Thanks-Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??

Tue May 27 00:00:27 EDT 2008

Eric? Wayne?
   Do you mind if we proselytize for Elecraft?
      Kevin.


-----Original Message-----
>From: Brian Lloyd <brian-wb6rqn at lloyd.com>
>Sent: May 26, 2008 11:51 PM
>To: Kevin Rock <kevinr at cs.unm.edu>, Kevin Rock <kevinrock at earthlink.net>
>Cc: Jeremy <jeremymblock at yahoo.com>, "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: Thanks-Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
>
>
>On May 26, 2008, at 8:34 PM, Kevin Rock wrote:
>
>> Hi Jeremy,
>>   During an amateur radio presentation to a group a cub scouts I was  
>> the CW person.  There were packet stations, SSB stations, FM  
>> stations, but the kids came over to my set up to listen and watch me  
>> work a couple CW ops.  I then had them sit down with a chart of CW  
>> (I know, bad precedent) and work out their names.  I put the K2 into  
>> TEST mode and let them bang away on my straight key.  They had a ball.
>
>I can support that observation. Now that we have pico keyers and  
>"clipper keys", I am always hearing CW in the classroom. I have so  
>many little QSOs rattling around the class that I finally have to tell  
>them to knock it off!
>
>> The other radio amateurs were a bit miffed at me for stealing the  
>> show.  The kids loved CW while they just politely looked at the  
>> other setups.  I think 10 is the perfect age to introduce your son  
>> to CW.
>
>Spot on. I introduced the 4th graders to the code in science last  
>week. (Most have just turned 10.) They are off and running now. One  
>4th grader has dragged his father kicking and screaming toward getting  
>HIS ticket. ;-)
>
>> You may want him to gather a few of his friends because they could  
>> then work as a group.
>
>Yes, the social aspect of it is critical. That is why I am trying to  
>get so many of the kids licensed AND on-the-air. I received enough  
>parts donations to build a 440 repeater! I have applied to the  
>coordinating group for a 440 pair. Seems like commercial 450 mobile  
>rigs are a dime a dozen. A 1/4 wave whip is just a piece of hook-up  
>wire soldered to a banana plug and shoved into the center pin of the  
>SO-239. Works great.
>
>So the goal is to get them active and using their licenses. Many are  
>getting handi-talkies and I want them using them daily. Once it  
>becomes habit they will remain hams.
>
>> They would have their own 'secret' code to use with each other.   
>> Adds a bit of spice to it.  Then, once they have learned CW, they'll  
>> not forget.  One day they will think back on those good times and  
>> get on the air.  Since they already know code it won't be tough to  
>> get back on the bicycle years later and just ride away.
>
>Nope. Great ideas.
>
>I hope to have three new General Class licensees after our last VE  
>session of the year tomorrow. So far I have licensed 10 and hope to  
>get 5 more tomorrow with three upgrades. Wish us luck. The ones going  
>for their general have started shopping for HF rigs. I have  
>recommended the K2.
>
>>
>>   GL and 73,
>>      Kevin.  KD5ONS
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Jeremy <jeremymblock at yahoo.com>
>>> Sent: May 26, 2008 10:48 PM
>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> Subject: Thanks-Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
>>>
>>> Thanks everyone who offered advice to regarding getting started @  
>>> HF and whether or not a K1 would be a good first radio for a  
>>> beginner.  As much as I desperately want to build an K1, I think  
>>> I'm going to hold off and find something used (and QRO) to start  
>>> with - I'm really wanting to avoid getting discouraged and should  
>>> probably get my feet wet first before going QRP.
>>>
>>> One of the things that I didn't mention before, but is pretty  
>>> important to me as well is that both I and my 10 year old son took  
>>> our tests together - and both were licensed together (he's a  
>>> Technician - KC2TIW).  My thought was that if I had something that  
>>> was SSB capable (something that I could afford - can't afford a K2  
>>> right now!) - we'd be able to enjoy it together - and maybe he'd  
>>> become interested in learning more about radio and maybe even  
>>> getting his General license and learning morse.  I guess I'm  
>>> thinking that as CW is - 10 year olds these days are probably not  
>>> very impressed with morse code in and of itself.....
>>>
>>> Thanks again for everyone's advice & stories - it's appreciated.
>>>
>>> -jeremy
>>> KC2TIX
>>>
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>
>--
>
>73 de Brian, WB6RQN
>Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com
>
>
>