@jprivate05 Hi....it's basically a signal report for any of the phone modes. The first number, 0-5, is the readability, and the second, 0-9 is actual signal strength, which your receiver will tell you.
The radio is a Yaesu FT 857D, MFJ 993B auto-tuner. I like the rig 'cause it takes up so little space and works EVERYthing....I sometimes long for a better receiver, but this one really does quite well, especially for the money.
I wasn't nervous on my first hf contact but on vhf my god my hands were shaking and I was like this "ttthiiiss isss kkcc99mmaavv llisttenning." Got a friendly response from the president of the local club and now I am a active member of the club and on the bands!
Yep...it's mostly always that way. Glad you made it less traumatic on your entrance to the hf bands...that's usually tricky, but you must've seasoned yourself nicely on VHF beforehand...congrats!!!
Yeah, the jargon can get confusing, but in simplest terms it was me contacting another amateur radio operator in Russia from here in Florida, using nothing more than a small radio and a simple antenna hung in my trees outside. It's a hobby, just like anything else....it's all about how much money I can spend that otherwise would've gone towards bills!!!
@inrharmony I like the "...how much money i can spend that otherwise would've gone toward bills" comment, that was classic. It definitely adds up fast in ham radio that's for sure.
Tnx, Simon...I will try and get something new posted soon...been kinda busy lately. There's a couple good contests coming up...maybe I'll post something regarding that. Hope to see you on the air sometime...73, Dan
Thanks, Dan. This is just what I needed. I just upgraded at the Huntsville, AL hamfest in August from Technician to Extra. I was going for General but I passed both elements in one fell swoop. I'm slightly overwhelmed by the HF world.
Hey, congrats on making the BIG leap....that's awesome!!! I'm gonna put some more vids up soon, so hopefully you'll get some good out of it. Again, congrats and welcome to the HF bands...hope to work you sometime on the air!!! 73....
Good job Dan. This should be a help to new operators.How do you like the FT 897D? I have been thinking on getting one for mobile operations.How does the cw get program work?This is a great hobby. Ron KAWEL
Ron, the rig is a FT 857D, and I love it. I have one also in the car...works great once you learn the menus...hi!!! CW GET is a morse decoder, and I simply route the headphone output of the rig into the mic input of my computer. I'd explain further, but I'd mess it up, so it's best to read the help files on the program...hehehe. Good luck, and it is a great hobby!!!
Looks like a great hobby. I had a shortwave set when I was a kid. It was connected to a wire antenna. I heard stuff from all over the world, but couldn't talk to anyone. Just listening was fun...
I thought I was going to be the same way...just a listener, and that would've been fine, and less complex too, having to study for the ham exams and all. Lots of fun, though....and every once in a while I'll just tune around the SW portions of the bands and give a listen...still fascinating.
This actually takes me back to the late 80s when I had the CB radio for my drive from IL to CA. Could not have imagined using it (or even something like it) to communicate with people in Russia, though.
Actually, at certain times of the sunspot cycle and at certain times of the day, long distance communications are not unusual on CB...so breaker, breaker 1-9...
You bagged Russia! Cool! We need to do some filming when we do our next contest, huh? Great series sweetie...keep up the great work. 88's...your wifeypoo W4ZPP
Dan, very good. Nice Russian DX contact. Goes to show that this can be done without big fancy equipment and monster antennas. Listening to the station and his method of operation and skill is key. I too have a FT-857 radio. It is an amazing little box. Anyway, good video and dx contact. Next is to fill out the QSL card and send it on its way. 73, Randy
Yet another idea for a video...the QSL process!! I'll have to think about doing that. That was fairly typical, as you know, and hopefully it'll ease the minds of those who are a bit "mike-shy".
Love my 857D...I could stand to have more controls up front, but that's a small price to pay for the bargain inside of that little rig.
Hey there. Like your Hamshack "series." I'm a SWL in the Boston area and have been listening to the ham band for many years, so find this very interesting! Thanks! 73
Tnx for the comments!!! I love the whole idea of radio transmission from far away, and have been known to spend a good deal of time listning to SW...lots of fun!!! 73!!!
When you say 5 7 or 5 8, what does that mean????
jprivate05 1 year ago
@jprivate05 Hi....it's basically a signal report for any of the phone modes. The first number, 0-5, is the readability, and the second, 0-9 is actual signal strength, which your receiver will tell you.
inrharmony 1 year ago
West CFL.... I am south CFL
TheFatherOfFatty 1 year ago
Also whats the rig?
kc9mav 3 years ago
The radio is a Yaesu FT 857D, MFJ 993B auto-tuner. I like the rig 'cause it takes up so little space and works EVERYthing....I sometimes long for a better receiver, but this one really does quite well, especially for the money.
inrharmony 3 years ago
Ok FB FB I use my Icom 718 that I bought for myself after x-mas
73
Dave
kc9mav 3 years ago
I wasn't nervous on my first hf contact but on vhf my god my hands were shaking and I was like this "ttthiiiss isss kkcc99mmaavv llisttenning." Got a friendly response from the president of the local club and now I am a active member of the club and on the bands!
73
KC9MAV
kc9mav 3 years ago
Yep...it's mostly always that way. Glad you made it less traumatic on your entrance to the hf bands...that's usually tricky, but you must've seasoned yourself nicely on VHF beforehand...congrats!!!
73 de W4PTS
inrharmony 3 years ago
no idea what you where doing (im not into radio)
but sure was intresting
gtochad 4 years ago
Yeah, the jargon can get confusing, but in simplest terms it was me contacting another amateur radio operator in Russia from here in Florida, using nothing more than a small radio and a simple antenna hung in my trees outside. It's a hobby, just like anything else....it's all about how much money I can spend that otherwise would've gone towards bills!!!
inrharmony 3 years ago
@inrharmony I like the "...how much money i can spend that otherwise would've gone toward bills" comment, that was classic. It definitely adds up fast in ham radio that's for sure.
--Mike, KJ4RSL
cryptkeeper113 2 years ago
im working on getting my tech, any tips about radios?
bossman380 4 years ago
nice vid just got my general looking for a hf rig now .73's kc9kuh
radiobigman47 4 years ago
Congratulations!!! Gud luck looking for a rig...lots to choose from!! See you on the air....73, W4PTS
inrharmony 4 years ago
Hi Dan, I enjoyed both videos and I am looking forward to the next part. I shall be listening out for you on 20M, 73 good DX Simon
2e0hts 4 years ago
Tnx, Simon...I will try and get something new posted soon...been kinda busy lately. There's a couple good contests coming up...maybe I'll post something regarding that. Hope to see you on the air sometime...73, Dan
inrharmony 4 years ago
Thanks, Dan. This is just what I needed. I just upgraded at the Huntsville, AL hamfest in August from Technician to Extra. I was going for General but I passed both elements in one fell swoop. I'm slightly overwhelmed by the HF world.
javajini 4 years ago
Hey, congrats on making the BIG leap....that's awesome!!! I'm gonna put some more vids up soon, so hopefully you'll get some good out of it. Again, congrats and welcome to the HF bands...hope to work you sometime on the air!!! 73....
inrharmony 4 years ago
Yes I did mean FT857. Were can you get the CW GET program?
hunt555fish 4 years ago
Good job Dan. This should be a help to new operators.How do you like the FT 897D? I have been thinking on getting one for mobile operations.How does the cw get program work?This is a great hobby. Ron KAWEL
hunt555fish 4 years ago
Ron, the rig is a FT 857D, and I love it. I have one also in the car...works great once you learn the menus...hi!!! CW GET is a morse decoder, and I simply route the headphone output of the rig into the mic input of my computer. I'd explain further, but I'd mess it up, so it's best to read the help files on the program...hehehe. Good luck, and it is a great hobby!!!
inrharmony 4 years ago
Looks like a great hobby. I had a shortwave set when I was a kid. It was connected to a wire antenna. I heard stuff from all over the world, but couldn't talk to anyone. Just listening was fun...
fehquig 4 years ago
I thought I was going to be the same way...just a listener, and that would've been fine, and less complex too, having to study for the ham exams and all. Lots of fun, though....and every once in a while I'll just tune around the SW portions of the bands and give a listen...still fascinating.
inrharmony 4 years ago
nice, 73 GL
eibeer 4 years ago
Tnx...73!!
inrharmony 4 years ago
This actually takes me back to the late 80s when I had the CB radio for my drive from IL to CA. Could not have imagined using it (or even something like it) to communicate with people in Russia, though.
curt344 4 years ago
Actually, at certain times of the sunspot cycle and at certain times of the day, long distance communications are not unusual on CB...so breaker, breaker 1-9...
inrharmony 4 years ago
You bagged Russia! Cool! We need to do some filming when we do our next contest, huh? Great series sweetie...keep up the great work. 88's...your wifeypoo W4ZPP
Ravensinger 4 years ago
DX hunting is just fun...what can I say? WAE SSB is coming up pretty soon...that should be fun!!! 88, hon...de W4PTS
inrharmony 4 years ago
That was really cool. It makes me want a ham radio. {*_*} Peace.~Moonchime
Moonchimes 4 years ago
Hehehe....thanks, hon...it's a fun hobby, but mildly addicting!!!
inrharmony 4 years ago
Dan, very good. Nice Russian DX contact. Goes to show that this can be done without big fancy equipment and monster antennas. Listening to the station and his method of operation and skill is key. I too have a FT-857 radio. It is an amazing little box. Anyway, good video and dx contact. Next is to fill out the QSL card and send it on its way. 73, Randy
K7AGE 4 years ago
Yet another idea for a video...the QSL process!! I'll have to think about doing that. That was fairly typical, as you know, and hopefully it'll ease the minds of those who are a bit "mike-shy".
Love my 857D...I could stand to have more controls up front, but that's a small price to pay for the bargain inside of that little rig.
73, Dan
inrharmony 4 years ago
Hey there. Like your Hamshack "series." I'm a SWL in the Boston area and have been listening to the ham band for many years, so find this very interesting! Thanks! 73
dustyjane 4 years ago
Awesome!!! I used to spend hours listening to SW in my early days...lots and lots of fun. Tnx for the comments!!! 73, Dan
inrharmony 4 years ago
Tnx for the comments!!! I love the whole idea of radio transmission from far away, and have been known to spend a good deal of time listning to SW...lots of fun!!! 73!!!
inrharmony 4 years ago