Is anyone else a ham?

[mark s]

Just curious.

KD0ZGW

[Ken Lago]

??????

[mikedean]

I had to google it. I had a hunch, and was right.

I am not. Is this still a thing, Mark?

[mark s]

"Is it still a thing?"

Absolutely. Approx. 800,000 hams in the US and many million more worldwide. Hobby has definitely evolved and, given the "geek" nature of the typical ham operator, PC and internet based technology has been intertwined with the hobby in many profound ways. Hams do significant public service activities which include communication services for major public events and post catastrophe recovery. Teams of hams were going to Puerto Rico for months to provide comms for cops, hospitals, ambulances, etc. ALso did comms after Katrina and Hurr Sandy. I listened in on the recovery comms after the earthquake in NEPAL in 2015. US Meterological service has a service called "Skywarn" that sends out spotters for severe weather. Spotters are often hams and ham clubs run the activity when initiated by the US weather service.

You can still talk around the world with a $350 radio and a wire antenna in a tree. No longer any morse code requirement. Hams actually invented texting a couple of decades before it became available on your phone. I talked to Japan this morning and England just after noon.

Great hobby and I don't expect it'll ever get boring.

Mark S. (KD0ZGW)

[Alex V.]

I know my morse code but it is hard to find people to practice with.

[Dave.Scott]

I am a Ham, just don't have the radio..........

[mark s]

"I know my morse code but it is hard to find people to practice with."

Get a radio. Lots and lots of hams ready to have exchanges in code. For technical reasons a morse code signal is approximately 10 times as powerful (ERP - effective radiated power) at a given transmitter power compared to a voice signal so communication, particularly long distance, is much more easily accomplished. Min capability is 5 words per minute which was the requirement for a license back in the day.

[Omni Cubed Larry]

No, but I want to be. I've been looking into it for me and my young daughters to learn.
You don't need the morse code part any more which removes that hurdle.

[PietraNaturaleinc.]

Sure am! KC8ZUX not as active last couple of years but still receive QRZ. Am also lucky enough to live close to Dayton for the Hamvention.

[mark s]

Larry, check out "Ham test on line", a programmed learning tool. Was very effective for me.

Mark S

[Omni Cubed Larry]

Got my radios before the new FCC restrictions Oct 1st.
When they come in, I'll program them and just listen to local repeaters, while I study.
I'll look for that "Ham test on line" you mentioned. Thanks!

[mark s]

Larry; did u ever get a license? Propagation is finally improving as the solar activity increases after 5 long years of minimal levels.