TCs, Ham Radio and Kids

[Cannon_George]

Passing along as ‘FYI.’
A ham radio operator, often use my TC as a “Ham Shack.” Active in my local ARES/ACS radio support group and often deploy to support local civic and charity events including Marathons and Bicycle Races.

For many events, I deploy and set up in remote areas outside of cell phone range. In this case, the ability to access repeaters, communicate with an Event Net Control Operator, makes all the difference in obtaining a speedy response, be it as simple as getting more water or even emergency medical support. In rare cases, the ability for a mobile “Ham Shack” to drive off-road to a particular “off-grid” way-point becomes even more pronounced. (The TC is perfect for this)

Most of what I use is simple dual-band (2M/440) communications but on occasion will string out an HF antenna – and listen/chat around the world!

By using APRS repeaters, (Automatic Position Reporting System) one can send short messages to cell phones and e-mail, even though you are way out of cell phone range.

Ham radio clubs all over the country need new, younger members – (to backfill dying and retiring members) I have discovered taking kids out camping, setting up the campsite, then setting up the radio station works wonders! Let them talk! They are hooked and right away I have kids (girls and boys) interested in getting their FCC license – as well as volunteering to support the next event. Especially if it involves camping; something else disappearing from the lexicon of young adults today….

Finally, (in case you are wondering), kids are quite happy to set up their own new-found tents outside the camper, leaving me with my own personal space. I'll cook and feed them. If weather is really bad we’ll adjust; but kids are amazingly resilient to adverse conditions….

'73,
KC6LPE

[Iraqvet05]

twodownzero wrote:

sljohnson1938 wrote:
WHAT -no morse code for a license????

gee wiz - what is next?

CW is dead. There are so many other aspects to ham radio.

I wouldn't say dead but it's certainly not as popular as it used to be. But like you said, the are so many aspects of the hobby, people as scattered all over the bands and technology. I did FT8 for a year, now I'm bored with it and trying DMR and Fusion then I'll attempt D-Star since the HF bands seem to been horrible half the time.

[Iraqvet05]

sljohnson1938 wrote:
WHAT -no morse code for a license????

gee wiz - what is next?

There hasn't been since 2006. I believe the number of licence applications went up over the years after the code requirement was dropped. I was one of those hold outs..

[jfkmk]

Acampingwewillgo wrote:
Since I was in Jr High school, I've wanted to get into Ham radio but I've always come up with some excuse for not following through....I mentioned this someplace else recently, but I remember Heath Kit use to sell Receivers and Transceivers as kits back in the day. Fast forward 50 years later and I'm still picking up my ARRL/Gordon West answer/question book. Maybe one of these days I'll actually do it. Oh...I see the OP is in Ojai, Ventura here.

Heath Kit...man, you’re bringing back some memories! I built a lot of things from them. I did a search...they still make a couple of kits, though I understand they are owned by a different company now.

I also built a multi-meter from Radio Shack about 40 years ago. Still use it!

[twodownzero]

sljohnson1938 wrote:
WHAT -no morse code for a license????

gee wiz - what is next?

CW is dead. There are so many other aspects to ham radio.

[sljohnson1938]

WHAT -no morse code for a license????

gee wiz - what is next?

[joerg68]

73s from another one - keep up the great work!
DF8VW / N1DXP

[mountainkowboy]

73's....WN7CHK...and my kids and grandkids are Hams also. 😉

[kohldad]

My parents were active in Amateur Radio for years. During Hurricane Hugo, the local club was actually using a two repeaters that my father provided for the club. I can also remember him climbing up on the power plant smoke stack and local water towers to install/maintain the antennas. Him and I would take trips just by ourselves and then stringing out a 40m dipole between trees to talk to my mother so she would know we were still alive.

I've been a ham since pre-1980 but have never been active besides talking to my parents because this was pre-cell phone. Once cell phones came out and as they become cheaper without a license requirement, we have switched to those. However, as I near retirement and plan on traveling to more out of the way places beyond, I'm wanting to become active. I'm even trying to convince my wife to get her Technician license so we can use the further reaching bands over the FRMS radios commonly used.

If you worked CW a lot, you had a good chance of talking to my mother - K4TTG. Her bug work was like music and one that was usually remembered.

Good luck and safe travels.

KA4MDG

[CA_Traveler]

TxGearhead wrote:
Do you still have to learn Morse Code to get a license?

It's no longer required to get get a license.

I took a class for the Extra and it was a good experience to have the help and social interaction. 2 people in the class were also taking a code class per their interest.

[TxGearhead]

Do you still have to learn Morse Code to get a license?

[twodownzero]

I'm an amateur extra as well. Haven't ever operated from my rvs though.

[Acampingwewillg]

Since I was in Jr High school, I've wanted to get into Ham radio but I've always come up with some excuse for not following through....I mentioned this someplace else recently, but I remember Heath Kit use to sell Receivers and Transceivers as kits back in the day. Fast forward 50 years later and I'm still picking up my ARRL/Gordon West answer/question book. Maybe one of these days I'll actually do it. Oh...I see the OP is in Ojai, Ventura here.

[mbloof]

Cannon George wrote:

Ham radio clubs all over the country need new, younger members – (to backfill dying and retiring members)
'73,
KC6LPE

Good luck with that!

73's

N7GHI

- Mark0.