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I've added a link and mention of this thread to the OP of the SW thread, so we can all get a little cross-contamination going on!
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Apr 17, 2008 22:05
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Just thought I'd check in from my isolated ivory tower of the SW listening thread. Still haven't bitten the bullet to get ham licensing (got laid off, can't get equipment), but the discussion here is fascinating. Tragically, when I read thee technical discussion I keep thinking about margarita machines.
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Oct 30, 2009 18:01
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I know its a long time coming, but after much goading from his former ham (and pirate broadcaster) father and ham boss, SA SWL guru AstroZamboni is finally going to be taking his examinations for a technician license in 16 days! [APPLAUSE] My question to all of you experienced ham goons is this; I've been preparing for my exam using the flash cards and practice tests on this site. Would all of you say that this is a good study aid, or are there better practice tests out there?
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Apr 5, 2010 03:56
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BigHustle posted:I'm kind of surprised that I beat you over here. After going over the ARRL's pool, I've determined that the site I'm using is what I should continue using.
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Apr 5, 2010 05:09
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Sniep posted:Depends, for a lot of it, yeah, just go ahead and memorize the answers. For the math related stuff, it's your choice between A) memorization and forgetting after you take the test (cramming) or B) actually trying to learn the equations and math behind those sections and potentially keep that knowledge. I already know the equations, so that part isn't an issue.
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Apr 5, 2010 07:14
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I'm taking my technician exam a week from tonight. I've got the entire loving question pool memorized at this point, and consistently score 100% on the practice exams, so I'm good to go. Haven't taken the test yet, but I'm already preparing for the General portion. Should be ready by the next time my local ARC has an exam night.
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Apr 13, 2010 05:52
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I've decided I'm going to try for General on Monday night, not just Technician. I'm pretty drat sure I'll be ready by then. Get the champagne ready!
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Apr 14, 2010 18:27
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I have an HRO store about 25 minutes from me. Does HRO carry used equipment, and if so, what is the price/selection typically like?
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Apr 18, 2010 05:05
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Getting started on building my first piece of homebrew equipment: a morse keyer! I'm not about to spend 150 bucks on an ornate piece of idiocy when a morse key is the most basic electronic device on the planet. This is still a work in progress. I'm just figuring out the overall design, and have yet to incorporate the wiring and electrical contacts. Once I have a final blueprint, I'm going to order a full set of the needed parts from bricklink in a uniform dark gray color so that I don't drain my stock of LEGO Technic components and large base bricks.  Click here for the full 783x630 image.  Click here for the full 936x515 image.  Click here for the full 810x589 image.  Click here for the full 781x579 image.  Click here for the full 969x722 image.  Click here for the full 1024x768 image.
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Apr 19, 2010 00:08
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I'm adjusting the design slightly. I'm going to use longer Technic shock absorbers and glue the contact points directly into them. I'm using MLCAD (Mike's LEGO CAD) to keep track of the blueprint as it changes. Hmmmm.... maybe if it works well, I could get the needed parts in bulk on Bricklink and sell finished ones at a markup...
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Apr 19, 2010 01:48
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Finished! I'll upload pics tomorrow, as the batteries for my camera are charging. I also have a MLCAD blueprint for the LEGO components. I abandoned the plan of incorporating the contacts into the Technic shock absorbers themselves as they would have been a little too flimsy. I ultimately used screws and nuts that interfaced pretty seamlessly with the Technic pieces for the contact points. Also, how long after the exam does one typically have to wait before receiving the license? AstroZamboni fucked around with this message at 07:24 on Apr 19, 2010 |
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Apr 19, 2010 07:22
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Just got home from taking my exam. Got 100% on both Technician and General elements.  You might as well add me to the OP. The VEs said I should be able to see my callsign on the database in about a week, and should receive my license in the mail in about 2. I'll post my callsign when I get it. Now to start studying for the Extra!
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Apr 20, 2010 04:06
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Here's the finished LEGO morse key. I can't post a video of it in action because I don't have a video camera. Also, I didn't fully connect the wires because I'm going to redo the whole drat thing in industrial looking dark gray parts ordered from BrickLink.  Click here for the full 898x485 image.  Click here for the full 821x715 image.  Click here for the full 999x742 image.  Click here for the full 816x731 image.
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Apr 20, 2010 19:54
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I did a massive revision of the LEGO morse key and I'll post pics tomorrow. It is now much more compact and uses far less parts.
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Apr 21, 2010 05:30
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Just placed a Bricklink order of parts for the industrial-gray FINAL version of my Homebrew Morse key. Can I get a what what?
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Apr 21, 2010 06:52
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xergm posted:I also used these study guides, which are more or less glorified question pools with the wrong answers taken out, but some provide equations and things. The ARRL website was updated massively last week and these seem to have disappeared. This sucks, because I was going to start studying for extra...
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Apr 22, 2010 23:38
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Wow! It only took 4 days for my callsign to appear in the ULS database! KF7JKA
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Apr 23, 2010 20:32
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I am also taking a long, hard look at the FT-817ND. Its the size of 4 stacked CD jewel cases, has coverage on all of the bands I'm interested in. I'm also primarily interested in QRP operation, so I think it would make a good all-in-one beginner radio. Not only that, but HRO sells it for only $570, and there's an HRO store in my city. This homebrew antenna looks like it would be a good project for pairing with an FT-817ND. I built one of the guy's SWL magnetic loops this morning and it works like an absolute champ. My boss also told me that he's going to show me all the ins and outs of building old school homebrew antenna tuners, so that should be pretty schweet. Edit: of course a used older model FT-817 without the 60 meter band might be a good option too, not to mention a hell of a lot cheaper. AstroZamboni fucked around with this message at 00:15 on Apr 26, 2010 |
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Apr 25, 2010 23:20
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Here's a LEGOCAD rendering of the final design revision of the morse key, minus the wiring and contacts. The parts from bricklink should be arriving in the next day or two. Click here for the full 794x579 image.
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Apr 28, 2010 02:53
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My shipment of LEGO parts came in, and I finally finished the morse key 100% (applause)! All of the wiring/soldering is finished, and this thing might just be my LEGO masterpiece. Click here for the full 783x549 image.  Click here for the full 903x378 image.  Click here for the full 1001x721 image.  Click here for the full 933x467 image.  Click here for the full 851x549 image. When your LEGO models start to require a certain amount of proficiency with soldering, you begin to realize that you have reached a potentially dangerous level of geekdom and think that it may be time to take inventory of your life.
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Apr 29, 2010 01:02
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nmfree posted:So what exactly is the closing contacts on this? The threaded portions of the screws underneath the arm? Those are, indeed, the closing contacts. As for speed, I'm not too concerned with speed at the moment. I'm just barely beginning to learn code, so accuracy is what I'm trying to be concerned with at the moment. As it is now, I don't have any equipment apart from my SWL stuff, so I'm just connecting this to a practice oscillator my boss loaned me. IonClash posted:This would make a great cover article for QST. You should write it up and send in the pictures. I might just give that a shot!
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Apr 29, 2010 01:30
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I'm going for Extra on the 17th.
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Apr 29, 2010 01:51
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TC the Giant posted:Nah, my walls are... uh, wall-stuff. I think my antenna(the MIRACLE WHIP, which I still owe Jose a "review" of) is too drat sensitive and is picking up everything going on. When I was just using a shortwave radio attached to a magnetic loop I could pick up all kinds of silly stuff from time to time. Well, you can build a transmitting magnetic loop as well. It has the same deep nulls on either side and is specifically tailored for QRP operation. Really cheap to build, too. http://kr1st.com/magloop.htm
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May 4, 2010 21:29
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I've finally begun drafting my QST submission on the LEGO telegraph key in earnest. I'm up to 1 page (without photos) and I hope my wordsmithing is eloquent enough while still being accessible.
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Jun 1, 2010 20:38
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Blackmjolnir posted:Well, this thread has convinced me to get my license. I started studying for the technician exam a couple days ago, but I figured I might as well go for my general while I'm at it. Taking the tests Thursday, hope they go well This is definitely the way to go. Unlicensed to extra in one go is a tall loving order, but general on the first try isn't very hard at all. I got 100% on both elements. I'm studying for extra now. Last week I went to my local club's (Superstition ARC in Arizona) field day event. My neighbor down the street (who has quite the impressive antenna farm on his roof) invited me. I got to operate on a couple of older Kenwood and Icom radios (the latter of which was attached to a bitchin' Slinky dipole strung between two trees) and made my first 4 contacts as a new ham! Edited to add: In the last week I've been forced to relocate to Colorado Springs. Any Ham goons in the CO Spgs area?
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Jul 5, 2010 23:45
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Is there any reason why we can't have a legitimate Something Awful radiogoon net?
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Jul 11, 2010 02:29
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LtDan posted:At this point I think we could probably organize a club as well. The minimum members to have a legitimate ARRL sanctioned club is 4. We could drat skippy start a club.
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Jul 11, 2010 17:15
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nmfree posted:Today's callsign of the day: W0TUP. W0RF is a pretty good one too. As is W0OT.
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Jul 12, 2010 01:58
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Rev Quackers posted:I'm down to start a Goon Ham Radio Club I'm SO down.
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Jul 17, 2010 21:07
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Rev Quackers posted:ok everyone who wants in on our Goon Ham Radio Club email me and i'll get the ball rolling. Done!
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Jul 18, 2010 01:46
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Sniep posted:Same thing here in Denver, there was quite a bit of traffic comparatively in OK when i was there, here in CO however other than a few weekly traffic nets that are over as soon as they start, and nobody hangs out afterwords, there is silence pretty much on all the repeaters. It sucks. I just moved to the Springs. As soon as I have a transceiver, you'll have a hamgoon to chat with on the repeaters.
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Jul 25, 2010 03:06
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Definitely go for the highest level of licensing you can comfortably pass. I can't afford any equipment right now, but I went for general on my first try. With 2 weeks of preparation, general will be no sweat if you have brains at all. I'm right now studying for Extra. Still no equipment.
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Sep 21, 2010 17:39
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I don't qualify for any kind of officership, since I don't have a neckbeard (neatly trimmed Van Dyke), I maintain proper hygiene, I don't drink soda (and don't even like Mountain Dew), and actually get dates occasionally.
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Nov 15, 2010 15:29
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I'm getting a Droid X next week, and I'm no longer constrained to using the internet on a communal family machine I can't install software on. So I sent in my info for SAARS. Listen soon for my callsign, KF7JKA. Also, how much does the echolink app cost?
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Dec 9, 2010 17:13
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nmfree posted:On a lighter note, I got this month's issue of QST today, and there's a Lego straight key featured on page 20. I don't remember who here built it, but congrats on the mention+picture! I'm the goon who made a LEGO straight key. I don't get QST (not an ARRL member yet) and I didn't send it in, so it either isn't mine or they printed it without my permission. If it IS mine... Well, I have some vaguely mixed feelings. I have a hunch that if it was printed, it didn't have proper attribution. I want to be able to get proper credit for it, not just have my poo poo plastered in a magazine leaving me to prove that it was mine. This is kind of important because I was planning to do a writeup to submit to QST about it. Now if I want to do that I'll have to jump through hoops to prove that I AM the guy who created it. Not a fun prospect. I'm thrilled if my stuff is getting out there, but I'd be happier if I got credit is all. If it IS mine I'll be writing to QST and asking for some free copies. Can somebody scan the page and post a jpeg of it? Or e-mail it to me? My e-mail address is schwartzobservatory (at) yahoo (dot) com. (Edited for clarity) AstroZamboni fucked around with this message at 19:15 on Mar 11, 2011 |
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Mar 11, 2011 16:00
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That definitely isn't mine. Whew, I'm glad I don't have to fight them on it.
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Mar 12, 2011 00:00
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I just got a good USB mic and set up echolink on my PC, so if there are any goons who want to shoot the poo poo on the air, I'm KF7JKA and I'm on node 616843. Might be hopping on some repeaters here in a bit.
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Oct 7, 2013 00:02
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wolrah posted:I just fired EchoLink up for the first time in a while. KD8JQS #411670. I think some of my local repeaters are on EL, but I need to look that up again. I opened hailing frequencies but you didn't answer. So it goes.
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Oct 8, 2013 00:03
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| # ¿ May 4, 2024 13:36 |
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Well gently caress. Now I'm cooking dinner.
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Oct 8, 2013 00:20
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