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Messages - White Tiger

#496
New To Radio / Re: QSL Card - Please explain
September 23, 2012, 01:36:12 AM
Quote from: WA4STO on September 10, 2012, 11:41:45 AM
While you haven't explicitly asked for this, it might prove interesting to show some reasons for wanting QSL cards in the first place.

I believe that the primary reason people "collect" QSL cards is to apply for the hundreds (maybe thousands, dunno!) of awards, plaques and certificates that are available to both non-licensed short wave listeners, as well as licensed radio amateurs.

Since WA4STO is the expert on this subject, let me ask: is there something behind the fun?

What I mean is, if groups like RACES, ARES, MARS can find the right contests to peak our interests - aren't they really just establishing conditions that allow naturally competitive humans to find a way to overcome obstacles, fears, etc., in order to FIND a way to MAKE the necessary contacts prior to an actual emergency? ...getting us to develop our skills for fun...but it helps strengthen the framework for what amateur radio's real purpose - the backbone network for all emergency communication when normal means of communications go dark.

I mean - I haven't actually done any contesting because I dont yet have my license (hope to fix that the first Saturday in October) - but say (for instance) that you have an unrealistic expectation that you can maintain communication for your group at the advent of STUFF hitting the fan - utilizing the 10 meter band to stay in local and long-distance contact when the world falls apart...the time to find out this plan WON'T work is BEFORE the actual fan-splatter - when your neck deep in...stuff...is NOT the time to find out you should have had a better plan!

Seems contesting is not just fun but also a non-threatening means of creating methods and skills to adapt and overcome - because the most that's on the line in a contest is a piece of cardboard with a picture on it - but the skills translate for when they're actually needed.

Studying to achieve the license has me developing SOME skills - but I'm thinking it's nothing like actually being able to use my Omni D to make contacts!

Quote from: WA4STO on September 10, 2012, 11:41:45 AM
Personally, I find it to be a huge source of fun.  And for preppers, it can become an excellent source of data.  Data?  You bet.  I've presently got, I don't know, maybe three thousand or so confirmations from those I've made contact with.  And, as a retired database developer, I find it useful to sort and filter the data, so as to determine how many contacts I've made in a given geographical area.  Such as, 100 miles around my bug-out location, or perhaps completely out of area (so as to determine how much information I could expect to get during and after an SHTF situation from outside of the stricken zone.)

This is the kind of stuff that got me hooked on amateur radio...well, that and some post I saw someone make about being able to utilize amateur radio to get a remote digital camera to send a Slow Scan TV picture of my (planned but currently unfulfilled) faraway BOL - back to my home here in Florida...while I'm in Florida!

...without using the internet...

...and even if the power grid goes down!

Quote from: WA4STO on September 10, 2012, 11:41:45 AM
And it forced me to stretch my on-the-air capabilities, in that I just HATE voice modes and much prefer Morse code and digital modes.

You know what I just realized WA4STO? I never asked why you don't like voice? I had this horrible thought - what if it's like my assumptions regarding using 10 meters for my basic SHTF communication?

Is it because there are too many people, trying to make too many voice contacts, and it became so frustrating you had to switch to another mode?

[**shuddder**]...I don't think I want to hear this answer...

Feel free to tell me you just don't like people, or that you can't stand the sound of the human voice slightly out of phase on SSB!!!

Quote from: WA4STO on September 10, 2012, 11:41:45 AM
I think this whole idea of awards and certificates is what makes the notion of QSL'ing such a "big deal" in ham radio.  You can't get the certificates (generally) without confirmation of the contacts having been made...

...maybe some are like me - and don't like the thought of giving up anonimty by showing up in yet another database?

If so, WA4STO has nearly proven to me that the benefits of QSL logging programs outweigh some of the sense of a loss of anonymity (I mean afterall, all we really have is the illusion of control...right?)...
#497
Licensing / Re: How many here are already licensed?
September 22, 2012, 07:29:46 PM
Quote from: Sunflower on September 16, 2012, 02:58:57 PM
Quote from: WA4STO on September 15, 2012, 01:02:40 PM
Whoa!!!   Good ON ya, Gil!

Extra, Extra, read all about it; Gil's an extra!  :)

Congratulations.

Way to go Gil!

My man Luck - humble as he is - has been "guiding" me along this path!

I am focusing on HF voice - and those digital modes are calling...specifically SSTV, digitizing voice, PSK31, Olivia...

Along with finding out what folks are doing regarding licensing - I would also be interested to know how everyone has - or is - setting up their "shack"?