Probably started in '78-'79 when I bought a used 23 channel CB radio for '66 Mustang. Don't recall the brand. Used it for traveling cross country when moving while in the military (moved a lot). Upgraded latter to a Realistic. Still have a TRC-428 and a Cobra 29LTD. Couple guys I worked with in the early '80's were into building their own ham radios but I never got the urge to follow but always had CB's. Picked up a AT-6666 a couple years ago, followed by a QT60 and then got my Tech and General licenses. Currently running a FT-710 and slowly studying for an Extra license sometime down the road.
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What year and why did you get into the Radio Hobby?
- Thread starter Moleculo
- Start date
1970 or 71.
An uncle gave me a book - "Using Electronics" - which is sitting on a bookshelf next to me as I type this. That was the initial spark plug. Finding a discarded AM transistor radio was the next. I hooked it up to an improvised antenna on my front porch and began prowling the bands.
Eventually an AM/FM stereo console (Christmas present) then a DX-160 (ditto) followed. Any radio receiver or transceiver I could get my hands on and either fix or use for parts was added to the collection. Add to this a steady stream of electronics related magazines and I was firmly on my way.
The amateur radio angle came about via two of those magazines. One which featured a complete SB-104 lineup, and another an FT-901DM. That galvanized me into getting a Novice license.
An FT-901DM station is currently out on my vintage bench and I have an SB-104A lineup (including an SB-230 and prototype antenna tuner/synthesized VFO) ready to go in its place when I want to change things up a bit.
One of these days I may get hold of a modern SDR-based rig but greatly enjoy operating the older stuff.
An uncle gave me a book - "Using Electronics" - which is sitting on a bookshelf next to me as I type this. That was the initial spark plug. Finding a discarded AM transistor radio was the next. I hooked it up to an improvised antenna on my front porch and began prowling the bands.
Eventually an AM/FM stereo console (Christmas present) then a DX-160 (ditto) followed. Any radio receiver or transceiver I could get my hands on and either fix or use for parts was added to the collection. Add to this a steady stream of electronics related magazines and I was firmly on my way.
The amateur radio angle came about via two of those magazines. One which featured a complete SB-104 lineup, and another an FT-901DM. That galvanized me into getting a Novice license.
An FT-901DM station is currently out on my vintage bench and I have an SB-104A lineup (including an SB-230 and prototype antenna tuner/synthesized VFO) ready to go in its place when I want to change things up a bit.
One of these days I may get hold of a modern SDR-based rig but greatly enjoy operating the older stuff.
I started out listening to lot of AM broadcast. WOWO,WSM, WKBW, WLS,WBT, KDKA, WWVA Ect. 1950's A neighbor gave me a Howard broadcast/sort wave real nice receiver. Then the filter cap shorted.Me around 11-12 years old I had no idea what was the problem. I let a bepair person take it to fix for me never to see it again. Then the CB's came along I had a Globe which was three seperate sections held together with rivets. it became intermitant and a friend replaced the loose rivets with #6 screws lock washers and nuts. worked great after. The next was a Sonar G That lasted me couple years Nice sounding rig. I got my novice license and had a Knight T60 and an old receiver Got drafted and sold it to neighbor never to have another CB then. Until I got out of Spartan School of aeronautics then CB was my radio working in the NY Thruway. I left there for North Carolina then here in Floriduh. Got my general ticket and now have a Kenwood TS590 DSP Whata nice rig this is WOW!! I'm not wealthy by any means the Kenwood cost me last year a whooping $250.00 with no RX audio. I still don't know why the internal speaker isn't working?? I have a Kenwood desk external which is fine for now. I do have a Cobra CB still in the box I got three years ago never took it out or connected juice to it.
My first transceiver was a Ramsey 6 meter Kit I had alot of fun with that hooked to an ASP thru glass antenna. then yeasu ft 857 junk I've had the display replaced three times and I have a NEW controlhead sealed away. Never to buy a yeasu anything again. I have a TYT 9800 thing that looks and acts just like the yeasu I have seen but $200.00 cheaper.
ENOUGH chewing on
73 ya'all Old Barney
My first transceiver was a Ramsey 6 meter Kit I had alot of fun with that hooked to an ASP thru glass antenna. then yeasu ft 857 junk I've had the display replaced three times and I have a NEW controlhead sealed away. Never to buy a yeasu anything again. I have a TYT 9800 thing that looks and acts just like the yeasu I have seen but $200.00 cheaper.
ENOUGH chewing on
73 ya'all Old Barney