jjandpop Loc: Dunnellon, Florida

I guess I finally decided to give up Amateur Radio. About a year ago my property insurance broker ordered that I had to take down my tower. Insurance in Florida can be hard to find for several reasons.

I listed my Icom ICC 706 on eBay today.

Sad day, I have been a ham for about 50 years.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

That is a shame. Insurance companies...well let's not get into what I think of them.
--Bob

jjandpop Loc: Dunnellon, Florida

I thought about hanging several dipoles but all trees around are old and can topple over at any time. I guess it was time.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Ever since Andrew home insurance in Florida has been a mess.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Have you heard of this. Simulating Ham radio using the internet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HamSphere#:~:text=HamSphere%20is%20a%20subscription%2Dbased,another%20using%20a%20simulated%20ionosphere.

I have been listening to internet radio at night using my router for years. Stations broadcast over the internet from everywhere. No static, just a perfectly clear connection. Maybe HamSpere will give you the ham radio experience using your computer.

jjandpop Loc: Dunnellon, Florida

I have been off my boat for 15 years. Before that I was sailing the oceans around the world. Ham radio kept me in touch with friends in many countries and aboard they boats. Theres email and text etc
I suffered a heart attack in June and have had to really slow down.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Sorry to hear that OM. It never hurts to shop around for insurance. When I bought my farm property, the company wanted me to tear down a dilapidated building on the land. My house is in the middle of 60 acres of farmland and the small building is close to nothing. The company made this decision AFTER they cashed my check for 12 months coverage. Another company gave me better insurance for cheaper.

I think that you should still call the ARRL about your situation. The companies request may be in violation of PRB-1.

Here one of my antennas is a StepIr vertical, It works well 80m to 10m. Only needs a little touch from a tuner on 80 and portions of 10m.

Here I also have a D-Star and DMR hot spot. Through one of the reflectors you can have a ragchew QSO with folks from around the world. Not quite as cool as working VU on 160m but interesting.

73 ES GL DE N8WXQ

jjandpop Loc: Dunnellon, Florida

I have waited almost a year to take down my station. Im done!!!
73 N4JKZ Jim

Ourspolair

73's & 88s AR VA

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

My dad was W8ZCQ. I think that would have broken his heart. 73's.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Let me agree with N8WXQ - contact ARRL and see if they can help. If not, there are other ways to enjoy the hobby than HF. There are local repeaters, mobile and satellite as well as verticals hidden as flagpoles, etc. Don’t quit! As I recall, there’s an HRO or similar store in the Orlando area. Drive over and pick up a new or used rig! We need all the experienced OPs we can get to Elmer, conduct VE exams and help this generation enjoy our timeless hobby (I started 63 years ago).

73 DE K4CKB

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

The times have changed too much. Cellular phones almost made Ham extinct in our country and local clubs dwell on buying gear instead of teaching how to build them like the old days. We are dinosaurs now, with the interest and knowledge is slowly dying
My own set have hibernated a long time ago. Just keeping them for emergency.

Enjoy the freedom of not standing by in your shed DXing.
More time to eyeball instead and grab a quick covid

Kidding aside, just trying to cheer you up with options.
Always keep safe...

73's DY4NME

avflinsch Loc: Hamilton, New Jersey

I live on a small lot and just do not have the space for any sort of decent antenna - but I still get on the air with a portable setup. Basically it is a mobile antenna and a bunch of radials.

73 DE AB2RC

Say Cheese Loc: Eastern PA

As soon as I got my first computer I gave up HAM.
KA3IZO -.- .- ...-- .. --.. ---

Red6

If you enjoy it, just switch modes or bands. I have enjoyed Amateur radio for years and have never had a tower. I have lived in condos and apartments for the last 20 years or so and moved around a lot before that, so I never had the ability to have a large fixed antenna system or tower. No, you are not going to work the low frequency bands as well, but there are plenty more frequencies you can work with much smaller antennas.

Presently I live in a condo that does not allow any outdoor antennas, but I have a 35 ft sloper in my attic that works quite well and I have made several overseas contacts. You cannot run a kilowatt through it but I never usually use more than 75-100 watts anyway. I am also thinking of installing a 20m-40m magloop antenna in the attic.

Then there is always VHF, UHF and higher. LOTS of challenges there. I am a snowbird from here in East TN and will be heading south later this year to Davenport, FL. There are lots and lots of repeaters in Central Florida and the surrounding areas. Many can be worked with a $25 handheld. That is usually all I take for the winter there in Davenport.