Recently I've been acutely aware of certain descriptions and methods when selling HAM gear online. I'll start with the most glaring offense - TYPING IN ALL CAPS. Perhaps there is a good explanation as to why certain people list items for sale using lengthy "ALL CAP" text, but from a viewers perspective it's easy for your eyes to get fatigued to the point the ad has to be read several times just to get the specifics about the item, or even to find the price ($$$).

Like those trick images you find on the web that hold a hidden object, you have defocus your eyes to delve into the mysteries of that ad. I mentioned this to another Ham-friend of mine and we both agreed that it's easier to just skip an "ALL CAP" ad than spend more time than necessary in reading all of the block letters...

Another pet peeve of mine is how some items are described, for example:

"Gently used xxxxx"

 

"Gorgeous xxxx"

 

"Lovingly used xxxx"

 

(I wonder what XYL's have to say about those relationships?)

 

A borderline description might be "lightly used xxx". Not bad for a rig only a few years old, but many times applied to equipment that is 20-30 years of age. Lightly used or not, it is still ancient, and more than likely impossible to obtain parts for (read - Finals).

 

Other 'peeves' that I've pondered on would be -

 

"Pictures available on request", ???, put the photo(s) up to begin with, along with "I don't have a digital camera to take pictures", ???, use your cellphone, borrow a phone or camera from a friend or family member, and ditch that excuse.

 

Regarding the payment. "NO PAYPAL" is written in a good deal of advertisements. Jeez...YOU may love getting  a money order (or cash) in the mail, but it's a pain in the butt to get one and mail it out vs. just clicking "PAY NOW" in Paypal. The Paypal fee? Just include the 3.9% in the price, or add to the sale total.

 

Returns. Too many "This is a no return sale due to dishonest Hams", or "No returns due to parts swappers". If I believed that everyone who puts this in their ad had been rooked at least once, I'd only buy new. Just tell it like it is: 'I don't take items back for any reason'. No one likes to give refunds, but I'm not sure how many "dishonest, Part-swapping" Hams there are out there (or if they are always lurking in the background).

 

Finally, unless you are really set on buying the item, refrain from asking them a question via email! I've been curious a time or two and have had sellers "haunt" me with exuberant zeal either wanting to know if I'm going to buy it or, that it's still available for sale (weeks after the ad was placed). Exception being ads on QRZ, where all messages are posted within the advert.



NEW SUBJECT #1 - MLA

 

 

 

Living in a severely limiting HOA I've started to experiment with MLA's (Magnetic Loop Antennas). I must have watched nearly every YouTube video on them, as well as scoured many (MANY) websites devoted to the subject before dipping my toe in the magnetic waters, so to speak. I'm not ready to lend any opinions one way or the other yet because I'm still learning.  I'll try and devote an entire blog post about them in the future!

 

NEW SUBJECT #2 - Power Supplies

Not having a local Amateur radio store has it's complications, especially when you're in the market for these two items, power supplies and speakers. I used up too many hours/days while researching them. Time I won't get back. It was a grueling, mind-numbing experience and anyone who has recently purchased the same know what I'm talking about.

My Kenwood PS-30 power supply is over 35 years old and I figured it was time to get another power supply now, rather than wait until the Kenwood stopped spitting out DC. I went to eHam's website and read countless reviews, along with the pro's and con's of each supply. While I'm sure that switching power supplies have come a long way, I still had memories of injected noise and other nasties from switching supplies of years past, so I decided to go "old school" and look at the options I had with linear power supplies. I ended up getting Yaesu's FP-1030.

The 1030 does 25 amps continuous, and 30 amps peak. It is (as far as power supplies go) a nice looking addition to the shack, with its dual meters and various connections. The initial experience I had was with the 25a connections. The two studs (Red/Black) were threaded but I soon found out that the circular caps did not screw off completely, so, a crimped ring connector would not work. I tried several local stores (EPO and FRY's) but neither had an open forked connector for that particular size stud, or rated amperage. Online I found possibilities, but nothing that said "Buy me, I will fit".

Off to Home Depot and...'nada. Being stubborn, I went to Lowes and...they had exactly what I needed, as well, the aisles were arranged much-much better than the Depot's aisles. I found the forked spades within 5 minutes after walking thru the door.

The only other aspect of the power supply that needed attention were the two meters, which were not lit. I will remedy that very soon with a couple of inexpensive "grain-of-wheat" bulbs, the kind you might use for your model train or H.O. slot-car layout.

NEW SUBJECT #3 - Speakers

"external speakers also cost an arm and a leg"

How do you pick an external speaker for your rig if you can't hear what it will sound like? Read a bunch of reviews! The internal speaker of the Yaesu FT-991A really sucks. It has no range and can't handle too much audio without crackling. But, external speakers also cost an arm and a leg and I wasn't prepared to spend 1/4th of the cost of the rig on...an external speaker.

From the reviews, I got a pretty good idea of what I wanted to get (used), and what I wanted to avoid,  (i.e.- SP-10). 

What did I pick after all of that research? Nothing. I went into the garage and pulled my old Yaesu SP-901P (P=patch), which no one paid attention to at a recent ham fest, and plugged it in. I will purchase something newer sometime this year, but it will be used and at the right price.

SIDE NOTES

If you're into SOTA or POTA, (or maybe you are just a "prepper") I've discovered an excellent You Tube channel that you should check out!

It belongs to OH8STN , and he hosts a variety of topics including comparisons between one brand or another. I have gained a lot of knowledge from him, and perhaps you may too!

'Nuff Said,

Woody

 

FALL BELTON REPORT

10-04-2014

The weather was good - a weak front had just passed through leaving temperatures in the low 80's with low humidity. We had a couple tables way in the back corner [not too far from Houston Amateur Radio Supply], and the parking lot was packed. After unloading the truck I drove outside to find a spot to park, which turned out to be a good stretch from the entrance, but before parking Robin called me about the prices on a Transoceanic and some other items. By the time I got back inside they were sold.

And that's the way it went the whole time we were there; a few moments to collect our thoughts and then the next wave of buyers were upon us. No complaints, but there weren't a lot of potential buyers walking around unlike other years.

I can remember aisles packed so full people could hardly stop to take a look at an item, but I also remember those times weren't especially productive - many "Tire Kickers" and few buyers whereas this past weekend had less tire kickers and more buyers than in recent years.

I meant to go outside and see the "Friz" but I couldn't get away from our tables, nor did I see Val or Steve this year, although it could have been that we were too busy to look up and see who was 50 or 100ft. away from our area.

One thing I did notice was the Belton group only had one of the large front openings open, and all of the side doors were closed creating a stagnant trap of air without the benefit of the breeze from outside. I heard it was because they were trying to keep people from sneaking inside without paying, but it made for some discomfort amongst those of us stuck behind our tables.

If you were there, I hope you had a good time...

'Nuff Said,
Woody

THE TEXAS STATE OF HAM RADIO STORES

SHRINKING

In Texas, dedicated CB shops, for the most part are gone. It's not that popularity has dropped so much in the past few decades, but Truck stops have taken over a lot that territory AND Internet sales [thus avoiding sales tax].

HAM radio stores took a sharp hit several decades ago when Madison Electronics in downtown Houston went under. It was not only a store selling gear, but an informal meeting place for local area HAM radio operators. They had stuff packed from floor to ceiling, with many accessories left over from bygone eras.

That left Austin Amateur Radio, Texas Towers, as well as Houston Amateur Radio Supply. The "Grapevine" has been fluttering as of late with word that both Austin Amateur Radio and Texas Towers will close shortly, leaving Houston Amateur Radio in the North Houston/Spring area, and MTC in Paris Texas.

Or does it...?

[ed. - yeah, it kinda sounds like something you'd hear just before the commercial break on the latest murder mystery being shown on the news show "Dateline"]


"Instead of going to Houston Amateur Radio and getting the benefit of the owner's decades-long knowledge , experience, and advise only to buy it online the sale of the equipment will stay where you got all of that help and knowledge so they can continue to grow."

Moving into Texas Towers backyard is HRO [Ham Radio Outlet], the "Walmart" of Amateur radio with multi-store buying power, it will be curious to see how things play out. The Texas store is not listed yet on their website, but a visitor from that area stopped by Houston Amateur Radio recently and said that he thought it looked open, but HRO's official press release puts the opening around the first quarter of 2015.

The biggest impact of Amateur Radio operators here in Texas was the advantage of buying from HRO out-of-state and benefitting from no sales tax. This will be a benefit Hams will no longer have.

For large purchases this eliminates any tax free bliss, but it also gives the remaining Amateur Radio stores in Texas the ability to play on an even terms [ed. - yep, there are still other HAM radio stores where you can buy equipment tax free, but HRO, being one of the largest in the U.S. sucked a lot of $$$ from your local HAM radio store's income].

Instead of going to Houston Amateur Radio and checking out the latest gear, getting the benefit of the owner's decades-long knowledge, experience, and advice, only to leave and purchase it from HRO to save on sales tax, perhaps now the equipment purchase will stay where you got all of that help and knowledge so they can continue to grow.

Previously, if you were looking at a rig that sold for $1449, you would save about $120 in sales tax by purchasing it online from HRO, but now the field is level PLUS you'll get instant gratification by walking out of your local HAM radio store with your new rig under your arm rather than biting off your finger nails waiting for it to arrive.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HAM RADIO STORE

Houston Amateur Radio Supply is located at: 2558 E. FM1960, Houston Texas 77073 [not far from their old location on Cypresswood].

PHOTO: COURTESY HARS WEBSITE

'Nuff Said,
Woody

DO YOU LIVE IN A SUB-DIVISION WITH DEED RESTRICTIONS AGAINST ANTENNAS?

THEN START CALLING, EMAILING AND WRITING YOUR REP IN WASHINGTON!!

From the ARRL news [in part]:

A bill with bipartisan support has been introduced in the US House of Representatives that calls on the FCC to apply the “reasonable accommodation” three-part test of the PRB-1 federal pre-emption policy to private land-use restrictions.

 “There is a strong federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio stations established at the residences of licensees,” the bill states. “Such stations have been shown to be frequently and increasingly precluded by unreasonable private land-use restrictions, including restrictive covenants.”

Go to the ARRL website to read full story - then start making noise so this thing gets passed...

'Nuff Said,
Woody

TEXAS HAM FORFEITS LICENSE

FROM THE ARRL NEWS...

Texas Radio Amateur Gives Up License As Part of Enforcement Action Settlement

A Texas radio amateur has agreed to turn in his Amateur Extra class license as part of an agreement with the FCC to settle an enforcement action against him. The FCC earlier this year issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) to James R. Winstead, KD5OZY, of Coleman, Texas, after determining that Winstead “apparently willfully violated” FCC rules by interfering with Amateur Radio communications. The Commission had proposed a $7000 fine. The action was in response other radio amateurs’ complaints of intentional interference on 7.195 MHz.

“Mr Winstead has admitted that his actions violated the Commission’s rules and agreed to voluntarily relinquish his amateur license and make a $1000 voluntary contribution to resolve the [Enforcement] Bureau’s investigation,” the FCC said in an Order released April 22. The Order adopted a Consent Decree between the Enforcement Bureau and Winstead that spells out the details of the settlement.

According to the Consent Decree, Winstead will make his “voluntary contribution” to the US Treasury in 12 installments. He also agreed to relinquish his Amateur Radio license, prior to signing the Consent Decree. Such agreements between the FCC and violators have become more common recently in both Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio cases.

ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, gave kudos to the Enforcement Bureau “for bringing the matter to a prompt conclusion.”

Last January 21 an agent from the Commission’s Dallas Office used direction-finding techniques to positively identify the source of interfering transmissions as Winstead’s address. After monitoring the transmissions from the station for about a half-hour, the agent heard Winstead “replay multiple times short sentences or conversations that had just been transmitted, and occasionally speak the word ‘George.’” 

“Mr Winstead replayed recorded conversations so frequently that other licensees were unable to complete their conversations,” the NAL stated. The agent estimated that Winstead disrupted approximately 20 minutes of conversation over a 30 minute period by making up to 15 minutes of short transmissions. The agent subsequently inspected Winstead’s station, observing that his radio equipment was tuned to 7.195 MHz.

“During the inspection, Mr Winstead showed the agent how he recorded and retransmitted other amateur licensees’ communications,” the FCC said. “He also admitted that he intentionally interfered with amateur communications on 7.195 MHz and had an ongoing disagreement with another amateur licensee named George.”

The FCC said the evidence in the case was sufficient to establish that Winstead had violated Section 333 of the Communications Act of 1934 and Section 97.101(d) of the FCC Amateur Service rules.

As part of the Consent Decree, the Enforcement Bureau, “to avoid further expenditure of public resources,” agreed to terminate its investigation and not to use facts developed in its investigation to institute any new proceeding against Winstead “concerning the matters that were the subject of the investigation.”

Ed. - It never fails to amaze me how someone will climb the license ladder and make it up to an Extra class license, then allow the dumb-ass in themselves to prevail...

'Nuff Said,
Brian

CREEPY THOUGHT NO.9

FOR ANY CONSPIRACY THEORIST

If you've been keeping up with the news for the last couple months, you've been reading a list of NSA leaked data via Mr. Snowden. One of news stories caught my attention regarding how computers destined for certain locations or people were re-routed to an undisclosed location and a secret NSA chip was put on the Motherboard.

Back in the early 90's we'd always hear stories of how some people or agencies could activate the microphones in computers to listen in on conversations. No one believed it was possible back then, but today? Definitely.

Today, the majority of electronics (two-way radios, CB, and other) are made in China. It wouldn't be a big hardship for them to install a chip that killed the radio when a certain frequency signal was broadcast. Instant "Dead Air". If you add this feature to all of the routers, switches, and computers that are made in China, you have instant "Dead Wire" - what better way to cripple a nation?

I'm sure this has been already thought of before, and I'm just a late bloomer, but except for certain circumstances I still prefer to buy radios manufactured in Japan. It's getting harder to get some HAM gear and impossible to buy a new CB with "MADE IN JAPAN" on it, which is why I picked one model mobile am/ssb CB made in Japan in the 70's to stock up on.

Thus ends my crazy rant....

'Nuff Said,
Woody
Email

OLDIE BBC SHOW

TONY HANCOCK: "THE RADIO HAM"

EVEN IN A GAME THE XYL GIVES HIM HELL

VIDEO ALA "YOUTUBE"

OLD BUT INTERESTING

VACUUM TUBE AMPLIFIER HISTORY

ANOTHER SK

A COMPANY NAME WE ALL RECOGNIZE...

Palomar Engineers President John E.Althouse, K6NY, of San Diego, California, died September 15 after suffering a massive stroke. He was 90.

Throughout the decades Palomar managed to remain relevant with whatever decades current equipment needs were.

The Escondido company he operated, may no longer be around as well. A message on the company’s website says Palomar Engineers is “temporarily closed”.

WAYNE GREEN, SK

WAYNE GREEN, FORMER PUBLISHER OF "73" MAGAZINE, SK

Man, it's been a long - REALLY long time since I've thought about Wayne Green. Back in the day there were 3 HAM magazines (that I knew about) to choose from:

1. QST
2. CQ, and
3. 73

CQ didn't (and still doesn't) interest me, but then I'm not into contesting; QST had a lot of advertisement support, plus by joining ARRL you received the magazine, and then there was 73 and Wayne Green. I bought 73 now and then just so I read his lengthy editorials which were often written with his talent for egging on a company, country, or another magazine. He was to HAM radio what John Dvorak has been to PC Magazine - sharp wit, with a sense of the future that often hit close to home.

It's sad that I hadn't thought of him in years, making it even sadder now that he is a silent key. RIP Wayne.


'Nuff Said,
Woody

WiPRY UPDATE

BUY THE ACCESSORY KIT...





Having done a variety of tests with the WiPry I figured out that having the ability of connecting a Directional antenna vs. the omnidirectional antenna nub it ships with could come in handy if you were trying to identify the general location from where a signal source was coming from.

I tried EPO (Electronic Parts Outlet), and they had a short (2") wire with a small connector to fit the WiPry's antenna jack and at the other end, a larger SMA connector, the wrong gender to connect antennas to, and they were out of gender-benders.

Frys was my next stop and their connector/adaptor area was a mess, with no apparent logical scheme on how it should be arranged, forcing you to look at each hook, row, column, and hopefully you could find what you wanted. At this point, I'm down $3 + tax, and gas used to get to EPO and back. I had the wire in my pocket and found several adapters which looked like I could form a stupid-looking, yet functional way to attach the antenna.

At home I realized I missed one key ingredient, making that trip a $10 + tax and gas money flop. Yeah, I know that I could have gone back and returned the adapters and connectors, but one thing I learned from being a CBer, then HAM operator over the years was that it never hurt to have something in your parts drawers that seemed useless then, but down-the-road a necessity.

So I went back to Oscium's website and looked closer at the kit and could see they had 3 connection adapters included. I ordered it, 2 days later received it, and yup, my directional beam antenna was connected and working. I also had several additions to my parts drawers, and it's always fun walking up and down the aisles at EPO to check out what's new.

CONDUCTED MEASUREMENT KIT

ALSO AVAILABLE

iPHONE 5 CONNECTOR ADAPTER

38" EXTENSION CABLE

'Nuff Said,
Woody

WHERE CAN YOU BUY A NEW AM/SSB CB IN THE HOUSTON AREA?

THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT

IF YOU WATCH TV YOU'VE HEARD THAT SAID MANY TIMES







It's surprising how often this is true. If you're in the IT or electronics field there are some great apps that will help you with your job or hobby, but the one I'm about to tell you about requires more than the app.

There is a company called OSCIUM that is making waves with it's devices that (sorry Android) work along with your iPhone or iPad. The one I bought was the WiPry-Combo which sells for $199.95, and for that amount of money you really should have use for it. I didn't want to spend the bux,so I waited, and waited, until finally on the ThinkGeek website they had a special sale (about 50% off) so it finally became affordable. We both realize I haven't even told you what this device is, or does - First, the device, which plugs into the charging jack.

WiPry Combo

The WiPry Combo is a Spectrum Analyzer and Dynamic Power Meter combo. The spectrum it analyzes is the 2.4Ghz WiFi band. You can walk into a client's business or residence and determine what sort of noise level and signals may be causing problems with their WiFi network. You can isolate it by channel to find the least affected frequency, then set their router to that channel. I recently tested this at a local veterinarian's clinic and found when certain instruments were used the noise level was almost even with their wireless network signals, which would cause spotty performance.  

 From their website:

Portable, Award-Winning

With Oscium's WiPry-Combo peak power meter and spectrum analyzer, you can pry into the power, spectral, and time characteristics of your signals using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod. WiPry-Combo is the emerging standard in portable RF test equipment for cellular communication planners, RF engineers, wireless network technicians and avid electronics hobbyists. 
Product highlights:

• Enables iPhone, iPad, iPod to make power and frequency measurements
• Fits in the palm of your hand
• Measures rise and fall time, duty cycle and peak power with the precision power meter 
• Visualizes Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth and remote sensor networks using spectral mode
• Awarded Most Innovative & Best Customer Value
• Compatible with Lightning and 30 pin connectors (with adapter, works with iPhone 5 & iPad Mini)

 They also have several other products that work with the iPhone and iPad:

MIXED SIGNAL O-SCOPE

 

Product Specs:

• iMSO-104 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope Hardware
• 1x/10x Analog Probe
• Logic Harness (4 Digital + 1 Ground) 
• SMD Grabbers (5 pieces)
• Bandwidth 5 MHz
• Max sample rate 12 MS/s
• Screwdriver for Analog Compensation Adjustment
• Analog tip covers (2 pieces)
• Compatible with Lightning and 30 pin connectors (with adapter, works with iPhone 5 & iPad Mini)

A CHANNEL LOGIC ANALYZER

 

LogiScope transforms an iPhone, iPad or iPod into a 100MHz, 16 channel logic analyzer. Not only is it the most intuitive logic analyzer available, the triggering is so powerful you'll be able to count the hair on your bug (tap product picture on right to watch a short video). Download LogiScope in the App Store and test drive the interface or watch the tutorials below. 
Product Highlights:

• 100 MHz, 16 channel logic analyzer
• Two logic harnesses (each with 8 digital, 1 ground)
• Protocol decoding: I²C, SPI, UART, Parallel
• Works with 2.0v, 2.5v, 3.3v & 5.0v systems
• Portable: goes where you go
• Input voltage -0.5v to +7v
• Advanced triggering
• Compatible with Lightning and 30 pin connectors (with adapter, works with iPhone 5 & iPad Mini)

Their website can be found HERE.

 

'Nuff Said,

Woody
 Email

OBITUARIES

BRIEFLY SPEAKING...







Yep, this will be a brief Blog post, but there aren't any rules that say that posts have to have a certain number of words before you can publish them.

What prompted me to write this one, is about something I saw on my customized Yahoo home page. I have a variety of news items selected so I can catch up with things each morning.

One of my selections is the ARRL feed which adds new content as it occurs. This week seemed to be a particularly downer week as it looked more like the obituaries then usual. Each morning it I would find another SK (silent key) listed. Older hams seem to be dropping like flies.

As far as CBer's go, there isn't an organization like the ARRL for them, so usually you find out who died via a CB radio based chat board, or word of mouth. Nonetheless it is depressing either way. As far as the ARRL feed is concerned, whatever they post is a drop in the bucket compared to SK's that are in the ARRL publication "QST". I hope both services are recruiting enough newbies to replace those that have gone onto the other side of that long wave -

'Nuff Said,
Brian

WHAT RIG AM I USING?

Every now and then I get an email wondering what rig I'm talking on in this picture, some even mistaking it for one of those small form factor Cb's.

What I was using in the photo was my Yaesu FT-817ND HAM portable, which is probably one of my "TOP TEN" HAM rigs of all time (of course I liked them a lot better when you could find them NIB for about $500).

Somewhere in one of my many posts I listed my top ten favorite HAM rigs, so I'm going to list them again, and when I have the time, track down the first list to see what changed (if anything). So, in 2013, here are my top ten Amateur radio rigs, listed in no particular order:

1. Yaesu FT-817ND
2. Kenwood TS-2000
3. Kenwood TS-850AT
4. Yaesu 450AT
5. Yaesu FT-530
6. Yaesu FT-101 series
7. Yaesu FT-650
8. Icom IC-751A
9. Icom IC-207a

I know I did the same thing with Cb's, so here is my 2013 "Top Ten" list -

1. Stoner Pro40 w/accessories
2. Uniden Grant (original, 1st series 40ch line)
3. Uniden PC-122
4. Cobra 138-XLR (still use one every day in the truck, and keep a back up or two just in case)
5. SBE Super Console
6. Midland 13-880/885
7. Realistic TRC-100B
8. Realistic TRC-457
9. SBE Console VI
10. General Super MC-11



HOUSTON AMATEUR RADIO SUPPLY SELLS AMATEUR RADIOS, CB RADIOS LIKE THE UNIDEN 980



I don't believe I did one with microphones, and I'm not sure I'll hit 10, but I'll give it a go -

1. Turner Super Sidekick
2. Turner +3 desk microphone
3. Turner +3 hand microphone
4. Turner +2 desk microphone
5. Icom SM-10
6. Yaesu MD-200A8X
7. Astatic 636 Noise cancelling microphone
8. Astatic D-104 stand w/10DA microphone head
9. Astatic D-104M6
10. Astatic 575

That's it for this exciting post. Ah, I almost forgot - it your PC is crippled with viruses and trojans, or just plain slow, call Dave at Houston Amateur Radio supply to arrange and appointment!

'Nuff Said,
Woody

I'm sure you heard of this, read about them (possibly from here), or this is your first time learning about scams found usually on social media sites like...Facebook.



They are usually posted by a friend who finds the item interesting enough to pass along to their circles of friends, who find it as interesting and pass it along to their friends, much like a chain-letter-email.

WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS YOU HAVE TO QUESTION IT

Why should you? It came from a friend? [ed. - and I'll make it clear upfront that I don't know if this is, or isn't, but it caught my attention]

•Usually an ad like this would have the monitor on display, perhaps in front of the box.

•Just by looking at where they took the photo is odd - on the floor, with a crummy background (waste basket or maybe a paper shredder on right edge of photo and what appear to be kitchen doors in the background)

•And the last line "Some of last weeks winners we're Roy Smith & Andy Whitehead".


You would think someone would have done a spell check on this, or maybe they were just in a hurry. I just used the word "were" properly. In the ad above they use "we're", as in we are.

Once again, I don't if this is a real ad, or a phishing expedition (yes, phishing is a word used in the security world), but be careful when giving out info and always doubt the ad.

'Nuff Said,

Woody

THINGS THAT WILL KILL HAM RADIO

IT COULD TAKE LESS
    IT COULD TAKE MORE...












What do you think could kill Ham Radio? I suppose there's a shortlist like:

1. The Government
2. Not enough new Hams to compensate for SK's
3. A force of nature that makes anything but UHF transmissions possible
4. A force of man that makes anything electronic possible
5. Hams themselves

While listed as number 5, it should really be number one - with a bullet. I don't know how many time I've heard a new ham announce himself on repeater, be recognized, and bursting with pride announce he just became a Ham, and then the conversation continues, leaving the new Ham out - more or less leaving him/her on the sidelines (although I must admit certain repeater frequencies are more social than others. That said, I can only think of one in the Houston area)

"Why should I press on and get a higher license" the new Ham asks them self.

A quick view of HF:

1. There are the medical, daily aches and pains frequencies
2. There are contest hounds
3. There are "This is our frequency" groups

Any other ideas you can think of?

'Nuff Said,
Woody
EMAIL

KEEP THOSE THINGS CHARGED MEN (AND WOMEN...)

Product Specifications

• Ultra reliable lithium ion battery with 11200mAh capacity at 5v output voltage
• Will easily give you over a week of battery boosts for your device (with normal use)
• 1 amp & 2 amp ports, charge two devices at the same time!
• 50 hours of movie time for iPhone, iPod touch or 17 hours movie time for iPad 2
• Compatible with:
  • All iPhones (E.g. Original, 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S & 5)
  • All iPads (E.g. iPad 2, iPad 3, New iPad & Mini)
  • All iPods (E.g. Touch, Nano & Classic)
  • Most Android Devices (E.g. Galaxy 4, HTC One)
  • Most Blackberry & Windows Phone Devices
  • Other Stuff (Kindle, Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, and many more - Standard USB charging cable required)
• Retractable USB cable included

• No iPhone/iPad adapter is included because it works with the one you already have
• Rubberized black finish
• Batteries: Lithium ion (plug in to recharge)
• DC transformer input: 100v-240v
• Weight (main unit): 8.6 oz
• Dimensions (main unit): 3 3/4 x 3 3/16 x 1

This little power pack supplied (up until last month), 9900mAh DC electricity to charge a variety of items). It's price was $69.99. For the same price, they've upped the amount of stored electricity to 11,200mAh. I own the 9900mAh model, and whether it be Zombies, Tornado's, Hurricanes, or whatever else you can thing of to shutdown power, it always helps to have a variety of "Energy Cells" around the house, or underground safe room to keep your devices charged. You can find it HERE, and, if you buy it before the end of the day you'll get 20% off the regular price!

While I've only owned the 9900mAh model for two months it's been very convenient to charge my dying iPad, iPhone, and Ham Radio HT with this device.

'Nuff Said,
Woody

WHEN IT COMES TO HAM RADIO...

IT'S A DIFFERENT WORLD NOW





KB5CEJ & KB5CEM



Back when Doug and I became Hams (almost 30 years ago) the whole system was in flux, testing, manufacturing, Hamfests and tailgate sales, along with the disappearance of the local HAM or Electronics store.

At the time we got licensed (Thank you "CW DAVE"/NA5CW) we could go into downtown Houston and if the service calls weren't there we would hang out at Madisons, which besides looking similar to an Episode of "Hoarders", had a whole aisle with used stuff a new or seasoned Ham could use. There was another store just North of downtown that lasted a few years, but Madisons was the big dog in town.

Having passed the written exam, then the 5 wpm (wpm = words per minute) test we were still "Technicians" yet we could use part of 10 meters to actually talk on a transceiver (it wasn't too much longer when they made us "Technician Plus", and those who only passed the written test with "Technician" status). So having a flock of new hamlings wanting to talk on 10 meters, a lot more 10 meter only radios came to the market with Uniden's HR2510 being the most popular.



Uniden HR2510



If you were lucky enough to pass the 13 wpm exam, then you had quite a bit of Amateur Radio designated to use. So IMHO, the mid-80's gave us the most rigs to choose from. We could buy a new one (still a wee-bit pricey), or a used rig, and in that field we could pick a 60's all tube transceiver, or choose from a slew of Hybrid (part tube, part transceiver, part terminator - just checking to see if you're paying attention, 'Nuff Said), or some of the early all transistor transceivers. A newly ordained "General", on a budget, could easily find a used transceiver for under $500.

Almost no one bought a full featured all-mode HF transceiver from his local store because they would have to pay tax. Most Hams have what has been found in DNA research as the "Cheap Ass Cell" so they bought their rigs from out of state stores to avoid tax and get free shipping to their doorstep.

So naturally, Madisons would get a phone call (remember no readily available Internet back then) asking if they had a particular radio in stock, and if so, how much was it, and did they charge for shipping. If all criteria were met, Madisons would ship it out of state to the buyer. Even if they didn't get the sale, it wasn't like it would kill them because the margin of profit on radio sales was so slim you almost didn't notice it.

Accessories, antennas, microphones, etc. had a healthy profit along with having a good technician to do in-house repairs for your customers. At one time, a Ham could successfully repair his own radio, but with almost every rig using surface mount technology, it would take a very steady hand, good lighting, large magnification and a prayer or "Hail Mary" to do it now.

CLICK ON PICTURE TO GET FULL SIZE AND ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT I'M SAYING

I used to attempt such things but lately it appears as if the components are getting even smaller, discouraging the Ham who was always used to repairing or modifications but now has to take a class just to learn the various menus and what they do.

I attended a couple Hamfests this year and pricing hasn't changed much - and only those with almost throw-away pricing sell rigs. For example, a FT-101 sold new, in 1971 for $499, which was 42 years ago. A used, scratched, but working FT-101 sells in a price range between $300-->$450 today. Was it built with gold plated casings? No. The FT-101 series was a good line that came out with revised versions of the model proceeding it, and if a new ham wants to make that jump from FM to HF, he'd have to check his wallet, the safe in a wall clock, and money in an envelope taped to the bottom of the driver seat, then $450 sounds a lot better to him than $700 and up for a new rig.

The good news for the younger ham, who just got his ticket is that it's much easier to pick up an HT now than it was in the 80's. I remember Doug and I at Madisons looking up at the Kenwood TH-215 2m handheld and seem to recall a price tag of nearly $300 [ed. - keep in mind, this was 2m ONLY]. It was Doug's first HT.

Jumping to the present day, almost 30 years later and single band HT's are in the minority today, replaced by the handheld dualbander HT. If you're not a ham, been asleep under a tree for 30 years, and haven't checked prices if you're reading this blog post I can imagine your thoughts; "If a 2m HT cost almost $300 back then, they'll have to be more expensive now - so what's the use". Don't despair, until recently you could pick up a dual-band HT for about $170, almost half of the price of a single band  HT from the 80's.

I did say "until recently", because there has been a shake up in pricing as of late, along with the well established manufacturers like Yaesu, Kenwood, and Icom facing HT competition from Chinese manufacturers. So what can you expect in pricing?

Yaesu's FT-60r has been around a long time and you'll find it under $150. Baofeng, one of the new Chinese manufacturers has the UV-5RA and UV-5R+, both dual-band handhelds selling for under $50 each via places online like Amazon.

I've owned and used the 5R+ for a little over six months now and it still works great. I paid about $45 for the HT and $10 for the programing software and cable [ed. - Hint, buy the s/w and cable and save yourself the grief]. I wanted to know what would happen if I went even cheaper and bought the 5RA for about $35 recently, and all I can say (having it for such a short time) is: "So far, so good".

Looking at it another way, if you spend $40 for the Baofeng HT, you've spent the price the "Big 3" charge for just the programming software and cable.

THE BAOFENG UV-5R+



BAOFENG UV-5RA, CURRENTLY $35.89 ON AMAZON

I'll be interested and looking forward to their first venture into the world of HF, because if they maintain the quality that these HT's have (at least the ones I own), it could really change the landscape as far as who is the most dependable HF transceiver maker, with the lowest price.

For now, I'm happy with what I have and hope the Government doesn't take away Amateur Radio band space, just for the money, allowing for more cellphone frequencies.

If you are a Ham now, you should be watching this carefully, and I'd recommend joining ARRL to keep informed and add to the ranks of those who are fighting to keep our frequencies.

'Nuff Said,
Woody

Email to: Woody