While this information is in the Ham Radio Information Door on
The Thunderbolt BBS, I've decided to create monthly posts (days
1-28) on various items of the amateur radio hobby. These posts will
recycle each month, as I don't consider messages over 30 days old to
still be "timely".

Much of the data applies to amateur radio operators in the U.S.
and its territories. If you live elsewhere, please check with your
countries amateur radio organization or communications agency for
more details. For the ham radio humor (items 15A through 15Q ), much
of the info is "tongue in cheek"...and some, you may not want to use
on the air.

The topics will include:

1) Interested In Ham Radio??
2) Some Famous Hams
3) W1AW Bulletin Information
4) Expired Licenses During A Government Shutdown
5) Amateur Radio License Question Pools
6) Vanity Callsigns
7) Ham Radio Classes And Exams (Comprehensive Bulletin)
8) 10 Commandments For Technicians
9) Patience During The Nets
10) Third Party Traffic
11) International Operations
12) Reciprocal Operating Agreements
13) APRS Information
14) ARRL RadioGrams and Formal Written Traffic
15) Ham Radio Humor, including:
A) Ham Radio Awards
B) QRN In The Grass
C) In Big Trouble
D) Missing Q Signals
E) New Contsting Rig
F) No New Rigs Allowed
G) The Poor Ham
H) The Ham Radio Pager
I) The Ham Snake
J) Ham Spray
K) Having A Ham As A Pet
L) No Static In The Shack
M) Radio Rules
N) Sign For The Shack
O) The Wishing Well
P) DX Movies
Q) The Triple Play
16) U.S. Amateur Radio Band Plans
17) Contesting Tips, and Little Pistols Versus Big Guns
18) Courtesy, and Good Amateur Practice
19) Morse Code Got The Job, and CW Beats SMS
20) D-Star and D-Rats
21) Echolink And CQ100
22) Hamfests
23) Selected Ham Radio Websites
24) Several Ham Radio Poems written by WX4QZ
25) Ham Radio History
26) Shack Safety
27) Satellites And Packet

Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, Little Rock, Arkansas
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

While this information is in the Ham Radio Information Door on
The Thunderbolt BBS, I've decided to create monthly posts (days
1-28) on various items of the amateur radio hobby. These posts will recycle each month, as I don't consider messages over 30 days old to
still be "timely".

This is great! I've always been interested in HAM but never took the time. Thanks.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/02/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: m O N T E R E Y b B S . c O M (618:300/56)

This is great! I've always been interested in HAM but never took the
time. Thanks.

There have been a lot of changes in the hobby, since I was first licensed
32 years ago.

1) "Internet Radio" (i.e. VoIP) has become common, and amateur radio operators

with medical issues (i.e. heart conditions), can't have RF gear, as it could
cause problems with their pacemakers. This is also useful if they move into
areas which restrict or prohibit any RF gear, antennas, etc. With the "internet
radio", all you need is a laptop, a monitor, and a wi-fi connection, to show
that "it's not just RF anymore". But, ANY hobby can get expensive in a hurry.

I did a demo at a high school ham radio club several years ago, with this mode

of "internet radio". The kids were more worried about getting money together
for their college tuition, instead of spending money on ham radio gear, and
accessories.

2) The Morse Code requirement for US Ham Radio Licenses was eliminated back
in early 2007. Now, folks are learning it because they want to, and NOT
because they have to.

3) Digital modes have expanded...things like D-Star, DMR, WIRES-X, Fusion,
AllStar, Echolink, FT8, M17, P25, TGIF, and D-Rats, didn't even exist.

There is also a service called "HamShack Hotline", using a specialized phone,
which is like a private line for amateur radio operators. Some use it during
their nets, as a way to communicate if a repeater, etc. went down. Plus,
there are things you can say over HamShack Hotline that you can't say "over
the air".

Daryl, WX4QZ

... BAR CODE: Electronic device to help locate bars.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Daryl Stout wrote to esc <=-

2) The Morse Code requirement for US Ham Radio Licenses was eliminated back
in early 2007. Now, folks are learning it because they want to, and
NOT
because they have to.

Earlier than that. When I got my license in 1997, I was a no-code Tech.

3) Digital modes have expanded...things like D-Star, DMR, WIRES-X, Fusion,
AllStar, Echolink, FT8, M17, P25, TGIF, and D-Rats, didn't even exist.

I still don't use any of those modes...I do love Feld Hell, FHPSK105 (narrow-band FH), Olivia (great for weak-station DX), PSK31, and RTTY.

But without a radio and antenna, I sit.

The antenna I want that will attach to my access ramp without issues (first
one listed on the page): https://tinyurl.com/yyedam3e ... $400.

Someday.

73,
Sean KS4TD

... Going the speed of light is bad for your age.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Micronet World HQ - bbs.outpostbbs.net:10323 (618:618/1)

Sean,

Earlier than that. When I got my license in 1997, I was a no-code
Tech.

I got in under the No-Code Tech license in 1991, but there was still
5 WPM CW for Novice, 13 WPM for General and Advanced, and 20 WPM for
Amateur Extra. The 13 and 20 WPM requirement was dropped on April 15,
2000...when the FCC also dropped issuing new Novice and Adanced Class
licenses. Then, you just had the 5 WPM requirement for General and
Amateur Extra...but that was dropped on Feb. 23, 2007.

Two weeks either side of the Feb. 23, 2007 date, Vibroplex, who makes
CW keyers, literally had their phones ringing "off the wall" with the
demand.

My favorite story was where these 4 OM's were sitting at a restaurat
table in Annapolis, Maryland...telling each other dirty jokes in CW.

This drop dead, gorgeous, YL, walked up to their table, and sternly
admonished them, saying "You boys need to watch your language. I teach
CW at the Naval Academy across the street", and walked out.

They were as red as tomatoes!! (hi hi).

I still don't use any of those modes...I do love Feld Hell, FHPSK105 (narrow-band FH), Olivia (great for weak-station DX), PSK31, and RTTY.

I've done PSK31 via the VoIP mode of CQ100...but that was a long time
ago (I am on CQ100 for a net once a week, but I'll miss doing that net
this Friday, as I'm going in for a bone density scan). At least it's not
a butt density scan (hi hi).

But without a radio and antenna, I sit.

That's what I have...with having congestive heart failure, and intense
lightning from thunderstorms.

The antenna I want that will attach to my access ramp without issues (first one listed on the page): https://tinyurl.com/yyedam3e ... $400.

Right now, I'm more worried about paying the bills for the property tax,
termite service, and the post office box renewal.

Daryl, WX4QZ

... Deja Goo Goo: A feeling you're reliving your infancy.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

Daryl Stout wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

This drop dead, gorgeous, YL, walked up to their table, and sternly
admonished them, saying "You boys need to watch your language. I teach
CW at the Naval Academy across the street", and walked out.

They deserved that one. <G>

Right now, I'm more worried about paying the bills for the property tax, termite service, and the post office box renewal.

I will more than likely be sitting at home for Field Day remembering my
great run in 2018...

73,
Sean KS4TD

... Hypochondria is the only disease I don't have.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Micronet World HQ - bbs.outpostbbs.net:10323 (618:618/1)