Are you a licensed Amateur?

[alpmco]

Just curious how many hams we have the the group.
I've been a tech class for thirteen years and have just bough the study guide to upgrade to General and HF privileges.
If there were enough of us I though it might be cool to get together on the air once a month or quarter to test our over the air communications. After all WSHTF AlGore might shut down the Internet.

Also, might be an opportunity for members that are not licensed but listen to shortwave (SSB HF) to see if they can hear us and post it up on the forum.
Hopefully I'll be ready to upgrade and pass the test for the September 3rd exams.

[hiker]

General class and going to start studying for Extra in a few weeks. But yes, I would be interested in a weekly net.

[C-ya]

General at the moment, but will be ordering the new Extra manual.

I just bought a new house, so I'm still working out antennas (antennae?). I know what I'm doing for 2m/440 stuff, just not sure on HF yet. May end up doing a nice loop around the wood fence in the backyard. Or a multiband vertical or dipole.

I am also interested in doing a 40m NVIS antenna based on the designs at http://www.hamuniverse.com/antennas.html.

[madmyk]

Something I have always wanted to do, yet never found the time. I think once school is over I will be getting the info/course work to get mine. Is there any e-format type of stuff,or am I stuck mail ordering hard copy?

[hiker]

Something I have always wanted to do, yet never found the time. I think once school is over I will be getting the info/course work to get mine. Is there any e-format type of stuff,or am I stuck mail ordering hard copy?

www.qrz.com then scroll down and on the left side of the screen there is a link to take practice tests.
What I would recommend is go to www.arrl.org and find the link that will give you the local Ham club in your area, get in touch with them and find out when the testing session will be. The cost usually runs 12-15 dollars and your license is good for 10 years.

[bob200587]

What's it take to get started in this?

[C-ya]

What's it take to get started in this?

Desire.

Start studying the info on here (http://www.kb6nu.com/2006techstudyguide.pdf) and then take the practice tests on qrz.com.

Here (http://kb6nu.com/2007GeneralStudyGuide.pdf) is a General Class study guide.

A 2m or 2m/440 handheld radio (HT or handitalkie) can be bought from ebay or qrz.com's swap meet. Be aware that some ham's won't sell to an unlicensed person. There should be plenty that will, tho. You can pick up a good for about $70 on up. If you like what you hear and can do, upgrade your license, which will upgrade your privileges. Of course, this will mean another radio (darn the luck!).

Read a lot on the web. There are plenty of sites to poke around on. Find a local club. They'll help you, as well. http://www.arrl.org has a club locator.

Good luck and have fun!

[DirtPirate]

Arrl has a web based course for the license now too...

http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html#ec010

[wy0mn]

I think a SHTF net would be cool! Hopefully I'll have some aerials up by then.
tnx
de wy0mn/7 (Grandfathered Advanced Class)

[randyb]

Just a tech no code.

[DEFCON1]

CQ DX.. negative on the FCC license. Have thought about it. but it seems many people have got out of 2-10 meter and traveled over to 800-900 mhz.. and that gets too pricey. Although the benefit of not having a 50 " high lightning magnet strapped down next to your house is nice.

[mitunnelrat]

LOL, you missed an option:

"Not licensed, but interested."

[alpmco]

LOL, you missed an option:
"Not licensed, but interested."
You are right! I thought I had that as an option. I guess I got distracted.

[avmech]

Working on it. Have the FCC General Radiotelephone license with Radar endorsement

[MiniDevil]

I'm highly into CB. I'm not into HAM... I have tried it before with my friend who is also into CB and is a HAM operator. I'm just not into the whole QRZ thing where people can find your exact address and personal information from just your callsign.

In the event of what I deem an emergency, I can at any time head on over to the HAM bands if necessary.

[alpmco]

Use a P.O. address. Besides your address and phone is probably all over the place already.
Heading over to the ham bands won't do you much good if you don't know how to operate it. It isn't exactly like CB VHF or UHF. There are many more modes of operations and it is not all voice or Morse. You have to have practice at it that is why they have field days and such. But then again you only need to have a couple communicators in a group.

Looks like I'm not going to take the test this Wednesday. I not even a quarter way through the book. Hopefully by October unless I crash study tomorrow and Tuesday.

[MiniDevil]

What do you mean by more modes of operation, other than selecting the proper frequency range and remodulating? I've never had any issues before.

[C-ya]

MD, he's talking about the digital modes (PSK31, SSTV, RTTY, etc.) for one. There are lots of things to do with ham radio besides keying up and talking. You also need to know the normal sideband for the band you are using (USB or LSB) as there are accepted norms. Someone may try to answer your call, but it will be totally garbled if you are on the wrong sideband, if you can even hear their signal or they yours.

[wy0mn]

And if you go rogue (unlicensed) and interfere other HAMS comms, we are perfectly capable of triangulating your position and/or use "fox hunt" methods to ferret your location. If SHTF I'll guarantee that all the local HAMS will be united for mutual self protection. Any "outsider" whose careless broadcasts endanger their security and welfare, and that of their families, will quickly discover that his retreat is not a safe place.
Get the license, make nice with those whom you cannot hide from. Chances are you'll meet a few other preparedness minded folks you'll like.

Cautionary advise from both a HAM & a CB'er.

[BobS]

Additionally, FSTV and packet/APRS can be used similarly to existing infrastructure for news and group information sharing, tactical monitoring of your group, and, best of all....it's a blast to do!!

Best regards,

Bob

REF links:

http://www.hamtv.com/ Equipment for FSTV (Fast Scan TV)

http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/atv.html ARRL ech info page

http://www.wa2fnq.com/atv/atvdoc.htm General FSTV info from a user

http://www.n0hr.com/hamradio/95/10/ham_radio0.htm APRS links and basic info

http://aprs.org/ Detailed APRS information

[dissident40444]

tech plus and i have hf radio

[Atomic]

I'm a Tech, gearing up to take the General exam.
(Would be a waste of my main rig to use it only on 2m/70cm)

Mrs. and I use our HT's to communicate while I'm away at work. WAY more reliable than cell phones and much cheaper as well.

[alpmco]

I don't know if I'm going to be ready to take the test in 7 days. I have only covered half the book. I've taken the online test and usually just pass with 70%. Too many other things going on right now ... After tonight I should have the rest of the weeknights free to study ... I hope ...

[Encato]

not yet but im working on it

[bobd42]

Became a general class operator in 1965 . I work a number of nets on a regular basis . Best thing to do is use 20 meters from 10am to about 3pm , 40 meters until dark and then 80meters for night time use as a rough place to start . Probally after 7pm would be the best time in case you work . Week ends are busier ( more radio traffic ) . I'll check back.

[dblnaught]

ETN Navy 10 years 75-85. COM SPEC Army 85-present. to close to work for me. Respect the pig hind quarter.

[mndless]

Became a general class operator in 1965 . I work a number of nets on a regular basis . Best thing to do is use 20 meters from 10am to about 3pm , 40 meters until dark and then 80meters for night time use as a rough place to start . Probally after 7pm would be the best time in case you work . Week ends are busier ( more radio traffic ) . I'll check back.

Bobd... any good online streaming links for those nets???

[scott]

general class plus element 1A 5WPM code.