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Post by Adam on Dec 22, 2023 15:18:35 GMT
Merry Christmas to you Alfred! I never learned to code. I started off as a tech no code. Then when they dropped it, I became a general class. I should have learned when I was younger. Never too late. I’m starting a CW class in Jan. |
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Post by dennym57 on Dec 22, 2023 15:32:16 GMT
Merry Christmas to you Alfred! I never learned to code. I started off as a tech no code. Then when they dropped it, I became a general class. I should have learned when I was younger. Never too late. I’m starting a CW class in Jan. I tried to learn from Gordon West tapes, but he was too annoying. After that I just lost interest. There are currently no classes in my area.
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Post by Adam on Dec 22, 2023 15:35:42 GMT
Check out CW Academy. They do their courses online. I can tell you how it goes in a few week.
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Dec 22, 2023 19:11:43 GMT
I never learned to code. I started off as a tech no code. Then when they dropped it, I became a general class. I should have learned when I was younger. Yeah, I also felt your pain, back in the day (the early '60's). I didn't have much problem with the Novice license -- only 5 wpm at the time -- but I really struggled with the General license's 13 wpm. Some people just take to it, including a friend who had moved from the Cambridge area where we grew up to Bethesda, so one summer I visited with him for a couple of weeks, with practice every day, and I finally passed the test at the FCC building in downtown DC! I almost never worked CW thereafter, but I really loved the unlimited band access the General license afforded me, though I mostly stayed on 40 meters, and some 20 and 15. I even attempted to operate from my college dorm (the window in my room opened on to the roof of the snack bar, so I tacked up a 40 meter dipole) in the late '60's, without much success (I eventually let my license -- K3SKV -- lapse). Come rush, though, my old Johnson Viking rig caught the eye of a future fraternity brother, also a ham, which probably was what got me a bid -- well, that and my Ampeg bass amp, which was an interest I also shared with that guy! 
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Post by firewood on Dec 22, 2023 20:39:23 GMT
Disclaimer: I have no ham radio knowledge, but if you folks are in touch with any European hams a friend of mine in the UK is looking for a Yaesu FT101 Transceiver.
Dave
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Post by dennym57 on Dec 22, 2023 23:47:30 GMT
I never learned to code. I started off as a tech no code. Then when they dropped it, I became a general class. I should have learned when I was younger. Yeah, I also felt your pain, back in the day (the early '60's). I didn't have much problem with the Novice license -- only 5 wpm at the time -- but I really struggled with the General license's 13 wpm. Some people just take to it, including a friend who had moved from the Cambridge area where we grew up to Bethesda, so one summer I visited with him for a couple of weeks, with practice every day, and I finally passed the test at the FCC building in downtown DC! I almost never worked CW thereafter, but I really loved the unlimited band access the General license afforded me, though I mostly stayed on 40 meters, and some 20 and 15. I even attempted to operate from my college dorm (the window in my room opened on to the roof of the snack bar, so I tacked up a 40 meter dipole) in the late '60's, without much success (I eventually let my license -- K3SKV -- lapse). Come rush, though, my old Johnson Viking rig caught the eye of a future fraternity brother, also a ham, which probably was what got me a bid -- well, that and my Ampeg bass amp, which was an interest I also shared with that guy! You play bass?
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Dec 23, 2023 4:28:55 GMT
Well, sorta, kinda. In high school, some buds and I started a rock band that played gigs locally and survived into our college years, before I had to quit to try to salvage a fast-sinking academic level. At that time, I sold all my gear to my band mates, who continued with considerable success post-college in the Maryland-D.C. area (at various times, playing as the "Gremlins" or "E.S. Grit"). Years later, the surviving band members (including me!) got back together to play at a couple of our class reunions and a charity benefit or two. Lacking any equipment, I had to buy a bass and amp (and try to knock the thick layer of rust off what remained of my chops!), which still reside in my basement -- the 100 watt Fender Rumble Bass is under my layout, hooked up to provide enough volume to the projector and BLI Thunder & Lightning set to vibrate your fillings! The bass itself is down there as well, but it's been years since I really played anything. Ah, well . . . the trains are more fun anyway!
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