View Full Version : Assclownery on 10 meters
Dr. Detroit
11-02-2012, 08:25 AM
Esteemed Islanders,
I love 10 meters, and I regard it as one of the great natural wonders of the universe. It's a DX paradise, the gates of which fully open only once every 10 or 11 years. So -- I don't understand the baffling behavior of the 10-10 crowd. When there's exotic DX pouring in every 5 KHz, what is the attraction of exchanging a serial number with Bubba 4 states away?
Imagine being in a remote forest preserve where a rare and beautiful bird species lands once every ten years. You're there as they descend. Would you fuck up the environment by assclowning with the guy next to you?
Now, I am not like a certain infamous ham on this island who openly expresses a visceral hatred of a whole category of his fellow amateurs (contesters). I am always polite to the 10-10 folks, and even feel guilty sometimes when I don't have a 10-10 number to offer them. And I will defend their right to use the band as they please. But I just don't get 10-10.
Do you?
I concur, good Doctor.
I've never gotten the 10-10 club and the exchanging numbers thingy.
I don't know for sure, but I think the whole 10-10 concept was started to stimulate activity on the band. If that was the intent, it has worked.
10-10 (or 10 Ten or 10 X or whatever) is another example of what was originally a good idea -- a means to promote activity on 10 meters -- that's gone off the rails.
Granted, not everyone is into working DX. But this obsession with a number...
I picked up a 10-10 number many, many moons ago. It seemed at first like a fun idea. I quickly learned that this obsession with numbers... well, it's not for me.
The 10-10ers don't bother me, other than the single episode where one of them QRMed me during a fairly long QSO I was having with a JA station. Once he got that station's number, though, he left us alone.
WØTKX
11-02-2012, 08:59 AM
I just apologize that I don't have a 10-10 number, and when pressed to get one, I deflect the inquiries. This year, as 10 meters has been opening up a bit more, I find myself working AM way up on 29.05 or so. Like most, I find 10 to be a real hoot when it's open.
You're close enough to Akron that you should make all attempts to avoid 28.337. That's our local zoo.
N2CHX
11-02-2012, 10:04 AM
Two solar cycles ago, I remember driving down I-90 between Buffalo and Rochester in my Chevy Cavalier with its Holy Floorboards, talking to France on an HTX-100 with a mag-mount antenna. I think we talked for about 15 minutes or more. It was pretty cool. I think I've had one other DX contact in my lifetime and that was again, 10 meters to Brazil or something, around that same time.
I have a 10-10 number and helped form a local chapter for a friend of mine who is now a silent key. When he got sick we "gave" the chapter to another feller and I randomly help him with software issues that may arise.
I give out the numbers when asked, but I don't "chase" them. Matter of a fact, I'm rarely ever on 10m anymore.
There used to be a lot of locals on 10m, but they all quit or have gone SK.
KB3LAZ
11-02-2012, 11:12 AM
There used to be a lot of locals on 10m, but they all quit or have gone SK.
Pretty much the same in my area. When I was still state side I did get on 10m every morning before work or class for about an hour. The older fellas would stay there for 3-5 hours (normally only in the fall and winter time). However, what started off as about a group of 25 locals (10 or so on at a time normally) withered to about 5 total. Mostly due to them becoming SK but a few moved to 2m ssb (where I still chatted with them now and again).
Sadly, it is not just 10 that the local activity has died down on but also 6m/2m/70cm but that seems to be an issue that is not unique to my region.
As for 10-10 numbers, I do not have one. Im not really into numbers, dx, paper, etc. However, I have no issue with those that are interested in such things.
< snip >
There used to be a lot of locals on 10m, but they all quit or have gone SK.I hear you. This area used to be a hotbed of 10 meter activity. Not today.
The current crop of Breezeshooters openly wonder why they still meet on 28.485 MHz SSB every Monday night. The few OF's and OT's who date back to 29.000 MHz AM are dropping like flies -- if they're not SK then they're off the air for the most part anyway.
I think W4NQA (ex KA3NQA) & I are are the last two Ghosts still alive. Used to be a small cadre of 10 M AM'ers who'd ragchew after midnight... join them for a half hour, and you became a Ghost. Herb WB3ERQ, if I'm recalling his call right, signed my certificate. I think just about all of them are now SK's.
At one point I offered to act as NC for a weekly 10m club net. I backed down on that because of the poor attendance of the existing club net on the 449.44 repeater.
ki4itv
11-02-2012, 11:32 AM
I found the 10-10'ers to be asses early on and had some pretty surprising experiences when I used to try and hand out numbers just to be nice.
If you're not one of them, don't even bother with a contact. Even if you're a new ham. Chances are it'll leave a bad taste in your mouth.
They will never have me as a member. Never.
In contrast, try the 30MDG group (#0002 ki4itv) They actually know how to be inclusive.
N2CHX
11-02-2012, 11:41 AM
I will never, ever do any kind of amateur radio club ever again. I almost joined a local one about two years ago after meeting a member by chance, at a local museum I volunteer at. I went to a club meeting and then their dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward I was talking with this guy in the parking lot and he grabbed me and stuck his tongue down my throat. Not kidding. That was the end of that.
ki4itv
11-02-2012, 11:47 AM
^^^ Gawd. I never encouraged my XYL to get her license because I so detest the idea of kissing another ham.
It's that "growing up in the hobby" thing. I'll never get past it. :lol:
KB3LAZ
11-02-2012, 11:52 AM
I hear you. This area used to be a hotbed of 10 meter activity. Not today.
The current crop of Breezeshooters openly wonder why they still meet on 28.485 MHz SSB every Monday night. The few OF's and OT's who date back to 29.000 MHz AM are dropping like flies -- if they're not SK then they're off the air for the most part anyway.
I think W4NQA (ex KA3NQA) & I are are the last two Ghosts still alive. Used to be a small cadre of 10 M AM'ers who'd ragchew after midnight... join them for a half hour, and you became a Ghost. Herb WB3ERQ, if I'm recalling his call right, signed my certificate. I think just about all of them are now SK's.
I know that feeling, partially but will know it better as the years pass. I tend to always be the youngest member of my chat groups...I often wonder who I will chat with in 10 years. Sure, there is a constant flux of new to old blood but I dont seem to see many of them locally and when I do, our interests are quite different. Im not much of a digi op.
I know that feeling, partially but will know it better as the years pass. I tend to always be the youngest member of my chat groups...I often wonder who I will chat with in 10 years. Sure, there is a constant flux of new to old blood but I dont seem to see many of them locally and when I do, our interests are quite different. Im not much of a digi op.
You've probably been asked this before, if so I apologize. Are you going to get a Spanish callsign?
I will never, ever do any kind of amateur radio club ever again. I almost joined a local one about two years ago after meeting a member by chance, at a local museum I volunteer at. I went to a club meeting and then their dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward I was talking with this guy in the parking lot and he grabbed me and stuck his tongue down my throat. Not kidding. That was the end of that.
EEEWWW. Grody. Grody to the Max.
N2CHX
11-02-2012, 12:00 PM
^^^ Gawd. I never encouraged my XYL to get her license because I so detest the idea of kissing another ham.
It's that "growing up in the hobby" thing. I'll never get past it. :lol:
LOL! I could kiss another ham, just not this guy. And it's not like he even bought me dinner or anything, I paid my own way :lol:
KB3LAZ
11-02-2012, 12:02 PM
You've probably been asked this before, if so I apologize. Are you going to get a Spanish callsign?
Realistically, no. A lot of restrictions standing in my way. One of which being that testing is rather infrequent here. Another is my 100% inability to use an antenna..even stealth is impossible. I would be restricted to portable. By the time I can test, chances are, I will be either back in the states or well on my way to doing so. If however that changes, I may change my mind.
N2CHX
11-02-2012, 12:03 PM
EEEWWW. Grody. Grody to the Max.
Yes, yes it was. Beer gut, bad teeth and the whole nine yards and when he grabbed me I wasn't sure if it was the HT on his belt I was feeling or if he was just happy to see me. Turns out it was his HT :roll:
KG4CGC
11-02-2012, 12:32 PM
Yes, yes it was. Beer gut, bad teeth and the whole nine yards and when he grabbed me I wasn't sure if it was the HT on his belt I was feeling or if he was just happy to see me. Turns out it was his HT :roll:
I wish the story ended with a knee to the nuts.
kf0rt
11-02-2012, 12:42 PM
Turns out it was his HT :roll:
Stubby ducky?
N2CHX
11-02-2012, 12:44 PM
I wish the story ended with a knee to the nuts.
It almost did, but I was so shocked by the experience that I just pulled away and said I had to go. Had he tried pushing it further it would have been either an ass-kicking or police being called. The guy was older. Had he been younger than he was I definitely would have been a bit more volatile about it too.
N2CHX
11-02-2012, 12:45 PM
Stubby ducky?
LOL yeah. Anything else would have required copious amounts of Viagra, I'm sure.
I will never, ever do any kind of amateur radio club ever again. I almost joined a local one about two years ago after meeting a member by chance, at a local museum I volunteer at. I went to a club meeting and then their dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward I was talking with this guy in the parking lot and he grabbed me and stuck his tongue down my throat. Not kidding. That was the end of that.
When you're hawt, you're hawt...
...There used to be a lot of locals on 10m, but they all quit or have gone SK.
Are you sure they didn't just move to 11 Meters? ;)
I will never, ever do any kind of amateur radio club ever again. I almost joined a local one about two years ago after meeting a member by chance, at a local museum I volunteer at. I went to a club meeting and then their dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward I was talking with this guy in the parking lot and he grabbed me and stuck his tongue down my throat. Not kidding. That was the end of that.I wouldn't blame the club just because one member used poor judgement, to say the least (or is a cad, or worse, but I digress).
That said, the only thing that surprises me is that you didn't kick his HT (and anything else protruding) into orbit.
wa6mhz
11-02-2012, 01:37 PM
LOL! I could kiss another ham, just not this guy. And it's not like he even bought me dinner or anything, I paid my own way :lol:
I don't think it was BECAUSE he was a Ham, he was just a Jerk who happened to be a Ham. This kind of behavior is not frequently found in Ham Clubs. U just happened to find the wrong person. he could be the same type you would meet on a Subway.
I don't think it was BECAUSE he was a Ham, he was just a Jerk who happened to be a Ham. This kind of behavior is not frequently found in Ham Clubs. U just happened to find the wrong person. he could be the same type you would meet on a Subway.
Maybe.
My experience with clubs has been mixed. They usually seem to be filled with newbies, older people looking for a social outlet, and social misfits. Once in a great while you meet someone simpatico, but not too often.
I may give it a shot in Illinois just to see what's up there.
KB3LAZ
11-02-2012, 01:59 PM
Maybe.
My experience with clubs has been mixed. They usually seem to be filled with newbies, older people looking for a social outlet, and social misfits. Once in a great while you meet someone simpatico, but not too often.
I may give it a shot in Illinois just to see what's up there.
I have had similar experiences. Though mine were split across two clubs. One was a bunch of grumpy old farts that were "Old Timers" but in reality the only old time hobby they had was bootlegging and were recent ham implants. That club experience lasted all of one meeting. The other club was a bunch of middle aged guys and medium length ticketed hams. Not a bad bunch but social misfits would be an understatement. Didnt stay there long either.
I was happier meeting up both on the radio and in a diner for coffee with a group of older locals. All good guys, very kind, and we have had some enjoyable conversations. As well as BBQ's, etc. More of an informal group than a club.
However, many seem to like the club scene. To each their own.
K7SGJ
11-02-2012, 02:41 PM
One could always be a contester like Burt. Oh............wait..........never .mind.
ki4itv
11-02-2012, 03:30 PM
One could always be a contester like Burt. Oh............wait..........never .mind.
Now that you mentioned it...
Why is it that contester photos have more people of average weight and build than whacker photos?
Now that you mentioned it...
Why is it that contester photos have more people of average weight and build than whacker photos?
Noticed that did you?
Believe or not, you have to be in shape to be a good contester. got to have endurance and be able to stay awake. That means no booze or corndogs.
N2CHX
11-02-2012, 03:39 PM
I wouldn't blame the club just because one member used poor judgement, to say the least (or is a cad, or worse, but I digress).
That said, the only thing that surprises me is that you didn't kick his HT (and anything else protruding) into orbit.
Oh, I don't think the club as a whole was bad, but the thought of going there after that just weirded me out. There were some really nice people and couples who attended that dinner. As far as kicking him into orbit, like I said, had he been younger I probably would have, but the guy is like older than my father. It was a.... really effed up experience, but I'm not into beating up on old people.
KB3LAZ
11-02-2012, 03:41 PM
Noticed that did you?
Believe or not, you have to be in shape to be a good contester. got to have endurance and be able to stay awake. That means no booze or corndogs.
Pff then maybe I should contest. I have had trouble with the whole sleep thing for years. Tried a shot or two before bed like some have suggested, nothing. Pills make me see strange things in my sleep that render me afraid to close my eyes. Contesting cant be the worst sleeping aid. :P
kf0rt
11-02-2012, 04:29 PM
My 10-10 number is 4776. Got it when I was a wee kid (they're good for life). I don't recall that it ever did me any good, but do seem to recall some 10-10 contests way back that were kinda fun.
W2NAP
11-02-2012, 04:35 PM
10-8 and 10-10 standing by?
Are you sure they didn't just move to 11 Meters? ;)
Or back to 11 meters...?
Or back to 11 meters...?
Get both!
7861
Two solar cycles ago, I remember driving down I-90 between Buffalo and Rochester in my Chevy Cavalier with its Holy Floorboards, talking to France on an HTX-100 with a mag-mount antenna. I think we talked for about 15 minutes or more. It was pretty cool. I think I've had one other DX contact in my lifetime and that was again, 10 meters to Brazil or something, around that same time.
We have got to get you a real antenna some day. That sort of DX is a nearly every day event on bands like 15 and 20.
If I thought I could convince the wife, I'd come up there and figure out something made of wire that would get you on some of the other bands. Then watch the DX bug bite you, hard. ;)
Problem is, that's a weekend long project, including travel time. I doubt she'd go for it.
...Not a bad bunch but social misfits would be an understatement...
Glad we don't have any of those here. Go to qrz to find them. ;)
N2CHX
11-03-2012, 09:54 AM
We have got to get you a real antenna some day. That sort of DX is a nearly every day event on bands like 15 and 20.
If I thought I could convince the wife, I'd come up there and figure out something made of wire that would get you on some of the other bands. Then watch the DX bug bite you, hard. ;)
Problem is, that's a weekend long project, including travel time. I doubt she'd go for it.
Well that's what you get for marrying someone besides me, sheesh! ;)
Seriously, I appreciate the gesture. Someday when things are better over here I'll just throw a big party for you guys and we can put some antennae up. I had a 30 meter dipole but it finally bit it in a storm a few months ago. The way my yard and power lines are, I had to wrap it around the house and under the triplex at the NE corner of the house. It worked OK. What I really need to do is get a mast up on the big part of the roof and hang some antennae from it. THAT would work a lot better.
Well that's what you get for marrying someone besides me, sheesh! ;)
Seriously, I appreciate the gesture. Someday when things are better over here I'll just throw a big party for you guys and we can put some antennae up. I had a 30 meter dipole but it finally bit it in a storm a few months ago. The way my yard and power lines are, I had to wrap it around the house and under the triplex at the NE corner of the house. It worked OK. What I really need to do is get a mast up on the big part of the roof and hang some antennae from it. THAT would work a lot better.Three words:
Flag. Pole. Vertical.
Hell, you can try it out on one of those cheapie flag poles that Home De$pot and Lowe$ and similar stores sell around the major "patriotic" holidays for around $20... IIRC, their total length is around 16 feet. Use a wooden dowel to hold it in place on the ground, run some temp radials, and you have a 1/4 wave vertical for 20 that should also load on 30, 17, & 15... might be a little long for 12, and too close to a 1/2 wave for 10, but it's worth a try.
KB3LAZ
11-05-2012, 09:01 AM
Three words:
Flag. Pole. Vertical.
Hell, you can try it out on one of those cheapie flag poles that Home De$pot and Lowe$ and similar stores sell around the major "patriotic" holidays for around $20... IIRC, their total length is around 16 feet. Use a wooden dowel to hold it in place on the ground, run some temp radials, and you have a 1/4 wave vertical for 20 that should also load on 30, 17, & 15... might be a little long for 12, and too close to a 1/2 wave for 10, but it's worth a try.
There is a 50 foot flag pole at the house where I grew up. It is much older than I as it was there before my parents bought the house. It served me well my first few years as a ham. 10m vertical on top and a fan dipole hanging from where the flag would normally reside. In fact, they are both still there. :P
Out of curiosity, I looked up 50 foot flag pole..holy expensive. Speaking of which, I am not sure why there was a 50 foot flag pole. All of the neighboring houses have 16-20 foot flag poles. Guess the previous owner was they type to out do his neighbors.
N2CHX
11-05-2012, 09:06 AM
Interesting thought. Might work, but I have power lines on both the South (front) and East sides of the yard and there is also the antique street lamp about four feet from the walk in front of the house that would present a challenge in making a flagpole like that look nice.
KB3LAZ
11-05-2012, 09:12 AM
Interesting thought. Might work, but I have power lines on both the South (front) and East sides of the yard and there is also the antique street lamp about four feet from the walk in front of the house that would present a challenge in making a flagpole like that look nice.
Oye! I ha power lines directly over my bedroom (as a kid that was my shack) for most of my life and about 2 years of being a ham. Fortunately my parents did not like this idea of me playing with antennas and there being power lines so they had them run underground which is not cheap. That would be killer in this area. Even if you buy a villa you have a loop of power lines around the house. Very low too. Power lines here are often only about 10 feet off the ground.
The eye sore alone pisses me off.
N2CHX
11-05-2012, 09:17 AM
Oye! I ha power lines directly over my bedroom (as a kid that was my shack) for most of my life and about 2 years of being a ham. Fortunately my parents did not like this idea of me playing with antennas and there being power lines so they had them run underground which is not cheap. That would be killer in this area. Even if you buy a villa you have a loop of power lines around the house. Very low too. Power lines here are often only about 10 feet off the ground.
The eye sore alone pisses me off.
Wow! I take it even kids know enough to stay away from them?
KB3LAZ
11-05-2012, 09:23 AM
Wow! I take it even kids know enough to stay away from them?
I would assume. I never hear about cooked kids.
WØTKX
11-05-2012, 11:31 AM
Another possibility would be something that tilts and/or retracts.
Lightweight stuff is all that's needed to support wire antennas.
Interesting thought. Might work, but I have power lines on both the South (front) and East sides of the yard and there is also the antique street lamp about four feet from the walk in front of the house that would present a challenge in making a flagpole like that look nice.Understood.
Still, not impossible. May just take a little planning. And who says that a flagpole has to be in the front yard?
The FPV I'm building is in front of the new deck (over the concrete front porch). It's about 35 feet away from the power lines, I will measure the distance better before I complete it. If the height is too close to the power line distance, or greater than it, then the FPV goes one section shorter until it's not. Better to run a short vertical than risk a short.
Also consider a fiberglass FP. Most of them are hollow, so it's easy enough to run wires inside.
Just some thoughts. There's always a way. It might not be ideal, but there's always a way...
KK4AMI
11-05-2012, 03:53 PM
Get both!
7861
Hey, get a coaster under that bottle and glass. It'll leave a water mark. Whoa, did I just channel my wife ?
WØTKX
11-05-2012, 04:16 PM
CQ 11 Liters?
KK4AMI
11-05-2012, 05:50 PM
CQ 11 Liters?
Nah, to really get out there, how about 11 liters runnin' a "linear", "foot warmer", "box" or "afterburner"!
7898
Hey, get a coaster under that bottle and glass. It'll leave a water mark. Whoa, did I just channel my wife ?
Not on melamine or thick oil stain, it won't.
Interesting thought. Might work, but I have power lines on both the South (front) and East sides of the yard and there is also the antique street lamp about four feet from the walk in front of the house that would present a challenge in making a flagpole like that look nice.
Well, I wouldn't want it said that I wouldn't put my money where my mouth is, so to speak...
Behold:
7959
Not QUITE done with it yet... have to connect the coax to the base, finish running the radials, and get the coax inside fed into the shack. Still, considering what tomorrow is, I wanted to get this done today.
Now... it may not be clear from the picture, but what you are looking at is six 4-foot sections of military surplus aluminum mast. Originally intended for tarp support and such -- there are a bunch of people selling these for a couple of bucks per section (I got these, plus one more section I didn't use & 4 foot fiberglass section in the concrete below for support, for $30 at the 2010 WACOM hamfest).
Sections all slide together; I've drilled a hole and added a sheet metal screw at each joint to ensure both mechanical & electrical connection (and will eventually add a second screw to each joint). Eyebolt at the top to hold the rope (should have used a pulley, I'm going to have to change that). The "ornament" on top is... a wooden round couch foot, screwed into a short (3 inch) section of poplar dowel at the top, which the eyebolt also goes through.
Total assembly time: 2 hours. Maybe. With interuptions.
Total cost: $30 for the masts. $4 for the concrete. Another $15 today for the dowel, eyebolt, rope, and snaps to hold the flag on the rope. Can't beat that!
Neighbors already like it. And almost no one knows what it REALLY is!
KB3LAZ
11-13-2012, 03:27 PM
Well, I wouldn't want it said that I wouldn't put my money where my mouth is, so to speak...
Behold:
7959
Not QUITE done with it yet... have to connect the coax to the base, finish running the radials, and get the coax inside fed into the shack. Still, considering what tomorrow is, I wanted to get this done today.
Now... it may not be clear from the picture, but what you are looking at is six 4-foot sections of military surplus aluminum mast. Originally intended for tarp support and such -- there are a bunch of people selling these for a couple of bucks per section (I got these, plus one more section I didn't use & 4 foot fiberglass section in the concrete below for support, for $30 at the 2010 WACOM hamfest).
Sections all slide together; I've drilled a hole and added a sheet metal screw at each joint to ensure both mechanical & electrical connection (and will eventually add a second screw to each joint). Eyebolt at the top to hold the rope (should have used a pulley, I'm going to have to change that). The "ornament" on top is... a wooden round couch foot, screwed into a short (3 inch) section of poplar dowel at the top, which the eyebolt also goes through.
Total assembly time: 2 hours. Maybe. With interuptions.
Total cost: $30 for the masts. $4 for the concrete. Another $15 today for the dowel, eyebolt, rope, and snaps to hold the flag on the rope. Can't beat that!
Neighbors already like it. And almost no one knows what it REALLY is!
I see them most years at breez shooters as well. Then, there is also the guy that sells the camo versions that are fiberglass. :P
n2ize
11-20-2012, 11:28 AM
Oye! I ha power lines directly over my bedroom (as a kid that was my shack) for most of my life and about 2 years of being a ham. Fortunately my parents did not like this idea of me playing with antennas and there being power lines so they had them run underground which is not cheap. That would be killer in this area. Even if you buy a villa you have a loop of power lines around the house. Very low too. Power lines here are often only about 10 feet off the ground.
The eye sore alone pisses me off.
In some remote parts of the Adirondacks the lower voltage secondary power lines and/or the service drops to the house or camp just lay directly on the ground.
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