[HCARC] Things a ham should be able to do: used to be NVIS - Local10 meter Propagation Test

[CW4EVR]

Just figured I would throw my 2 cents worth in.

Its the EE that does the design work, but the electronic technician that 
makes it work.

73 all

W0LPD

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kerry Sandstrom" <kerryk5ks at hughes.net>
To: "H. Vordenbaum" <tower2 at stx.rr.com>; <hcarc at mailman.qth.net>; "'Gary and 
Arlene Johnson'" <qltfnish at omniglobal.net>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2012 8:02 PM
Subject: [HCARC] Things a ham should be able to do: used to be NVIS - 
Local10 meter Propagation Test


> Harvey,
>
> I understand what you're saying and it is a fun topic , but I'm afraid it
> doesn't lead anywhere useful.  Not only can't many hams solder, but for
> every extra class ham that can't solder, I bet there are a 100 electrical
> engineers who can't solder either.  How many computer software engineers 
> do
> you think can write a program in machine language or assembly language ? 
> We
> have gone from a nation of "doers" to a nation of "watchers".  Its not 
> good
> except for a few of us old retired engineers who have little trouble 
> finding
> part time jobs because we remember what the new engineers never learned.
>
> However, I think a worthwhile topic would be a list of things that a ham
> should be able to do.  I'll start the list off with a few items.  Feel 
> free
> to add.
>
> Things a ham should be able to do:
>
>    1.  Set up his own station.
>
>    2.  Put up a simple wire dipole that works, ie, his transmitter will
> transmit with it.
>
>    3.  Put connectors on antenna cables.
>
>    4.  Repair microphone connectors, Rf connectors, power supply
> connectors, etc that his rig uses.
>
>    5.  Do simple troubleshooting on his own rig to determine if the power
> supply is good, the antenna is good and the microphone/key is good and the
> rig controls are set correctly.
>
>    6.  Be able to select the correct frequency for what he wants to work 
> at
> any given time.
>
>    7.  Know proper operating procedures to make and complete a QSO.
>
>    8.  Know and use standard amateur abbreviations and signals.
>
>    9.  Know how to properly install his station equipment including power,
> antenna lines, and grounds.
>
>   10.  Be able to interface his computer to his radio with or preferably
> without a commercial interface unit.
>
> Thats a start.  You may not be able to do all these things at the 
> beginning
> but you should be able to do a dew and as you get more experince the rest
> willcome along.  I didn't say you have to be able to solder, but you will
> find that in order to do some of these things you will have to learn to
> sloder.  Other things you will have to learn along the way is how to use
> simple test equipment like an SWR bridge and a voltmeter.  It will all 
> come
> with time.  None of this stuff is difficult.  Note: this is not a closed
> book test!  You can use any references you want including asking someone 
> for
> help.  Places you can get experience are the club radio station, nets
> including the FM net on Monday evenings and the SKYWARN net, field day,
> antenna parties, club meetings, tech corner before the meetings to name 
> just
> a few.
>
> That's enough for now,  have fun
>
> Kerry
>
>
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