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.
The MiniShack Conversion Begins
Archives for May 2016
To Learn CW or Not to Learn CW
So…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.
Elecraft KX3 Kit Arrived!!!
YAY!! 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..
Icom IC-7200
Content coming soon!
Yaesu VX-6R
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.
From Civilian to Extra Class Ham Operator in One Fell Swoop using Hamtestonline.com
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.
Who I am
Boredom 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.
Review Criteria
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