I don’t believe that I have ever posted this here on LiP, although I also know that some readers here are aware of it. For many years, I was an amateur radio operator, commonly called a “ham radio operator”. It was a hobby of mine for many years.
It all got started when I was about 10 years old. A friend and I found an old antique radio, it was a shortwave radio. It was of poor quality, but it worked, and we played around with it. To our surprise, we found ourselves listening to shortwave radio stations from around the world. When we first checked it out and played around with it, the first radio station that we happened upon was Radio Nederland, or Radio Netherlands. When we heard their broadcast, we were hooked. We immediately began tuning the radio all across the bands to see what else we could pick up. I guess that the hobby was, for us, more about our ability to receive distant stations from exotic places around the globe than it was about the entertainment we got from listening. We still did enjoy the entertainment on many of the stations, but the thrill of finding a radio signal from a new country, one we had not received before really got our adrenalin flowing.
My childhood friend and I continued listening to the shortwave radio for about 5 years. In that time, we each bought a number of new shortwave sets for our own pleasure, each of them continuously better and better in quality – thus higher and higher in price too. As a child, I worked a lot of entrepreneurial efforts and made a fair amount of money for a child, so I always had enough money to be able to indulge in this sort of thing. In addition to our radios, we also put up more sophisticated antennas in our respective yards so that we could catch even more rare radio stations.
When I turned 15 years old, I decided that as much as I enjoyed listening to shortwave broadcasts, I wanted to also talk on the radio, and communicate with people in other countries around the world. I just had a passion for doing that sort of thing, and chasing down rare catches on the radio. I studied hard, learning about radio and electronics, I also learned the Morse Code. I needed each of those types of knowledge in order to become a legally licensed amateur radio operator. At the age of 15, I achieved that goal, and my first Ham Radio callsign, assigned by the Federal Communications Commission was KA5DPO.
Over the years, I continued to upgrade my license, my equipment and my skills. I talked to people in many different countries, and was very successful at it. I enjoyed it a great deal too. I enjoyed also trying out different modes of communication. I remember, even as a teenager, I often talked to people in the Philippines over the radio. At the time, I had no idea that the Philippines would someday become my home, or of the deep personal connection that I would develop with the country and its people.
Back in 1987 or so, I met a fellow on the radio named Vladimir. Vlad was from Russia, of course, or the Soviet Union back then. He lived in Barnaul in Siberia. Vlad and I got where we talked on the radio several times each week and became close friends. In 1989, I decided that I was going to take a trip to the USSR in 1990 to meet Vlad and spend some time with his family I had an invitation from Vlad, and even an invitation from the Mayor of Barnaul. At that time, Barnaul was a closed city, and outside visitors, particularly Americans, were not allowed to visit the city, unless they had an official invitation. I was so looking forward to meeting Vlad and his family.
Early in 1990, though, something happened. I met Feyma, through a friend of a friend, who put us in touch with each other. We wrote letters back and forth, and I soon became enthralled with her. After a few months of letter writing, I decided to cancel my plans for the trip to Barnaul, and instead travel to the Philippines. What a life changing decision that turned out to be! Feyma and I ended up getting married that year, and the rest is history.
Thankfully, even though I never made that trip to the USSR, I did get to meet Vlad, though. A time came when Vlad made a trip to the USA, and he had a few days in Los Angeles. I was living up in the Portland, Oregon area at that time, and decided to fly down to LA myself and spend some time with my Soviet friend. It was an interesting few days and I learned a lot by meeting Vlad and getting to know him. That is a story for another time, though.
Anyway, after Feyma and I got married, I spent a lot less time playing with radios, and more time growing a family and spending my time doing family things. After a few years, the Internet became the rage, and the Internet took over my interest away from my waning interest in radio. Some 20+ years later, I am still a big fan of the Internet and I get a lot of entertainment, and also my livelihood from the net. Somehow, though, radio has always been a hobby that has fascinated me, and I have kept an interest in radio over the years, even if I have been inactive.
Now that I have been living in the Philippines for some time, I have often thought of getting a Philippine Amateur Radio license and getting back on the air. One thing I would love to do would be to travel to some remote islands that don’t have any Amateur Radio Operators, and get on the air from those locations, making the island available to those who “chase islands” and try to talk to as many islands as possible. There is a part of the hobby called IOTA (Islands on the Air) where people talk to as many islands as possible. Will I ever do it? Probably not… but you never know.
By the way, for any hams reading this, my US license has expired some time back. My last call in the USA was N7JXN. I kind of miss the radio. Who knows… maybe I’ll talk to you someday from the Philippines!
a yaesu ? – kb9un 🙂
Hi Tommy – No, that’s an Icom IC761. But, I did have many Yaesus over the years. My main shortwave radio was a Yaesu FRG7. I also had a FT101 Transceiver. Those were the days!
I let my old license expire a few years ago. KF4ABG. Amateur radio is a great hobby…a hobby that I fear too many youth are no longer discovering anymore in the age of the internet, smart phone, etc.
Hello Cy – Amateur Radio is very educational. Not only do you have to learn about things like radio, electronics and such just to pass the test, but you also learn about things like geography. Just by talking to people in other countries, it opens up your mind and makes you want to learn about the various places that you have talked to. I learned a lot about the world, and about life because of my radio hobby – both SWL and Ham.
From one radio guy to another – Hi Bob!
As you probably know I worked in a commercial radio station for 12 years. I certainly understand your passion for it. Like you – I miss it too.
Over the years, as you also are aware – a great many smaller market stations have gone automated. Unless a guy hits it big time it doesn’t pay much. But it was a lot of fun!
I guess the Internet has become the new wave!
Bill
Interesting, Bill. I don’t recall you ever telling me you worked in radio before, glad to know it, though. I never got involved in commercial radio, only amateur. I sure had a lot of fun with it, though. I would enjoy it, I think, doing it from the Philippines. Whenever there were amateurs on from exotic places around the world there was always a pile-up of people wanting to talk to them… I never was on the “exotic guy” end of the pile-up, always one of the thousands trying to make contact. It would be fun on the other side, I think. 🙂
Hi Tommy – Nope, Icom 761. 🙂
ah ok had a icom hand held
I had many icom radios over the years, Yaesu too, though! 🙂
Hey Bob Ex WA8HWK here, was also 15 and played with HAM radio till I joined the service. Is Code still a requirement? I think it was 12 words a minute. Tried very hard to get my WAS on 6 meters never got the pacific NW. It not only is good hobby but useful in emergencies and our club was part of the MARS group to hook overseas military with their families. They must of help a bit in the typhoons last year?
Hi Gerald – There is a license you can get now without need for morse code, but the privileges are limited. For more advanced licenses the code is still required. I never worked 6 Meters, I bet that was fun, and must have been at the top of a sunspot cycle! There must be plenty of ham activity in the typhoon areas, but I don’t know anything about it. I’ve just been away from the hobby too long! 🙂
I think the morse code requirement for all classes of USA issued Amateur Radio licenses was dropped a few years ago.
Wow, I didn’t know that, Bob. I have mixed feelings about that. It is outdated, but is also a rite of passage. Thanks for that update Bob.
I spent a small fortune on radio’s equipment from the late 90’s until 02 when I sold it all along with equipment and a small repair business to a friend. I was really involved in several different areas and built myself a custom radio covering several different bands. Good times. Perhaps one day I will build a tower at home and get back into it.
Hi Mike – Nice to hear from you. Yes, I also used to build a lot of my own equipment too. Back when I was younger I enjoyed building radio equipment kits, mostly from Heathkit. Those were the days indeed! Lots of fun, and educational too!
I’m all for sending you to a remote island. just tell me how much is the fare for the hopefully long boat ride and it’s on me. Sorry Bob it was irresistible
That would be fantastic, Corey. I appreciate you offering to pay for my travel. I will work up an itinerary and get it to you. You can send cash via LBC or GCash.
Is Indonesia or the islands in and around Papua New Guinea in the picture. Remember, I said one way LOL
I was thinking Philippine Islands. Perhaps you would want to send me to Sulu or Basilan? I’ve already been to Basilan, but I would like to go to Sulu when the timing is right…. One way? It’s OK, I don’t mind paying the other half. 😉
Ah Shucks you have to stay in the Phiippines Sulu, I am sorry but I would be too concerned for your safety. How about Balut or Sarangani Island which are just down the peninsula from you and then a few hour boat ride. I doubt they have any ham radio there and it is a beautiful island. You can stay with Lynn’s relatives and get a great tour of the place.
Oh, I am very familiar with both Balut and Sarangani Islands…. beautiful places.
Hi Bob, I never was a Ham operator but a lot of the lighthouse keepers on the British Columbia coast were, and I was fortunate to be working with a couple. The provided my wife and I with phone patches to our families when there was no other means of communication except mail once a month. Those guys sure were great and were real radio addicts!
Cool, John. Essay, hams do a lot of public service.
Quite an expensive toy before Bob. Nice story you have here Bay. From radio to Love Life and the future…:-)
Thank you, El Moro. B-)
Very cool, never did the Ham thing but did play with SSB. Last one I had was a Kenwood 480 cough cough molded cough cough. Talked to people all over the US, Jamaica, England, Australia, New Zealand.
Suppose to be modded not molded
LOL back in the day I had a linear amp that when I keyed the mic I bled through TV sets, radios, phones for three blocks around my house
yeasu with a stargazer and a d104
Been there, done that, Tommy Krizka. Ah, those were the days.
oh and yea a 1500 watt ameritron I think ?
Yeah, I had 1500 watts myself, but forgot the brand of my linear.
yea was pretty nasty on a 11 meter worked flawless on the the 10 I just may drag that stuff out one day
I never worked 11 meters. My favorite band was 20.
11 meter is just standard CB radio
Yes, I know.
I never really was on CB though.
well back in the day everyone had one in their car and well it was always a race to be the biggest dog on the porch, my dad was a radioman in the army and a engineer so we always had “the good stuff” 😉
Haven’t checked on the testing requirements in the PI but Ham Radio is active there.
Took a UV-5R VHF/UHF handheld along the other month when I went to Maasin City, Southern Leyte, and they have an active Ham club there with a repeater that gets used. ARCOM – Amateur Radio Club Of Maasin and there is a Lapu-Lapu ARC in Cebu. Had an invitation to their Club meeting but was busy schedule with family. Thanks to DW5RNT – Roland, DY5EBV – Eric (Zaido) and the others of ARCOM>/
Some events, have Hams providing communications for them, And yes, you can find English speaking Hams in the PI.
There is even an IRLP node in Davao (#5300) that can be linked to IRLP linked VHF and UHFrepeaters all over the world. .
Hi Tom – thanks for sharing all of that info.
Radio and electronics have been a lifelong hobby for me although like many others a lot of it has taken a back seat to the internet. It is very seldom that I am on the air anymore. Similar to you Bob, I got interested in short wave listening on those big floor model console radios of years gone by. My grandparents had a Stromberg Carlson console with short wave on it. These days I think a majority of the big short wave broadcasters have cut way back or have entirely eliminated their shortwave broadcast in favor of newer and more economical ways of signal distribution such as Internet and Satellite. I still have a Hammerlund HQ 100 general coverage receiver that I am reluctant to part with even though it has not been used in a few years. Still have a Kenwood TS 440 but it hasn’t been on the air in at least a decade. Since the year 2000 or so it has been internet all the way for me.
My mainstay in ham radio was Radioteletype ( r t t y ). Workhorse models 15, 19 and 28 in their various configurations were plentiful in the surplus market in the 60’s and on. A little TLC and lubrication once in a while and those machines just wouldn’t quit. You could say that they were Digital Mechanical, digital data that you could see with the naked eye. What I learned from those machines and the fun I had using them gave me some of the basic knowledge of digital communication that I can still apply sometimes today in figuring out certain problems encountered in digital electronics which is just about how everything is today. In the 70’s I used to handle traffic ( messages ) as a member of Navy Marine Corps Military Affiliate Amateur Radio Service ( M A R S ). Occasionally I would get messages to relay from ” RP ” but until recent years all I knew about The Philippines was that it was out in the pacific someplace beyond Hawaii.
The amount of new blood coming into Ham Radio today has dwindled from the pre internet and personal electronics days. With more and more things being dubbed as ” wireless ” these days, a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of radio and electronics can be learned from the hobby of Ham Radio. If you think about it, many of the trendy new electronic devices the world enjoys today originated in Ham Radio decades ago.
Just a reminder for visitors and tourists ( and maybe even OFW’s etc. ) to bring any kind of communication devices into The Philippines legally, you must have the proper authorization to do so. See Philippines Customs website for details. Also to purchase communications equipment in The Philippines from a legitimate retailer or dealer, you must have a license to use it or other authorization documents to make a purchase.
Interesting, Bob. Sounds like you were into a lot of modes that I didn’t get into. For example I never did RTTY. I was mostly a DXer, and mostly on sideband.
I DX’d with RTTY, one of the most memorable was when I was on with a station in Austrailia for about 4 hours. Just think of how far things have come since those days, Today you want Austrailia, Philippines, or anywhere else just about, it is not much more than a ” click ” away.
I am sure there are still many places not reachable by internet or maybe even telephone and places like this are where Ham Radio may still excell. Also in emergency situations when most or all other communication systems are wiped out.
In Ham Radio you are your own form of ” ISP “, no monthly connection charges etc.
Wow, I didn’t even know there were RTTY DXers, Bob.
Hi Bob, Very interesting to see that you were a Ham Radio enthusiast, I was also a ham radio operator in the early 1970’s here in Australia, I only had a Novice licence which involved morse code, we had 3 types of licenses, Novice, Limited and a Full license. I had the Yaesu 101 which was a very robust and reliable radio.
I also had had a CB radio which i converted to operate on 29 megahertz, I also built my own antenna’s in which they were on the Tower that i built.
It was a good hobby and the contacts that i got were all over the world, Those were the days 🙂
You are right, Mel, those were the days. I had an Advanced class license.
I don’t have a license anymore, and when computers came into the world i moved over to them with the old dial-up.
Computers are a lot of fun, Mel, and more reliable than radio. Less expensive too!
Bob, with the internet and all, is there any interest in Ham radios? And if one was to want to get involved how could he/she?
Juan Bala, interest is way down compared to years ago. I suppose if you want to learn about it you could check for a local club, or look at http://arrl.org
75S3c, 32S3, 30L1 ( Collins ) Center fed wire dipoles, Teletype 15 KSR, Teletype 28 KSR, HAL ST 3000 Terminal Unit ( modem ) . 80 and 20 Mtr RTTY
Collins gear was classic, no doubt, Bob Newyorkusa.
For successful RTTY operation you really needed stability ( lack of frequency drift ) and in that era, that was one of the hallmarks of Collins. You could even pound on the table or desk with your fist and it would stay on freq. It even beat out the solid state equipment. Bought the S line slightly used for $1500 and I think the used 30L1 tabletop kilowatt linear was 500. Had a few other rigs in between the Colllins and the Kenwood that I have now but for RTTY, Collins was hard to beat.
I also had a local 2 mtr RTTY / Voice repeater, you talk about Amateur Radio being educational ? That one really was, from getting a frequency coordination in an already saturated area, duplexers, my home made landline controller etc. The landline controller was actuated by the electromechanical clapper of the phone ringer, absolutely no elecrical connection to the phone line. This was pretty much in the Pre, own your own phone era. Ma Bell was still alive and well back then.
i still have that book somewhere in these bookshelves @ home. 🙂
What book is that Bobby?
directory of repeaters or sumthin …
Oh, I gave you one of those? I forgot.
http://timonera.com/forumpix/bobbook.jpg
Ha Ha, if you want another copy, I have a stack of them here. 😉
I still have mine!
Hi Jon, with that book and a few dollars you may be able to get a cup of coffee. Ha Ha.
hahaha! would be really useful! 😉
,-)
Hi Bob,
I was also a radio/wire nut in my youth. Short wave listening to DX and such. I tried to learn Morse code even in boy scouts too but failed. The equipment was also beyond my price range. But I never lost interest. Prior to Heather there was Knight-Kit. I built a knight kit shortwave receiver at age 11. It was a tube type. Circa 1961. Still have it today. Followed by many Heathkits, the sw receiver was the Heath kit Mohican with those shiny chrome knows – looked better in the catalog though… ha ha. Still have them both to this day.
Obtained the FCC 1st Class Radio Telephone License in 1070. Worked at the No top 40 am station in Duluth Minnesota on and off for about 5 years. Loved it.
Worked in Florida for GTE Lenkurt doing microwave and multiplex for 4 years from 73 to 76.
Then the economic downturn hit. End of career.
Moved to marine electrical at 4x the money and never looked back…
Still working in the field today.
I still prefer analog electronics to digital by form rather than function… ha ha
Hi Jade, amazing how many people had an interest in radio! Sounds like you really enjoyed it.
Thanks Bob,
One day we’ll have the opportunity to get together and talk face to face. I turn 65 in Dec.
That would be great, Jade. Godspeed.
Hi Bob — DU2/WA8UGN here. “All modes, DC to Light.” Currently on hiatus in the States with all gear remaining behind. Still keep a toe in the doorway via the Internet, though. A real nice hobby but a little difficult for many to enjoy there in the islands. Expense; unavailability of assembled, working equipment; unavailability of repair parts and accessories outside of major metropolitan areas; and rules and regulations make many throw in the towel before achieving a license.
Still, where there’s a will, ……………… 😆
Figured I would be hearing from you on this one. Paul. If I were to ever get back on the air, I want a Philippine call, not sure how possible that is though. Maybe I better stick with internet.
Is this the Hallicrafter short wave radio?
Hi Robert Bula, Hallicrafters as a brand of radio equipment many years ago. The one in the picture is Icom, a Japanese brand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKjsXDkRKYg
Hi Bob,
I was just google searching “ham radio Davao”, and ended up here. I am AB6CH in the US. Like you, I have not been very active lately but have kept the license current. I am in Davao now for the past 3 months or so, and will be staying on for a while, I will apply for the reciprocal operating permit and try to get some gear sent here. I did not bring any when I came. Wasn’t planning on staying this long…..
You can look here for general information about getting your call sign here, http://para.org.ph/
that is the site for the National Amateur Radio organization here.
Well Bob last time I emailed you, you were not feeling well, I am happy to see that you are up and about. I will put something on your email about ham radio, and if you want to know what I have learned so far, happy to share that with you.
Also if there is anyone around Davao that is currently active on any bands, I would like to hear from you….
Bob
ab6ch
Hi Bob – Nice to hear from you. I’m going to be honest.. I don’t recall our previous communications. I was so very sick, though, it is not surprising to me! I nearly didn’t make it.
The odds that I will ever get back into Amateur Radio are almost zero. I was sort of just reminiscing. You never know, but I think I like the internet too much! 🙂
Hey Bob,
Don’t worry about not remembering, we emailed a couple times when I was looking at lots on Samal Island. We have put that on indefinite hold now. I was just letting you know I am here, and offered to buy you a cup of coffee. That offer still stands.
Might want to take a look at Echolink “ham radio over internet”. You do still need the license for it. I just started using it coz I don’t have the reciprocal permit yet, I can go in on internet and connect to repeaters worldwide, and come out on radio. Some hams in my home town were surprised to hear me pop up on 2 meters from here. Fun stuff.
Take care,
Bob
ab6ch…This is K8RIQ.. I am in the Philippines Davao City and wonder if you are
still in the city? I will be living here and have my permit to operate from PARA now.
Hope to contact you. I looking at your post i see it was in 2014.. This site may not even
be in full operation now
gary
Hello to All. Bob I am in Davao City Philppines on 2 meters and 440 now.. I hang around 145.460 . I am seeking other ham contact here in the city. I have HF equipment but found my noise level here near SMLanang mall is very high for that.
Hope to hear from you. Gary DU9/K8RIQ
Hi Gary – I got an email from you a few days ago and replied to you, but it bounced. You must have entered your email address wrong on the contact form!
Anyway, I have not been active on ham radio since about 1989 or maybe 1990. I get a lot of enjoyment out of the internet, although I do think about getting back into radio from time to time.
Next week I will be going in for a quadruple bypass operation, so I will be on recuperation for a few months or so… maybe after that we can meet up!
WOW>>>GOOD LUCK Bob. Are you in Davao City? I have found Drs
here are very good…ironically I have a heart doctor at Davao Hospital office
that I use here. My insurance other than emergencies is in the USA however so anything serious I would hope to go there for it due to the insurance avail.
Best wishes to you in the operateration. I have talked to several who have had
similar procedures and after recovery they feel like they are brand new. I am
certain you will feel the same.. Take care.
gary
SORRY the first email bounced…[email protected] is the correct one.
Hi Gary,
Glad that we finally connected! I have sent you 3 emails today, in reply to your emails and the voice message you left me. Thanks for your information about medical insurance and such. I appreciate it.
OK…Glad we connected finally as well. I have received the messages today.. Thank you.
I didnt get if you were still in Davao City however…Thanks for the response. Since I married
a Filipino girl last April I have had her insurance for anything here in Davao. It pays about 20
percent but that at least is something.
Talk to you again in the future. If there is ANYTHING I can do to help you with the site,
as I believe in it totally please let me know while you are recovering. I am retired and still
have my USA business adventures but thats about it…plus we go to lunch a lot…LOL.
ubrnetworks.com is our website for UngerBroadcasting.
Thanks again for your response.
gary
Hi Gary,
Thanks. Yes, I am in Davao forever… been here 17 years and never been back to the States, I doubt I will ever go back! 🙂
The amount PhilHealth pays depends on what sickness you have and also where you treat it. For example, they will be paying P600k for my heart sugary next week. You can read all about that in my new article here:
http://liveinthephilippines.com/almost-there/
Hi Bob;
Just trying to get some answers for a friend first of all. Is CB (27MHz) operation permitted in the Philippines? I tried looking through the NTC site with no luck. I have seen a lot of sites claiming CB was banned during the Marcos era, is this so?
As for Amateur Radio, I will be coming back to the Philippines in 2017 and will be operating portable from various locations on Luzon. Due to the requirement of having the serial number of the radio on your licence I am holding off on completing the licence application at this point as I intend to buy a Yaesu FT-817ND for the trip, thus needing the serial number of same before I can complete the (mountian) of paperwork required to get a reciprocal licence there.
Stewart
I can email you information reference your application for a recip license here
in the Philippines . Gary DU9/K8RIQ [email protected]