Post by Ottavio CarusoI took my three tickets (Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced) between
2017 and 2018, just before the syllabus changed.
For the Foundation and Intermediate, I took it very seriously. I didn't
just memorise the book, I also tried to understand every little detail.
At the moment of preparing for the Full licence, I found it overwhelming
and basically I cheated and memorised the book. I passed with flying
colours but I couldn't practice my hobby because I was in temporary,
shared accommodation, then came the corona virus, then I moved into
another rubbish accommodation and so on.
If you asked me now anything from the book for the Full licence, I
wouldn't remember anything.
Now, I'd like to (re)start from scratch. I want to be able to build
rudimentary CW (and only CW, voice or data don't interest me) receivers
and transmitters, but I want to understand what I am doing.
Back in may day, there were magazines for electronics beginners that
picked you up and spoon fed you until you got the picture. These times
are gone. Modern Ham-o-sphere is programmable chips, software designed
radio and all that jazz.
Where would I start? Is it even possible in our times? Even cheap kits
are now built on programmable chips.
As ( the other) Brian suggested, the GQRP club would be a good place to
start. I’m not a QRPer but I joined as I find some of the ideas useful.
They also run ( or did, I don’t recall see any being advertised recently
but then I don’t look for them) Buildathons - events where you go an build
a project under the supervision of experienced amateurs who can show /
advise on everything from soldering to testing etc. Some clubs run such
similar events - I’ve helped run several over the years.
A kit is another option. Kanga kits have a good reputation. I’ve helped a
number of newcomers with them . The quality is good (printed circuit board,
components, instructions etc) and they work- assuming you assemble them
correctly. I believe they are still around.
YouTube is a good resource. There are some very good channels on there -
theory and building.
Magazines : I’ve not looked at PW for years. Most of the others ( PE, SWM,
WW, RC, …..) went under/ amalgamated years ago. It pains me to say RadCom
rarely features the kind of article you are probably looking for. Don’t
shoot the messenger- such content is or was seen as too niche. ( I often
wonder how many members of GQRP ever build anything - and that is a niche
club. I know one who certainly seems to lack knowledge I’d expect - despite
being licensed years longer than myself. )
Oh, the GQRP club also has a component shop. It works well and stocks some
bits not always easy to find elsewhere.
Someone mentioned back issues of Sprat - the GQRP magazine on a USB stick.
A great buy if you have a Kindle/ iPad/ etc. The back issues are simple pdf
files so you can load them into your Kindle library or onto a Tablet etc.
The layout of the early ones isn’t as ‘slick’ as the current ones but they
are more than adequate and the content is good. Don’t be put off if you
start at No 1.
They also have a GroupsIO group.