Kevin,

You got me beat.  We could only run 75 watts on 80, 40, and 15 but my old 
military receiver only covered 160, 80, 40, and 20 meters.  Later 10 meters 
was added but I had already gotten my general.  I enjoyed reading your 
experiences so thanks for sharing them.

Phil.
K0NX




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Minor" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 4:20 PM
Subject: My view and memories about ham radio: was RE: Amateur Radio 
Licensees in U.S.


> Hi.
>
> I remember the days when novices could only operate CW on 80, 40, 15 and 
> 10,
> and if I remember, the maximum power allowed was 250 watts.  I got my
> license on February 12, 1982, and for four months I operated nothing but 
> CW
> with my Swan Signet 360.  I had a blast, and I remember waking up at 5 or 
> 6
> in the morning to work stations in California on 40.  My Dad thought I was
> weird, but now that I think of it, this meant the dudes in California were
> up at 2 or 3 in the morning.  One person I specificly remember contacting
> lived in Missouri, if I remember right, she was in Kansas City.  She was
> Kathy, KA0MKM.  A little later on I worked her Father.  In July of that 
> year
> I got my general class, and I did a few contacts on SSB, but for me CW was
> and still is my mode of choice on HF.  In 1986 I got my advanced class
> license, and a month later I got my extra.  Oh yeah,  I was lucky when I 
> got
> my novice and general class, because the FCC authorized people to give 
> exams
> to those who couldn't get to the FCC office.  I was 16 when I got my 
> novice.
> When I tested for the novice class, I didn't know whether I passed or not
> until the Friday when I got my license.  I did know I passed the general
> exam, and eagerly waited for my license to arrive.
>
> I remember my first 2 meter rig, and Icom 2AT.  It was a great radio.
> Instead of using keypad entry of frequencies, you turned wheels on the top
> of the radio to change frequencies.  One thing a tech in our state agency
> for the blind, I don't know if he was a ham or not, but he marked where 
> the
> zeros were on the wheels, so it was easy to tune it to specific 
> frequencies.
> Five years later I got an Icom 02AT, and it was easier to tune, with 
> keypad
> entry of frequencies, and it did five watts out versus a maximum of a watt
> and a half for the 2AT.  Now I own a Kenwood TH-F6A, and I like the radio,
> especially its general coverage receiver.  I also remember my first mobile 
> 2
> meter rig, which doubled as a base radio for me.  It was an Azden 3000, 
> and
> it had an incredible receiver, and it had 8 memories that you could 
> program.
> I got that radio in the fall of 1984, and I had it until around 1991 or 
> so.
> Now I have a Kenwood TM-V71A as my base rig, and it's set up as an Echo 
> Link
> station, being linked by RF to a local repeater in the area.  The radio 
> has
> been constantly on for over five years now, and, knock on my wooden head, 
> I
> haven't had a single problem with it.
>
> I think that amateur radio is a thriving hobby, but I don't think that 
> we're
> getting as many teenagers in it as we used to.  We did have a youth day a
> few years ago, and I had my Echo Link radio set up.  I went to a location
> across town, and youngsters operated the Echo Link from there.  They also
> did HF and some satellite as well.  I think that the hobby is changing. 
> I'm
> sure there was complaints from those who were exclusive CW operators when
> voice was allowed, and I've heard stories about the fights between AM and
> SSB operators.  For the past few decades we've had satellites to use, and
> now Echo Link and IRLP and D-STAR are among the new digital modes that are
> being used by hams to communicate around the world.  I'm one who hopes HF
> stays around, and I well remember the controversial decision of allowing
> codeless licenses.  I was one who opposed having no code, but now I don't
> have a problem with it.  I do, however, think it's important for us as 
> hams
> to remember our roots, and I therefore hope the ARRL will give an award 
> for
> someone who operates CW.  I remember when I first learned the code in 
> 1979,
> and I can say with pride that in the past I was able to copy 35 words per
> minute, and I didn't have to write down what I heard.
>
> I know this message is a bit long, but I wanted to share my experiences 
> with
> the hobby.  Besides having an Echo Link node, I used to operate a packet
> radio BBS, and for a few months I was an HF gateway to deliver messages.
> Currently I don't have an HF rig, and since I live in an apartment I'm not
> sure how I'd operate.  This note has inspired me to turn on the TH-F6A and
> scan the memories, both ham and public service frequencies for activity. 
> I
> think our hobby is doing just fine, it's just evolving.
>
> Have a great day, and don't work too hard.
> GO REDS and GO PACERS!
> Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY
> [log in to unmask]
>