What's New
Boat Anchor
Boat Anchor II
CW
Ham Radio
Bio
QSL'ing Tips
Brag Tape
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Spike
38 Special
YU1PJ/YU1OJ
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Idaho
Welcome to KA7NOC's "What's New page" !
As you can see , I've changed the look and feel of my web site completely. And I'm not finished yet ! I'm in the process of giving all my pages a different look. I've decided that I want my site to have a little more professional look about it, and not so "amateurish" . I've been studying HTML these past few months and think I'm ready to move ahead with my web site design. I hope you find my site pleasing to navigate and the content worth your time ! After all , the whole point of my site is about information regarding amateur radio and how I'm involved with it. My main goal is to become better equipped to design and maintain a web site on a commercial level. These pages are fun to put together and experiment with while learning HTML. I've hand coded every page on my site without the use of any editing software , using only MS-Works or MS-Notepad . The only exception to this is "Spikes" web page , where I used "Claris Home Page (tm) 2.0" . I wanted to learn how the program worked and see if it really was as easy as they said it was . I must say , using an editor or a web page design program sure saves you many hours. But I would rather compile my pages by hand , that way I know what and where everything is , and should be !
If you visit my site often , you'll want to check this page for any new information that I've added . I'll list any new pages to be found right here for easy surfing. I have added two new pages for your viewing pleasure . The first one is my "Boat Anchor II " page, where you'll experience a time warp back to the '60's ! I must warn you , that page takes a while to download completely and is not for the mild at heart ! The second newest addition to my site is my "Bio" page. You'll find more photo's of my rigs and some commentary about me . Also a big page but I hope well worth your wait. Below , you'll find my comments on current issues of the day , some of these will change often as new topics arise. Your comments are greatly appreciated as well ! Enjoy your visit.
H A P P Y 2 0 0 0 !
I want to wish all of my visitors a happy new year ! We made it through " Y 2 K " without a hitch it seems . Looks like all the "doomsdayers" were wrong ( again ) ! Personally I knew nothing major was going to happen and that most of all the hype was just that , hype . Was it to sell more freeze dried food ? Generators ? Water ? Who knows . But we survived and that is a good thing ! As some of you may know from reading this page in the past , my wife and I were in Las Vegas during new years . We had a really great time ! We attended the "Barbra Streisand , Timeless" concert . We rang in the new year with Barbra as the confetti fell ( we saved some of it too ! ) and the fireworks went off . Very memorable to say the least and something my wife has wanted to do for a very long time ( see Barbra in concert that is ) . We stayed away from the "strip" that night , it was a total zoo . Trying to get a cab after the concert was an experience in itself , the line was about 2 hours long ! We decided to ask a shuttle driver if he could take us to our hotel , he said sure , that'll be ten bucks EACH ! We made it to our hotel all right , but my wallet was a little lighter . A prime example of supply and demand I guess !
KA7NOC ' s Pet Peeve
One of my pet peeves is the F.C.C.'s "restructuring" of the ham licenses ! It should be called the F.C.C.'s "dumbing down" of amateur radio ! At least they didn't do away with the code test , although they may as well have . Five words a minute for an extra ? I think my dog Spike can receive code at a faster rate than that ! What will they do, when after a period of time , the amateur ranks stop growing again ? I guess that's when they will finally do away with the code . Oh well , I don't worry about it anymore . What will be will be . I'm only grateful that I got my extra when it meant something eight or so years ago ! I do applaud the F.C.C.'s enforcement actions that they've been undertaking over the past year or so . I think its high time they started enforcing some of the laws that govern ham radio !
KA7NOC on eBay(tm) !
I "love" eBay ! Well, maybe "love" is a bit strong. I like eBay ! Where else can you go and find such a variety of ham equipment with photos ? I've bought and sold there , both ham gear as well as other things you'd never imagine someone else would want ! It's very addictive to search for different items and watch the outcome of the auction . I know that some folks don't care for auction style selling , and think that the prices on eBay are way too high . I've heard people complain about the prices on "eBay" , then turn around and sell a piece of gear for "eBay prices" ! eBay doesn't set the price the buyers do ! If an item is way out of line price wise , it simply won't sell . I think one of the best features about eBay (TM) is the "feedback" system ! While I'm sure it's not 100 % safe to base your buying or selling decision on the "feedback" system , it's sure a lot safer than shooting in the dark ! Most people who bid really plan on finishing the transaction after the auction . Plus, the terms of sale are usually stated up front , so people know that they will have to live up to their part of the bargain when they place their bid . I've had a couple of "deadbeat" bidders who never came through with the dough once the auction was over . At least on eBay ( or any auction service for that matter ) you can tell everyone about it ! It's kind of fun to browse the listings , seeing what people are offering up for bid and what the items price finally realizes ! The internet as a whole and auction sites in particular have sure brought a new way of buying and selling just about everything ! At one point or another , you can and will find just about everything under the sun on eBay ! As other auction web sites come online , and have the exposure that eBay has , it'll get even better ! Of course there will always be the "old fashioned" way of selling over the internet , with the classified ads . But how do you know for sure that the person is going to come through with the deal ? I've heard of many people backing out of a deal after they've had a few days to think about it . All the while leaving the seller guessing as to when the money will show up in his / her mailbox . Another thing I like about the auction sites is , it gives you an outlet for things you have sitting around the house or shack that you no longer need / want . There are literally thousands of ready and willing buyers to bid on your items . Sure , it costs money to list items on the better / bigger sites , but look at the cost of a classified ad in any popular magazine or newspaper usually with no guarantee of sale . Not everything sells on the auction sites , but if you price the item right or run it with no reserve and a low starting bid , chances are it'll sell very fast . Wanna see what I've got up for auction right now ?? Simply follow this link to my auctions listed on eBay ! Sometimes I won't have anything listed , but during the fall / winter months I usually do have items listed . If you see anything you like , just place a bid !
KA7NOC on CW
Well, it had to happen sooner or later ! My opinion on the morse code requirement for obtaining an amateur radio license ! I debated for several months whether or not to add to the many opinions on the web. And decided , what the hay, I'm going to do it ! Obviously since this seems to be a "CW" site, you must have guessed by now that I enjoy operating radio using the morse code for communication between myself and other hams ! So you probably already know where I stand on the issue. At any rate, here is my opinion on the subject. First off, I want to say that I am not an "O.F" ( that's Old Fart for the unwashed ! ). I'm in my mid 30's and have held "KA7NOC" since 1982. I came into the hobby near the end of the era where you had to go to the F.C.C. to take the amateur exam for any class license other than the "novice" license. In fact , I never went to the F.C.C. to take any exam. By the time I was ready to upgrade to "General", the V.E. program was well under way. Why does that matter ? Well, I just wanted you to know that I am not set in my ways . I'm from the spaceage man !!! The code ( in my opinion ) should remain a license requirement for operation on the HF amateur bands. What some people don't realize is this is an international agreement among other countries which belong to the ITU , International Telecommunications Union. This is not just an F.C.C. , A.R.R.L , U.S.A. issue ! Several countries would have to agree to abolish this requirement from their licensing structure as well. I have heard all of the argument's for and against , with valid points on both sides. However, I still am on the pro-code side of the fence.
Some have said , " I can't learn the code " . Hogwash, anyone who set's their mind to it can learn the morse code. It simply is not that difficult, and 5 WPM is very slow. Besides , the amateur community has given up the code requirement on the VHF bands. So in reality, you don't need to learn the code to obtain an amateur radio license. This always happens when there is a lessening of the requirements in any organization, they always want more ! Just give me a piece at a time !
I will admit, when I first became interested in amateur radio I thought, "oh man , I gotta learn the morse code ? " . But let me tell you something , that was the most challenging part of the whole license ! And I am glad that I stuck with it , it took me over 4 years to buckle down and get serious about it . Most non-hams that visit my shack are amazed that I know the morse code ! They are more interested in that aspect of the hobby than anything else !
So why the code ? This is the 90's not the 30's ! That's right, and all the more reason we should keep this requirement. It is what makes amateur radio different from the other radio service's. It's tradition, history and pride. We are so quick to get rid of things that have a rich history and are traditional. What is wrong with sticking with tradition anyway ? Always giving in to the ill- informed for fear of "loosing" something ! Something else to consider, how do you know you won't like something if you never give it a try ? I mean a real try, not just 5 wpm code either. I'm talking about being able to carry on a conversation with someone in code as you would on phone. It is being done everyday , you are just not hearing it ! I have heard many times both on the air and over the internet about people who hated the code , until they mastered it. Don't sell yourself short by thinking the code is too hard, you are probably smarter than that ! Consider it a challenge, not a deterrent ! Do you see the class as half full or half empty ?
Some have said , " why not test on the use of other modes of communication's as well ? ". They are right, and I think they do. I remember studying about RTTY and satellites when going for my extra class ticket. And I think they should require that you have a working knowledge of other modes just as they do with CW ! The only real argument the anti-coders have is that the code is outdated as a form of communications, and they are right there ! UPI is not sending news via morse code, that's for sure ! But the amateur radio service is not UPI or the Coast Guard or NASA. The amateur radio service is just that "amateur" .
I don't plan on using the code, so why should I have to learn it ? Well, what if you don't plan on building any of your own gear ? Should you not have to be tested on the electronic theory part of the test as well ? Or what if you only want to fly remote control airplanes using VHF/UHF amateur radio freqs. ? Should you not be required to be tested on the HF band segments because you don't plan on using them anyway ? Where does it end ? It is easier than ever before to obtain an amateur radio license. With VE exams given every month or so in many different locations across the country, test questions over the internet etc. The only real challenge is the code requirement ! And some countries require you to send as well as receive ! Lets face it , there are certain requirements for getting an amateur radio license, once you meet those requirements and pass an exam you obtain those privileges ! Simple, eh ?
Well, there you have it folks, my opinion on the code requirement. Like it or not , I stand by it ! Try to remember that this is only a hobby and we are all members of a small community of people sharing the same interest's . Find an elmer to help you learn the code , you may be surprised at how fun and challenging it really is!
KA7NOC on "Spike"
Spike is our dog, he is a Chihuahua dog what doesn't know it yet ! He has no comprehension as to his actual size and he loves to chase big dogs out of our yard. He is fearless ! We found him wandering the streets so decided to give him a nice home. Which was totally strange, because up until I met "Spike" I hated small dogs. I came up with the name "Spike" because I thought that if I was going to have a little dog , he was going to have a tough sounding name ( no wimps allowed )! We even bought a spike collar for him to wear. He is highly intelligent and has a vocabulary that my wife and I cannot believe. We had to start spelling words so he wouldn't know what was going on. That lasted for about a week. Now when we start spelling he knows something is up and starts dancing around and whining ..."Please take me with you.." ! He has grown accustomed to the order of the day, what we are doing signifies what we'll do next.
Spike's Vocabulary
"GO" = Translation..... Go..... This word drives him wild !"READY" = Translation..... Ready TO go..... If we use "Ready and "Go" together, this will send him into orbit.
"OK" = Translation..... Something I want is about to come true..... He knows that it is now OK to get or do what he wants.
"WATER" = Translation.... I need a drink.....
"FOOD" = Translation..... Could be anything to eat....
"POTTY"= Translation..... Yes ! I gotta go NOW.... He waits till the last minute, especially during winter !
"GOODBOY"= Translation.... OH MAN, I must have done something right. And now I'm going to get something to eat !
"G.B.T." = Translation.... Good Boy Treat !.... This is one of the first things we had to start spelling.
"GO SEE" = Translation.... Must be something out there that I need to be aware of ! Must bark....
"GET IN YOUR BED !" = Translation..... uh oh, I must have done something wrong !...... Sometimes he gets sent to his bed before getting a G.B.T, he has to earn it ya know !
"STAY" = Translation.... I'd better stay where I'm at..... This word is easily forgotten at times ! It seems that when I have food in my hand his hearing of the word "STAY" is much better !
"SIT" = Translation..... I'd better sit down..... The above also applies to the word "SIT" !
"LAYDOWN" = Translation..... I'd better laydown..... Ditto.
"COME UP" = Translation..... Oh boy ! I getta sit in your lap !..... Usually means that it is ok to sit on me, which he loves to do !
"GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK" = Translation..... Oh Man, I gotta go Potty all the way out there ?..... We don't allow him to do his business in the yard, he must go all the way out beyond the grass !
"BATH" = Translation........ OH NO !!! MUST AVOID WATER AT ALL COST'S !!.... He absolutely hates the word "bath" ! If I want him to go away from me , all I need to do is say .." Do you want a bath ? " . And he flees from me as fast as his little spindly legs can carry him !
I'll be adding to this list as I think of more words and phrases which he knows.
KA7NOC on Ham radio
Ham radio is a great hobby. Unlike "CB", amateur radio allows you to build and or modify your own gear if you are so inclined. I have recently found that aspect of the hobby very fascinating, and am planning on getting into it more as I find the time. It is so rewarding to build something yourself , whether it be from a kit or scratch, something that you can use in your everyday pursuit of the hobby. Not to mention the relaxation you gain from putting it all together. When I built my first transceiver kit ( the 38 Special from NorCal ) , I learned much more than I thought I would about radio design and layout. Things which I'd heard of , but couldn't figure out from just reading about them. Now they make sense and I "see" how they work. Ham radio offers an almost unlimited amount of challenges, you would be hard pressed to become "bored" with this hobby ! I've been a ham since 1982, and have not tried everything that is available ! With amateur radio you really need to work on getting your signal heard , unlike the internet where you just need to plug into the phone lines . It is quite a challenge especially if you live in an area with antenna restrictions. I've heard of some pretty clever antenna designs which keep the peace in areas that have restrictions on antennas ! I've been in that situation myself, so I know what some people have to contend with. But it is all part of the hobby, challenging , rewarding and just plain fun.KA7NOC on starting out
I first became interested in "wireless" communication when I was about 8 years old. I had seen these little black boxes with telescoping chrome pieces of metal protruding out the top of them. I was fascinated with the fact that if I had a set of these "space explorer" "walkie talkies", I could talk to a friend hidden around the corner of my house! Or I could be inside the house while someone was outside and we could still communicate ! The pair of "Dixie" cups and string could only go so far and I needed more freedom to expand my network of "spies" ! So I managed to persuade my parents into getting me a set. Would you believe I still have that set of "walkie talkies" and they still work ? So I guess that my first radio experience was truly "QRP" ( low power, more ham lingo ). After several years of messing around with them , along came the "CB" boom. As some may know , those "walkie talkies" were on the CB band ( 27.Mhz ). Now I was hearing very loud stations that were several miles away ! Could it be that these adults have discovered the joy of playing with these things ? One day I heard a voice over the loud speaker, I recognized this person. He was a friend of mine ( now KA6DAC ) that lived about a half mile away. I tried to get him to answer me on my little radio , but to no avail. The very next day I was at his place demanding that he let me in on his "secret" ! He took me into his room where there was a BIG rig sitting on his table, I was mesmerized and knew that I had to have one ! It took some doing but at long last I prevailed and had one of these rigs, albeit a smaller version of my friends ! Then I discovered that you could hear people in other states, wow imagine that ! Soon I became interested in "shortwave" listening, this friend of mine had come across an old receiver, a National NC-300 ( a real boat-anchor ). He was going into the Coast Guard soon , so he gave the receiver to me. I used to sit in front of that receiver for hours tuning the bands and listening to broadcast stations as well as hams from all over the world. I found out that if I had a ham radio license, I too could be talking on these bands ! Sending my signal out into the ether to be received by someone with similar gear ! I accumulated the necessary text books for study and was off on my journey to becoming a ham. I had bought the "Heathkit" novice course which came with code tapes as well. A very good course, it's too bad that it is no longer in print ! After learning the morse code, required at that time for any class ham license, I began listening to on the air code from other hams. This was extremely enjoyable for me and I was fascinated with it all. To think that other humans communicated with just two distinct tones, simple yet complex. The NC-300 receiver was all tube, and it did generate a considerable amount of heat, the top cover was vented to allow the heat to escape. I just loved to sit in front of it at night with all the lights out and listen. It cast a shadow on the wall and ceiling from the glow of the tubes inside. After it had been on for awhile and warmed up , it put out a pleasant smell as well. Anyone who uses these older rigs knows what I am talking about.It took me awhile to finally get my license, about 4 years after I'd boughten the course ! I guess the reason for that is along the same time which I was studying , I discovered girls and cars ! There's more to life than radio ya know ! Besides , girls are warm and glow as well ! But I did manage to finally buckle down and finish my studying to obtain my first ham license. I have been "KA7NOC" ever since , and I'm not going to change by golly ! My first "transceiver" was a Heathkit HW-16. The antenna was a Hy-Gain vertical which I had to manually tune each time I changed bands. It had a loading coil at the base that I had to tap a wire into for the different bands ! Needless to say , I spent a lot of time on 40 meters. I yearned for other bands though and would occasionally venture out on a cold winter's day to adjust the antenna for 15 meters . I made many contacts using that setup, I even had the opportunity to repair the HW-16 a couple of times. Not to long after I got it , a filter cap. went out on me. My next rig was a Swan 500C that I had boughten from a friend ( WB7DUO ). Still being a novice, I couldn't run this baby at its full output. But I could tune around the bands and listen to SSB signals , dreaming of the time when I would become a "General" class op. So I set out on another journey to upgrade my "ticket". I enjoyed the novice course from "Heathkit", so I ordered their "General class course" . This one came in two binders and was very thorough in all aspects of amateur radio. It also came with code tapes, only this time the code was sent at a faster rate. For the general class ticket you need to be able to copy morse code sent at 13 wpm. I had been active on "cw" for about two years so the code was no problemo for me.
KA7NOC's new links
I thought it would be nice to list some of my newly found sites here. Ones which I find while surfing the net that are interesting, strange, bizarre or just plain cool ! Some of them will only be here for a short period of time, so view and bookmark them while you can. They may or may not have anything to do with amateur radio. But they will all be interesting and safe for the kids to view as well, so enjoy!Art Bell's web site You know who Art Bell is , but did you also know Art is a ham radio operator ? Art can be heard across the land on the AM broadcast band , and also he has been known to inhabit the 80 meter band after his show ! Have I "worked" Art ?.... no not yet !
Winespectator Magazine Online Don't know the difference between a Cabernet or Chardonnay ? This site is for you !!!
RaceCals Americas Favorite Racing Stickers A well done site where you can purchase racing stickers, T-shirts, hats etc. Their work is first class, I
know because our business uses them for our stickers and T-shirts ! So check out this site, you may find something you can't live without ! RaceCals is the registered trademark of "MJB Screenprint".
Nils R. Bull Youngs Homepage This site is cool, funny, crazy and boarders on the bizarre ! ( the Mexican boarder that is ! ) So check it out and you will be asking the question..." Who is this madman?"...eh?
KA2MGE Telegraph Museum This sight falls under the cool category ! Here you can view various telegraph company advertising signs from 1900 to 1940. Also , some history about them.
