100 Watts and a Wire: Episode 83

On this episode, we have a recap of Winter Field Day. We also explore the potential of a return of the 100 Watts and a Wire HF NET. Do we have enough muscle? Do we have the relays and consistency we need? Also, what's the longest period of time you've been off the air? The responses may surprise you. All of this an more on this edition of 100 Watts and a Wire.

http://100wattsandawire.com/100-watts-and-a-wire/episode83

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Calling Frequencies: 14287 and 7180

Gathers happen on Thursdays at 8p Central. Bands may vary.

 

Licensed almost 10 years.

Define off the air. Not on HF only, or off even UHF VHF?

Not on HF maybe 2-3 months at most since after getting my Amateur Radio License.

Before that, I had been active on 11 meters, back in the late 1960's, thru late 1977, and then used UHF commercial radios at my work, starting in June 1980.

Having fun chasing the DX contacts.

 

9 years.

Raising a son. Successful!

Shack is now on his former desk;-)

Screwed up my DXCC Challenge, but life has other rewards

 

38 years.
work commitments and raising a family took all my time (and Money)

redeemed my license on retirement.

 

17 months. Health, neighbour, move.

 

35 years, happy to be back-

 

I was absent for various lengths of time in my 44 years of being licensed. I just got back on the air last July after being off for nearly 11 years because of illness.

 

I am not sure of what is meant by 'off the air'? I have been on the air almost daily since being licensed in 1989. Maybe a few days if I am out of town but even then my HT is near. I suppose, maybe a few days during busy work schedules.... but that was then and this is now!
As for 100 Watts on a long wire, I check into 75 meter nets daily and pass any traffic I receive. Also a few turns at Air Force MARS ops....ex AAF1ZM!
Use HF plus six meter and 2 meters through 70 centimeters, all mode too!

 

Licensed since September, 1977 -- nearly 40 years.

Never been off the air!

 

Off The Air ?
I have been playing radio for 45 years on one band or another
Have watched activity on all bands drop while seeing the hobby evolve over the years
The most I have been off the air completely is 16 hours
Playing radio daily is in my blood , the radios are on 24/7 in my shack and not just for monitoring
I have called CQ many times with no response due to conditions, inactivity or whatever
But never has it occurred to me to leave the hobby
"Keep Ham Radio Alive"

 

Longest off the air was for about 8 years 2004-2012.

 

41 years.... (Longest so far in this thread ) Originally licensed as a novice in 1968 for two years (WN9BFH), all CW on HF, but never upgraded to general. Re-licensed in 2011. Can still copy some CW after all that time (but not well). The more I listen to it, the more it seems to come back.

 

Was off for about 48 years. . .how dumb was THAT!

 

42 years. Picked up where I left off with mostly CW.

 

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33 years licensed, have ALWAYS been active.

de NK2U