[Amateur-SIG] Possible Ham SIG Project

[Bill Serra]

Mark, et al:

Something we did in other groups in the past, was to keep a radio for 
"loan" to new hams who needed a temporary rig until, as you say, the 
"get their feet wet."

DARA had an active Explorer Post (73) and a treasury built by 
fundraisers.  We eventually bought a rig.
Perhaps DARA woud be interested in sponsoring an initiative like this. 
(I would suggest that we don't gift" radios but perhaps "rent" or at 
least take some sort of security deposit, and put a time limit on the 
loaned rig.)

Another thought - If they join DARA they can come out to th e B-Road 
site and try equipment when there are experienced folks on hand - 
several times per week.

Bill

Mark Erbaugh wrote:
> I have a suggestion for a possible Ham SIG project. While this is not 
> strictly computer related, I see this as something that could benefit 
> ham radio in general.
> 
> What I'd like to see is somthing similar to OTAP for older, but for 
> still usable ham radio gear.
> 
> As most of you should know OTAP is a project of DMA that recycles older 
> computers to provide computers for worthwhile individuals and 
> organizations. Actually, that's about my limit of knowledge about OTAP.
> 
> One of my concerns about the future of ham radio is the high cost of 
> entry, especially to HF operation. Here are some features that I think 
> need to be in an entry level HF radio.
> 
> 1) 100 watts output power (personally, I enjoy QRP, but I think that 
> should be done once the operator has made some contacts, otherwise they 
> may become disillusioned)
> 
> 2) Digital frequency readout.
> 
> 3) Solid state
> 
> 4) Able to be used for computer sound card based modes, such as PSK31 
> and SSTV. After a brief warmup period, the radio should not drift more 
> than a couple of Hz. Ideally, there should be a fixed level audio ouput.
> 
> 5) Decent sensitivity and selectivity.
> 
> Here are some features that would be nice, but not absolutely necessary 
> in an entry level rig.
> 
> 6) Built in CW keyer, possibly with memory.
> 
> 7) General coverage receiver - okay, this doesn't help ham operation, 
> but I think the ability to listen to other HF radio transmissions is a plus
> 
> 8) An automatic antenna tuner.
> 
> Looking at the current crop of new radios, the closest I can come to 
> these is the Icom 718 and that costs over $500. Add in $100 for a power 
> supply. If the new ham has trees, the antenna could be simple dipole, 
> but if not, figure another $100 or so for a vertical.
> 
> $600 - $700 is a lot of money, especially for a twenty-something who is 
> trying to get into ham radio while making car and house payments, and 
> especially for something that may or may not turn out to be an interest.
> 
> I think the radio manufacturers have forgotten this niche of the market 
> because it is relatively small, and it is small because, partly because 
> of the cost of entry.  The radio manufacturers seem to be concentrating 
> on the well off hams who have to have top level performance and can 
> shell out over $1,500 (and up to over $10,000) for a radio.
> 
> However, this can create an opportunity for recycling. When a ham buys a 
> new multi-megabuck transceiver, we might be able to get them to donate 
> their old rig, especially if they feel that it will help someone new to 
> the hobby.
> 
> Toward that end, I see a couple of things that we would need to do.
> 
> 1) agree that we are not doing this to make money
> 
> 2) agree not to skim off equipment for ourselves
> 
> 3) make sure that the recipients aren't abusing the system, by getting a 
> radio from us for little or no cost and then selling it.
> 
> 
> Would the group be interested in looking into the OTAP operation and 
> seeing if there are principles that could be applied to a ham radio 
> recycling project?
> 
> 73,
> Mark, N8ME
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> 
> 


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