davidbroxson
Member
I'm not sure yet. I have a detached garage (Mancave), so I'm thinking home rig. But I'll see which setup offers the most versistility.
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HAM Tech test
- Thread starter davidbroxson
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I'm not sure yet. I have a detached garage (Mancave), so I'm thinking home rig. But I'll see which setup offers the most versistility.
davidbroxson
Member
Your advice is well recieved. Sounds like a reasonibile path to take. I will start study for the general and look at what brands and model of all band radios are out there. I can take the general test in two months so that gives me plenty of time to read product reviews and study.
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What's the big hurry? Fine if you want General but no reason to rush when you just might wish to take "one disaster at a time" as my ex foreman used to say? For what it's worth I set up my bat cave first, the mobile came a while later. Since reception is always better and so is the choice of antennas you're less likely to be discouraged starting at home getting your feet wet first, then dive in. What I'm getting at is testing gives you no clue to good operating procedure nor will it give you the feel of it so start off small, don't bite off more than you can chew. You can't take on the world all at once, don't even try.
There are things to consider like propagation, this is a bad time to start so don't expect too much. Since you have VHF privileges you may as well use them and since summer is coming and with it the DX you'll find band openings that will challenge you and give you the skill and experience to tackle HF when it starts to come around in the years to come. One step at a time and you won't stumble, don't get TOO excited all at once. What I'm getting at here is at this point mobile will be a bit of a disappointment when you can't "get out" as well as you'd like, your "base" will have better antennas. VHF is a world of it's own so get used to it, then HF will come a lot easier. You'd be surprised how far you can "get out" when there's a band opening so for what it's worth having June as your target date and 6M your target band you won't be disappointed. Just take it from there and the best of luck to you, when you hear a CQ from a distant land (I've worked Europe, South America and Africa on 6) have fun with the pileup.
One last thought, when the band is open and everybody's listening who knows it? It never hurts to toss out your callsign and see what comes back. It just might be YOU on the receiving end of a pileup, you never know. Hey, when you're ready you may consider a cruise to The Island Of Misfit Hams, we have a room for you in our luxurious Alpha Hotel and a courteous staff all dressed up in their cute little Foxtrot Uniforms ready to care for your every need. Oh, life is a beach on the island and that's all I'll tell you... for now.
There are things to consider like propagation, this is a bad time to start so don't expect too much. Since you have VHF privileges you may as well use them and since summer is coming and with it the DX you'll find band openings that will challenge you and give you the skill and experience to tackle HF when it starts to come around in the years to come. One step at a time and you won't stumble, don't get TOO excited all at once. What I'm getting at here is at this point mobile will be a bit of a disappointment when you can't "get out" as well as you'd like, your "base" will have better antennas. VHF is a world of it's own so get used to it, then HF will come a lot easier. You'd be surprised how far you can "get out" when there's a band opening so for what it's worth having June as your target date and 6M your target band you won't be disappointed. Just take it from there and the best of luck to you, when you hear a CQ from a distant land (I've worked Europe, South America and Africa on 6) have fun with the pileup.
One last thought, when the band is open and everybody's listening who knows it? It never hurts to toss out your callsign and see what comes back. It just might be YOU on the receiving end of a pileup, you never know. Hey, when you're ready you may consider a cruise to The Island Of Misfit Hams, we have a room for you in our luxurious Alpha Hotel and a courteous staff all dressed up in their cute little Foxtrot Uniforms ready to care for your every need. Oh, life is a beach on the island and that's all I'll tell you... for now.
K
kb0nly
Guest
I have to agree, don't put all your money into a single 2m radio. Save up and get an all mode all band rig. I spend some time on 2m FM, even 70cm FM, but a lot of my time is spent on 6m/2m SSB when there is an opening or on HF. I ragchew now and then on HF but most of the time you will find me on the digital modes, PSK, SSTV, RTTY, etc..
Welcome aboard.
Yup!
Good morning campers!
I'm your Uncle Hammie,
And I welcome you to Hiram's Holiday Camp!
The camp with a difference
Never mind the weather
When you come to Hiram's
The holiday's forever!
dit dit
Good morning campers!
I'm your Uncle Hammie,
And I welcome you to Hiram's Holiday Camp!
The camp with a difference
Never mind the weather
When you come to Hiram's
The holiday's forever!
dit dit
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davidbroxson
Member
hmm still waiting for my call sign, does anyone know how long I can expect to wait?
majoco
Stirrer
Real hams use CW!
davidbroxson
Member
So your suggesting because there's no morse code requirement on current tech liscensing anyone who recieves one now isn't a "Real Ham"?
ki4rvh
Member
Ignore him David. You're a real ham. You passed the test. You have my congratulations! Keep up the good work. If there is anything that I can do to help you shoot me an PM.
Best 73,
Chris
shaft
Member
I guess yours didnt get uploaded to the FCC the same day, probably a week or two since it seems like it was mailed. I was fortunate enough to receive mine about 8hrs after I took the test. Everyone has a different experience.
My suggestion would be to start off with something really cheap, like a used scanner. You can listen for a month or so to find out how much 2m activity there is in your area. You can also buy a shortwave radio from Kaito for about $60 that will receive SSB on the HF frequencies. In no time flat you will know if you just want to stick with HF, 2m, or both. I haven't really heard all that much of a difference between what goes on on HF vs the 2m repeater activity, unless you are get into contesting. HF and 2m is pretty much people just shootin the breeze with each other, having nets, etc. The nice thing with HF is the distance factor. I can see how making a long distance contact would give someone an added thrill. I've thought about getting my general ticket, but I am fairly happy with 2m for now. Plus, the budget won't allow for an HF rig right now.
At any rate, have fun with it, whatever direction you decide to go in. There are so many different avenues open to us. There really is something for everyone. If you are interested, I can post some links to ham sites that have proven to be very informative for me. Just lemme know.
At any rate, have fun with it, whatever direction you decide to go in. There are so many different avenues open to us. There really is something for everyone. If you are interested, I can post some links to ham sites that have proven to be very informative for me. Just lemme know.
Welcome to one of the most hotly debated issues in ham radio. LOL! Actually, there are a few of them, but this one just doesn't seem to die. The code hams like to complain a lot about the no code hams not having to pass a code test. Eventually, you will let it go into one eye and right out the other (since you're reading this and not hearing it
) Hehehehe!Congratulations!!! Just promise us one thing... promise that you wont load up your car with a bunch of amber strobes, dash blasters and dual talons and go chasing after rain saying that you're part of some elite government radio group that protects and serves in the time of mass destruction.
But seriously, welcome to the club!
Congratulations!!! Just promise us one thing... promise that you wont load up your car with a bunch of amber strobes, dash blasters and dual talons and go chasing after rain saying that you're part of some elite government radio group that protects and serves in the time of mass destruction.
But seriously, welcome to the club!
Aw, come on now! That's half the fun! LOL! I saw this one car at the local hamfest in November. It was an old Ford Escort station wagon. That feller had no less than 5 mag mount antennas, stuck right in the middle part of the roof, in a circular pattern. I went to see what kind of radios he had connected to all that coax coming into his passenger side window, and there wasn't a single radio in the car!!! LOL!
haha. I feel mean for bringing this up, but whatever. I love seeing people that drive around with really small, old cars like a 1996 green Saturn S-Series four door compact car with a Pro-95 and a Whelen modified, jury-rigged red dash strobe. hehe. Didn't know police use Saturns now.
BuffaloJustice
Member
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Congrats! I'm testing Saturday, wish me luck.
BTW, lies should be believable. A white pickup with with either no light or a simple yellow on top will get you around nicely. A well used hard hat on the dash is a nice added touch. Or just don't be a poser, that works well too. Congrats again.
BTW, lies should be believable. A white pickup with with either no light or a simple yellow on top will get you around nicely. A well used hard hat on the dash is a nice added touch. Or just don't be a poser, that works well too. Congrats again.
Good man. Couldn't have said it better myself!
As far as CW is concerned you may as well learn Morse if you feel so inclined, these days it's just another mode but a good one tried and true. As far as the dreaded whackermobiles and porcupines are concerned there are far more dangerous nut cases out there. This is not a siren, of all the stupid things to put on a car and announce to the world "butthole inside" this is a WIND TURBINE.
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