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Issue #41: How Do New Operators View Amateur Radio?

Discussion in 'Trials and Errors - Ham Life with an Amateur' started by W7DGJ, Jul 3, 2024.

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  1. W7DGJ

    W7DGJ Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    Rob, thanks, great input! I disagree only on one point . . . I (and many others) have never owned a windows anything. Mac user here, home of the best logging program ever (MacDXLogger). Dave
     
  2. K7JQ

    K7JQ Ham Member QRZ Page

    Hi Dave,

    Not going to the Flagstaff Hamfest. Nothing to sell, nothing to buy;). But I will be in the NAQP RTTY conteat on Saturday. Both of my screwdriver antennas are legal-limit capable Tarheels. They are unquestionably the best, but are now $1,245! The one on the hill is 12 years old, and the one on the fence is 8 years old...both with no issues.

    73, Bob K7JQ
     
  3. VA3RTG

    VA3RTG Ham Member QRZ Page

    You got me there Dave!

    What I should have said is something like ......that with a Windows box (available cheap second hand, or sometimes occasionally free on the curb)......

    From what I understand, the reason Peanut isn't available for iOS users as it's considered experimental software and therefore not allowed in the app store.

    I did a quick check however and there does seem to be versions of EchoLink available for Apple users. Thanks for bringing that consideration to my attention.

    You raised a good point, and I'm happy to see VoIP options for other platforms.

    BTW, I'm an N1MM guy (and not familiar with what you use). N1MM isn't the easiest program to use, but I couldn't imagine using anything else to send QTC's back to a European station during the WAE RTTY contest! ;)

    73,
    Rob
     
    W7DGJ likes this.
  4. N4CRV

    N4CRV XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    I'll definitely take the "young newcomer" as a compliment. LOL

    As a newcomer to the amateur radio world (had my callsign a whopping two weeks), I already knew a home setup was going to be a few bucks. The only issue I'm facing right now is getting my wife to let me to put up an antenna. On a "lesser" note, I also know a good mobile setup is probably going to cost a few hundred dollars, which I'm researching now.
     
    W7DGJ likes this.
  5. W7DGJ

    W7DGJ Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    Hi Lee - Yes, wives are a problem when it comes to antennas. Just know that it doesn't cost much to put up a wire antenna and that they can be almost invisible at times. Coax can go through a window device such as MFJ sells. It's basically quite easy and inexpensive, and you can cut a wire antenna to have super low SWR at your favored frequency. Dave, W7DGJ
     
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  6. KE4D

    KE4D Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    I have been licensed for 50 years. This kind of behavior was just as prevalent in 1974 as it is in 2024. The difference is we didn't have social media back then. One needs to be a bit thick skinned and learn to ignore the jerks. I see the same behavior on some groups I belong to with my EV and also my 3d printer. ITs just the way folks are.
     
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  7. KW4H

    KW4H QRZ Lifetime Member #572 Platinum Subscriber Life Member QRZ Page

    I agree with @KE4D. I've also been licensed for 50 years (scary!), and nothing has improved with human nature in all those decades. In fact, social media may have made things worse. Also, it may be worth pointing out that there's no FCC requirement to be an honest or nice person, or have a head on your shoulders. That being said, I think ham radio (for the most part) is populated with genuinely nice and honest people -- the bad eggs are few and far between. As far as the cost of gear goes, it was even more expensive in 1974. As a teenager then, I delivered newspapers for income and it cost me $79.95 for a DX-60B, and $51.95 for the power supply. That $131.90 is the equivalent of $840 in 2024 dollars -- and that was just for a transmitter and its power supply. Today, you can buy a brand new IC-718 transceiver for about that price, which is a whole lot more ham radio for the money. But, if you're sharp with a soldering iron, you could do a QRP Labs QMX+ for $125 -- which is the equivalent of $19 in 1974 dollars. And I guarantee you there weren't any $19 transceivers back then.

    73 - Steve, KW4H
     
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  8. N5OLA

    N5OLA Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Regarding pricey gear, I try to steer HF newcomers to older hybrid gear like the Kenwood TS-520. That way they get a taste of "the way things were" with an affordable 100W rig that's easy to operate. Yes, these rigs can have issues, which enables the newbie to experience the joys of troubleshooting and repair. I'm a Heathkit restorer, but those can be a little tricky for the newcomer. Better to start with factory-built. Anyway, love this discussion. 73
     
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  9. W7DGJ

    W7DGJ Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    Hi Will,

    Just a note to let you know that your shots of restoration are great. What a tremendous pleasure it must be to restore some of those classic rigs to your standards. Thanks for being here, Dave W7DGJ
     
    N5OLA likes this.
  10. W7DGJ

    W7DGJ Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    Steve, thanks for pointing out the difference in money between one year and another. As I thought about my "stretch" to buy the first station, it wasn't much different today than scraping together the money needed for a decent station. My choice was Heathkit at the time, and I almost burned the house down, but after my EE father got involved, it was smooth sailing and I've loved radio since then. Gripes about money always need to be examined closely for changes in currency value, even if it's only a decade in-between! Thanks for posting Steve. Dave, W7DGJ
     
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  11. W6KGP

    W6KGP XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    Hi Dave....GREAT ARTICLE and lively conversation too.
    73, Leo
     
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  12. W7DGJ

    W7DGJ Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    Thanks Leo! We should all know . . . what is the cool looking paddle you use in your posts? Dave
     
  13. KE4D

    KE4D Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Yep, my first station was a dx 60 and an HR10. I paid $100:for it used. I was making about 7k a year as a teacher back then. It was a lot of money at that time. Plenty of ised gear at reasonable prices now and the 718:brand new is still a price performer
     
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  14. PF3R

    PF3R Ham Member QRZ Page

    Good article honestly, relatable on various subjects. Would be nice for there to be more people in the hobby my age, although I thankfully have a few licensed friends.

    Not many young people being homeowners probably doesn't help either, considering in most apartments you're not able to easily setup HF antennas. (and that's including me ignoring if it's even allowed by your contract)
    I have a "less than ideal" setup on my balcony which works, thankfully my balcony is big enough to fit an antenna, but I can definitely see how if it were just a bit smaller it could've been quite discouraging.
     
    KR4EE likes this.
  15. N4CRV

    N4CRV XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    I attended our monthly radio meeting this past Monday and was honestly amazed at, not only the new people that were there, but that almost all of them had just received their technician license in the past 4 weeks. Some were my age, some older but most were younger.
     

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