-=> Richard Menedetter wrote to Holger Granholm <=-

 RM> @MSGID: 
 RM> @REPLY: 
 RM> @TZ: 003c
 RM> Hi Holger!

 RM> 16 Feb 2016 09:28, from Holger Granholm -> Richard Menedetter:

 RM>> The ONLY thing I wanted to express is that I do NOT agree with the
 RM>> viewpoint that only shortwave is HAM, everything else not.
 HG> Now you're really barking up the wrong tree.

 RM> Great, so we agree to agree ;))

*nods in agreement* Given that I have spent most of my ham time on VHF/UHF, I
know it's not all HF.  Nor is it all DXing, QSLs and awards.  My activities are
a mix of ragchewing, hybrid radio/Internet systems (IRLP, Echolink, D-STAR,
DMR, etc) and digital voice (on both HF and VHF/UHF), with a degree of home
construction (mostly interfacing and accessories) and script hacking. :)

 HG> I've worked 5-band and 3.5 MHz DXCC, worked on all bands from 3.5MHz
 HG> to 10GHz, on CW, AM and SSB, built my own gear, among them the first
 HG> SSB transmitter in OH, and won a lot of contests on HF, VHF, UHF and
 HG> SHF.

I've tried DXing and contesting.  Not really my thing.  DX is fun to work, but
I can't stand the paperwork, same goes for awards.  I have done well in
contest, but I prefer a more physical contest (I'm a track sprinter).  If there
was something I'd call "radio sport", it would be ARDF, which I have competed
in up to international level (Region 3 Championships).  I used to be active in
orienteering and have an excellent sense of space and direction.  The only
thing that let me down was I'm not a distance runner, so my sports focus has
shifted in recent years. :)

 RM> Very interesting ... never played with extremely high frequencies.
 RM> The 10GHz was satelite?

I'm interested in microwaves, but haven't had the opportunity to play with them
yet.

 HG> I admit that I'm maybe not an average ham, but that is because of my
 HG> technical education.

I have a technical background too, and more networking skills (particularly in
IP) than most hams, so I'm not really "average" either. :)

 RM> What I wanted to say is points of view that a majority of HAMs
 RM> subscribe to.

 RM> In a field that is as diverse as the HAM hobby ... I do not think that
 RM> there is an average HAM ;))
 RM> But this is exactly the thing that fascinates me the most.
 RM> A very diverse comunity, where most encourage the experimentation.
 RM> Actually that is even in the law here ... technical, experimental radio
 RM> ;)

I agree, I can't see what the average ham would be, and if someone did find a
way to statistically derive the "average ham", it would probably be
unrepresentative and meaningless! :)

... It usually takes weeks to prepare an impromptu speech.
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