Survival Radio, Not a Hobby-------Infinitely More!

Not a Hobby -- Infinitely More!
Phil Levine (K2JF) on February 12, 2011

Okay, this may be the 3/4 bottle of 2006 Brouiily speaking but I feel so lucky to be into ham radio. I absolutely do not see it as a hobby - it's a passion, a mistress, a joy. There's room for all of us, no matter what our interests are.

Call me an appliance operator if that pleases you, but that cannot and does not take away the pleasure I get from turning on my radio, tuning around the bands and seeing what mysterious signals from who knows where come flooding in. I don't build kits, I don't do my own repairs, my soldering skills are not too bad but are reserved for PL259 connectors and the like. So let's stop ourselves from judging other hams who don't do what we do. It's a huge community and there are so many different reasons for our interest in ham radio. It might not jive with yours but it sure as heck has as much validity and 'truth'.

I might not even make a contact in 2-3 weeks but I get the feeling that like a true and great friend ham radio will be there when it inspires me to turn on the radios again. We all know that ham radio is not just for the folks with tri-banders at 70 (or more) feet, or for those of us with KW amps. There are so many of us who just thoroughly enjoy the territory we carved out within this unique passion of ours - regardless of how much power, how high our antennas or how cutting edge our technology.

I remember starting out with an indoor slinky antenna tacked under the ceiling of my NYC apartment building operating a TS 130V with 10 watts so as not to disturb my neighbors. I've grown since then but what I most admire about the ham community is the incredible resourcefulness we exercise when we just absolutely want to get on the air.

Again - this is NOT a hobby.. but infinitely more than that and I feel so lucky that I've made it part of my life and I can tell my friends about some of the exotic contacts I've made always wondering, "what's wrong with you that you don't get into this?"

DWB Says: If you have desires of learning Ham Radio, a hobby that can save you and your family's life. We can help you with all of the information you need. Email us.