The Good Ol' Boys Club

[KJ3N]

Ham radio right now for me is like the final chapter of my old life that I haven't for whatever reason, left behind. I've filled my life up with new stuff. New friends, new hobbies, new things to do, new successful career. I've held onto ham radio and right about now I'm thinking it's time to pitch it.

73.

I will only say this: Ham radio is not what you see online. If it was, I'd have given it up myself.

I don't know how much time you've actually spent on the air (and I don't mean VHF/UHF repeater BS), but I get the feeling it's not been much. I think you owe it to yourself to work up an HF station and spend some time operating before you throw in the towel.

[KC2UGV]

I don't know how much time you've actually spent on the air (and I don't mean VHF/UHF repeater BS),

Glad you put in there the "repeater" part. VHF/UHF can be fun. Not so much on the repeaters :)

[KJ3N]

Glad you put in there the "repeater" part. VHF/UHF can be fun. Not so much on the repeaters :)

Having started out like many new No-Code Techs in the 90s, I can tell you repeater operation today is like watching paint dry. :roll:

[KG4NEL]

Maybe it's me, but the repeater culture we have in this area isn't too bad - I wouldn't want to just be on FM, but usually there's enough activity on 6m, 2m and 70cm to be able to talk to somebody interesting.

[KC2UGV]

Maybe it's me, but the repeater culture we have in this area isn't too bad - I wouldn't want to just be on FM, but usually there's enough activity on 6m, 2m and 70cm to be able to talk to somebody interesting.

I'm fine with FM only (Don't have a mult-mode VHF/UHF rig), but there's tons more than FM repeater. Simplex, Digi modes, etc etc.

[K7SGJ]

Damn, I hate to see shit like this happen. Life is just too fu(king short.

[W2NAP]

Having started out like many new No-Code Techs in the 90s, I can tell you repeater operation today is like watching paint dry. :roll:

all the fun 2m repeaters end in 435.

na actually i think it depends on the area, here repeaters kinda suck. and thats just cause of the rules they have on them. (no government, no religion, nothing contraversal that may offend someone) thus we have our own repeater which well. has all the forbidden topics. thus better to listen to. right now were the weakest repeater in the area. yet i hear more people trying to get into it then the others. were also the most active. (cept for the last couple days we all been feeling like shit)

[W4GPL]

I've held onto ham radio and right about now I'm thinking it's time to pitch it.

I don't know about anyone else, but I've seen this episode before. Is there anything else on?

[KJ3N]

I'm fine with FM only (Don't have a mult-mode VHF/UHF rig), but there's tons more than FM repeater. Simplex, Digi modes, etc etc.

When it comes to VHF/UHF, give me weak signal (SSB in particular), or give me death.

I turn on an HT just long enough to remind me why the thing stays off 95% of the time.

[PA5COR]

2/70 was always SSB for me, just the odd time on repeaters if i was in the van driving.
I'll pull the 23 element 70 and 11 element 2 meter Flexa beams from the mast this summer, the Diamond X 510 stays, as does the 5 element 6 meter beam.
99.9% i'm on H.F and 6 meters, i've been on 2/70 for 35+ years now, and my interests aren't just there anymore.
Did most of it there, satellite's, SSB long distance, Aurora, airplane bouncing, Sporadic E etc etc., homebrewing P.A's very low noise GaAs fet amps, transverters, etc.
Leaving the ham radio hobby? never, started as 12 year old kid experimenting with electronics ( tubes) and will do that till i can't do it anymore.