RADIO / N1LJK
What is Ham Radio? “Amateur Radio is an entirely volunteer activity performed by technically knowledgeable hobbyists who have proven their ability by passing government examinations (e.g., in the USA, exams are set by the Federal Communications Commission). No remuneration is permitted. Ham radio, as it is known, has proven its value in advancements of the state of the communications arts as well as in public service during disasters and times of emergency. (For more about ham radio, see the Wikipedia article, or visit ARRL, RSGB, IARU or any of the many national amateur radio organizations.) “ — AMPR.org
I was first licensed when I was 11 or 12 years old as KA1YCG. I upgraded from Novice to Technician Plus the following year (N1LJK) and was working on getting my morse code proficiency up for the next class license…when beer and girls got in the way and I became inactive for 24 years. My licensed lapsed but in 2020 I passed the technician & general exam and was issued KC1NKT, which I quickly exchanged for my old call, N1LJK.
Amateur radio operators are licensed by the FCC, and must pass an exam demonstrating their understanding of electrical and radio principles. Morse code is no longer required to pass the exam. No, it is not CB or citizen’s band radio and no it doesn’t allow me to broadcast (music) or anything like that. My interests are building things to use with digital modes, emergency communications support for various agencies and HF or (High Frequency) contacts with DX (foreign) stations all across the globe. This was all very cool before the internet when you were 12, I still think its just as cool being able to talk to astronauts or bounce signals off the moon!
Damon Leibert, N1LJK
GMRS: WRUQ213
Winlink (Radio only messaging) email: N1LJK@Winlink.org
must include the character sequence “//WL2K” in the subject line of the message
N1LJK@N1LJK.ME.USA.NOAM
Some Projects I’ve worked on and hope they may aide others: