[Amateur-SIG] Possible Ham SIG Project

[Mark Erbaugh]

That's certainly an alternative.  That would require that the recipient be 
relatively local, which could be a good thing as it would allow the group to 
elmer the new ham.

As far as DARA, I was torn as whether to present this as a project for the 
SIG or to DARA.  I chose to present it to the SIG first because of DMA's 
involvement with OTAP.  If this doesn't turn out to be of interest to the 
SIG, I will present it to DARA.

73,
Mark

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Serra" <serrawl at gemair.com>
To: "Dayton Microcomputer Association's Amateur Radio / Computer SIG" 
<amateur-sig at dma.org>
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 11:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Amateur-SIG] Possible Ham SIG Project


> 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
>> _______________________________________________
>> Amateur-SIG mailing list
>> Amateur-SIG at dma.org
>> http://www.dma.org/mailman/listinfo/amateur-sig
>>
>>
>
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