javageek

When my Grandfather died back in 1998 I inherited his Ham radio equipment. Back then I was living in Germany so I stored it all at my Mom's house. This weekend my Mom passed through town because they are moving from San Diego back to upstate New York. So, she dropped off my radios. I was wondering if anyone on here is into the hobby? I am going to study for the test, I found there is a tester here in town. I know I need to get a decent antenna. I hooked it up last night to a shortwave antenna and picked up a conversation going on between someone in Texas and someone in San Francisco.

Here is what I have:

Hallicrafters SR-160
Globe Electronics HG-303
Globe Electronics VF-10

All are really old, tube type radio equipment, but are really cool.

Bullfrog

my grandpa gave me a radio that could pick up tv signals and air traffic controller radio as well, i found a few ham conversations over the air. very cool. you could talk to anyone around the world basically.

javageek

I took my test yesterday for Technician which is the first level of Amateur Radio Licensing. I think I missed two, maybe three on it. So now I just have to wait for the FCC to assign me a callsign.

I was searching the web and stumbled upon this setup, which is a really cool kit for tracking vehicles through the use of APRS. APRS is automatic position reporting system, which ties GPS and HAM together, transmitting your location. Something like this would be really cool as we all are driving into ABQ for the BBQ's and then when we do the group rides. Keep in mind you must be a licensed HAM, at least Technician, to transmit on 2M which this is using.

If anyone is interested in getting licensed, go to http://www.arrl.org and lookup a testing station near you. It is $14.00 to take the test and your license is good for 10 years. You can practice the test at http://www.hamtestonline.com.

Any questions, let me know...

Ericy321

Sounds pretty cool. Dont know anything about it but it seems neat.

01tibby

just dont use it during the aurora borealis, you'll start talking to your dad in the past when he was your age.

javageek

lol, I forgot what that movie was called but it was pretty good.

01tibby

frequency, and it's one of my favorites. cool.gif

Ericy321

That is a good one. Was that what this is? Now it makes a little more sense.

javageek

Today the FCC granted me my request to acquire my grandfathers old call sign. I was issued KE5VHE and now I am W2FCP. Go to the following link and type in W2FCP.

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/...0!623014434