|
 If you
are already a ham then this first paragraph will be old
hat to you but for newcomers here is a brief introduction.
Amateur radio, better known as Ham radio, is not to be
confused with CB radio. Radio Amateurs need to pass
several tests depending on their class of license. Tests
can involve operating theory and regulations, radio
theory, and Morse code. A first license is generally easy
to get as the testing is not too demanding but a new ham
is restricted to certain bands and modes of operation.
Moving up the ladder of license classes (3 in Canada)
requires more of a commitment but the extra time and study
is worth the access you get to more bands and modes of
operating.
I was
first licensed in 1969 and have my Advanced Amateur
license with callsign VE3BUC giving me all the operating and frequency
privileges of amateur radio. In December 2002 I was given a second
call VE3XD. My primary mode of operation
is HF phone although I also work some digital modes and
when mobile I use VHF and UHF. To date I have contacted
radio amateurs in over 200 different countries using a
variety of modes. It is possible to contact over 300
countries as some have done.
|
 Here
is my radio room (shack) with a Yaesu FT-1000 MP
Mark V which
transmits a maximum of 200 watts into either a
Cushcraft X7 7-element yagi for
10 through 20 meters, an Alpha Delta DX/DD for 40 and 80 meters
and a DX-B for 160 meters. The X7 was installed in early June 2003.
Before that I used a TA-33 Jr on a 12m tower. The map on the left shows
countries I have worked and have received QSL cards
from. The red pins noting this are barely visible in
this picture.
To
the right are some certificates on display for
contests where I have been fortunate to attain a
notable record. Another
map, off the picture to the right, marks 100+ countries
that have been contacted using QRP (5 watts or
less).
The
computer is an Pentium III 450 which is used to log all
my contacts. It is also used for digital modes
of communication such as Rtty and PSK-31 using the
sound card and Writelog software.
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|
 The X7 is seen here mounted on a 56' (18m) tower behind the house. With this
setup I have contacted other hams in Europe, Africa,
South and Central America, Australia and the South
Pacific, Japan and China.
See the work on erecting
the tower and antenna
Barely
visible here is an Alpha-Delta DX/DD dipole for 40
and 80 meters. Its center feedpoint is mounted near the top of the tower and the wires slope down to
about 5 meters above the ground at the rear of the
property and to the left-front corner of the roof. So much for small city lots.
There is also a 160m sloper attached below the
dipole on the tower and it slopes to the rear of the
property also. |
|
 Some
of the contest results on the contests page show a mobile operation as
VE3XD/W4. Here is my setup in
the car which was used for these contests and for other
operations. On the left rear trunk area is a Hamstick antenna
(barely visible in the picture). The radio is set up
temporarily on the
console between the front seats and the computer sits
on the armrest in the back seat.
For CW and Rtty an
appropriate interface is used between the radio and computer
and the computer is used for sending, receiving and logging.
Of course with CW the ears are most important. The mike is
only used for phone contesting. Obviously I don't set any
records here, either for contacts or for hours of operation
but it fills the fun quota on a contest weekend. |
Check
out the pages listed in the upper left margin for more of my activities.
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