- This topic has 6 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 3 weeks, 4 days ago by
Aurora66.
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Aurora66
Team,
I’m just about to take my foundation !
Please may I table a couple of questions…1: QRZ. Is this is must / highly rec. / or just handy ??
2: Logging. Can anyone recommend an easy logging program/app for a Mac ? The easier the better !!
3: Initially, I’m probably going to purchase a 10w handheld. I thought this would be a good option in order to get used to making contact, becoming familiar with the band and making a few initial QSOs.
I hear people say that 2m can be a bit quiet. My intention (being on the edge of Dartmoor), is to get out and get up high and see how far I can reach and to see if I can hit my two nearest repeaters. Would be interested to hear peoples thoughts on the general use of 2m.
I will look to progress to a proper station at some point, but I am a little worried about the whole business of interference with neighbours etc. That said, I think that most people have their TV piped down the internet where I live or through a Sky dish. Am I overthinking the whole interference thing?
Obviously, and understandably, it features heavily in foundation training. The last thing I want to do is upset my local folk !!!I’m possibly going to have an antenna that will need to go in the loft. Luckily, I have quite a high loft and my house is already elevated at the top of the hill just outside the town.
Anyway, enough of my rambling, however I would very much appreciate some words of wisdom from those in the know !! I’m really quite excited about getting my license and getting going but could do with some real life guidance.
Best wishes to all
73
DavePete M0PSX
Hi Dave,
No worries – happy to help.
1. QRZ – People will use this to look you up. The majority of active amateurs have an entry. Some people have privacy concerns, but even having a first name or town on there will help.
2. Not a Mac user, so can’t help, but you could start with a simple spreadsheet, or even use QRZ’s free online logbook to get you started.
3. Most handhelds are 5 watts (ones advertising 10 watts are actually 5w). These are a cheap way into the hobby, but have limitations (power, features and the supplied antenna), so don’t expect miracles
4. Interference – I’ve been operating in a built-up area for over 15 years and to my knowledge, not caused a problem. With a decent set-up, you should be problem-free, but if you do cause a problem, fixes are usually easy
Hope that’s a help!
Pete
M7GOA
Hi Dave
Good luck with your foundation exam.For logging I use Qlog: https://github.com/foldynl/QLog. It’s available for Windows, Linux and Mac – I use Linux. Also, the latest version of WSJTX-improved can auto-upload QSOs to eQSL.cc.
I live in a flat and have neighbours all around, and have never had any complaints about causing interference. If you are worried, you can use Echolink to talk to other hams, but if you keep your transmit power low it reduces the risk.
KeithPete & Keith,
Thank you so much for coming back to me !
I will get there hang of it no doubt !
Cheers
Dave(I need to live in Essex !!!)
Just another thought…..
Without jumping ahead….
Are there any arrangements or protocols for transmission in Southern Ireland?
Obviously, the foundation license does not permit but I wondered if there was any form of application or temporary recognition of the foundation license.. I’m due to visit Donegal in the future and it seems a shame not to be able to see what I can hear whilst there.This of course is a border issue rather than a geographical one as I will be very north on the actual land mass !!!!!
Thanks
Dave-
This reply was modified 1 month ago by
Hi Dave
I have no idea how this would be done in Eire, but this article shows how it can be done in Spain:
https://www.radio-uncensored.com/I think this might one of the few things that requires a Full license.
KeithThanks Keith
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This reply was modified 1 month ago by
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