Don’t feel bad about asking the questions, HardyAnimal… There are no bad questions, maybe a lot of stupid answers, but no bad questions.
Everyone was once a Noob- and believe me, the things I have seen (and done !) would amaze you.**
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So by all means, ask away-- just be prepared to filter the answers carefully--
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………………CF
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**Example:
-- My first 2 metre antenna as a young teenager was a 3 element beam. I made it out of coat hangers and a section of aluminum tubing, mounting it on a wood mast. My father, also a ham, looked it over and, bless his heart, gave me an approving nod,… but said--
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“You used coat hangers for the elements, Lauri?” Long pause, then “Hmmmm”
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His “Hmmmm’ made me a bit anxious
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“Is that bad?,” I asked… “the article I got this design from said to use them”
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“Yes, but the guy that designed that antenna lives in Southern California… this is London”
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Long story short- my little antenna worked great, --for about a month,-- before the winter rains of England rusted those coat hangers into pulp. My father let me learn that lesson by-- what is the current saying?…” tough love?’’
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Since then my career has had plenty of colourful little Learning Experiences- some I’m fond of retelling.. Others, too embarrassing to ever relate….. but I ask (often seemingly dumb) questions all the time, too.