N3VIR - MY HAM LOG

My Ham Log

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In this page, you will see a chronological list of events which I deem appropriate to share with you surrounding my experiences with Amateur Radio.  As I travel extensively, I try very hard to jot down the various folks and/or groups of fellow HAMs I've met along the way.  I also list the dates when I purchased equipment related to the hobby.

  07/20/2009 - Purchased the Technician Class study guide from Gordon West.

  07/21/2009 - Received information about testing near my home for September 12, 2009.

  08/15/2009 - I could not wait until September 12th to take the test. I found another location at an earlier date. So I took the Technician Class test and passed! I applied for my ham license immediately after the test.

  08/18/2009 - Registered for my FRN number at the FCC web site.

  08/18/2009 - License granted by the FCC with the call letters: KJ4OMO.

  09/04/2009 - Decided to build a Droopy Groundplane 2 meter antenna for the house.

  09/05/2009 - Shopped for the necessary items required to build the 2M antenna.

  09/05/2009 - Began building the 2M antenna. Came to a dead stop! My wife had my car for the day and my soldering iron was in the trunk inside my travel bag with all my tools! :-( I had to wait until she returned home.

  09/06/2009 - Soldered the vertical element to the antenna and decided on a different mounting design instead of using 30 feet of 3/4" conduit to raise the antenna above the roof line.

  09/06/2009 - I finished building the "Droopy Groundplane" antenna and tested it from the ground level.

  09/06/2009 - Vanity call sign applied for: W1NGM.

  09/06/2009 - Just before nightfall, I mounted the antenna above the crest of the highest roof line of my house.

  09/06/2009 - Made contact with Rick (W1CRM) and we were able to exchange a few repeater sites to add to my HT as well as testing the antenna's capabilities. It seems to be performing well! Special thanks to Rick for the initial test! :-)

  09/07/2009 - I began authoring the contents for my personal web site: http://nevir.us.

  09/07/2009 - I participated in the weekly ARES Net Meeting for Walton County, GA. - 14 people checked in. We also had the opportunity to see the ISS w/Shuttle fly by overhead! While that ocurred, a satellite passed by in the opposite direction.

  09/08/2009 - While in Atlanta, I visited HRO and asked for the Yaesu Warranty Repair contact information as a favor to my fellow co-worker and also a ham operator Stan (KA9FJD). Stan has a mobile rig with a missing part and he wanted to order the part from Yaesu direct. Here's the information given to me (keep in mind that this information may become obsolete):

YEASU-RETURN AUTHORIZATION
PATRICIA MENDEZ
WARRANTY REPAIR
(877) 827-8400 ext. 2277

  As I spoke with Marsha (N8FE) around 16:45, she invited me to participate in their monthly meeting at 19:30 at a local school in Hazel Park, MI, and I did! I met several folks there and it was a great experience. Their club's website is http://hparc.org. 09/09/2009 - I traveled to Detroit, MI, to do a job and tuned into the Oak Park repeater just Southwest of Warren, MI. I made several contacts on this repeater, including Robin (KG8V), Mark (KB8IJL), Chris (N8WTL), Marsha (N8FE) and her husband, if I remember correctly, John (N8QJ). If I did not record their names and/or call letters correctly, please let me know! :-)

  09/19/2009 - I traveled to Logan International Airport in Boston, MA - USA. Soon after I obtained my rental vehicle, I placed my magnetic mount antenna and tuned in to 146.9550MHz, (-) offset, and PL of 74.4Hz. This appears to be the Westford, MA, repeater just Northwest of Boston. I gave my call letters and before I knew it, I was being guided to my destination near Nashua, NH, by a group of hams! While I was introducing myself to those on the frequency, I learned that they were having an "ice cream" meet at Gary's Ice Cream. Once I was done with my work I was able to meet some of the local Hams in this area. Such a friendly crowd! I really enjoyed the group and even met Gary himself, the owner.

I made a fundamentally profound decision at this time and decided to use "Joe" as my handle as some folks were having trouble remembering my first name. So, with that, my "on the air" handle will be simply: "Joe". I noticed that many hams do the same, so I'll join that club as well...

  09/26/2009 - Vanity call sign W1NGM granted by the FCC - No more KJ4OMO! :-)

  10/17/2009 - At 07:15 Eastern Time, I participated in a local "Breakfast Net" and met several folks there: Bob (WB9VGO), Pedro (W9GBM), and possibly (WB9FEA). I also learned that they were having a weekly Net at 21:00 on this same frequency and I was invited to join. I do not recall the repeater's settings, but I do remember being connected to the Taylorville repeater in the Chicago, IL, area at that time. I also believe I met with KW7A briefly as well. He pointed me to http://W9DUP.org.

  10/20/2009 - I visited HRO in Atlanta, GA, and procured the following items for a total of $147.45, including tax:

1.- One SMA-24 by NCG (2M/440 flexible 17" antenna).
2.- One MJF-812B by MFJ (VHF SWR/Wattmeter).
3.- One CXP08XC3 Cable (3 foot RG8X cable w/PL259).
4.- EX-107RBNMO by Maldol (2M/440 Mobile Antenna).

  10/22/2009 - Around high noon, I was in the Warren, MI, area and I tuned into 146.760MHz (-), and 100Hz PL. I made contact with KD8IPN and he pointed me to http://mi-drg.org, which is his local club's page, for a packet radio to look at and possibly consider procuring along with his local club's information.

  10/24/2009 - At 10:30 Eastern Time, I visited a local ham swap meet just North of 14 Mile Road and Maple Street. I paid $5 to enter plus I procured a couple of adapters (one BNC female to SMA male and one PL259 female to BNC male) for $8.50 for my Yaesu/Vertex VX-150 HT as well as a telescoping 1/2 wave antenna for $20.00. Not bad for $33.50! :-) Now I can REALLY talk on the HT while on foot!!!

  10/26/2009 - Around 08:00 Eastern Time, I met with Carlo (VA3CSS) at a Tim Horton's just after crossing the bridge just South of Detroit into Windsor, ON. We spoke for a short bit as we had breakfast and had an enjoyable conversation! I donated $10 Canadian to a raffle for a netbook for Christmas and he offerred to obtain two tickets for me. I made my way to St. Catharines, ON, and checked in to the hotel I normally stay when visiting this area. As I traveled by car, I contacted Andy (VA3HJ) once I was in range of the Simcoe, ON, repeater. We ragchewed about his issues with Evolution email under his SUSE Linux installation. I gave him some suggestions to pursue in the hopes that he can resolve his inbox issues.

This repeater is located straight across the lake from St. Catharines, ON, about 40 km North from where I was in the hotel's parking lot. Derrick (VA3DDL) was the Net Control. Check-ins were taken as well as reading their weekly local bulletin with various topics, including a great idea ,at least for me, and is something they appear to do every year. The idea is to patrol certain areas while the kids are trick-or-treating in their closeby neighborhoods! They were asking for volunteer hams to conduct the patrols. I was invited as well to participate in their Tuesday evening Net in Hamilton, ON, at 19:30 as well. I was given three Hamilton repeater frequencies while participating on this Net:

1.- 147.345, no PL.
2.- 147.240, no PL.
3.- 147.300, no PL.

  10/26/2009 - At 19:30 Eastern Time, I participated in a local radio Net at the Oakville, ON, repeater: 147.345 (+), no PL tone.

They covered about the same content they did the night before on the Oakville repeater as well as asking for volunteers for the Haloween patrol in and around the town of Milton (a town just NW of Oakville, ON). Peter (VA3PRE) was the Net Control. Check-ins were taken as well as reading their weekly local bulletin with various topics.

  10/27/2009 - At 19:30 Eastern Time, I participated in a local radio Net at the Hamilton, ON, repeater: 147.345 (+), no PL tone.

Last Updated: July 10,2010
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	My Ham Log
	ABOUT THE HOBBY APRS HOME RESOURCES HOWTO PROJECTS FOLLOWING FOR SALE CONTACT		In this page, you will see a chronological list of events which I deem appropriate to share with you surrounding my experiences with Amateur Radio. As I travel extensively, I try very hard to jot down the various folks and/or groups of fellow HAMs I've met along the way. I also list the dates when I purchased equipment related to the hobby. 07/20/2009 - Purchased the Technician Class study guide from Gordon West. 07/21/2009 - Received information about testing near my home for September 12, 2009. 08/15/2009 - I could not wait until September 12th to take the test. I found another location at an earlier date. So I took the Technician Class test and passed! I applied for my ham license immediately after the test. 08/18/2009 - Registered for my FRN number at the FCC web site. 08/18/2009 - License granted by the FCC with the call letters: KJ4OMO. 09/04/2009 - Decided to build a Droopy Groundplane 2 meter antenna for the house. 09/05/2009 - Shopped for the necessary items required to build the 2M antenna. 09/05/2009 - Began building the 2M antenna. Came to a dead stop! My wife had my car for the day and my soldering iron was in the trunk inside my travel bag with all my tools! :-( I had to wait until she returned home. 09/06/2009 - Soldered the vertical element to the antenna and decided on a different mounting design instead of using 30 feet of 3/4" conduit to raise the antenna above the roof line. 09/06/2009 - I finished building the "Droopy Groundplane" antenna and tested it from the ground level. 09/06/2009 - Vanity call sign applied for: W1NGM. 09/06/2009 - Just before nightfall, I mounted the antenna above the crest of the highest roof line of my house. 09/06/2009 - Made contact with Rick (W1CRM) and we were able to exchange a few repeater sites to add to my HT as well as testing the antenna's capabilities. It seems to be performing well! Special thanks to Rick for the initial test! :-) 09/07/2009 - I began authoring the contents for my personal web site: http://nevir.us. 09/07/2009 - I participated in the weekly ARES Net Meeting for Walton County, GA. - 14 people checked in. We also had the opportunity to see the ISS w/Shuttle fly by overhead! While that ocurred, a satellite passed by in the opposite direction. 09/08/2009 - While in Atlanta, I visited HRO and asked for the Yaesu Warranty Repair contact information as a favor to my fellow co-worker and also a ham operator Stan (KA9FJD). Stan has a mobile rig with a missing part and he wanted to order the part from Yaesu direct. Here's the information given to me (keep in mind that this information may become obsolete): YEASU-RETURN AUTHORIZATION PATRICIA MENDEZ WARRANTY REPAIR (877) 827-8400 ext. 2277 As I spoke with Marsha (N8FE) around 16:45, she invited me to participate in their monthly meeting at 19:30 at a local school in Hazel Park, MI, and I did! I met several folks there and it was a great experience. Their club's website is http://hparc.org. 09/09/2009 - I traveled to Detroit, MI, to do a job and tuned into the Oak Park repeater just Southwest of Warren, MI. I made several contacts on this repeater, including Robin (KG8V), Mark (KB8IJL), Chris (N8WTL), Marsha (N8FE) and her husband, if I remember correctly, John (N8QJ). If I did not record their names and/or call letters correctly, please let me know! :-) 09/19/2009 - I traveled to Logan International Airport in Boston, MA - USA. Soon after I obtained my rental vehicle, I placed my magnetic mount antenna and tuned in to 146.9550MHz, (-) offset, and PL of 74.4Hz. This appears to be the Westford, MA, repeater just Northwest of Boston. I gave my call letters and before I knew it, I was being guided to my destination near Nashua, NH, by a group of hams! While I was introducing myself to those on the frequency, I learned that they were having an "ice cream" meet at Gary's Ice Cream. Once I was done with my work I was able to meet some of the local Hams in this area. Such a friendly crowd! I really enjoyed the group and even met Gary himself, the owner. I made a fundamentally profound decision at this time and decided to use "Joe" as my handle as some folks were having trouble remembering my first name. So, with that, my "on the air" handle will be simply: "Joe". I noticed that many hams do the same, so I'll join that club as well... 09/26/2009 - Vanity call sign W1NGM granted by the FCC - No more KJ4OMO! :-) 10/17/2009 - At 07:15 Eastern Time, I participated in a local "Breakfast Net" and met several folks there: Bob (WB9VGO), Pedro (W9GBM), and possibly (WB9FEA). I also learned that they were having a weekly Net at 21:00 on this same frequency and I was invited to join. I do not recall the repeater's settings, but I do remember being connected to the Taylorville repeater in the Chicago, IL, area at that time. I also believe I met with KW7A briefly as well. He pointed me to http://W9DUP.org. 10/20/2009 - I visited HRO in Atlanta, GA, and procured the following items for a total of $147.45, including tax: 1.- One SMA-24 by NCG (2M/440 flexible 17" antenna). 2.- One MJF-812B by MFJ (VHF SWR/Wattmeter). 3.- One CXP08XC3 Cable (3 foot RG8X cable w/PL259). 4.- EX-107RBNMO by Maldol (2M/440 Mobile Antenna). 10/22/2009 - Around high noon, I was in the Warren, MI, area and I tuned into 146.760MHz (-), and 100Hz PL. I made contact with KD8IPN and he pointed me to http://mi-drg.org, which is his local club's page, for a packet radio to look at and possibly consider procuring along with his local club's information. 10/24/2009 - At 10:30 Eastern Time, I visited a local ham swap meet just North of 14 Mile Road and Maple Street. I paid $5 to enter plus I procured a couple of adapters (one BNC female to SMA male and one PL259 female to BNC male) for $8.50 for my Yaesu/Vertex VX-150 HT as well as a telescoping 1/2 wave antenna for $20.00. Not bad for $33.50! :-) Now I can REALLY talk on the HT while on foot!!! 10/26/2009 - Around 08:00 Eastern Time, I met with Carlo (VA3CSS) at a Tim Horton's just after crossing the bridge just South of Detroit into Windsor, ON. We spoke for a short bit as we had breakfast and had an enjoyable conversation! I donated $10 Canadian to a raffle for a netbook for Christmas and he offerred to obtain two tickets for me. I made my way to St. Catharines, ON, and checked in to the hotel I normally stay when visiting this area. As I traveled by car, I contacted Andy (VA3HJ) once I was in range of the Simcoe, ON, repeater. We ragchewed about his issues with Evolution email under his SUSE Linux installation. I gave him some suggestions to pursue in the hopes that he can resolve his inbox issues. This repeater is located straight across the lake from St. Catharines, ON, about 40 km North from where I was in the hotel's parking lot. Derrick (VA3DDL) was the Net Control. Check-ins were taken as well as reading their weekly local bulletin with various topics, including a great idea ,at least for me, and is something they appear to do every year. The idea is to patrol certain areas while the kids are trick-or-treating in their closeby neighborhoods! They were asking for volunteer hams to conduct the patrols. I was invited as well to participate in their Tuesday evening Net in Hamilton, ON, at 19:30 as well. I was given three Hamilton repeater frequencies while participating on this Net: 1.- 147.345, no PL. 2.- 147.240, no PL. 3.- 147.300, no PL. 10/26/2009 - At 19:30 Eastern Time, I participated in a local radio Net at the Oakville, ON, repeater: 147.345 (+), no PL tone. They covered about the same content they did the night before on the Oakville repeater as well as asking for volunteers for the Haloween patrol in and around the town of Milton (a town just NW of Oakville, ON). Peter (VA3PRE) was the Net Control. Check-ins were taken as well as reading their weekly local bulletin with various topics. 10/27/2009 - At 19:30 Eastern Time, I participated in a local radio Net at the Hamilton, ON, repeater: 147.345 (+), no PL tone.
	Last Updated: July 10,2010		Page Top