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.
-
You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.
-
The Winners of the three Retevis radios 16 Anniversary giveaway are announced!! Click Here to find out if you won!
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