Ham Extra

[HamYankee]

Just wanted to post I'm studying for the Element 4 test with a cool iPhone app by Roy Watson, N1ZTL. I'm also using the AA9PW Ham Morse app to attempt to learn Morse Code. I just started the Morse Code app today and so far I think I know v, m, k, r, s, h, and u. Gonna take LOTS of practice. Priority is the Element 4 test though.
H.Y.

 

[The Keymaster]

Code is a great addition to the HAM toolbox. Even though it is not required it is an essential skill for SHTF. The power requirements are much lower, and the language is universal. PSK31 is a great second choice for those who do not have the patience for code.

 

[PistolBob]

I've been 100% CW for about 20 years now...it's the most fun you can have while still fully clothed. Go for it, you won't regret it.

 

[HamYankee]

Its gonna be fun to learn. It's just hard to imagine processing the sounds so fast and accurately.

I've been 100% CW for about 20 years now...it's the most fun you can have while still fully clothed. Go for it, you won't regret it.

 

[12many]

It would be cool to know Morse code. My Dad dabbled in Ham but really got into Citizens Band back in the 60's. I still have one of his new in the box Vibroplex bugs.
Virtual Bug by AE4RV

 

[vvet762]

Code was a lot of fun. I learned back in 1976 and got my novice ticket. Finally upgraded to Advanced ticket a couple decades ago. I tried to get back in to Ham radio but it seems that the pride and dedication to something special is gone You don't even need code to become a ham. A couple of years ago I decided to get back on the air and found too much bad language and unprofessionalism that I sold the rig and gave up the idea of ham radio. I will always keep current on code by tapping out license plate code in my mind just incase of SHTF.

 

[TheRude1]

Plan on going to Columbus with a few others the 26th and take the test for my amateur lic

 

[HamYankee]

"tapping out license plate code" That's an awesome mental exercise!

Code was a lot of fun. I learned back in 1976 and got my novice ticket. Finally upgraded to Advanced ticket a couple decades ago. I tried to get back in to Ham radio but it seems that the pride and dedication to something special is gone You don't even need code to become a ham. A couple of years ago I decided to get back on the air and found too much bad language and unprofessionalism that I sold the rig and gave up the idea of ham radio. I will always keep current on code by tapping out license plate code in my mind just incase of SHTF.

 

[rvb]

Started trying to learn a couple times, but has never held my interest. I'm a post-code tech.

-rvb

 

[Bill B]

electronic keyers. That is all

 

[TheRude1]

Plan on going to Columbus with a few others the 26th and take the test for my amateur lic

Disregaurd my test info for Columbus. I had the wrong date, it was last week.

 

[walleyepw]

Just starting to study for my tech. license. My father-in-law has his general license and is studying to go for his advanced license. HAM sounds very interesting to me and since I have some one already in the house that is into amateur radio, it will be nice to have the equipment already available.

 

[PistolBob]

Just starting to study for my tech. license. My father-in-law has his general license and is studying to go for his advanced license. HAM sounds very interesting to me and since I have some one already in the house that is into amateur radio, it will be nice to have the equipment already available.

Great to hear you are studying for your Technican Class amateur radio license.

Currently we only have three classes of license:

Technican - this is the entry level, covers mainly FCC regs, some basic electronic theory, and Ohm's law, 35 questions and you can miss 9.
General Class - Middle Level, covers more radio theory, more modes, band allocations, some math, 35 questions and you miss 9.
Amateur Extra - Top level for now, covers reading schematics, more math, more theory, antennas, propagation, band plans, modes...50 questions and you can miss 13.

The Advanced class has been gone for a long time now. Sadly, Morse Code is no longer a requirement for a amateur radio license.

It's a great hobby, you can pass the test if you do a little study. I have seen a boy at age 8 pass it.

You can find practice exams here: AA9PW FCC Exam Practice

73

 

[Wolffman]

I'm working on the Technician license too. I will hopefully pass the test in a week and a half.

 

[Miles42]

Sounds like something that this old fart would like. I am going to look into it. Always looking for ways to make retirement more fun.

 

[squirrelhntr]

http://beaandmildred.com/z/morse-code-alphabet.jpg


Been a General for quite a while don't use code much mostly 80 meters LSB. but code was fun to learn. I didn't think I could learn a new language in my 40's but kept practicing and all of a sudden it came to me. used to practice while I drove coding the street signs along the way, and listening to a teaching cassette in the dash board tape player. .... ._ ..._ . .._. .._ _.

 

[Blown71X]

Had to know it back in the 80`s when I got my ticket...HATE IT !
Have not touched it since, although I can still copy some.

 

[PistolBob]

The worst thing you can do while trying to learn CW, is have a chart like the one Squirrelhntr showed us. Morse Code is an auditory language, not a visual language. If you try to memorize that chart by the look of each letter you will never ever be able to copy CW any faster than a few words per minute. It is best to learn CW with your eyes shut, you have to learn the sound of the letters, and soon you'll start hearing not only the letters, but the words. I used to run CW QSOs every single day, a couple hours a day...my head copy was great and I hardly ever wrote anything down other than the time, date, freq and signal report...now I don't have the time to spend on the air as much but I still enjoy the hell out of a good old fashioned CW ragchew at 18 or 20 WPM and 25 to 30 WPM once I get warmed up again.

 

[1911ly]

Koch CW trainer is great. I have started a lot of new to CW guys with that program. PistolBob, if you would like to make a CW sked PM me. I can keep up with ya :-) I am a Amateur Extra class from back in the day you had to get your Advance first. I still do a bit of CW. Homebrewing is my real passion though.

W9AMR

 

[squirrelhntr]

The worst thing you can do while trying to learn CW, is have a chart like the one Squirrelhntr showed us. Morse Code is an auditory language, not a visual language. If you try to memorize that chart by the look of each letter you will never ever be able to copy CW any faster than a few words per minute. It is best to learn CW with your eyes shut, you have to learn the sound of the letters, and soon you'll start hearing not only the letters, but the words. I used to run CW QSOs every single day, a couple hours a day...my head copy was great and I hardly ever wrote anything down other than the time, date, freq and signal report...now I don't have the time to spend on the air as much but I still enjoy the hell out of a good old fashioned CW ragchew at 18 or 20 WPM and 25 to 30 WPM once I get warmed up again.

yes that's true. I put the chart up so they could interpret the message I typed. and the chart is posted in the Ham radio manuals. dit dah dit dah