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K5HH

work, ham, sleep, repeat

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Archives for May 2016

The MiniShack Conversion Begins

May 3, 2016 by jdviz Leave a Comment

My mini Marisol

My mini Marisol

This is the ‘Before’ pic of my car. I took this pic last July, and will take new ones as the MiniShack takes shape.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Equipment, Featured, Ham Shack, The MiniShack, Uncategorized Tagged With: Antenna, Equipment, Mobile

To Learn CW or Not to Learn CW

May 3, 2016 by jdviz Leave a Comment

electronic-telegraph-key-1543748So…in order to become licensed Ham Radio Operators, the FCC does not require us to know Morse Code (CW) anymore. I must admit, once I found out that they USED to require it, I felt a bit cheap by comparison to the old (I use that term loosely) guys & gals.

However, did that bother me enough to go through the trouble of learning CW? Well, not really…

Aaaaannnnnd, THIS is where irony smacks me in the head. I then fall down a YouTube rabbit hole watching hams have great fun at LONG distances, on very low power levels, only using CW. Making connections off Aurora Borealis, the Moon, asteroids, and the occasional low flying birds. Now, I’m interested, which brings up the ole question, am I interested enough to go through the above said trouble?

Well, apparently so.

Now, I’m learning CW with a computer app, just bought an Elecraft KX3 and have signed up for a course on CW Academy. Back down the rabbit hole… This one of my own making.

I’ll keep this site posted as to my progress, and any helpful tips I find along the way.

Filed Under: Education, Featured, Ham Radio, Uncategorized Tagged With: CW, Education, Morse Code

Elecraft KX3 Kit Arrived!!!

May 3, 2016 by jdviz Leave a Comment

IMG_0990YAY!! It’s HERE after an INTERMINABLE wait of 5 WHOLE days!!!

I’ll start putting it together  SOON!

Until then I’ll at least unpack the box..

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Equipment, Featured, Ham Shack, Uncategorized Tagged With: Equipment, KX3, QRP, Radio, Transceiver, Unboxing

Icom IC-7200

May 3, 2016 by jdviz Leave a Comment

Content coming soon!

Filed Under: Equipment, Ham Shack, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: Desktop, Equipment, Radio, Review, Transceiver

Yaesu VX-6R

May 3, 2016 by jdviz 2 Comments

I absolutely LOVE this little radio!  It is my first ham radio, and is what I used to make my first ever ham radio QSO with KD5LQD. If for no other reason that that, it has secured a soft spot in my heart forever.

However, there are plenty of other reasons to love this little guy. Little though it may be, it is absolutely packed with features and abilities. I’m using the Diamond NR770HNMO antenna on my car, and I did upgrade the rubber ducky (you’re the one) to the Diamond SRH320A.

On to the review.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Equipment, Featured, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: Equipment, HT, Radio, Review, Transceiver, VX-6R

From Civilian to Extra Class Ham Operator in One Fell Swoop using Hamtestonline.com

May 3, 2016 by jdviz Leave a Comment

hrto

HamRadioLicenceExam.com

I was searching for the best way to study for the exams. I’m usually a hands-on kinda guy so I prefer classroom environments to learn in, but didn’t see any local that were scheduled when I wanted to study. I did buy the ARRL books, but they looked like a LOT to slog though. In my online searching, HamTestOnline kept coming up so I checked them out. The reviews on eham.net were extremely favorable, so I tried out the first module for the technicians exam. Within a week I had bought the other two modules as I knew this was what I was looking for.

Following is my review.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Featured, Ham Radio, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: Education, Exams, JD, License, n00b, Review

Who I am

May 3, 2016 by jdviz Leave a Comment

1392785Boredom alert… I claim no responsibility if what follows makes you fall asleep and bang your head on your keyboard. Fair warning.

I’m a web designer/developer and 3D animator by trade. Besides that and ham radio, I like working out in my shop making things out of wood, taking pictures, shooting guns, learning to play the harmonica, and relearning how to play my guitar.

I have a very patient wife, 3 grown and outta-tha-house kids, and a Black Mouth Cur rescue by the name of Nella.

I’ve been interested in ham radio all my life, but only recently found myself in a position to do anything about it. I passed all three exams on April 9th, 2016, to earn my Extra license. Today, I got my final callsign, K5HH.

My intentions are to use this site to chronicle my ham endeavors as a nOOb so that it may be of use to other new hams, and maybe entice non-hams into the hobby.

So, welcome to K5HH.com, I hope you enjoy it.

Filed Under: Featured, Off Topic, Uncategorized Tagged With: JD, n00b

Review Criteria

May 3, 2016 by jdviz Leave a Comment

So, for the sake of consistency, I’m trying to come up with a standard set of review criteria for all my reviews. I’m thinking of a scale from 0-10 in the following. I’m sure this will change over time.

Equipment

  • Design
  • Workmanship
  • Sturdiness
  • Features
  • Ease of Use/Installation
  • Performance
  • Maintenance
  • Cost/Value
  • Overall Rating
  • Followup (after at least 6 months)

Books/Articles/Website/Training

  • Easy to read/understand
  • Interest Factor
  • Information
  • Relevance
  • Author Credibility

Service

  • Knowlege/Skill
  • Friendly
  • Thorough/Forthcoming
  • Aftermath/Follow-through
  • Cost/Value

Filed Under: Education, Equipment, Ham Radio, Uncategorized Tagged With: Review

The Fine Print

All Reviews and content on this site are my own opinions. I do not speak for any company, I am not affiliated with any company related to Amateur Radio, and I am not paid by anyone for my opinions, reviews, or content on this site. Everything I write here is true to the best of my knowledge, … which is limited at the moment. If you find an error, please bring it to my attention along with some proof, and I will correct it as soon as I receive it.

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