INGO HAM Radio Club

[indysims]

I passed Technician and General today. It seemed weird testing on paper as compared to my computer screen. Waiting for my call sign now. My bucket list check mark is getting closer. I want to talk to the ISS.

I passed tech and missed general by 3 questions. It was a hail Mary, but I took a shot out of efficiency of already being there.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I passed tech and missed general by 3 questions. It was a hail Mary, but I took a shot out of efficiency of already being there.

I failed general on 3 tries my first sitting. (dedicated).

My flash card software didnt even touch on vac tubes. Yet I got almost all the vac questions on the 3 exams I was given. I was pissed. Not only for having so many questions on outdated tech, but the fact that my software didnt even touch them (random selection) .

Scratch that, I now recall the cards had ONE question about plate tuning control. And of course that one wasnt on any of the 3 tests.

So getting all those wrong made it so that I had to score a perfect otherwise.

I sat for a second exam after studying ALL the vac questions and passed the first time. And it was a blessing in disguise. I ended up meeting up with an old coworker from my early 20s that I lost touch with. He was a VE and recognized my name. So we got to catch up a bit after losing touch for like 20 years.

Good luck next time.

 

[indysims]

I don't have any HF plans in the short term so I'm just going to play in the 2M/440 bands and explore the hobby and see how it fits in my life. If I get intrigued and want to start looking into HF I'll get back in and get that General Exam knocked out.

 

[cb46184]

I passed Technician and General today. It seemed weird testing on paper as compared to my computer screen. Waiting for my call sign now. My bucket list check mark is getting closer. I want to talk to the ISS.

I made contact with the ISS back in July 2010 When Colonel Wheelock was commander. He operated almost every pass. I was using a Kenwood handheld and was absolutely blown away when he heard me. I got to meet him at the Dayton Hamvention and he signed my QSL card! To bad we haven't had much interest from recent crew members ( at least not that I've heard of) I haven't been operating the sats any for the last few years.

 

[M4Madness]

I passed Technician and General today. It seemed weird testing on paper as compared to my computer screen. Waiting for my call sign now. My bucket list check mark is getting closer. I want to talk to the ISS.

Congratulations!

 

[M4Madness]

I don't have any HF plans in the short term so I'm just going to play in the 2M/440 bands and explore the hobby and see how it fits in my life. If I get intrigued and want to start looking into HF I'll get back in and get that General Exam knocked out.

Congratulations on passing Technician. Keep studying for General while the material is still fresh in memory.

I have a nice base radio and power supply, but have been waiting on nice weather to string up a dipole. In the meantime, I have 80+ repeaters within a 50-mile radius stored in my handheld radio and have been listening to a little traffic on them, as well as participating in a couple of local net check-ins.

 

[OurDee]

I got my call sign today!

 

[Smitty506th]

 

[fullmetaljesus]

C

I got my call sign today!

Congratulations!! Get on the air!

 

[OurDee]

C

Congratulations!! Get on the air!

workin on it boss

 

[Cameramonkey]

workin on it boss

There are two nets every week to try your hand.

Mondays: CERT net.
MONDAY NIGHT CERT Weekly Net Check-in is tonight (mondays) at 7:15 pm on K9LPW 146.760 repeater with a pl tone of 151.4, for passing formal or informal traffic, testing our equipment, practicing our operating skills, and learning how to properly check into a net. Exchange news and information while also practicing social distancing. (its for CERT members, but Im sure they wouldnt mind you joining. Its very informal.)

Wednesdays ARES net.
The Marion County ARES Net meets every Wednesday @ 7:30 PM on the 146.700MHz repeater, no tone.
If you dont hear it there, try 147.210. They moved there temporarily, but I dont know if they have moved back to .700 yet. (I havent joined either net in months)

 

[OurDee]

I have a little "beenfoul" radio. I have programmed it to try and listen to repeaters and was talking to Mr. Rinehart on land line. He suggested a couple of radios for me to consider. I looked into them a little and unfortunately they are price prohibitive for me this year with honey doo expenses. He mentioned 52 simplex while running through a lot of good suggestions. I took notes as fast as I could. I had no clue what 52 simplex was. It appears to be what I want to get involved with. I looked at quad band and dual band mobile receivers and there it was. A YAESU FT2980R. It only does 2 meter and can run out to 80 watts. I want to start simple and get tuned into one band. I ordered one and a car antenna. Specs on the antenna are:
Gain: 3.4 dB, 5/8 wave.
Power: 100 watts.
15 foot coax, PL-259 connector installed.
Magnetic mount holds to 75 mph.
2-meter black chrome.

Looks like I'll be CQ QRW 146.520. I'll need to do some listening for clues on talking right. I am looking at making a J pole antenna for a little project. Found this great explanation of how Js work: Hope to be checking in in the next couple of weeks. What power level is suggested for a first attempt at checking in.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

I have a little "beenfoul" radio. I have programmed it to try and listen to repeaters and was talking to Mr. Rinehart on land line. He suggested a couple of radios for me to consider. I looked into them a little and unfortunately they are price prohibitive for me this year with honey doo expenses. He mentioned 52 simplex while running through a lot of good suggestions. I took notes as fast as I could. I had no clue what 52 simplex was. It appears to be what I want to get involved with. I looked at quad band and dual band mobile receivers and there it was. A YAESU FT2980R. It only does 2 meter and can run out to 80 watts. I want to start simple and get tuned into one band. I ordered one and a car antenna. Specs on the antenna are:
Gain: 3.4 dB, 5/8 wave.
Power: 100 watts.
15 foot coax, PL-259 connector installed.
Magnetic mount holds to 75 mph.
2-meter black chrome.

Looks like I'll be CQ QRW 146.520. I'll need to do some listening for clues on talking right. I am looking at making a J pole antenna for a little project. Found this great explanation of how Js work: Hope to be checking in in the next couple of weeks. What power level is suggested for a first attempt at checking in.

He was prob talking about running simplex on 146.52

Think of it as being similar to channel 19 on cb band. 146.52 is the national calling frequency on 2m

 

[OurDee]

He was prob talking about running simplex on 146.52

Think of it as being similar to channel 19 on cb band. 146.52 is the national calling frequency on 2m

I've searched it quite a bit online. Sounds like a fun channel to monitor on trips. Also sounds like contacts will be dependent on local attitudes. The 2 meter will let me get my feet into the pool. I like the idea of playing on simplex while getting used to repeaters and learning the ropes.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I've searched it quite a bit online. Sounds like a fun channel to monitor on trips. Also sounds like contacts will be dependent on local attitudes. The 2 meter will let me get my feet into the pool. I like the idea of playing on simplex while getting used to repeaters and learning the ropes.

Tune in and listen to one of the nets I listed upthread. listening to a couple will give you a feel for how its done. I just sat in and listened to a couple before I joined the fray. The CERT net is especially laid back. They have little old ladies on that net checking in. LOL One of them that I have met is sweet as can be, but I envision her holding her HT up to her face with two hands.

And now that you have "a voice" take some time to become a trained weather spotter. This year the training sessions are extra easy because they are all virtual.

Upcoming Central Indiana Spotter Training Sessions (1 Session Left)

www.weather.gov

 

[fullmetaljesus]

Tune in and listen to one of the nets I listed upthread. listening to a couple will give you a feel for how its done. I just sat in and listened to a couple before I joined the fray. The CERT net is especially laid back. They have little old ladies on that net checking in. LOL One of them that I have met is sweet as can be, but I envision her holding her HT up to her face with two hands.

And now that you have "a voice" take some time to become a trained weather spotter. This year the training sessions are extra easy because they are all virtual.

Upcoming Central Indiana Spotter Training Sessions (1 Session Left)

www.weather.gov

Def do the class. And consider joining your local ares net. It's one of the reasons we have hams.

 

[PistolBob]

146.520 Mhz is not a channel. It's a frequency. We only have channels in amateur radio on 60m. Your radio and antenna is a great combo....do some listening and you'll see how it is done. Welcome to the bands!

 

[M4Madness]

I have a little "beenfoul" radio. I have programmed it to try and listen to repeaters and was talking to Mr. Rinehart on land line. He suggested a couple of radios for me to consider. I looked into them a little and unfortunately they are price prohibitive for me this year with honey doo expenses. He mentioned 52 simplex while running through a lot of good suggestions. I took notes as fast as I could. I had no clue what 52 simplex was. It appears to be what I want to get involved with. I looked at quad band and dual band mobile receivers and there it was. A YAESU FT2980R. It only does 2 meter and can run out to 80 watts. I want to start simple and get tuned into one band. I ordered one and a car antenna. Specs on the antenna are:
Gain: 3.4 dB, 5/8 wave.
Power: 100 watts.
15 foot coax, PL-259 connector What power level is suggested for a first attempt at checking in.

What power level is suggested for a first attempt at checking in.

I have a 5-watt Yaesu handheld with which I can consistently hit a repeater 47.5 miles from my home.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

I have a 5-watt Yaesu handheld with which I can consistently hit a repeater 47.5 miles from my home.

How high and what gain on your antenna?

 

[OurDee]

I have radios, but am short on antennas so far. I'm working on it. In the mean time I am taking the Spotter Training Session tomorrow: https://www.weather.gov/ind/spotter_talks .