This is the perfect portable antenna for me. Apparently, I’m hard on antennas. I’ve managed to break my BuddiPole. I’ve fixed it, but I need something more robust. So, I started looking for something that could take a beating, is light, easily configurable, and can handle watt ranges from QRP to at least 100 watts. After much searching and research, I settled on the CHA TD Lite system from Chameleon Antennas.
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.
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.
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