| Author |
Message |
    
Alsworld
| | Posted on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 8:21 pm: | 
|
Well how do you like this? My brother got interested in CB radio over the Christmas Holidays as we talked skip from Texas. He was amazed at the DX, and after I returned to Florida, would phone me asking many questions about this hobby.
So......I ordered him a radio and antenna to get him started. Nothing fancy, a 100% legal 40 channel CB with sideband. He hooks it up yesterday and has a million questions which we use our free cell phone minutes to enjoy each others company.
Today, he is making contact with not only West Virgina, but Canada and then Australia!!! Hey, here I sit with my "big" base station, IMAX 2000 w/GPK sitting 65 ft in the air and the farthest I've talked to is Alaska. I am so jealous! It is a stock Midland 79-290 with a Wilson 1000 sitting on his pickup truck with no additional power.
Actually, I'm not really jealous but tremendously happy for him. My moral of the story...heck, who needs power? I used Karatebutchers method and sent him to a lake to try and shoot some skip. His contacts were made from good elevation on a Dam in the hill country. We are already working on a base antenna for him. Sorry, I bought him this setup, but he can buy his own base antenna LOL! 
He wants an all metal antenna so maybe a Sigma or Maco Alpha 5/8ths. If he's got the cash, may a I-10K?
Life is so cool!
Alsworld |
Karatebutcher
| | Posted on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 8:51 pm: |
|
Ok wait a minute, used my trick, let me think for a minute what else did I tell Alsworld, Oh no I hope he didn't tell him about the meter light. |
Buck
| | Posted on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 9:06 pm: |
|
Thats awsome Al.....What is his handle and where does he hang out??? I get quite a bit of Texas skip so I will listen for him. Please dont get him acting like Karatebutcher.....That fella is kind of shady...LOL I got to pick on you a little Karatebutcher |
ChillyDog
| | Posted on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 9:58 pm: |
|
Alsworld,
What a great gift you gave your brother!
His story is a fine testimonial for the reality of radio communication: conditions can permit incredible contacts with a minimum of power and equipment.
In fact, for many of us, the contacts that come from bare-bones QRP operation are the most satisfying. Skill and patience mean something. As I've said before; any idiot can buy the loudest station in the area, until a bigger idiot comes along!
Hope your brother continues to enjoy his new hobby!
Best Regards,
Bob |
XLAXX
| | Posted on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 10:03 pm: |
|
Alsworld-
Now that is a cool story! I love hearing barefoot tales about shooting skip,... you just have to be patient and in the right spot.
I think 'ole Bruce down in FLA and most real estate people would agree with this statement,...
'Location, location, location,...and a good antenna set-up of course'. hehehehehe
Bruce-(I wish, I was in FLA, its 17 degrees here in VA!!! burrrrrr cold)
XLAXX |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 10:40 pm: |
|
Not yet there Karatebutcher hehehe. Heck he's just getting started but who knows where innovation will take him? Maybe some day over some cold ones.
That meter light comment of yours a while back was a classic indeed. Hard to beat that one.
Headed west for a week....
Alsworld |
Karatebutcher
| | Posted on Sunday, January 12, 2003 - 10:09 am: |
|
Ok Buck, your turn is over, good to hear from you, Alsworld have a gppd trip, give us his numbers and we will try for him, |
Highlander
| | Posted on Sunday, January 12, 2003 - 2:38 pm: |
|
That is too cool. I figured that setup would work well, but WOW. |
Crafter
| | Posted on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 12:36 am: |
|
I get texas up here in oregon to, what freq is he running? I wish I could get my brother into radio my hats off to ya ALSWORLD.
Crafter |
707
| | Posted on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 10:58 am: |
|
A 79-290??? "Nothing Fancy"??? That's a danged nice radio! Good luck to your B.I.L. What part of Texas is he in? Lot's of us DXers out here in the Republic ;-) |
Taz
| | Posted on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 1:42 pm: |
|
good for him! |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 10:03 pm: |
|
Hey all,
calling out from a borrowed computer out here in California for the work week, unfortunately a long way from that Karatebutcher or else we would get together and I'd show him how to BBQ ! Ya know KB, you select the meat and cut it up and old Al here will cook it right for ya!
My brother is in Austin TX, going with the numbers 186 central Texas for now. The numbers may stick but he needed something to get on the air.
He is mainly monitoring 38LSB for skip now (27.385), and listening to the truckers (he lives near I-35) to learn some lingo. I printed much internet stuff such as 10 and Q codes for him to help understand what he hears but the wife mailed it only today. Hopefully he will check out all the frequencies as time goes on. I'm sure he listens at night, but weekend for sure as his work and family keeps him busy.
He is already getting some good books to learn (ARRL antenna book and such) so he is on the fast track to doing things well. He is starting radio later on in life as I did so I'm sure he will learn and build quickly.
Once he gets the internet at home (to him it's just never been important but coming soon FINALLY), I'll get him on this website. He's a great guy for sure.
Thanks for the positive responses. Most of our DXing over Christmas was done QRP and conditions were good to us on a very simple antenna rig. I guess I'm trying to set a good example. Hey, that's ONCE in a row I'm on a roll now hehehe
Alsworld |
Buck
| | Posted on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 10:47 pm: |
|
Alsworld and Karatebutcher In California at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!! Now that could get scary. Not sure Cali is big enough for the both of you. |
Karatebutcher
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 - 9:46 am: |
|
Don't worry Buck I am safe, Alsworld is from Texas and they have small BBQ there, he knows he is welcome,the wife cleaned the house real good, opened the north and south side windows, I would provide the road kill bbq,[fresh kill] I gave him my phone number,I better not hear of it on the womans bathroom walls, and actually it is only about a 5 and a half hour drive, I cleared it with the CHP and he can make good time, can you believe he is in Calif without a green card. |
Karatebutcher
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 - 10:19 am: |
|
Buck, you just remember your promise to Alsworld, Bruce, DX431 and karatebutcher, that when we get older we can move in with you and talk on your radio, I want a room with a view of the fields, not the shed out back,[ oh ], I was just guessing |
|
