a couple of questions

[aintgotnun]

Ok,

You folks have peaked my interest a schosh.

So, being an absolute know nothing about the whole Ham thing………..

What all is involved with in getting a ticket? What does a newbie need to know for a novice ticket? Cost?

What would be a decent beginner radio with portability in mind? Used type equipment preferably.

Not saying I’m going to do anything but would like to know just in case.:popcorn:

[Richard Stouffer]

You take a written test and that's all you need for the ticket. The first level is the Technican's license. You can do all the studying you need on line or with study guides from ARRL or W5YI. Go to thier web sites. You only need to learn how to pass the test meaning if you have a good memory it's pretty easy preparing for the tech ticket.

With a technical ticket you have limited privlideges. You can do a wee bit of HF but you will have full access to UHF and VHF frequencies. Radios for those bands are out there for less than $100 used up to a couple of hundred for new mutliband units.

You'll get a pretty good idea of the different radio types and the operating priviledges form the study guides. You might also want to get your hands on "Ham Radio for Dummies". It is very good, comprehensive primer for the hobby. I have an extra class license and refer to that book more often than I want to admit.

[aintgotnun]

ok,
written test, I could probably handle that. are there testing facilities and where would I find out about them? FCC web site or those you mentioned? any idea on the cost of the test?

guess it's time to start some research on my own huh?



I've been "interested" in radios since I was in the Army. I was a 29E radio repairman. I fixed 'em but never used 'em. Been kicking around the idea of getting one. Maybe.

thanks for the input

[KB5LJE]

We can talk and I can offer some input.


how much?

It all depends what as this is a fabilious hobby

Telescope. See further and clearer cost more.

Radio. Talk further and more bands cost more.

Found this for ve's in the TX area

http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml?State=TX

[KB5LJE]

And here is a good resource

http://www.w5yi.org/

[Richard Stouffer]

I'm in Carrollton, not too far from you.

Regarding testing, there is a fee, but I can't remember what it is. It isn't very much, maybe $15. Test are administered by volunteer examiners, called VEC's. Some clubs, like the Metrocrest Ameteur Radio Socoety (MARS) here in Carrollton, conduct testing before each of their monthly meetings: second Thursday of the month. You can also go to the ARRL web site , http://www.arrl.org/ , and do a search for test locations. While you are at the site you can find lots of answers to your questions on the basics of ham radio.

With your radio experience in the army, you could probaly do all of your preparation for the tech test on line and be ready in two or three weeks. I think I spent about a month on the tech and I have absolutely zero technical experience.

Heck, give it a shot then you can start saying rally smart sounding things like QTH, fer, and gud and es..... That will really impress your buddies.

[KB5LJE]

Guess I need to get active again and update my info


HMMMMM
This is going to cost me!

http://hamcall.net/call?callsign=kb5lje

[Radio]

All that stuff you learned about radios in the military will come back.

Maybe...

But that's ok, 'cuz ORR.net has your back!

Joining the ARRL gets you the magazine and that's a good resource. All their online stuff is good. When Mike gets the useful file section up we'll post the question pools in there. The questions in the pool are the exact same ones as on the test so it's just a matter of taking the time to memorize them.

Radio

[aintgotnun]

All that stuff you learned about radios in the military will come back.

Maybe...


I've killed a few billion brain cells since then so I'm not so sure.


Do these ham radios have to survive a 3 ft. drop test after being fixed? That was the best part.:D

[N7OQ]

Well Greg with your background I doubt you would have a problem getting a license, in fact you might want to study for a higher class license like General or extra. Your biggest challenge would be learning "Rules and regulations" and "operating procedures".

I say go for it!

[Radio]

Do these ham radios have to survive a 3 ft. drop test after being fixed? That was the best part.:D

OK, you know how on "that other forum" people will fight about whose truck is best? Deisel vs Gas, Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge...and then the moderator has to get involved?

Well, we're just about to have our first throwdown about Icom vs Kenwood vs Yeasu...**drum roll please**

Yeah, my KENWOOD can take a lick like that!!


:popcorn:

[Radio]

Actually, I had an Icom 02AT handy talkie that survived multiple drops from at least 3 feet. :crutches:

[KB5LJE]

:popcorn::popcorn:Ok I talked with Greg and I also said go for the General with his knowledge for a starter.

Equipment, Were do we start? Direction? I am local Skywarn, Fema, ARES guy but have done it all.

so now I will get my popcorn out as I have had bad units with all brands. Just ask me what I think about cool blue! Its not that cool imo


But I am a kenicomasu guy myself:popcorn::popcorn:

[aintgotnun]

But I am a kenicomasu guy myself:popcorn::popcorn:


kenicomasu??

I can barely speak English..............

[Radio]

Just ask me what I think about cool blue! Its not that cool imo


Yeah I know...I got TWO of them!! :fuss:


But I am a kenicomasu guy myself

Yeah, you just can't beat a TS-570. But if you did, it would still work.

Hmmm...all the '706 guys must have gone to bed.

[Radio]

kenicomasu - And now I realize I've been had.

:bag:

[aintgotnun]

kenicomasu - And now I realize I've been had.

:bag:

I'm lost..........................

[aintgotnun]

just found this

http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl

[Radio]

There you go. Also...

http://www.ncvec.org/downloads/2006tech.pdf

Will get you an entire list of the tech class question pool

I got a cold while in Canada, as I usually do, so I'm turning in now. :sleep:

Radio

[aintgotnun]

got a 57.3% on the General test

not bad for not studying

the electrical parts I knew

[N7OQ]

OK, you know how on "that other forum" people will fight about whose truck is best? Deisel vs Gas, Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge...and then the moderator has to get involved?

Well, we're just about to have our first throwdown about Icom vs Kenwood vs Yeasu...**drum roll please**

Yeah, my KENWOOD can take a lick like that!!


:popcorn:

Huh That is nothing My Icom can handle a drop twice that high.:D

[KB5LJE]

kenicomasu

ken = Kenwood
Icom = Icom
asu = yeasu

I have had them all over the years and can even throw in an Alinco there somewhere.

[N7OQ]

got a 57.3% on the General test

not bad for not studying

the electrical parts I knew

Yep I knew you would not have a problem, the tests are a great way to check your progress and to bone up just before the test. So I guess in a week or two you will have to buy a radio and change the aintgotnon to gotunnow or something like that.

Just think of all the ways you can communicate, HF, VHF, UHF, Microwave, satellites to talk through, moon or meteorites to bounce off of, digital modes like packet, Amtor, PSK31, teletype, slow scan TV, fast scan TV to name a few. You can use APRS to keep track of where your friends are on a map. You can run 1500 watts or go QRP and run micro watts. Most of the digital modes only requires a radio and a computer with a sound card. There are so many ways to enjoy ham radio.

Good Luck and the test.

[Richard Stouffer]

It sure sound like you are not going to have to work very hard to ace your test. That you did so well on your first practice test from the General pool is very encouraging. You could be ready in a week.

One thing I haven't seen anyone address in this threads is that you can not take only the general test and get the general ticket. You have to take the technician test first and pass it, then take the General test. Same thing with the Extra; you would have to first take and pass the tech and the general before you could take the extra. You can do that in the same session.

The only bummer is that you cannot exercise you privileges until you receive you ticket in the mail. It only takes a couple of weeks though.

[aintgotnun]

I was wondering about that........

so it is a progressive thing

tech...
general...
extra...


74.3% on the Tech this morning :D

[Radio]

The only bummer is that you cannot exercise you privileges until you receive you ticket in the mail. It only takes a couple of weeks though.

Morning guys!

Not anymore, Richard. All you need to do is be aware of your call sign, either by looking it up on the FCC database, or the ARRL.org or QRZ.net database and you are good to go. Depending on how quickly your VEC team gets the paperwork turned in, it should take a week to 10 days, sometimes less.

The paper ticket will be in the mail in about 3 weeks.

You do have to take the tests in order, tech, then general, then extra. But if you pass the tech, you can go ahead and take the general at the same test session. At our test sessions our club offers, we encourage those who pass the tech to take the general too. About 1 in 10 will pass the general too with no further preparation. Most come very close.

Radio

Radio

[KE5NWT]

The cost is $14 for the test. Less that $300 will get you into a dual band radio like a Yaesu FT-7800 and a Comet dual band vehicle antenna. Take the practice tests on QRZ.com in sequential order (I think there are 12 tests of 50 questions) and you will be exposed to ALL the test questions. Take the practice test over and over and your score will climb. Look up a local test site on ARRL.com. Contact them (they are most likely an Amateur Radio Club) about their test dates. Most clubs meet once a month and tests can be given by their VE's (volunteer examiners) if they know you are coming. Three VE's have to be present at a test session. I made 100% on technician and then a couple of months later passed the general with only one wrong. You can miss about 13 questions and still pass.

After licensing, continue to interact with the club (maybe join) and they will be a big learning tool.