KB5WCK's HamBlog

Ham radio is not dying. In 2009 we saw a big increase in our hobby. The following is a quote from a story on arrl.org:

2009 Sees Surge of New Amateur Radio Licensees

This past year was a banner year for new Amateur Radio licensees. According to ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, the FCC issued more than 30,000 new ham radio licenses. “In 2009, the demand for Amateur Radio exam sessions remained elevated and is still running at a higher rate than before the FCC’s restructuring of the license requirements in 2007,” Somma said. “This high level of exam session activity has produced an elevated influx of new applications, far outpacing recent years.”

A total of 30,144 new licenses were granted in 2009, an increase of almost 7.5 percent from 2008. In 2005, 16,368 new hams joined Amateur Radio’s ranks; just five years later, that number had increased by almost 14,000 — a whopping 84 percent! The ARRL VEC is one of 14 VECs who administer Amateur Radio license exams.

“When looking at the statistics over the last 10 years, these are some the highest numbers we’ve seen,” Somma explained. “Additionally, our total number of licensees across all three classes has grown each year.” Currently there are 682,500 licensed Amateur Radio operators in the US, an almost 3 percent rise over 2008. In 2008, there were 663,500 licensed amateurs; there were 655,800 in 2007. Broken down by license class, at the end of 2009 there were 17,084 Novices, 334,245 Technicians, 150,970 Generals, 60,795 Advanced and 119,403 Amateur Extra licensees.

“The ARRL VEC has been busy meeting the needs of the Amateur Radio community by helping people to become radio amateurs or upgrade their existing licenses,” Somma said. “In 2009, ARRL VEs administered 44,595 exam elements at 6369 ARRL VEC-sponsored exam sessions. The number of amateurs who want to be Volunteer Examiners and who want to teach Amateur Radio classes is also going up — we’ve seen a spike in the number of applications from General and Extra class radio amateurs who want to give back to their community by serving as ARRL examiners and instructors.”

Somma applauded all the volunteers whose “hard work and contribution of countless hours of time helps to ensure the future of Amateur Radio. The ARRL VEC thanks our 32,411 VEs from around the world whose dedication and service helped to contribute to the success of Amateur Radio. I am delighted by these important achievements. 2009 was a very good year for Amateur Radio and I am excited by the promise of 2010.”

So, do your part to keep our hobby growing and make it the best hobby in the world.

73

KB5WCk

I awoke on Christmas morning to a loving wife and children. I am sooo thankful for such a wonderful, loving , beautiful wife and kids.

We way over did it on Christmas this year again but nothing beats seeing your loved ones happy with the gifts you gave them.

The kids were ecstatic with the Star Wars Lego stuff and my oldest was so excited to get the movie effects software and tripod for his computer so he can make even more stop-motion videos.

The wife got an i Pod touch, Cricut, perfume and other things for Christmas. She was happy with them all.

I got some much needed clothes, cologne Ole Miss hat, car change holder that tells you how much money is in it, and of course the antenna I mentioned in my last post. I got the antenna installed and it works great. One last thing I have to do to finish it is order and install the ground radials that will help me on 80m and 160m.

To my wife and kids, I Love You with ALL my heart and am soo thankful for you.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good time hamming it up!!!!

I have already received one of my Christmas presents and it is great…. I got a MFJ-2990 43 foot vertical multi-band HF antenna. I am looking forward to installing it next week while I am off from work. Can’t wait to start using my TS-2000 for dxing and just plain ol’ rag-chewing.

I am finally going to commit to being a more active Ham this year. I have let too many things get in the way of enjoying this fine hobby.   I have made some good friends over the years on the air and have just let things get in the way for far too long.

Hope to see some of you on the airwaves.

73

KB5WCK

I finally got the radio of my dreams this weekend. I got a Kenwood TS-2000. I have been lusting after this radio ever since it came out. I bought it from a friend of mine and it is in pristine condition. Just like it came from the factory. It has been tweaked by Kenwood so it is in optimal performance mode.

I’ll keep posting as I learn to use it and post my new contacts. I have to put up my antenna this weekend though before actually transmitting anything. Been using a SWL antenna to listen.

73

KB5WCK

Just started looking at this seriously and needed to figure out exactly what is going on here.  Got some suspicions if a certain Representative is sponsoring this bill. I know the ARRL is  pushing this bill heavily and asking for support from it’s members.

You can find the text of this bill here. I am reading it as I type so some of this may not make sense. Please forgive me and excuse the typos.

Looks like they are going to require the Director of Homeland Security to conduct a study  to find more ways to include HAMS in disasters. That should be a good thing. It also mentions section 207 of  the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Wonder if they are going to tell these people that have covenants that restrict the use of antennas for hams that they cant prevent them anymore. Lets hope so. I’m not talking about putting up some monstrosity that really is bad, but being able to put up an antenna that will allow the HAM to get on the air and talk.

Let me know what you think.

Til Next time, 73

KB5WCk

Well, I received my cd’s on Friday. Been listening this morning and a little last night. Got the whole kit, cd’s, book and printed copy of Part 97. Must say, Gordon makes it interesting to learn the theory. Me not being an electrical person by nature will have a hard with the electrical parts.

Getting excited though about the possibility of having Extra Class privileges!!!! Most of the theory is fairly easy. You just have to have common sense.

Will keep you posted on my advancement.

Til next time, 73.

KB5WCK

I have been studying for my Extra Class license and boy is it hard. I am not electrical by nature so I have to work hard to learn this. I just ordered the newest version of the Gordon West audio Theory course along with the book.  I actually ordered it Monday so it should be here today. I will keep you up to date on the studying and let you know how it is going and what I learn.

I am also going to be setting up an IRLP station at my house soon. Looking forward to learning that also. BTW, found a good light version of Linux that can be used for ham radio…. Crunchbang Linux. Check it out. Learned about it from a podcast called Linux in The Hamshack. This is a very well run podcast. Search for it on iTunes and download it or you can go to their page http://blacksparrowmedia.com/lhs and download it there. They also have the show notes there that give links to the products they talk about.

Til next time, 73.

KB5WCK

Welcome to my Ham radio blog. I will be discussing things related to Ham radio and technology in general.

I look forward to hearing from you and seeing on the air.

73

KB5WCK