Guidance
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I got my Technician license in February and I am learning CW. I have
built a dipole and ordered a K3. What advice do you guys have for initial band use and getting feet wet in the Ham Universe? Thanks! _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I would suggest you look at 40m.
During this low part of the sunspot cycle, you are more likely to find QSOs on 40 than on any other band, day or night. Welcome to ham radio, Frank. Hope to run into you on the air one day. 73, Bob N6WG ----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank J. MacDonell" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 12:43 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Guidance > I got my Technician license in February and I am learning CW. I have > built a dipole and ordered a K3. What advice do you guys have for > initial band use and getting feet wet in the Ham Universe? Thanks! > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Frank J. MacDonell
Frank:
40 meters is by far the least difficult place to start. 73, Steve Kercel AA4AK At 03:43 PM 6/19/2007, Frank J. MacDonell wrote: >I got my Technician license in February and I am learning CW. I have >built a dipole and ordered a K3. What advice do you guys have for >initial band use and getting feet wet in the Ham Universe? Thanks! >_______________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: [hidden email] >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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> At 03:43 PM 6/19/2007, Frank J. MacDonell wrote:
>>I got my Technician license in February and I am learning CW. I have built >>a dipole and ordered a K3. What advice do you guys have for initial band >>use and getting feet wet in the Ham Universe? Thanks! I think that 30m works great and is more stable when it comes to working DX. 40m is great for nighttime DX but not always "good", while I seem to be working more DX on 30m (rotary dipole at 10m high versus 40m GP). "More" being not in absolute QSO numbers but in chances to have propagation. As for CW it's simple: you can only learn to do and enjoy it by making contacts. Don't worry if those first QSO's are a bit messy. We all had to get passed that point and considerate CW operators will adapt to make you feel comfortable. Good luck and have a ball! 73 de Franki ON5ZO _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Frank J. MacDonell
I agree with using 40m
Especially since they moved the 'novice' portion of the band down quite a bit it is possible to work some slow speed around 7040-7050 now (where the QRP action is) instead of hanging out above 7100 dodging shortwave stations es hoping someone will take pity es come work you. Having been licensed within the past 2years when the sun has been sleeping es primarily only working CW, 40m is where I get most of my fix. Matt KD8DAO _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Frank J. MacDonell
1 - Cancel the K3, buy K1. You do not need a K3 at this stage.
2 - Erect a simple doublet to cover the 4 bands. 3 - Make some contacts and decide then which band you like, based on experience gained. I have always had an interest in photography, but if I were starting out now I would not buy a top of the range Nikon. Likewise if I had just taken my driving test I would not expect to buy a Maseratti, Ferrari, Bentley etc. Chris Burbanks G3SJJ Frank J. MacDonell wrote: > I got my Technician license in February and I am learning CW. I have > built a dipole and ordered a K3. What advice do you guys have for > initial band use and getting feet wet in the Ham Universe? Thanks! > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Frank J. MacDonell
On Tue, Jun 19, 2007 at 03:43:31PM -0400, Frank J. MacDonell wrote:
> I got my Technician license in February and I am learning CW. I have > built a dipole and ordered a K3. What advice do you guys have for > initial band use and getting feet wet in the Ham Universe? Thanks! Frank, Welcome to ham radio! You did not mention which band your antenna is cut for - if it is 20 meters or 40 meters, those are probably good places to start on HF at this point in the solar cycle. In general, 20 meters will be best during the daylight and 40 meters will be in the best shape during darkness. Conditions are overall better in the winter than the summer. I would resist the temptation to go QRP at first. Use all 100 watts and enjoy making QSOs. If, later on, you feel confident and want to give QRP a try, then go for it. I would also suggest trying out six meters with your K3 this summer. As a technician, you already have the operating privileges, and a dipole or other antenna for six meters is pretty small and easy to put up. The operating is similar to what you find on HF - people call CQ, exchange signal reports, etc. Summer is Eskip season. On average two days out of three in June (for example) will have Eskip propagation to someplace from your QTH, more likely in the evening than other times of day. When the band opens up and you suddenly hear dozens or hundreds of stations from 1200 miles away in your headphones, it can be a lot of fun! Definitely find a place to operate Field Day this weekend. -- Kenneth E. Harker WM5R [hidden email] http://www.kenharker.com/ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Frank J. MacDonell
In a message dated 6/19/07 3:45:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[hidden email] writes: > I got my Technician license in February and I am learning CW. Congrats and welcome! I have > > built a dipole and ordered a K3. A dipole for what band? What advice do you guys have for > > initial band use and getting feet wet in the Ham Universe? Thanks! > I think the best places to start are 80 and 40 CW. At this point in the sunspot cycle, 80 is best at night and 40 during all but the late-night hours. 80 CW is relatively uncrowded and more stable than the higher bands. What kind of space do you have for the dipole? 73 de Jim, N2EY ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Frank J. MacDonell
At this point in the solar cycle 40m if you have space for an antenna. If
you want to work Europeans on CW stay away from 7040 kHz plus minus which more often than not is covered by RTTY and other forms of QRM over here. 7033 kHz down is fine. Good luck and welcome aboard! 73, Geoff GM4ESD Frank J. MacDonell <[hidden email]> wrote: >I got my Technician license in February and I am learning CW. I have built >a dipole and ordered a K3. What advice do you guys have for initial band >use and getting feet wet in the Ham Universe? Thanks! _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Frank J. MacDonell
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Hash: SHA1 Frank J. MacDonell wrote: > I got my Technician license in February and I am learning CW. I have > built a dipole and ordered a K3. What advice do you guys have for > initial band use and getting feet wet in the Ham Universe? Thanks! Congratulations Frank. First, until you pass the general class theory exam you are going to be limited to CW only and only in the general class sections of the bands on 80, 40, 15, and 10 meters. On 10 meters you also get voice privi's from 28,300-28,500. Second, while you're waiting for the K3 to arrive get cracking on the general theory test. When you pass that you get all the HF bands and modes. Here's a link to the ARRL Ham Bands chart. http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/wt04-140/Hambands3_color.pdf Good luck. - -- R. Kevin Stover, ACØH -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGeSV711jxjloa2wsRAsDzAJ4gXJuzr6WD0fi9mKoNG97InbmhlgCfb8NQ 7oCBlnEJ8sOsz8nh2aM7ttE= =srS4 -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy-2
Good Evening Group,
I believe I have seen this problem, but I cannot remember the solution. K2/100 (4991, all mods). Above 70 w, and after a short string of dits and dahs - maybe like a CQ, the receiver comes back about 15 dB down from where it was. Very noticeable. After a random string of dits and dahs, it comes back up. I've tried this with all manner of settings of AGC, DSP, noise filters etc. etc. Can't find anything that contributes to the problem except power. The antenna is resonate, but I do have KAT100 in the line. Everything works perfectly below 70 (or so) watts. Anybody remember the solution? Thanks, es 73 Tom, KJ3D _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy-2
I'll second the vote by Geoff and the others that 40 meters is an excellent
band to start with. It almost always has some activity. It's high enough in frequency to allow decent distance on daytime contacts so you can usually find someone to have a QSO with, and high enough in frequency that you'll experience DX at night when conditions are right with most common antennas. It's neither the most stable local ragchew band or the easiest DX band. But it does offer a mix for the beginner with a modest amount of experience and antenna! After half a century (plus) on the HF bands, were I limited to one band, 40 would be my first choice. You'll enjoy the K3. I haven't been able to operate one from my home QTH (yet) but I sure demo'd one many, many times at the SeaPac Hamfest. It's a rig that will let you explore very simple CW or SSB operation with a minimum of experience, yet it's features and operational capabilities will exceed your expectations for many years to come. Picture learning to drive in a special Ferrari - one that lets you operate it like a golf cart while you learn the basics but which will then behave like a world-class race car when you have the experience to "put the pedal to the metal"! The K3 is that for the Amateur Radio community, except you don't need to be a millionaire to own one! Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by KJ3D-2
Thanks, John...
but it's not a bad connector. I have also confirmed that the KAT100 is not the problem, and it occurs on SSB as well as CW. It is also not confined to >75 watts, seems to happen just about anywhere above 10 watts. I'm just sure I read about someone else having this problem, I sure hope he reads this. Tom. kj3d ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- From: John [mailto:[hidden email]] Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:27 PM To: KJ3D Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Weird Problem with rcvr sensitivity Hi Tom, Check your coax connectors, could be a little corrosion. I've had it happen to me several times over the years. John k7up -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of KJ3D Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:14 PM To: 'Elecraft Discussion List' Subject: [Elecraft] Weird Problem with rcvr sensitivity Good Evening Group, I believe I have seen this problem, but I cannot remember the solution. K2/100 (4991, all mods). Above 70 w, and after a short string of dits and dahs - maybe like a CQ, the receiver comes back about 15 dB down from where it was. Very noticeable. After a random string of dits and dahs, it comes back up. I've tried this with all manner of settings of AGC, DSP, noise filters etc. etc. Can't find anything that contributes to the problem except power. The antenna is resonate, but I do have KAT100 in the line. Everything works perfectly below 70 (or so) watts. Anybody remember the solution? Thanks, es 73 Tom, KJ3D _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: Weird Problem with rcvr sensitivity - more
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Tom,
Quite some time ago I had a problem with my K2/100's receiver, its sensitivity would sometimes get poorer on 40m after transmitting. I eventually found in my case that relay K1A's contacts had become "dirty", which can (but not often) happen with that type of relay. When you next have the problem, rather than transmitting another string of dits try switching to the next higher or lower band and back again without transmitting. If the receiver's sensitivity then returns to normal at once or after a few attempts I would suspect a relay that is in the signal path. Please let me know how you make out. 73, Geoff GM4ESD PS Please bear with me if I am slow to answer. Tom KJ3D wrote: > but it's not a bad connector. I have also confirmed that the KAT100 is > not > the problem, and it occurs on SSB as well as CW. It is also not confined > to >>75 watts, seems to happen just about anywhere above 10 watts. > > I'm just sure I read about someone else having this problem, I sure hope > he > reads this. > > Tom. kj3d _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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