Randall Schad wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

I've dealt with those also. The Extras I know here are pretty seasoned except for a few new ones we have in my club that did the "three steps
in one day:" route who are still getting experience.

I'm relatively new -- just got my ticket 3 years ago while I was off
work for an extended stretch due to surgery -- and this seems to be the norm. It's a "win" to pass all three exams in one sitting, or
something.

I did Tech and General to get started, then got my feet wet for a few months before upgrading to Extra. Even now, I'm still learning A LOT. Massive credit to the welcoming guys in the local club who keep us actively learning and honing skills.

I did tech with the intention of doing general for HF later, but went
ahead and did both the same day. My wife did tech only because her
interest is not 'talking' but doing weather. She likes to chase storms,
or at least used to... Lots of stormy water under the bridge - medical
issues now, with us and her mom, etc.

I am saving up to buy a Comet CHA-250HD "vertically-oriented dipole" HF antenna. It uses a big coil to eliminate the need for radials. It's $479--not cheap when you're on Social Security--but well worth it to get on HF easily.

That's what I'm looking to LATER after playing with the fan dipole I have now...

I found a template for a loading coil that I intend to print this
weekend. Wrap the coil around that template, wind up another 49:1 transformer, and hopefully have a vertical very similar to that Comet
to keep in the truck for mobile HF.

Interesting!!! Let us know how that goes!


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Daryl Stout wrote to Randall Schad <=-

I picked up a new 3D printer recently (only $200 or so), and
that's really opened up a whole new world. Printing little bits
and connectors and mounts and housings and what not.

I've known several hams who have 3D printers. John, WA8YXM, in
Davison, Michigan, created "Christmas ornaments" with a phrase he heard
me use (I saw it in a meme). There was a little kitten, typing a letter
to Santa at the keyboard...and it said simply "Dear Santa...Define Naughty" (hi hi). He said those things disappeared as if they were
dollar bills!!

I had access to a printer at work and did some gaming stuff on it...

We have a laser cutter at home and plan to make ornaments and other
things for Christmas gifts. I've already made some gaming stuff
(board games - Terraforming Mars, Catan, etc.)

I don't know of any HAM projects I could use it for...

Any ideas? :-)





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Jimmy,

We have a laser cutter at home and plan to make ornaments and
other things for Christmas gifts. I've already made some gaming
stuff (board games - Terraforming Mars, Catan, etc.)

I don't know of any HAM projects I could use it for...

Any ideas? :-)

Not offhand, sorry.

Daryl

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Daryl Stout wrote to jimmy anderson <=-

Jimmy,

We have a laser cutter at home and plan to make ornaments and
other things for Christmas gifts. I've already made some gaming
stuff (board games - Terraforming Mars, Catan, etc.)

I don't know of any HAM projects I could use it for...

Any ideas? :-)

Not offhand, sorry.

No worries! Just asking. :-)



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On 19 Nov 2025, jimmy anderson said the following...

I did tech with the intention of doing general for HF later, but went ahead and did both the same day. My wife did tech only because her interest is not 'talking' but doing weather. She likes to chase storms,
or at least used to... Lots of stormy water under the bridge - medical issues now, with us and her mom, etc.

This is almost exactly the situation with my wife. She love the weather/storm chasing aspect. (She's a huge Ryan Hall of Youtube fame fan as well.) She's had the study guides for nearly a year now. Refuses to let me help her learn. (She's an independent Millennial woman. Yeah, I robbed the cradle. LOL)

She did build a 3-element 2-meter Yagi out of tape measure and PVC for our Halloween fox hunt, though. Fantastic job of it. 1.04:1 SWR on the meter.

I found a template for a loading coil that I intend to print this
weekend. Wrap the coil around that template, wind up another
transformer, and hopefully have a vertical very similar to that Comet
to keep in the truck for mobile HF.

Interesting!!! Let us know how that goes!

Maaaaan, I need to get more routine about my BBS rounds. I'm sorry it's been nearly a month. ADHD or SADD or WTH or something.

I never did get around to printing that thing. I thought I didn't have the wire for the winding, but then while cleaning last night I found it. Someone needs to keep kicking me in the butt to stay on task. :)

73, my friend!
RS - WZ8Q

... Avoid arguments about the toilet seat... Use the sink.

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On 19 Nov 2025, jimmy anderson said the following...

I don't know of any HAM projects I could use it for...

Any ideas? :-)

Oh, man... All the amazing enclosure panels that could be cut for my half-assed projects! :)

73!
WZ8Q

... People say I act like I don't care. It's not an act.

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