[R-390] $5000.00 390A????

[rbethman]

Barry,

Let me first say that it never was my intention to stir up a bunch of 
issues.

I do not consider anyone that pursues their hobby as "unwashed".  There 
apparently is an entire realm that I have not watched or paid attention 
to.  There was a time when I was one of those wearing a "manpack 
clandestine radio".  This was during Viet Nam.  I was one of those that 
would have a PRC-47 and would use it for the express purpose of a 
military mission.

I have never had an interest in DXpeditions.  I've already traveled more 
than I ever wanted.

I do not participate in radio contests.  I usually chat with friends and 
anyone whom desires to join in on a conversation.  Mostly the 
discussions are about the old tube transmitters and receivers that we 
use.  We get into discussions about what things can be done to keep them 
up and going.

I do have a fairly broad range of frequencies that I can receive.  I do 
spend some time doing that, just not the amount that I might like to.

Perhaps it is a matter of where I have had to place my priorities that 
creates the impression that I made.  I've had a complete 20+ years in 
the military.  This was followed by over 14 years in support of DoE and DoD.

Some of this support was related to satellite communications, and some 
was UAVs collecting visual data.  There has also been a fair amount 
spent working with a large array of computer platforms.

So even the hobbies that I do have, have suffered from lack of attention.

I inadvertently "rang a bell", and once you do this, you can't un-ring it.

I've had minimal contact with people that expressed interest in SWL.  
Unfortunately, those that I had approach me were of the ones that had 
some radio that they expected things out of that they could not do.  One 
came to my house with a Hallicrafters S-120.  He had seen my antennas, 
and wanted to have his receiver pick up those things that I could with 
my equipment.  I've tried to begin by teaching them about antennas.  
I've offered them the use of an antenna book, and to help them make one.

I didn't get anywhere with the ones that came to me.

The last one was about 6 years ago.  He had a DAK MR-101.  He also 
wanted it to pull in the world.  I once again tried to teach about antennas.

I've never turned anyone away without trying to help them.  I've helped 
folks out that wanted to becomes a ham.  I've even repaired radios for 
those that didn't know how, and had a problem.

I'm not a saint, and have never professed to be such.

I have learned only the things that applied to myself, my military 
career, and the positions that I've occupied, and those things important 
to family.

There is always more to learn.  Currently I'm working with my 8 year old 
granddaughter.  I'm trying to help her with her school work.  She has 
some areas that her mother doesn't understand.  The schools have changed 
what they are teaching and how they present it.

Continuing to try and explain and apologize won't change what I posted.

I'm not going to convince anyone that I am not biased.  The reason is 
that we are not meeting face to face.  So a lot does not come out in 
just written words.

I do know that there is a very large radio spectrum far beyond the ham 
bands.  I explore what I can when I can.

Bob - N0DGN



On 3/13/2012 4:12 PM, barry williams wrote:
> Bob,
>
> Yes, you are quite correct when you point out how much you haven't
> learned. It's hard to find a starting point in replying.
>
> You did step on a lot of toes, but let me set you straight if possible.
> SWL and DX is a huge world. I've spent a lot of time with SWL, HF DX,
> chasing pirates, manpack clandestine stations in the jungle, TIS, and
> even drift net bouys. There are large networks of people with the same
> likes, some hams and some not.
>
> It really doesn't take exotic equipment. That's a fairy tale. You do
> have to understand something about antennas past turning the rotator
> knob on your Cushman or Bird. My 'exotic' antenna for flea powered NDBs
> putting out a norm of 25 watts is a tabletop Quantum QX Pro. Les
> Locklear steered me to this antenna. It's a rotating ferrite rod type.
> I've pulled in little NDBs from Chile with it (4000+ miles) and a $50
> RBL-5 from the Navy with a service date of 1944. Les tipped me off on
> that auction. Just about everything else DX or SWL is on a nice HP 3586B
> that was $100 from a ham in Huntsville. Again, Les gave me to heads up
> on it. About the only thing 'exotic' is a Timewave 599zx.
>
> I've done a lot of listening, but I couldn't begin to run with the guys
> that Chuck Rippel goes with on DXpeditions. Those guys know radio.
> Propagation. Antennas. Radio stations. You name it.
>
> I hate to say this in front of the forum, but it is the truth that
> attitudes like yours is why I never got my license. I started out DXing
> on my own. My best friends and neighbors were hams and encouraged me to
> take the test. A lot of other good friends happened to be hams too.
> While being some of my best friends, they suddenly got the attitude that
> I was unwashed when I mentioned any interest past the ham bands. I've
> heard this a lot from others without their tickets.
>
> There's a whole world of radio out there past the limitations of the ham
> bands. DXing is certainly more than turning on appliances and chatting.
>
>
> the other Barry
>