Amateur "HAM" Radio
Amateur radio, often called Ham radio, is a hobby enjoyed by about six million people throughout the world. An amateur radio operator, also known as a ham radio amateur, uses advanced radio equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation and self-training.
Amateur Radio "Code of Conduct"
The Radio Amateur is: (By Paul M. Segal, W9EEA)
- CONSIDERATE..... never knowingly operating in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
- LOYAL..... offering loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.
- PROGRESSIVE..... with knowledge abreast of science, a well built and efficient station, and operation beyond reproach.
- FRIENDLY..... with slow and patient operation when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, co-operation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.
- BALANCED..... Radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.
- PATRIOTIC..... with station and skill always ready for service to country and community.
Good Amateur Practice is: (By Riley Hollingsworth)
- Giving a little ground--even if you have a right not to--in order to help preserve Amateur Radio and not cause it to get a bad name or hasten the day when it becomes obsolete.
- Respecting band plans, because they make it possible for every mode to have a chance.
- Not transmitting a 6-kHz bandwidth signal when there are lots of people on the band.
- Not acting like an idiot just because you were stepped on.
- Being aware that we all love Amateur Radio, and there's no need to damage or disgrace it just to save face.
- Keeping personal conflicts off the air. Settle your arguments on the telephone, the Internet or in person. Just keep them off the air.
- Cutting a net or a contester a break, even if you don't have to and even if you have no interest whatsoever in nets or contesting.
- Operating so that if a neighbor, niece or nephew or news reporter hears you, that person will be impressed with Amateur Radio.
- Realizing that every right carries responsibilities, and just because you may have a right to do certain things doesn't mean it's right to do them in every circumstance.
- You don't "own" or get preference to use any frequency even though you've been on the same spot every morning for years shooting the breeze with Harry.
- Not operating so that whoever hears you becomes sorry they ever got into Amateur Radio in the first place.
I am currently a licensed "General" class Amateur radio operator. For the last 20 years I operated on the "VHF" and "UHF" bands in the Maryland area. My current interest is in APRS, I operate an APRS Digipeater (you can find it here) , as well as an APRS rig in all my vehicles and my boat.
Since upgrading to General class (April 2007) I have discovered HF and Digital operation.
OMISS #6267
I currently operate with the following equipment:
Icom IC-746Pro "All Mode, HF" Transceiver
Icom IC-7000 "All Mode, HF/VHF/UHF" Transceiver
Icom IC-910H All Mode VHF/UHF Satellite Transceiver
Icom IC-718 "All Mode, HF" Transceiver
RFSpace SDR-IQ "Software Defined Radio" Spectrum Analyzer
MFJ-993b Intellituner
MFJ-998 Intellituner
Ameritron 811H 800 watt Amplifier
GAP Titan DX Vertical Antenna (80-10 meters)
HomeBrew 4 Band Parallel Cage Dipole (The Monster)
2 Icom IC-2200H "VHF/UHF" Mobiles
Kenwood 733 Mobile Dual Band Transceiver
Kenwood V7A Mobile Dual Band Transceiver
Kenwood 241 Single Band Transceiver
2 Kenwood TH-22's
Kenwood TH-79
Tarheel II HF Mobile Screwdriver Antenna
Better RF 7000 Screwdriver Controller
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