Even though I'm a new ham (only got my tech license in January 2012 and upgraded to general in February), I wonder if there should be a FAQ on the Internet (if there isn't one already) that describes what being a ham is about.

For example - what you can do when you're a ham (ragchewing, public service, contesting)

What the different ham bands are like (for example - the world below 30 MHz is MUCH different than over 30 MHz.. and yes I'm generalizing a bit since 6 meters can act like both at times)

And of course the concept of LISTENING for a while before you actually broadcast.. getting a SW radio with a "beat frequency oscillator" (BFO) to listen to upper and lower SSB in the ham bands - and getting a used scanner to listen to 2 meter repeaters.

I'm afraid with the "new" no-code rules, we can get some newbies that have no clue what being a ham is about and once they get their license they really don't understand. It's like getting a driver's license but no prior training on how to drive a car.

What do you all think?

*** Diamond Dave *** (KK4GBC)


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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to All on Sat May 12 2012 08:24 am

Even though I'm a new ham (only got my tech license in January 2012 and upgraded to general in February), I wonder if there should be a FAQ on the Internet (if there isn't one already) that describes what being a ham is about.

It wouldn't hurt, though I expect the ARRL has something like that. The problem with a FAQ is that it would need to be too sparse to be really useful. You would need a short intro and a link to more information.

The ARRL Operating Manual fills that role nicely with the exception of the EE part of the hobby (which isn't really a FAQ subject and is hard to simplify).

I got my copy of the Operating Manual free with my ARRL membership, no really new information there, but it does skim over most of the operating specialties with enough information to give a feel for what's involved.

The reference section is worth a few bucks (the cost to print that information on your own printer) so I'm happy that I chose that "gift".

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to All on Sat May 12 2012 08:24:38

I'm afraid with the "new" no-code rules, we can get some newbies that have n clue what being a ham is about and once they get their license they really don't understand. It's like getting a driver's license but no prior training how to drive a car.

Apart from the obvious lack of a morse code requirement, what else is different about the no-code license? Is the exam more lax in other areas as well?

echicken
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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: echicken to Diamond Dave on Tue May 15 2012 03:17 pm

Subject: Before you become a ham radio operator....
@VIA: ECBBS
@MSGID: <4FB2ABAC.1465.dove-ham@bbs.electronicchicken.com>
@REPLY: <4FAE5686.2226.dove-ham@dmine.net>
@TZ: c12c
Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to All on Sat May 12 2012 08:24:38

I'm afraid with the "new" no-code rules, we can get some newbies that hav clue what being a ham is about and once they get their license they reall don't understand. It's like getting a driver's license but no prior train how to drive a car.

Apart from the obvious lack of a morse code requirement, what else is differ about the no-code license? Is the exam more lax in other areas as well?

echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

aham with a cheap attenna is chopped ham.

"Practise safe Lunch, Use a Condiment"


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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Corey to echicken on Tue May 15 2012 18:18:25

aham with a cheap attenna is chopped ham.

IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE HAM IS ALSO A MEAT! I JUST SHIT MY FUCKING PANTS LAUGHING!

echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to All on Sat May 12 2012 08:24 am

Even though I'm a new ham (only got my tech license in January 2012 and upgraded to general in February), I wonder if there should be a FAQ on the Internet (if there isn't one already) that describes what being a ham is abo

ut.
KF5QEO Here, License just came available, passed the test 5/5/2012!

What the different ham bands are like (for example - the world below 30 MHz

is

MUCH different than over 30 MHz.. and yes I'm generalizing a bit since 6 met

ers

can act like both at times)

Youtube is excellent research for learning the different bands, etc.
however, I do have a few questions sorta....

How far can one expect to receive on an average mobile 2 meter radio,
6 meter radio, and 10 meter radio? I've got a baofeng 2m/75cm 1watt and can pick up the local repeater, but that's all. I am interested in getting a bette r antenae for it...

Another thing is, I hear various people and online talking about your
call sign is registered to _____. Or, your call sign is a ____ license.
how can you tell if a license is a tech, general, or extra and what part
of the country it is from? I'm guessing the KF on my license is the part
that reveals technician and the 5 reveals the region? I read something
about a map with 2-digit character codes, perhaps that is where they get
the region info...











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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: echicken to Corey on Tue May 15 2012 10:19 pm

Subject: Before you become a ham radio operator....
@VIA: ECBBS
@MSGID: <4FB30E96.1469.dove-ham@bbs.electronicchicken.com>
@REPLY: <4FB30061.2202.doveham@tsgc.dyndns.org>
@TZ: c12c
Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Corey to echicken on Tue May 15 2012 18:18:25

aham with a cheap attenna is chopped ham.

IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE HAM IS ALSO A MEAT! I JUST SHIT MY FUCKING PANTS LAUGHIN

echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

hey, if someone wanted to start hamming it up, no pun intended,
where is the best deal on equipment?

"Practise safe Lunch, Use a Condiment"


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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Corey to echicken on Tue May 15 2012 21:22:19

hey, if someone wanted to start hamming it up, no pun intended,
where is the best deal on equipment?

Hams are fairly affordable at most supermarkets. :D :D :D

In all seriousness, though, real "deals" are hard to come by, generally. Even then, it all depends on what bands you want to operate in. 1980s era HF radios are decent and can be had in the $400 range, where a new comparable one might be $800 and up. There are cheap Chinese VHF/UHF handhelds in the $60 area, better quality ones more like $150-$200 and up, really good ones approaching and exceeding $500.

Most hamfests revolve around a flea market, and sometimes there are deals to be found there. Even then the prices are more or less what you'd see on eBay, but you may save the shipping cost.

You *can* get a start in this hobby for a few hundred bucks, but then again it's also very possible to spend thousands. I'm guessing that the average person puts in $500 - $1000 before they feel they've got all of the stuff they "need", and then upgrades and adds on from there.

echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: echicken to Corey on Wed May 16 2012 09:57 am

Subject: Before you become a ham radio operator....
@VIA: ECBBS
@MSGID: <4FB3B239.1474.dove-ham@bbs.electronicchicken.com>
@REPLY: <4FB32B7B.2205.doveham@tsgc.dyndns.org>
@TZ: c12c
Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Corey to echicken on Tue May 15 2012 21:22:19

hey, if someone wanted to start hamming it up, no pun intended,
where is the best deal on equipment?

Hams are fairly affordable at most supermarkets. :D :D :D

In all seriousness, though, real "deals" are hard to come by, generally. Ev then, it all depends on what bands you want to operate in. 1980s era HF rad are decent and can be had in the $400 range, where a new comparable one migh be $800 and up. There are cheap Chinese VHF/UHF handhelds in the $60 area, better quality ones more like $150-$200 and up, really good ones approaching and exceeding $500.

Most hamfests revolve around a flea market, and sometimes there are deals to found there. Even then the prices are more or less what you'd see on eBay, you may save the shipping cost.

You *can* get a start in this hobby for a few hundred bucks, but then again it's also very possible to spend thousands. I'm guessing that the average person puts in $500 - $1000 before they feel they've got all of the stuff th "need", and then upgrades and adds on from there.

echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

I prolly had that coming.
if I buy a complete startup package would I be a canned ham?

"Practise safe Lunch, Use a Condiment"


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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: echicken to Corey on Wed May 16 2012 09:57 am

Most hamfests revolve around a flea market, and sometimes there are deals
to be found there. Even then the prices are more or less what you'd see on eBay, but you may save the shipping cost.

The biggest deals I got there were on tech specials - ie: things I had to fix first.

If you're interested in electronics troubleshooting and repair, deals can be had.

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to Diamond Dave on Tue May 15 2012 08:58 pm

How far can one expect to receive on an average mobile 2 meter radio,
6 meter radio, and 10 meter radio? I've got a baofeng 2m/75cm 1watt and
can pick up the local repeater, but that's all. I am interested in getting a bette r antenae for it...

Well, first off, "mobile" and "portable" are different beasts. Mobile rigs are intended to be installed in a vehicle and run around 40W. Portable is handheld
and runs up to 5W.

On a 2m mobile with a decent antenna, you're looking at around the 100 mile mark.

6m and 10m are different beats entirely... 6m is known as the "magic band" because while it's usually similar to 2m, it's occasionally possible to go thousands of miles depending on time of yaear/day/solar cycle.

As for 10m, during periods of high solar flux, you can hear your long path echo
(ie: around the world) with 5W into a good antenna - during low activity, you're lucky to get high skywave at 600 miles.

Another thing is, I hear various people and online talking about your call sign is registered to _____. Or, your call sign is a ____ license.
how can you tell if a license is a tech, general, or extra and what part
of the country it is from? I'm guessing the KF on my license is the part that reveals technician and the 5 reveals the region? I read something about a map with 2-digit character codes, perhaps that is where they get
the region info...

The number is the region - except when it isn't. Vanity calls aren't restricted except Hawaii and Alaska - and those just require a mail address. Different classes qualify for shorter calls and different prefixes, but you don't NEED to get a new call when you upgrade.

So basically, the number sometimes indicates the region and the prefix/length sometimes indicate the class (and ALWAYS indicate the MINIMUM class).

As for myself (K6BSD), I have a vanity general call for California. I'm an Extra (though I am in California). I picked a 6 call specifically because I'm in region 6. Some people will pick the call for a specific number, or whatever
is available with their desired suffix.


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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Corey to echicken on Tue May 15 2012 09:22 pm

hey, if someone wanted to start hamming it up, no pun intended,
where is the best deal on equipment?

A Ham Fest is the #1 place that I understand Ham Operators go to find
good "used" equipment, and if they don't want to wait for that, then
Ebay is usually their next best place. Most beginning hams start off
as I did from what I understand buying a cheap 2 meter/75cm hand held
radio that you can pick up for $45-$60 on ebay brand new. A mobile
2 meter goes for around $100-$200 used on ebay. Other Bands tend to
be more expensive, though you can find some ancient vacume tube radios
that are a bit harder to use in my opinion, and repair may be even
harder for the fact alone that I don't know of any shops that sell
vacume tubes around here.... But if your up to the challenge and
want to learn, they're usually cheaper and have more features than
you'd normally get for the same money. But then again, don't expect
a nice LCD screen or a detachable face pate.... ;-)

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Corey to echicken on Wed May 16 2012 10:57:24

I prolly had that coming.
if I buy a complete startup package would I be a canned ham?

Indeed, and depending on what you do with which parts of the can, you might also be a "lid"!

echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: echicken to Corey on Wed May 16 2012 09:57 am

then, it all depends on what bands you want to operate in. 1980s era HF rad are decent and can be had in the $400 range, where a new comparable one migh

Wow, definitely cheaper than what I expected! I saw one all-band I think
that went for like $4,000 and I told my girlfriend I just couldn't see
paying that kind of money for a radio of ANY type! I realize it looked
cool and all, but $4,000 for a single radio???? About the only way I'd
be able to justify that is if I was paralyized and couldn't leave the house,
had no life, and my only form of communication was strictly HAM radio!
even then, it'd be hard! Personally, I'm not so sure I like HF radio.
The tone of the voice normally sounds very distorted. Also, I'm still
not good enough to understand call signs from some people. I'd definitely
have to spend more time on 2 meters before going HF! I don't recommend
HF for folks who don't have experience in other bands... Unless they get
an all-band that has 6, 10, and HF, etc. Then it'd be a combination of
being able to do everything on one radio and having the capability of
going there when ready, and usually SSB's...

be $800 and up. There are cheap Chinese VHF/UHF handhelds in the $60 area, better quality ones more like $150-$200 and up, really good ones approaching and exceeding $500.

I see good deals on ancient vacume tube radios, but they don't look as easy
to operate as most modern radios... The terms are often different, and
you normally have a dial with hand printed numbers, switches that you have
to match up with the dial to know what numbers to look at, etc. I like the
analog S/RF meters, and all the switches look cool, but if you don't know
what to do with them.... ;-) Before licensed I was too scared to buy one,
I may later on get one just to play with... (may be a big mistake!)

Most hamfests revolve around a flea market, and sometimes there are deals to found there. Even then the prices are more or less what you'd see on eBay, you may save the shipping cost.

Let's not forget the fact that at a ham fest, you also generally will know
the person selling the radio, or at least they'll usually be a member of
the ham club and not likely to rip you off, you can test it out right there
generally, so you know it works, you can see the condition its in, etc.
with Ebay you still have a slightly higher risk and have to wait for it
to come in, where as you'll be talking on it that night at the ham fest!

You *can* get a start in this hobby for a few hundred bucks, but then again it's also very possible to spend thousands. I'm guessing that the average person puts in $500 - $1000 before they feel they've got all of the stuff th "need", and then upgrades and adds on from there.

First off, anyone that says they have al they need is fooling their self....
I know, I was happy with my 2 meter radio connecting to the local repeater
and echolink on the laptop, but would love to have a 2 meter in the truck,
and would love a base station with 6 meter or 10 meter to play with, but
not really sure if anyone else around here to talk to.... Would probably
need to get a really good antenae and a radio with at least 100 watts or
more to find someone... I'm in Brookhaven, Mississippi. Just north of
McComb, MS and 1 hour south of Jackson, MS. I'd love to talk to people
in my home town of Westlake, LA. Westlake is west of Lake Charles, LA.
Basically go all the way from one end of Louisiana to the other end,
then travel north half way up the state.... They use Single Side Bands
for their club and I think 10 meter band. How likely would I be able to
reach them direct w/o repeater, and how many watts you reckon I'd need?
I'm also curious about the wave lengths. Do greater wavelengths tend to
reach further distances? I know 10+ meters gets bounced around in the
ionasphere and can reach further especially when solar flares are strong.
But is it a good rule of thumb that the further you want to talk, the
bigger the wave length? I know HF is generally for talking to other
countries.... 10 meters seems to be good for talking outside your town...
and sometimes across other states if skip is good... If pushing enough
power, it might go further....

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Corey to echicken on Wed May 16 2012 10:57 am

I prolly had that coming.
if I buy a complete startup package would I be a canned ham?

Yes, and you'd be happy for 5 days or until you went to a friends house
and saw his rig with more boxes and microphones than yours and realized
you feel inadaquate even though your rig does more than his, his looks
bigger and better than yours, so you now have to get more stuff.... ;-)
Seriously, I can see where it's better to have one transceiver for every
band and also where it'd be best to have an all-band transceiver....
I mean, you could listen to more than one band at the same time and
have locals on 2 meter, while you talk to someone on 10 meter, and then
every once in a whie on HF talk to Canada and Britian.... Maybe Austrailia.
Picture this.... An Earthquake in Austrailia happens... You talk live on HF
to Austrailia and get the details, while passing on the info to locals on
2 meter. On 10 meter, your talking to other parts of the state and
hearing what is said on the news and telling them what you hear....
Now if you'd be on a All-band, you'd have to switch modes and you'd end
up leaving it tuned into a band picking up one guy in Austrailia and
possibly using your trusty hand held 2meter or cell phone and internet to
relay what you hear... ;-) He who dies with the most radios wins... ;-)

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Deuce to echicken on Wed May 16 2012 11:22 am

The biggest deals I got there were on tech specials - ie: things I had to fi first.

I have no problem fixing something up, the problem I have is the fear that
it will be to big of a problem for me. If someone is selling it, then
obviously they couldn't fix it, so who is to say I can fix it... ;-)
I'd hate to fork out too much money on something that I end up fighting
with and never winning... Yet the feeling of acomplishment and knowing
I restored a working radio would be more valuable than a brand new all
band brand new ham to me! And to be able to learn how to use an older
radio with more history, when Hams where even more valuable adds even
more value to me! Top it off with being able to find out about it's
history, and all is the icing on the cake!

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Deuce to John Guillory on Wed May 16 2012 11:29 am

As for myself (K6BSD), I have a vanity general call for California. I'm an Extra (though I am in California). I picked a 6 call specifically because I in region 6. Some people will pick the call for a specific number, or whate is available with their desired suffix.

I have noticed that the VEC's all have small callsigns.... Didn't know if it
was they've been doing it so long, or just a privilage... ;-) I've heard
that you want to wait till you upgrade to get a vanity call sign, probably
because when you upgrade it will change and you'll have to re-request it?
My callsign is on ARRL and Echolink, waiting for QSL to update theirs....
I guess the next question is concerning ARRL and QSL, any real benifiets
to paying for access to them? ARRL says they'll send you newsletters,
which may be cool, and a few other things, but is it worth it? QSL lets
you download their databases, but you can ftp it from the FCC directly!

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to echicken on Wed May 16 2012 13:26:48

Wow, definitely cheaper than what I expected! I saw one all-band I think
that went for like $4,000 and I told my girlfriend I just couldn't see
paying that kind of money for a radio of ANY type! I realize it looked
cool and all, but $4,000 for a single radio???? About the only way I'd

I have an 80s ICOM IC-750 which I got for about $400. No 6M or above, but most everything else in 10M down to 160M. It does the job, but I know I'll buy something new and much more expensive someday.

even then, it'd be hard! Personally, I'm not so sure I like HF radio.
The tone of the voice normally sounds very distorted. Also, I'm still
not good enough to understand call signs from some people. I'd definitel

SSB phone does have a distinct sound, but it shouldn't be *that* difficult to make things out. What were you listening on? Maybe it just takes a bit of time for one's ears to adjust to the sound. I vaguely recall a bit of a curve when I started.

have to spend more time on 2 meters before going HF! I don't recommend
HF for folks who don't have experience in other bands... Unless they get

I tend to see operating SSB on HF as quite different from FM on VHF or above, just in terms of what one needs to have in mind, working to understand the other party or make yourself understood, etc. I suppose getting some practice on VHF/UHF or whatever might help, but I wouldn't discourage somebody from diving into HF if they hadn't worked the higher bands already.

First off, anyone that says they have al they need is fooling their self.

Indeed. I have "all that I need" and more, but all the same I'm planning on moving on to SDR sometime in the next year or two. Why? I dunno...because it exists, looks fun, and I don't already have it, I guess. :D :D :D

I'm also curious about the wave lengths. Do greater wavelengths tend to
reach further distances? I know 10+ meters gets bounced around in the
ionasphere and can reach further especially when solar flares are strong.
But is it a good rule of thumb that the further you want to talk, the
bigger the wave length? I know HF is generally for talking to other

IIRC, basically anything above 30MHz is less likely to bounce off of or duct between layers of the ionosphere, anything below is more likely to do so. Even then the various HF bands each have different characteristics - some are better during the day, some are better at night. So while there are some rules of thumb, it's better to know (or look up, as needed, like I often do) the merits of each band, know when to use one versus the other, etc.

echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Deuce to Diamond Dave on Sun May 13 2012 02:04 pm

It wouldn't hurt, though I expect the ARRL has something like that. The problem with a FAQ is that it would need to be too sparse to be really usefu You would need a short intro and a link to more information.

The ARRL Operating Manual fills that role nicely with the exception of the E part of the hobby (which isn't really a FAQ subject and is hard to simplify)

How about something BEFORE you become a ham?

ARRL is great AFTER you become one. How many pre-hams have even heard of ARRL let alone know what it stands for? :)


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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: echicken to Diamond Dave on Tue May 15 2012 03:17 pm

Apart from the obvious lack of a morse code requirement, what else is differ about the no-code license? Is the exam more lax in other areas as well?

As far as the test is concerned, I have heard it is much easier now than it was before, though you still need to know your electrical theory, antenna theory and of course the ham rules.

I'm just concerned people get their license and then they have a "now what" attitude. I've seen it already on a couple of Internet forums for HTs (low end Yaesu and Woxoun radios)


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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to Diamond Dave on Tue May 15 2012 08:58 pm

KF5QEO Here, License just came available, passed the test 5/5/2012!

Congrats!

How far can one expect to receive on an average mobile 2 meter radio,
6 meter radio, and 10 meter radio? I've got a baofeng 2m/75cm 1watt and can pick up the local repeater, but that's all. I am interested in getting a be r antenae for it...

I can't say for 6 meters since I have never worked it, but at least for 2 meters it all depends on antenna (type and height), power and if you're using repeaters or not.

On simplex (146.520 - national simplex calling frequency) I can get maybe 20 miles on a J-pole about 15 feet up and running 35 watts.

On 2 meter repeaters I can get maybe 60 miles. But that's really pushing it.

Atmopshereic conditions really vary and of course so do reception and transmissions. This past Sunday we had "tropo ducting" and I was getting a repeater 60 mile to the south on 10 watts on a small antenna that I normally can't get with 50 watts on the J-pole.



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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to Corey on Wed May 16 2012 12:34 pm

A Ham Fest is the #1 place that I understand Ham Operators go to find
good "used" equipment, and if they don't want to wait for that, then
Ebay is usually their next best place. Most beginning hams start off

I usually check eHam.net and QRZ.com first, then Craigslist followed by eBay. So far I haven't found a deal on actualy radio equipment at a ham fest... I did
get an oscilloscope and variac for $5 at one though.

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to Deuce on Wed May 16 2012 01:50 pm

I have no problem fixing something up, the problem I have is the fear that
it will be to big of a problem for me. If someone is selling it, then
obviously they couldn't fix it, so who is to say I can fix it... ;-)

Yep, that's why such things tend to go cheap.

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to Deuce on Wed May 16 2012 02:01 pm

I have noticed that the VEC's all have small callsigns.... Didn't know
if it
was they've been doing it so long, or just a privilage... ;-)

It's a bit of both.

I've
heard
that you want to wait till you upgrade to get a vanity call sign, probably
because when you upgrade it will change and you'll have to re-request
it?

Well, it's more because you can get a "better" callsign. The shortest sign a tech can get is 1x3 whereas an extra can get a 2x1... AE5E would be a create call for a CW operator because it's the absolute shortest (in terms of time) you could get (didah dit dididididit dit). Some people would prefer a shorter CW sign over a "cool phonetic" sign, while others like having their initials or
whatnot. K6MMM is an interesting one, if you hear them calling CQ, they always
call "Kilo Six Monkey Monkey Monkey" and the sign belongs to the "MONKEY LOVERS
RADIO CONSORTIUM"

When you upgrade, you have the option of keeping your call if you want to though.

to paying for access to them? ARRL says they'll send you newsletters,
which may be cool, and a few other things, but is it worth it? QSL lets
you download their databases, but you can ftp it from the FCC directly!

The reason I joined the ARRL was to get access to the QST archive back to 1915 or whatever. A great many articles on a large number of subjects are in that batch of magazines for me.

I'm not sure what you mean by QSL in this context though. eQSL maybe?

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to Deuce on Wed May 16 2012 05:37 pm

ARRL is great AFTER you become one. How many pre-hams have even heard of ARRL let alone know what it stands for? :)

Likely more than have heard of the ham radio FAQ you suggested.

I trolled the ARRL web site for years before becoming an operator.

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to Deuce on Wed May 16 2012 17:37:14

ARRL is great AFTER you become one. How many pre-hams have even heard of ARR let alone know what it stands for? :)

Not sure how it was in the past, but I suspect that these days most newcomers do learn of the ARRL in advance of getting their ticket. I definitely did - it's hard to miss them once you start googling about for info on ham radio.

echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to echicken on Wed May 16 2012 17:40:32

As far as the test is concerned, I have heard it is much easier now than it before, though you still need to know your electrical theory, antenna theory and of course the ham rules.

My understanding of the tech license is that it's fairly limited, so perhaps the idea is to make it reasonably easy for newcomers to get their feet wet.

I'm just concerned people get their license and then they have a "now what" attitude. I've seen it already on a couple of Internet forums for HTs (low e Yaesu and Woxoun radios)

That's a little bit surprising. I guess some people may get the ticket on a whim because it's easy, and then wonder what to do with it, but I would expect that most people go to the trouble of getting it for a reason. Seems like an odd thing to do on a whim, without any goal in mind.

echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to Deuce on Wed May 16 2012 05:37 pm

ARRL is great AFTER you become one. How many pre-hams have even heard of ARR let alone know what it stands for? :)

I'm thinking about joining ARRL, I'm on my trial membership. Looks interesting. Actually, before I became a HAM, most HAM license study guides referenced the ARRL, and everyone mentioned go to the ARRL site to find a test time. I can't say there's a whole lot of useful information for non-HAM's on the ARRL site beyond the locating a test time. EchoLink and ARRL updated my call sign one day after the FCC, QRZ.com took an extra day, then some crazy
bug or something wouldn't let me add it, so I had to wait for them to change it over....

I've got a question. My Ham Radio Group has SkyWarn on some thursdays, meetings on the 2nd thursday, and links up with Jackson, MS on one thursday, and Hammond, LA on another Thursday.... They mention when you join them to "check in", I was wondering, do I just key-up and say "KF5QEO Checking in"
or do I just key up and say "KF5QEO Monitoring"? I'm guessing I give my call sign and checking in...

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to echicken on Wed May 16 2012 05:40 pm

As far as the test is concerned, I have heard it is much easier now than it before, though you still need to know your electrical theory, antenna theory and of course the ham rules.

Well, the test questions are listed, I just passed it recently. Not sure
how hard it was back then, but do know you can see every so often they
delete a few questions, can't say I've seen any questions listed as being
added.... I'm guessing it has to get a little easier... Interesting that
now there is just the Tech, General, and Extra classes.

I'm just concerned people get their license and then they have a "now what" attitude. I've seen it already on a couple of Internet forums for HTs (low e Yaesu and Woxoun radios)

I saw something on the internet on a tutorial that basically talked about
how to get going once you get licensed... It had a comment... "Now your
licensed, your a HAM OPERATOR, not a HAM MODERATOR, so get talking!"
I loved it, because most CB'ers start off just listening, and a 2meter
repeater is kinda boring if everyone just sits around listening to the
squelched radios... ;-) What I find a bit frustrating is the way that
you have one standard for 2 meter repeaters, another for 6/10meter, and
another for HF.... So when I get on echolink, I am not really sure if
I should do call-sign CQ, call-sign LISTENING, etc. Granted, most of
echolink seems to be 2 meter band, so I assume most of it would be standard
2 meter repeater protocol....

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: echicken to Diamond Dave on Thu May 17 2012 04:04 am

My understanding of the tech license is that it's fairly limited, so perhaps the idea is to make it reasonably easy for newcomers to get their feet wet.

Not sure I agree there, but.... I mean, I looked at the band plan chart,
and from what I read, I can talk on all of the 2 meter frequency, I believe
half or 1/4 of the 10meter frequency, have to check, and the rest of the
frequencies, I can pretty much either do morse code or data on, or a
limited set of frequencies I can talk on. As is, the only radio I have is
a UHF/VHF 2 meter/75cm, and if I'm not mistaken, I can talk on any frequency
it can handle. Doesn't matter much though, because the only frequency I
need now is the 2 meter repeater.... Basically, I can pretty much use at
least some of almost all frequencies.... My feet's soaking wet! I have to
buy a better radio before I even need to worry about upgrading my license.
I'll likely upgrade to general class before buying a better radio...

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to Diamond Dave on Thu May 17 2012 07:25 pm

I've got a question. My Ham Radio Group has SkyWarn on some thursdays, meetings on the 2nd thursday, and links up with Jackson, MS on one
thursday, and Hammond, LA on another Thursday.... They mention when you
join them to "check in", I was wondering, do I just key-up and say "KF5QEO Checking in"
or do I just key up and say "KF5QEO Monitoring"? I'm guessing I give my call sign and checking in...

Assuming you're talking about an on-air "meeting", they usually calls those "nets" and different nets have different check-in schemes. Some will ask for any/all check-ins, or they'll go-through the alphabet (e.g. "members with callsigns with a suffix beginnnig in 'Q', please come now" - that'd be you) or some will have a "roll call" where they will actually name each member and wait
for a response. And guests/visitors are usually given an opportunity to identify themselves too.

Often, after everyone has checked-in, the net just ends with no other traffic. Pretty weird really. I hope your group's nets are a little more engaging than that. :-)

digital man

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to Diamond Dave on Thu May 17 2012 07:43 pm

I saw something on the internet on a tutorial that basically talked about
how to get going once you get licensed... It had a comment... "Now your
licensed, your a HAM OPERATOR, not a HAM MODERATOR, so get talking!"
I loved it, because most CB'ers start off just listening, and a 2meter
repeater is kinda boring if everyone just sits around listening to the
squelched radios... ;-) What I find a bit frustrating is the way that
you have one standard for 2 meter repeaters, another for 6/10meter, and
another for HF.... So when I get on echolink, I am not really sure if
I should do call-sign CQ, call-sign LISTENING, etc. Granted, most of
echolink seems to be 2 meter band, so I assume most of it would be standa
2 meter repeater protocol....

I have dabbled in Echolink but not sure the "lingo" either. I understand on the HF bands you call CQ and your call sign, but on 2 meters it's just your call sign. I assume 6 meters you don't CQ but on 10 meters your do.

But of course I'd listen first to see how it goes :)

I don't have an HF rig yet. That's after I move to my new place :)


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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Digital Man to John Guillory on Thu May 17 2012 10:22 pm

Often, after everyone has checked-in, the net just ends with no other traffi Pretty weird really. I hope your group's nets are a little more engaging tha that. :-)

Our club's repeater net is pretty active. We're getting ready to do a big public service event (radio support for a very large half marathon) and we're coordinating efforts for that. So the weekly net is active.

But another nearby's club.... half the time they don't even have anybody to run their net. :(

Strange how that goes sometimes.

*** Diamond Dave ***
KK4GBC

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Digital Man to John Guillory on Thu May 17 2012 10:22 pm

Often, after everyone has checked-in, the net just ends with no other traffic. Pretty weird really. I hope your group's nets are a little more engaging than that. :-)

I keep trying to catch the "check-ins", yesterday was the closest I got.
7:30pm on Thursdays is when they check in. I was at an awards day for
my girlfriend's daughter yesterday till around 8:30pm, but just for the
heck of it, I turned on my radio and caught a couple of people talking
on the radio. I did as instructed elsewhere and said KF5QEO Monitoring
to let them know I was out there, heard nothing... Figured everyone either
went to bed or stopped monitoring the repeater.... One thought though...
They turn off the CTCSS tone during meetings, I have my radio setup for
transmitting a CTCSS tone, no tone on the receive, would that limit them
from hearing me? Do I have to turn off the tone when they turn it off?
I was guessing that if I send a tone and it's disabled on the repeater the
tone would just possibly be annoying at best... I'd think if you give it
a tone when it doesn't need one, it wouldn't complain, but then again I
notice some times the repeater doesn't acknowladge me with a message
identifying the repeater and some times it does, so perhaps when it doesn't
the tone is turned off?

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to John Guillory on Fri May 18 2012 05:40 am

I have dabbled in Echolink but not sure the "lingo" either. I understand
on the HF bands you call CQ and your call sign, but on 2 meters it's just your call sign. I assume 6 meters you don't CQ but on 10 meters your do.

But of course I'd listen first to see how it goes :)

Yup, that's sorta how I planned, but a few repeaters on echolink said if
you connect and don't speak, you'll get banned and I was timed out waiting
for someone to talk to... Also, as someone else pointed out on the net,
many times you think no one is on the air, but in reality everyone is
sitting around waiting to hear from someone and until someone announces
their listening or calls CQ they don't know anyone is on... So you kind
of need to be out-going and assertive to find someone to talk to...
Take the passive approach and there's nobody out there.... ;-)

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to Digital Man on Fri May 18 2012 05:42 am

Our club's repeater net is pretty active. We're getting ready to do a big public service event (radio support for a very large half marathon) and we're coordinating efforts for that. So the weekly net is active.

That'd be cool! So basically, each person gets assigned to a station
and when a runner passes a station then the person at that station gets
on the radio and announces their call sign followed by "Runner ____ passed
check point ___" and then after all runners have left the check point,
announce your call sign followed by "all runners past checkpoint ____"?


I'm hoping to be at the Dairy Festival, where I'm told lots of folks will
be calling wanting to know what is goin on, and we'll be telling them what
what is going on...

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Meh,

Connect to KD7FPK-R on echolink and just say hello Dave, you around Dave...

If he is he will talk to you. My echolink is down at the moment. But Dave
and I try to keep our repeaters linked, and we are very relaxed.

In fact, if you keep it clean and ID, we don't care what you do on our repeaters.
FM should be relaxed, and fun. Around here, they try to make it like a public safety system. That's why I put up my own VHF repeater at 7900ft and have a network of UHF systems. For people to 'get away' and at least have fun.

Yup, that's sorta how I planned, but a few repeaters on echolink said if
you connect and don't speak, you'll get banned and

PhantomRage Studios BBS!

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to Diamond Dave on Fri May 18 2012 07:34 am

and when a runner passes a station then the person at that station gets
on the radio and announces their call sign followed by "Runner ____ passe
check point ___" and then after all runners have left the check point,
announce your call sign followed by "all runners past checkpoint ____"?

We announced the first male runner, first female runner, first wheelchair racer, and if there were any issues (health related mostly). It was a very well attended race and the ham club was there in full force to perform support at each mile marker, water station, aid station, and even the food station :) :)

Fortunately my mile marker (mile 9) was mostly uneventful.

I'm hoping to be at the Dairy Festival, where I'm told lots of folks will
be calling wanting to know what is goin on, and we'll be telling them wha
what is going on...

Have fun!

Dave, KK4GBC

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Diamond Dave to John Guillory on Sun May 20 2012 12:19 pm

Subject: Before you become a ham radio operator....
@VIA: DMINE
@MSGID: <4FB9199B.2290.dove-ham@dmine.net>
@REPLY: <4FB641F3.9.dove-ham@kingcoder.net>
@TZ: c12c
Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to Diamond Dave on Fri May 18 2012 07:34 am

and when a runner passes a station then the person at that station get
on the radio and announces their call sign followed by "Runner ____ pa
check point ___" and then after all runners have left the check point
announce your call sign followed by "all runners past checkpoint ____"

We announced the first male runner, first female runner, first wheelchair racer, and if there were any issues (health related mostly). It was a very w attended race and the ham club was there in full force to perform support at each mile marker, water station, aid station, and even the food station :) :

Fortunately my mile marker (mile 9) was mostly uneventful.

I'm hoping to be at the Dairy Festival, where I'm told lots of folks w
be calling wanting to know what is goin on, and we'll be telling them
what is going on...

Have fun!

Dave, KK4GBC

thats what I want, a ham club with extra mayo.

"Practise safe Lunch, Use a Condiment"


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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Corey to Diamond Dave on Sun May 20 2012 10:10 am

thats what I want, a ham club with extra mayo.

Enough pun to kick a field goal! ;-)

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: Corey to Diamond Dave on Sun May 20 2012 10:10 am

thats what I want, a ham club with extra mayo.

Enough pun to kick a field goal! ;-)

Kicked it way left field....






PhantomRage Studios BBS!

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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: John Guillory to echicken on Thu May 17 2012 20:27:02

My understanding of the tech license is that it's fairly limited, so perh the idea is to make it reasonably easy for newcomers to get their feet we

Not sure I agree there, but.... I mean, I looked at the band plan chart,

Actually, since you go on to confirm that there are limitations to your license, that you've gotten your feet wet and now know what you may wish to expand into, I'm pretty sure that you do agree with me:

and from what I read, I can talk on all of the 2 meter frequency, I belie
half or 1/4 of the 10meter frequency, have to check, and the rest of the
frequencies, I can pretty much either do morse code or data on, or a
limited set of frequencies I can talk on. As is, the only radio I have i
a UHF/VHF 2 meter/75cm, and if I'm not mistaken, I can talk on any freque
it can handle. Doesn't matter much though, because the only frequency I
need now is the 2 meter repeater.... Basically, I can pretty much use at
least some of almost all frequencies.... My feet's soaking wet! I have t
buy a better radio before I even need to worry about upgrading my license
I'll likely upgrade to general class before buying a better radio...

Don't get me wrong - the tech license may be enough for some people. There's fun to be had within the permissions that license grants and nothing wrong with staying there if it's where you want to be. However, that license does have its limitations even if you are unable to exceed said limits with the gear that you currently own. You got a license, got your feet wet, and are now aware of what else is out there and what you may wish to add to your capabilities in the future. My point seems proven.

echicken
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Re: Before you become a ham radio operator....
By: echicken to John Guillory on Fri May 25 2012 10:24 am

Actually, since you go on to confirm that there are limitations to your license, that you've gotten your feet wet and now know what you may wish
to expand into, I'm pretty sure that you do agree with me:

After looking at it, there are some definite limits, especially if you
don't know morse code. But then again a lot of the frequencies that
require a better license require what I consider an expensive radio.
I paid like $45 for my 2 meter/ 75cm hand held, hope to get me a
10 meter later on, but thinking about the videos where they show
CB folks with a 10 meter export talking on them without a license, I'm
not sure it would really be fun. I mean, one video had a cb shop talking
about one of the radios and mentioned when a truck is on the side of you,
just flip this switch and you'll have enough power to get out over him....
Not at all the HAM way of doing things... Rather than using enough power to
make communications, this moron is teach folks to just jack it up all the
way and ensure that nobody else gets a word in. I'd like to play around
with a 10 meter in a way for all the wrong reasons... I mean, I've done
AM on cb's and use FM for 2 meter radio. I'd like to do upper side band
on 10 meter, and since it has the option, would love to just try FM on
10 meter band, which I understand would be great for short distances,
but most people on 10 meter would be on upper side band due to the
ability to go farther than FM, so I'd basically be talking to myself
calling CQ, and can assure you that's not fun. Another thought, the
10 meter and my CB can use the same cable. I know I'd be better off
with two antennas, but could I get away with a splitter and running
both radios to the same antenna without a switch? I'd probably be best
off with two antennas... Also, if I had 2 firesticks, each like 4 feet,
or a fire stick and a whip on the bumper, both a CB and a 10 meter running
at the same time, the 10 meter wouldn't mess up the CB when I transmit, if
the antennas where like on oppisite sides of the truck, like both behind the
cab? The 10 meter would likely be 50 watts. I'm wanting to get an export
that technically has the ability to be used as a CB as well, so it'd be
possible that the 10 meter could accidently transmit on a CB channel at
50 watts....

Don't get me wrong - the tech license may be enough for some people.
There's fun to be had within the permissions that license grants and
nothing wrong with staying there if it's where you want to be. However, that license does have its limitations even if you are unable to exceed
said limits with the gear that you currently own. You got a license, got your feet wet, and are now aware of what else is out there and what you
may wish to add to your capabilities in the future. My point seems
proven.

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