SSB

[Mycroft]

We have Icom M710 SSB. I have Tech and General Ham license and no experience. I would like to find a mentor who will talk with me and help me practice. We are presently in Tacoma Washington area.

Carol

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

We have Icom M710 SSB. I have Tech and General Ham license and no experience. I would like to find a mentor who will talk with me and help me practice. We are presently in Tacoma Washington area.

Carol

Carol--Pick up a copy of (click on) Marine SSB for Idi-Yachts. You'll find 99% of what you need to know therein.

[chuckr]

there are some really good videos on it -- google icom 802 - I had no mentor just kept working at it and reading and trying to see what worked - got there

[btrayfors]

Carol,

Congratulations on your M710 marine radio and ham licenses. Assume you also have a marine permit and ship's license to operate the marine bands on your boat.

The Tech license is virtually worthless on a boat, but the General Class is what you need to participate in most nets and to use the various ham bands.

Two thoughts on resources:

1. The Cruising Club of America has a dated but otherwise excellent tutorial on the M710. You can find it here:

https://www.google.com/#q=cruiising+...rica+icom+m710

2. On Dockside Radio's website you'll find lots of info on the M710, including its programming:

Icom M710 Programming Instructions

The M710 is a great radio, but not a great radio for ham use because it doesn't have a real VFO. It's best for fixed-frequency use, e.g., the various marine and ham nets which operate on specific frequencies which can be programmed into the M710.

There is a workaround for setting up the M710 so that it acts more or less like it has a VFO....it's a bit clunky but it works. When you get that far in your learning, send me an email and I'll provide instructions for this: bill at wdsg dot com

Finally, and importantly, look up the local ham clubs near you and contact them or attend one of their meetings. No doubt you can find a hands-on mentor to help you.

Good luck,

Bill
WA6CCA

[Mycroft]

Thanks, I own and have read this but it really doesn't address the simpleton who just wants to chat with others....What I was hoping for is a sort of radio friend who would talk with me and help me know how to find others to chat with while cruising.

[Mycroft]

Thanks, I have have been member of two ham clubs and all they were interested in is building antennas and uv-5ra radios for talking with one another. I have read about long distance cruisers that develop friendships over the SSB radio.

Thanks for links

[hellosailor]

Mycroft, ham radio can be many things. You probably don't want a "ham" club, you want a "dx" club. Hams who are focused on working dx, long range contacts on hf radios.


wwdxc.org


Here's one that might be local to you. And if not, at least within radio range.(G)