Looks like the last post is a year old. Are there any hams/amateur radio operators here on lemmy? If so, what projects (if any) are you working on? I’m building a 5 element yagi for 2m.

  • minorsecond@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I am! I just moved over from reddit a few days ago.

    I’m not working on any projects at the moment but just got a new rig and am obsessed. I’m going to go on another POTA activation this weekend if the weather permits.

  • Chicory [Ohio]
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    1 year ago

    My recent project has been putting my QDX on the air using my Steamdeck for Parks on the Air. Here’s version 1.0: https://todon.eu/@Chicory/109253278031948863

    I have been gradually refining the station. Once it gets cold again I am going to work on restoring a Heathkit HW-9 QRP CW rig. And perhaps building a QMX.

    • Inductor@feddit.deOP
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      1 year ago

      Controlling a radio with a Steamdeck looks really interesting. I guess you’re using digimodes? The HW-9 also looks pretty cool. Since they stopped producing it in 1991, it’s approx. 30 years old. I’ve never tried building a radio from parts, I think I’ll stick to antennas though, I’m no good at careful soldering.

      • Chicory [Ohio]
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        1 year ago

        Yeah, I mainly use digital modes or CW. On the QDX I mostly run FT8 although I do have FLDIGI running on the deck so any mode the radio can handle is an option

    • Jay K@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      I built a qdx a while back but haven’t even gotten it on the air yet. I need to figure out 9v supply for it.

      The QMX is out now, but I’m making myself use the last one I built before I build another… But part of me likes putting the stuff together more than actual using it.

      • Chicory [Ohio]
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        1 year ago

        Hopefully you get it on the air, I’ve had a blast with mine. 9v was too different for me so I built mine for 12v

  • fluffman86@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I’m here. I have my tech license, but I don’t use my ham radio much because I really hate talking to strangers…

    …Oh…

    • drb
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      1 year ago

      Digital modes are just the thing for you!

    • Inductor@feddit.deOP
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      1 year ago

      Yeah, I got the German equivalent (Klasse E) a few months ago, and always don’t know what to say after someone responds to my CQ call. Mainly just been listening to other people on HF.

      • drb
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        1 year ago

        Parks on the Air or Summits on the Air really helps with this. A standard exchange is usually used so no need to think of what to say.

        • Chicory [Ohio]
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          1 year ago

          I agree, POTA and SOTA is a great way to get started. You make contacts but the exchange is very standard. Along those lines, contesting is a faster paced version of this. It’s not for everyone, but I like to do a CW contest from time to time, it’s kind of a rush.

          • drb
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            1 year ago

            I can’t say for SOTA as I don’t do that one myself. POTA is pretty easy. Register on pota.app, then take your radio to a registered park and make some contacts. Definitely easier if you have HF privileges, but possible on VHF if you are near enough to a major city. SOTA might be more possible on VHF due to the presumed elevation involved.

            • Inductor@feddit.deOP
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              1 year ago

              I’ll have to look into that. While I can use some of HF, I don’t have a battery for portable HF. I’m not near any really large cities, and looking at the map there aren’t any parks near me. I might try hunting instead of activating.

              • Adam - K3CAN@mastodon.hams.social
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                1 year ago

                @Inductor

                Contests can also be a nice way to get on the air without worrying about small talk. Like OTAs, they have a predetermined exchange; you each say your part, then you move on to another station.

  • k6bez@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I got a trusdx a week ago. Going to make an efhw antenna for it today using a k6ark kit. So far looks like a great little radio. If you just want to receive then you only need a 5V supply.

  • Echo5@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I think I have all the parts for a tape measure yagi but I’ve got a lot of life going on right now so that project has been sidelined :/

  • BenDoubleU@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Just finished a dual band pi-star build using a raspberry pi. First time really getting into any of the digital modes. Have it set up with D-Star, DMR, and YSF.

  • hbar@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I joined Lemmy recently. I have my amateur license but have not had time to play in a long time. I wanted to get back into it soon.