It turned out to be a pleasant and quiet weekend. The rain had stopped and the breezes were gone. A friend came over (also a ham and a member of the next stake) and we put a Ham antenna up next to the house. The top of the antenna is about 25 or 26 feet off of the ground. It sure made a difference last night on the Sunday night net for our stake. There are probably 15-20 of us who check in at 9:00 pm each Sunday night. We could actually hear the others as they were checking in. Prior to that, using the "rubber duck" (I don't like that term, never have) antenna we heard very little and were just hoping someone was checking in. We did hear one ham in Olympia check in and that is 50-60 miles away. Our radios aren't the type that can talk around the world, nor does our license class allow it. That is the next step. Using what they call repeaters we can still talk for quite some distance. We learn something new everyday. Where Gwenn got her license at the same time I did, it even makes it better. Yes, we have magnetic mount antennas on the roof of both vehicles. They are 41" high and makes the radios very handy in the car/truck as well. Maybe all of you should get your licenses as well. Joann also has one. They we could talk to each other as well as type to each other. Yesterday was a good day as well.
There was no school today (would you believe this close to the end of the school year) as the day had been set aside as a snow make-up day as needed. Well, there weren't any school closures because of snow so no classes. It did give me a chance to turn in the renewal papers for my substitute certification (had to go to Renton,) go by AAA and renew our membership and to do a lot of yard work. Our backyard has been a beast this year. I think between Gwenn, Leandro and me we just might (cross our fingers) have it under control. What I would really like to do is go out and kill all of the grass, bring in however much dirt it would take, smooth it our and then replant new grass. I don't think time will allow for that this summer.
Have to go, if I don't get a job for tomorrow tonight, it will come early in the morning.
I hope all is well,
Wayne
Any complaints from your neighbors about the antenna? In the old days, people used to complain that they caused problems with TV, telephone and all kinds of things!
ReplyDeleteAnd here I thought a ham was something you put in a sandwich.
ReplyDeleteHaven't had any complaints as yet. The frequencies assigned to these radios use are just below what many police and fire departments use. I think more complaints come when you get to the frequency ranges used to talk around the world. It is something we have to watch however, as I am sure it can happen.
ReplyDeleteAs far as ham in a sandwich, you are right, with dijon type mustard please. Hopefully I will never visit an area where the natives make sandwichs out of "this type of ham." I doubt they would have dijon to add to it. They would say it probably tastes like chicken anyway.
Are you kidding me? How can I learn to operate a ham radio? I can barely work a walkie talkie. Jo keeps trying to get me to catch the bug. I'm just not sold on the idea yet. To much other stuff going on in my life.
ReplyDeleteJo?
ReplyDeleteOur Jo?
She's a ham, but I didn't know she was that kind of ham.
BTW...Where is Jo? Too busy to join the group?
Jan, if I can do it you can do it. Plus I think working the ham radio is easier than the walkie talkie.
ReplyDelete