The ham radio learning curve!

It's true with Amateur radio there is a learning curve, depending on the background that you bring to the hobby the curve can be shallow or a very deep one. I don't shy away from the "curve" as it makes the hobby very interesting and a challenge. Because amateur radio is very deep no matter what there is always a learning curve for us all. This is a great  because with most things once the interest and challenge is gone one tends to move on to something else. Funny thing about ham radio is your interest and challenge in the hobby can hit a downward swing BUT within the same hobby there are new challenges and interests.....such as the low solar cycle some may loose interest in certain HF activity but then gain a huge interest in something like FT8!
Here is a personal learning curve for me regarding this hobby....many times I have looked at the shack and said "there are some items here that I seem to be not using and are collecting dust" My thought is to convert those items into ham bucks by selling. Having said that here is my learning curve, there have been way to many times  I have sold an item or two or three and then a short time later was in dyer need of said sold item. In some cases I have had to purchase once again the same item I sold. My learning curve or my take away is just hold onto it for a little bit longer as you may end up needing it again!
Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

8 Responses to “The ham radio learning curve!”

  • Bill Fargo KI7HYI:

    I could have been an amateur when I was in elementary school, but I never had enough of an interest in archaeological linguistics to learn Morse Code. I have had a commercial radiotelephone license since the mid 70’s but never had a need for a radiotelegraph one. Having had a decade-long career in broadcast engineering and telecommunications, my learning curve is more of a memorization curve.
    There is a new extra here that passed all three tests in one sitting and still can’t operate a transceiver.
    The major reason that I’m not on the air is the absence of equipment, and the money to buy it, for now.

  • Frank K4FMH:

    Indeed, Mike! I recently wished I’d not sold a particular test instrument and will now buy it again. Your column reminded me that the two older rigs that I’ve thought of selling were bought knowing they were old, representing a certain vintage of ham radio gear. To sell them in order to buy yet another “modern” rig really wouldn’t give my shack the flavor I’ve desired. So they’re stating! Thank you for the reminder.

    Frank
    K4FMH

  • Mike VE3WDM:

    Good evening Bill thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment, I too found the code to be an issue when I was young and wanted to get into radio. Eventually I did with the help of other hams made it through the Morse code barrier. In Canada CW is no longer an issue but I took a fancy for code and it’s now my main mode. Yes bill the rigs are very pricey it used stuff is out there and in some cases for a decent price.
    73
    Mike

  • Mike VE3WDM:

    WHello Frank very nice to hear from you, it so funny how it works out you think you don’t need it to sell it and then can’t do without it!
    Have a great week
    73
    Mike

  • Glenn, K3WGG:

    I’m glad I learned from a great guy who started in the 20’s and taught me as a kid in the 50’s to save glass tubes, no matter what. Now I have fun at hamfests swapping tubes and keeping up my supply for a beautiful operational multiband SW receiver. Nice conversation piece in my shack. One of my young grandsons is fascinated by it because it’s not a phone, i-pad or computer. And he’s learning that secret code (Morse).
    73,
    Glenn

  • Andrew M0NRD:

    Couldn’t agree more! Natural born hoarder me. Before I got licensed I was a keen photographer and had a huge, heavy professional tripod which I never used so sold it for a pittance. So now getting into satellite working what could I really do with now? Yes a good quality heavy tripod! 73 Andrew

  • Mike VE3WDM:

    Good morning Glen very nice to hear from you, nice to read that you grandsons have an interest and this is all how it happens!
    73,
    Mike

  • Mike VE3WDM:

    Top of the morning Andrew, isn’t that how it works but at the time you thought you were doing the best thing……..my famous last words to many things I sold and later had a need for. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
    73
    Mike

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