Am I a "ham"

[W2NJS]

A few years ago, and I'm NOT making this up, on a now-defunct ham board, a guy got on and said he had just gotten his license and could someone please tell him what bands he was allowed to operate on. Now THAT'S an example of someone who only memorized the answers!

 

[KC8TCQ]

You will enjoy it! There is nothing as fun as having static on 10 meters, calling CQ and getting a station you can barely hear come across the static. You get a smile on your face, give him his signal report, talk to him and get on with the net. Some signals barely come across, some will blast you out.

I am about to start studying the General class, can't wait to get off of 10 meters and move to some of the other bands! I believe 20 and 80 meters are going to be my DX'ing friends! Anyway, you don't have to even use a radio. You will learn alot, and you can be officially called a HAM! Even if you don't have 15 dollars to go take the test, at least get the Technicians book and read it- it will give you some great information about a good portion of what amateur radio is all about.

17m is great for DX. Any of the HF bands can be fun.

A few years ago on field day on the 20m band I worked all of the east coast states, the southern states, west coast states, Fiji and Kwajalien on a dipole 30 ft above ground and 50 watts (SSB).

The digital modes (PSK) can be a blast as well, you don't need a expensive antenna, just some wire in the air and 15-30 watts can get you some great DX.

 

[KC8TCQ]

A few years ago, and I'm NOT making this up, on a now-defunct ham board, a guy got on and said he had just gotten his license and could someone please tell him what bands he was allowed to operate on. Now THAT'S an example of someone who only memorized the answers!

I liken getting your license to a learners permit for a car. It allows you to get on the air to put into practice what you studied to get your license. However one does not learn everything about amateur radio to get a license, what you learn to get your license is just a drop in the bucket compared to what there is to learn and experience about amateur radio.

That being said I do not like the idea of just memorizing the answers. When I got my license I studied, I'll be the first to admit I still have a lot to learn.

One thing that is a constant about amateur radio is that different people bring different levels of knowledge and skills to the hobby, some excell at building antennas, others excell at repairing old radios, others excell at digital modes. By working together, sharing knowledge and assisting others we help each other in the hobby.

 

[k4sgt]

This is going to be a really dumb question, Are you ready? I like to listen to the scanner and find new frequencies. would this be considered a "HAM"? or is there a better term for what I do? At some point I want to get certified for ham radios however I don't have the money to get the radios yet.

Firefighter1811,

Tell you what, if you earn your Technician class license then I will send you two Motorola HT600 hand held radios for the low price of FREE. I'll send you a VHF (2M) HT600 and a UHF (70cM) radio and a rapid charger unit to share between the two radios. The batteries don't hold a charge as well as they did when they were new, but they still work. You can buy new batteries if you want to. Both radios will be programmed with frequencies for your area. So, all you have to do is pass a 35 question exam and then drop me a PM or an email "callsign@yahoo.com" with your newly assigned callsign and I'll get the radios setup and in the mail. What other hobby can you score free stuff like this in?

Barry
K4SGT

 

[canav844]

I know I need to get the cert. I want to join the local ham club however I need to wait to get a car first.

Call them up, I'd bet you'd get someone to give you a ride to the club functions and such, they'd also be able to recommend someone close by to "Elmer" you. I know one club I was a part of when I first got my Ticket had two members that were blind and people offered to drive them in, there was a sign up sheet passed around every several months so these guys always had a ride in.

Here's some free online study guides...
Two Self-Study Guides « KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog
Index
Ham License, Help, FAQ's, and Publications

Many libraries have the ARRL study guides available for checkout, and many more have other books on radio theory and electronics. Even if the books are dated the electronics you need haven't changed, just some of the test questions and a few of the rules. After you've developed a good understanding go take a practice test, see how you do and focus your studying where there's weaknesses, and take the test again, and repeat as needed until you're consistently passing. If you've got questions post them RR or PM some of us that are already hams, as long as you're making the effort we'd be happy to help you out.

It just takes a little time, and as you've already got internet access no more money than what it takes to chat on here.

I work better with a deadline, so here's a link to the ARRL page for the upcoming testing sessions, and contact info for groups putting the tests on. Pick a date of a test near you, and use it as a target for being ready to take the test.
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

And FWIW my expereince has been the HAMs on person and on the air have been better mannered than many of the ones that are online, so don't get discouraged by some of the doubters you may find when searching the internet.