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   James Morris (jmorris@social.kernel.org)'s status on Wednesday, 20-Dec-2023 05:23:36 JST James Morris
   Just a warning for people thinking about getting into #microwave #amateurradio -- it's a labyrinth of hobbies, knowledge, and equipment. Precision machining, stripline circuits, strange semiconductors (IMPATT diode amplifier, anyone?), exotic electron tubes (which can and will kill you one way or another: xrays, high voltage, beryllium oxide), metrology, physics, too many wrong hex keys, DIY, repair of vintage surplus gear, morse code (modulation is sheer luxury), scouring ebay, haunting electronics store surplus sections, and poring through poorly scanned service manuals from defunct startups.
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     VK2TTY he/him (vk2tty@mastodon.radio)'s status on Wednesday, 20-Dec-2023 07:58:27 JST VK2TTY he/him

     in reply to

     @jmorris heh radio astronomy was my gateway to amateur radio. I’ve still got a WR650 waveguide cut from an olive oil can waiting to be attached to a 1:3 scale insulation replica of the Ewen-Purcell horn. I got stuck on my digital chain, parked it, used the parts for a SATNOGS station, ran into trouble on my RF analogue chain, started researching antenna design, and before you know it I was at the ham club. Oops.

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     S50NB (s50nb@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 20-Dec-2023 08:28:21 JST S50NB

     in reply to

     @jmorris Its no easier down in VHF land 😭. Curently looking for a 2000VA transformer for my diy gi7b PA

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     Rik km (tsiolkovsky@infosec.exchange)'s status on Wednesday, 20-Dec-2023 08:53:33 JST Rik km

     in reply to

     • Leo Bistmans

     @jmorris @LeoBistmans oh but the dishes… the large arrays…. The thrill of listening to the watering hole…

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     curtosis (curtosis@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 20-Dec-2023 08:54:16 JST curtosis

     in reply to

     @jmorris Okay, but… surely there are some downsides??

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