Connunications update following Polls:

[Paul]

I've been working with electronics and radio for over 40 years and still don't get it all.
It's a fascinating hobby which the old timer radio hams loved.
Now, all you need is a credit card and a TINY bit of training to become a ham.

It's no wonder there is such a conflict going on between the old timer hams and the "M" lot.

You know a lot of people knock CB but that's how a lot of hams started off.
Funny bit about it is when they get their "ticket", it must come with a little brainwashing program, as a lot of the ex-CB'ers soon start slagging off us old time CB breakers.

Someone on the forum mentioned once that CB isn't expandable. Not adventurous enough.
That's where ham radio comes in.

What they forgot was CB has a 'naughty' cousin called the Free Banders.
Working with modified CB or even ham sets, they wander round the HF bands (mainly 10 and 11m) chatting away right round the world.
Some of those folk know more than most hams have forgotten.
Only difference is they haven't sold their souls for a piece of paper.

There is a well known saying Free Banders use,
"There's a big spectrum out there".

Loads of interesting people, using every mode possible, mostly dead friendly and helpful, and for some reason the mortal enemy of the ham world.

Not that I'm biased though.

11Mike962 signing off, 10.10