Got my ticket. Now what?
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K7MEM
Member
Well, congratulations! I took the Tech and General at the same VE session too, but that was a long time ago.
What you have can probably be considered a minimum setup. What exactly do you want to do?
The Tech license opens you up to VHF/UHF communications. You can work FM simplex or get better coverage by working repeaters. There is still a lot of SSB/CW activity on the VHF/UHF bands.
The General opens up a good portion of the HF amateur band. There the bulk of the communication is SSB/CW but there is also a lot of digital mode (PSK31, RTTY, ect.) operating.
Of course, some of that depends on what kind of budget you have. While you don't need thousands of dollars, good rigs don't come cheap. To save a little money you might want to take in a few ham fests in your area. There is often a lot of used gear for good prices. Of course, "caveat emptor", when you are there.
I have been a ham for over 50 years now, and still haven't run out of things to do. So "What Now?" is whatever you want to do now.
Martin - K7MEM
What you have can probably be considered a minimum setup. What exactly do you want to do?
The Tech license opens you up to VHF/UHF communications. You can work FM simplex or get better coverage by working repeaters. There is still a lot of SSB/CW activity on the VHF/UHF bands.
The General opens up a good portion of the HF amateur band. There the bulk of the communication is SSB/CW but there is also a lot of digital mode (PSK31, RTTY, ect.) operating.
Of course, some of that depends on what kind of budget you have. While you don't need thousands of dollars, good rigs don't come cheap. To save a little money you might want to take in a few ham fests in your area. There is often a lot of used gear for good prices. Of course, "caveat emptor", when you are there.
I have been a ham for over 50 years now, and still haven't run out of things to do. So "What Now?" is whatever you want to do now.
Martin - K7MEM
KC5AKB
Member
There is not really a basic set up.
With your Lic you have lots of things to explore .
PSK, SSB, CW,FM,Echo-Link , RTTY, and so much more.
Home
Welcome to Tennadyne, L.L.C.
Google ham radio links and see what looks cool.
Just a thought.
You want the best antenna you can get for what
you want to do. A great antenna and a cheep radio is
more fun than a cheep junk antenna and a Ten Thousand Dollar radio...!!!
Do you want to get on UHF , VHF or HF maybe all of these.
Congrats on the Lic welcome to ham radio.
Talk to other hams look for a club .
Most of all take your time and enjoy you will never be able to do it all.
Drop me a pm if you like.
With your Lic you have lots of things to explore .
PSK, SSB, CW,FM,Echo-Link , RTTY, and so much more.
Home
Welcome to Tennadyne, L.L.C.
Google ham radio links and see what looks cool.
Just a thought.
You want the best antenna you can get for what
you want to do. A great antenna and a cheep radio is
more fun than a cheep junk antenna and a Ten Thousand Dollar radio...!!!
Do you want to get on UHF , VHF or HF maybe all of these.
Congrats on the Lic welcome to ham radio.
Talk to other hams look for a club .
Most of all take your time and enjoy you will never be able to do it all.
Drop me a pm if you like.
First, congrats on getting your license! Welcome to the wonderful world of ham radio.
Second, take a look at you local library for ARRL books on ham radio. Or look online at this site:
ARRL :: What's New
I like the ARRL Handbook ($50) which is a great reference manual and touches on many aspects of ham radio as well. The other books for new hams are found here and come in many flavors depending on your interests.
But many libraries have the ARRL books and you can browse before you buy. If you have any questions, post them in this thread and I'll see if I can help you more.
Again, congrats on the new license!
73, Dave K4EET
K7MEM
Member
pengyou1 ,
The ARRL books that K4EET recommends are good books. However, if you are on any kind of budget, you might want to got to a local ham fest and buy a used copy. The information in the ARRL Handbook and the ARRL Antenna Handbook doesn't change very much over the years. Generally, the only updates are some of the projects. You can get used copies in good shape, that are only a few years old, for $5 to $10. Then just read them until the pages fall out.
You can find ham fests that are close to you my going to the ARRL.org ham fest search web page and search on your zip code.
Another good source of books is the RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain). Their books contain information that is same as the ARRL books, but have a little different take on some of the projects. Very good reading.
Martin - K7MEM
N0IU
Member
First of all, congratulations! What callsign did you end up with?
Yes, you have already received some very good suggestions, but my question to you is what was your motivation to get into amateur radio? Certainly you must have had some idea what this hobby was all about. Was there some particular aspect that was of some interest to you?
I think if you can give us a little more information about that, that might help some of us do a better job of guiding you in the right direction.
Yes, Martin made an excellent suggestion about hamfests. I just went to one large hamfest in Richmond, VA and saw LOADS of books in the price range Martin quoted. Be sure to let us know if you have any questions about any of the titles. Chances are that one of us will already have the book to tell you what it is about.
73, Dave K4EET
KE0GXN
Member
Welcome to the hobby and congrats on earning your ticket!
Been in the hobby for only three months or so myself and my base is still an HT. Depending on where you live and the proximity to repeaters 5 watts can keep you occupied "locally."
I have decided to get an outside antenna set-up at my QTH first, then save up for a mobile/base after, but if you can both, then by all means go for it!
The experienced guys here will be more than willing to help you out if you are willing to fill them on your interests. Great guys in here who have helped me out a lot!
Along with the guys here and depending on what your interests are I would suggest you seek out some "local" hams and make some face to face contacts too. Club meetings, ARES meetings or just calling one up if you can get a phone number has helped me. You'd be surprised on how inviting and informative your local hams can be, if just given the chance. I started out with my VEs and then branched off from there....
Anyhow, if you do not have a bunch of money to throw into the hobby right off the bat....with some reasonably priced accessories you can get by with an HT till you figure out your interests. Throwing your call out on the repeaters and checking into your local nets will get you started locally.
Good luck!
Been in the hobby for only three months or so myself and my base is still an HT. Depending on where you live and the proximity to repeaters 5 watts can keep you occupied "locally."
I have decided to get an outside antenna set-up at my QTH first, then save up for a mobile/base after, but if you can both, then by all means go for it!
The experienced guys here will be more than willing to help you out if you are willing to fill them on your interests. Great guys in here who have helped me out a lot!
Along with the guys here and depending on what your interests are I would suggest you seek out some "local" hams and make some face to face contacts too. Club meetings, ARES meetings or just calling one up if you can get a phone number has helped me. You'd be surprised on how inviting and informative your local hams can be, if just given the chance. I started out with my VEs and then branched off from there....
Anyhow, if you do not have a bunch of money to throw into the hobby right off the bat....with some reasonably priced accessories you can get by with an HT till you figure out your interests. Throwing your call out on the repeaters and checking into your local nets will get you started locally.
Good luck!
Another source of finding nearby hams is to go to Callsign Database by QRZ.COM and in the "Enter Query..." box in the top-left under the blue globe, put in your 5-digit zip code. Then just to the right where it says "by Callsign" drop down the selection with the down-arrow and select "by Name/Addr" and then press "Search" which will show you all of the hams that live in your local area. I found a ham that lives on the same street that I do a while back that I did not know about!
Let me know if you have any questions...
73, Dave K4EET
I was interested initially in emergency/disaster communications, primarily local or US stations, although some of the DX options sound intriguing. I also had no clue about all the digital modes, although it's not surprising in retrospect. Satellite and EME also sounds interesting.
My primary interest would still be VHF/UHF for the most part, with a relatively modest base station and mobile capabilities.
Are you a permanent resident in West Lafayette or are you a Purdue student?
I've helped out the Tippecanoe County ARES team with the Wabash River Ride bicycle event a few times. Good people up there.
Pemanent resident. I will definitely look into RACES/ARES.
KE0GXN
Member
If for nothing else it will at least expose you to some local hams and you never know, you may end up finding an Elmer or two as well.
Guy in my ARES group has already offered to loan me a 2 meter base rig if I ever want it and I had only met him for the first time at our last meeting. You'd surprised how helpful and inviting hams can be.
If for nothing else it will at least expose you to some local hams and you never know, you may end up finding an Elmer or two as well.
Guy in my ARES group has already offered to loan me a 2 meter base rig if I ever want it and I had only met him for the first time at our last meeting. You'd surprised how helpful and inviting hams can be.
Seems like this is definitely one of those hobbies you need a mentor, whether you're 8 or 80...
Most importantly, what's your budget? (You could easily spend $10,000 on a ham station). Also, what's your location? (Apartment or house)?
If you're not in an apartment (or subject to tough HOA rules), for an entry level tech station, I'd go for something like a Kenwood TS-2000 or an Icom IC-9100. These rigs give you 10 meters, 2 meters, 70cm (and 1.2 Ghz as an option). Not only that, but they give you single sideband on VHF & UHF.
Put up a 30-50 foot tower, (self supporting or eve mount), add a rotor and some long boom VHF/UHF beams and you could have lots of fun. For long haul work, six meters is usually pretty good during the summer E season. 1000+ mile contacts are easy.
When I first got on six, I used a 30 foot eve mounted tower with a 3 element Cushcraft beam. See --> Cushcraft Amateur Radio Antennas I aimed it with a cheap TV antenna rotor that I picked up used at a flea market.
If you're not in an apartment (or subject to tough HOA rules), for an entry level tech station, I'd go for something like a Kenwood TS-2000 or an Icom IC-9100. These rigs give you 10 meters, 2 meters, 70cm (and 1.2 Ghz as an option). Not only that, but they give you single sideband on VHF & UHF.
Put up a 30-50 foot tower, (self supporting or eve mount), add a rotor and some long boom VHF/UHF beams and you could have lots of fun. For long haul work, six meters is usually pretty good during the summer E season. 1000+ mile contacts are easy.
When I first got on six, I used a 30 foot eve mounted tower with a 3 element Cushcraft beam. See --> Cushcraft Amateur Radio Antennas I aimed it with a cheap TV antenna rotor that I picked up used at a flea market.
Congrats! Your call will suit you well if you end up with any Yaesu talkies lol. Clubs are not really necessary, unless you're the socialite. You'd be better off using those club dues on some new gear or antennas.
. 73, n9zasDefinitely under $1000 for starters. I looked through the HOA rules and did not see anything about antennas. There are three or four hams in my neighborhood, so I'll check with them. I thought a 30-40' vertical next to the 'chimney' would not be too obtrusive (or as ugly as all the satellite dishes)...
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