Beginner

[mikelm48]

I am interested in Ham Radio, but would like to start with just monitoring and them go to being able to transmit later. Can someone give me a good suggestion for equipment? I would like to have a mobile setup that I could use in my RV. Thanks.
Mike

[TXiceman]

Go to
American Radio Relay League | ARRL - The national association for AMATEUR RADIO
for ham information and to find a club local to you. Contact them as they are always looking for new folks.

Now look at
eHam.net Home - Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Community Site for equipment info.

There are a lot of receivers on the market. If you really feel you will move on and get your license, loot for a nice used Yaesu FT857D. This is a small all band, all mode shortwave transceiver that operated from 12 vdc.

The antenna is always a problem in an RV. I use a 6m to 40m screwdriver on the truck and the RV, but yo will need to have a license to tune the antenna. S9 makes a nice line of vertical antennas that can be set up when you are parked.

A wire antenna will always work, but will require stringing up and needs to be tuned for the frequencies.

At home I run a Yaesu FT 950 with a Carolina Windom 80 dipole antenna at 50' and a Butternut HF9V ground mounted vertical. I manage to talk SSb and digital mode all over the world on a 100 watt radio.

Best bet is get some local hams at a club and get them to shoe you some of their equipment.

Ken
KE5DFR

[dons2346]

My suggestion would be for you to get a copy of "Now You Are Talking". It has a lot of good info and will help you prepare for the Technician test. You can go here AA9PW FCC Exam Practice and take practice tests. Once you get too 95%,find some examiners and go take the test.

I owuld not waste $$ on a receiver only. Get a dual bander, 2 meter/440 as most repeaters are on these bands. If you are afraid you might transmit accidentally, just don't plug in the mike. I am a Icom man myself but a lot of hams use Yaesu and Kenwood.