PLEASE NOTE: My shack is no longer in this location, nor is it this minimal. The spirit of this video still holds true years later, but I have definitely expanded my station. Here is my station as of November 2023: ua-cam.com/video/VDz1d4jyiVg/v-deo.html
You've got a nice setup. Thanks for sharing. - I've been a CBer for years since the early 1970's back when you still had to have a CB license. Now just this year I have gotten my GMRS license, and now I am studying for my ham technician license. I've never really been interested in DX'ing (shooting skip) of any kind let alone in DX'ing (shooting skip), around the world. I'm more into and just interested in Rag Chewing with either local or slightly distant other hams.
One day I was out riding around a park and ran across a ham club having a picnic and one guy had a antenna that was a bicycle rim with no spokes and the rim had a small section cut out and he was talking to someone in the Marshall Islands. It was a strange day to say the least!
Sounds like he built a loop antenna from that wheel rim. That's a very interesting idea. For me, building antennas is one of the funnest aspects of ham radio.
Never been in to HAM but we did a lot of stuff on CB's. I had a base station setup at home back in Michigan pushing around 1200 watts. I had this awesome old tube amplifier that would just hum the entire time. Used to talk "skip" all around the world. We called "DX" skip simply because of the way the signal was skipping off of the ionosphere to travel out of line of sight. We used to intentionally setup our CB's in our vehicles so they'd be extremely directional then we'd play CB Tag. One person would go hide somewhere in a 10 mile radius then we'd home in on their signal and track them down. Good times.
Yep, I started out as a CBer, too, back in the early '90s. The most I ever ran was about 500 watts, which was highly illegal, of course. Then along came the World Wide Web and cell phones, which effectively killed CB. It, too, seems to be making a comeback recently. I wonder if the FCC plans to bust illegal CB stations this time around. I remember them doing it a couple of times back in the day, seizing gear and handing out some massive fines.
I am, honestly, shocked that I never had a visit from the FCC. I was less than half a mile from Detroit Metro Airport pushing that kind of wattage. I did have I-94 between us but it was still enough to cause interference and open garage doors all over the neighborhood. Guy my aunt dated for 20 some years gave me the amp. It had one pill driving 2 small tubes pushing 4 very large Sylvania tubes. Can't remember the part numbers on them but they were freaking huge.
Ive got a ham license, general level and have been running off a Baofeng handheld locally. Id sure like to get into the hf end; however, I keep hearing people tout getting into it with inexpensive basics, yet im continually finding that a basic start is in the range nearing $2k. Im sorry, but thats a barrier to entry. It amazes me that you can buy a computer with way more abilities than an all band radio for a couple hundred dollars, but all band ham radio prices never seem to get lower as technogy gets cheaper. In the contrary, they keep getting higher. Thats not exactly affordable for most people.
Start going to hamfests and swap meets. You can usually find good used equipment from reputable traders for decent prices. If you want to buy new, the Icom IC-718 can be had pretty much everywhere for around $699 (I've seen it on sale for $599). Throw a 30-amp power supply and a 300-watt tuner into your shopping cart with it and you should be in the game for around $1K if you're willing to build your own antenna system. Yeah, it costs a bit up front, but the gear will last you forever if you run it correctly. I've now added two 50-year-old Kenwood tube transceivers into my current shack that I got for almost nothing. 40 bucks in parts and I quickly had them both running like new. Keep your ear to the ground and you can get going for a reasonable price. Best of luck. 73 de W5GFO.
I got a cheap boafeng portable ham radio a few years ago just to play with and listen to police and ems. Pretty much all police activity in the Chicago suburbs is digital besides Chicago itself since they don’t want to spend the money. After listening to CPD and using it for noaa weather I found a local repeater and monitored that, they had lunch meets and other random talk. It was interesting listening in but since I have no license I couldn’t talk. I’ve been on and off if I wanted to get a amateur license. Usually over winter break when I got bored I would start taking some of the arrl practice tests just to see what I knew. It’s an interesting hobby but I’m not sure how many younger people are participating. Everything I heard in my local area were guys my fathers age.
Yeah, you are right. It is often a bunch of old retired guys talking about past glories and whatever health problems are currently ailing them. But I have noticed quite a few younger guys getting their licenses over the course of the past year, though, which is a good thing. I'd much rather talk about motorcycles and other fun topics on the air instead of who died last week. LOL.
Very interesting video! I got my technician license not long ago. I need to study up for the General. I didn't pass the day I got my tech. But I still have a lot of real world knowledge I need to learn. So going simple first is right up my alley. As always, I enjoy seeing you drive through my old hometown.
Let me know if you decide to upgrade and get a station going. It would be super cool to QSO on HF. Also, if you have EchoLink capability for VHF/UHF, I hang out on the West Texas PermNet pretty frequently. Give me a shout some time.
I'm glad to see you are getting back in the hobby. I have one thing though that was incorrect. You really DON'T need an antenna analyzer. Are they handy , yes they are but they are not something you really need. Just use the antenna formulas and you can make an antenna without that added expense. I have been making amateur radio antennas for 41 years and have yet felt a need to waste money on an analyzer. Welcome back to the hobby.
I will say, an analyzer will point out any outside things messing with it. For example, a slim-jim too close to a wall will have an swr tuned too low, which can damage your radio. I'd say it's worth th $40 for a vna nano.
I recommend an Icom IC-7300 for HF (comparable to my Yeasu), which runs about $1,000. For VHF/UHF, I've gotten rid of the little Chinese radio and now run an Icom ID-5100a, which I got for $579. My antenna setup has changed a bit, too, and I have a total of about $250 in all the antennas, coax, etc. So you should be able to get a really nice brand new setup for less than Two Grand. If you buy all used gear, it'd be considerably less. Good luck.
Hello neighbor, This video popped up on my suggested page. Maybe I'll catch you on the air sometime. Just a tech at the time. anyway cool video and I also subbed. wishing you 73's from Big Spring de K4EBB
Thanks, James. Enjoy the channel and I look forward to catching you sometime. The content is mostly motorcycles, but I will be including more radio vids moving forward. Cheers and 73.
Have never had more than 100 watts and a wire antenna, like many hams. Been more than enough for me for the last half century! Neighbor has a tower and multiple beams and an amp. Everyone is enjoying things their way.
I've been a Ham for 43 yrs, I had several HF radios I had a TS-530S & a TS- 130S I got about 130-140 Watts out of them, whereas most of the newer radios put out only 100 Watts. I had a Ten-Tac Omni back in the 1980s I currently have a G90, FT-991A, and an FT-891, plus I have a bunch of HT's IC-90AT, FT-3DR, FT65, FT4X & DMR UV878 & UV578 radios too
Over the past couple of years since I made this video, I refurbished a TS-520 and a TS-520S. You're right, they do 130 watts pretty easily. There's a pic of them at the bottom of my QRZed page: www.qrz.com/db/W5GFO
@@TimKreitzAdventures I made my first several HF contact with New Zealand, Australia & Fiji. on 20M back in 2000 after I got a grandfathered upgrade from Tech Plus (I had passed the General Exam but flunked the 13 WPM code, in 1980 at the NYC FCC field office) to General when they dropped the code requirement. I was living in Redding, CA at the time.
Most of the time the operators in many countries are speaking English on the air (though some do it better than others). I look for German-speaking stations in particular since I am functional in the language and it is fun to do. I can also exchange basic information for a QSO in Spanish.
Awesome overview. It's funny, with the lockdowns and the winter storm we had on top of that, getting into ham has been heavy on my mind. That storm knocked out internet and cell service and left me with no means to contact anyone. Never lost power or water so I was good where I was. But being able to contact the outside world would have been nice.
I was always curious about ham radio, I used to run a cb home base with my dad when I was younger and always had a blast on it. Late at night we would hit skip just right and able to talk all over the country. Thanks for the insight Tim cheers✌
I can remember my grandpa talking from Texas to Florida on his CB when I was little kid. I was fascinated by it, and it's probably one of the reasons I've always enjoyed radio.
When ther is skip Antenne radio watt dosen't matter But if you like med hawe huge Antennas .. FORCE12 GOOD CONDITIONS EVERY DAY!! RG217 NEXT TO NO LOSS AND IT CARRIES 4KW with no loss Just got 7/8 x 4 x 50meter to my last With 4x 56 flexa yagi combiner 1296 25DBd 4 x 9 combiner VHF 19DBd 4 x 22 combiner UHF 22DBd I can tilt with actuator 80° to EME
This is a weird world that I have absolutely no idea about! LOL I've rarely heard of Ham Radio (the first time being in one of Nerb's videos a few years back) but I found this interesting and now I at least know something a little more technical about it. I don't have a lot of time to get into new hobbies (what pandemic slowdown? :-p) though so I'll stick to UA-cam and Facebook messenger to communicate with the likes of yourself on the other side of the world. Another well put together video my friend!
Thanks a million. It was something I always knew I would come back to someday, and I've been having fun thus far. But otherwise, I know where you're coming from; the last thing I really need right now is *another* hobby. LOL.
I wish someone would post a video with a LIST and state, "here's what you need to get into HAM radio ... 1, 2, 3" --- that's it... instead of talking about all kinds of random stuff .... get to the point. A person needs these 3 or 4 things -- this is how you set it up --- without going left and right into side discussions .... because at the end --- everyone is STILL CONFUSED on what to buy an how to hook it up .... I've watched liked 10 videos so far and think -- maybe -- I know what to buy .... my gosh --- how hard is it ???
Just turned 62 and sold my mint condition 2005 Honda Blackbird (the red one). I still feel sick when I see a bike. Enjoy it as long as you can and if you ever get the chance to ride the Dragon's Tail do it.
Thanks man, appreciate this. I'm studying for my Technician now and looking forward to General. I already have VHF/UHF/CB/GMRS radios and a small shack setup, but looking toward the future with General and HF, been kinda shocked by the $$$$....this video really helped!
Hello! Nice ride! Attach the camera to the mirror. : D Amateur radio. You have many radios. That's wonderful. And work on the antenna. It is great. When the telephone line is cut off. Radios are useful in the event of a disaster if power can be secured. Do you ever mount these radios on your motorcycle? LOL. Safety and health. Thank you my friend (^^) /
Good and interesting video, a good intro to amateur radio, so nice to hear an American not advocating thousands of watts! LoL Would suggest people check out the NanoVNA as an antenna analyser. Does more and is a lot cheaper than the MFJ.
Thanks for the kind words. I may add some power this year, but considering how well my station currently works, I doubt it will be more than about 500 watts. You're right, unless it's a MARS station or similar, I just don't see the need for 1,500 or more watts and never really have. Cheers and much appreciated!
Did it get affected by the M class flare the other day? I know there was strong radio blackout. The D-rap chart was vary colorful. Lazy feckin owl 🦉get some work done! 🤣 Interesting stuff. Cheers Tim.
Thankfully, the M-Class flare was not directed squarely toward earth, but yes, the noise level was high during that event. I think the blackouts were more in the microwave bands.
Congrats on the Extra! It took me 21 years to get mine. My first rig was a Kenwood TS-130S, a hand-me-down that my dad bought new. 100 watts and a wire is the way to go. 73 de KJ1H!
Great video!! I found you because I am interested in getting my ham license. But I also love riding motorcycles. So of course I subscribed. Thanks for sharing.
@@TimKreitzAdventures Yeah check it out. At times they allow you to put your gear on their antennas. Oh the signals you can hear and work are unbelievable.
Love this vid no beating around the bush. Awesome setup exactly what I am going to progress towards. Yet to learn the basics and get my licence but I am looking forward to the journey
You'll have a great time. Enjoy the process and have fun. BTW, I've made some changes to my station since this episode. If you are interested, my latest video shows the current shack. Cheers.
Tune in next time to see what else Tim Kreitz is into. Musician, Biker, Brewer, Radio Operator, and Personality. What’s next? Not much will surprise me, and I’ve been watching a few years now. I know 2020 was a catalyst for it in a few ways but interest in this is growing like never before I hear.
It's good to know that you can get decent results out of a 100W transmitter and a pretty simple antenna. I've been avoiding HF mainly because of the antenna thing. Now I'll go watch the newer video and see what you've changed..
My wife was watching with me. There was a kert "NO MORE HOBBIES" hahaha. I always thought this was cool. I messed with CB's and tuning them but that is a s far as I got.
Yes, collecting too many hobbies can definitely be frowned upon. LOL. BTW, I started out as a CBer back in the early '90s. It was good times, but ham radio has always been more interesting to me. :-)
Yeah, getting your General will open up a whole new world. From there, it's only a few more weeks of study to get the Extra Class. Good luck and have fun with it!
Could run ladder line to your dipole to your tuner just keep away from metal would be all bands 40- 10. Or could do off center fed with 4:1 current B a l u n.
I've always been fascinated by SW radio. But as I was growing up not too long ago many people were dismantling their ham radio antennas. I hope to get into it someday. After all ham radio was probably the social media communication before the internet.
Nice Video, been licensed 45 years in VK (Australia) and also run a pretty simple station with mainly wire antennas that work well enough for my needs. Also do a bit mobile from remote locations. Keep the content coming as I'm also into motor cycles which led me to youre channel.
This was a very interesting video! It was great seeing your home base set up! I am new to ham radio and so seeing this video have gotten me more interested in making my own antenna.!
Nice overview. I'm considering the Kenwood version of that Yaesu, or maybe even an Icon 7300. I got my Novice in about 1962 (WN0FRS - Fine Radio Station) but let it lapse before getting my General. I got that in about 1977 (WA6PEK - Pretty Easy Kid). Used a vent pipe on the roof of my apartment building to support a 10 - 40 Hy-Gain vertical. My Kenwood TS-520 worked pretty good but I needed counterpoise or a second vertical. Went 2m - 10cm after that for a while & been inactive for a decade due to moving around, chasing jobs. I'm retired and have a house now, and I still have a store-bought dipole, so... no more excuses! Midland (I assume Texas) looks like a nice place. Pretty neighborhood. A college roommate of mine from UT in 1966 lives there.
Yes sir, Midland, Texas is right. It has been my neck of the woods for many years. I need to do an update on the changes I've made to the shack since I released this video. I got rid of the Chinese dual-bander and added an ID-5100a and some other goodies. The antenna setup is a bit different now, too. I've been working ISS and satellites, which is a blast. Best wishes and thanks for the nice comment. Good luck as you continue your ham journey.
Aloha from Hawaii Tim. I have decided to get more serious and just passed my Extra exam last night, so hopefully I will catch you on the air out there one of these days.
Nice set up. Good seeing other ham stations. I like 17m as it's not as hectic as 20m. Getting back into it after about 8 years of only using 2m and 60m by no fault of mine. Broadband internet interference wiped out everything from 160m to 20m, S8 noise except 60m. It cleared up when they went from copper wire to fibre on January 9th. Nothing above 5 Watts, FT817ND, my h/b ssb and cw tcvr, Pixie on 60m, TW TopBander am/cw and a 1944 Wireless 19 Set on cw. Attic 20m to 10m dipoles, outdoor inverted vee for 60m and a 2 el collinear for 2m, all h/b. Mainly on 17m and 10m just now and getting into Europe, EA, SP, with IT and LZ ssb (1400 miles) and cw 5 Watts and 1 Watt cw to LZ and even SP with 0.5 Watt ssb. Must now get on the lower frequencies. G4GHB.
Hey man a tip for the owl, put it on a stick of rebar in a bush or something like a bush. Just barely above wind blows owl moves, move around to new places often. Sweet set up I like the tool box set up
Just took my Technician exam Sunday and got my call sign Tuesday. Great video! I've just got a Baofeng HT at the moment, but I am looking at getting into 10 meter. Your rig is great and you gave some great guidance. Thanks a lot!
I just got my technician and will take the general in a few weeks. I also got the cheap baofenf 5r and am trying to figure out a cheap way to set up a base where I can get in the HF frequencies. Any help is appreciated!
I no longer run this shack (I have since expanded it and moved it to a different location), but you can get into something similar for around $1,200. The biggest expense will be the tranceivers. Power supplies and tuners are pretty affordable, and building your own antennas is pretty economical, too.
Chimney mounts are readily available online. I'd do some shopping and see what best fits your particular architecture. My main radios are an FT-450, a TS-130S, and an ID-5100a. My amplifier is a FL-2100B. Sorry, no links. Some of this stuff is no longer made.
😢😢 Poor old TS130s .love the post I the Antenna set up is pretty cool lots of people got back over here in the uk with the lock down .I still use all my old kenwood Eq .since the 90s Ts130s with the Vfo 120 and the Dfc 230 ( I am a bit of a kenwood nurd lo ) even have the Hc10 clock .ha ha I see you still have the ATU 73s and kind regards from over the pond" G6YRI QSL "ps every Italian cb comes complete with a 50kw liner lol
PLEASE NOTE: My shack is no longer in this location, nor is it this minimal. The spirit of this video still holds true years later, but I have definitely expanded my station. Here is my station as of November 2023: ua-cam.com/video/VDz1d4jyiVg/v-deo.html
You've got a nice setup. Thanks for sharing. - I've been a CBer for years since the early 1970's back when you still had to have a CB license. Now just this year I have gotten my GMRS license, and now I am studying for my ham technician license. I've never really been interested in DX'ing (shooting skip) of any kind let alone in DX'ing (shooting skip), around the world. I'm more into and just interested in Rag Chewing with either local or slightly distant other hams.
One day I was out riding around a park and ran across a ham club having a picnic and one guy had a antenna that was a bicycle rim with no spokes and the rim had a small section cut out and he was talking to someone in the Marshall Islands. It was a strange day to say the least!
Sounds like he built a loop antenna from that wheel rim. That's a very interesting idea. For me, building antennas is one of the funnest aspects of ham radio.
Rad. Thanks for the tips!
My pleasure.
Cool! I mess w CB radios at work but that’s all. Interesting man
I think it's cool how many people are still using CB equipment these days. I started out with CB back in the early '90s.
Nice !! Pure luck
You hawent blown anything
Up due to RF !!!
But keep om trucking !!
There would be essentially zero reason for anything to "blow up due to RF" with this setup. LOL.
I watched this video when it first posted and got curious about ham radio. Now I have my extra license and my station. Many thanks!
I'm really happy to hear that. Congratulations. I need to do an update vid on the state of my shack. It's a lot different now than it was in this vid.
Never been in to HAM but we did a lot of stuff on CB's. I had a base station setup at home back in Michigan pushing around 1200 watts. I had this awesome old tube amplifier that would just hum the entire time. Used to talk "skip" all around the world. We called "DX" skip simply because of the way the signal was skipping off of the ionosphere to travel out of line of sight.
We used to intentionally setup our CB's in our vehicles so they'd be extremely directional then we'd play CB Tag. One person would go hide somewhere in a 10 mile radius then we'd home in on their signal and track them down. Good times.
Yep, I started out as a CBer, too, back in the early '90s. The most I ever ran was about 500 watts, which was highly illegal, of course. Then along came the World Wide Web and cell phones, which effectively killed CB. It, too, seems to be making a comeback recently. I wonder if the FCC plans to bust illegal CB stations this time around. I remember them doing it a couple of times back in the day, seizing gear and handing out some massive fines.
I am, honestly, shocked that I never had a visit from the FCC. I was less than half a mile from Detroit Metro Airport pushing that kind of wattage. I did have I-94 between us but it was still enough to cause interference and open garage doors all over the neighborhood.
Guy my aunt dated for 20 some years gave me the amp. It had one pill driving 2 small tubes pushing 4 very large Sylvania tubes. Can't remember the part numbers on them but they were freaking huge.
1,500 watts AM is more than the nighttime PEP of many broadcast stations. LOL. I bet you were getting into everything. :)
Ive got a ham license, general level and have been running off a Baofeng handheld locally. Id sure like to get into the hf end; however, I keep hearing people tout getting into it with inexpensive basics, yet im continually finding that a basic start is in the range nearing $2k. Im sorry, but thats a barrier to entry. It amazes me that you can buy a computer with way more abilities than an all band radio for a couple hundred dollars, but all band ham radio prices never seem to get lower as technogy gets cheaper. In the contrary, they keep getting higher. Thats not exactly affordable for most people.
Start going to hamfests and swap meets. You can usually find good used equipment from reputable traders for decent prices. If you want to buy new, the Icom IC-718 can be had pretty much everywhere for around $699 (I've seen it on sale for $599). Throw a 30-amp power supply and a 300-watt tuner into your shopping cart with it and you should be in the game for around $1K if you're willing to build your own antenna system.
Yeah, it costs a bit up front, but the gear will last you forever if you run it correctly. I've now added two 50-year-old Kenwood tube transceivers into my current shack that I got for almost nothing. 40 bucks in parts and I quickly had them both running like new. Keep your ear to the ground and you can get going for a reasonable price. Best of luck. 73 de W5GFO.
If only I could just pick up my local tv stations 😠😄
Hahaha! 😄😄😄
And your buddy's Vann licence plate along for the ride 👍
@@stromxtc2033 You're the first one to make mention of that. I miss him every single day.
I got a cheap boafeng portable ham radio a few years ago just to play with and listen to police and ems. Pretty much all police activity in the Chicago suburbs is digital besides Chicago itself since they don’t want to spend the money. After listening to CPD and using it for noaa weather I found a local repeater and monitored that, they had lunch meets and other random talk. It was interesting listening in but since I have no license I couldn’t talk. I’ve been on and off if I wanted to get a amateur license. Usually over winter break when I got bored I would start taking some of the arrl practice tests just to see what I knew. It’s an interesting hobby but I’m not sure how many younger people are participating. Everything I heard in my local area were guys my fathers age.
Yeah, you are right. It is often a bunch of old retired guys talking about past glories and whatever health problems are currently ailing them. But I have noticed quite a few younger guys getting their licenses over the course of the past year, though, which is a good thing. I'd much rather talk about motorcycles and other fun topics on the air instead of who died last week. LOL.
Get the HamStudy app from the Play Store or Apple Store and get your license! It's easier then you think!
Very interesting video! I got my technician license not long ago. I need to study up for the General. I didn't pass the day I got my tech. But I still have a lot of real world knowledge I need to learn. So going simple first is right up my alley. As always, I enjoy seeing you drive through my old hometown.
Let me know if you decide to upgrade and get a station going. It would be super cool to QSO on HF. Also, if you have EchoLink capability for VHF/UHF, I hang out on the West Texas PermNet pretty frequently. Give me a shout some time.
I'm glad to see you are getting back in the hobby. I have one thing though that was incorrect. You really DON'T need an antenna analyzer. Are they handy , yes they are but they are not something you really need. Just use the antenna formulas and you can make an antenna without that added expense. I have been making amateur radio antennas for 41 years and have yet felt a need to waste money on an analyzer. Welcome back to the hobby.
Fair enough. Mine was a gift and I really enjoy both the utility and precision it provides. Cheers and thanks for the kind wishes.
I will say, an analyzer will point out any outside things messing with it. For example, a slim-jim too close to a wall will have an swr tuned too low, which can damage your radio. I'd say it's worth th $40 for a vna nano.
Welcome back!! de Tim KB2RMC. You beat me to Extra, ya bum 😀
I just got my ticket recently and I been studying for the general ever since so I can play with HF, SOTA, POTA and just being portable. 73, KQ4HCU
Congratulations!
What price does this minimal set-up usually run? Thanks for the help!
I recommend an Icom IC-7300 for HF (comparable to my Yeasu), which runs about $1,000. For VHF/UHF, I've gotten rid of the little Chinese radio and now run an Icom ID-5100a, which I got for $579. My antenna setup has changed a bit, too, and I have a total of about $250 in all the antennas, coax, etc. So you should be able to get a really nice brand new setup for less than Two Grand. If you buy all used gear, it'd be considerably less. Good luck.
Hello neighbor, This video popped up on my suggested page. Maybe I'll catch you on the air sometime. Just a tech at the time. anyway cool video and I also subbed. wishing you 73's from Big Spring de K4EBB
Thanks, James. Enjoy the channel and I look forward to catching you sometime. The content is mostly motorcycles, but I will be including more radio vids moving forward. Cheers and 73.
Have never had more than 100 watts and a wire antenna, like many hams. Been more than enough for me for the last half century! Neighbor has a tower and multiple beams and an amp. Everyone is enjoying things their way.
So in starcraft and they say 5 by 5 its radio strength, loud and clear.
I've been a Ham for 43 yrs, I had several HF radios I had a TS-530S & a TS- 130S I got about 130-140 Watts out of them, whereas most of the newer radios put out only 100 Watts. I had a Ten-Tac Omni back in the 1980s I currently have a G90, FT-991A, and an FT-891, plus I have a bunch of HT's IC-90AT, FT-3DR, FT65, FT4X & DMR UV878 & UV578 radios too
Over the past couple of years since I made this video, I refurbished a TS-520 and a TS-520S. You're right, they do 130 watts pretty easily. There's a pic of them at the bottom of my QRZed page:
www.qrz.com/db/W5GFO
@@TimKreitzAdventures I made my first several HF contact with New Zealand, Australia & Fiji. on 20M back in 2000 after I got a grandfathered upgrade from Tech Plus (I had passed the General Exam but flunked the 13 WPM code, in 1980 at the NYC FCC field office) to General when they dropped the code requirement. I was living in Redding, CA at the time.
have not been active for some time. getting back into it. 73 de KD4HCT
Good luck and welcome back. You picked a good time; the HF bands are really improving.
How do you talk to places like Russia, Spain, etc.? Aren't they speaking a foreign tongue?
Most of the time the operators in many countries are speaking English on the air (though some do it better than others). I look for German-speaking stations in particular since I am functional in the language and it is fun to do. I can also exchange basic information for a QSO in Spanish.
Awesome overview. It's funny, with the lockdowns and the winter storm we had on top of that, getting into ham has been heavy on my mind. That storm knocked out internet and cell service and left me with no means to contact anyone. Never lost power or water so I was good where I was. But being able to contact the outside world would have been nice.
Definitely. I was on ham radio a lot during the storm. Its practical importance became quickly apparent without cell or Internet.
I was always curious about ham radio, I used to run a cb home base with my dad when I was younger and always had a blast on it. Late at night we would hit skip just right and able to talk all over the country. Thanks for the insight Tim cheers✌
I can remember my grandpa talking from Texas to Florida on his CB when I was little kid. I was fascinated by it, and it's probably one of the reasons I've always enjoyed radio.
When ther is skip
Antenne radio watt dosen't matter
But if you like med hawe huge
Antennas .. FORCE12
GOOD CONDITIONS EVERY DAY!!
RG217 NEXT TO NO LOSS
AND IT CARRIES 4KW with no loss
Just got
7/8 x 4 x 50meter to my last
With 4x 56 flexa yagi combiner 1296 25DBd
4 x 9 combiner VHF 19DBd
4 x 22 combiner UHF 22DBd
I can tilt with actuator 80° to EME
This is a weird world that I have absolutely no idea about! LOL
I've rarely heard of Ham Radio (the first time being in one of Nerb's videos a few years back) but I found this interesting and now I at least know something a little more technical about it.
I don't have a lot of time to get into new hobbies (what pandemic slowdown? :-p) though so I'll stick to UA-cam and Facebook messenger to communicate with the likes of yourself on the other side of the world. Another well put together video my friend!
Thanks a million. It was something I always knew I would come back to someday, and I've been having fun thus far. But otherwise, I know where you're coming from; the last thing I really need right now is *another* hobby. LOL.
I wish someone would post a video with a LIST and state, "here's what you need to get into HAM radio ... 1, 2, 3" --- that's it... instead of talking about all kinds of random stuff .... get to the point. A person needs these 3 or 4 things -- this is how you set it up --- without going left and right into side discussions .... because at the end --- everyone is STILL CONFUSED on what to buy an how to hook it up .... I've watched liked 10 videos so far and think -- maybe -- I know what to buy .... my gosh --- how hard is it ???
Just turned 62 and sold my mint condition 2005 Honda Blackbird (the red one). I still feel sick when I see a bike. Enjoy it as long as you can and if you ever get the chance to ride the Dragon's Tail do it.
Thanks man, appreciate this. I'm studying for my Technician now and looking forward to General. I already have VHF/UHF/CB/GMRS radios and a small shack setup, but looking toward the future with General and HF, been kinda shocked by the $$$$....this video really helped!
Hello!
Nice ride!
Attach the camera to the mirror. : D
Amateur radio.
You have many radios.
That's wonderful.
And work on the antenna.
It is great.
When the telephone line is cut off.
Radios are useful in the event of a disaster if power can be secured.
Do you ever mount these radios on your motorcycle? LOL.
Safety and health.
Thank you my friend (^^) /
My system will work on batteries as well, which I used in the Texas winter storm. It is a fun hobby, indeed. Thank you, my friend. :)
Good and interesting video, a good intro to amateur radio, so nice to hear an American not advocating thousands of watts! LoL Would suggest people check out the NanoVNA as an antenna analyser. Does more and is a lot cheaper than the MFJ.
Thanks for the kind words. I may add some power this year, but considering how well my station currently works, I doubt it will be more than about 500 watts. You're right, unless it's a MARS station or similar, I just don't see the need for 1,500 or more watts and never really have. Cheers and much appreciated!
Did it get affected by the M class flare the other day? I know there was strong radio blackout. The D-rap chart was vary colorful.
Lazy feckin owl 🦉get some work done! 🤣
Interesting stuff. Cheers Tim.
Thankfully, the M-Class flare was not directed squarely toward earth, but yes, the noise level was high during that event. I think the blackouts were more in the microwave bands.
@@TimKreitzAdventures
25% chance of a killshot flare I'm the coming 6 years or so!
Congrats on the Extra! It took me 21 years to get mine. My first rig was a Kenwood TS-130S, a hand-me-down that my dad bought new. 100 watts and a wire is the way to go. 73 de KJ1H!
Very much agreed. Cheers!
Great video!! I found you because I am interested in getting my ham license. But I also love riding motorcycles. So of course I subscribed. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure. Much appreciated.
Took the tour of the V.O.A. and was able to use their antennas for our club station.
73 de KB8RQD
VERY cool. I'd love to visit someday myself. 73 de W5GFO.
@@TimKreitzAdventures Yeah check it out. At times they allow you to put your gear on their antennas. Oh the signals you can hear and work are unbelievable.
Is that guitar recording your playing, or someone else’s?
That cut is not me this time. The song is called Fortaleza and it is by Topher Mohr and Alex Elena. I thought it was very well done. Cheers.
All sounds Greek to me. Lol.
Ξερω τι εννοεις. :-)
What do you do for lighting protection? I just hooked up a vertical antenna today. A Gap Challenger
Love this vid no beating around the bush. Awesome setup exactly what I am going to progress towards. Yet to learn the basics and get my licence but I am looking forward to the journey
You'll have a great time. Enjoy the process and have fun. BTW, I've made some changes to my station since this episode. If you are interested, my latest video shows the current shack. Cheers.
I've been listening to numbers stations for years. The Buzzer (UVB-76) is my favorite I can listen to it for hours for some strange weird reason lol
You should check out all the jamming by the Cuban government on the 40-meter wavelength right now. It's crazy.
That's new to me thanks my friend!!!
Way out of my league lol. As a kid I played around with a cb- it was fun
Yezzir. CB was the social media of the '70s and '80s.
See you're a Gov't Mule fan too... loved the opening audio. Great video, very helpful.
Thanks. Warren Haynes is my hero.
Tune in next time to see what else Tim Kreitz is into. Musician, Biker, Brewer, Radio Operator, and Personality. What’s next? Not much will surprise me, and I’ve been watching a few years now. I know 2020 was a catalyst for it in a few ways but interest in this is growing like never before I hear.
Thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated. And yes, there is definitely an influx of new and returning hams.
It's good to know that you can get decent results out of a 100W transmitter and a pretty simple antenna. I've been avoiding HF mainly because of the antenna thing. Now I'll go watch the newer video and see what you've changed..
My wife was watching with me. There was a kert "NO MORE HOBBIES" hahaha. I always thought this was cool. I messed with CB's and tuning them but that is a s far as I got.
Yes, collecting too many hobbies can definitely be frowned upon. LOL. BTW, I started out as a CBer back in the early '90s. It was good times, but ham radio has always been more interesting to me. :-)
I got the same responce...... but your only in trouble once then its yours. or something like that haha
This episode found me heppy, hulthy, and in pieces. Ironic.
Good video Tim. Looking to get my general this summer when I'm not working OT. I have a nice radio but I can't talk on most of it's bands! ;)
Yeah, getting your General will open up a whole new world. From there, it's only a few more weeks of study to get the Extra Class. Good luck and have fun with it!
My man, ham and moto, and such a fine told nice story, best regards, Dragan, Serbia, YU4ELD 😃
Great video! Just getting back into radio after 20ish years. I'm here in Midland TX as well.
I have the ft450 from yaesu love that radio...
It's sooo good. I love it.
@@TimKreitzAdventures also got an late eighties ft 7b when the 450 doesent pick up clear signals i use the old ft-7b
Could run ladder line to your dipole to your tuner just keep away from metal would be all bands 40- 10. Or could do off center fed with 4:1 current B a l u n.
This setup is from a few years ago. My shack and antenna setup is in another spot and pretty different now. I should do an update vid.
I've always been fascinated by SW radio. But as I was growing up not too long ago many people were dismantling their ham radio antennas. I hope to get into it someday. After all ham radio was probably the social media communication before the internet.
Yes, it certainly was. Back in radio's heyday, everybody had a CB or a ham rig.
Way over the top of this old man but sill good to see it all lol
Heh-heh, thanks!
Suzuki Bandit is one of my all time favorite motorcycles.
Same here. :)
My dad was a ham when i was a kid. I remember him talking to Ireland and hearing the other guys accent. Some memories stay with you.
I have similar memories with my grandpa and CB back in the '70s. Those were different times for sure.
Nice Video, been licensed 45 years in VK (Australia) and also run a pretty simple station with mainly wire antennas that work well enough for my needs. Also do a bit mobile from remote locations. Keep the content coming as I'm also into motor cycles which led me to youre channel.
Will do and thanks. 73.
I use the SuperStar 6900N.
Very good radio...
This was a very interesting video! It was great seeing your home base set up! I am new to ham radio and so seeing this video have gotten me more interested in making my own antenna.!
Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers and thanks!
Nice overview. I'm considering the Kenwood version of that Yaesu, or maybe even an Icon 7300.
I got my Novice in about 1962 (WN0FRS - Fine Radio Station) but let it lapse before getting my General. I got that in about 1977 (WA6PEK - Pretty Easy Kid). Used a vent pipe on the roof of my apartment building to support a 10 - 40 Hy-Gain vertical. My Kenwood TS-520 worked pretty good but I needed counterpoise or a second vertical. Went 2m - 10cm after that for a while & been inactive for a decade due to moving around, chasing jobs. I'm retired and have a house now, and I still have a store-bought dipole, so... no more excuses!
Midland (I assume Texas) looks like a nice place. Pretty neighborhood. A college roommate of mine from UT in 1966 lives there.
Yes sir, Midland, Texas is right. It has been my neck of the woods for many years. I need to do an update on the changes I've made to the shack since I released this video. I got rid of the Chinese dual-bander and added an ID-5100a and some other goodies. The antenna setup is a bit different now, too. I've been working ISS and satellites, which is a blast. Best wishes and thanks for the nice comment. Good luck as you continue your ham journey.
@@TimKreitzAdventures I'll watch for your update.
All that on 100 watts.... so cool. Just got my General last week. Scott Friday probably says hello ;)
Haha! Nice. It's truly a small world. Congrats on your /AG. My station is a lot different now. I need to do an update vid of some kind.
Congrats on your Extra. 73, de AC1KD
Much appreciated. 73.
My kids and are thinking of this for a summer project!
I think you and they will enjoy it. Have fun!
Very cool Tim.
Thank you kindly, sir. :)
Learn CW and talk all over the world on
I thought this was supposed to be about a simple setup.
Great video thank you. New Sub! I love motorcycles and am getting in to radio. Love it
Thanks very much and welcome. I've made some changes to my radios and antennas since this vid. I need to do an update. Cheers!
So, have you tried cw? I am able to isolate distant cw signals much easier than sideband.
I do CW frequently. We have a local CW net here that's a lot of fun. Back when I got my license, CW was a requirement.
Aloha from Hawaii Tim. I have decided to get more serious and just passed my Extra exam last night, so hopefully I will catch you on the air out there one of these days.
Congratulations!
@@TimKreitzAdventures thanks
I like simplicity.. keep up with Ham Radio. Its most rewarding. I am just getting into it. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure.
Im gonna try for my Tech license on Monday. Great video good stuff!
Good luck!
I’m also a ham radio operator KG5ROR
73 de W5GFO. :)
Nice set up. Good seeing other ham stations. I like 17m as it's not as hectic as 20m.
Getting back into it after about 8 years of only using 2m and 60m by no fault of mine.
Broadband internet interference wiped out everything from 160m to 20m, S8 noise except 60m. It cleared up when they went from copper wire to fibre on January 9th.
Nothing above 5 Watts, FT817ND, my h/b ssb and cw tcvr, Pixie on 60m, TW TopBander am/cw and a 1944 Wireless 19 Set on cw. Attic 20m to 10m dipoles, outdoor inverted vee for 60m and a 2 el collinear for 2m, all h/b.
Mainly on 17m and 10m just now and getting into Europe, EA, SP, with IT and LZ ssb (1400 miles) and cw 5 Watts and 1 Watt cw to LZ and even SP with 0.5 Watt ssb. Must now get on the lower frequencies.
G4GHB.
thanks for the video. Very encouraging
My pleasure. Thanks for stopping by.
Hey man a tip for the owl, put it on a stick of rebar in a bush or something like a bush. Just barely above wind blows owl moves, move around to new places often. Sweet set up I like the tool box set up
Thanks for the tip!
@@TimKreitzAdventures your welcome!
Came here for the ham portion! The motorcycle was just an added bonus!
Glad you liked it. Cheers. :)
Serdeczne Pozdrowienia 73 od SP2JJ👍
VERY COOL STUFF
Thank ya, sir. :)
Readability, Signal, Tone.
Tone is not applicable to SSB phone.
Didn’t really need the motorcycle intro…
This is, among other things, a motorcycle channel.
Just took my Technician exam Sunday and got my call sign Tuesday. Great video! I've just got a Baofeng HT at the moment, but I am looking at getting into 10 meter. Your rig is great and you gave some great guidance. Thanks a lot!
I'm glad it helped and welcome to ham radio. BTW, I have three of those UV-5Rs. Those things are great.
I just got my technician and will take the general in a few weeks. I also got the cheap baofenf 5r and am trying to figure out a cheap way to set up a base where I can get in the HF frequencies. Any help is appreciated!
Well with my 10 meter I got a buddystick will try tomorrow
Oh, nice. I hope 10 meters gets good again soon. That's my favorite band when it is open.
Interesting to see the Midland water tower in the background?
Midland loves painting the town logo on the water towers. It's kind of a tradition in Texas towns.
yup
Indeed. :-D
For mobile work I use a little Xiegu G90 through a dipole or vertical and from here in UK had DX all over the world using CW running
What makes you think I don't know and use CW?
4:56 so much power my UA-cam closed itself
Hold it to your tongue for maximum effect. :-D
Nice video. Cool logbook!
Thanks, though I'm not using those paper logs anymore. LoTW FTW. ;)
Nice Motorcycles and ham radio.
Indeed!
👍👍👍👍👍
the cruising dialogue is very chill, i dig it
Much appreciated.
whats the price of this setup?
I no longer run this shack (I have since expanded it and moved it to a different location), but you can get into something similar for around $1,200. The biggest expense will be the tranceivers. Power supplies and tuners are pretty affordable, and building your own antennas is pretty economical, too.
Very cool, that answered a lot of questions I have as a new ham.
Hi my friend gret video. any advise on poles for chimmy pots? also can u give a full list of your set and links please.
Chimney mounts are readily available online. I'd do some shopping and see what best fits your particular architecture. My main radios are an FT-450, a TS-130S, and an ID-5100a. My amplifier is a FL-2100B. Sorry, no links. Some of this stuff is no longer made.
I take it you don't do many digital modes
Just getting into FT8 as of last week.
Cool deal. I have been looking to do some 10m ft8 until I get my general
What coax are u using ?
I don't have this shack setup anymore. My current shack runs LMR-400 and LMR-240.
@@TimKreitzAdventures thank you for responding and your knowledge.
😢😢 Poor old TS130s .love the post I the Antenna set up is pretty cool lots of people got back over here in the uk with the lock down .I still use all my old kenwood Eq .since the 90s Ts130s with the Vfo 120 and the Dfc 230 ( I am a bit of a kenwood nurd lo ) even have the Hc10 clock .ha ha I see you still have the ATU 73s and kind regards from over the pond" G6YRI QSL "ps every Italian cb comes complete with a 50kw liner lol
Hahaha! Thank you, my friend and 73 from Texas, de W5GFO.
nice looking setup. thanks for sharing
My pleasure. I need to do an update vid. It doesn't look like this anymore.
That Anytone 778UV VHF/UHF is great starter radio.
It died about a month after I shot this video. I replaced it with an Icom ID-5100a.
yep...I got a 60 dollar squid pole and 40 odd meters of wire as EFHW. I build kits and homebrew .....tis fun and now cheaper than ever!!! 73 VK2AOE.
For sure. 73.
Thanks for posting this! 73 de KJ5DVL