So you'd like to be an amateur radio operator... - Page 2

**w5wi** · 08-06-2008, 06:54 PM

FJ Wolf,

We're glad to hear you howl for ham radio! Before the Summit, my wife Shirley (KO5M) and I was hoping folks would like to take their Ham license test at the Summit since we are both VE's. We needed one more VE whom we found locally, but unfortunately no takers.

Let's set a goal of having at least 15 more hams driving FJ's before next years Summit! We had a great bunch of folks there with their licenses, but the more the merrier!!!

I'd add the FT-7800 to your list. I'm using the bandi mount for my dual band antenna and I have the CB mounted in my ARB front bumper.

howls and 73,

dale de W5WI

**Wolf** · 08-06-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

w5wi previously said:

FJ Wolf,

We're glad to hear you howl for ham radio! Before the Summit, my wife Shirley (KO5M) and I was hoping folks would like to take their Ham license test at the Summit since we are both VE's. We needed one more VE whom we found locally, but unfortunately no takers.

Let's set a goal of having at least 15 more hams driving FJ's before next years Summit! We had a great bunch of folks there with their licenses, but the more the merrier!!!

howls and 73,

dale de W5WI

Heh - if you want to do the same for next year's Summit, you have your third ARRL Extra level certified VE... Me

Howls,
FJ Wolf

**Gottagetone** · 08-06-2008, 09:39 PM

I am glad this came up! I just installed a cb in my FJ and it is cool but all I hear is a bunch of people *****ing about work and that is not enjoyable. I am sure that it will come in handy on the trail.

I actually went to a HAM radio store locally today to inquire and really dont know where to start, Please Help. The lady that worked there showed me the books in the first post and said that was a good place to start as well as the local club. Beyond that I know the radios look like cb's use repeaters that apparently you have to dial into somehow? and that you have to have a license.

Give me the basics, where do I start? Can someone break it down to the basics? Are there fees with the license? How long is the license good for?

Thanks.

**w5wi** · 08-06-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

FJ Wolf previously said:

Heh - if you want to do the same for next year's Summit, you have your third ARRL Extra level certified VE... Me

Howls,
FJ Wolf

Sweet!!! Now let's see if we get any takers!

73,

dale

**w5wi** · 08-06-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Gottagetone previously said:

I am glad this came up! I just installed a cb in my FJ and it is cool but all I hear is a bunch of people *****ing about work and that is not enjoyable. I am sure that it will come in handy on the trail.

I actually went to a HAM radio store locally today to inquire and really dont know where to start, Please Help. The lady that worked there showed me the books in the first post and said that was a good place to start as well as the local club. Beyond that I know the radios look like cb's use repeaters that apparently you have to dial into somehow? and that you have to have a license.

Give me the basics, where do I start? Can someone break it down to the basics? Are there fees with the license? How long is the license good for?

Thanks.

For starters click the links in the first post above. There is a ton of info at each site.

License is good for 10 years. Once you pass the test for each class of license, the FCC assigns you a callsign if you indicate you want to change from the initial one issued to you. The FCC issued callsigns are free. You can obtain a "vanity" callsign for a small fee from the FCC for your license class if you desire.

Some Volunteer Examiner teams charge a fee for administering the tests. But, the fee is nominal and barely covers the cost of materials and transportation costs for the volunteer examiners.

As you study you will see that each class of license requires more study and a more indepth understanding of radio operations, band characteristics, electronics and rules and regulations governing ham radio.

With the available on-line study guides and sample tests getting a technician license should be a piece of cake.

Study hard, get your license and enjoy the exciting world of ham radio.

cheers,

dale

**Gottagetone** · 08-06-2008, 10:04 PM

Thanks for the info, I have been reading a bit and took one of the sample tests without any knowledge, I have some work to do. Can someone talk about the differences in radios and what they do. What is to stop someone from just buying a radio and using it, not that this is my intention?

CanadaFJ · 08-06-2008, 10:07 PM

And for the Canadians on the forum who like to become a Ham, here is a couple of sites for ya!

Radio Amateurs of Canada:
Radio Amateurs of Canada

Industry Canada:
Spectrum Management and Telecommunications - Related Official Publications

**KD7NAC_07FJ** · 08-06-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

FJ Wolf previously said:

If so, I highly recommend the Yaesu FT-857D ($700). It will do VHF/UHF and all HF bands as well. Couple that with a YAESU ATAS-120 antenna on the Bandi Mount (enlarged hole for a UHF mount) would be a killer package that will keep you set for a long time.

If you'd like to start with VHF/UHF only, then by all means, go for a Yaesu FT-8800R ($350) dual-band rig and a diamond dual-band antenna on a Bandi.

I have an 857D and an 8900 in my FJ and I've done some serious DX'ing from some pretty remote places, not to mention crystal clear comms with other Ham FJ'rs. Love the 857, it's spendy but you won't need another radio. ( I had the 8900 before I got the 857.)

I plan on the summit next year and hope we get many more hams by then.

73's

rotorhed1 · 08-06-2008, 10:17 PM

I clicked on the link and took my test online a couple of times. Passed but weak in an area or two.

I go to a meeting of the local club next week. Hope to take the real test soon. All the males on my fathers side have been hams for as far back as hams go.

I want to get up to general class, HF sounds fun! But I think it will be mostly 2 meter.

rotorhed1 · 08-06-2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

KD7NAC_07FJ previously said:

I have an 857D and an 8900 in my FJ and I've done some serious DX'ing from some pretty remote places, not to mention crystal clear comms with other Ham FJ'rs. Love the 857, it's spendy but you won't need another radio. ( I had the 8900 before I got the 857.)

I plan on the summit next year and hope we get many more hams by then.

73's

I was looking at the 857 myself, hmmm. I may start out with a HT dual or triband for starters. Gotta have a good handheld eh?