Information sought Ham radio

[tankpolice007]

I want to explorer ham radios and looking for general information for a new person like me. I don't know where to start.

[gewecke]

Originally Posted by tankpolice007

I want to explorer ham radios and looking for general information for a new person like me. I don't know where to start.

Start here. Lots of good info,

American Radio Relay League | ARRL - The national association for AMATEUR RADIO

www.eham.com

73,
n9zas

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

The podcasts Ham Nation on I Twit TV is also very informative.

[kc0wkp]

I would connect with a club in your area, they would be able to help you the best. If you go to the ARRL wesite listed above you can look up clubs in your area. Hope this helps

[Git-R-Done]

Here's a great website for ham radio repeaters in your area just click on state then scroll down to city.

Amateur Radio Repeater database - Updated daily

[Rt169Radio]

If you have a scanner, you can try listening to the 2 meter ham radio operators on a nearby or local repeater.

[nd5y]

The wiki article here on radioreference has a lot of good links. Amateur Radio - The RadioReference Wiki

[Scorch]

Go to Universal Radio website & check out what's available...reality hits you in the face there!

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Tank sorry I also forgot to say if you have a question and I can answer it I will surely try!! The beauty of this thing is we learn as we go here. Like today for instance I attended my second Hamfest only to learn how I look at those $1000.00 Transcievers and drool!!

[VE3JSO]

if from canada Radio Amateurs of Canada

[k8mcn]

take listening to your local repeaters with a grain of salt please. In some areas of the country they are great,very professional,run according to FCC rules,and a great representation of Amateur Radio.
On the other hand there are some repeaters that are not far removed from 11 meters,foul language,no id,out of control........so please dont judge all Amateurs based on them.

[ab3a]

There are aspects of ham radio that you do not hear on the air very much. Some people like to build equipment and test it on the air from time to time, but they do not use their gear on a regular basis.

There are other aspects that are not easily heard. Some hams engage in troposcatter communications using SSB on VHF and UHF frequencies. If you happen to be listening with a very good antenna, pointed in the right direction, you'll hear them, but otherwise, you're probably not going to hear much.

What I'm getting at is that the regulars that you hear on the air are not all there is to the hobby. There is a technical side that some people really enjoy.

[KC0KM]

Another thing, although it will not be until next year, is attend a ARRL Field Day. You will get a good chance of seeing what Amateur Radio can do. Field Day is the "big event" for amateur radio, when thousands of operations nationwide setup and make contacts with each other. This is a 24 hour event, and is a "emergency operations drill" of sorts, and allows us to set up in "adverse" conditions to see if we can operate if there is a disaster. Most will have a GOTA (Get On The Air) station, which will allow anyone to make a contact. It is held on the last full (4th) weekend of June.

Meeting with a club, or attending a hamfest (an amateur radio swap meet),is another place meet hams, and is a great place to start as well. There are also other "events" though out the year, that you could attend. Sometimes there will be a Special Event Station at an event. If you are interested in getting a licence, check with the local clubs, sometimes they have classes to help people get their licenses. If the club has an "informal" meeting (our club meets at a local Dairy Queen every Saturday night). Once you get to know someone, or the group, they will be more willing to help.

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Tank....don't forget to keep us posted as well as to your progress?! Since I got my ticket I'm trying to recruit the world to jion me...lol But for now I have fun on the repeaters until I can get HF priviledges!!!

[k3cfc]

Originally Posted by tankpolice007

I want to explorer ham radios and looking for general information for a new person like me. I don't know where to start.

Hello tank. as with anything you start at the beginning. if you need books cd's for tech, general and extra class w5yi.com - w5yi group amateur radio commercial radio ham radio they have everything you need from start to finish to get what ever class license you want. and www.aa9pw is an excellent place to take practice tests. if you have a scanner with search just search between 144.000....149.000 there you will find your amateur repeaters.

Good luck and come back here for more help

K3CFC

[Rt169Radio]

A couple other online ham radio practice tests would be these.

HamExam.org: Free Amateur Radio Practice Tests with Flash Cards

eHam.net Ham Radio Practice Exams