Calling Amateur Radio Operators
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For the naysayers, yes amateur radio still exists and it is doing well. Are there any amateur radio operators here? If there are, are any doing any embedded work with the microFramework (hardware/software) or writing any high level code specifically for amateur radio (such as digital modes or antenna and electronics design)?
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
I had my computers all networked via 2m and 70 cm back in about 1984 or so. I also played with all the digital modes for a few years, but I haven't done much radio related software lately, because I've been too busy with real work. Most of my on-the-air time these days is operating manual CW or operating my rig remotely for the digital modes. The last radio related software I did was some digital signal generations stuff and a log checking program for the WFD and WWSA contests. 73 de W5ALT
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
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For the naysayers, yes amateur radio still exists and it is doing well. Are there any amateur radio operators here? If there are, are any doing any embedded work with the microFramework (hardware/software) or writing any high level code specifically for amateur radio (such as digital modes or antenna and electronics design)?
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
VE6BIO here. I do lots of embedded work, but nothing to do with ham radio. :( I wonder if there are any other Canucks here who have one of the Canadian Digital service certificates? We seem to be a pretty small group. The Digital certificate was no code, restricted to 2 metres and above. If I remember right, Canadians got this kind of certification long before the Americans. I did use 2-metre voice for a few years, but my digital comms projects came to naught -- even back then, I didn't have the time to put into my hobbies that I'd have liked. Just for kicks, I got grandfathered into full-service certification some years ago -- I don't think I'd trust myself to operate a kilowatt HF rig, though. 73!
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I had my computers all networked via 2m and 70 cm back in about 1984 or so. I also played with all the digital modes for a few years, but I haven't done much radio related software lately, because I've been too busy with real work. Most of my on-the-air time these days is operating manual CW or operating my rig remotely for the digital modes. The last radio related software I did was some digital signal generations stuff and a log checking program for the WFD and WWSA contests. 73 de W5ALT
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
You're call sounds really familiar...I'll check my log but I may have worked you on PSK31. Neat stuff though.
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
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You're call sounds really familiar...I'll check my log but I may have worked you on PSK31. Neat stuff though.
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
What is your call? I spent about 8 years operating as YV1/W5ALT, also as /CP5 and /XE1 -- perhaps we worked then. The last year or so, I've mainly spent around the SKCC frequencies.
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
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VE6BIO here. I do lots of embedded work, but nothing to do with ham radio. :( I wonder if there are any other Canucks here who have one of the Canadian Digital service certificates? We seem to be a pretty small group. The Digital certificate was no code, restricted to 2 metres and above. If I remember right, Canadians got this kind of certification long before the Americans. I did use 2-metre voice for a few years, but my digital comms projects came to naught -- even back then, I didn't have the time to put into my hobbies that I'd have liked. Just for kicks, I got grandfathered into full-service certification some years ago -- I don't think I'd trust myself to operate a kilowatt HF rig, though. 73!
I've been looking at the microFramework for embedded work with C# and using the hardware to control DDS and other aspects of transmission and reception of SDR stuff. The development hardware is sweet and not too expensive. What do you do most of your embedded stuff in? BTW - An old microwave is about to give up its power transformer for a dual 4-400 gg amp I'm getting ready to build. That should be good for a K or so.
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
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I've been looking at the microFramework for embedded work with C# and using the hardware to control DDS and other aspects of transmission and reception of SDR stuff. The development hardware is sweet and not too expensive. What do you do most of your embedded stuff in? BTW - An old microwave is about to give up its power transformer for a dual 4-400 gg amp I'm getting ready to build. That should be good for a K or so.
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
These days I mostly develop in C for Microchip PIC MCUs. I do a fair amount of desktop development as well, which is almost all done with C++Builder. As time permits, I'm looking into the new Cortex-M3 MCUs -- I have a cool little development system here I haven't had much time to play with, the STM32 Primer 2[^]. Out of the box it has some impressive little demo apps. I'm old enough to remember when the only readily available source of big(ish) transformers was old console colour TVs -- microwaves barely existed back then. :laugh:
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I think online forums are the new amateur radio. You get to connect with random people over long distances and chit chat about nothing in particular. Over.
More like a CB radio.
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Sweet there are some out here!!!! KD8HJA here. Was originally licensed in 1978 but let the license lapse and got relicensed in 2007. Have been getting into software defined radio of late with the Softrock kits. There's lots going on with PowerSDR (open source) and have started building my own synthesized 6m rig. Well it's nice to meet you and maybe we'll qso sometime. Love 6m, 17m and 30m (PSK31) if you happen to get on those bands. 73
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
t8r wrote:
Well it's nice to meet you and maybe we'll qso sometime.
Not a ham operator, but an ex-millitary operator. It's been about fifteen years since I saw any Q Code anywhere.
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I think online forums are the new amateur radio. You get to connect with random people over long distances and chit chat about nothing in particular. Over.
When I was getting interested in amateur radio, a colleague attempted discouragement by telling me the internet (back in 95 the internet was still the domain of geekery, not an established way of life) was the new comms platorm, but even then it struck me that we are all using somebody else wire, where with radio the communication is essentially between interested parties only, using the sender's exclusively own signal.
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For the naysayers, yes amateur radio still exists and it is doing well. Are there any amateur radio operators here? If there are, are any doing any embedded work with the microFramework (hardware/software) or writing any high level code specifically for amateur radio (such as digital modes or antenna and electronics design)?
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
WK5M here. First licensed in 1962 and maintain my license, but have been inactive for quite some time. I used to be very active in the digital modes, participating in the RTTY Roundup for may consecutive years and doing well in that. From 1988 until 1996 I was the Service Manager at Kantronics, and also one of the co-inventors of G-TOR. I was there when we developed the KPC-3 and the Kam+. I remember our first on-line test of G-TOR was from the Kantronics plant to another individual in New York on New Year's Day. That was really fun. Also ran a W0RLI BBS system on 2m and 70cm, first in Houston in the mid 80's and then in Kansas while I was there. I was also the digital coordinator for the state of Kansas. I do think that the internet had a significant impact on the digital ham radio world, as we saw sales drop significantly (as did our competitors) during the internet surge. My wife also is a ham, and wrote the book "What Is Your TNC Doing?" back when we were in Kansas. It's good to see so many other hams on these forums.
Karl - WK5M PP-ASEL-IA (N43CS) PGP Key: 0xDB02E193 PGP Key Fingerprint: 8F06 5A2E 2735 892B 821C 871A 0411 94EA DB02 E193
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WK5M here. First licensed in 1962 and maintain my license, but have been inactive for quite some time. I used to be very active in the digital modes, participating in the RTTY Roundup for may consecutive years and doing well in that. From 1988 until 1996 I was the Service Manager at Kantronics, and also one of the co-inventors of G-TOR. I was there when we developed the KPC-3 and the Kam+. I remember our first on-line test of G-TOR was from the Kantronics plant to another individual in New York on New Year's Day. That was really fun. Also ran a W0RLI BBS system on 2m and 70cm, first in Houston in the mid 80's and then in Kansas while I was there. I was also the digital coordinator for the state of Kansas. I do think that the internet had a significant impact on the digital ham radio world, as we saw sales drop significantly (as did our competitors) during the internet surge. My wife also is a ham, and wrote the book "What Is Your TNC Doing?" back when we were in Kansas. It's good to see so many other hams on these forums.
Karl - WK5M PP-ASEL-IA (N43CS) PGP Key: 0xDB02E193 PGP Key Fingerprint: 8F06 5A2E 2735 892B 821C 871A 0411 94EA DB02 E193
G8GFS here! The advent of mobile phones (replaced my /M operations), the banning of /AM, and the rise of instant messaging via MSN and similar (making it much easier to keep in contact with my immediate friends), combined with the increasing difficulty of getting a signal through all the digitial noise produced by PCs (including my own!) have all gradually eroded my interest in amateur radio - although I keep my licence going, I haven't done any operating for many a year, and no longer have any kit. Maybe when I retire... 8) Mike
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For the naysayers, yes amateur radio still exists and it is doing well. Are there any amateur radio operators here? If there are, are any doing any embedded work with the microFramework (hardware/software) or writing any high level code specifically for amateur radio (such as digital modes or antenna and electronics design)?
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
Sure. OZ8AGB here. Playing a bit with PIC's. Just built an LC Meter.
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I think online forums are the new amateur radio. You get to connect with random people over long distances and chit chat about nothing in particular. Over.
The reason this is false is that amateur radio is NOT just about talking to people over long distances. It is about about the technical craft of radio telecommunications which requires an understanding of radio theory, electronics, antenna design, and emergency communications. One of the main social benefits of the Amateur Radio Service is emergency telecommunications when all other systems and services are unavailable. Amateur radio played a HUGE role in assisting in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Tell me how the internet is going to make it possible for vicitims in a disaster area to communicate their needs and well-being to the outside world when there are no functional access points. This is one of the main reasons for the existence of amateur radio. Kind regards, Russ N3RUS
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For the naysayers, yes amateur radio still exists and it is doing well. Are there any amateur radio operators here? If there are, are any doing any embedded work with the microFramework (hardware/software) or writing any high level code specifically for amateur radio (such as digital modes or antenna and electronics design)?
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
VE2WRH here. I live in an apartment and my HF antenna is a hamstick on a balcony which limits my HF activity but 2M repeater is fine. An alternate for folk like me is internet amateur radio, eg CQ100. I know, many will say its not 'real' radio, but its fun and addictive. You also need to be licensed to use it so your contacts are all fellow hams. I made my living as a programmer for many years and I continue to write support programs for internet radio.
73
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For the naysayers, yes amateur radio still exists and it is doing well. Are there any amateur radio operators here? If there are, are any doing any embedded work with the microFramework (hardware/software) or writing any high level code specifically for amateur radio (such as digital modes or antenna and electronics design)?
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
VE6MRV here. My Flex5000A with PowerSDR, a big KLM Yagi & a QRO HF2500DX provides me with many exciting evenings when the band is open on the Long Path to far points on the globe. I can guarantee that my DX contacts, whether on SSB or on CW, have no counterpart in a stinking chat room. 73 /--When propagation is lousy, I play my guitar
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For the naysayers, yes amateur radio still exists and it is doing well. Are there any amateur radio operators here? If there are, are any doing any embedded work with the microFramework (hardware/software) or writing any high level code specifically for amateur radio (such as digital modes or antenna and electronics design)?
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
I only took national certification in 2005, passed it but haven't got money for licence. :( But thanks for reminding me about it, so I can try to gather money to get licence, and some radio.
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For the naysayers, yes amateur radio still exists and it is doing well. Are there any amateur radio operators here? If there are, are any doing any embedded work with the microFramework (hardware/software) or writing any high level code specifically for amateur radio (such as digital modes or antenna and electronics design)?
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
IZ8BLY here, but I'm no longer "active". In the past I pioneered soundcard-based digital modes, writing the first software for Hellschreiber and MT63. I also created two new digital modes that are still around on the air: MFSK16 and CHIP64. It was a lot of fun, but unfortunately it was very time-consuming. Sadly, writing database applications is more remunerative :( .
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For the naysayers, yes amateur radio still exists and it is doing well. Are there any amateur radio operators here? If there are, are any doing any embedded work with the microFramework (hardware/software) or writing any high level code specifically for amateur radio (such as digital modes or antenna and electronics design)?
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
AA1WW, Coop, here. I use PIC's but hobby stuff gets pushed to back burner. I have SJJmicro's $50 EDK for .NET MicroFramework and hope to fool around with that (also for work-related possibilities). I have some projects on hold I need to finish up: PIC+Keypad+LCD for a box w/ 2 AmQRP DDS boards, PIC for a classic PIC freq counter (box is ready; board half wired), and there's a bunch of PLL synthesizers I'd like to do and have as building blocks. Must be some neat audio DSP functions to implement with those dsPICs. Actually, I like fooling around with old tube circuits as much as the newer technologies. Coop, AA1WW
Jeff Cooper
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AA1WW, Coop, here. I use PIC's but hobby stuff gets pushed to back burner. I have SJJmicro's $50 EDK for .NET MicroFramework and hope to fool around with that (also for work-related possibilities). I have some projects on hold I need to finish up: PIC+Keypad+LCD for a box w/ 2 AmQRP DDS boards, PIC for a classic PIC freq counter (box is ready; board half wired), and there's a bunch of PLL synthesizers I'd like to do and have as building blocks. Must be some neat audio DSP functions to implement with those dsPICs. Actually, I like fooling around with old tube circuits as much as the newer technologies. Coop, AA1WW
Jeff Cooper
Awesome stuff. Yes the tube circuits are pretty cool. There's a resurgence of using tube amps amongst the audiophiles which is driving up the cost of what should be "cheap" tubes. I'd like to build a DDS exciter and hook that up to a conventional RX/TX strip made up with tubes. Have the synthesizer all DDS but the rest be tubes...that would be a neat project. I'll have to check into the SJJMicro EDK...that sounds neat! 73
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!
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IZ8BLY here, but I'm no longer "active". In the past I pioneered soundcard-based digital modes, writing the first software for Hellschreiber and MT63. I also created two new digital modes that are still around on the air: MFSK16 and CHIP64. It was a lot of fun, but unfortunately it was very time-consuming. Sadly, writing database applications is more remunerative :( .
That's really cool. I wondered where a lot of those digital mode applications got their start. It's interesting to see how some of those have taken off. I use PSK31 very frequently. Dude - you should become active again. At some point the sun will come back to life and I can work you on 6m! Yes...writing insurance software puts food on the table for me. I'd rather repair radios and build antennas but there's little to be made in that. Sigh. 73
Tate Antrim All around nice guy!