I thought I would upload a picture of me standing on the roof with the boys. I found the file but it is zipped.
(Mikie found it and posted it.)
On Saturday, Febuary 11th, Michael and I drove to HRO in Phoenix. They sell ham radio equipment. We purchased some coax, a book, and an antenna for 20 meters for the big radio at the house. A year or so back we had already purchased some surplus army poles.
When we arrived home we surveyed the situation, mounted the poles to the house and then Michael got on the roof. Pretty soon he was coaxing me to join him, after all it was my antenna. So I moved the ladder to the only place that I am brave enough to get on and off the roof. Then I crawled up the roof, trying to say calm. Once up he said I was going to have to stand to be helpful. A little more excitement. Well I helped as he attached the ends to some rings that were to go on the top of the poles. Then he said I should put the ring on the pole. Oh my, it meant that I had to stand about a foot from the edge on my tiptoes. A little hyperventilating and the job was done. Then Michael and Paul raised both ends another 4 feet. The poles are now 20 feet up, not really that high for an antenna. Finished I sat down and started scooting towards the ladder. Then Michael rolled something off the roof and reminded me not to get down like that. Thanks a lot. He was on the ground quickly. It took me another 5 or so minutes to slowly back off the roof, put my foot on the ladder and finally reach the ground. Much better.
We had to both get the manual out and read the instructions. This radio has a lot of nobs. I checked out a few things for correct procedures. I was surprise to find I understood and remembered quite a few things. After tuning the radio and listening to New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and New Hampshire, Michael persuaded me to answer a CQ. I chatted with the gentleman in New Hampshire, and another one in North Dakota.
Sunday morning we were listening again and heard Barcelona, Spain- and a gentleman farmer in Russia, (his signals were bouncing off the atmosphere over the north pole area.). So cool. We have heard someone in Maui, Mexico, and various States.
I'm looking forward to getting a 40 meter antenna so we can hear better at night. 20 meters works great in the daytime.
Now I just need to work on my QSL card before I receive the ones from New Hampshire and North Dakota.
3 comments:
applauding your bravery here! good for you! i don't understand any of the abbreviations, of course, but it does sound like fun, making connections around the world.
word verification! Mason, sfuseo
CQ= some one calling " is anybody out there?"
QSL= did you hear what I said? also a QSL card is a post card with your ham call sign on it and maybe a picure, and on the other side the date and time and radio frequency that you made contact on.
HRO is short for the Ham Radio Outlet store.
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