Any Amateur Radio Enthusiasts on RallyPoint?

SSgt Lance Taylor — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 17:13:36 -0400

Are you a licensed ham? If so, what got you interested in the hobby? What types of activities do you participate in or would you like to participate in regarding amateur radio?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 11 at 2014 1:54 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:54:51 -0400

I joined our town's CERT team and getting our ticket was one of the nice bennies - KC1BRW.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Sep 29 at 2014 10:30 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 22:30:17 -0400

So looks like I'm not the only one interested.

I'm looking into getting my technician license soon, and probably won't stop there.

Any input/suggestions for equipment for the beginner?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2014 10:08 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 10:08:09 -0400

I've always been interested in electronics and radios. I really wish that I could find the crystal and shortwave radios I had built as a kid. Time passed, and it all fell to the wayside. Lately, I have had a renewed interest, so finally got my license. As a Signal Soldier, I feel that the opportunity to learn more about radios will help me professionally, and am actually quite surprised at the very small amount of hams in uniform!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2014 10:29 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 10:29:19 -0400

I'm about to join my local RACES. I'm with in 5 years of retiring from the military and this is how I will continue to serve.

KG5EAL

Response by CPL David Pechey made Oct 24 at 2014 1:10 PM

CPL David Pechey — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 13:10:27 -0400

I was introduced to ham radio by a friend that's a ham. He got my attention with ARES because I am a NYS EMT and he thought that it would be a great combination. I took my Technician test in January 2012 and issued KD2BMU. I have since upgraded to General Class in February 2013. The studying process for Amateur Extra Class has been a rough road. Once I get an HF station I plan to join MARS. 73 de KD2BMU

Response by SPC Jason Friend made Nov 12 at 2014 2:09 PM

SPC Jason Friend — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:09:01 -0500

I was a 31 Uniform while Active Duty. I have always loved radios and listening to scanners growing up. Not sure why it took me so long though, I got my ticket 2 years ago. I mostly enjoy the conversation on the way to and from work on 2m, but I also enjoy Watching storms. I communicate with the NWS in our area when needed. Hard to see the incoming weather from my home. I have to get out to a high spot to see whats coming.

I have a friend who is a storm chaser. I am Trying to get out with him one of these days during an active day.

I have a setup consisting of two radios and a scanner at my desk to monitor those active weather days using radar and information coming across the radio.

I haven't worked anything other than 2m and 70cm at this time. Maybe one day I will.

W4TFO

Response by PV2 John Cheek made Nov 20 at 2014 9:55 AM

PV2 John Cheek — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 09:55:26 -0500

I have always been interested in electronics. I started out on CB when I was still in High School. After a couple years of that, I was tired of the language and stupidity I was hearing so I turned it off, put it in my closet and never touched it again.

A few years later, a friend of mine told me I needed to get my license. I knew about Amateur Radio. All I knew about was morse code. I tested out, got my Technician license. Thanks to the government shutdown in 1995, I did not get my license for another 3 months. Once again, I was driving around town talking to my closest friends on a wondrous thing called a repeater. I was loving life. Then my good friend, that got me hooked in the first place, introduced me to HF contesting.

To make a long story short, I got my Tech Plus, then upgraded to Extra. I spend more time on HF than I do on 2M or 440. I love working the digital modes. SSTV, CW, PSK31, RTTY, and my new favorite JT65. While 10M has been pretty well open lately, that is my favorite band now.

It has really been a fun hobby. I worked with the Dallas County RACES for a while. Worked a lot of special events. I did a lot of APRS and Packet Radio. I still tend to love HF more once I was bit by the HF bug.

That is my story and I am sticking to it. :-)

de KC5SDY

Response by PO1 Jess McKellar made Jan 23 at 2015 1:33 PM

PO1 Jess McKellar — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 13:33:09 -0500

Studying for the technician exam now, should be taking it in February. Already got a cheap handheld and tune in to the local repeaters to listen in on what is going on.

Seems like I learn something new via the radio every day.

Response by SPC Donald Tribble made Mar 29 at 2015 8:37 PM

SPC Donald Tribble — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 20:37:10 -0400

KD6MDV, I have always been interested in radio, but it took the removal of the morse code requirement before I could get my license. I enjoy HF SSB, I am a member of SKYWARN, and am also active on local repeaters.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 11:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 23:15:08 -0400

I received my General Class Amateur Radio License in Jan 2014. Since then I have been pretty active on the 2m band, and just recently purchased a Yaesu 450D HF rig. So far, so good.

Response by TSgt Charles Kinnear made May 14 at 2015 12:20 AM

TSgt Charles Kinnear — Thu, 14 May 2015 00:20:29 -0400

I got my original novice ticket in 1981. But I let it lapse when I was on active duty. I retested and got back into the hobby in the early 90's. I've used my ticket in RACES / ARES / SKYWARN, Coast Guard Auxiliary and as a scout leader while my kids were active. (My wife and kids as well as their Venture crew friends all earned their licenses during their scouting days...) I currently operate HF mobile usually on PSK-31 (while my wife drives or while parked...) as well as Winlink.

I'm currently running a Yaesu FT-100D with the ATAS-100 vertical for HF with a SignaLink USB interface, Kenwood TM-700D (2m/440), ICOM-38A (220MHz). I usually carry a couple wire antennas for use while camping and about 20' of mast for NVIS. The home station has an Alinco DX-70 and a Yaseu 2600.

73 de KD6RXY

Response by CPO Kenneth Laughman made May 24 at 2015 12:04 PM

CPO Kenneth Laughman — Sun, 24 May 2015 12:04:35 -0400

I was interested in the hobby due to long distance communications. Never know who you are going to meet. I've also enjoyed modest success in home brewing antennas, primarily VHF and UHF.

Response by SPC(P) Doug Moxley made Jan 4 at 2016 11:47 AM

SPC(P) Doug Moxley — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:47:06 -0500

Yes. I loved the radio and technical aspect of being a 31C; just didn't like being away from my family so much. My first job when I got out was a civilian radio operator for the Army, GS-0389-05 at Fort Meade, MD. With my Morse code background I quickly earned my Extra class license WC3M. I haven't done much with my license lately but want to get back into it, especially HF.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 4:45 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 16:45:17 -0500

Im going for my tech license on the 27th i hope i end up with a general tho

Response by CPO Kenneth Laughman made Feb 25 at 2016 5:10 PM

CPO Kenneth Laughman — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:10:18 -0500

Chasing DX, ragchewing, and 2m/7cm ops. When time frees up, looking at CERY and RACES. 72 and Best DX, Ken - AF6HA

Response by PO3 Paul Wieloszynski made Jun 2 at 2016 11:58 AM

PO3 Paul Wieloszynski — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 11:58:49 -0400

Got my Tech/General/Extra license KI4KZX (now K4PEW) in 2005 and have enjoyed every minute since. Active in three clubs in Nashville area. Enjoy FM, HF Digital and Voice; also run Simplex Net here in Mt. Juliet twice/week. Always wanted to get involved in Ham Radio but family and life always got in the way.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2019 3:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 15:47:33 -0500

My callsign is KK4WDQ. I am a member of North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club (VP) and the Walton County Amateur Radio Club (Pres) in northwest Florida. My particular interests are HF (20/40/80 meters) VHF/UHF repeater operations, I also assist in shelter operation and hurricane bet operation utilizing Florida's Statewide Amateur Radio Net (SAR Net) My info is also good on QRZ