Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by David, Canada on December 12, 2011:

This article FB by this harmonic. 73 OM.

(And people say the youth of today invented shorthand with leet and text speak. Ha!!)

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Indeed! I got an e-mail from a good buddy who was sighing over the lingo. Just remember: it's an old, old hobby (more than 100 years). While no one really knows why the term "ham" stuck or where it came from (there are abundant theories, but none have proven conclusive), most can be traced back to something in the distant past. "73" ("best regards") comes from the telegraph days. -rc

Posted by Ruth, Ridgway on December 12, 2011:

Thanks! This may be just what I need to finally actually DO this. I've got the book but it often just doesn't quite make sense to me. I'll check out Dave's videos and see if that helps!

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Ruth, if your dad can do it, you can! There are female hams, but more is merrier. -rc

Posted by Holly, syracuse,ny on December 12, 2011:

My grandfather, Oran (WB2ICE) was a Ham for unknown amounts of years before he passed in 2009.

Grandpa had an old teletype machine in his attic. From the Vietnam era when he was part of the MARS network. I remember sitting in the attic with him as he would phone patch service members to their family's here in the states. I was always amazed that he would be taking to people in Germany or California.

Thanks for the memory.

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MARS is the Military Amateur Radio Service. Before satellite phones, it was often the only way soldiers could communicate with home in real time. -rc

Posted by Tom, California on December 12, 2011:

I left my HF radio at the cabin in Colorado when I moved to LA. It's nice to have it there whenever I visit. But damn ... I really need to tune the antenna!

One of the interesting developments is Echonet, which allows repeaters to be connected over the internet. So using either my 2 meter radio or my computer, I can talk to people on repeaters in other parts of the U.S. or the world.

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"2 meters" is the wavelength of a signal in the 144 MHz band (part of VHF, mentioned above). It's a common repeater band. -rc

Posted by Craig in Circle Pines, MN on December 12, 2011:

As you mentioned, Morse code is no longer a requirement. This probably had a tremendous positive impact on people becoming involved.

There are times when signal quality is so poor that only CW will break through, so a few old-timers and some newbies being capable is a plus.

I sat at an IL State Police station practicing on a 'bug' back in '69. We had shortwave gear and an 80' tower that I played with on graveyards at taxpayer expense. In those days, we have to have a 'First Phone' ticket to even touch the equipment.

73s KB0OZO

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"CW" is "continuous wave" -- the technical term for operation by Morse Code. A "bug" is a telegraph key, used to tap it out. "Shortwave" is the "high frequency" band, which allows signals to "skip" around the world for long-distance communications. -rc

Posted by Carol, Illinois on December 12, 2011:

It's good to read about ham radio. I've been married to K9jlk for more than 50 years. He is still chasing DX -- still has a couple of countries to get on a couple of bands. It's good we live on a farm. His CW occasionally gets into my phone conversations. Which is why we continue living here where our closest neighbor is a half mile away.

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DX is distant communications contacts. One goal is "Worked All States". Another is DXCC (for "Century Club") -- making contacts with hams in 100 countries. -rc

Posted by Karl, Oklahoma on December 12, 2011:

I became interested in ham radio after reading "Today, I'm a Ham!", a great book for young people. However I could not master Morse Code well enough to pass the exam and went on to other activities. A couple of years ago, I found out that Morse code was no longer required, got my Tech license and eventually upgraded to Extra. Glad to see you promoting ham radio, Randy!

73, AE5ZU

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One thing that strikes me right now: notice how people making comments include their callsigns. It's an accomplishment to get one: they're proud of them. -rc

Posted by Nancy, Santa Rosa, CA on December 12, 2011:

My Dad was a ham (K9IIN) in Michigan when I was a kid (I am now 68!) and on our way into Montreal, Canada in about 1962, he got on his radio to find another ham for help finding a motel. The one he found not only helped us find a motel but came over and took us a tour of Montreal! We decided on the spot that hams are friendly folks indeed.

Posted by Ana-Marie, San Francisco on December 12, 2011:

Will love sharing a link to this blog post! Hams are often under-appreciated for the key role they play in disasters. My nonprofit used to offer the "Ham & Cram" 1-day license class, until it became too much of a logistical issue. Thanks so much for posting this Randy. :-)

Posted by Pops Moses Lake, WA on December 12, 2011:

I sold a circuit design to Hallicrafters in 1946. They sent me a nice HF transceiver as payment. By the time I turned 8, in 1947, I had my HAM license. I lost interest after entering the Army in 1958 and haven't gotten back into it. Maybe one day....