NU5DEJan 29, 2023
The Book of Kels

What is HAM radio like these days, anyway?

I was friends with a couple of HAMs way back in the 80s and it had a lot to do with CW transmissions and building your own analog radio, and I think the advanced license allowed you to do stuff like slow scan TV.

I've gotta assume things have changed since so much else to do with communication has. What's the general vibe now?

Jan 23, 2023 at 12:57amWeb
Show threadRoy GreenhiltJan 23, 2023

@Nezchan I got back in it (fsdo) a few years ago, as I ramped up my Jeep work and was also interested in some preparedness stuff.

It's very differen than it was in the 80s. Still lots of repeaters, chatter, and long distance stuff, but it's... got a different feel. Less "we are the informed ones talking long distances" and more the "We are the outcasts and will do waht we want."

A lot more Strong Opinions out there now. But the tech has also advanced a lot.

Good luck!

Show threadRuth [☕️ 👩🏻‍💻📚✍🏻🧵🪡🍵]Jan 23, 2023

@Nezchan literally about to attend a net checkin in 15 min. Still fairly dude heavy, CW still has a contingent. Less about building your main radio but lots of side projects for sure. Lots of interest in computer-radio-radio-computer comms at very small / weak signals. FT8 would be one to lookup.

Fewer spoons and gender things than talking by voice. Long distances.

I’d like to learn CW someday but brain has had a tough few years.

Show threadRuth [☕️ 👩🏻‍💻📚✍🏻🧵🪡🍵]Jan 23, 2023
@Nezchan one cool thing is there’s a lot of interest in taking portable stations places and making contacts. So, Parks on the Air, Lighthouses on the Air, etc!
Show threadHikariiJan 23, 2023
@Nezchan You don't have to build your own, there are good ones you can buy out there. (That's my experience, I don't know how to get more in depth!)
Show threadNU5DEJan 29, 2023
@Nezchan As you can imagine, there's a lot more interest in digital communications in the relatively new modes of FT8 and FT4 on the lower bands. In VHF/UHF, there is a large amount of digital activity that includes linking repeaters together over the internet with either Yaesu Fusion or with DMR. I recommend checking into both.
Show threadThe Book of KelsJan 29, 2023

@atexen

Oh, I definitely don't have the brain for HAM. It's just something I remember, and was curious how the field had changed over the years.

Show threadAI8WFeb 6, 2023
@Nezchan many of us with HF privileges still work cw... I'm heavily a cw op, though I also dabble with phone and digital modes.
If it's been more than a couple years, a lot has changed, and a lot of new modes and methods are available to us.
It's still a fun hobby.