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What is HAM?​

Amateur radio (ham radio) is the use of specific radio frequency bands for non-commercial communication, experimentation, and emergency support. Some consider this a hobby, but enthusiasts are prevalent across the globe!

Is HAM Expensive?​

• Exam session: $15 (pass or fail)
• FCC license: $35 (includes license, renewals, or upgrades)
• Study materials: $0–$75 (varies by preference)
• Beginner equipment: $35–$300+ (available new or secondhand)

How to Start?​

Yaesu FTM-400XD - APRS​

Get the cable info​

Plugged in the usb data connection cable that comes with the radio into a up-to-date raspberrypi 3.

Attempt to identify the devide in linux:

Since, I already know it's a usb and the command lsusb returns the Prolific driver I expect, I can see how the device registered in the OS.

Mixing QRP radio waves with camping stays and hiking days with this little antenna build!

Quick Summary​

Main Topic: Pictures and steps from my experience building this qrp antenna from k6ark.
Key Features: Super tiny components and a rookie at soldering what could go wrong?
Outcome: Multi-band resonate low power antenna that is lightweight and easily deployable.

Fall of late 2023​

Having been moved out of the city and back to my roots in the country, I've been finding a few minutes here and there to work on and build up my QTH VHF/UHF station.

My DIY 6 Meter Coax Antenna​

Summer 2022 is almost here and I've been hearing about the 'Magic Band' and how 6 meters can be used to make regional contacts as opposed to just local contacts I usually make on 2  meter simplex.  So that means fun in the short term, but long term operating on 6 meters can come in handy during emergency situations.  

I have a TYT TH-9800D Quad band radio that can rx/tx on 6 meters pushing up to 50 watts, all I need now is an antenna.  What I have to work with is 50 feet of RG-58 coax cable and here is how I made my 6 meter antenna using that cable.

Summer of '22​

Being recently licensed and still getting used to talking on the radio I started working on setting up a base station to practice checking into local Nets on 2 meters. In the DFW area there are nets multiple times a day I could potentially check-into.