Hams
 

We're still planning on moving to the Lakes Region, but the way things are going it won't be till next year. **Sigh** I think we'll be able to put our place on the market by Christmas.

I know most people who move to that area wish to have a place by the lake. What I've learned in my snooping around on this site is most places by the lake have rules and regulations up the wazzoo! I totally understand why.

While having a place on the water front would be awesome, I'm more interested in having a place where we could put up a few antennas for our ham addiction. Are there many Hams there? We'd like to become involved with a club once we get settled there. It would also be wonderful if we could find a realtor who was sympathetic to Hams and antennas... 73's KG7USG :D

It's been pretty active lately. The Gilford repeater (top of Gunstock) is pretty good. I've only been in the hobby for a little while, mainly so I can communicate with my wife while snowboarding...(higher TX power than the typical FRS/GMRS handhelds).

73's KC1CAM

You should definitely be able to operate your station..
 

I've operated HF from Rattlesnake Island for many years.

I run high power with home-built equipment, and have a full-size 75/40 meter dipole (fan dipole) up, and also get on 160 meters by switching in an additional 60 feet on each end of the 75 meter dipole (that's a long story). The antenna system is up around 65-70 feet in the air. I'd prefer 90 feet up, but at the moment that's where it is.

Anyway, all of this is on a lake lot that's a little more than 100 feet wide (the antennas run pretty much across the lot because I want the dipoles to be broadside S/W and N/E, and our place faces West).

I know a number of other hams in the area in many lake towns - Gilford, Wolfeboro, Alton, Merredith.

You can definitely get on !! I'm not sure I'd put up a tower too near the water, but if you're back a few hundred feed you'd probably be OK. Amateur radio towers enjoy special protection from certain zoning restrictions from the FCC, although I cannot cite the exact laws at this moment. And, the trees around here are REALLY tall, so you may not need a tower, depending on what sorts of antennas you like to use.

Of course everyone's amateur radio operation is different - not knowing your operating preferences, it would be hard to say what the best situation would be. But, at least for HF, there are a bunch of guys on from the area, and so far, no trouble reports :)

On what bands are you active?

Regards, Steve

As everyone has indicated, there is no problem with that around here. I had a 2m repeater up on top of the Ossipees for over 20 years, had to take it down for economic reasons. Anyway, welcome to the area.

Hams
 

Bonnie, The Lakes Region is the perfect place for ham radio and lots of homes are currently for sale!! You will want to stay away from "planned Communities" to eliminate any surprise antenna issues.
We have two major clubs here, Central NH Arc and Lakes Region Repeater Assoc. both have lots of repeaters and both have web sites as well as regular nets.
Living on the water is expensive short term as well as long term. You get allot more for your dollar off water.

Good luck and 73 k1hzr

I just got my Call sign in March, I haven't had the time to really get into it as much as I wanted, but I have been able to make a few contacts from the Gilford repeater. There is a local club that I also joined, which has very knowledgeable and experienced members, and also operate several repeaters. checkout the website:
http://www.cnharc.org/

KC1DKE

Congratulations!! Check out 100 Watts and a Wire. They're a really good podcast, also Ham Nation. They have Facebook pages if you're interested!