Ham radio hobby

[dwertz]

It’s a great hobby to add to RV’ing.

I got my license just over a year ago. I’ve made many new friends and deeply enjoy the hobby for the technical as well as the social aspect.

Best regards,

Dave
W3RTZ

[surgesound]

By ALL MEANS, get your Ham "ticket"---Amateur Radio is a GREAT "co-hobby" to RVing, and a handy addition to your safety gear!

As we Hams say, 73!

---Jim, W1IK

[KT4Wextra]

I think the OP lost interest, haven't seen a post since the original one.

[edatlanta]

Sad. Every time I lose a bit of interest I pick up one of my HT's and contact a few. Picks me up every time.

[Lifemember]

I have not lost it yet, more $$ have left the savings and went into radio equipment. Could not pass up on a couple of deals that came my way.

[georgelesley]

Originally Posted by KT4Wextra

I think the OP lost interest, haven't seen a post since the original one.

Not really. Just that we are in Branson,MO now and I tried unsuccessfully to contact local folks just before we left. When we get back i will pursue it more aggressively. But we are on the road again in mid December until Feb, so getting serious will probably come after that.

I really want to do it and DW is all in favor of it and buying the gear is not an issue, but just a bad time to be taking courses, etc. hopefully I will be talking to you folks next year and thx for all the info!

[Lifemember]

Originally Posted by georgelesley

Not really. Just that we are in Branson,MO now and I tried unsuccessfully to contact local folks just before we left. When we get back i will pursue it more aggressively. But we are on the road again in mid December until Feb, so getting serious will probably come after that.

I really want to do it and DW is all in favor of it and buying the gear is not an issue, but just a bad time to be taking courses, etc. hopefully I will be talking to you folks next year and thx for all the info!

You can get ready for the test while on the road

HamTestOnline - Ham Radio Exam Courses and Practice Tests

[georgelesley]

Originally Posted by Lifemember

You can get ready for the test while on the road

HamTestOnline - Ham Radio Exam Courses and Practice Tests

Great info, it will give me something to focus on during our winter trip. I should have internet nearly all the time. The site looks like it will answer most or al of my questions. Then I should be able to carry on a meaningful conversation with the locals. Thanks!

[georgelesley]

Looks like the costs of the course and license is not a lot, so that brings up a few other question. I assume one should start at the lowest level which I guess is amateur radio? What equipment would one need for home and rv use? One set that is portable or should you have separate equipment? Antennas for home and rv use?

[KT4Wextra]

As a license test examiner and instructor I would advise you get a manual to study. I am an examiner for ARRL, Laurel VEC, Cavec and W5YI organizations. We recommend you purchase the ARRL study manual that can be bought from Amazon, ($28.45 in print, 19.95 kindle edition) Ebay, Barnes and Noble or a ham radio retailer either in a store or online, Giga Parts comes to mind for that. Another manual is from Gordon West W5YI which a lot of people like but I didn't find it quite as thorough as the ARRL manual. Simply called Ham Radio License Manual 3rd edition for the technician level. Test cost is usually $15 (go to ARRL.org and click on "exams") or if you can locate a exam site that tests for Laurel VEC there is no charge for the exam https://www.laurelvec.com/ . You must pass the Tech level to move up to the General level and pass it to go to Amateur Extra. We had one person get all bent out of shape because he only wanted to get the Extra class, when he was told he had to pass the other exams also, he blew up, called the examiner an elitist bastard, best he didn't get a license with that attitude. You can take sample exams for free, using actual test questions, at http://www.aa9pw.com or http://www.hamstudy.org , both are excellent sites, each time to take the exam it will have different questions, or there are others you can go to that are free.

Equipment costs are as much as you want to spend. You can get a Chinese HT (handy talkie) (and a challenge to program) from Amazon for under $30, better quality radios (Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood) HT's will be in the $125 to $300 range. As a Tech you are restricted to the UHF/VHF frequencies, 6 meters and a portion of 10 meters for Single Side Band, also if you learn code you can operate on a portion of each of the HF (high frequency) bands. HT's are fine for starting out, low power so range will be limited but normally communications is done through a repeater which will greatly extend your range. You may want to look into a mobile radio for 2 meters and 70CM bands (dual band) and then you can find max power ranging from 50 to as much as 70 watts. Costs for a mobile radio will be approximately $250-$350>. Antennas can be a magnetic mount or one that can clamp onto your ladder and be in the $50-$150 range. When you move up to General then you will need to open your wallet a little further with HF rigs from (new) from $800 to $15,000 and antennas $150 to $5,000. Or, find a hamfest (Flea market) and look at purchasing gently used equipment (from a smoke free, pet free user Hi Hi).

Find someone in your local club and get first hand advise and look at hands equipment. If you are traveling and are ready to take the exam check ARRL to see if here is a test site near where you will be. You can test anywhere in the US, Alaska, Hawaii or any us possession.

Good Luck
Marv
KT4W

[Palms]

Started on the limited portion of 10 meters and today am an Extra with 226 confirmed. A great hobby that’s part of my life. 73 DE NU4L.

[KT4Wextra]

NU4L If you are Gus I hope you haven't been on the air recently because your license expired 4 months ago (coming up on 5). If you have been you could get a note from the FCC. It is still in the 2 year grace period but you need to renew. You can't legally transmit until you do. You can do it on line, go here and click on the box that says licensing then go down to were it says renew license then follow the instructions.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=cft&id=amateur&page=cft_renew_amateu r

[Palms]

Please rest assured KT4Wextra. As you have already looked me up, you must have also imagined that with more than 50 years as a licensed ham since first receiving HI8GBG in the late sixties, it would not occur to me to transmit with an expired license. Thank you for your observation and the reference provided none the less.

[dnystrom]

All I know Ham Radio has been a great hobby for me. Yes, sometimes the interest is not there but it come back after a couple qso's What I get out of it I have to put in to it.