Finally Started HAM radio!

[maverik]

Well after a long period I am finally (along with a quarter of my squadron) enrolled in a technician HAM course!  Some of it seems pretty simple with the EIR and PIE formulas.  Along with technician I am also self-studying general and extra class since I can pay for technician then take general if I pass and then extra if I pass general for no cost my instructor said so I figured why not?  Anyways any tips or advice from the operators here on CT?

[Jerry Jacobs]

The test for Technician is easy enough, however the General test is MUCH more difficult with harder electrical theory.  However you can just take the online test enough times to pass both tests if you really want to.  But if you want to pass both and know the stuff, be prepared for lots and lots of studying.

KJ6CCE

[JoeTomasone]

The test for Technician is easy enough, however the General test is MUCH more difficult with harder electrical theory.  However you can just take the online test enough times to pass both tests if you really want to.  But if you want to pass both and know the stuff, be prepared for lots and lots of studying.

KJ6CCE

+1.   Learn as much as you can about antenna theory, emergency power, and proper operating technique in nets and the like.  All of those skills will come in handy in CAP comms as well. 

AB2M / YI9MV

[Jerry Jacobs]

The test for Technician is easy enough, however the General test is MUCH more difficult with harder electrical theory.  However you can just take the online test enough times to pass both tests if you really want to.  But if you want to pass both and know the stuff, be prepared for lots and lots of studying.

KJ6CCE

+1.   Learn as much as you can about antenna theory, emergency power, and proper operating technique in nets and the like.  All of those skills will come in handy in CAP comms as well. 



AB2M / YI9MV

And during the zombie apocalypse those skills will be highly needed.

[tdepp]

The test for Technician is easy enough, however the General test is MUCH more difficult with harder electrical theory.  However you can just take the online test enough times to pass both tests if you really want to.  But if you want to pass both and know the stuff, be prepared for lots and lots of studying.

KJ6CCE

+1.   Learn as much as you can about antenna theory, emergency power, and proper operating technique in nets and the like.  All of those skills will come in handy in CAP comms as well. 

AB2M / YI9MV

Or just use your cell phone.  I hear you can talk to all over the world with it! 

[RADIOMAN015]

The test for Technician is easy enough, however the General test is MUCH more difficult with harder electrical theory.  However you can just take the online test enough times to pass both tests if you really want to.  But if you want to pass both and know the stuff, be prepared for lots and lots of studying.

KJ6CCE

+1.   Learn as much as you can about antenna theory, emergency power, and proper operating technique in nets and the like.  All of those skills will come in handy in CAP comms as well. 

AB2M / YI9MV

Or just use your cell phone.  I hear you can talk to all over the world with it! 

Amateur Radio is know as the communications service "When All Else Fails!!".   There's lots of amateur radio operators thoughout the world that can get a signal through when disaster strikes and normal communications is disrupted.

Even locally, we run Emergency VHF Nets twice a week, 1 simplex & the other via the repeater, to test out the range comm range using mobiles, bases, & portables.

When I run training with our cadets, I do emphasize that IF their cellphone will work than by all means use it.  Go to the higest point they safely can reach.  Also they might have to set up a relay system with the low powered ISR's in the valley and one of them with the cellphone & an ISR on the top of a hill or mountain talking back to mission base via the cellphone & relaying via radio to the team below.

Even getting your technician ticket opens up the potential for satellite communications and even the simplest as simplex comm on VHF or UHF.  Experiment with slow scan TV, digital modes, etc.. Radio equipment is relatively inexpensive and there's a lot of hams that are willing to help the new amateur.

Good luck and I'd suggest getting the Technician ticket first, than working on the General, Extra later.

RM

[maverik]

Alright by the sound of it right now I'm not into the slow scan stuff but I definately want to get into HF  mainly something like a mobile that I can put into a pack with it's own power supply etc.  ow being self sufficient is what really gets the geek out of me 

[JoeTomasone]

Alright by the sound of it right now I'm not into the slow scan stuff but I definately want to get into HF  mainly something like a mobile that I can put into a pack with it's own power supply etc.  ow being self sufficient is what really gets the geek out of me 

Can't use it for CAP, but....

http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=0372FA803B7BBADBF3076C94ACA7A8C5&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

[tdepp]

^^And when HAM radios fail, there are always steel drums and smoke signals.    And yes, I know we need radio communications to do our jobs for CAP and that if barnyard matter hits the fan, down go the cell towers and we need the HAMs and other radioheads for vital communications.  But my cell phone sure is handy!

[RRLE]

I definately want to get into HF  mainly something like a mobile that I can put into a pack with it's own power supply etc

Take a look at the ICOM 703 Plus

[Major Lord]

^^And when HAM radios fail, there are always steel drums and smoke signals.    And yes, I know we need radio communications to do our jobs for CAP and that if barnyard matter hits the fan, down go the cell towers and we need the HAMs and other radioheads for vital communications.  But my cell phone sure is handy!

Your point is well taken, but remember, that it was the work of hams and amateur's in the pre-ham decades that made your cellular phone a possibility. ( Marconi did not have a ham license) Marconi, Edison, Tesla, and many of the greats were basically men driven to tinker with electronics ( before the word existed) and today's hams are the guys who will be designing the communications systems of tomorrow. Our grandchildren will probably laugh out load when they see us on old-fashioned Blueray Disk movies pushing little buttons to send 5 word abbreviated messages (texting) or holding primitive battery powered devices up to our heads and talking while crashing into trees. My first cellular phone cost $1500.00 and weighed about 25 pounds, and that was only twenty years ago! Lets see what the world brings in another ten years. ( assuming we survive the Barackocalypse )

Major Lord

[wuzafuzz]

My first cellular phone cost $1500.00 and weighed about 25 pounds, and that was only twenty years ago! Lets see what the world brings in another ten years. ( assuming we survive the Barackocalypse )

We'll all be issued Star Trek style communicator badges with the "O" logo on them.   Searches will become a thing of the past thanks to their 24/7 tracking of our whereabouts   

[wuzafuzz]

Well after a long period I am finally (along with a quarter of my squadron) enrolled in a technician HAM course!  Some of it seems pretty simple with the EIR and PIE formulas.  Along with technician I am also self-studying general and extra class since I can pay for technician then take general if I pass and then extra if I pass general for no cost my instructor said so I figured why not?  Anyways any tips or advice from the operators here on CT?

Good luck with your class and happy hamming!  :clap:

I keep meaning to get back into ham radio, but some of the locals are less than friendly.  Upgrading to general class will expand those horizons quite a bit, freeing me from the local repeater scene.  My next home will NOT have antenna restrictions! 

[tdepp]

^^And when HAM radios fail, there are always steel drums and smoke signals.    And yes, I know we need radio communications to do our jobs for CAP and that if barnyard matter hits the fan, down go the cell towers and we need the HAMs and other radioheads for vital communications.  But my cell phone sure is handy!

Your point is well taken, but remember, that it was the work of hams and amateur's in the pre-ham decades that made your cellular phone a possibility. ( Marconi did not have a ham license) Marconi, Edison, Tesla, and many of the greats were basically men driven to tinker with electronics ( before the word existed) and today's hams are the guys who will be designing the communications systems of tomorrow. Our grandchildren will probably laugh out load when they see us on old-fashioned Blueray Disk movies pushing little buttons to send 5 word abbreviated messages (texting) or holding primitive battery powered devices up to our heads and talking while crashing into trees. My first cellular phone cost $1500.00 and weighed about 25 pounds, and that was only twenty years ago! Lets see what the world brings in another ten years. ( assuming we survive the Barackocalypse )

Major Lord

My Lord!
I was with you until the Barackocalpyse comment.  He's my Man Crush. 
My first cell phone was smaller than yours in 1993 (size does matter).  It was a "bag phone" that had a lead battery that weighed probably at least five pounds and would keep about 20 minutes of charge if you were lucky.  Otherwise, you used it in your car.  It was the size of a small athletic bag.  The phone itself was about the size of a standard house phone.  And that's the way it was and we liked it! 

So, to all you Hammies i have made fun of through the years, you stand on the shoulders of giants--Te Slaa, Marconi, Edison, Armstrong, and Major Lord.  I salute you and thank you for my Blackberry (except when I get client calls and emails in the middle of the night or on weekends).

[cap235629]

when Katrina Hit Mississippi one of the first things that happened was that the Cell towers went dark or were blown down.  So much for your beloved cell phone....  HF was the only option.

[Major Lord]

We used VHF tactically to pretty good effect.....Had to have a guy on the roof of the Marriot on Tchapitoulas Street to talk to the West bank and the Ninth Ward though! I miss the red beans and rice and the Crawfish Ettoufe'  but not the MRE's!

Major Lord

[brenaud]

Well after a long period I am finally (along with a quarter of my squadron) enrolled in a technician HAM course!  Some of it seems pretty simple with the EIR and PIE formulas.  Along with technician I am also self-studying general and extra class since I can pay for technician then take general if I pass and then extra if I pass general for no cost my instructor said so I figured why not?  Anyways any tips or advice from the operators here on CT?

Advice?  Sure...Have fun.  And let us know when you have a callsign.

WR4MS

[maverik]

Will do I'm studying for both technician and general with some extra mixed in (I probably wont test for it just yet)  so everything should go well I test on the 24th.  Anyways the ICOM and Yaseu are both fantastic looking rigs but I think for my first rig i'll either go used base station route or hand held.

[AlphaSigOU]

Depending on the VEC (Volunteer Examiner Committee), you may be able to take all three tests in one session. When I took my ham radio exam, I passed the Technician (Element 2), then was given General (Element 3). ( I didn't pass.) If you pass General you might be offered to take the Amateur Extra exam.

Good luck and 73,
V7/KJ6GHO

[JoeTomasone]

when Katrina Hit Mississippi one of the first things that happened was that the Cell towers went dark or were blown down.  So much for your beloved cell phone....  HF was the only option.

There were 2m repeaters operating as well in some areas; Hancock and Jackson counties, for example.

[maverik]

Depending on the VEC (Volunteer Examiner Committee), you may be able to take all three tests in one session. When I took my ham radio exam, I passed the Technician (Element 2), then was given General (Element 3). ( I didn't pass.) If you pass General you might be offered to take the Amateur Extra exam.

Good luck and 73,
V7/KJ6GHO

My VEC gave me the go to take all three to quote him "Well seeing as you have that comm patch if you're feeling froggy I'll let you (and the others) take all three tests with one fee if you can pass."  Which the local fee is $15 so having that chance for 15 bucks aint a bad deal.

[Fubar]

There were 2m repeaters operating as well in some areas; Hancock and Jackson counties, for example.

If I recall correctly, the Hancock sheriff's office was using a 2m ham repeater to communicate with PMT, the Red Cross, and I believe a neighboring sheriff's office. I wish I could recall his name, but there was a ham running net control darn near 24 hours a day. I've always wanted to send him a note of thanks, he did a great job.

[maverik]

I am reading in a HAM book (just to learn about it more) from like the 90's I think back when they had novice and CW was a requirement, anyways it said that some people simply took the extra tes as their first.  So my question is what's stopping me from going in on test day sitting down and just taking the technician and the extra or just taking the extra?  Can anyone point me to an actual Reg?

EDIT:
Had a better idea.  Since the test changes or gets revised or some jazz like that in june could I just go get my technician APR 24 (because I doubt I can prepare for my extra in a week) then before the test changes go to the next test day which is may 29th so I have a month to study my 4th contact into oblivion?

[wacapgh]

Each exam is called in FCC-speak, an "Element". The written test for a Technician class license is Element 2, for General Element 3, and Extra is Element 4. Element 1 used to be the Morse code exam, which was dropped for all licenses in 2007.

Note that each license requires completion the elements of the preceding class before a new license is "Granted" (again, FCC-speak)

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing_2&id=amateur

So, it is possible to take just Elements 2 and 4 at the same testing session, but I would advise against it and here's why:

If you fail a test, you are prohibited from taking any more exams at the that testing session (as in KJ6GHO's example). If you fail to pass the first test you take, you're done for the day. If you choose to take the Extra/E4 first - get the hardest out of the way strategy - and fail, you cannot then take the General or Tech exams.

If you pass both, you would be issued a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) for Elements 2 and 4. You would eligible to apply for a Technician class license with the CSCE for Element 2. You would also then have 365 days to complete the Element 3 exam and submit that CSCE with your Element 4 CSCE and apply for an Extra class license.

On the 366th day, you loose credit for the Element 4 exam and would have to retake it before you can apply for an Extra class license (after having passed the General/Element 3 exam).

If you're a good study, then go for it! Take all three in one sitting. It has been done, but not very often.  Keeping the frequency and operating restrictions for each class separate is enough of a challenge.

Good luck and 73!
N7NHW

[maverik]

well seeing as how my local club tests every 4th saturday what I plan on since I keep passing the practice tests the VECs give me is take technician then general then may 29 finish up extra that way I have about a month or two to learn the material.

[maverik]

Just an update I keep scoring 90% on all my techie practice exams and moving on to general study guide with any luck you'll be seeing a cadet running around at NESA with their 1X3 callsign on their staff hat.

[CAP.is.1337]

I thought Tech and General were both pretty similar in difficulty. (I think the only electrical thing you need to remember is V=IR, but I may be wrong.) Both can easily be passed through only practice testing, however you have to know theory to pass Extra, as that is much harder! If you can do all three in one shot, you save $30, and have bragging rights as a new ham starting out as an Extra!

KJ4CYM - General here!

[wuzafuzz]

I thought Tech and General were both pretty similar in difficulty. (I think the only electrical thing you need to remember is V=IR, but I may be wrong.) Both can easily be passed through only practice testing, however you have to know theory to pass Extra, as that is much harder! If you can do all three in one shot, you save $30, and have bragging rights as a new ham starting out as an Extra!

KJ4CYM - General here!

Congrats and 73 de KE6BBA

[maverik]

Pssed Tech today, missed general by one more info when I get back from my JROTC CG event.

[JoeTomasone]

Pssed Tech today, missed general by one more info when I get back from my JROTC CG event.

Congrats!   :clap:

[bkwheeler]

Congrats,

I tired to pass mine back in 1982. I was 13 and couldn't get a handle on CW. Well I also decided that it was time to finish what I started. Took technican exam last Saturday and passed.

Callsign is KF7JJS.

Brian Wheeler
new SM with WA northshore squadron

[maverik]

AWESOME!!! Now I just gotta wait for the FCC do gimme my call so I can change it lol.  Sent my application into ARES.  Anyways I got up this morning and got ready.  Went by the gas station picked me up a huge monster and nutra grain bar (the breakfast of new technicians! lol) went to the local redcross sat down plopped my fee down and prepared myself.  During the test a combination of nerves and caffeine hit me at once and I swear my hand was getting ready to detach itself and tap dance! But I passed with a 31 out of 35 and a 25 out of 35 on the general so by the end of June I'll be an Extra. with any luck

[maverik]

got my call KC9SFU which is interesting what SFU can stand for  like six feet under haha