Any steelers who are Ham Radio Operators?

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 12 May 2003 8:07 am

N5YUL, and I've upgraded to General since posting on the thread that Janice linked to above. I do some HF, but primarily operate 144/440 more than anything else. Current gear is a Kenwood TS140, Kenwood TM251, Yaesu FT100, Yaesu FT-50R, Icom IC2720H, Alinco DJG5, Radio Shack HTX242, MFJ 948E tuner, MFJ-945C tuner, and assorted antennas. Very active with the local Skywarn program during severe weather.

Also seriously looking at one of the new Yaesu 8900's. Any of you guys tried one? Drop me an email and let me know what you think of it if you have.

Thanks,
Lem[This message was edited by Lem Smith on 24 May 2003 at 10:10 PM.]

Bill Edwards · Post by **Bill Edwards** » 12 May 2003 1:19 pm

HI Gang I have been a ham since 1978 my call is N5SG, anyone care to guess what the SG stands for haha, this is a vanity call I got several years ago, have a nice station I need to reset up someday

Stephen Simms · Post by **Stephen Simms** » 13 May 2003 8:27 pm

I was a "Ham" years ago (ZE1GD) really wish that I had kept it up....it was a favourite pastime.

ArtPalazzini · Post by **ArtPalazzini** » 19 May 2003 12:40 pm

Hi there from KA1IQ , name is Art. Run TS850s/at ,Dentron MLA1200 amp(sometimes) and Cushcraft A3S.. Mostly 17 mtrs... best 73's

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 19 May 2003 6:28 pm

Duane Becker KB7GCF since 1987, and also proud that I passed the code as well. I'm also a model railroader that plays Emmons push-pulls and Sho-Buds. Duane Becker

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 19 May 2003 7:08 pm

Johnny Winter has a picture of him and edger when they were kids and really into their ham radio, it's on Johnny's new web site.

johnnyb · Post by **johnnyb** » 19 May 2003 7:39 pm

KC4AHG Haven't been active since the internet got my attention.

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Johnny Barham

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 24 May 2003 4:55 am

KA4ZAY

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Regards,

John

Steelin' is a way of life!

My PSG website-Carter SD-12-U, 8p/5k, Nashville 1000

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 24 May 2003 4:56 am

KA4ZAY Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-West Palm Beach

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Regards,

John

Steelin' is a way of life!

My PSG website-Carter SD-12-U, 8p/5k, Nashville 1000

Ken Latchum · Post by **Ken Latchum** » 24 May 2003 7:09 am

This KE4BRW checking in on the net" I mostly enjoy using the 2 meter feq. Actually a (Tech/plus) that was 5 words per min for that ticket and I now hear that 5 wpm is all that is now required for all of them tickets! Hum Bug!!!! Making it too easy now.

Regards
Ken

Art Cockriel · Post by **Art Cockriel** » 25 May 2003 3:03 pm

KD4JWD checking in. just don't get around to it much any more.

Everette Reeves · Post by **Everette Reeves** » 25 May 2003 6:18 pm

I'm W7CHG from Tucson, AZ. Been a ham for lo these 55 years and a CW military operator for seven of those. Have not done it for a long time and it sure looks like a dying artform.
It's fun but hard to find people who still do it. Any other military CW ops out there???
Regards. Paul

Jonathan Cullifer · Post by **Jonathan Cullifer** » 27 May 2003 6:04 am

I must be the newest ham on the block. KG4TVT, licensed in June 2002. Got my General class ticket in April 2003. Active on 2 meters and 70 centimeters; HF is coming shortly.

Just couldn't help but noticing this and had to say something.

73s all,
Jonathan

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 27 May 2003 10:57 am

Hi Jonathan, congratulations on your General. Ham radio really is a great hobby, as you can see many hams lie inactive at times but you can bet they'd never give up their tickets...just getting one is an accomplishment that you can keep all your life, get on or off the air as you please...I go inactive at times, sometimes even 2-3 years when I get too busy or doing a lot of travelling, then when things change the radio's never off. Be proud of being part of a great tradition and for the most part a great bunch of people. Maybe catch you on air sometime.

73,
Jim W7OQX

RB Jones · Post by **RB Jones** » 27 May 2003 3:08 pm

My Dad and I were early Citizens Band radio nuts in the early 60s when you actually had to have an FCC license and call sign (KKM6974) and before the band was turned over to the masses to be turned into a communications nightmare.

Got my novice in '76 as WD4BYS and did CW QRP on 15 and 20 meters with a 5 watt Heathkit for about four years and got my general.

Took a long break to raise kids and came back into 2 meter/440 ghz FM in Calif., KF6JFM, in about '95 because my brother was a 2-meter fan. I have to say I became totally disappointed. The level of courtesy and professionalism had dropped to near CB level. I got the feeling that 2 meter was populated by a lot of twisted and rude people ('course I do live in Calif.) who had no appreciation for radio or communications. Besides, cell phones have made 2 meter obsolete. So I sold the my little ICOM and haven't been back since.

I do use marine band VHF while in a boat. At least it hasn't descended into chaos yet. I'll probably pick up on 10-40 meters again someday when I buy a sailboat to sail offshore. You active hams please tell me that the operators on those bands are still competant, helpful and courteous toward their fellow amateurs.

BTW, I also like motorcycles and have a '67 Triumph 650 TR6R I've owned since I came back from Nam in '69. Still runs.

RB[This message was edited by RB Jones on 27 May 2003 at 04:09 PM.]

Cairo Zoots · Post by **Cairo Zoots** » 27 May 2003 5:27 pm

de N6UAC/0, formerly WN6AZM. KW TS430S, TS830S, Icom 245, & some old glow-in-the-dark relics. Haven't been able to maintain antenna farm, so not too active lately, Kind of reluctant to join the "appliance op" group.

73 de N6UAC/0 BT AR

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ree-00-dee-doo

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 27 May 2003 9:10 pm

RB Jones, sorry your 2-meter experience was so unpleasant. I haven't been on 2 meters since about '90 so can't say much about it since then. When I did have 2 meters I was in Las Vegas and even before I bought the 2 meter handheld I heard all the same stuff; "two meters is like the worst of CB..", etc. I never heard anything even approaching that, but I don't doubt that it exists. Even on HF you occassionally find it, but it's everywhere and always has been. You can read the same in old editorials in QST from the beginnings of ham radio to the present. I can believe in the larger cities 2-meters is probably a bigger mess than the smaller areas....maybe it's not a good idea there....but don't let a few bad apples or even several of them sour you on ham radio, bad apples are everywhere.....Don't throw out the baby with the bath. Hope you have better luck if/when you try again.

73,
Jim W7OQX

Cliff Oliver · Post by **Cliff Oliver** » 28 May 2003 12:53 pm

This is crazy that so many steelers are hams...this should be worth something to someone doing a psych profile.
Oh BTW, N5CCO active mostly HF, and have three motorcycles that are also active. The single cylinder motorcycle is the CW machine, idling it does dah, dah, WOT it is dit, dit, dit. vrroooom!

Merv Dawson · Post by **Merv Dawson** » 28 May 2003 7:18 pm

I was once WA5DIY in the early 1960's. Operated 40 and 80 meters. Really had a great time but lost interest. I was excited to learn that if you ever passed code, it was now good for life. I chased a link to find out how to prove it and some company wanted $150 to research old files. Could I do that anywhere? Would love to get re-instated. [This message was edited by Merv Dawson on 28 May 2003 at 08:20 PM.]

RB Jones · Post by **RB Jones** » 29 May 2003 8:47 am

Jim,

You're probably right. My brother operated in mostly rural Tenn. and everybody there seemed to be helpful and professional on the phone. The SF Bay Area is very crowded and repeater time is scarce. That may account for the rudeness. Thanks for the pep talk. I really think HF is where I'm most comfortable. Having said that, if there were ever a huge quake here, having a 2-meter would probably be a godsend. Hams are at their best in a crisis.

As to why many steelers are hams and bikers, too. It must be something about the appreciation for the beauty of things that are more complicated than most people want to fool with.

RB

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 29 May 2003 9:57 am

No doubt it's different in various areas, regarding 2 meters. Around here, 2/440 is always a joy to work, as the operators are courteous and professional, especially during the more serious events, ie, Skywarn. However on HF, especially 75 meters is where I've encountered some of the more "unfriendly" types. Most are good hams down there, but also quite a few I'd rather avoid, like the ones who act like you're second rate if you got your General ticket under the new 5wpm rules.

Oh well, I guess it takes all kinds to make the world go round

I'd go along with the idea that it's the challenge of both the steel guitar and ham radio that makes it appealing to the steel player. The major feeling of accomplishment that both can bring.

Lem

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 29 May 2003 10:13 am

Hi Jim my friend....I don't know anything about ham radio but I want to congratulate you on the longivity of this thread for surviving so long without it having anything to do with steel-guitars. I have seen threads on bikes and guns and other subjects go down in flames in their prime....but your thread has set a record.

Keep up the good work my friend....you are doing something right!

Your friend,

Gene
www.genejones.com

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 29 May 2003 10:55 am

Lem, RB; I like your ideas on the attractions of steel, bikes & ham radio. Gene, always a pleasure to hear from you, no matter what the topic.....actually, I've been sensing b0b's shadow approaching, looming ominously...

Seriously, thanks b0b for letting this run a while.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 29 May 2003 at 11:58 AM.]

Post by **b0b** » 29 May 2003 11:05 am

I think it's run long enough, though, certainly longer than most off topic threads. Hopefully everyone's had a chance to post their call letters. Time to close it down.

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/Officeb0b.gif" border="0"> Bobby Lee
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