I thought I heard that Morse code was oficially dead last year???

Cheers MC

Maxprop wrote:

"Bobsprit" wrote in message


160M
through 10M. You'll need a general license to operate voice on 10M, and
you'll only require a southern accent, a handle, and an IQ of less than 30
to operate on 11M, the so-called Citizen's Band.

Lots of radio enthusiasts play in the SSB of 11 meter and do quite well.

The

general license is also not exactly tough...just 5 wpm for morse. 35

multiple

choice questions. Memorize the easily available question database (350
questions total) and you can't miss. Moreover, many of the questions are
giveaways.
I picked up a copy of "Now You're Talking" and it's pretty easy stuff.


Yeah, it's gotten easier over the years. I took the general under the
current rules, ie--5wpm, etc. And it wasn't all that tough. But rather
than just memorize the material, I actually learned it. Silly me.

I expect the Morse Code requirement to be deleted in the not too distant
future. Very few use it anymore, but that's unfortunate as it requires
almost no bandwidth for a bunch of simultaneous rag chewers.

Max

Yeah, it's gotten easier over the years. I took the general under the
current rules, ie--5wpm, etc. And it wasn't all that tough. But rather
than just memorize the material, I actually learned it. Silly me.

I took the test at QRZ.com and passed, but not by much. I'll study the book and
follow the rules as such, but I doubt I'll get into radio mods and end up with
twenty radios. I'm just looking for something fun aboard when I'm on the hook
and can't sleep. I put the Voyage 10M on board, but I don't know what it'll
do-I just know little about ham. It can also "operate" on 11 meter SSB.

RB

"Bobsprit" wrote in message

I took the test at QRZ.com and passed, but not by much. I'll study the
book and
follow the rules as such, but I doubt I'll get into radio mods and end up
with
twenty radios. I'm just looking for something fun aboard when I'm on the
hook
and can't sleep. I put the Voyage 10M on board, but I don't know what
it'll
do-I just know little about ham. It can also "operate" on 11 meter SSB.

I have a 4 watt QRP transceiver for 10M that I've used on the boat while at
the dock. The low output doesn't interfere with other peoples' electronics,
and I've worked Africa and parts of Europe and Asia with it. Most
importantly the amp draw during transmit is low enough that I can use it on
the hook as well without draining the batteries. Don't try that with a 100w
transceiver, unless you've got some mega-banks or a genset.

If you're looking for something to occupy the idle hours on the hook, try
2M. Can't be beat for just yakking, and everyone ashore wants to make
marine mobile contacts. They almost line up to talk with you.

Max

If you're looking for something to occupy the idle hours on the hook, try
2M. Can't be beat for just yakking, and everyone ashore wants to make
marine mobile contacts. They almost line up to talk with you.


What's the deal with 2M range-wise? I thought it worked good range with
repeaters only...not sure, I'm on the learning curve with all of this.

RB

"Bobsprit" wrote

What's the deal with 2M range-wise? I thought it worked good range with
repeaters only...not sure, I'm on the learning curve with all of this.

VHF/UHF is close to line of sight so I can reach repeaters on the Eastern
Shore from the mouth of the Rapahannoc but not as far inland due to terrian.

Ever more repeaters are using voice-over-internet to connect to other
repeaters all over the world but purists think little of it.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message

If you're looking for something to occupy the idle hours on the hook, try
2M. Can't be beat for just yakking, and everyone ashore wants to make
marine mobile contacts. They almost line up to talk with you.


What's the deal with 2M range-wise? I thought it worked good range with
repeaters only...not sure, I'm on the learning curve with all of this.

2M is VHF, so it's line-of-sight. But there are repeaters nearly
everywhere. Difficult to make contact simplex. About the only way to
initiate contact is to bring up a repeater and announce your presence.

Max

What's the deal with 2M range-wise? I thought it worked good range with
repeaters only...not sure, I'm on the learning curve with all of this.

2M is VHF, so it's line-of-sight.

Yeah, that's what I thought. I think it sounds more fun to not use the
repeaters, which sounds like a relayed cordless phone call to me.

RB

"Bobsprit" wrote in message


What's the deal with 2M range-wise? I thought it worked good range with
repeaters only...not sure, I'm on the learning curve with all of this.

2M is VHF, so it's line-of-sight.

Yeah, that's what I thought. I think it sounds more fun to not use the
repeaters, which sounds like a relayed cordless phone call to me.

The problem with using only simplex is establishing contact. No one
monitors the simplex freq; only the repeaters. You can establish contact
via a repeater, and if you and your contact are close enough you can then go
to simplex. Do it all the time.

Max

"MC" wrote in message

I thought I heard that Morse code was oficially dead last year???

Not sure what you heard there, but the US still recognizes the international
treaty to require Morse on its licensing exams. And some old timers still
work CW, especially at night and on weekends, probably to keep their
"wrists" smooth. I do expect the Morse requirement to fall by the wayside
someday soon, nonetheless.

Max

"Maxprop" wrote
Not sure what you heard there, but the US still recognizes the
international
treaty to require Morse on its licensing exams. .......

The international radio treaty no longer requires Morse so many countries
have dropped the requirement but USA and others still do.