After a few years of teaching high school electronics and engineering, I wanted to expand my learning beyond June. I never had a mentor, but have always been fascinated by radio so I thought it might be edifying to obtain my amateur radio license. I passed the Technician exam on Field Day 2015, and in November upgraded to Extra class. My callsign is K1ECU, and I am currently code proficient at about 18 wpm. I also enjoy operating digital modes and contesting.
Like many new hams, I immediately purchased my first CCHT. (Cheap Chinese Handheld Transceiver, and I recommend these for anyone else just starting out. Be aware, however, that may of these cheap radios are not in compliance with FCC spurious emission regulations. Anyway, I learned how to use it and a listened across the VHF/UHF bands for a while, discovering how to program it to for the repeaters within the vicinity of my station, including the outstanding KA1RCI Network which covers the entire state of Rhode Island as well as portions of Eastern Connecticut and Southeastern Mass. I made several contacts through this network and quickly got bit by the bug. In fact, if it weren't for the KA1RCI repeater system, I may have lost interest in the hobby before very long. But fortunately, I met some amazing people who shared many of my interests and quickly discovered the many wonders of the hobby.
I quickly learned that a radio is only as good as the antenna it's connected to, and the "rubber duck" on my HT doesn't do much more than poke me in the side when the radio is on my belt. I bought a used but recent edition of the ARRL antenna book (2010), and set off to built a better antenna for use on the VHF/UHF bands. It wasn't long before I discovered the copper J-Pole design which seemed well within my capabilities, so I built one. The materials cost about $28, including a 10-foot section of conduit to serve as the mast and a couple of u-bolts to fasten it to a fence. The 50-ft RG8X feed line Cost $30, and I could now get into repeaters much further away with as little as 1 Watt of operating power.
Although the requirement to learn CW (morse code) has been retired, I feel like it's an essential component of the rich tradition of radio. I set out to learn CW by following the lessons on lcwo.net. This was a great site for learning how to copy CW, but I didn't find many resources to practice sending CW, so I built an Arduino-based CW practice rig to help me thanks to the excellent tutorials and code from Budd Churchward.
Useful Links
- The American Relay Radio League. Founded in 1915, this is the professional association for hams. Membership is $49 per year.
- Q Codes are like shorthand. Back in the CW days, talk wasn't cheap, it was impossible. So Q codes were developed as a type of short hand for common messages, like "Is this frequency in use"?
- QRZ, appropriately named (see the link to Q Codes), this site contains amateur radio contact information, bios, a call sign database, a contact (QSO) manager, and much more.
- Learn CW Online. If you say "Morse Code", you're probably not a ham. Hams call it "CW", or just "code", as in "I'm a no-code general". CW stands for "continuous wave", which is what you get when you key a morse code transmitter, a constant, modulated RF tone. In 2007, The FCC removed the requirement for learning CW, so many new hams don't speak CW. It makes it much easier to obtain your license, but I am fascinated by CW, and it is one of the most efficient RF communication modes available.
- HRO, also known as The Candy Store. RF Toys galore
- FCC Universal Licensing Systsem. This is where you'll go to mange your FCC licenses. Don't like the one they assigned to you? Apply for a "vanity call". They're free! But think twice before you discard your old one. Hams get to know each other by our calls.
- Contest Calendar. Don't like contests? Ignore this link. But if you like competition and making rapid-fire contacts exchanging a minimum of information, you may enjoy contesting. Even if you're not competing, contests offer the opportunity to make contacts in remote locations due to the sheer number of hams on the air. They run all year round mostly on the week-ends.
- Audio clips allowing you to hear what the various digital modes sound like
Recent Contacts
My Modest Shack
Hams seem to love posting photos of their gear and antennas, and most of the photos are pretty lame, with a few notable exceptions. Anyway, here's a lame shot of my setup from 2016, which includes an ICOM IC-2200H 2m mobile radio connected to a home-built copper J-Pole.
Under the ICOM is my Yaesu FT-450D HF+6M radio. I have been very satisfied with the DX contacts I've been able to work with this little radio and my G5RV wire antenna, which is configured as a slightly inverted V with the center at about 35 feet.
You might be able to make out my first straight key which I've since replaced with a Bencher BY-1 iambic paddle. Much happiness. I've also built an interface which allows me to key the radio from my computer, very important during contests to keep up with the 30 wpm stations. Thanks to Joe Carcia, NJ1Q for the schematic.
Below the HF rig is a borrowed MFJ-989C antenna tuner. I replaced this with a Dentron MT-3000A which has been a workhorse which allows me to work all the HF bands except 10 and 80 meters.
My computer of choice is a MacBook Pro, and the image shows the WSJT-X software running JT-65 and JT-9 digital modes. Under the computer is an Astron SS-30 power supply. I was originally leaning toward a linear power supply, but they're big & heavy. QST rated this little switching supply so well that I decided to ignore all the naysayers who believe all switching supplies are noisy as heck.
To the left of the Astron is the little SignaLink USB controller for the digital modes. Basically a modem for you older folks who know what a real MODulator-DEModulator is. Works great, but sometimes a little twitchy to adjust the transmit level without splattering. I've read articles about wiring in a 10K resistor or something, but I've got it setup pretty well, so I'm not ready to screw with mine just yet.
Oh, yeah, I should mention that's a Lucien Flotte print on the wall.
Milestones
2015
183 Contacts logged
- June 27, 2015: Passed my Technician's Exam at Field Day
- June 29, 2015: Ordered my first radio, a Baofeng UV5R+ on the advice of one of the VE's.
- July 5, 2015: HT arrives and I begin listening. Hear Ron, KA1FFY and Walt KB1JZR on the N1LMA 2m repeater
- July 10, 2015: License posted on FCC ULS db, and I'm itching to talk, but a bit mic shy.
- July 12, 2015: First QSO with Ron, KA1FFY on N1LMA repeater 147.240 MHz. He congratulates me and warmly welcomes me to the hobby.
- August 10, 2015: First echolink QSO with a ham in Troy, NY repeater system
- September 13, 2015: Unhappy with range of HT from inside the shack, built & deployed copper J-Pole antenna to connect to my HT. Dramatically improved signal. Begin researching HF rigs
- October 18, 2015: Attended my first hamfest in Meriden, CT where I heard ARRL engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM elaborate on their in-depth testing procedures. Continue researching HF rigs.
November was a busy month. HF Here I come!
- Nov 7, 2015: Dad helps me setup G5RV on a beautiful Fall Saturday afternoon.
- Nov 21, 2015: Passed both my General and Extra exams. Immediately order Yaesu FT-450D
- Nov 24, 2015: I give thanks for the arrival of my radio. First ever HF QSO with Joe, N1VIV on 80m, 5W (our stations are about 1000 meters apart, so...)
- Nov 26, 2015: Tuned into 7.076 MHz to some strange digital signal. Managed to identify as JT65 with help from audio clips on WB8NUT web site. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
- Nov 27, 2015: First "DX", Digital Mode (JT65), and 40m (7.076 MHz) QSO with WB8NUT using WSJT-X on Mac OS X.
- Nov 27, 2015: MacLoggerDX successfully linked to Yaesu-450D to control the rig via USB to serial cable. Difficulty with PL2303, replaced with genuine FTDI.
- Nov 28, 2015: First CW contact with N4API in Houston, TX 20W on 7.055 MHz
- Nov 28, 2015: First PSK31 mode contact with N7LVS in Portland, OR
- Nov 30, 2015: First AM mode on AM Carrier Net with Joe N1VIV on 3835 KHz
- Nov 30, 2015: First Digital Mode net PANBEMS with K3CC on 7.073 MHz +1Khz Olivia-8-500cd ~
- December 6, 2015: First RTTY mode QSO with HP1AVS in Panama
2016
774 Contacts logged
- January 15, 2016: Made a contact in Antarctica!
- January 15, 2016: ordered a potable Arrow Yagi Antenna for Satellite work
- February 15, 2016: Coldest day of the year at -9F, but I heard my first "bird"
- February 22, 2016: First SSTV QSO with KE5PYF in Fort Worth, TX
- March 21, 2016: Snow Day! Purchased two used Icom IC-2200h Mobile radios, one includes D-Star module!
- April 17, 2016: Rookie Roundup with team "Rhode Island Red"
- April 20, 2016: Picked up two Icom IC-2200H 2m single band mobile radios
- May 5, 2015: Assisted with ARISS space chat at All Saints Academy in Middletown, RI
Folks, let's just step back for a second, 'cause this is a huge deal. Teenagers talking to astronauts. In Space. And I was there. Here's another perspective from the man at the controls. - May, 2016: Completed "Worked All States" (Mixed Mode). Just need HI for my digital endorsement.
- May 16, 2016: Completed NWS SkyWarn spotter training
- May 18, 2016: First DX CW contact with F4FGB in France
- July, 2016: Worked all 13 original colonies special event stations
- October, 2016: Obtained my VE credentials.
- November 5, 2016: Served at my first VE test session. 5 new hams!
- November 22, 2016: First CW contact with an NPOTA activator!
- November 29, 2016: FINALLY figured out how to configure DStar on my Icom IC-2200h. My first DStar QSO with WB4SON, The Bobster himself, uber tech Ham radio satellite meister, transplanted from Huntsville, Alabama (Space City!) to Rhode Island.
- December: Apparently nothing happened.
2017 DX Anyone?
529 Contacts logged
- March, 2017: Discovered the CTRI Contesting Group and learned all about the Reverse Beacon Network.
- May 6, 2017: Participated in my first multi-op event (NEQP) at the W1DX super station
- July 28, 2017: Completed a fantastic week at ARRL Techer's Institute. Thanks Tommy! N5DUX
- October 31, 2017: Obtained my DXCC (Mixed mode) Certificate
2018 Contesting?
1831 Contacts logged
- July 12, 2018: First Satellite QSO! Thanks ARRL and VA3NNA.
- July 14, 2018: Completed ARRL TI-2
- September, 2018: I find myself elected CTRIContest Manager.
- Fall, 2018: I dip my feet into the contesting waters... They feel just right.
2019 Now We're Contesting
3187 Contacts logged - Nearly as many QSOs 2015-2018 combined!
- Field Day, 2019: Operated the first CTRI club satellite station with Rick, K1PAD
- September, 2019: Found myself elected president of CTRI club.
- October, 14, 2019: Completed ARRL's Triple Play Award (#2181)
- November 25 2019: Received my DXCC CW (#23,859), and Digital (#6536) DXCC Certificates.
2020 Ugh, Covid. Still Contesting, Though!
3530 Contacts logged
- June, 2020: Field Day at home? I'd rather bee playing with the boys at the club.
- Septermber 25, 2020: VUCC Satellite Award Certificate #536
- November, 2020: Finally earned my DXCC Phone Certificates
2021 Fully Vaccinated
- January: 140 CW Q's for Winter Field Day (1H).
- Completed CW Academy Intermediate & Advanced Classes.
- CWOps Member #2816. Bring on the Wednesday CWT!
TL;DR
Boring ham radio milestones that are meaningless to everyone but me.