
#http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
n8ary
01-05-2006, 12:11 AM
Well, the CW / Non CW debate has diluted yet another potentially cool discussion.
Thanks for the QRM, guys.
Quote[/b] (n8ary @ Jan. 04 2006,19:11)]Well, the CW / Non CW debate has diluted yet another potentially cool discussion.
Thanks for the QRM, guys.
Polluted.
Which brings me to the poll! If there aren't any further votes, it'll be closed soon.
Pro Code testing 53
Anti Code testing 22
So far the NCI types are not faring well...
Is CW important enough to Ham Radio to continue using it on the exam? (http://www.internationalvoting.com/int3/ask.cgi?pid=29-164)
WA2ZDY
01-05-2006, 01:17 AM
Quote[/b] (w0jrm @ Jan. 03 2006,23:57)]Quote[/b] ]The rig was still operational and when ever the wind blew the curtains in the dilapidated shack, it caused the hand to tap out weird CW characters.
This is from a movie called "On The Beach". #Not sure when it was released.
The novel "On The Beach" was written by Neville Shute about 1957. The original movie was from around that time, perhaps as late as 1960.
There was a remake of the movie in the early 90's where the same scenario was in place except it was a laptop that sent ASCII data over the air whenever the sun shone upon a solar cell.
Interesting movie about the possible psychological effects of a post nuclear war world. But like "Alas Babylon" written by Pat Frank in 1959, the likelihood of survival as suggested in these books is about 45 years out of date.
Still very good reading/viewing indeed.
Quote[/b] (KC0UWF @ Dec. 29 2005,00:16)]40 years ago, I believe just about the only way to get on the air was to build your own transmiter and reciever, right??? and that took alot of electronic learning.
Nope. #Quite a variety of commercial rigs on the air in 1966. #Collins, Hammarlund, Hallicrafters, Multi-Elmac, Johnson, just to name a few off the top of the head. #Of course, the Heathkits were everywhere, but the instructions were so good, you really didn't have to know a lot of electronics to build one. #The air was also full of homebrew and rigs built from QST or Handbook instructions. #But those were in the minority.
CB had also been around for 8 years.
k7cwa
01-25-2006, 04:58 PM
Quote[/b] (w0jrm @ Jan. 03 2006,20:57)]Quote[/b] ]The rig was still operational and when ever the wind blew the curtains in the dilapidated shack, it caused the hand to tap out weird CW characters.
This is from a movie called "On The Beach". Not sure when it was released.
The story of the movie is set in a post-nuclear war America. The only survivors are military men in submarines, or something like that. They spend months tracking down this signal, only to discover that it's source is a coke bottle tied to a window blind.
Great movie, I'll have to dig it out and watch it when I finish moving.
I read the book and saw the movie (On The Beach). It is a very good story except for the downer ending. There was only one sub and the crew travled the world trying to find life and found none. All of their familes were dead, the only survivers were on that one Nuke sub. The end comes when the depressed crew decide to leave the hatch open and submerge, ending it all.
Yep, it was the wind and a Coke bottle that sent the random code.
Good movie, depressing ending.
There is another book that is fairly current, called "The Last Ship" and once again the only survivers of a nuke exchange are crews of one Russian nuke sub and one American nuke surface ship. Of course the war was between USA and USSR. I won't give away the entire story except to say only the two ships survive, the American ship has a mixed crew of men and woman but they discover the men are all sterile and the Russian crew is all male and are not sterile. Plenty of supplies are located at a secret base near one of the poles. There are very few places on the face of the Earth that are not radioactive. The human race needs to survive... oh what to do? Not the best book I have read because of the writers style but it is an interesting story.
Getting a bit back to the main topic, I am an Extra class, I passed the 20 WPM code test, I've built and done just about everything ham radio has to offer, I like CW but rarely get on with it. I think CW is just another language and it is good to know (I wish I knew Spanish better). My wife is a NCT and I love her very much.
As Bill Murry said in one of his "camp" movies, and he was talking about beating the teams of a rival camp... "it just doesn't matter".
Oh yes, I am also an avid movie goer and have read hundreds of books, maybe thousands, have written technical articles and have been published many times. I retired a year ago, and all of the stupid agruments about code mean almost nothing to me. The "myths" about flashing lights and long delay echo's only tell me that the questioner needs more technical education. Of course radio waves can go around the world, what would stop them? The time delay for a echo off of the moon is around 2 seconds. RF excites the phosphor in lights quite easily. Even regular bulbs will glow if there is enough RF and enough power wiring to act as an antenna. There are good hams and bad hams and everything in between. CW is not a factor.
Let's see, what did I miss.....?
kb9lbc
01-31-2006, 08:44 PM
Quote[/b] (n7zsd @ Nov. 30 2005,00:38)]Realism #3
Today I am embarrased to be a ham. I came to QRZ to see if I could find a ham-oriented software engineer for a prospective project. As noted in Myth #1, I got sidetracked (again). If this is what ham radio has become, I will hang up the mic, cw paddle, and keyboard, and go fishing instead.
I am in COMPLETE agreement.
And I will second that motion if we all could go to the rifle range instead of the pond. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
kc0fgx
02-04-2006, 09:15 PM
My mom recently had a pace maker put in. They say she should stay away from Amateur radio & microwave ovens. Does Amateur Radio really cause problems and if so how does she know while driving she is going to pass an Amateur operators shack running 1500 watts. And which bands are going to affect it if any or at all. And if so can filtering be installed in the pace maker? This is a Myth I hope gets busted!
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Thanks