Hi

meaning no disrespect to anyone, but apart from the solar reports, there ain't much else in this echo.
I think it maybe time to consider dropping it from my system

73's

Steve

--- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
* Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)

Hello Steve.

27 Apr 01 18:47, you wrote to all:

meaning no disrespect to anyone, but apart from the solar reports,
there ain't much else in this echo. I think it maybe time to consider dropping it from my system

You get out of this echo what you put into it, just like any other echo.




... KB6LWN Phonetics - Konfused By Six Lack Witted Novices
--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
* Origin: KB6PI's Cantina * Santa Ysabel, CA (1:10/22)

Hi

27 Apr 01 18:47, you wrote to all:

meaning no disrespect to anyone, but apart from the solar reports,
there ain't much else in this echo. I think it maybe time to consider
dropping it from my system

You get out of this echo what you put into it, just like
any other echo.

This is very true, however, no one seems to putting anything in, do they ?.
It would be an idea if maybe some of the users did a profile of the gear they use, the bands and times, in UTC, they are on the air.


73,s

Steve

--- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
* Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)

Hello Steve.

06 May 01 12:38, you wrote to me:

meaning no disrespect to anyone, but apart from the solar reports,
there ain't much else in this echo. I think it maybe time to
consider dropping it from my system

You get out of this echo what you put into it, just like
any other echo.

This is very true, however, no one seems to putting anything in, do
they ?.

Nope. Not that they haven't in the past, just not much interest for radio
in fidonet these days. There used to be all kinds of activity, but as the hobby gets less and less people in it, so will the echo activity. At the moment, there are at least 7 radio oriented echoes in distribution;

AMATEUR_RADIO .......... "AMATEUR RADIO / HAM RADIO"
HAM .................... "Amateur Radio Interest"
HAM-SALE ............... "Ham Radio equipment sale, swap and buy"
HAM_REQ ................ "Amateur Radio File Announcements & File
Requests"
HAM_TECH ............... "Amateur(HAM) Radio TECHnical Conference" RADIO_HOBBY-ALL ........ "ALL HOBBY RADIO: Low Power FM, CB, Scanners,
Shortwave"
SCANRADIO .............. "INTERNATIONAL VHF-UHF SCANNER RADIO-RECEIVER
CONFERENCE"

Most of which see about the same traffic from the same participants as
this echo does. Some of those above haven't seen any activity for months.

It would be an idea if maybe some of the users did a profile
of the gear they use, the bands and times, in UTC, they are on the
air.

I don't know if any of us are on HF anymore. My Kenwood TS620 hasn't
been turned on in ages. I do have a ten meter rig that I turn on once
in a while. Nothing to get excited about there. I used to be quite active
on UHF.



... Real radios glow in the dark!
--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
* Origin: -.. . -.- -... -.... .--. .. -..-. .-. (1:10/22)

Quoting Steve Bainbridge to Roy Witt <=-

meaning no disrespect to anyone, but apart from the solar reports,
there ain't much else in this echo. I think it maybe time to consider

You get out of this echo what you put into it, just like
any other echo.

This is very true, however, no one seems to putting anything in, do
they ?. It would be an idea if maybe some of the users did a profile of the gear they use, the bands and times, in UTC, they are on the air.

Good idea. Except for some lurkers that have used MF/HF and VHF as part
of their job. Or just don't have the time to fire up that bunch of 807s
<hi> anymore

de EL2BB
Richard

--- FMail/386 1.02
* Origin: Another message via PackLink +44(0)2082972486 (2:254/235)

Hi Roy,

It would be an idea if maybe some of the users did a
profile of the gear they use, the bands and times,

in UTC, they are on the air.

I don't know if any of us are on HF anymore.

I still am occasionally. Mostly on 80 meters. Sometimes on 10 FM from the mobile.

Whenever I am in the car I have 2 meters on standby.

I am a ham for over 35 years now and in the beginning I was very active. Over the years the fires have dimmed a bit though and the activity has shifted from the technical to the organisatorial.

I have been the keeper of the local 2m repeater from 1982 to 1994 and from 1990
I have been a member of the commitee that negotiates with the Dutch equivalent of the FCC about license condition etc.

73, Michiel

--- InterMail 2.29k
* Origin: PA0MMV, Driebergen, NL (2:280/5555)

Hi

Quoting Steve Bainbridge to Roy Witt <=-

meaning no disrespect to anyone, but apart from the solar reports,
there ain't much else in this echo. I think it maybe time to consider

You get out of this echo what you put into it, just like
any other echo.

This is very true, however, no one seems to putting anything in, do
they ?. It would be an idea if maybe some of the users did a profile of
the gear they use, the bands and times, in UTC, they are on the air.

Good idea. Except for some lurkers that have used MF/HF
and VHF as part
of their job. Or just don't have the time to fire up
that bunch of 807s
<hi> anymore

Yes I know what you mean. I'm mainly interested in Vintage military gear, and have a few working sets such as 62, 19 ect. Problem is I can't use them at the present, as I only have a UK M1 licence for 30Mhz and above.
I'm trying to master morse. I do have 2mtr and 70Cm gear in the form of Yaesu,s
and Kenwoods.
In the UK there are 59000 licenced amateurs, and I suspect that very few actualy go on the air. Those that do, tend to use the VHF/UHF bands, and very raely HF, apart from those die hards who are keeping AM alive on 3625, and 1984.
Will it all improve after the 2003 conf were it is 99% certain that morse will be scrapped for HF access, will have to wait and see.


73's

Steve

--- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
* Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)

Hi Roy

meaning no disrespect to anyone, but apart from the solar reports,
there ain't much else in this echo. I think it maybe time to
consider dropping it from my system

You get out of this echo what you put into it, just like
any other echo.

This is very true, however, no one seems to putting anything in, do
they ?.

Nope. Not that they haven't in the past, just not much
interest for radio
in fidonet these days. There used to be all kinds of

Seems there is not much interest in Radio period.

activity, but as the
hobby gets less and less people in it, so will the echo
activity. At the
moment, there are at least 7 radio oriented echoes in
distribution;

AMATEUR_RADIO .......... "AMATEUR RADIO / HAM RADIO"
HAM .................... "Amateur Radio Interest"
HAM-SALE ............... "Ham Radio equipment sale, swap
and buy"
HAM_REQ ................ "Amateur Radio File
Announcements & File
Requests"
HAM_TECH ............... "Amateur(HAM) Radio TECHnical
Conference"
RADIO_HOBBY-ALL ........ "ALL HOBBY RADIO: Low Power FM,
CB, Scanners,
Shortwave"
SCANRADIO .............. "INTERNATIONAL VHF-UHF SCANNER
RADIO-RECEIVER
CONFERENCE"

Most of which see about the same traffic from the same
participants as
this echo does. Some of those above haven't s

This is true . I take the UK radio amateur usenet mail, and it mainly contains flames ect, very little to do with AR.

activity for months.

It would be an idea if maybe some of the users did a profile
of the gear they use, the bands and times, in UTC, they are on the
air.

I don't know if any of us are on HF anymore. My Kenwood
TS620 hasn't
been turned on in ages. I do have a ten meter rig that I
turn on once
in a while. Nothing to get excited about there. I used
to be quite active
on UHF.

Well there you go. Tis time to fire it up again


Steve

--- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
* Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)

Quoting Steve Bainbridge to Richard Town <=-

Yes I know what you mean. I'm mainly interested in Vintage military
gear, and have a few working sets such as 62, 19 ect.

Had a Canadian 52 and a Canadian 19 myself, plus a CNY12, AR88, 1155
Wonder what these'd be worth today?

can't use them at the present, as I only have a UK M1 licence for 30Mhz and above. I'm trying to master morse.

Once the barrier at about 8wpm is overcome, the rest is a doddle ;)

Will it all improve after the 2003 conf were it is 99% certain that
morse will be scrapped for HF access, will have to wait and see.

Do you mean for an exam or is it going to be banned as an emission?

Richard

--- FMail/386 1.02
* Origin: Another message via PackLink +44(0)2082972486 (2:254/235)

Hello Michiel.

17 May 01 21:09, you wrote to me:

It would be an idea if maybe some of the users did a
profile of the gear they use, the bands and times,

in UTC, they are on the air.

I don't know if any of us are on HF anymore.

MvdV> I still am occasionally. Mostly on 80 meters. Sometimes on 10 FM
MvdV> from the mobile.

Like a dummy, I bought a house in an antenna restricted area. Although
the FCC and the state of California have laws that say Amateurs are
exempt, I've not attempted any big antenna projects. I've got a ten meter antenna on the ground and nothing more. Even so, I've talked from here to
the the USofA East coast, Australia, Japan and Alaska on it. I've got an antenna project in mind that would give me rooftop elevation without
attracting attention. Just need the time to build it.

MvdV> Whenever I am in the car I have 2 meters on standby.

Last time I had a two-way radio in the car, I used an autopatch to report
a drunk driver on the freeway. There were many reports ahead of me by
those who had a cell phone. Since then, I've given up mobile operation
for a cell phone.

MvdV> I am a ham for over 35 years now and in the beginning I was very
MvdV> active. Over the years the fires have dimmed a bit though and the
MvdV> activity has shifted from the technical to the organisatorial.

Been one almost as long, interest being even longer. I was introduced to
HAM radio by a school mate back in the 50s. He kept my interest up, even though his NOVICE license expired after a year. Together we pioneered the
new Citizens Band of 1959 in our small town. I finally got my first HAM license 11 years later after the CB craze died down.

MvdV> I have been the keeper of the local 2m repeater from 1982 to 1994
MvdV> and from 1990 I have been a member of the commitee that negotiates
MvdV> with the Dutch equivalent of the FCC about license condition etc.

I did that for a local club. I and another fellow placed on a 5600 foot
high mountain and serviced the clubs Motorola repeater for about 4 years, c1979-1983. I went on to own my own UHF repeater on the same mountain,
selling it about 5 years ago. It's still in operation on that mountain,
just in a private vacation home now. More recently, I worked with No-code International to lower the code requirements for licensing here and
abroad. I noticed a message from NCI in my email this morning, although I haven't gotten to read it yet. Looks like a request for more help.


... QTI - Troubled by an Idiot
--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
* Origin: KB6PI's Antenna Farm * Santa Ysabel, CA * (1:10/22)

Hello Steve.

20 May 01 13:21, you wrote to me:

Nope. Not that they haven't in the past, just not much
interest for radio
in fidonet these days. There used to be all kinds of

Seems there is not much interest in Radio period.

Seems like it. HAMs with computers are either doing their computer thing
and leaving radio alone or they're doing their HAM thing and leaving the computers alone. Some, however, are using both.

Most of which see about the same traffic from the same
participants as
this echo does. Some of those above haven't s

This is true . I take the UK radio amateur usenet mail, and it mainly contains flames ect, very little to do with AR.

Seems like that's all there is in Fidonet these days.

activity for months.

It would be an idea if maybe some of the users did a profile
of the gear they use, the bands and times, in UTC, they are on the
air.

OK.




--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
* Origin: Kissed By 6 Pretty Indians (1:10/22)

Hi

Had a Canadian 52 and a Canadian 19 myself, plus a CNY12,
AR88, 1155
Wonder what these'd be worth today?

A few bob. All depends what condition they are in. My 62 set with headset, power leads, xtal calibrator, rod aerial and working 100% is worth between £150
and £200. The 19set between £250 and £300

can't use them at the present, as I only have a UK M1 licence for 30Mhz
and above. I'm trying to master morse.

Once the barrier at about 8wpm is overcome, the rest is a
doddle ;)

Yes, I find it is the lack of time to actyaly sit down on a regular basis.

Will it all improve after the 2003 conf were it is 99% certain that
morse will be scrapped for HF access, will have to wait and see.

Do you mean for an exam or is it going to be banned as
an emission?

As an emission. Not banned, just dropped as a requirement for HF access. The RSGB and Radio Agency are working out new licence exams. It may be a 3 tier system, foundation, novice, full. Will have to wait and see.


73's

Steve M1SWB

--- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
* Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)

Hi Roy,

MvdV> Whenever I am in the car I have 2 meters on standby.

Last time I had a two-way radio in the car, I used an
autopatch to report a drunk driver on the freeway.

Although I have used it to report emergencies in the past, that is not the reason I carry it. I do it for the fun of it. Mostly to pass the time when in traffic jams.

Autopatching is illegal in PA by the way. Reporting accidents has to be done by
qsp. But that is no problem, there is always someone listening on the repeaters. And although many will not respond to a CQ, they /will/ respond to a
mayday or pan.

There were many reports ahead of me by those who had a cell phone.

Same here these days. Cell phone bussineess has been booming the last five years. By now "everybody" has a cell phone. 8 million cell phones on a 14 million population. And that includes babies and Altzheimer cases.

Since then, I've given up mobile operation for a cell phone.

I have a cell phone too. But I do not see that as a replacement for ham radio.

They are going to ban using cell phones while driving without a hands free installation btw. (I have one). There is some concern as to how this will affect ham radio.

MvdV> I am a ham for over 35 years now and in the

Been one almost as long, interest being even longer. I was
introduced to HAM radio by a school mate back in the 50s.

I was hooked by a neighbour, an American US airforce man who donated me a copy of the 1948 ARRL handbook. Had to wait till I was 18 to take the exam..

Together we pioneered the new Citizens Band of 1959 in our small
town. I finally got my first HAM license 11 years later after
the CB craze died down.

I never entered the CB scene. Illegal CB sets entered the market /years/ after I was licenced. CB didn't become legal here until the late 70's.

More recently, I worked with No-code International to lower
the code requirements for licensing here and abroad.

Ah, yes that is quite an issue in Europe as well at the moment. Up until two years ago it appeared that there was no majority for lowering the requirements.
The old farts (like you and me ;-)) opposed it. Then suddenly the tide changed.
Last year the VRZA (Vereniging for Radio Zend Amateurs, the society I represent) voted to do away with the morse code test altogether. The other society voted for 5 wpm for the time being. Some other European countries voted
for 0 and others for 5 wpm.

The next tests in November will be 5 wpm.

It won't be before the 2003 WRC before this can be implemented on the European or even a global level and my personal estimate is that the majority will shift
to doing away with it alltogether before 2003.


For the rest I like fox hunting. I never miss an opportunity. Last whitsuntide there was a ham gathering in the south of the country and the fox hunt was part
of it. When it comes to speed, I can't outrun the young ones any more, but if it comes to experience and cleverness, I can still win. The trophy to prove it is on my mantelpiece ;-)

I won because I got all the questions right, found all the beepers and didn't fall for the fake beeper. All the others missed the /second/ beeper near the finish. They were so excited to have found the first one that they handed in their forms without thinking to scan the band one more time....

73, Michiel

--- InterMail 2.29k
* Origin: PA0MMV, Driebergen, NL (2:280/5555)

Hi Roy

Seems like it. HAMs with computers are either doing
their computer thing
and leaving radio alone or they're doing their HAM thing
and leaving the
computers alone. Some, however, are using both.

Like me . I,m very active on 2Mtr SSTV and RTTY. Just started playing with PSK31, now that is good. You maynot hear the signal on the speaker, but the PSK
prog gets it fine. I recommend Winpsk.

It would be an idea if maybe some of the users did a profile
of the gear they use, the bands and times, in UTC, they are on the
air.

With me being a UK M1 licence, this means no access below 30Mhz without a morse
pass, I'm limited to 6mtr and above, however, it is 99% certain that the WRC2003 conf will scrap morse for full access. Why 2003 I will never know. It wwould be so easy for each countries radio regulatory body to scrap it now, just like they have lowered the 12wpm to 5wpm, and as long as the actual exam is passed, allow full HF access.
This is my personal opinion only, and I do aggree with those who say morse should stay, fine, but make it optional not mandatory.


73,s


Steve

--- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
* Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)

In a message dated 06-10-01, Steve Bainbridge said to Roy Witt:

Why 2003 I will never know. It wwould be so easy for each countries
radio regulatory body to scrap it now, just like they have lowered
the 12wpm to 5wpm, and as long as the actual exam is passed, allow
full HF access.

Hello Steve,

Easy my friend. International regulations require access to shorwave
only if you have passed a morse exam. At this stage speed is not an
issue so 5 wpm will fulfill the requirement.

The next WRC is 2003 and it will have the authority to change that rule.
No local regulatory body can scrap that requirement.

73 de Sam, OH0NC

___
* MR/2 2.30 * "Sam", OH0NC - Aland Islands / 20 deg. E / 60 deg. N


--- PCBoard (R) v15.22 (OS/2) 2
* Origin: Coming to you from the Sunny Aland Islands. (2:20/228)

Hello Steve.

10 Jun 01 11:50, you wrote to me:

computers alone. Some, however, are using both.

Like me . I,m very active on 2Mtr SSTV and RTTY. Just started playing
with PSK31, now that is good. You maynot hear the signal on the
speaker, but the PSK prog gets it fine. I recommend Winpsk.

Around here, we have the mini digipeaters set up all over the country
side. I got into it once, but soon got out of it, as communications were subject to how busy the digipeater was. This isn't SSTV or RTTY, but
still, the speaker noise could drive you crazy if you listen to it long
enough.

It would be an idea if maybe some of the users did a profile
of the gear they use, the bands and times, in UTC, they are on
the air.

With me being a UK M1 licence, this means no access below 30Mhz
without a morse pass, I'm limited to 6mtr and above, however, it is
99% certain that the WRC2003 conf will scrap morse for full access.

Perhaps...not certain that it will, but it's possible.

Why 2003 I will never know. It wwould be so easy for each countries
radio regulatory body to scrap it now, just like they have lowered
the 12wpm to 5wpm, and as long as the actual exam is passed, allow
full HF access.

But then they'd be in violation of the agreements set up in these
conferences.

This is my personal opinion only, and I do aggree with those who say
morse should stay, fine, but make it optional not mandatory.

I'm with you on that one.


... Morse Code is as dead as most Amateur Extra's!
--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
* Origin: (1:10/22)

Hello Michiel.

11 Jun 01 13:30, you wrote to me:

Last time I had a two-way radio in the car, I used an
autopatch to report a drunk driver on the freeway.

MvdV> Although I have used it to report emergencies in the past, that is
MvdV> not the reason I carry it. I do it for the fun of it. Mostly to
MvdV> pass the time when in traffic jams.

I'd rather listen to commercial broadcast talk radio. I've heard enough amateur chatter to last me a long time.

MvdV> Autopatching is illegal in PA by the way.

PA, meaning the Netherlands.

MvdV> Reporting accidents has to be done by qsp. But that is no problem,
MvdV> there is always someone listening on the repeaters. And although
MvdV> many will not respond to a CQ, they /will/ respond to a mayday or
MvdV> pan.

Same here, if one can't access the patched repeaters. Most of them are supported by clubs, who have the money to pay for a good sight and the telephone line.

There were many reports ahead of me by those who had a cell phone.

MvdV> Same here these days. Cell phone bussineess has been booming the
MvdV> last five years. By now "everybody" has a cell phone. 8 million
MvdV> cell phones on a 14 million population. And that includes babies
MvdV> and Altzheimer cases.

I imagine if I looked up the numbers, it'd be something similar here.

Since then, I've given up mobile operation for a cell phone.

MvdV> I have a cell phone too. But I do not see that as a replacement for
MvdV> ham radio.

Right. The cell is for communication to anyone who's listed or to those of
your aquaintence that also has a cell. Cell phones are very convenient
for staying in touch.

MvdV> They are going to ban using cell phones while driving without a
MvdV> hands free installation btw. (I have one). There is some concern as
MvdV> to how this will affect ham radio.

They already did that in the state of New York. HAMs here and in New
York had the same concerns that you're probably experiencing in the Netherlands.

MvdV> I am a ham for over 35 years now and in the

Been one almost as long, interest being even longer. I was
introduced to HAM radio by a school mate back in the 50s.

MvdV> I was hooked by a neighbour, an American US airforce man who
MvdV> donated me a copy of the 1948 ARRL handbook. Had to wait till I was
MvdV> 18 to take the exam..

My school mate was 14 when he introduced me to radio. His license expired
one year later and radio activity wained until we found out about the new service, CB, in 1959. Not the same thing, but it served us. I didn't
take my first test until 1970, almost thirty years old then. I was
licensed as a Novice and it expired in one year or else you had to upgrade
to the next higher class. I didn't have the interest at the time and it
wasn't until 1977 that I finally took the test again. This time I wasted
no time in upgrading and became a Technician in 1978 and made General
before 1979. It wasn't much longer when I upgraded to Advanced, with no
desire to go any further because of the code requirement of 20wpm for the
Extra Class license.

Together we pioneered the new Citizens Band of 1959 in our small
town. I finally got my first HAM license 11 years later after
the CB craze died down.

MvdV> I never entered the CB scene. Illegal CB sets entered the market
MvdV> /years/ after I was licenced. CB didn't become legal here until the
MvdV> late 70's.

They were legal elsewhere in Europe, as I recall hearing a few stations
from there. I still have a couple of SSB CBs around here.

More recently, I worked with No-code International to lower
the code requirements for licensing here and abroad.

MvdV> Ah, yes that is quite an issue in Europe as well at the moment. Up
MvdV> until two years ago it appeared that there was no majority for
MvdV> lowering the requirements. The old farts (like you and me ;-))
MvdV> opposed it. Then suddenly the tide changed. Last year the VRZA
MvdV> (Vereniging for Radio Zend Amateurs, the society I represent) voted
MvdV> to do away with the morse code test altogether. The other society
MvdV> voted for 5 wpm for the time being. Some other European countries
MvdV> voted for 0 and others for 5 wpm.

MvdV> The next tests in November will be 5 wpm.

And I believe ours have been 5wpm for at least two years now.

MvdV> It won't be before the 2003 WRC before this can be implemented on
MvdV> the European or even a global level and my personal estimate is
MvdV> that the majority will shift to doing away with it alltogether
MvdV> before 2003.

I've had communication with the W5YI representative recently. They're on
about removing the test completely, come WRC 2003. I don't have the time
to invest in it, so I'll be staying out of it this time.

MvdV> For the rest I like fox hunting. I never miss an opportunity. Last
MvdV> whitsuntide there was a ham gathering in the south of the country
MvdV> and the fox hunt was part of it. When it comes to speed, I can't
MvdV> outrun the young ones any more, but if it comes to experience and
MvdV> cleverness, I can still win. The trophy to prove it is on my
MvdV> mantelpiece ;-)

Good for you. I'm not up to that anymore as well. In my club days, I was
the repeater service guy and antenna builder for Field Day. That's my
favorite part of Amateur Radio, antenna design and building.

MvdV> I won because I got all the questions right, found all the beepers
MvdV> and didn't fall for the fake beeper. All the others missed the
MvdV> /second/ beeper near the finish. They were so excited to have found
MvdV> the first one that they handed in their forms without thinking to
MvdV> scan the band one more time....

Pays to be thorough. There's some of that activity around here too.
They're way ahead of me on it.

... Real HAMS do it till their Mega Hertz.
--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
* Origin: Kissed By 6 Pretty Indians (1:10/22)