Ham Radio
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About me: NQ6K
Previous callsigns: AF6ZI, KJ6JTW
I'm a fairly new ham, first licensed in June 2010, gaining Technician and General on the same day. I upgraded to an Extra class license in September 2010. My main obsession currently seems to be antenna design and construction, so this page will eventually contain a few links to my experimental designs. I am most commonly found on the N6NFI repeater here in the Bay Area (145.230MHz VHF FM, PL 100Hz, -600KHz split), which I often monitor, and on which I occasionally do net control for the 9am Talk Net. I hang out with several of the local clubs, including SBARA, FARS and PAARA, and I'm also a member of the NASA Ames Amateur Radio Club (AARC).
I got interested in amateur radio via working on emergency communications on the other side of the fence, after getting involved with the DARTCOM group here at Ames. After a couple of years of prodding to get on with it and take the test, I finally did so, and found something that was way more fun than I could ever have expected.
Interests
My radio-related interests are:
- HF radio, working DX and some contests on SSB and particularly digital modes (PSK and RTTY mostly)
- Emergency comms
- Antenna design (see below for some written-up designs)
- DXpeditions (I am starting on pulling together a DXpedition to NA-009 Devon Island in summer 2011)
Legal note
Please note that antenna designs shown here are not guaranteed in any way. If you make one and it doesn't work, don't sue me. (Chances are that you made an error in construction, but still, it's not my responsibility). If you make one and fry yourself with an RF burn, or if it catches fire and burns down your house, it's your own problem -- you're supposed to be a radio amateur, so you should know enough about basic electrical safety and RF safety to pass the exams, so use caution and common sense.
I am providing these designs on a noncommercial basis, though they are free for use for any purpose, including commercial or government use. I do not expect any kind of monetary return. If you wish to use one of them commercially, please contact me first -- most likely I will politely ask you to make a donation to a charity on my behalf.
