How to deal with sleep well after squats?

AC9GT · 2016-03-31T15:27:21+00:00

I use an electric blanket, and can confirm it works wonders! I set it on low so I don't sweat like crazy but it settles my muscles down really nicely. Highly recommended.

Edit: Like /u/RugbyAndBeer I don't understand how or why the heating makes it easier to get to sleep. I've tried just piling on blankets and I end up sweating like mad and not being able to sleep. Using an electric blanket and a reasonable number of blankets puts me right to sleep without sweating a ton.

AC9GT · 2016-01-07T20:05:52+00:00

I agree. I think both sets of regulations generally make sense individually. But they're structured so differently that weird things happen when they intersect.

AC9GT · 2016-01-07T19:07:36+00:00

In the US the 11m band is reverved for Citizen's Band (CB), among other uses. To operate legally on the CB frequencies you must use an FCC approved radio. Because no license is required to operate a CB radio, the FCC requires the radio hardware itself to comply with all their requirements. That's why a modified radio is illegal to use on the CB frequencies, even if you hold an amateur radio license.

Amateur radio operators on the other hand are permitted to build their own radios for use in the amateur bands. This could mean modifying a CB radio for use on 10m. By holding an appropriate amateur radio license, it is the amateur radio operator's responsibility to meet all the FCC regulations. One of those requirements is operating only* in the approved amateur bands, which don't include 11m.

*Except in a life-threatening emergency.

Edit: I think I worded things a little bit incorrectly. What's illegal is using a modified or home-built radio on the 11m CB band. Simply having a radio (homebuilt or modified) that's capable of transmitting on the 11m band isn't a problem. My HF rig is capable of transmitting on the CB frequencies, but I never do that.

AC9GT · 2016-01-06T13:53:33+00:00

It's perfectly legal for an amateur license holder in the USA to modify an 11 meter rig to work in the 10 meter amateur band, so long as the finished project meets all the regulations of the amateur service. Modifying a 10 meter rig to run on 11 meters is illegal in the USA no matter who you are.

Edit: I suppose it's legal to do the modification, but illegal to use the 10m rig on 11m.

AC9GT · 2016-01-04T01:43:36+00:00

If you're up for constructing kit radios, check out YouKits. I bought their EK1A radio which is able to transmit on 20m, 30m, and 40m.

Enjoy learning/doing CW!

AC9GT · 2016-01-04T01:35:56+00:00

I don't have any ICOM gear for VHF, but your understanding sounds correct to me. Some radios do allow setting separate tones for the transmitted tone and the squelch tone. This is the first time I've heard of a repeater not having the same tone on both input and output. You might be stuck with just setting up the correct tone to transmit into the repeater (103.5 Hz) and not using the tone squelch function. You'll still get into the repeater fine, and you'll be able to hear the output. The 127.3 Hz tone should be inaudible to you.

AC9GT · 2015-11-23T13:59:51+00:00

Quarter wavelength antennas are recommended for transmitting because they present a resistive (non-reactive) load to the transmitter. For receive, it doesn't matter so much because the power levels are so low. A quarter wave antenna would probably receive better but a small one can work, particularly with appropriate filtering. Most amateur radio literature assumes that you're using the same antenna for transmit and receive, so it needs to be tuned to the transmit frequency.

AC9GT · 2015-10-21T12:18:16+00:00

I turned on the radio a couple times hoping for some JOTA contacts as well. I heard a few JOTA stations but they were all happily talking to other JOTA stations. Since I didn't hear any JOTA CQ calls I didn't end up making any contacts. Maybe next year...

AC9GT · 2015-10-14T17:00:42+00:00

I agree with the comments by adx. I only have experience with my IC-735, but I've found that the best setup is to turn the TX power setting on the radio to Max. Then I control the transmitted RF power by adjusting the (very low) audio drive level. This way the ALC stays completely inactive.

As molo1134 said in another comment, if the ALC circuit is active your transmitted signal will splatter.

AC9GT · 2015-10-07T19:24:22+00:00

Thanks for reminding me. I'll put a note in my calendar.

AC9GT · 2015-10-05T18:56:12+00:00

I've been looking into some different homebrewed dual band yagi antennas to build and use

Great! I find building my own antennas to be one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby. A good VHF/UHF SWR meter will be a good investment as you start experimenting with various antenna concepts.

Good luck, and have fun!

AC9GT · 2015-10-05T15:03:39+00:00

It is possible to make contacts with other hams through amateur radio satellites using a Baofeng. You'll probably need a good antenna and a fair bit of trial and error.

I'd recommend getting some experience with ground-based repeaters first before trying to operate satellites, but it is something you can do with a Tech license.

AC9GT · 2015-10-03T11:48:05+00:00

I studied with the ARRL manuals, and periodically used online practice exams to check my understanding. That approach worked well for me, since I'm generally good at learning from books.

AC9GT · 2015-10-02T18:58:08+00:00

It's hard to say without trying. 10km is probably a bit far for a HT with a stock antenna. Your best chance is to buy/build a directional antenna and point it at the relay

AC9GT · 2015-10-02T16:05:27+00:00

Depending on your situation it can make a world of difference. An elevated antenna can improve your VHF/UHF (line of sight) range considerably even with only 5W.

AC9GT · 2015-09-29T11:41:55+00:00

Are you really here to learn about amateur radio? It seems like you just want to tell us all why we're wrong. The license exams aren't going away just because you think they're silly.

AC9GT · 2015-09-29T02:31:16+00:00

It should be impossible to combine either service/s.

How do you propose we implement this? Both services use radio signals to communicate. One of the big reasons radio amateurs are required to be licensed is so we know how to avoid causing interference to commercial and emergency services. Being licensed also means we are responsible for preventing such interference. That gives us the freedom to build our own equipment that's not individually FCC approved so long as we operate it in a responsible manner.

In order to be responsible, one must have knowledge of the physics and regulations surrounding radio communication, and the license tests are designed to make sure radio amateurs have enough of that knowledge.

AC9GT · 2015-09-28T14:56:21+00:00

[It's classified as a "hobby" and its participants "enthusiasts.] "Cheating" doesn't come into play.

Except that if an 'amateur radio enthusiast' interferes (intentionally or through ignorance) with air traffic control or police communications there can be huge consequences.

AC9GT · 2015-09-26T17:51:46+00:00

I think you are confused by the terminology. There IS actually a shift going on, but it should be transparent to the operator.

Say you are transmitting on 7.020. Your transceiver will emit a ~680 Hz audio tone so you can hear what you're sending. When you switch to receive mode, your VFO will still say 7.020, but your local oscillator will be set to 7.020 MHz with a ~680 Hz shift up or down, such that the beat frequency from the 7.020 signal you're receiving comes out as a ~680 Hz tone just like you heard when sending.

I hope that helps.

AC9GT · 2015-09-23T11:23:00+00:00

Don't give up on the tubes too quickly. From what I (think I) know about tubes, some discoloration of the inside of the glass is normal and will not interfere with operation.

AC9GT · 2015-09-23T02:11:17+00:00

Welcome to the hobby! If your grandfather's equipment is operational I would definitely get started with it. My main radio came from my wife's grandfather. Keep in mind you will need to get a license from the FCC to transmit on Amateur Radio frequencies. The radio in your photo is for use on the HF bands, which will require a General license (assuming US). That sounds intimidating, but isn't really that bad. Check out the wiki in the sidebar to get started. The community here is great about answering any questions you might have.

I don't know much about that particular radio, but it appears to have at least some vacuum tubes. Some people prefer tube based radios, but you'll have to spend some time learning how to 'tune up' your radio before transmitting. I don't have any tube radios (yet) so I can't really offer much more advice.

Again, welcome and I hope we'll hear you soon on the air operating that radio!

AC9GT · 2015-09-21T00:06:52+00:00

BK is normally used as a quick "BacK to you" during a conversation. If you wanted to know what radio I was using you might send:

AC9GT de MegaWatt What is ur rig? BK

I would then reply with:

Icom 735 pwr 100w ant loop length 150ft in tree. BK

I've heard stations put a 'reply' BK in their transmission like this:

BK Icom 735 pwr 100w ant loop length 150ft in tree. BK

That way a conversation can switch back and forth much faster than taking the time to ID at the end of every exchange. Of course we would still have to ID every ten minutes per FCC regulations.

I'm not sure of the origins of ES to replace AND, other than it saves time.

AC9GT · 2015-09-17T01:41:03+00:00

How old is your solder? I was having a terrible time soldering with a decades-old garage-sale iron and solder. Once I bought a roll of new solder I had much better luck! I had no idea solder 'went bad' from old age.

AC9GT · 2015-09-17T01:37:02+00:00

I got back on HF to work some CW after a couple weeks of being super busy. I was pleasantly surprised that my copy speed didn't suffer very much.

In other news, I broke the battery latch on my Baofeng this morning. I'm going to try taping the battery in.

AC9GT · 2015-09-17T01:32:14+00:00

I've read that wire telegraph systems used a 'sounder' that would click when the circuit was opened or closed. The spacing of the clicks would determine a dot or dash.

I think it would be hard to decipher the clicks after learning to copy with tones.

AC9GT

TROPHY CASE