AmateurRadio.com

So I recently posted on Twitter that the formulas for the Extra class exam was kind of making me feel stupid because it’s been so long since I did any kind of serious math. I got a couple replies saying I didn’t need a calculator for the Extra Class test. Well, since they pull from a group of questions where all the questions and answers are known, yeah.That’s just raw memorization and reciting the answer on command. That’s not what I want to do. I want to understand the theory and use it in a practical purpose in my own projects. If someone else wants to pass the test to say “Yeah, I have an Extra Class”, then feel free. I believe that knowing this theory and being able to use it in a practical sense make someone a m0re rounded Ham and able to tackle new problems and take on more complex projects.

Now Yes, there are times when you just need a shortcut for the math. It makes it easier. So here are 2 videos that kind of show you what I mean. These make it a little easier for me to grasp the math behind the theory. If you’re studying like me, good luck!

73.

Rich also writes a Tech blog and posts stories every Tuesday and Thursday on Q103, The Rock of Albany’s website, as well as Amateur Radio stories every Monday thru Friday here on AmiZed Studios.

For some time, I have admired and loved AM radio. I worked at an AM broadcast station for 12 years. So I fell in love with that full sound. It has always appealed to me. And there are other out there who enjoy that too. And if you have ever wanted to be a part of that world, you can be. There is even a website for people who love AM as well as home brewing radios.

Screen Shot of AMFone.net

I have been a lurker on AMFone.net for a while. I originally found it through the AM Window website. It has articles and files on how to get a top notch AM station on the air and sounding good. You can also have a look at the classifieds on the website to find equipment to supplement your existing AM station to to find that right receiver or transmitter to get your station started. There is even an area for restoration of old radios as well.

And not to leave out the folks who like new radios, there is also a section for modern rigs. Tips and modifications to get that modern solid state radio to be top notch on AM. And if you’re like me and want to just learn more in general about Ham Radio from a more technical side, this is an awesome site to do it from as well. Reading and asking questions is how to learn. And one of the things I have found on this site is a lack of old farts telling you “How it should be done”. Instead, I have found helpful people willing to share their knowledge.

Definitely check out this website if AM has been a mode you have been curious about. It’s well worth the look and you’ll be happy you did.

73.

Rich also writes a Tech blog and posts stories every Tuesday and Thursday on Q103, The Rock of Albany’s website, as well as Amateur Radio stories every Monday thru Friday here on AmiZed Studios.

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For no apparent reason, I woke up this morning, took a shower and ate my oatmeal for breakfast. Sat down a started looking through the emails I got over night and it struck me. Why don’t I look up videos on YouTube of the Munsters. Then I remembered that Herman Munster was a Ham!So I started my search knowing full well that I may never find a clip of what I was looking for. I wanted to share the entire episode, but part 1 was missing. So I would like to share this with you. Herman Munster, W6XLR-4, super Ham Radio operator.

73.

Rich also writes a Tech blog and posts stories every Tuesday and Thursday on Q103, The Rock of Albany’s website, as well as Amateur Radio stories every Monday thru Friday here on AmiZed Studios.

I haven’t seen anything on this on Twitter, but every now and again, I like to make sure to check the ARRL’s website for info on what’s going on. It seems that a lot of it seems to not make it to Twitter. Either no one’s retweeting it or I keep missing it on the ARRL’s Twitter.

Screen Shot of the ARRL's New Web Forums

The ARRL has opened up a forum on their website back on July 26th. I have only taken a glance at some of the forums that are open, like DXCC and VUCC. There is also a couple of RFI forums as well. I could use that with my mobile radio. But at first look alone, this looks to be a good resource for new as well as veteran hams.

Forums rules are also posted for all to read, and I encourage those of you planning on using the forums to read them. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m not a fan of coming in to a forum and reading a question from a new ham and seeing a sideways comment aimed at them. I’m reasonably sure no one likes that.

As the forum is brand new, there really isn’t much in there, but I think a few good posts could help that and get more people in there to post. Plus if more people talk about it, that would help greatly. So if you can, retweet the link, or better yet, retweet this story! Yeah, That’s the ticket!

73.

Rich also writes a Tech blog and posts stories every Tuesday and Thursday on Q103, The Rock of Albany’s website, as well as Amateur Radio stories every Monday thru Friday here on AmiZed Studios.

I have been a fan of Leo Laporte for many, many, years. I even had the pleasure to interview him for NewsTek, about his Tricaster and just new media in general. And now, after many years of saying he could be an amazing ambassador for Amateur Radio, it has come to pass, as I had speculated a few months back, Leo is now KJ6QGP.

Photo Courtesy of Leo Laporte

There really isn’t much I can say about Leo that isn’t already widely known about him already. He’s a syndicated radio show host, with The Tech Guy, and he is now starting a new chapter in the TWiT history books with a new studio built on the popularity of the shows he has created and produced, which are all online. New Media’s finest example.

Now that he has him Ham Radio ticket, from what I have heard in Ham Nation Episode 8, is that Leo is planning on making Ham Radio a main fixture at the new studio for his shows. And that local Hams will be helping to get it all started. From setting up the station to helping erect antennas. According to Bob, K9EID, the station will be able to transmit HF as well as VHF/UHF. And it has also been said, that Leo is applying for the vanity call W6TWT.

If anything, I now have a goal of getting my HF back on the air, so I can try and work the new TWiT Brickhouse and get a cool QSL card. And then, there is always getting out there to actually use the station.

73.

Rich also writes a Tech blog and posts stories every Tuesday and Thursday on Q103, The Rock of Albany’s website, as well as Amateur Radio stories every Monday thru Friday here on AmiZed Studios.

So I guess this video is as viral as you can get in the Ham Radio Community. But the name of the video lives up to what you see in it. I guess you could almost say it’s something you would see on HamSexy. But everyone has their own way. So here it is. The video that has been making it’s way around Twitter. Some questions I have about this video is, how does he know which mic to use, and how does he keep track of conversations? And what’s up with the business cards on the dash? And with all those speakers, does he get surround sound now if he tunes all the radios to the same frequency? Just askin’.

73.

Rich also writes a Tech blog and posts stories every Tuesday and Thursday on Q103, The Rock of Albany’s website, as well as Amateur Radio stories every Monday thru Friday here on AmiZed Studios.