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I lately contacted Astronaut Douglas Wheelock on board the International Space Station with a simple ham radio attached to a little magnet mounted antenna inside our home in Appleton, WI. While a ham radio license is required, it is not difficult to obtain. Ham radio clubs in your area may help you obtain one. Contact the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) or visit ARRL.org to obtain more information. The radio instrumentation required is not overly highpriced in my opinion. While I made my contact with a radio in the $750 price range, a simple 2 meter ham radio in the $200 price range would be just fine as well. The antenna I used was a magnet mount antenna attached thru magnet mount to our 4 drawer office file cabinet. The antenna is in the $50 price range. If you do not have a file cabinet any big metal object would probably work as well. Many persons use kitchen cookie sheets. A stove would work and a wood stove would be excellent.
My original contact with him was on 10/11/2010. Was it worth the effort… well… YEAH!!!
• My 2 meter ham radio applied 50 watts but you may do the occupation with a HT (hand-held radio) and 5 watts. People have employed hand-held ham radios and as little as 5 watts. If you go the portable radio route then a satellite antenna (a hand-held beam antenna) is suggested.
• One thing that is required is the capacity to transmit on one frequency and listen on another. Sound like basic repeater functionality? Yeah – but the distance amid the receive and transmit frequencies is much more outstanding than on popular repeaters. Read further for details on frequencies. No tones are necessitated for the International Space Station (ISS). Tones are required for other novice radio satellites.
• Very helpful in my estimation is the capacity to track, or predict, when the International Space Station (ISS) will fly over, what direction it will come from and go to, and what height (angle) it will be in the sky. There is no one best method. Your choice will depend on your budget, resources, etc.. I had a PC and internet connection and I downloaded the FREE “Ham Radio Deluxe” program that includes a satellite tracking program. Get your Ham Radio Deluxe software FREE and get to know it. I applied the software to alert you, even thru digital voice, when to make your attempt. There are web-based number of things from which only one can be chosen – do a Google search for “satellite predictions” and “satellite tracking” for some more alternatives.
• Know the rectify frequencies. Visit AMSAT,org to find the selective information on respective satellites and how to work them. For specifics on the International Space Station (ISS) go to their section. Specifically, read everything from this section http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ariss/#freqs through the bottom of the page.
• Set-up your radio. Ham radio repeaters use special silent tones in numerous instances. This allows multiple repeaters to use the same frequency without intervening with each other. The ham radio operator transmits a silent tone on the specific frequency to signal which repeater s/he wants to operate with. The International Space Station (ISS) uses no tone. Learn to say your call sign in proper, ordinary phonetics. Remember that you are talking to trained professionals. They will NOT be grateful for and may not even grasp any “cutesy” individualized phonetics. Also learn to transmit your CITY quickly after your call sign. The city will help others know that the astronaut wants YOU to tell them the rest of your call sign in case they miss percentage of it.
• Lastly, do have numerous patience. They may be busy. You may be busy. Remember that ham radio on the International Space Station is in general done in their spare time. Good luck busting your original space pile-up!
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Ham Radio Operators Badge Engraved
Building on the success of Prompt’s publishing of the very basi HAM Radio Guide (Hayden) in the late-1960s, Prompt brings the HAM radio user up-to-date with the 2nd edition of HAM Radio Operator’s Guide. Bergquist has modified this recent text with the latest in HAM technology, regulations, and ideas.
From the Back CoverWhether you are just getting into the field of HAM radio, or are a seasoned veteran, the second edition of HAM Radio Operator’s Guide is a book you must not be without! Written by brought up author and HAM operator Carl J. Bergquist KG4AIC, this book is sure to become a valuable tool in your pursuit of this hobby, which is shared by persons from all walks of life around the world. Bergquist writes HAM Radio Operator’s Guide from the perspective of a new user, while keeping the experienced operator in mind. This second edition includes altered license requirements, sample test questions, and a new division dealing with on-air operations. Other coverage includes instrumentation ranging from antenna types to power supplies, education, contests, clubs, safety, jargon, and etiquette. Also included are plans for assorted stimulating projects such as a field strength meter, antennas, a power distribution center, and other add-ons to dress up any HAM shack. Bergquist has been a successful photojournalist for AP, UPI, The New York Times, Newsweek, and other publications, including Popular Electronics and Electronics Now.
About the AuthorCarl Bergquist followed a successful career as a photojournalist for AP, UPI, The New York Times, and Newsweek by turning his attempts toward a lifelong sparetime activity of electronics. Besides articles in Popular Electronics and Electronics Now, Bergquist has authored a good deal of books from Prompt Publications and resides in Montgomery, AL.
Ham Radio Operators Badge Engraved Pic
Ham Radio Operators Badge Engraved Photo
Ham Radio Operators Badge Engraved Pic
Ham Radio Operators Badge Engraved Pic
Most helpful client reviews
20 of 20 humans found the following review helpful.
 For Those Interested in Amateur Radio
By Michael N. Powers
This guide provides a arousing and attention holding overview of Amateur (Ham) Radio from how to get a Ham Radio license to a wide range of selective information on Amateur Radio communications to numerous basic electronics projects for your Ham Shack.
“Ham Radio Operator’s Guide” starts off with an overview of the Ham License Classes, including the spectrum’s and modes each license is permitted to operate on. Unfortunately, in spite of being published only last year, the Federal Communications Commission changed the number and types of Amateur Radio licenses for the United States. Regardless, the counsel in regards to how to study for and take the examinations is still valid.
The book proceeds with a discussion of all of the things you may do with a Amateur Radio License. The author covers the basic characteristics of the respective frequency bands and modes of transmission that Hams use. He also discusses the basic electronics instrumentation required to commune and operate a radio shack, from transmitters and receivers to microphones and power supplies.
The “Ham Radio Operator’s Guide” describes some of the activenesses that Ham Radio Clubs conduct, from swap meets and field days to fox hunts and instructional efforts. In addition to talking about why all Amateur Radio operators ought to join their local Ham Radio Club, the author remarks on Ham traditions, conventions and etiquette.
Finally, the book wraps up with eight simple electronics contruction projects for utile items from a field strength meter and radio frequency relay to four dissimilar types of antennas.
After a successful career as a photojournalist, the author, Carl Bergquist, KG4AIC, has turned to his lifelong sparetime activity of electronics and writes articles for Popular Electronics and Electronics Now. He wrote “Ham Radio Operator’s Guide” from the perspective of a new potential radio amateur. His writing style is very entertaining, keeping what could be dry, technical topics fresh and interesting.
I strongly commend this book for any individual who thinks they might be mesmerized in getting an Amateur Radio operator or in learning what being a Ham is like.
Review by Mike Powers, Radideo.com Guide, November 2000
0 of 0 humans found the following review helpful.
 ham radio review
By elpiri177
this book is informative in terms of the history of ham radio and lets you know what exists so you may make better selections for yourself. But it does not break down the science of how it works, it is not a do it yourself handbook. But it is informative, I’m glad I read it.
0 of 0 persons found the following review helpful.
Just another book.
By J. Westfall
I have collected assorted books to increase my cognition level when it comes to Ham Radio. This is a very readable book and you may receive pleasure from each page. However, it is a wide coverage and not that exceptional. It will add to your cognition base. If you just want to pass the test, pick ARRL study guide level two.
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