About US
Submitted by kb5jbv on Fri, 06/06/2008 - 19:53
Resonant Frequency: The amateur radio podcast was created to help get information on amateur radio out to the new ham and the ham that wants to find out about different aspects of the hobby they are thinking about trying out. We will be bringing guest on different aspects of ham radio in the coming weeks. So sit back have a drink and enjoy. Richard KB5JBV has been an Amateur radio operator since 1988. He is currently an Assistant Section Manager, Official Observer, Official Relay Station, Official Emergency Station, VE Technical Specialist for the ARRL in the North Texas section. Richard is also an ARES AEC and RACES assistant radio officer for the city of Mesquite, Tx.
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Richard, Just a short note to
Richard,
Just a short note to show my appreciation for your last podcast where you spoke about the humble HT.
I'm a new ham with the ink on my General ticket still drying. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on amateur radio gear until I knew I was going to stay with the hobby, so I bought a used Icom, dual-band HT for $130 from eBay that opened up a couple of repeaters in the Washington, DC area for me. I then bought a mag-mount 3/5 wavelength antenna for about $20 and a 2 meter Mirage amplifier for $15 from my amateur radio club's flea market. Later, a new MFJ power supply later and a home-brewed electrical connector and I had my first 2 meter and 70 cm radio station with which I hit a ton of repeaters. One repeater in particular in Bluemont, VA allows me to hit parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania when the propagation gods are on my side. That entire station, which is based on an Icom IC-W2A hand held cost me less than $250.00
Completely hooked on amateur radio, I ended up buying a used 10 meter mobile radio, a used MFJ antenna tuner and I home-brewed an end-fed wire antenna which has given me some nice QSOs from South Carolina, Illinois, West Virginia, Massachusetts and Quebec, Canada. I can't wait until the 10 meter band opens up. That complete rig cost me less than $200.00.
And recently, I bought a used Yaesu FT-101EX boat anchor transceiver that will give me coverage from 80 meters up to 10 meters for $235 including shipping and handling. I'll home-brew a multi-band dipole antenna for that rig and I'll be ready to talk on almost every frequency available to me.
Although I now have some very nice, well-functioning radio equipment, it all started with the humble HT for less than $250. Even if you consider all of the equipment that I now have I'm still under $700!
Your podcast was right on the money and I'm glad that you validated my approach to getting into amateur radio by talking to us about the HT. It's a great way to enter the hobby and it doesn't have to be expensive. There is a ton of good equipment out there that is also reasonably priced.
BTW, your podcasts are getting better all the time and the music that you feature is absolutely fabulous. I'm 58 years old and I'm shaking my body all around when I hear that good old rock 'n roll music that you play. Man, that's a sight that you wouldn't forget very soon!
Thanks, Richard.
73
Ray, KJ4CNN