Chuck Sherwood wrote:
First of all. What happed to rec.radio.amateur? It is not supported on
my server.

Second. I was a ham back in the 90s. I have been inactive since 1996.
I had lots of gear and sold it all because I was tired of the hobby.
I am beginning to regret selling some of it. I had some really nice
antenna tuners, Heathkit SM220, nice TenTec radios, VHF/UHF all mode
all the way up to 1.2G, etc. All gone.

I just acquired a Kenwood 520 to listen to the HF bands. It seems
like a nice basic radio that will do for a while. I really would like
to get on 80m but I don't have the room for a 80m dipole. Is the
matching Kenwood tuner a good one? I think it will be a while before
any good hamfests because of the Wx in chicago.

I researched rigs on line and so far I like the Icom 746 Pro but
I'm not ready to spend that kind of cash.

I was also told that I can upgrade to Extra with just a written
test. Since my license expires in 2 years it seems like the thing
to aim for.

I still have a couple of ham friends so I will probably pick their
brains, but I open to suggestions!

chuck
K1CAS


Quoted from the ARRL Webpage .. you are right about the upgrade:

"STEP 3: Extra Class License (upgrade from General)

* EXAM REQUIREMENT: 50-question Extra Written Exam (Element 4)
* PRIVILEGES: All amateur privileges.
* LICENSE STUDY MATERIALS

General licensees may upgrade to Extra Class by passing a 50-question
multiple-choice examination. No further Morse code test is required. In
addition to some of the more obscure regulations, the test covers
specialized operating practices, advanced electronics theory, and radio
equipment design. Frankly, the test is very difficult, but others have
passed it, and you can too. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 1
Morse Code Exam and Element 2, Element 3 and Element 4 Written Exams to
earn an Extra License. The FCC grants exam element 1 and/or element 3
credit to individuals that previously held an old Novice or an old
Technician license. Valid Forms of Examination Element Credit can be
found on the Web.

The HF bands can be awfully crowded, particularly at the top of the
solar cycle. Once one earns HF privileges, one may quickly yearn for
more room. The Extra Class license is the answer. Extra Class licensees
are authorized to operate on all frequencies allocated to the Amateur
Service.

Amateur Radio is a friendly, high-tech hobby that's got something fun
for everyone! "

You don't hear anyone talking about building equipment anymore for sure.

On Thu, 1 Dec 2005, dontspam wrote:

Sure you hear lots of signals on the bands. Appliance operators and
cb'ers.


On 1 Dec 2005 15:05:32 GMT, (Chuck
Sherwood) wrote:

I would foget ham radio. It is on the way out.
Get some woodworking tools.

That is what they said 10 years ago..
I still hear signals on the bands so at least somebody
is xmitting...

I don't particularly like woodworking.

chuck

"Dana" wrote in message
x.com...
You don't hear anyone talking about building equipment anymore for sure.



Duhhhhhhhhhh, you haven't seen an amateur radio exam in the
last 35 years that requires technical competence to pass.
And you can thank the FCC & ARRL for that and the present
state of ham radio.

FCC & ARRL - Partners in the Culture of Corruption

re-entering ham radio

Who cares?

They have dummied down the ham license so the venders like Icom can
sell more radios. After 30 years I feel ham radio is now a waste of
time.


On Fri, 9 Dec 2005 21:42:28 -0500, Dana wrote:

You don't hear anyone talking about building equipment anymore for sure.

On Thu, 1 Dec 2005, dontspam wrote:

Sure you hear lots of signals on the bands. Appliance operators and
cb'ers.


On 1 Dec 2005 15:05:32 GMT, (Chuck
Sherwood) wrote:

I would foget ham radio. It is on the way out.
Get some woodworking tools.

That is what they said 10 years ago..
I still hear signals on the bands so at least somebody
is xmitting...

I don't particularly like woodworking.

chuck

"2Test Woger" wrote in message
...

"Dana" wrote in message
x.com...
You don't hear anyone talking about building equipment anymore for
sure.



Duhhhhhhhhhh, you haven't seen an amateur radio exam in the
last 35 years that requires technical competence to pass.
And you can thank the FCC & ARRL for that and the present
state of ham radio.

FCC & ARRL - Partners in the Culture of Corruption

Sorry but I completely disagree with you. There is absolutely nothing
stopping anyone who wants to build and use their own kit or to talk about it
or suchlike and to advance themselves in the field of radio communications.
The interest in this part is just not there like it was in the past so if
the licence conditions had not changed then Amateur would be dead in the
water.
Making the exam technical to the extreme of sitting a practical exam and
designing and building your own kit, and of course the other argument of
Morse set at at least 25+ WPM wouldn't have encouraged more people into the
Hobby, it would have killed it. You may disagree and be indignant of the new
breed of Amateur and those who just use it to **** about would be using it
anyhow, licence or not but you have to move on. The irresponsible users have
been there for decades, not since the lowering of licence conditions.
Its like investing in a shoe shine business. Back in the 50's and 60's you
would have had a thriving business... but times have changed.. shoes have
changed... how many shoe shine businesses have survived? I don't know of
any. They moved on, stayed in the same line of business and now sell shoes
or "sneakers" rather than try to clean them. Things change and you have to
move on.
Its easy to blame others for Amateurs "Decline" but there is still the top
level licence for those with the interest to go all the way and there is
nothing to stop experienced Amateurs to encourage and help their
"underlings" develop as many do. Sitting back and moaning about how others
have let it decline while doing nothing themselves to help the situation is
pure laziness.
Another analogy is you don't have to pass an HGV licence and drive a huge
truck just to drive on the roads (god bless the truckers ;o)

Regards,
Graham

--
_._. _... ._. ._ _.. .. _ _ _

Radio is only a Hobby. Don't let it rule your life...

73's - Graham (www.open-channel.co.uk)

"The Magnum" wrote in message
...


Sorry but I completely disagree////drivel snipped/////


Classic denial syndrome.

"2Test Woger" wrote in message
...

"The Magnum" wrote in message
...


Sorry but I completely disagree////drivel snipped/////


Classic denial syndrome.


Typical Arrogance Syndrome......... but at least when you snipped you cut
out your own whining drivel


--
_._. _... ._. ._ _.. .. _ _ _

Radio is only a Hobby. Don't let it rule your life...

73's - Graham (www.open-channel.co.uk)

"The Magnum" wrote in message
...

"2Test Woger" wrote in message
...

"The Magnum" wrote in message
...


Sorry but I completely disagree////drivel snipped/////


Classic denial syndrome.


Typical Arrogance Syndrome......... but at least when you
////////FLUSHED//////////

"2Test Woger" wrote in message
...

"The Magnum" wrote in message
...

"2Test Woger" wrote in message
...

"The Magnum" wrote in message
...


Sorry but I completely disagree////drivel snipped/////


Classic denial syndrome.


Typical Arrogance Syndrome......... but at least when you
////////FLUSHED//////////

Flushed by a cretin................. oh dear how upset am i.....