any hams interested in a sked?

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It just occurred to me (I'm a little slow😁) that non hams might be wondering what I'm talking about. A sked is scheduling a time and frequency to make a contact. A net is where different operators join into the conversation with a moderator (net control) co-ordinating the radio traffic.
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I want to get a setup.
But since I'm a newbie, I have no idea what all's needed. I think I'd like a home based setup. But one that will work and allow me to add items to make it better.
If that makes sense.
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(10-29-2024, 02:13 PM)pierceg Wrote: I want to get a setup. 
But since I'm a newbie, I have no idea what all's needed.  I think I'd like a home based setup.  But one that will work and allow me to add items to make it better. 
If that makes sense.
Just a license, radio that does 10 meters sideband and an antenna. It looks like you're over in western Washington, so our signals would pass over each other but you could certainly talk to the others. I would recommend a radio with 80 watts or more power output.
I assume you're licenced and maybe a technician class for now as you state you're a newbie. I don't know what you can get away with for an antenna but a hexbeam is an amazingly good compromise for an antenna. They're about 21' diameter and weigh about 5 lbs and work well at lower heights.
The na4rr hex is around $700. You could build a simple dipole for just a few bucks but be aware that transmitting puts really high voltage so whatever you do, makes sure that the antenna can't come in contact with trees, etc.
As far as radios go, I have an icom ic-7300 which is regarded as an entry level hf rig. It costs about $1100 after rebate. (Don't count on the rebate) It's a great radio for the money.  If you don't plan on advancing to general class  it doesn't do 2 meters/70 centimeters so be aware of that.
My first rig was an icom 7100. It did everything from 70cm down to 160 meters it was a good radio but although it was advertised as 100w output it didn't get above 75w without modifications. Also, it would shut off and restart using the internal speaker but an external speaker is cheap. I don't know if icom ever fixed these problems. At 75w output it worked fine.
Your IP address tells me you're over on the West side of Washington. Joining up with a club over there such as the mike (mic?) and key club in Pierce county would really help as most hams are eager to help guys.
I completely forgot about a power supply, basically a doohickey that converts 110v ac into 13v or so dc. Figure on double the radio's output because 100w out takes around 200w into the radio 20 amps would to the job.
(This post was last modified: 10-30-2024, 09:02 AM by tommag.)
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(10-27-2024, 07:58 PM)srjdsmith Wrote: Aww, geez. Everyone’s a HAM but me.
[Image: IMG-5521.gif]

Don't feel bad, I'm not either
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(10-28-2024, 07:39 AM)specops56 Wrote: I would be interested in a regular sked. Might be a while before I can get back on the air. My garage is so piled up with stuff right now I can barely get to my shack corner. After we can release Houdini back into gen pop I can devote more time to getting it cleaned out and re-organized for the millionth time.

Terry
Have you been able to get on the air yet?
(06-26-2025, 09:07 AM)tommag Wrote:
(10-28-2024, 07:39 AM)specops56 Wrote: I would be interested in a regular sked. Might be a while before I can get back on the air. My garage is so piled up with stuff right now I can barely get to my shack corner. After we can release Houdini back into gen pop I can devote more time to getting it cleaned out and re-organized for the millionth time.

Terry
Have you been able to get on the air yet?

With everything that's been going on with and to me the last couple of years, I haven't been on the air in a long time. I hope to remedy that soon. Did anyone ever come up with a frequency and a sked?

Terry
(06-26-2025, 09:33 AM)specops56 Wrote:
(06-26-2025, 09:07 AM)tommag Wrote:
(10-28-2024, 07:39 AM)specops56 Wrote: I would be interested in a regular sked. Might be a while before I can get back on the air. My garage is so piled up with stuff right now I can barely get to my shack corner. After we can release Houdini back into gen pop I can devote more time to getting it cleaned out and re-organized for the millionth time.

Terry
Have you been able to get on the air yet?

With everything that's been going on with and to me the last couple of years, I haven't been on the air in a long time. I hope to remedy that soon. Did anyone ever come up with a frequency and a sked?

Terry
No
(06-26-2025, 09:52 AM)tommag Wrote:
(06-26-2025, 09:33 AM)specops56 Wrote:
(06-26-2025, 09:07 AM)tommag Wrote:
(10-28-2024, 07:39 AM)specops56 Wrote: I would be interested in a regular sked. Might be a while before I can get back on the air. My garage is so piled up with stuff right now I can barely get to my shack corner. After we can release Houdini back into gen pop I can devote more time to getting it cleaned out and re-organized for the millionth time.

Terry
Have you been able to get on the air yet?

With everything that's been going on with and to me the last couple of years, I haven't been on the air in a long time. I hope to remedy that soon. Did anyone ever come up with a frequency and a sked?

Terry
No

Seems to me that 20 meters would be our best bet. A weekday would probably be less crowded.

Terry
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(06-26-2025, 12:45 PM)specops56 Wrote:
(06-26-2025, 09:52 AM)tommag Wrote:
(06-26-2025, 09:33 AM)specops56 Wrote:
(06-26-2025, 09:07 AM)tommag Wrote:
(10-28-2024, 07:39 AM)specops56 Wrote: I would be interested in a regular sked. Might be a while before I can get back on the air. My garage is so piled up with stuff right now I can barely get to my shack corner. After we can release Houdini back into gen pop I can devote more time to getting it cleaned out and re-organized for the millionth time.

Terry
Have you been able to get on the air yet?

With everything that's been going on with and to me the last couple of years, I haven't been on the air in a long time. I hope to remedy that soon. Did anyone ever come up with a frequency and a sked?

Terry
No

Seems to me that 20 meters would be our best bet. A weekday would probably be less crowded.

Terry
20 would be best in the summer but when the muf is high enough 10 would allow the techs to join in.
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(06-26-2025, 02:00 PM)tommag Wrote:
(06-26-2025, 12:45 PM)specops56 Wrote:
(06-26-2025, 09:52 AM)tommag Wrote:
(06-26-2025, 09:33 AM)specops56 Wrote:
(06-26-2025, 09:07 AM)tommag Wrote: Have you been able to get on the air yet?

With everything that's been going on with and to me the last couple of years, I haven't been on the air in a long time. I hope to remedy that soon. Did anyone ever come up with a frequency and a sked?

Terry
No

Seems to me that 20 meters would be our best bet. A weekday would probably be less crowded.

Terry
20 would be best in the summer but when the muf is high enough 10 would allow the techs to join in.

Good point!

Terry
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