I was reading through some of the amateur radio feeds I have on Facebook. Yes, I have a FB account, mostly because of the grand kids but as time has passed I have subscribed to some of the amateur radio pages.
As I read, something struck me about many of the posts. These posts are asking for someone to tell them about various subjects. Isn’t that what these pages are all about? What bothered me was many of these requests were expecting someone to do the researching and experimenting for them. I realize that some things can be beyond our capabilities and we hope others will provide insight for us. Explaining the difference between two electronic designs is probably beyond most of us. Finding out the requirements for an amateur license shouldn’t be beyond our abilities. Google “how to get a ham license” and you have it.
One of the qualities many hams have is an avid curiosity. The desire to find the “why” or “how” to a problem or piece of equipment. Modern technology has tended to stunt the development of an avid curiosity. Why put your mind to explain a question when the computer is so close and so easy? Just “Google” it. One of reason to “put your mind to it” is that exercising your mind is like exercising your muscles, use builds the mind like reps builds the muscle. Satisfaction is another motivator, the feeling of accomplishment is incredible!
Some things are going to be different for different cases. For instance, one ham was asking which configuration works best for a G5RV antenna. Should he install it horizontally or as an inverted V. When you think about it, there are so many variables that may not work for your installation. The W8 station with an inverted V that works very well for that station but following the installation at a W3 station’s horizontal configuration may be best for you. Yes, it is a lot of work to try different configurations; but, experimenting has been a fundamental premise of amateur radio and is the only true way to find out which works best for you!
Another post was from a disappointed ham who had taken the recommendations of numerous hams and purchased a specific transceiver. Now he is not happy with the layout of the controls! Ergonomics, the science of efficient operation within a work environment, has been the reason why some people love their Toyota and others trade in the Toyota for a Buick. One works well and fits that driver while the other seems clumsy. The ham who wanted to buy a new transceiver should try-out the possible choices. A number of ham radio stores have models on display and often “on the air”. Or at a ham fest, other local hams may have the unit you are interested in and would be glad for you to give it a test drive at their QTH.
An example of this sort of thing in Icom came out with the IC-7300 and many reviews raved as to it’s qualities. The unit has been a best seller for some time. But, check out the used ads such as QRZ and you will find many IC-7300 radios for sale. Obviously it was not the “perfect radio” for many hams. Or as a friend of mine often says, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”
Develop a “ham curiosity” and do the work yourself. Sure advice, be it online or over pie and coffee, is valuable and can be very time saving. However, our society needs to work at developing self-sufficiency. That’s why it is so valuable to practice programming your handheld. It is entirely conceivable that your could be in a situation when no computer is available and you need to establish communication with a repeater you have never used.
In the 1970’s and 80’s EMP was something hams and others in electronics thought about and took preventative measures for. You may ask what is EMP? Electromagnetic Pulse is a sudden huge burst of electromagnetic energy. Why would we be concerned? It could wipe out most modern day electronics destroying the transistors and chips. No computers, cellphones, and many modern day appliances such as toasters and refrigerators would be non functional. Any thing using a transistor or microchip would cease to function.
Is it something to worry about? Many preppers think so and have electronic devices protected and stored in such things as metal garbage cans or Faraday cages. The USSR built a modern fighter that had all tube electronics. EMP has little or no effect on electron tubes. Therefore, that plane would continue to be functional should an EMP from either nuclear or solar storm flux strike the earth.
So there are many reasons for becoming self-sufficient. Ask for help and advice but, first continue to seek your own answers and solutions.
73, Chuck W7CRG
Another well-written and thoughtful blog, Chuck. Thanks!
Thanks Chuck! An insightful, humorous and educational glimpse to the past, present and future!