Got the License in the Mail

I received the license in the mail on Saturday.  So did my wife.  Too bad I don't have an HF radio.  :-(

Yes, I passed the Amateur Extra

Sorry that it's taken so long to post this fact here... The test was on Saturday before last, and I got 44 of 50 correct (90%)... better than the practice tests.  Now its time to work on getting a radio. (Also, started studying Morse Code, although its not a big hurry.)

Onward!

I received my MFJ-201 Dip Meter via UPS yesterday, so I'm soon to be back on track building my attic antenna system.  Hopefully I can figure out how to test these coils over the weekend, and get it done prior to RARSfest, although it isn't as big a rush any more, since until I have a steady source of income (read: job) again, I'm kind of restricted on buying toys (like Antenna Analyzers).

60 Done... but on hold

It's been a while since I've posted... yes, I did finish my 60M traps, after getting the new coax.  I'm still waiting for the dip meter, so I haven't tuned anything yet.  Unfortunately, I've also lost my job, so it may take a little while before I can afford to buy an antenna tuner.  But I'll get there eventually.  The RARSfest is coming up though... and I'll be attending even if I can't afford to buy any toys.

10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 done.

As I mentioned in a previous post, a week or two ago I spent a frustrating weekend puzzling out how to build the 10 meter antenna traps.  This weekend I knocked out four additional pairs... 15, 20, 30, and 40 Meters.  These are all based on the design described in this article.

After having made all sorts of mistakes on the first pair, the next eight went fairly quickly.  I ran out of coax and 12ga wire to do the 60 Meter traps... it's on order, but it will be week or so before I get it.
 
Next up on the great antenna build is the tuning... which I should be able to do after I get my dip meter.  I ordered it from Universal Radio, the same place I'm buying my coax, but its on back order, so it may be a while before I get it.

Good Deed For The Day

This morning, I participated in my son's Boy Scout Troop's Merit Badge University event, where I taught the Radio Merit Badge to a group of four boys, my son included.  I am happy to report that two of the bvoys were very enthusiastic about the idea of Amateur Radio, and intended to pursue their Technician license at the earliest opportunity, which will be the RARSfest in April.  Unfortunately, my son wasn't one of the two boys... although perhaps that is for the good, since I have him handy to keep pestering him to study.

I'm hoping to create a vibrant Amateur Radio presence in the scout troop, and eventually may be interested in spreading it to other troops in the area.

This evening, I started messing around with one of the Traps for the attic antenna I'm trying to build.  I found that LMR-200 is a real pain to cut and trim...  and winding the coils is tedious.  I'm going to have to order more cable if I plan to build 60M traps too... the initial lengths I cut where just a smidgeon too short, so each set of cables gets demoted one Trap size.  In the morning I'll see if I can get the first one wound nice and tight, and then I'll solder it.  With in luck, when I get the Dip Meter in a week or two, I'll be able to tune the thing and it will be right on per my calcs.

Fitting In

Amateur Radio has a lot of facets, and part of my job as a new HAM is to figure out exactly how I'm going to fit in.  I've already decided that I want to max out my license...  hopefully passing my Extra this April.  I also want to get my VE certificate, with the intent that I can help administer license exams to others in the future.  But there's more... I intend to become involved with ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), and have started studying the required FEMA training needed to qualify. 

You might say that I've got big plans... but they're only about half formed.  I know I want to do something radio oriented with the Boy Scouts (I'll be teaching the Radio Merit Badge this weekend), and I think I'd like to organize a neighborhood emergency response program, but that's still kind of nebulous.  Regardless, there's plenty of things to keep me busy.

Speaking of keeping busy, over the weekend I started working on my HF antenna.  Specifically, I finally set up my new drill press and used it to drill holes in the PVC couplings used to make my traps for 10, 15, 20, and 40 meter bands.  I also cut the coax and bridle wires, and am ready to assemble and solder them together over the coming weeks.  While doing so, I realized that the coax I'd picked up was the low loss equivalent to the RG-58 specified in the article I was following.  Fortunately, I had been reading up some of the reference material, and had the equations used to develop the plans.  I was able to work the formulas myself based on the actual numbers for the LMR-200 cable that I actually purchased, and I think I can adjust the lengths enough to make it work without re-cutting (I hope...  new cable would cost another $10)..  I'm thinking of also adding a trap for the 60 meter band.  Ordered more coax and a dip-meter to tune it all.

Not that I'm in a rush to finish.... Buying an HF rig is going to cost upwards of $500 (used).  I would like to finish before summer.