K5VEY Amateur Radio
Background History
Amateur (ham) radio is a fun and exciting hobby that uses radio to communicate down the block, across the country, or around the world. You may be familiar with Citizen's Band (CB), which is similar, but only allows limited wattage and is supposed to be used for local communications. Amateur radio operators in the United States are licensed through the Federal Communications Commission and can use any frequencies and modes of operation that are available in their license class.
In 2013 I finally studied and got my Technician's "ticket"- my license to operate. After taking a cross-country trip and never making a single contact, I got discouraged and didn't mess with it again until a couple of years later when I moved back to Wharton and got involved with the Matagorda County Amateur Radio Club in Bay City, Texas. I quickly upgraded to General, and then during the pandemic in 2020 did the studying to earn my Amateur Extra- the highest level granted in the United States.
1970s-80s Tandy Crystal Radio kit.
Image: Radiomuseum
My frist SWL radio: Grundig S350.
Image: Amazon
Group Meetings and Links
Matagorda County Amateur Radio Club hosts an informal breakfast meeting at Diamond S restaurant in Bay City, Texas on the second Saturday of each month. I am also a member of the Cross Roads Amateur Radio Club and they meet on the third Saturday of the month at Estrella's in downtown Ganado, Texas.
If you're interested in radio, check out these useful links below:
Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) Licensing, Education, & Training
My "Shack" at the cleanest it will be- After making a new work bench!
It's so neat-- no piles of papers!
Cross Roads Ham Radio Club
One of the most exciting things happening in Ham Radio in the Gulf Coast. This dedicated group of amateurs has established a link repeater system that has full coverage from South Houston all the way to Victoria.-- including a linked VHF repeater in Wharton.
Current Equipment in Operation
Home Station
Icom 730
Icom 7300
Kenwood D710
G5RV Dipole Antenna
"Sky Loop" 80m Loop Antenna (in progress of being built)
Copper J-Pole VHF/UHF antenna
School Station
Kenwood TM-V7
Comet VHF/ UHF HiGain antenna
2007 iMac running Zorin (Linux) OS and Hamclock software. - It's a great conversation starter in class.
