Intro to Us Two Hams
K7VIQ and KD7PJW
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Us Two Hams
Us Two Hams
Paul K7VIQ: I have always liked HF radio from childhood when I had a HeathKit shortwave radio and MFJ key and HeathKit tone oscillator. I later got into CB which led to better radio access. Due to the language on CB and Friends that were into ham radio I started decided I wanted to get a licence, and finally did it when they removed code from the test requirement.
Kathy KD7PJW: I was first introduction to ham Radio was via shortwave Radio. I was awed at how these broadcast and ham ham stations could talk to each other from such distant places. When my future husband at the time "hinted" that he would like to see me get my ham license I was in full agreement and got my license.
My General Ham History Google doc TLDR Google doc
Here is my wall art including our certificates and QSL cards
Kilo Seven Viqtor India Quebec
I(Paul) love science, math, radio, space but being a slow learner with disabled memory I can do none of it to any scale past being wow that's cool. I had to become a ham by cramming for each level for a month. My interest in radio started as licensed CB user(KBPN-1418) and I went by 'Little John' (Paul means little and my middle name means John). I was rather discouraged by the language and lack of courtesy though and wished for an alternative. Ham radio was the ticket, although it was several years till I got around to studying for a license, and the code requirement was gone. I was first licensed as KB7VIQ on June 6, 1993 when the no-code technician was available. On March 14, 2007 my wife became KD7PJW and I (became K7VIQ) as we both took and passed the General exam together. We never were able to get real HF equipment at the time. My Brother Cecil (KB7ZXH) and I had a repeater for years but due to inactivity we took it down. After that we did not get on the air anymore for years due to local friends moving on from Ham radio.
My wife Kathy(KD7PJW) and I(K7VIQ) had dropped the ham radio hobby do to local disuse among local Friends, time, health, complexity and cost of it. The other VHF/UHF Friends in the area were KB7ZXH(My Brother Cecil), KB7SYB(Ryan-HF Active), Silent keys KB7IGZ(Chris) and LLoyd Sherwin(N7KLC). KB7VIY(Jeff-Former Ham).
Re-Upping Our Hobby
Re-Upping Our Hobby
My buddy Jay L. was wanting a ham radio license, so in order to support him I studied and took the Extra exam. Alas, he has not been able to spend the time to get a license yet. Without my buddy Jay though, I would have never even tried for the Extra. On March 30,2019 I took and passed the test to be an Extra Amateur. Yup, past a test to to prove I am an extra amateur at something.
After each exam I QUICKLY forgot it all but I met my challenge to meet each level. 🙂 I passed all three tests but I am extra amateurish. 🤯 If I had not been able to cram for these tests I would not have made becoming a Ham possible at any level. After a life since a child of having an interest in Morse code, I still have an interest in learning it.
I learned the character's from a code chart from our family "World Book Encyclopedia" that I spent hours memorizing as a child that my parent lovingly provided us kids. Of course my Non-code parents had no idea about how to learn code or they would have directed me correctly to learn by sound. A big life-time mistake of a youth that crippled my learning Morse code for life that I still have a debilitating time with. It may have been better if that chart was an old American Morse code chart, or better yet not even there. lol. A paragraph with that picture that said "for archaic reference only, Morse code MUST be learned by sound and not by sight" may have been helpful if it then explained why. Alas, I had no MC Elmer as a child, but I did I express continued interest in Morse code to my parents and they lovingly provided me with the Gordon West vinyl recordings, no doubt from goodwill used store where my Mom did a lot of shopping for us boys. Later on I acquired tapes to learn with but the damage was done. I eventually got ahold of a used MFJ style key and and a heathkit oscillator from our 'Goodwill store' so I could learn code further to get a licence, but the chart damage was done. I do not remember how I found out about Ham radio(perhaps from that same encyclopedia) but I could not earn a licence because I could not get far with the code recordings by sound. Eventually they removed the code requirement, I then studied for tech from a book from Radio Shack and then I arranged to get a licence that was advertised by 'Oregon Valley Radio Club' on a flyer on a Radio Shack window.
Truly learning code has been a life-long intermittent practice goal. I joined LICW in 2020 and I am currently practicing at 12 wpm and fighting to narrow the 7-8 Farnsworth spacing to extinction. It has been a slog to remove that processing time I need and to learn to get it by sound rather than that childish chart in my head. More on Paul and his Morse Code Challenges. Links: LinkTr.ee/K7VIQ
I am a Ham Radio operator in Eugene, OR. My first introduction to ham Radio was via shortwave Radio. I was awed at how these broadcasts and ham stations and people could talk to each other from such distant places. When my future husband at the time "hinted" that he would like to see me get my ham license I was in full agreement and loved the idea. Fourteen months after our marriage (on October 2, 1999), I took and passed my Tech License on December 26, 2001. Later, in March 14th 2007 my Husband(K7VIQ) and I (KD7PJW) both took and passed the General exam together.
Nov. 2020 - I have never had the time or wherewithal to get on the radio much but have always hope to be able to be available in case of emergency.
91 73's from KD7PJW QRZ.com listing
Kathy and I set up a basic station using our DMR VHF/UHF handhelds. I got my DMR ID: 3135605 for digital communications. It's not that easy, DMR has a steep learning curve and has been hard to keep our hotspot online. DMR Currently offline. Still not working yet as of 10/21/23, 8/20/2024
The closest DMR repeater in Oregon are all to the north from Salem up and are slated primarily for Emergency communications(ECOMM). Our best usage is a hot-spot connected to the internet. Here is our digital projects(blog).
Nov, 20, 2019 - To really get into HF communications we obtained an HF radio but have had a terrible time getting it to work.
Nov, 2020 - I started to try to learn Morse code again. with LICW
10/1/23 - A new hope. I was able to get a new NANOVNA NANOVNAH4 antenna analyzer. 10/6 - Antenna Analyzer was delivered. It will be a steep learning curve to use it.
10/21/23 - The isotron antenna not working yet as NanoVNA measures antenna as around 6.3(so 1:6.3?) and is way out of SWR limits and out of my learning curve to fix it.
12/17/2023 - I bought an EFHW-8010-LP from MyAntennas.com. I hope it gets me on the air with our IC-7300 that we bought Nov, 20, 2019 and have never effectively been able use.
Modes
Modes
VHF / UHF / Digital DMR
GMRS (WQYS231)
DMR 3135605- Pi MMDVM Hotspot w/ 2.4" Nextion screen, Anytone DMR Radio that worked for a while.
Here is some progress on our tech hobby projects(blog). Yup, we re-purposed our old Pi 2 powered car for the hotspot until it quite. I then purchased a MMVN. It quit working and is currently offline.
Our ham desk has a IC-7300 HF radio with an EFHW
Other Modes
Other Modes
GMRS - WQYS231 - 2 Handhelds for emergencies.
2 Anytone AT-D868UV DMR Digital Mobile Radio - Offline - We had 2 inexpensive hotspots 1 DOA and 1 that quit working. I bought a third but it is not working yet either.
CW, Morse Code My lifelong efforts to learn to use Morse code.
K7VIQ on Winlink - Only by appointment
EchoLink - Windows @ Mobile app - Only by appointment
Updated 5/15, 2023 - Aug 6, 2023 - Oct. 21, 2023
Equipment
Equipment
We Currently Own
We Currently Own
QRP-Labs QMX+ CW QRP Radio
2 - GMRS Motorola Talkabout T465 handhelds for emergencies - WQYS231
2 - 2m/70 cm Baofeng UV-82HP DMR HT's - DMR hotspot Offline
2 - AnyTone AT-D868UV Dual Band DMR Handhelds - DMR hotspot Offline
1- PI 2 wearing a stylish MMDVM hat(Non functional) and 1- MMDVM bridgecom box(Non functional) from bridgecomsystems.com - DMR hotspot Offline
I thought about getting a newer better hotspot but they are now ridiculously priced. $424.99
I did not pay this much for our Anytone Radios from them. Pi boards are ridiculously priced now.
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1- Signal handheld antenna, and a VHF/UHF car antenna.
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1 -ROHN H50 Telescopic Antenna Push Up TV Mast.
(I did not need a ridiculously expensive permit to put up the tri-beam tower that I was given and sits it the backyard)
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HF Isotron array on a 39ft Rohn mast slowly being set up as health and ability to figure it out allows.
As of December of 2023 the IC-7300 is also still unmatched to the isotron array. I am retiring it as it is to complicated for me to use. I will recycle the isotron array to make the Rohn H50 mast lighter to raise back up.
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My only hope to getting on the air was to purchase and install a simple MyAntennas.com 10-40M EFHW-LP. Even though it requires a long wire. I can lower and raise one from the ground. A 80M EFHW would fit on property but will be complicated by needing a dogleg. I recycled the isotron array to make the Rohn H50 mast lighter. This plan is likely rather optimistic considering my decades of being a ham but only having ONE HF QSO with local ham KB7SYB.
Have owned
Have owned
Kenwood 2m/70cm handheld(Gave to KD6RRR), Kenwood 2m/70cm(Gave to KB7ZXH My Brother Cecil), 12v PR25 Tripp Lite power supply(Gave to KB7ZXH My Brother Cecil), 2 Motorola M125LS and repeater controller rack(offline)(Gave to KB7ZXH My Brother Cecil), Old HF tube portable in a case(Gave to John N. (KF7WJL), Isotron Array.
My first & only QSO was to KB7SYB in 2006.
My eQSL Page I have had one occasion to make a contact to send one to. I hope to have the occasion again.
My first and only QSO was to KB7SYB in 2006. It was never verified so does not show up in my eQSL list. So technically I guess it never happened, But I will never forget it.
KB7SYB was my first and only 1(ONE) test exchange 1.25 miles (2km) away with an old Kenwood I had.
Mobile Ham Radio Items Paul has built:
Mobile Ham Radio Items Paul has built:
Some of my equipment are made of kits which I find pretty cool.
I want to use my mobile kit in the living room beside as a porch and Mobile kit. So I am planning to have a 20 ft. coax going outside to the porch to the same 33ft 20M EFHW antenna I can also use when I am on the porch.
Mobile power box - Solar panel, Charger, Lead acid battery, connection's
2 Plastic mobile twin paddles. Bought and assembled key paddle and a couple oscillators.
QRPGuys Mini 80m-10m No Tune End Fed Half Wave Antenna Kit I made along with LICW class. Have wire for it.
Kent Twin Paddle Key Did not buy the complete kit, Was cheaper just buying the individual parts I needed to build one.
Core Flute Wire Winders... - VK3BQ Found plans and made them. Printed, cut out & sanded 3/16 core plywood ant wire winder and painted blue. Have wire for it.
Mobile power box - Solar panel, Charger, Lead acid battery, connection's
2 Plastic mobile twin paddles. Bought and assembled key paddle and a couple oscillators.
QRP guys kit. 1 of 2 oscillators I have built
QRPGuys Mini 80m-10m No Tune End Fed Half Wave Antenna Kit I made along with LICW class.
I have wire for it.
Core Ply Wire Winder Found pattern and printed, cut out of 3/16 core plywood, sanded a wire winder and painted blue. Have wire for it.
A Radio?, eh, details. Just a future piece of the kit that I may not build.
Emergency Preparation
Emergency Preparation
Oct 12, 17 - Besides ham radio, GMRS is also useful in emergencies and perhaps for us, even more as it's also more useful for our family's general mobile radio usage. We have a set of Motorola Talkabout GMRS radios. Our old FRS radios can be can be satisfactory loaners to others. There have also been others in the congregation that have already have or are talking about using GMRS in emergency situations.
After restructuring our emergency Go-packs and due to the desire to also have a couple HT's available in case of an emergency so we decided to purchase a couple Baofeng UV-82HP radio for all their good reviews and cost effectiveness to fit our tight budget. We have since purchased a couple Anytone DMR radios. We plan to make sure we are familiar with them in case of emergency. Other local hams are KB7ZXH(Cecil A.), Ryan W. (KB7SYB) and John N. (KF7WJL).
Our GMRS Family Radio Call - WQYS231
Our GMRS Family Radio Call - WQYS231
Whisky Quebec Yankee Sierra Two Three One
While renewing my HAM license(K7VIQ), I signed up for a General Mobile Radio Service license for the family. I know it is not HAM radio, but the whole family can operate under one GMRS call with no skill learning required from non-HAM family members. For 5 family members it comes to $14 for each of us. We look forward to having others to talk on radios again, especially when it includes family and for emergency usage.
K7VIQ and Morse Code
From childhood I have continued off and on during my lifetime to continue try to learn morse code and tha held me back from becoming a ham operator. Since 2019 I have pressed on more regularly with learning Morse code using Long Island CW club online course methods to become a 'Know code ham', or an Amatuer Extra +Code. In the end knowing code is a skill to use ham radios oldest mode. I am now practicing at 16/8 training for short QSO's using Morsecode world QSO trainer. I have had hard time weaning myself off Farnsworth some days more than others. Even if I have a problem learning it, I consider each small step a success and keep at it.
K7VIQ Learning CW These pages chronicle my latest efforts to learn Morse code since Dec 2019.
LICW Club Page 1 Study History
CW And My Keys My keys and equipment to use upon success to learn code.
91 73's K7VIQ@Allens.Place. Here is my QRZ.com listing.
Here are a few old photos of the hobby we shared together pre 2018
Here are a few old photos of the hobby we shared together pre 2018
We used to have this antenna pole that was 26 ft tall +9 ft extension (34ft) but fell in a Nov. storm of 2018.
We have set up new station with a new telescoping TV mast and a Multiband Isotron antenna after many years of no HF and look forward to having a Rendezvous on ECERN with our Friends on HF the modes(HF and Winlink) when we get it working, as well as VHF/UHF DMR.
More updated information on our Us 2 Hams on HF page:
Us 2 hams on HF getting back on HF.
Updated Dec. 26, 2019
Old cross band in bed room before married. Cecil(KB7ZXH) had the input side.
Our cross band repeater used two dual band Kenwoods before I was married. I believe my Brother may have these mothballed in storage.
A repeater we used to have us local Friends used after the previous cross band setup we had. We took it down due to low use. irony it the repeater that obtained the freq is less used. It is now mothballed at cecil's as he hangs on to old equipment.
What is a ham to do.
Ah the good old days when I could climb. Our old antenna pole local ham Friends use for our 147.36 T77 repeater. Rotted an fell in 1018 storm. Needs replaced with a used 34.5 ft. + rotator and upper pole.alum. tilt down we have on property.
Since fell in the Nov. 2018 wind storm. Was not being used since we took repeater down anyway.
A collection pf cards we made when we were hoping to get on HF. All information subject to being out of date.
Our old Cross-band repeater in an older location well before I was married. The other half was at my Brother Cecil's(KB7ZXH) when he was living at Dad's on Minnesota off Barger.
My old Dual band TH-78A Kenwood HT(Gave to KD6RRR).
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