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Handheld VHFs are much easier to setup, and you can fidget with one even before the license, given that you don't actually transmit anything, just listen. Not e

Handheld VHFs are much easier to setup, and you can fidget with one even before the license, given that you don't actually transmit anything, just listen. Not everyone has the space or time to setup a desktop and antenna themselves.

squarefoot 2y ago
In that case, the best experience in my opinion is to DIY one of the simplest radio receiver, that is, a super-regenerative or similar one that could be built off a single transistor/jfet and a high impedance headphone. Or, to make things cleaner, a couple transistors where 1st one acts as antenna preamplifier (and -very important- to prevent the other transistor oscillations to be radiated by the antenna). It's a very simple project that can be built on a breadboard in an afternoon, encourages experimenting and teaches a lot in the process.
- discretion22 2y ago
  Just 1 or 2 transistors you say? Link to a circuit diagram (or even an ASCII art reply) greatly appreciated - sounds like a fun way to spend an afternoon or an evening.
  - squarefoot 2y ago
    Plenty of examples to choose from, just search for images of "super-regenerative transistor receiver schematic" (with no quotes) on your favorite search engine. This also works well when looking for examples or data about circuits or parts, for example "audio compressor schematic" or "LM13700 data sheet" (again, no quotes). Swapping "data sheet" with "pdf" is often more effective to find the actual document.
assimpleaspossi 2y ago
Then I question why they would get a license at all.
- JKCalhoun 2y ago
  Becoming a part of ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) might be a valid reason.
  - assimpleaspossi 2y ago
    It might be but I strongly doubt it. Such a thing wouldn't be top of mind for anyone unless they had direct experience with it.
- Suzuran 2y ago
  And this is why the hobby is dying. Home ownership is well beyond the means of most of the population now, and rental properties/apartments do not allow antenna structures. Those who persist and evaluate portable/mobile HF ops or settle with a compromise antenna get soundly shit upon by other hams who say "If you can't put up a beam on a tower and you can't afford a legal-limit amplifier to feed it with, why bother?"

squarefoot 2y ago

In that case, the best experience in my opinion is to DIY one of the simplest radio receiver, that is, a super-regenerative or similar one that could be built off a single transistor/jfet and a high impedance headphone. Or, to make things cleaner, a couple transistors where 1st one acts as antenna preamplifier (and -very important- to prevent the other transistor oscillations to be radiated by the antenna). It's a very simple project that can be built on a breadboard in an afternoon, encourages experimenting and teaches a lot in the process.

discretion22 2y ago
Just 1 or 2 transistors you say? Link to a circuit diagram (or even an ASCII art reply) greatly appreciated - sounds like a fun way to spend an afternoon or an evening.
- squarefoot 2y ago
  Plenty of examples to choose from, just search for images of "super-regenerative transistor receiver schematic" (with no quotes) on your favorite search engine. This also works well when looking for examples or data about circuits or parts, for example "audio compressor schematic" or "LM13700 data sheet" (again, no quotes). Swapping "data sheet" with "pdf" is often more effective to find the actual document.

assimpleaspossi 2y ago

Then I question why they would get a license at all.

JKCalhoun 2y ago
Becoming a part of ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) might be a valid reason.
- assimpleaspossi 2y ago
  It might be but I strongly doubt it. Such a thing wouldn't be top of mind for anyone unless they had direct experience with it.
Suzuran 2y ago
And this is why the hobby is dying. Home ownership is well beyond the means of most of the population now, and rental properties/apartments do not allow antenna structures. Those who persist and evaluate portable/mobile HF ops or settle with a compromise antenna get soundly shit upon by other hams who say "If you can't put up a beam on a tower and you can't afford a legal-limit amplifier to feed it with, why bother?"