Getting into Ham

[pills]

What does it take to get into Ham? Obviously it requires a radio and a license but what else does it take? What is offered here in OK to help someone get a start?

Would something like this be good?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1502&item=5740638311&rd=1

Thanks

 

[KB8UYC]

First, you need to get the "Now your Talking" book. Or you can grab a No code Tech book with the questions in it. Study it. After you have read through the book, black out all the wrong answers and highlight only the right answer. Study some more, then go take the test!

As for radios, you will just have to look at what fits your budget....

Hope that helps

Eric-KB8UYC

 

[nd5y]

I don't know who made that CD, what is in it, or how good it is.
Your best bet is to get study material from one of these
groups that have been around a long time:

http://www.arrl.org
http://www.w5yi.org
http://www.gordonwestradioschool.com

You can aslo take online practice exams here:
http://www.aa9pw.com/radio

Tom ND5Y

 

[N5MRK]

Well, those are exelent recomendations. Personally, i went to http://www.qrz.com and took the practice test about 500 times untill i was getting 90s and 95s consistantly. Once i could do that, i went and took the test at my local club. I recieved a 98. Only missed one question.

But everyone is differn't. Good luck!

-Matt

 

[pills]

Thanks for the input. Keep it coming. I will be purchasing Now You're Talking. I read some good reviews online.

Once again I appreciate your patience with a newbie.

 

[robynsjw]

I haven't lived in Okmulgee in about 10 years, but there were quite a few very helpful hams in the area, and Tulsa used to have weekly classes very often. check out the 147.225 and 444.600 repeaters, they used to be club repeaters but seem to be part of Tulsa's system now. 146.520 and 146.565 simplex (not on a repeater) used to be active also.

 

[KD5WLX]

Ham School

The Tulsa Amateur Radio Club continues to offer Technician Licensing Classes on a regular basis.

The next one is slated (tentatively) to start the weekend after Skywarn Training Day (Feb. 19th) - to run for 3 consecutive Saturdays. That would have you ready to take the test at the VE session at Green Country Hamfest (Claremore Expo Center - March 18th & 19th - the session is Friday night @7pm)

Contact info for more info is:
Jay Eimer (AD5PE)
President - Tulsa Amateur Radio Club
918.834.6297 or president@w5ias.com

Or listen to the Thursday Night Net (8pm every Thursday) on 145.11 (2m) or the 70cm "super system" (Tulsa link 443.85 - see the w5ias.com website for the 14 remote repeaters - coverage from Stillwater to Fayetteville and Bartlesville to Paris, TX)

The w5ias.com website also has a list of VE (test) sessions in and around the Tulsa area. Out of area - contact me and I'll see if I can get you in touch with a local club (or ham) to help you out.

BTW, the TARC Technician classes use "Now You're Talking" for the textbook.

73,

Jay
AD5PE

 

[N5MRK]

On a side note, the Tulsa Amateur radio club has contacted EARS about linking our uhf link that has around 6 or so repeaters on it to the tulsa link. If so, it would cover like 4 or 5 states and have unbelieveable coverage. Hopefully we get the thing worked out soon.

-Matt

 

[pills]

What does it cost to take the classes? What does it cost to take the test? What does it cost to get the license?

I was reading an online review and you could tell it was written by a teenager. Anyways they used this book to pass the test. Glad to hear that it is someones text also.

Again thanks for the input and patience.

 

[crayon]

What does it cost to take the test? What does it cost to get the license?

Passing the test *gets* you the license and that is around 12 dollars or so ..

 

[KD5WLX]

Test Fees

The TARC School has had no cost in the past - this may change to a nominal fee (not more than about $5 probably) just to help defray the costs of renting a room. That depends on where we have it.

The test fee just went up to $14. You pay up front, and can take as many tests as you want, as long as you keep passing. We've had people take all 4 (Morse code, Tech, General and Extra) all in one session.

If you're only taking one, then when you've "studied up" and are ready to upgrade, you pay $14 again for whatever you take that day.

And K5MAR - thanks for mentioning that western link! Gregg (W5GGW, our past president) has been talking to John Thomason (WB5SYT, the OK Section Manager) and I'm not sure who all else about getting that link into Edmond. We already cover the southern tier counties in KS from I-35 east, well into NW Arkansas down to past Ft. Smith, and all of E. OK down to the Red River. It will be great to get the Central and N. Central OK in as well. If you can hit 444.525 (88.5 PL) in Stillwater, check in some time on the Thursday Night Net. I'll be net control on the 20th.
I'd love to talk to you.

 

[pills]

I noticed on the website it says

All repeaters have a PL tone of 88.5

. Is there anything different I need to do to listen to this on my scanner? I purchased the book today. Unfortunatly I also had an outpatient procedure and am a little fuzzy. I will begin the actual chapters tomorrow.

 

[K5MAR]

Jay, wasn't me, that was N5MRK. I'd like to catch the net sometime, but I work most every Thursday, 3-11 PM. Sorry. Ya'll get a little activity to the east tonight? Maybe I'll see you at the spring spotter refresher course Feb 19th.

pills, nothing you need to do with your scanner. In this case, 88.5 is an access tone, to reduce or eliminate interference on the repeater input. I very seldom use the tone decode on my ham radios.

Mark S.

 

[KD5WLX]

Nets and Skywarn

That's what I get from replying from memory!

K5MAR - well, if you're working, I guess you can't check in to nets. Yes, I'll see you at Skywarn Training. If you can't find me, ask at the TARC table and they'll point me out.

N5MRK, if that was you talking about being in Stillwater, check in to the net some time?

As far as PLs, if you have a Pro-92 or -2067 (or a couple of other PL capable scanners then you can eliminate the "noise" from when the band opens and the Joplin repeater users start keying up the Tulsa machines (or similar). When you get your license, you need to program them in to key up the repeaters, but they don't affect hearing them, unless you specifically program to NOT hear the repeater UNLESS you hear the tone.

Jay

 

[k3td]

KI4CFS has a great site with lots of information on getting started, although it is not specifically targeted toward the Oklahoma area.
http://www.toinquire.com/ham/

Good luck!

 

[jgarber311]

The FT 60R is a great 2m/ 440 radio for new hams and old!
Just an FYI!

Jamie KB8TTR
Good Luck!