New to HAM Radio and lots of interesting questions

[thomascrowe]

Hi All,

My dad use to be BIIIIG on Ham radio back in the day, got his General License and did a ton of CW, I remember him getting into the 35-40 WPM catagory and it all sounded like a big blur to me but it was easy to him.

Now I'm into some mild prepping for my new truck and I decided getting a small ham wouldn't be a bad idea, so my first step was to start studying for me technician class license. I got the book and started reading it last night, now I'm about half way through and completely captivated. No idea why I didn't do this years ago in the first place.

I have a couple questions though.

1.) I'm blowing through this book, super easy stuff to remember, I actually got a 95% on a test at eham.net and I knew 75% of the answers and made a smart guess on the others. I'm pretty sure I'm just going to go for the General license right off the bat if its this easy. My question is, how about Extra? Is it that much harder? I'm really good at math and this electrical stuff is super easy for me to memorize and learn, is it just more of that? Does anyone recommend just taking one test at a time? Also what's the turn around with me showing up in the database once I complete(and pass) the test?

2.) I've been looking at radio's, I'm not sure which band to get on in for more truck(for SHTF stuff). It looks like 2M/440 is the way to go, is this true?

3.) I do want something to play with that does a lot more than just the dual band 2m/440. This would probably be my home desktop model. However looking into these radio's they are EXPENSIVE...couple grand. My question is, has anyone just done a DIY radio transceiver kit with mutli-band capability? Man do I love to build my own stuff. Any recommendations? I can't find much detail from googling it.

4.) What the heck is the whole satellite thing amateur radio guys do that the books talk so much about?! Why would one talk to a satellite?!

5.) Any recommended handheld models to shove into my Bug out Box/Bag?

Thanks

[fighterpilot562]

PM sent

[Satex]

Hi All,
1.) I'm blowing through this book, super easy stuff to remember, I actually got a 95% on a test at eham.net and I knew 75% of the answers and made a smart guess on the others. I'm pretty sure I'm just going to go for the General license right off the bat if its this easy. My question is, how about Extra? Is it that much harder? I'm really good at math and this electrical stuff is super easy for me to memorize and learn, is it just more of that? Does anyone recommend just taking one test at a time? Also what's the turn around with me showing up in the database once I complete(and pass) the test?

The Extra class is just a tad harder. I always encourage people to study for all three exams, and walk out with an Extra class certificate. While not really a big deal, if you take and pass all three in one sitting, you save two exam fees since most VECs only charge for a retest after failing. Bottom line, study and go for all three elements in one session.

2.) I've been looking at radio's, I'm not sure which band to get on in for more truck(for SHTF stuff). It looks like 2M/440 is the way to go, is this true?

Yes, a dual bander is a good choice for a vehicle. I am a big fan of Yaesu radios. Excellent quality and detail to attention. The FT-7800R and FT-8800R are two of my favorites. If you don't want cross band repeat, go for the 7800R. It's larger display and simple controls make it an easy radio to operate. The Alinco DR-635 is also a nice radio.

3.) I do want something to play with that does a lot more than just the dual band 2m/440. This would probably be my home desktop model. However looking into these radio's they are EXPENSIVE...couple grand. My question is, has anyone just done a DIY radio transceiver kit with mutli-band capability? Man do I love to build my own stuff. Any recommendations? I can't find much detail from googling it.

If you want to build it yourself, go for Elecraft. The Yaesu FT450 and Kenwood TS590 are very nice HF radios.

4.) What the heck is the whole satellite thing amateur radio guys do that the books talk so much about?! Why would one talk to a satellite?!

Because using a satellite, you can communicate with anyone within the spacecraft's footprint. For most low Earth orbit spacecraft, this is a radius of 1,500 miles give and take.

5.) Any recommended handheld models to shove into my Bug out Box/Bag?

Yaesu has the best handhelds. If you want something "disposable" check out Wouxun and Baofeng. The Wouxuns are reasonably priced (~$100) and best programmed with a cable. The Baofengs are dirt cheap (~$40) and can ONLY be programmed with a cable.

[thomascrowe]

As of now I'm getting 100%'s on the tech exams. I'm just going to go for the General right now, I have until the 5th so I'll probably have time to knock out all three.

Thanks for the recommendations, I'm looking into those now.

[ToxicWaste]

Hello future amateur radio member in the works. I got started with Amateur Radio in the early 1970s. Back then you had a whole lot of different types of equipment, and lacking on the new technology. Things have changed quite a bit.

Back then they had morse code requirements to obtain your license, I think it was 5 words per minute to get Novice, and Technician, General and Advanced took 13 Words Per Minute, and Extra Class was 20 Words Per Minute.

I worked in the electronics industry at component level, repairing two-way radios and working on band equipment, mostly vacuum tube type. It took me many years to get brave enough to learn the written material, and everybody though code was impossible. I learned morse code and typing on my IBM Clone P.C. in the very early 1980s. I had a program that would blip out the characters of a text file, and then you hit the key that goes with that letter.

It took about a week to learn code, while learning how to type at the same time. The program was fully adjustable for all parameters. I had a lot of fun, learning code and typing at the same time. This was quite handy.

As most people did back then, was to start out with Novice, and progress up the ladder to the license that you wanted. I found out that 5 WPM is quite slow, and 8 WPM was about right. Once I passed the Novice Test, I received my call sign in the mail. I kept my same call sign and ended up as a Advanced Class. I did take the 20 WPM code test and passed it no problem. I got cancer, which set me back a bit, and did take the written Extra Class Test, which was 53 weeks after the code test, so I lost out on Extra class, and could have practiced up a bit to get the 20 WPM and would have been an Extra Class.

I mostly used the 10 meter band and a lot of what they call CW, Continuous Wave, which really should be called Interrupted Continuous Wave. I did most of this from my vehicle, while driving. After you learned code, you started hearing words rather than individual letters.

I expanded to the 12 meter band, along with 10 meter band, I used a lot of CW, which was fun. 25 watts RMS was enough to talk all around the world during the peak times of the sun spot activity.

Eventually I branched out to 6 and 2 meters to use F.M and repeaters. I don't remember when but I upgraded my license to General, then Advanced. Had a lot of conversations with many people all over the world. A lot of the General class and higher seemed to frown upon an Advanced Class License that kept their Novice Call Sign.

We got into building a lot of different configurations for cross band repeaters. It is a great hobby, but haven't used it much starting about 5 years ago. Occasionally I will get on 2 meter band. Once they did away with the morse code requirement, that is when the CB people jumped on the band wagon, and started flooding the airwaves.

Overall, I really like Amateur Radio, and it has unlimited possibilities. I remember when packet radio came out, you would build your own Terminal Node Controller, and it was awesome to interface your computer to you radio.

Since I was involved with component level electronics and repairing two-way radios, I had no problem passing the tests, which are not that difficult. If your interest in this hobby is strong, you will have no problem passing the required tests. I believe that they did away with the Advanced Class License.

You will have no problem, and no morse code requirement, which is not hard at all, as I compare it to typing! They both have about the same degree of difficulty.

I was always interested in Amateur Radio, but thought morse code was impossible, and I believe you had to be 18 years old, not sure about this.

I have made a whole lot of friends world wide on the HF spectrum. Having the same job as my hobby clashed a bit, but also put me in the world of amateur radio that gave me an advantage.

I see we have some other Amateur Radio Operators here, so you should be able to get all the necessary information you require. Welcome to the world of Amateur Radio. It is fun and exciting, and today there are so many options that you should never run out of things you can do.

Lot of people get their call sign as their license plate on their car, which I had for many years, but that does identify you, and a lot of information can be obtained which you don't want the world to know, as the internet has also done quite a bit of information sharing, which i think has gone wa too far.

I always liked ICOM and Bendix King, and I had some 1950s Johnson Equipment for transmitter, and Hallifcrafters Receivers. I had VFO for SSB on HF band, and had a great time. Today, there are many brands of radios, and basically you get what you pay for, Yaesu has come a long way, Kenwood, and many others are fine. Dual band hand held radios are cool also.

I am glad that people still have interest in Amateur Radio, it is a fun hobby, and considered part of the public safety radio service. It looks like you are really into it, and you will have no problem going all the way up to Extra Class. Back in the code requirement days, the 20 WPM was holding some people back, which really isn't that difficult.

Hope you enjoy your new hobby!

[blkside]

Im trying to punch in my local repeaters and codes... can someone post the popular ones for socal

[ToxicWaste]

A lot depends on your location, and the band you are operating on.

[GSF44Mag]

Sounds like 2 meter or 440?

[ToxicWaste]

2 meter and 440 are your most popular however; there are many other bands that have repeaters. I would think these days you could find what you need on the internet. If not, go to the place you buy your radios at.

Here is the FCC data base for repeaters frequencies, this should get you going.

http://www.artscipub com/repeaters/ put the period just before the com?

[joelogic]

...The Baofengs are dirt cheap (~$40) and can ONLY be programmed with a cable.

Not quite true. Maybe can only be easily programmed via cable. The only thing you cant do on the keypad is name a channel.

[dgc357]

3.) I do want something to play with that does a lot more than just the dual band 2m/440. This would probably be my home desktop model. However looking into these radio's they are EXPENSIVE...couple grand. My question is, has anyone just done a DIY radio transceiver kit with mutli-band capability? Man do I love to build my own stuff. Any recommendations? I can't find much detail from googling it.

As Satex mentoned, Elecraft is the way to go for a nice DIY radio. I just finished up a Elecraft K2 multi-band transceiver kit. Definitely a lot of fun to build. I would recommend building a less expensive DIY kit before you try and tackle something like the K2.

Hendricks (http://qrpkits.com/) makes some decently priced kits for you to build before you tackle a more expensive kit. I started out with the Code Practice Oscillator then made my way to the Scout Regen Receiver. From there I built an Elecraft KX1 and then the Elecraft K2.

I must say, there is nothing more satisfying then firing up a radio after spending hours soldering, tuning into a signal and hearing something. For me, it really make the Ham experience much better. Anyone can go out and buy a radio and get on the air, but when you build one yourself and get on the air, there is a huge sense of pride. If you have the time and are willing to learn a little basic soldering skills, I highly recommend kit building.

[blackandredwarrior]

IMHO if you're looking for SHTF mobile I would step up to something with HF as well. I have an FT-857D 440 down to 160M, except for 220). I got it for it's 2M/440 SSB and 6M operation. I was into VHF/UHF contesting as a rover and picked up a few awards (ARRL Section, Division and Region I think).

With HF a simple wire could be all you need. It brings a new meaning to "cut and run" if you have to. Or you can get some HamStick style antennas and they can sit behind the seat or in the trunk easily. Cheap Yagis can be made from 1x2 (or smaller) and brass (or aluminum) welding rod.

Whatever you do don't get an HT for your first radio. You're too limited. MY first radio was an FT-7800 in the truck. It's got plenty of power to reach out. And when talking radio "line of sight" on 2M is a LOT longer than what you think as I used to talk into Lancaster from Fresno on 50 watts with a single loop (granted the other end was an array with a few hundred watts so he was doing the heavy lifting.)

Don't count on repeaters being there if you need them but I've talked into a repeater NE of Fresno (4600' to the base and the antenna was at 160' on the top of the tower) from the UC Santa Cruz campus with less than 50 watts on a 5/8 2M antenna.

My second was an FT-60R. I'm a little bit of a Yaesu guy in case you can't tell.

Search out a local club as well.