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Offline harleyh77

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Ham radio operators?
« on: July 23, 2014, 12:46:12 PM »
Are any MOC members ham radio operators? A few friends and I are wanting to get our license. Where do we start? What kind of equipment is good to start with? What is a good quality handheld for field use? We are located in Kalamazoo, are there any instructors in this area?
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life" -Robert A. Heinlein

Offline TucTom

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2014, 12:56:30 PM »
Seems to me I remember Onnie (Randy Davis) being an operator. I am pretty sure that is correct. Guessing there may be others, have you done a search here?

Edit: yep I was correct also only 1 other person on the search maybe if they are still here they will answer.

Offline Jeff

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2014, 01:34:11 PM »
A friend of mines uncle uses them daily, but the mayor ordered him remove his antenna because it was too powerful.  It was actually cutting into other signals relaying his voice through them, and was very annoying.  I can try talking to him to see if he has any information or advice to give to someone.

Offline gryphon

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2014, 02:03:28 PM »
A friend of mines uncle uses them daily, but the mayor ordered him remove his antenna because it was too powerful.  It was actually cutting into other signals relaying his voice through them, and was very annoying.

The mayor has no authority to tell him that.  That is the FCC's call.  And if he was operating legally he shouldn't even be required to do that simply because his neighbor had a crappy TV or whatever.  Although the FCC has been known to do that!

What signals was he interfering with?

Offline TheQ

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Ham radio operators?
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2014, 02:14:11 PM »
GoldenEagle runs HAM....
I Am Not A Lawyer (nor a gunsmith).

Offline Jeff

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2014, 02:39:54 PM »
The mayor has no authority to tell him that.  That is the FCC's call.  And if he was operating legally he shouldn't even be required to do that simply because his neighbor had a crappy TV or whatever.  Although the FCC has been known to do that!

What signals was he interfering with?

But he really was having a battle with the mayor about his radio, maybe he's the wrong guy to ask questions to if the mayor didn't have any authority to tell him what he can do with his radio.

I will ask when he gets home from work. 

My neighbor also has a HUGE telescoping antenna  but he never uses it.  It was screwing with comcasts signal quality according to the comcast guy before I ditched their company for lousy service.

Offline SD40VE

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2014, 03:25:18 PM »
But he really was having a battle with the mayor about his radio, maybe he's the wrong guy to ask questions to if the mayor didn't have any authority to tell him what he can do with his radio.

I will ask when he gets home from work. 

My neighbor also has a HUGE telescoping antenna  but he never uses it.  It was screwing with comcasts signal quality according to the comcast guy before I ditched their company for lousy service.

i hate communist cable aka comshaft aka comcast. ATT for interwebs and direct tv is how i go

Offline Golden Eagle

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2014, 04:15:23 PM »
Are any MOC members ham radio operators? A few friends and I are wanting to get our license. Where do we start? What kind of equipment is good to start with? What is a good quality handheld for field use? We are located in Kalamazoo, are there any instructors in this area?
Hello I'm N8PSE. :wave: If you have a scanner you can hear us on 147.00, 147.040 and sometimes on 147.42 MHz.
You don't need to know Morse code anymore to get a license so that's a plus.

Some links:
About Amateur Radio
Study some here. (PDF)
You can start with this Technician practices test.
This is the Kalamazoo club.

Focus on studying and when I find out when the next class is I'll be sure to post it here.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

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Offline jgillmanjr

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2014, 04:23:43 PM »
Don't they still require morse code for the extra?
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Offline Jeff

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2014, 04:25:24 PM »
I have wide open west now.  The only issues I have ever had with them has been comcasts fault.

They showed up one day to disconnect my line and I had to yell at them that I never ordered that, they showed me a customer order to disconnect the line.  I said I don't even have them as a company anymore and I never ordered a line disconnect so I don't care what your paper says you're not touching my stuff.

Comcast had to install a business line and when they were done, they cut my WOW line because they figured I wasn't using them anymore because of getting a comcast line.  So I had to yell at them about that.  Had to have wow come back and reinstall my WOW line.  I begged them to charge me for it and send the bill to comcast.

When comcast came to burry the comcast business line they cut the WOW LINE.

It's like they just did that stuff on purpose.

Then had been rid of comcast for several years and still had WOW.  Then needed a comcast business line installed again.  I told them the horror stories they have caused me and watched everything they did to make sure they didn't sabotage my WOW line like they so enjoy doing.

Comcast has been an absolute headache for me.  And if I ever have to get rid of comcasts business line again, I'd say there is a 99% chance they also cut my wow line again.


Offline jgillmanjr

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2014, 04:27:50 PM »
I have wide open west now.  The only issues I have ever had with them has been comcasts fault.

They showed up one day to disconnect my line and I had to yell at them that I never ordered that, they showed me a customer order to disconnect the line.  I said I don't even have them as a company anymore and I never ordered a line disconnect so I don't care what your paper says you're not touching my stuff.

Comcast had to install a business line and when they were done, they cut my WOW line because they figured I wasn't using them anymore because of getting a comcast line.  So I had to yell at them about that.  Had to have wow come back and reinstall my WOW line.  I begged them to charge me for it and send the bill to comcast.

When comcast came to burry the comcast business line they cut the WOW LINE.

It's like they just did that stuff on purpose.

Then had been rid of comcast for several years and still had WOW.  Then needed a comcast business line installed again.  I told them the horror stories they have caused me and watched everything they did to make sure they didn't sabotage my WOW line like they so enjoy doing.

Comcast has been an absolute headache for me.  And if I ever have to get rid of comcasts business line again, I'd say there is a 99% chance they also cut my wow line again.


Yeah.... I'd hang around if that ever arises. That way you can provide entertaining footage of you ripping up the comcast tech.
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Offline Jeff

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2014, 04:47:34 PM »
When that comcast tech came and disconnected my wow and I had to chew him up about it I made him go hook it back up, he was pulling the work order crap out on me but I wasn't letting him get in his truck and drive away after what he had just done.  I think I scared him enough to go fix what he just did to me because at first he didn't give two craps and was just walking away to his truck until I beat him there and stood in his way.  I never threatened him or anything and if he had asked me to move I would have but he got the message that I was not about to accept what he had just done.  His attitude changed quickly after I was in the way of his vehicle door and he seemed nervous and went and fixed the line he just broke.  I said that you guys better never touch my wow line ever again for any reason.

The wow people were always like "how can they get it confused, we use different boxes and different colored line"  HOW?  because they are #*%&(# HOLES that's why.

Just ONE more rip on comcast then I'm done.  When they installed the business line recently the installer tech told me it would be about 3 days for someone to come bury the line and if they didn't to call his supervisor.  It sat there for WEEKS before they actually buried it.  People would come to bury it, look around and say "OH, this is a two person job I will have to write in a new order" or "OH, this is going to take too long and I won't get paid after X'Oclock"  after a few times of that, two guys came then said " this is going to take awhile, we're going to get some lunch first and come back" NEVER CAME BACK.  I had to keep calling and calling until I finally got people out there and of course I had to supervise so they didn't pull an OOPS KILLED THE WOW LINE!

I probably have like 7 lines running in my backyard under the grass because they are so snip happy.

Offline Golden Eagle

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2014, 04:55:30 PM »
Don't they still require morse code for the extra?
Nope but many HAMs can and still do use it.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

George Washington

Offline gryphon

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #13 on: July 23, 2014, 05:27:00 PM »
Nope but many HAMs can and still do use it.

I have a friend who is an avid HAM operator, and he uses morse code exclusively.  Every other year he takes a vacation to someplace remote to participate in those contests where you try to communicate with as many people/places as possible during a 24 hour period.  One year he went to some remote South Pacific island to broadcast from.  He said it's fun to be the one everyone across the world is trying to talk to instead of the opposite.

Offline part deux

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #14 on: July 23, 2014, 05:41:46 PM »
I let my dad's ham gear go to estate sale instead of keeping it.  Sometimes I regret it, but I need another hobby like a hole in my head :)

Offline Jeff

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #15 on: July 23, 2014, 05:48:04 PM »


My neighbors, it is telescoping, goes up 3x that.

Offline Golden Eagle

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #16 on: July 23, 2014, 07:21:22 PM »
I let my dad's ham gear go to estate sale instead of keeping it.  Sometimes I regret it, but I need another hobby like a hole in my head :)

Good thing you're into guns. :shoot-self:
« Last Edit: July 23, 2014, 09:07:50 PM by Golden Eagle »
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

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Offline harleyh77

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #17 on: July 24, 2014, 12:39:21 PM »
Hello I'm N8PSE. :wave: If you have a scanner you can hear us on 147.00, 147.040 and sometimes on 147.42 MHz.
You don't need to know Morse code anymore to get a license so that's a plus.

Some links:
About Amateur Radio
Study some here. (PDF)
You can start with this Technician practices test.
This is the Kalamazoo club.

Focus on studying and when I find out when the next class is I'll be sure to post it here.

Thanks for the info, ive been checking out the links. Yes, please let me know when you hear of the next class
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life" -Robert A. Heinlein

Offline GQ

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #18 on: July 24, 2014, 10:53:27 PM »
Long time. I'm back. I am also a ham radio operator.

Keep in mind that your FCC issued callsign is VERY public info, lists your name and address for ANYONE to see in the FCC database. You are required to state your callsign every 15 minutes and at the end of every transmission on ham frequencies. As I have stated before in previous posts I need to maintain anonymity, therefore I will not divulge my callsign in this forum.

As for transmitting, no mayor or municipality can regulate RF transmissions, only FCC. Same principle as pre-emption. Municipalities can regulate antenna towers from a engineering structural standpoint. Check PRB-1 for further info.

Hope this helps.

Offline linux203

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #19 on: July 24, 2014, 11:01:13 PM »
As for transmitting, no mayor or municipality can regulate RF transmissions, only FCC. Same principle as pre-emption. Municipalities can regulate antenna towers from a engineering structural standpoint. Check PRB-1 for further info.

This also applies to homeowners associations, trailer parks, etc... and with restrictions, apartment complexes and townhouses.

As to the Comcrap tech cutting the WoW line, stupidity is not a valid defense for malicious destruction of property.  Next time, file a police report.
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. Luke 11:21

Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one."  Luke 22:36

Offline Golden Eagle

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #20 on: July 25, 2014, 12:26:29 AM »
Long time. I'm back. I am also a ham radio operator.

Keep in mind that your FCC issued callsign is VERY public info, lists your name and address for ANYONE to see in the FCC database. You are required to state your callsign every 15 minutes and at the end of every transmission on ham frequencies. As I have stated before in previous posts I need to maintain anonymity, therefore I will not divulge my callsign in this forum.

As for transmitting, no mayor or municipality can regulate RF transmissions, only FCC. Same principle as pre-emption. Municipalities can regulate antenna towers from a engineering structural standpoint. Check PRB-1 for further info.

Hope this helps.

So much for me having it on my Jeeps license plate... Why do I doubt your a ham?

N8PSE
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

George Washington

Offline GQ

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #21 on: July 25, 2014, 12:54:05 AM »
Why do you doubt I am a ham?

Offline Golden Eagle

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #22 on: July 25, 2014, 01:16:01 AM »
Does your post look accurate to you?
Well maybe you got licensed but never got on the air.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

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Offline TheQ

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Ham radio operators?
« Reply #23 on: July 25, 2014, 08:55:25 AM »

This also applies to homeowners associations, trailer parks, etc... and with restrictions, apartment complexes and townhouses.

As to the Comcrap tech cutting the WoW line, stupidity is not a valid defense for malicious destruction of property.  Next time, file a police report.

HOA/parks can limit your ability to put up an antenna (or erect any plant/device, for that matter -- the lease or HOA Bylaws are the governing documents). But not your ability to transmit.
I Am Not A Lawyer (nor a gunsmith).

Offline part deux

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #24 on: July 25, 2014, 09:34:53 AM »
HOA/parks can limit your ability to put up an antenna (or erect any plant/device, for that matter -- the lease or HOA Bylaws are the governing documents). But not your ability to transmit.
Not completely accurate.  I won't address parks, but HOA can not regulate antennas.  If it's a condo complex, they can have some say so over how an antenna gets attached and potential damage it may cause to common areas.
{edit}  This only pertains to broadcast source reception antennas, not Ham :(
« Last Edit: July 25, 2014, 09:41:35 AM by part deux »

Offline SD40VE

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #25 on: July 25, 2014, 10:42:35 AM »
Not completely accurate.  I won't address parks, but HOA can not regulate antennas.  If it's a condo complex, they can have some say so over how an antenna gets attached and potential damage it may cause to common areas.
{edit}  This only pertains to broadcast source reception antennas, not Ham :(

im my sub we own the house, we do not own the land. if i put an antenna up on MY house. and not on their land. nothing they can do. as long as its not on their land and attached to my house

Offline harleyh77

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #26 on: July 25, 2014, 11:50:46 PM »
This is all very interesting. I don't like the idea of broadcasting identifying info.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life" -Robert A. Heinlein

Offline Golden Eagle

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #27 on: July 26, 2014, 10:44:46 PM »
This is all very interesting. I don't like the idea of broadcasting identifying info.

We have our addresses on are houses, our license plates are always in view on our cars.
I don't really like it I guess but I've never met a HAM that cared.

Also to correct GQ, HAMs ID every 10 minutes.. we all know this. ;)
Quote
Sec. 97.119 Station identification.
(a) Each amateur station, except a space station or telecommand
station, must transmit its assigned call sign on its transmitting
channel at the end of each communication, and at least every 10 minutes
during a communication...
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

George Washington

Offline gryphon

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #28 on: August 01, 2014, 12:49:56 PM »
When that comcast tech came and disconnected my wow and I had to chew him up about it I made him go hook it back up, he was pulling the work order crap out on me but I wasn't letting him get in his truck and drive away after what he had just done.  I think I scared him enough to go fix what he just did to me because at first he didn't give two craps and was just walking away to his truck until I beat him there and stood in his way.

Well, at least you didn't do this to your Comcast tech.

http://www.abqjournal.com/437537/news/comcast-customer-jailed-in-gun-case.html

Offline Jeff

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #29 on: August 01, 2014, 04:20:41 PM »
hmmmm. only 11 rounds.  I think we heard something similar to that before.

Offline MGDell

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #30 on: August 12, 2014, 08:30:10 AM »
N7LMJ Here :)

-Mike
Traverse City, MI

Offline TheQ

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Ham radio operators?
« Reply #31 on: August 12, 2014, 04:48:59 PM »
NC4HCSGM here. :)
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Offline Golden Eagle

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #32 on: August 14, 2014, 07:51:54 AM »
N7LMJ Here :)

Hey lets chat Friday on 145.15- 114.8
4:30PM?

N8PSE  :D
« Last Edit: August 14, 2014, 08:02:30 AM by Golden Eagle »
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

George Washington

Offline MI_XD

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #33 on: August 16, 2014, 10:20:17 PM »
NC4HCSGM here. :)

HUH??! Leave it to Lansing to get that messed up too!  :)
Unless that has something to do with a different mode of transmission through the air??

KD8AHE here... Tech

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I finally can be Proud of America, again!

Offline TheQ

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Ham radio operators?
« Reply #34 on: August 17, 2014, 03:20:10 PM »

HUH??! Leave it to Lansing to get that messed up too!  :)
Unless that has something to do with a different mode of transmission through the air??

KD8AHE here... Tech

MI_XD

I'm pretty sure Pat understands NC 4 HCSGM.
I Am Not A Lawyer (nor a gunsmith).

Offline Golden Eagle

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #35 on: September 21, 2014, 10:19:12 PM »
Thanks for the info, ive been checking out the links. Yes, please let me know when you hear of the next class

Testing October 19th 10:00 AM Kalamazoo fairgrounds.

HAMFEST
Location: Kalamazoo County Expo Center
2900 Lake Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Website: http://kalamazoohamfest.com/
Sponsor: Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club & Southwest Michigan Amateur Radio Team
Talk-In: 147.040
Public Contact: Jeff Belknap , N8RWS
PO Box 33 Richland, MI 49083
Phone: 269-205-3560

For anyone else that wants to find a local HAMfest: http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

George Washington

Offline harleyh77

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #36 on: May 23, 2015, 10:25:23 AM »
Bringing up an old topic here but finally got around to testing, passed tech class license today! See you on the air soon!
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life" -Robert A. Heinlein

Offline m.marino

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #37 on: May 23, 2015, 02:32:58 PM »
Does tech get the use of 10m (28Mhz +/-) in the US? If so point your antenna towards Scotland and I might hear you and if the Ionosphere is not acting up you might even hear me. We are  still in the UK, though getting closer to a move date which is good and looking forward to being back in the states. Call sign is MM6WMU
Tuebor Libertatus

Offline Langenc

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Re: Ham radio operators?
« Reply #38 on: June 08, 2015, 05:19:56 PM »
Im not a ham but my son is, inactive now.

I thought this thread was about exemption to PFZs for hams when I read the title.