For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

A necessary preface.....

(It is becoming increasingly difficult to fly the flag for
decency and for civilised behaviour in Radio Hammery.
However, there still exists the fundamental basis on
which Ham Radio is based, and that will never die.

This FAQ ("What Is _REAL_ Ham Radio?") will
be regularly published and will not be shouted or bullied
down. It is important that those of a technical bent, who
are the natural seed-corn of Radio Hammery and who
gravitate towards us to be the real novitiate, can
still find us, (and know that we are still here), their fellows.)

-----ooooo-----

So,.....What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?

_REAL_ Ham Radio is a technical pursuit for those who
are interested in the science of radio wave
propagation and who are also interested in the
way that their radios function. It has a long-standing
tradition of providing a source of engineers who
are born naturals.

Ham Radio awakens in its aficionados a whole-life
fascination with all things technical and gives
an all-abiding curiosity to improve one's scientific
knowledge. It's a great swimming pool, please dive in!

This excitement causes a wish to share the experience
with ones fellow man, and shows itself in the
gentlemanly traditions of Ham Radio.

Radio Hams are in a unique privileged position in that
they can construct and operate their own equipment! No-one
else has this privilege. Users, such as broadcasters,
the po lice and armed farces, CBers and mobile phone
users have to purchase ready-made gear. Manufacturers
are not licensed to operate their gear. Radio Hams
are qualified to design, build and then
operate their own pieces of equipment. They do this
with gusto, and also repair and modify their own
equipment. This is a privilege well worth the effort
to gain, and one to be jealously guarded.

The excitement that drives a Radio Ham starts with
relatively simple technologies at first, perhaps making
his own Wimshurst machine and primary cells. Small pieces
of test equipment follow, possibly multimeters and signal
generators. Then comes receivers and transmitters. It is with
the latter that communication with like-minded technically
motivated people takes off. The scope for technical
development grows with the years and now encompasses DSP
and DDS. There is also a great deal
of excitement in the areas of computer programming to
be learnt and applied.

The technical excitement motivates Radio Hams to compete
with each other to determine who has designed and manufactured
the best-quality station. This competitiveness is found in DXing,
competitions and fox-hunts.

-----OOOOO----

However, beware! A Ham Radio licence is such a
desirable thing to have that there are large
numbers of people who wish to be thought of
as Radio Hams when, in fact, they are nothing
of the kind! Usually such people are a
variation of the CB Radio hobbyist; they buy their
radios off the shelf and send them back to be
repaired; they are not interested in technical discussion
and sneer at those who are; they have no idea how
their radios work inside and have no wish to find out;
they are free with rather silly personal insults.


-----ooooo-----

One infallible way to disambiguate the CB Radio Hobbyist
from the _REAL_ Radio Ham is to solicit their view of the
difference between CB Radio and Ham Radio. A Radio Ham will
perceive Ham Radio to be a technical pursuit and will
perceive CB Radio to be a social communications facility
no different in essence to a land-line telephone or a
GSM mobile in the hands of a 6-year-old. Thus a Radio Ham
could also hold a CB licence safe in the knowledge that
such a licence says no more about him than having a land-line
telephone, whilst continuing to regard Ham Radio as a separate
technical pursuit.

A CB Radio hobbyist, on the other hand, sees no difference between
a Ham Radio licence and a CB Radio licence. To him, they are
sisters-under-the-skin. Wrongly, the CB Radio Hobbyist then
tries to classify himself as the equal of the Radio
Ham when, in fact, he is nothing of the kind.

Ham Radio is not CB Radio and has no common ground with it!
Ham Radio is _THE_ technical pursuit for gentlemen; CB Radio
is the name for the operating hobby for those who buy their
rigs and equipment off the shelf.

-----ooooo-----

If you are the sort of person who is motivated by
a technical interest in how things work; if you took apart
malfunctioning clocks, toasters and the like and put them
right despite never having seen them working, then
a Ham Radio licence is your traditional route! There has
never been a shortage of such people, and those who gravitate
towards such an interest have always been welcomed into
our shacks and their interests fostered. There is not today,
nor has there ever been, a need to go out and encourage
and press children, children who have never expressed an
interest in Ham Radio, to come into our shacks. Such an
activity should cause eyebrows to be raised - what
normal well-adjusted adults seek the social acquaintance
of children?!

-----ooooo-----

Please remember that this FAQ is a _POSITIVE EXHORTATION_
to you to exert yourselves to join our fraternity!

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Unfortunately, NO ONE builds Wimhurst Machines as a prelude
to becoming a ham these days. Maybe 80 years ago, but times
change. So does technology. Times change, hobbies change.

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

It is CB that is the "hobby". Ham radio is a technical pursuit,
a whole-life pre-occupation.

Technology changes, but it is still the essence of Radio Hams to
remain interested in and be motivated by technology.

"Uncle Peter" wrote in message
...
Unfortunately, NO ONE builds Wimhurst Machines as a prelude
to becoming a ham these days. Maybe 80 years ago, but times
change. So does technology. Times change, hobbies change.

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

"Uncle Peter" wrote in message
...
Unfortunately, NO ONE builds Wimhurst Machines as a prelude
to becoming a ham these days. Maybe 80 years ago, but times
change. So does technology. Times change, hobbies change.

Well, maybe not a "prelude" but one of our local M3s (now an M0 one, of the
many that have moved through the system) built a Wimshurst Machine and some
other such beasts.

--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Brian Reay wrote:

one of our local M3s (now an M0 one, of the
many that have moved through the system)


Still waiting on the RSGB publishing those figures to prove that....
Anything else is just pure speculation and conjecture.


--
ARRL membership = $39 (~£20)
RSGB membership = £44

Don't let them rip you off any more.
Do the right thing, resign from the RSGB today.

The RSGB said Radio Amateurs were a threat to national security!
Is this the type of organisation you want to represent you?

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

On Mar 24, 6:30?am, "G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote:
A necessary preface.....

(It is becoming increasingly difficult to fly the flag for
decency and for civilised behaviour in Radio Hammery.
However, there still exists the fundamental basis on
which Ham Radio is based, and that will never die.

This FAQ ("What Is _REAL_ Ham Radio?") will
be regularly published and will not be shouted or bullied
down. It is important that those of a technical bent, who
are the natural seed-corn of Radio Hammery and who
gravitate towards us to be the real novitiate, can
still find us, (and know that we are still here), their fellows.)

Evans, knock it off with this crossposting of pretentious
blabbering. Try confining it to uk.radio.amateur or maybe
rec.radio.amateur.misc. It doesn't belong in HOMEBREW
since it is nothing but YOUR OPINION...an opinion which
"we" have all heard for years with little variance in oratory.

If you are "serious" about this "FAQ" then go to the new
rec.radio.amateur.moderated and post. If you dare. :-(

AF6AY

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

"AF6AY" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 24, 6:30?am, "G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote:
A necessary preface.....

(It is becoming increasingly difficult to fly the flag for
decency and for civilised behaviour in Radio Hammery.
However, there still exists the fundamental basis on
which Ham Radio is based, and that will never die.

This FAQ ("What Is _REAL_ Ham Radio?") will
be regularly published and will not be shouted or bullied
down. It is important that those of a technical bent, who
are the natural seed-corn of Radio Hammery and who
gravitate towards us to be the real novitiate, can
still find us, (and know that we are still here), their fellows.)

Evans, knock it off with this crossposting of pretentious
blabbering. Try confining it to uk.radio.amateur or maybe
rec.radio.amateur.misc. It doesn't belong in HOMEBREW
since it is nothing but YOUR OPINION...an opinion which
"we" have all heard for years with little variance in oratory.

If you are "serious" about this "FAQ" then go to the new
rec.radio.amateur.moderated and post. If you dare. :-(

AF6AY



I doubt he could get it past the moderators. It is derogatory towards both
hams and CB operators.

Dee, N8UZE

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

know code wrote:

Still waiting on the RSGB publishing those figures to prove that....=20
Anything else is just pure speculation and conjecture.


tut tut tut..

dont you read the rsgb publications ?



"UK Foundation Ticket a Hit, RSGB President Says"
ref: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2002/06/13/2/

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

"Cheemag" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 15:12:08 -0400, "Dee Flint"
wrote:

I doubt he could get it past the moderators. It is derogatory towards
both
hams and CB operators.

And your description of CB-ers as "operators" is derogatory
towards amateur radio operators.

--

73, Jim, G4RGA

Only in your mind since you choose to view it that way. There are many fine
CB operators. However the service has been trashed by the noticeable few.
All must then suffer the insults engendered by the few.

Dee, N8UZE

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

On Mar 24, 11:12�am, "Dee Flint" wrote:
"AF6AY" wrote in message

oups.com...





On Mar 24, 6:30?am, "G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote:
A necessary preface.....

(It is becoming increasingly difficult to fly the flag for
decency and for civilised behaviour in Radio Hammery.
However, there still exists the fundamental basis on
which Ham Radio is based, and that will never die.

This FAQ ("What Is _REAL_ Ham Radio?") will
be regularly published and will not be shouted or bullied
down. It is important that those of a technical bent, who
are the natural seed-corn of Radio Hammery and who
gravitate towards us to be the real novitiate, can
still find us, (and know that we are still here), their fellows.)

* Evans, knock it off with this crossposting of pretentious
* blabbering. *Try confining it to uk.radio.amateur or maybe
* rec.radio.amateur.misc. *It doesn't belong in HOMEBREW
* since it is nothing but YOUR OPINION...an opinion which
* "we" have all heard for years with little variance in oratory.

* If you are "serious" about this "FAQ" then go to the new
* rec.radio.amateur.moderated and post. *If you dare. *:-(

* AF6AY

I doubt he could get it past the moderators. *It is derogatory towards both
hams and CB operators.

I agree, Dee.

...but, it was worth a shot... :-)

Maybe we can see more of Evans on "The Laughing Policeman?"
:-)

73, Len AF6AY [also ]

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

"pointyhead" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 15:01:12 GMT, "Brian Reay"
wrote:


The many? THE MANY?! Post the figures that disprove what we all know
the real truth is or give it a rest Judas.

So says the **person** wearing the yellow shirt at Blackpool

All he needed was the banana tree , he would be AT THE TOP

EVEN_BURDZ_HAVE_BRAINZ

Might even be of the 57 variety

;-))

DieSea

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

"Walt Davidson" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 18:04:17 -0400, "Dee Flint"
wrote:

There are many fine
CB operators. However the service has been trashed by the noticeable few.
All must then suffer the insults engendered by the few.

Indeed they must.

So what is your complaint?

73 de G3NYY

--
Walt Davidson Email: g3nyy @despammed.com

I'll have to ask you to read the entire thread for yourself. I've no reason
or need to repeat everything. However my complaint was that the original
article was derogatory towards both hams and CB operators.

Dee, N8UZE

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

On 25 Mar, 02:11, "Dee Flint" wrote:
I'll have to ask you to read the entire thread for yourself. I've no reason
or need to repeat everything. However my complaint was that the original
article was derogatory towards both hams and CB operators.

It would be difficult to find anybody that _hasn't_ been the target of
G4SDW's paranoid hatemail.

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

I can best deal with the Childish Broadcast (CB) of
the rather silly and infantile child below by re-iterating one of
the threads of the past few days....

"On a daily basis, this NG is a forum seemingly
for escapees from the school playground, with
gratuitous and offensive personal remarks
originating from even those who have not
been part of a conversation and who could have
no reason, other than uncontrolled infantile
emotions, for interjecting as they do.

Is such public and international demonstrations really
the way forward; the way for PR for the future
of Ham Radio. I say, "No!".

I cannot see how something that is a technical pursuit
with traditions of gentlemanly behaviour could
possibly give way to the childish sneering that is
typical of this NG."

"AF6AY" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 24, 6:30?am, "G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote:
A necessary preface.....

(It is becoming increasingly difficult to fly the flag for
decency and for civilised behaviour in Radio Hammery.
However, there still exists the fundamental basis on
which Ham Radio is based, and that will never die.

This FAQ ("What Is _REAL_ Ham Radio?") will
be regularly published and will not be shouted or bullied
down. It is important that those of a technical bent, who
are the natural seed-corn of Radio Hammery and who
gravitate towards us to be the real novitiate, can
still find us, (and know that we are still here), their fellows.)

Evans, knock it off with this crossposting of pretentious
blabbering. Try confining it to uk.radio.amateur or maybe
rec.radio.amateur.misc. It doesn't belong in HOMEBREW
since it is nothing but YOUR OPINION...an opinion which
"we" have all heard for years with little variance in oratory.

If you are "serious" about this "FAQ" then go to the new
rec.radio.amateur.moderated and post. If you dare. :-(

AF6AY

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

I disagree. it is very complimentary towards _REAL_ Radio
Hams. However, it if it is derogatory towards those
who are really no more than CBers-masquerading-as-Radio-Hams
(Possibly callsigns in the "N8" series fall into that category?)
then that is good.

Ham Radio is a technical pursuit for gentleman. Those who think
that they are Radio Hams but send their rigs back for repair are
"CBers-masquerading-as-Radio-Hams", no more, no less.

If you are one in that category, then I apologise that you were misled
into thinking that you are a Radio Ham by others who ought to
have known better. We have such others in Britland in the shape
of the RSCB, "The Radio Society for Citizens Band" an organisation
that provides premises for meetings of the British Citizens Band
Confederation.

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
. ..
I doubt he could get it past the moderators. It is derogatory towards
both hams and CB operators.

Dee, N8UZE

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

On 25 Mar, 11:29, "G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote:
Is such public and international demonstrations really
the way forward; the way for PR for the future
of Ham Radio. I say, "No!".

Here is G4SDW's idea of PR for the hobby: http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk.../10/91923.html

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Putting this into its correct perspective, this came about
as the result of a malicious and perjurous complaint made
by Brian Reay, M3OSN, and it is at Brian Reay's door
(and now also the RSCB's door) that any complaints of
Bad PR must be laid.

Brian Reay subjected me and my close family members to
a campaign of harassment wherein he published repeated
racially-aggravated pornographic emails to these NG. He
maintained this campaign over a period exceeding two years.
How his sick-minded obsession was ever relevant to Ham
Radio and to these NG has never been established.

Having put up with this for an extended peiod, I then discovered
that not only was Brian Reay a schoolteacher, but he was publishing
his sick racially-aggravated pornographic emails whilst under
training at a Girls' School.

I did no more than to assert the right of reply in defence when I
asserted that no-one with such a sick-minded history of
international publishing should be a school teacher UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

I hold to that view today.

Brian Reay's infantile response to having the tables turned on him
was to make a malicious and perjurous complaint to his fellow
w*nkmasons to allege that I was harassing him rather than the
oher way around which is obvious from the Google archive to
this day.

Mike Gathergood is well aware of these facts, but it must
be apparent to many of you from the way he hangs around
every posting of mine that he is also a sick-minded obsessive.
best ignored.

"Mike Gathergood, G4KFK" wrote in message
oups.com...
On 25 Mar, 11:29, "G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote:
Is such public and international demonstrations really
the way forward; the way for PR for the future
of Ham Radio. I say, "No!".

Here is G4SDW's idea of PR for the hobby:
http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk.../10/91923.html

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

I have not been able to establish the name and address of the
school in Strood, Kent, where he teaches.

I would be grateful if anyone can furnish this information,so
that I can make representations supported by evidence to
the governors to seek that Brian Reay be dismissed because
of his history of racially-aggravated pornographic publishing.

"G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote in message
...

I did no more than to assert the right of reply in defence when I
asserted that no-one with such a sick-minded history of
international publishing should be a school teacher UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

I hold to that view today.

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

G.A.Evans G4SDW wrote:

Ham Radio is a technical pursuit for gentleman. Those who think
that they are Radio Hams but send their rigs back for repair are
"CBers-masquerading-as-Radio-Hams", no more, no less.

But with today's microprocessor, DSP and firmware laiden transceivers,
would repair be both possible and cost-effective once the radio amateur
has purchased a SMD rework station and expensive test gear, etc, that
would only be used for the one repair, etc?

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

"Leigh" wrote in message
...

But with today's microprocessor, DSP and firmware laiden transceivers,
would repair be both possible and cost-effective once the radio amateur
has purchased a SMD rework station and expensive test gear, etc, that
would only be used for the one repair, etc?

I've done surface mount repairs and /or modifications in the past without a
SMD rework station so it can be done. I find it a bit more difficult now due
to poor dexterity in my hand but, while I'd not take on a repair for someone
else (in case it goes pear shaped), I'd probably have a try on some thing of
my own- unless it was very high in value. I've picked up one of those
illuminated magnifying lenses and, with practice, you can solder SMD stuff
while looking through that. The key thing, assuming you want to replace a
component, is to get it off the PCB without damaging the pads. For a
multi-legged beast, you can snip the legs and remove them one at a time. A
bit of heat on the body of the package will help if there is any glue under
it. Ball grid arrays are more of a problem.

As regards the DSP side, if that goes bad the repair is probably more
hardware related (ie a bad component) so the firmware doesn't really come
into it. I've not checked, but some of the DSP radios may well use one of
the "off the shelf" DSP devices that you can get the development environment
for. If so, you could write your own code- assuming you Know what you are
doing.


--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

Now your amateur licence is free, why not send at least £15 per year to
support the
Radio Communications Foundation or STELAR?

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

wrote in message
...
cost effective does not matter to these types

That is a bit unkind Mark. Not all amateurs can afford to scrap radios that,
in real terms, are beyond economic repair. Equally, "fixing it" is more fun
than buying a new one, or maybe paying someone else to fix it.

--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

Now your amateur licence is free, why not send at least £15 per year to
support the
Radio Communications Foundation or STELAR?

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Brian Reay wrote:

Comments noted Brian, especially when I think back to the repairs and
modifcations I used to do with analogue satellite receivers both for SAT
TV and ATV use. Just need a steady hand and fine tip and plenty of patience.

As regards the DSP side, if that goes bad the repair is probably more
hardware related (ie a bad component) so the firmware doesn't really come
into it. I've not checked, but some of the DSP radios may well use one of
the "off the shelf" DSP devices that you can get the development environment
for. If so, you could write your own code- assuming you Know what you are
doing.

Fortunately I prefer non-DSP radios and ones where I can effect a simple
repair - especially Icom 735 and Yaesu FT747 - simple and reliable sets
and very flexible and forgiving with non-fancy aerial systems unlike
some modern sets that 'freak out' when a high SWR is presented.

Thinking of adding DSP to the 747 sometime or maybe trying a PC based
real-time solution.

Leigh...

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

"Leigh" wrote in message
...
Brian Reay wrote:

Comments noted Brian, especially when I think back to the repairs and
modifcations I used to do with analogue satellite receivers both for SAT
TV and ATV use. Just need a steady hand and fine tip and plenty of
patience.

As regards the DSP side, if that goes bad the repair is probably more
hardware related (ie a bad component) so the firmware doesn't really come
into it. I've not checked, but some of the DSP radios may well use one
of the "off the shelf" DSP devices that you can get the development
environment for. If so, you could write your own code- assuming you Know
what you are doing.

Fortunately I prefer non-DSP radios and ones where I can effect a simple
repair - especially Icom 735 and Yaesu FT747 - simple and reliable sets
and very flexible and forgiving with non-fancy aerial systems unlike some
modern sets that 'freak out' when a high SWR is presented.


Will, the IC756ProIII is a dream and works fine with a simple end fed for
general HF use and a reduced size loaded dipole for 5MHz.

Thinking of adding DSP to the 747 sometime or maybe trying a PC based
real-time solution.

The SDR is a good place to start with this type of thing, there is a wealth
of material around and lots of people experimenting.

Personally, I like a radio with a proper front panel, with knobs you tweak,
switches you push etc.

--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

Now your amateur licence is free, why not send at least £15 per year to
support the
Radio Communications Foundation or STELAR?

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Expensive test gear?

Most useful is a magnifying glass to look for dry joints
I'd estimate that 90% of rigs given to me to repair
are resolved by optical examination followed by solder
re-flowing.

Soldering irons - to the bottom of one of your smaller bits,
attach a chocolate box connector (& remove the plastic
covering before it melts and fills the shack with toxic fumes!)

To the other half of the chocolate box connector, attach a
range of obscure "bits" of metal that you've fashioned to deal
with the various SMD shapes. Most Useful is an old Henley
"Solon" bit that has a slot filed in it to sit either side of an
SMD R or C.

"SMD rework station"??? Fashion from bits left over from
your Mecaano set - create an overarm with a spring loaded
plunger to bear down onto the component to prevent
tombstoning. Working end of plunger to be wooden, cocktail
stick or chopstick serves nicely. Sacrificial 'cos slowly
burns away. Only once had a problem with resins oozing
out from wood.

Come on, chaps, this is simple mechanical bodging, a trivial
matter for any self-respecting _REAL_ Radio Ham!
(Unless you fail to secure your PCB before rework,
it ain't "Rock It" Science :-) )

"Only used for the one repair"??? Is that a CBer talking? Surely
the essence of _REAL_ Ham Radio is that you're using this
type of equipment all the time? (Not true for a CBer-masquerading-
as-a-Radio-Ham, though!)

"today's microprocessor, DSP and firmware laiden transceivers"? All
_REAL_ Radio Hams thrive on how thing work and how to modify
them!

Indeed, if you're a _REAL_ Radio Ham, then your transceiver will
have been designed, constructed and modified by you, so the
" microprocessor, DSP and firmware" will be your design anyway and
therefore not a problem.

"laiden"????? ITYM "laden". I'd advise you not to seek a job in education
because of that!

"Leigh" wrote in message
...
G.A.Evans G4SDW wrote:

Ham Radio is a technical pursuit for gentleman. Those who think
that they are Radio Hams but send their rigs back for repair are
"CBers-masquerading-as-Radio-Hams", no more, no less.

But with today's microprocessor, DSP and firmware laiden transceivers,
would repair be both possible and cost-effective once the radio amateur
has purchased a SMD rework station and expensive test gear, etc, that
would only be used for the one repair, etc?

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

There's that vacuous sneering about "Big K" again,
slipped in on the penultimate line!

You really are a stupid boy, Brian, and your ongoing public
display of playground behaviour continues to render you
unsuitable to be employed in a school IN ANY CAPACITY.

I have no doubt that your KS3 pupils whom you invoke
time and time again show a greater degree of maturity than
do you.

Grow up, OM.

"Brian Reay" wrote in message
...

As regards the DSP side, if that goes bad the repair is probably more
hardware related (ie a bad component) so the firmware doesn't really come
into it. I've not checked, but some of the DSP radios may well use one of
the "off the shelf" DSP devices that you can get the development
environment for. If so, you could write your own code- assuming you Know
what you are doing.

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Repeated 'cos circulation list was sabotaged!

"G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote in message
...
I can best deal with the Childish Broadcast (CB) of
the rather silly and infantile child below by re-iterating one of
the threads of the past few days....

"On a daily basis, this NG is a forum seemingly
for escapees from the school playground, with
gratuitous and offensive personal remarks
originating from even those who have not
been part of a conversation and who could have
no reason, other than uncontrolled infantile
emotions, for interjecting as they do.

Is such public and international demonstrations really
the way forward; the way for PR for the future
of Ham Radio. I say, "No!".

I cannot see how something that is a technical pursuit
with traditions of gentlemanly behaviour could
possibly give way to the childish sneering that is
typical of this NG."


"AF6AY" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Mar 25, 2:29?am, "G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote:
I can best deal with the Childish Broadcast (CB) of
the rather silly and infantile child below by re-iterating one of
the threads of the past few days....

Knock it off, Evans. You made your point a couple years
ago yet you keep on repeating it in RRAH. Okay, you GOT
ATTENTION. It is a lot less painful than getting a boot in
the face from a bobby while you were being placed under
arrest...as you were in the past.

Len Anderson AF6AY



ex-RA16408336, SSgt USA (1952-1960)

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Au contraire! HOMEBREW is possibly the last
bastion of _REAL_ Ham Radio to be found
anywhere on Usenet, and therefore the place
to which intending like-minders will turn.

Therefore, rec.radio.amateur.homebrew is the
IDEAL newsgroup to which the FAQ should not
only be posted, but regularly so!

"AF6AY" wrote in message
oups.com...
Try confining it to uk.radio.amateur or maybe
rec.radio.amateur.misc. It doesn't belong in HOMEBREW

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Putting this into its correct perspective, this came about
as the result of a malicious and perjurous complaint made
by Brian Reay, G8OSN, M3OSN, and it is at Brian Reay's door
(and now also the RSCB's door) that any complaints of
Bad PR must be laid.

Brian Reay subjected me and my close family members to
a campaign of harassment wherein he published repeated
racially-aggravated pornographic emails to these NG. He
maintained this campaign over a period exceeding two years.
How his sick-minded obsession was ever relevant to Ham
Radio and to these NG, or how it was ever in response
to anything that I had posted, has never been established.

Having put up with this for an extended peiod, I then discovered
that not only was Brian Reay a schoolteacher, but he was publishing
his sick racially-aggravated pornographic emails whilst under
training at a Girls' School.

I did no more than to assert the right of reply in defence when I
asserted that no-one with such a sick-minded history of
international publishing should be a school teacher UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

I hold to that view today.

Brian Reay's infantile response to having the tables turned on him
was to make a malicious and perjurous complaint to his fellow
w*nkmasons to allege that I was harassing him rather than the
oher way around which is obvious from the Google archive to
this day.

Indeed, in the months leading up to his orchestration of my
arrest, Brian Reay chortled on several occasions that he was
deliberately provoking me.

"AF6AY" wrote in message
ups.com...

It is a lot less painful than getting a boot in
the face from a bobby while you were being placed under
arrest...as you were in the past.

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

"G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote:

A necessary preface.....

snip

While I agree with some of what you say about slipping standards,
nevertheless numbers are shrinking and new blood must be encouraged into
the hobby/pastime/service/pursuit, etc, else we will be gradually
whittled away like the dodo until the bands are so empty that
governments will gleefully sell off our slices of the RF spectrum.

Admittedly, some of this new blood might not be of the 'quality' of some
of the old, but among the new intake there are individuals with plenty
of enthusiasm, curiosity, inventiveness and manners to make up for the
minority that might dismay some of the old guard.

I've a feeling that some / most of the coarser new licencees will not
have the staying power and we will not hear of them after a couple of
years.

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

I disagree totally.

There is not now, nor there has there ever been, a need,
desperate or otherwise, to get "new blood".

There are more licensees today than there were in the late 70's
just prior to the influx of CB hobbyist operators.

If the "new blood" propaganda is allowed to develop, we will
end up with a Mongolian Horde of non-techical turnip-brains,
the perception of which by govt agencies will result in a faster
regulation of the technical freedoms we enjoy.

It is far, far better to proceed with technical seed-corn and to
retain our technical privileges, even with reduced numbers.

"Bob" wrote in message
...
"G.A.Evans G4SDW" wrote:

A necessary preface.....

snip

While I agree with some of what you say about slipping standards,
nevertheless numbers are shrinking and new blood must be encouraged into
the hobby/pastime/service/pursuit, etc, else we will be gradually
whittled away like the dodo until the bands are so empty that
governments will gleefully sell off our slices of the RF spectrum.

Admittedly, some of this new blood might not be of the 'quality' of some
of the old, but among the new intake there are individuals with plenty
of enthusiasm, curiosity, inventiveness and manners to make up for the
minority that might dismay some of the old guard.

I've a feeling that some / most of the coarser new licencees will not
have the staying power and we will not hear of them after a couple of
years.

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

And the mystifying inabillity to progress beyond the
level of exams set for 6-year-olds.

"Walt Davidson" wrote in message
...

Also, much of the "new blood" of which you
speak actually consists of people aged in their 50s, 60s and 70s ...
not youngsters in the first flush of youth. These people have a high
disposable income and plenty of time on their hands.

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Bob wrote:

While I agree with some of what you say about slipping standards,
nevertheless numbers are shrinking and new blood must be encouraged into
the hobby/pastime/service/pursuit, etc,

Why do people continue to propagate this myth? The Amateur Service is
not dying, and never has been, and the numbers are not falling. Even
the IARU quite clearly state this in their document "SPECTRUM
REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMATEUR AND
AMATEUR-SATELLITE SERVICES Revised August 2006" at
http://www.iaru.org/ac-spec06.html

When referring to the 7MHz allocation, the IARU say "The amateur service
requirement continues to be for at least a 300-kHz allocation. This
requirement is even greater today than in the past, owing to the
increasing number of amateur stations and the expanding diversity of
modes of emission used in the amateur service". Note the phrase
"increasing number of amateur stations"!

When referring to the 14MHz allocation, the IARU say "The growth of the
amateur service and its heavy dependence on this band for international
communication....". Note the phrase "the growth of the amateur service".

This doesn't sound like anything that is dying.

The only people who try to propagate the myth that the Amateur Service
is dying are those who have a financial interest (national societies
through membership numbers and equipment manufacturers/retailers).
Don't listen to them. Instead, turn on your radio and listen to that
instead.... you will find it is busier than ever!

The latest data available on the IARU website at
http://www.iaru.org/statsum00.html (bottom of the page) shows the number
of licensed amateurs from 1965-2000. In 2000 the number was at the
highest ever, so where is the evidence to back up the 'dying' theory?
However, the number of licensed amateurs who were also members of their
national society was at the LOWEST number ever (19.6% in 2000 compared
to 38.6% in 1965).

There are too many people with no real interest in amateur radio who are
continually pushing to have the standards lowered so that they can gain
financially from it. They do this by lying through their teeth that
amateur radio is dying and use scare tactics that we will lose
allocations. It is time to put a stop to this!

--
ARRL membership = $39 (~£20)
RSGB membership = £44

Don't let them rip you off any more.
Do the right thing, resign from the RSGB today.

The RSGB said Radio Amateurs were a threat to national security!
Is this the type of organisation you want to represent you?

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Walt Davidson wrote:

The fact that the amateur radio population is ageing has actually
*increased* band occupancy, because many radio amateurs nowadays are
retired and are now able to spend many more hours on the air,
especially on weekdays. Also, much of the "new blood" of which you
speak actually consists of people aged in their 50s, 60s and 70s ...
not youngsters in the first flush of youth. These people have a high
disposable income and plenty of time on their hands.

The amount of AM being used on 80m is also a very encouraging sign;
seemingly contacts can be had at almost any time, and on any
phone-section frequency. Special nets need not be used to get
contacts, if the onservations of my tuning around are typical.
--
from
Aero Spike

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

"Spike" wrote in message
...

The amount of AM being used on 80m is also a very encouraging sign;
seemingly contacts can be had at almost any time, and on any
phone-section frequency. Special nets need not be used to get
contacts, if the onservations of my tuning around are typical.

Where do these occur? I'd like to listen in- or maybe even join in.

I do join an AM net on 160m from time to time (school holidays, it may get
noticed if I set up a shack in the back of the class room- although I know
of one teacher who did just that!).


--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

Now your amateur licence is free, why not send at least £15 per year to
support the
Radio Communications Foundation or STELAR?

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Brian Reay wrote:


"Spike" wrote in message
.. .

The amount of AM being used on 80m is also a very encouraging sign;
seemingly contacts can be had at almost any time, and on any
phone-section frequency. Special nets need not be used to get
contacts, if the onservations of my tuning around are typical.

Where do these occur? I'd like to listen in- or maybe even join in.

Try 3615 kc/s (UK) and 3705 kc/s (Dutch); both are monitored even when
no activity is apparent. Also look at 3610 - 3640 kc/s.

Other UK nets can be heard in the 3660 - 3690 kc/s section; but AM can
pop up anywhere in the phone section, as people do not necessarily
limit themselves to the regular nets.

The sound of AM rigs is much different to those of SSB equipment even
when the latter operate a form of AM, and military and homebrew gear
have a cachet that modern radios just can't recreate.

Although before your time, it's rather like the situation with 2m
after the war - Monday night was Activity Night, to encourage activity
and increase band usage. That became a success, necessitating
abandonment of the regional sections of the band in favour of a
national system.

I do join an AM net on 160m from time to time (school holidays, it may get
noticed if I set up a shack in the back of the class room- although I know
of one teacher who did just that!).

I'm sure ex-SOE and certain other people could advise you on stealth
rigs and stealth aerials.....unless they are stealth operators.....;-)
--
from
Aero Spike

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

"Spike" wrote in message
...

Where do these occur? I'd like to listen in- or maybe even join in.

Try 3615 kc/s (UK) and 3705 kc/s (Dutch); both are monitored even when
no activity is apparent. Also look at 3610 - 3640 kc/s.

Will do, in fact, the 756 will be on 3615 the rest of the evening.


Other UK nets can be heard in the 3660 - 3690 kc/s section; but AM can
pop up anywhere in the phone section, as people do not necessarily
limit themselves to the regular nets.

The sound of AM rigs is much different to those of SSB equipment even
when the latter operate a form of AM, and military and homebrew gear
have a cachet that modern radios just can't recreate.

Oh I know, we've a few "AM addicts" around here- and more power to their
elbow (or perhaps PA).

I do join an AM net on 160m from time to time (school holidays, it may
get
noticed if I set up a shack in the back of the class room- although I
know
of one teacher who did just that!).

I'm sure ex-SOE and certain other people could advise you on stealth
rigs and stealth aerials.....unless they are stealth operators.....;-)

There is a thought. We've not got permanent antennas at school yet (although
permission has been obtained and a local has donated materials and effort
for erection there of). At the moment, I use a simple indoor beast for 2m
practice QSOs and an HF inverted V I "throw up" on an ex-MOD mast I have.

The permanent set up isn't in my classroom- the Technology department have
provided the shack space and the roof space for the antennas. The maths
building is a new(ish) specialist block that isn't was tall as the Tech
block- although it probably is better placed for HF antennas.

The pupils respond well to the hobby- I stir some "real world" problems to
maths lessons (eg formulae transposition at the lower end and some of the
higher maths at A level). I've plans for some "code breaking" lessons for
extra maths later this year, they will cover the maths in error correcting
codes etc.

--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

Now your amateur licence is free, why not send at least £15 per year to
support the
Radio Communications Foundation or STELAR?

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

Walt Davidson wrote:
On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:59:07 +0100, Bob wrote:

While I agree with some of what you say about slipping standards,
nevertheless numbers are shrinking and new blood must be encouraged into
the hobby/pastime/service/pursuit, etc, else we will be gradually
whittled away like the dodo until the bands are so empty that
governments will gleefully sell off our slices of the RF spectrum.

What rubbish. The bands have never been more crowded. I have been
active on the HF bands for 47 years and I have never known such a high
level of activity as there is now. You have been taken in by the
alarmist propaganda of the RSCB, the CB lobby, and their apologists.

Hear hear, Walt! (pun intended too)

I occasionally read notes from some Hams writing about the "empty
bands". I suspect that they mustn't have much in the way of an antenna. ;^)

Perhaps that is okay though, as there appears to be some kind of
correlation between those Hams who can't put up a good antenna, and a
poisonous attitude.



The fact that the amateur radio population is ageing has actually
*increased* band occupancy, because many radio amateurs nowadays are
retired and are now able to spend many more hours on the air,
especially on weekdays. Also, much of the "new blood" of which you
speak actually consists of people aged in their 50s, 60s and 70s ...
not youngsters in the first flush of youth. These people have a high
disposable income and plenty of time on their hands.


The demographics have changed. The idea of the Ham who has been
licensed since they were 7 years old and has been in the hobby for 50
years is gone - and there weren't that many of them to begin with.

What we have now is the Ham who waited till their children were out of
the house, or the Ham who decided to get their license after retirement.
I got my license at 45. Big deal. What is needed is enthusiastic NEW
Hams. And you can be any age for that.

And yeah, I love Homebrewing. Our club is holding classes in basic
homebrewing to see how many of the newbies we can infect with SSA
(solder smoke addiction) ;^)

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

know code wrote:

This doesn't sound like anything that is dying.

The only people who try to propagate the myth that the Amateur Service
is dying are those who have a financial interest (national societies
through membership numbers and equipment manufacturers/retailers). Don't
listen to them. Instead, turn on your radio and listen to that
instead.... you will find it is busier than ever!


That's one good reason, but don't forget those Hams who are tired and
bitter and just want to complain.

Especially the ones who can't put up a decent antenna, and think the
lack of signals means that no one is on the air! ;^)

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

NO! NO! NO!

There is no such "need".

Radio Hammery licenses are at an all-time high.

"Michael Coslo" wrote in message
...
What is needed is enthusiastic NEW Hams. And you can be any age for that.

For the newbie, a FAQ, "What is _REAL_ Ham Radio?"
 

M3OSN gets everywhere!

"Michael Coslo" wrote in message
...

That's one good reason, but don't forget those Hams who are tired and
bitter and just want to complain.