Looks like the last post is a year old. Are there any hams/amateur radio operators here on lemmy? If so, what projects (if any) are you working on? I’m building a 5 element yagi for 2m.

  • fluffman86
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    1 year ago

    I’m here. I have my tech license, but I don’t use my ham radio much because I really hate talking to strangers…

    …Oh…

    • Inductor@feddit.deOP
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      1 year ago

      Yeah, I got the German equivalent (Klasse E) a few months ago, and always don’t know what to say after someone responds to my CQ call. Mainly just been listening to other people on HF.

      • drb@midwest.social
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        1 year ago

        Parks on the Air or Summits on the Air really helps with this. A standard exchange is usually used so no need to think of what to say.

        • Chicory [Ohio]@midwest.social
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          1 year ago

          I agree, POTA and SOTA is a great way to get started. You make contacts but the exchange is very standard. Along those lines, contesting is a faster paced version of this. It’s not for everyone, but I like to do a CW contest from time to time, it’s kind of a rush.

          • drb@midwest.social
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            1 year ago

            I can’t say for SOTA as I don’t do that one myself. POTA is pretty easy. Register on pota.app, then take your radio to a registered park and make some contacts. Definitely easier if you have HF privileges, but possible on VHF if you are near enough to a major city. SOTA might be more possible on VHF due to the presumed elevation involved.

            • Inductor@feddit.deOP
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              1 year ago

              I’ll have to look into that. While I can use some of HF, I don’t have a battery for portable HF. I’m not near any really large cities, and looking at the map there aren’t any parks near me. I might try hunting instead of activating.

              • Adam - K3CAN@mastodon.hams.social
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                1 year ago

                @Inductor

                Contests can also be a nice way to get on the air without worrying about small talk. Like OTAs, they have a predetermined exchange; you each say your part, then you move on to another station.