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I thought I would make a thread just curious to see how people got into Amateur Radio.
I will start. I got a Shortwave receiver when I was 13. I loved that thing, I thought it was so cool to listen to all the stuff around the world. I would pick up hams and listen to them talk. I thought man I got to do this. It took me until I was 18 to find what I was looking for. I finally got a book and studied it and got some code tapes and stared to learn the code. I went in June of 1993 and passed my novice written test and then took the technician and passed it. I took the General and passed it. This was all the same day. Now back then they only gave tests every six months so I had already studied the novice and tech and got with still a couple of months to go bought the General book.
Ok then it was time for the code tests. When I took them they were old school around here no multiple choice. So I took the 5wpm and passed it with flying colors. Then I took the 13wpm and you were only allowed to miss 3, I missed four. So I left a tech+ and with a General test thing showing that I passed it and had one year to pass the 13wpm code.
So I left but kept right on studying. I got an advanced book and an extra book and read read read, and kept on with the code. I went back in November and well the rest is history. I have been an Extra class since then and had to pass the advanced and Extra written and 20 wpm code all fill in the blank. I also have had the same call-sign since then I could have changed to a 1x2 or 2x1 but loved the one I got so kept it.
So I have been going for 19 years. Also back then you had to wait for weeks and weeks to get your new license in the mail, no on-line stuff then. So I went to my first field day and was waiting on my ticket still.
I would like to hear from other hams and what your story is.
I will start. I got a Shortwave receiver when I was 13. I loved that thing, I thought it was so cool to listen to all the stuff around the world. I would pick up hams and listen to them talk. I thought man I got to do this. It took me until I was 18 to find what I was looking for. I finally got a book and studied it and got some code tapes and stared to learn the code. I went in June of 1993 and passed my novice written test and then took the technician and passed it. I took the General and passed it. This was all the same day. Now back then they only gave tests every six months so I had already studied the novice and tech and got with still a couple of months to go bought the General book.
Ok then it was time for the code tests. When I took them they were old school around here no multiple choice. So I took the 5wpm and passed it with flying colors. Then I took the 13wpm and you were only allowed to miss 3, I missed four. So I left a tech+ and with a General test thing showing that I passed it and had one year to pass the 13wpm code.
So I left but kept right on studying. I got an advanced book and an extra book and read read read, and kept on with the code. I went back in November and well the rest is history. I have been an Extra class since then and had to pass the advanced and Extra written and 20 wpm code all fill in the blank. I also have had the same call-sign since then I could have changed to a 1x2 or 2x1 but loved the one I got so kept it.
So I have been going for 19 years. Also back then you had to wait for weeks and weeks to get your new license in the mail, no on-line stuff then. So I went to my first field day and was waiting on my ticket still.
I would like to hear from other hams and what your story is.
15 Replies
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3505 views
I was interested in technology as a young kid.
My Dad worked at White Sands missile proving grounds in New Mexico when I was about 3.
By 4 or 5, we moved to Florida, where he worked at Cape Canaveral.
Ham radio was the only technical hobby I was exposed to, so I guess it was inevitable.
Several years in Vietnam were made easier with an electronics background.
Both in my communications job, and helping at the local MARS station.
I've had a ticket for about 40 years.
Of course, in the last 10-20, computers, cell phones, and satellites have been major distractions.
My Dad worked at White Sands missile proving grounds in New Mexico when I was about 3.
By 4 or 5, we moved to Florida, where he worked at Cape Canaveral.
Ham radio was the only technical hobby I was exposed to, so I guess it was inevitable.
Several years in Vietnam were made easier with an electronics background.
Both in my communications job, and helping at the local MARS station.
I've had a ticket for about 40 years.
Of course, in the last 10-20, computers, cell phones, and satellites have been major distractions.
I've had a ticket for about 40 years.
Of course, in the last 10-20, computers, cell phones, and satellites have been major distractions.
Boy ain't that the truth, but ya know I still fall back to my radio roots. I just fired up a yaesu FT-2200 I got at a Hamfest in the early 90's. I talked to a couple guys on the local repeater and then was fortunate that guys wants to send me a radio, he don't need....how about that.
one old story
Most of my jobs as technician, engineer, and later as a consultant have NOT been with communications companies.
(most were floppy- and hard-drive related, back when a hard drive was the size of a washing machine!)
But I did have one gig with X------x Radio, who's just 20 minutes away.
They wanted a computerized system to do quality control (QC) on production radios.
(think they came fully assembled from Japan)
They tuned up and sold a lot of commercial and marine radios in those days.
Engineering hired me to make the system, not Production.
Turned out, one guy was in charge of both production and quality.
And he had his own specs to determine if a radio shipped.
I took specifications off the data sheets and manuals.
There seemed to be some discrepency, and a whole lot of conflict-of-interest.
Needless to say , rejecting out-of-spec radios made me pretty unpopular there!
One of the few jobs where my Ham background really paid off!
That was 20 years ago, and no way represents current practices.
Most of my jobs as technician, engineer, and later as a consultant have NOT been with communications companies.
(most were floppy- and hard-drive related, back when a hard drive was the size of a washing machine!)
But I did have one gig with X------x Radio, who's just 20 minutes away.
They wanted a computerized system to do quality control (QC) on production radios.
(think they came fully assembled from Japan)
They tuned up and sold a lot of commercial and marine radios in those days.
Engineering hired me to make the system, not Production.
Turned out, one guy was in charge of both production and quality.
And he had his own specs to determine if a radio shipped.
I took specifications off the data sheets and manuals.
There seemed to be some discrepency, and a whole lot of conflict-of-interest.
Needless to say , rejecting out-of-spec radios made me pretty unpopular there!
One of the few jobs where my Ham background really paid off!
That was 20 years ago, and no way represents current practices.
What serendipity. If you want to buy some superior quality trunked mobile radios, let me know!
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
I created this thread on the original Edgecutter Cutting Edge Forums site. It's simply a place for those to review the latest software available for those using Windows 10 and Windows 11. To date it has received 112,559 views. I have been asked by staff to continue this thread here.
522 Replies
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47221 views
To each there own but I've found that Windows can't do much more than Linux can. Can't have everything.
For niche use cases, yes I agree. Kali for ethical hacking and security testing, and running a Cacti server for network monitoring are the two things I have experience in. Plus thousands and thousands of other things, but for every day use I just can't see it. The owner of the GMRS repeater that I pay to access is changing the Tx DPL tones tomorrow, while Chirp is available on Linux, the software to program my MXT500 is not.To each there own but I've found that Windows can't do much more than Linux can. Can't have everything.
I run Fedora and Ubuntu in VMWare, honestly I don't care much for the UI of either of them and I don't feel like spending days/weeks to customize the UI to make it look Windows-like when I could just use Windows. The cartoonish dock at the bottom of the screen reminds me of Apple products.
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
528 Replies
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17949 views
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. 
WTF… …What the Foxbat!Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.
S
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming youWTF… …What the Foxbat!
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you
S
OMG to freaking funny
Supporting Founder
Several Dish offers showed up today in my account. Once you choose one the rest are removed. Offers were Showtime, Starz, AMC and others.
33 Replies
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1586 views
Not for me, mines has no mention of how long aka the offer period and the Terms and conditions the $0.00 is good for. All I see is one can lose $5.00 if you decide to remove it before day 31 after you add it to the account.
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HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68496 Replies
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2670673 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z72cjoZP83E
Direct YouTube Link - AI Can Self-Replicate: Unplugging the Threat! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z72cjoZP83E
Direct YouTube Link - AI Can Self-Replicate: Unplugging the Threat! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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14 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/w5TOILSc_U8
Direct YouTube Link - AI Model Poisoning: The Hidden Threat on Hugging Face #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/w5TOILSc_U8
Direct YouTube Link - AI Model Poisoning: The Hidden Threat on Hugging Face #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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12 views
Help, I'm a little confjused on the activation process.
I purchased the Joey 4 from Solid Signal and shipping box has Call 866 726-4282 to Avtivate new Receiver. That number is Solid Signals number.
I googled and that search said call Dish to activate. I assume that is correct unless this requires a 2 step process.
Please let me know.
Thanks
I purchased the Joey 4 from Solid Signal and shipping box has Call 866 726-4282 to Avtivate new Receiver. That number is Solid Signals number.
I googled and that search said call Dish to activate. I assume that is correct unless this requires a 2 step process.
Please let me know.
Thanks
6 Replies
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210 views
All good called Dish and new Joey 4 is activated and working.
Old Joey 2 deactivated and no need to return.
Old Joey 2 deactivated and no need to return.
S
i bought mine straight from dish as it was only $ 100.00 bucks!!! had the protection plan they came out removed and deactivated the 4k joey and activated and installed the joey 4.All good called Dish and new Joey 4 is activated and working.
Old Joey 2 deactivated and no need to return.
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
Apple TV 4K
Apple TV 4K. New Siri AI and hands-free control. Stunning picture and immersive HomePod surround sound. Works with your Apple and smart home devices.
www.apple.com
14 Replies
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195 views
S
. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade..
. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
The new curated multiview is now live.
While on many of the sports channels and non sports channels there is a multi view option button. It will pull up a side bar with many different multi view options.
While on many of the sports channels and non sports channels there is a multi view option button. It will pull up a side bar with many different multi view options.
3 Replies
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171 views
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
141 Replies
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1368 views
