Conversations in Ham Radio
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Welcome!
You might be thinking… “Who is this guy? And what does he know about ham radio?”
The answer is …not very much. Very little in fact. Although I’ve played with radio comms since the 80’s, I’m just starting out on my ham radio journey.
You can’t know everything in this field. It’s HUGE. But since going from the UK’s foundation licence (M7XTN), through Intermediate (2E0AKA) to the full (G5DOC), I have found there is so much that interests me. And I’m sure some of this will also interest you.
It might even inspire you to get licensed!
That’s why I’ve decided to log some of my experiments, discoveries, conversations and thoughts here. Expect photos, videos, audio and radio adventures.
On the whole this will be free. But I have added a supporting subscriber option. That’s for those in a position to help me make this newsletter is sustainable. It will also mean I can buy tech to review to review. Like this coming up. Watch this space.
My about page will tell you a little more about my origin story.
Ham radio is certainly my main focus but I’ll also dip into the culture, stories, tech and operation of other radio comms like CB, PMR etc... So think of this as an email newsletter for radio lovers the world over.
Remember, I know little of what there is to know, so I’ll be counting on you to join me on this journey. Whether you are a seasoned amateur radio operator, a short wave listener or just someone with an interest in radio, join me as we we explore this amazing subculture.
I shall do my best to not speak from a position of authority as I have none. You might. And that is why I want this to be more of a conversation than a publication. Let me know your thoughts. Correct my errs, add your view, share your stories and we can all learn something.
I’m sure there will be something in this dispatch that piques your interest. In the meantime, here is some background on the name of this newsletter.
Back in the 1800’s telegraphists or telegraph operators devised a list of number codes to speed the sending of regularly used messages sent in morse code. For example code 12 was “do you understand?” and 88 was “love and kisses”. As far as I know there wasn’t a 69.
The meaning of 73 has changed over time. Originally it is thought to have been used to say “all my love” and later “accept my compliments.” Back in 1859 the Western Union company published a list of codes they called ‘The 92 Code’ and the 73 was now down as “best regards”.
Today I drop 73 at the bottom of emails to other radio operators and as the number 7 and 3 would have been sent in morse to mean ‘best regards’ on the radio. I say “seven three” when signing off. Who knows how this will continue to evolve.
And so here we are. At the end of the intro issue of 73 from G5DOC. Technically it should be 73 de G5DOC (de being ‘from’ in Morse code). But we don’t all know Morse. I know I don’t. Yet.
I’m sometimes on Twitter here… @G5DOC and if you would like to be the first to receive this email, sign up here…
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Thanks for reading and I hope subscribing.
Over
73 de Christian G5DOC
..__..
QRT