MDing and ham radio

[Wyomingmedic]

Howdy from Wyoming!!

Any other hams in here? If so, is there a generally accepted simplex VHF/UHF frequency that you monitor while detecting?

I don't EVER anticipate running into another metal detector in Wyoming, let alone one who is a ham, but I suppose the chance is there.

73,
WM

 

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[rickn1]

Glad to see there's more than one of us out there. Keep Warm 73's . ve5bbt from the great white north. ... Rick...

 

[Minrelica]

Is there a way that I can listen in on random ham radio without owning one? Pretty sure that I used to do this as a kid

 

[Wyomingmedic]

You can use simple RadioShack scanners to listen to local traffic.

You would need either an HF rig or a "shortwave receiver" to listen to the frequencies which bounce around the planet.

Some of us take it to an OMG level LOL. But I also do radio for work, so I guess I'm justified.

 

[ralexander22]

I know of two of us here in San Antonio that are also hams. Mostly use 146.520 but have never been able to catch the other on the air.

Robert
KE5YQE

 

[XLTer]

My nieghbor a couple doors down is into Ham . He's been wanting me to get my operators license . I've been thinking about it for years .

 

[Wyomingmedic]

I know of two of us here in San Antonio that are also hams. Mostly use 146.520 but have never been able to catch the other on the air.

Robert
KE5YQE

I think .52 is probably the best bet as it would be for anybody.

I generally hang out there when I am out of range of repeaters or on the highway. Not much activity here. Unfortunately, HF is king here on 80 meters. Better coverage than cell phones or VHF.

WM

 

[Wyomingmedic]

My nieghbor a couple doors down is into Ham . He's been wanting me to get my operators license . I've been thinking about it for years .

It truly is a great hobby. I have been licensed for 16 years and enjoy the tar out of it. You can see the pic I posted a few comments above. Get licensed and you can fly gigantic aluminum spiders over your house, and thousands of porcupine like tines on your truck LOL.

It really passes the winter hours here in Wyoming when you just can't get out of the house.

WM

 

[rickn1]

Some people say it's a dead hobby, what with cell phones and the net, but I disagree. In many mock disaster situations with pre-arrainged power outages ham radio was the only reliable means of communication.
We had a very unfortunate incident up here 2 years ago, a 4 yr. old girl was out with her father checking the cattle watering hole in a small river. Dad turned around for a second or two, looked back and the little girl was gone. Provincial police (Mounties) search and rescue was called in to search, now this small river runs in a very , very deep ravine. the Mounties had cellphones and handhelds but no way of relaying to head office. The local ham club was called in with mobile center and communications were established throughout the search area and to the Mounties head office 150 miles away. Sad to say but the little girl drowned after falling thru the hole in the ice. Very sad situation.
There are many ways to enjoy the hobby. Contests, local communications, long distance ( DX ing), nets ( on air forums like this one), etc. Cost of running a ham station can run anywhere, from $ 100.00 and up to thousands and thousands. ( much like TH'ing ) It all depends on how far you want to get into it.
Once you get into the hobby you are eligable for a personalized vehicle licence plate. That identifies you to other hams. Great way to meet others , always have a friend. Much like seeing someone swinging a search coil. Something in common.

 

[XLTer]

Not that I would understand some of the eqipment I'm looking at , but is there a retailer or dealer in Ham eqipment that you recomend ? Maybe a site that explains the basics to beginners ? Thanks .

 

[Wyomingmedic]

I prefer a company called Ham Radio Outlet as my primary order company.

As for reading up, try American Radio Relay League | ARRL - The national association for AMATEUR RADIO and Callsign Database by QRZ.COM. Arrl is a great first step for information and QRZ is the largest ham radio forum in the world with over 500k members. I am a mod for those forums and they are great for getting questions answerd.

 

[Don57]

Is there a way that I can listen in on random ham radio without owning one? Pretty sure that I used to do this as a kid

Most scanners can recieve ham radio or if you have a smart phone there is a scanner radio app that gets ham.


I don't own a ham radio but I do bring a set of Midland GMRS / FRS radio's when one of my hunting buddies come along

 

[XLTer]

Thanks Wyomingmedic . I'll check them out .

 

[Wyomingmedic]

Absolutely. Glad to help.

I have been a ham for 16 years and collected a decent number of awards. If you (or anybody else for that matter) have any questions, feel free to ask via PM.

WM

 

[rickn1]

XLT.er Why not check with the neighbor who is after you to get your licence?? If he is like most " hams " he would probably be glad to share some info with you, and get you started in the hobby, also he may have some older/not using equipment laying around that he can set you up with or let you have on a short term loan. I, myself have a couple of different recievers and transmitters laying around that I have loaned out in the past. Also do an on-line search for ham/amateur radio clubs in your area, then attend one of their meetings, most ham clubs have a website with a used equipment swap and shop site. You may not have to go the big dealers/stores right away, untill you find out if the hobby is right for you.

 

[XLTer]

Thanks rickn1 . That is exactly what my nieghbors offer is . Thier Club meets on the 13th this month . He is also a ( Tech / tester ) for getting my licence . He would be acting as a tutor for me in a sence . I guess my dilemma is , I've got so many hobbies now , that I don't like jumping into something new half heartedly . I know myself to well . I always want to go BIG ...... LOL

 

[G.I.B.]

Once you get into the hobby you are eligable for a personalized vehicle licence plate. That identifies you to other hams. Great way to meet others , always have a friend.

I've thought about getting the plate, but it gives out too much information. All you gotta do is run my plate on QRZ and you have a lot of info on me. Dunno if I want to do that or not...

I've been playing on 6 meters lately. It's an interesting band. I had a fantastic opening the other day from St. Petersburg Fl, (here) to west Texas. Perfect conditions.

I get on the 17/15 meter bands from time to time and it sounds like a ghost town. Nobody will answer a CQ unless you have an accent. But on weekends during a contest you can't get anybody to say anything besides 5-9... and the band is full- so they are out there.

I'm in for a QSO... anybody gets a sked going...

The 'Nothing Net' on 17 meters has been a pet project of mine for a while. I open the net and get nobody to check in and they have nothing to say. It gets pretty intense at times...

'73

 

[Wyomingmedic]

LOL,

Well if you are a paper chaser and need Wyoming, let me know. I do a lot of SSB and CW.

If you look me up on da'Zed (KC7YRA) you can see my station and such.

WM

 

[G.I.B.]

What I'm really interested in is the pig. What modifications have you done? And more importantly, can he detect gold nuggets?

Can I invest in your pig? Send some treats?

Do you have photos? (sans the lipstick, I know it's lonely out there)

 

[Wyomingmedic]

LOL, ya read that did ya?

I've been a little punch drunk over the past few days as my daughter was just born yesterday. Sometimes when I get tired, I get . . . . ODD.

This time, the "odd" manifested itself as a slightly modified truffle pig.

BTW, the best was to modify the pig is to change the frequency of it's IF. Metal is denser, so I drop the frequency from that of the stock truffle pig.

WM