K7AGE - Satellite and PSK31

I came across K7AGE's YouTube page when searching for PSK31 information. Not only does he have PSK31 information he has all sorts of cool things that gives you the inside view of running a contest, field day, shack tours, antennas, RTTY, etc. Take a look at it, it cost me a night of my life going through all his videos.

K7AGE YouTube Page
AO-51 Satellite Video, Success

FEMA 700 and 800

Okay, I will not lie, these are pretty long and repeat a lot of the same stuff. However, I was able to push through and get the other two tests completed that I wanted to finish. The FEMA 700 and 800.

FEMA Certifications

Another interest that I have found with Ham radio is the ability to help in a time of need. This has been a very big part of ham radios that I see besides contesting and doing the long distance DX stuff. Because of this I started taking the FEMA certifications, 100, 200, 700 and 800. I had some spare time yesterday so I was able to review and take the 100 & 200 certifications and pass. I'll try to do the 700 and 800 tests this week/weekend. See the Internet Links page for links to the FEMA site and materials for self study.

CW - International Morse Code

In the ham world international morse code has an acronym, CW. It stands for Continuous Wave. It has an amazing use in the low power world of QRP. I never thought in a million years that I would say this, but, I'm going to learn it. I started reading online, practicing online and found a CD from the ARRL that teaches it. I'll have to update you as I go along, but it will be interesting for sure.

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B r y o n

Custom Antenna and QRP

Ever since I got started in back in August I have been finding so many amazing aspects of this hobby. It is a geek haven with all sorts of activities, modes, equipment, custom built kits, etc. I have come to the realization that I cannot do it all. What I have really been interested in is custom antenna building, low power units called QRP and also PSK31. Even though I do not have a transceiver that will operate PSK31 at this point, I'll keep playing and learning. I'll get there.

Vanity Call Sign Requested

I have really been liking ham radio and all it has to offer. So today I decided I wanted a vanity call sign. After some searching I was able to find W7RIV and I have done all the required paperwork for that. It is in honor of my cute little geek daughter Morgenn. Who loved that I would pick RIV based on her name Rivver. Just a matter of 14 days and I should officially be W7RIV from West Jordan, Utah.

KF7RLK is Born!

I wanted to start briefly on how I got into Ham radios, I've been working on my Masters Thesis which is a paragliding wheelchair for people that are paralyzed. Hanging out with all of these guys I realized they were using ham radios when communicating. So because of that, I started looking into it. After that, I realized how great this is for emergency situations and how I wanted to help out in a time of need like that. So I started researching classes and realized that I didn't really want to sit for 8-12 hours to take the technician test. So, on the 25th of August 2011 I decided I was going self study for the ham test and take the test the following Tuesday on the 30th of August 2011. I'm impatient when I set my mind to something. I was able to pass my Technician and also my General exam that night and KF7RLK was born. I've started looking into the Extra exam as well, but I have been side tracked with finding the perfect handheld. I soon realized there are too many perfect handhelds and more and more equipment I need to have.

I would like to have a mobile unit that I could make into a portable base station, however with just buying my first handheld I need to hold off. I would also like to get into the other bands and start talking to others.