inquiry from a newb
I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license.
However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Any insights you can share will be greatly appreciated. Steve |
inquiry from a newb
Steve wrote:
I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Any insights you can share will be greatly appreciated. ================================= Suggest you have a look at http://www.hamlan.org/tech/tech.htm. 20m loaded mini-dipole by IK2BCP (length 1.75 metres or 5 3/4 feet) This is an antenna for QRP (low power ) operation , but by using thicker wire for the coils it will be suitable for higher RF power. Results with this antenna are positively surprising. Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH |
inquiry from a newb
Steve wrote in news:1188949229.874112.302240
@o80g2000hse.googlegroups.com: I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Yo Steve! March right off and get that license. For VHF and UHF, there are repeaters to use, And I assume that Brooklyn and the surrounds has no shortage of them. I don't know hown many are private, but there has to be some public ones. As for HF, there are options even there. I talk to Hams from Brooklyn and thereabouts on even 75/80 meters. There may even be clubs that have club stations located outside the city. Keeping in mind that if they have folks to Elmer you , you can get in a little HF work under a control Op. - 73 de Mike KB3EIA - |
inquiry from a newb
Highland Ham wrote in
: Steve wrote: I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Any insights you can share will be greatly appreciated. ================================= Suggest you have a look at http://www.hamlan.org/tech/tech.htm. 20m loaded mini-dipole by IK2BCP (length 1.75 metres or 5 3/4 feet) This is an antenna for QRP (low power ) operation , but by using thicker wire for the coils it will be suitable for higher RF power. Results with this antenna are positively surprising. Absolutely. Sometimes we get so caught up in big balls antennas that we discount the little ones. .... Gaw, did I actually say that? ;^) Point is, if you can't put up a 40 meter beam, don't let it keep you from putting up a modest antenna. - 73 de Mike KB3EIA - |
inquiry from a newb
"Mike Coslo" wrote in message 36... Steve wrote in news:1188949229.874112.302240 @o80g2000hse.googlegroups.com: I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Yo Steve! March right off and get that license. For VHF and UHF, there are repeaters to use, And I assume that Brooklyn and the surrounds has no shortage of them. I don't know hown many are private, but there has to be some public ones. As for HF, there are options even there. I talk to Hams from Brooklyn and thereabouts on even 75/80 meters. There may even be clubs that have club stations located outside the city. Keeping in mind that if they have folks to Elmer you , you can get in a little HF work under a control Op. - 73 de Mike KB3EIA - Have worked a ton of Brooklyn hams from here in northeast Montana. I am sure a lot of them are in the same boat as you for antennas. If you can find a club or group, get involved with them. There will be folks who can give you lots of advice. Jump in, get your feet wet and enjoy. Sam - K7SAM |
inquiry from a newb
Hi Steve
Keep in mind that there are many many facets to amateur radio, not all needing large or even effective antennas. You mentioned handhelds. Some people use these through very simple directive antennas for satellite access. If you are into keyboarding, PSK31 around the world a simple antenna on 20m and 10-20W will do it. You can disguise it, tune a rain gutter or even make a loaded device only a few feet long. Don't be afraid either, to go for a drive out into the country and setup on top of a hill. Go into the hobby wherever it interests you. Just moderate your antenna size/shape/location accordingly. Cheers Bob W5/VK2YQA Steve wrote: I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Any insights you can share will be greatly appreciated. Steve |
inquiry from a newb
I might ask how much room do you have - indoors,attic, outdoors, rooftop, etc.? Don't assume you need an acre for a decent antenna. Let us know how much area you have to work with & we can make suggestions. Terry W8EJO I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Any insights you can share will be greatly appreciated. Steve |
inquiry from a newb
I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Any insights you can share will be greatly appreciated. Steve You can go HF mobile - a friend has worked over 150 countries while mobile. mobile antennas at url http://ac6v.com/antdealer.htm#MOBILE STEALTH ANTENNAS AT URL: http://ac6v.com/antdealer.htm#STEALTH LAMONT |
inquiry from a newb
I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Any insights you can share will be greatly appreciated. Steve IN ADDITION TO MOBILE AND STEALTH -- AS A LICENSED AMATEUR - YOU CAN TALK TO HAMS ALL OVER THE WORLD USING ECHOLINK -- USING YOUR COMPUTER AND THE INTERNET http://www.echolink.org/el/ Or IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) with a hand held http://www.eham.net/newham/irlp Lamont |
inquiry from a newb
IN ADDITION TO MOBILE AND STEALTH -- AS A LICENSED AMATEUR - YOU CAN
TALK TO HAMS ALL OVER THE WORLD USING ECHOLINK -- USING YOUR COMPUTER AND THE INTERNET http://www.echolink.org/el/ Or IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) with a hand held http://www.eham.net/newham/irlp ============================ True ,but that has nothing to do with amateur RADIO. This NG is mostly about amateur RADIO antennas. In spite of all the conveniences of Internet linking ,let's focus on the RADIO aspects of the hobby ,even at/from locations where the installation of 'run-of-the-mill' antennas is a problem or outright impossible Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH |
inquiry from a newb
On Sep 5, 3:28 pm, Harry7 wrote:
I might ask how much room do you have - indoors,attic, outdoors, rooftop, etc.? Don't assume you need an acre for a decent antenna. Let us know how much area you have to work with & we can make suggestions. Terry W8EJO I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Any insights you can share will be greatly appreciated. Steve- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I live in the top story of an old Victorian house. So, I'm relatively high up, and there's a big, sturdy fire escape at the rear of the house. There's also a modest backyard that I have access to, but with the exception of a small, receive-only loop antenna, I've had bad luck putting antennas back there. Eventually I might be able to arrange an antenna on the roof of the house, so long as it's not too big and noticeable. However, I think any antenna I use though will require a balanced design because my grounding options are severly limited. Maybe a small transmitting loop would be a good choice? |
inquiry from a newb
Steve wrote:
On Sep 5, 3:28 pm, Harry7 wrote: I might ask how much room do you have - indoors,attic, outdoors, rooftop, etc.? Don't assume you need an acre for a decent antenna. Let us know how much area you have to work with & we can make suggestions. Terry W8EJO I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Any insights you can share will be greatly appreciated. Steve- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I live in the top story of an old Victorian house. So, I'm relatively high up, and there's a big, sturdy fire escape at the rear of the house. There's also a modest backyard that I have access to, but with the exception of a small, receive-only loop antenna, I've had bad luck putting antennas back there. Eventually I might be able to arrange an antenna on the roof of the house, so long as it's not too big and noticeable. However, I think any antenna I use though will require a balanced design because my grounding options are severly limited. Maybe a small transmitting loop would be a good choice? You might want to try a magnetic loop -- it's 3 ft in diameter and thousands of apartment dwelling hams are on the air with them and having fun. Irv VE6BP |
inquiry from a newb
Steve wrote:
I live in the top story of an old Victorian house. So, I'm relatively high up, and there's a big, sturdy fire escape at the rear of the house. There's also a modest backyard that I have access to, but with the exception of a small, receive-only loop antenna, I've had bad luck putting antennas back there. Eventually I might be able to arrange an antenna on the roof of the house, so long as it's not too big and noticeable. However, I think any antenna I use though will require a balanced design because my grounding options are severly limited. Maybe a small transmitting loop would be a good choice? Steve, You are right on the balanced antenna, there is no way you can have an RF earth from your height. I live in a first floor apartment and have a fan dipole (80m to 6m) in the attic fed via a balun and then co-ax to the rig. There are details on my website. Charlie. -- M0WYM www.radiowymsey.org |
inquiry from a newb
On Sep 6, 8:36 pm, Steve wrote:
On Sep 5, 3:28 pm, Harry7 wrote: I might ask how much room do you have - indoors,attic, outdoors, rooftop, etc.? Don't assume you need an acre for a decent antenna. Let us know how much area you have to work with & we can make suggestions. Terry W8EJO I've been a SWLer for years and am considering getting a ham license. However, I live in an urban area (Brooklyn) and wonder just how effectively I can transmit from here. Big outdoor antennas and ground radials are out of the question. Obviously I'd be starting out on VHF and UHF frequencies, perhaps with only a modest handheld transceiver. Handhelds look pretty puny, but is this appearance deceptive? Would one allow me to talk to lots of people and learn from them? Any insights you can share will be greatly appreciated. Steve- Hide quoted text - You might try a horizontal loop around the perimeter of the top floor of your building. feed it anywhere along the circumferencewith open wire & a tuner & youll have a decent all band antenna (also relatively quiet). - Show quoted text - I live in the top story of an old Victorian house. So, I'm relatively high up, and there's a big, sturdy fire escape at the rear of the house. There's also a modest backyard that I have access to, but with the exception of a small, receive-only loop antenna, I've had bad luck putting antennas back there. Eventually I might be able to arrange an antenna on the roof of the house, so long as it's not too big and noticeable. However, I think any antenna I use though will require a balanced design because my grounding options are severly limited. Maybe a small transmitting loop would be a good choice?- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - |
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