Skyd
Member
Hey there people of earth. I've had an interest in ham for a long time, since I was maybe 14 or 15 (41 now). I was heavy into 11 meter CB for a while, had a base station and huge 18' antenna on the roof of my dad's house.
I knew a couple people who were also ham operators and I considered going for a license but between the cost of equipment and other interests "mainly a job and steady gf" it all sort of faded. Over the years I've mostly just listened to my scanner off and on and haven't done much transmitting on anything.
I have a somewhat renewed interest in all things RF, in fact I recently got my GMRS license as the off road community is largely going that way and dropping CB radio. One thing that always interested me was talking skip to places that were far out of normal radio range. I just thought that was pretty cool. I also realize that GMRS is very purpose built, great for activities like hiking, off roading, maybe some local communication to facilitate some activities with others.
It's not for seeing how far you can talk, or "experimenting" with things really. This is why I have been considering ham again.
So the reasons I'd like to get my license are somewhat obvious. But there's also things turning me off. Would love to get some thoughts on this.
First - cost. I dont' have large amounts of extra income, but I have some from time to time. I'm always open to used equipment or starting off small, so that's perhaps not a large issue.
Second - The actual test. I've actually gone and taken a few technician class practice tests and passed without any studying. Most of what I got wrong are ham specific things, so I'd want to read up on those. I have decent basic electrical knowledge. However, I'd have to travel to take a test in person which isn't a huge deal or I could do it online. In reviewing the requirements for this I actually laughed at how seriously they take it (don't take this the wrong way). But the testing procedures are seriously locked down. This sort of relates to my final "turn off"
Lastly - Some....not all.....some and perhaps the noisiest of hams really put me off and make me question if I want to get into this and communicate with any of these people. It largely seems like a giant "measuring" contest. Nearly all replies contain "I've been a ham for x number of years". It's all very pretentious. All hobbies have these people and I know there are MANY hams that are not like this but really this is a large reason the hobby may be in danger. I'm not trying to get my PhD in RF and electrical engineering (I actually work in an electrical engineering department for my job but not an engineer personally) and while I would love to learn things I'm not trying to argue about who's right or wrong and be told I dont' know anything because I'm a newb and unless my ancestors operated the amateur radio on the Mayflower I should hit the books harder.
So in closing - maybe I'm not a fit, or maybe ham isn't a fit for me. I'm not sure. I'm a glutton for information and love learning stuff. But for casual use, and "fun" maybe it's just to stuck up and expensive.
**** If you made it this far, you might be thinking - what a jerk, why bother asking this question if he doesn't like hams. That's not at all the case, and in fact this is written in a very devil's advocate sort of way to spark some debate as to what the reasons might be or not be for getting my license and what I can expect if I try and enter this hobby ****
So that all being said - would love to hear some thoughts on this.
OH - PS, I saw some stuff about SOTA and POTA. I think that's the correct acronyms and that is interesting as well so another thing to add to the Pro's list. I live in a very mountain region with many 4000 footers to hike (i'm out of shape though, lol)
I knew a couple people who were also ham operators and I considered going for a license but between the cost of equipment and other interests "mainly a job and steady gf" it all sort of faded. Over the years I've mostly just listened to my scanner off and on and haven't done much transmitting on anything.
I have a somewhat renewed interest in all things RF, in fact I recently got my GMRS license as the off road community is largely going that way and dropping CB radio. One thing that always interested me was talking skip to places that were far out of normal radio range. I just thought that was pretty cool. I also realize that GMRS is very purpose built, great for activities like hiking, off roading, maybe some local communication to facilitate some activities with others.
It's not for seeing how far you can talk, or "experimenting" with things really. This is why I have been considering ham again.
So the reasons I'd like to get my license are somewhat obvious. But there's also things turning me off. Would love to get some thoughts on this.
First - cost. I dont' have large amounts of extra income, but I have some from time to time. I'm always open to used equipment or starting off small, so that's perhaps not a large issue.
Second - The actual test. I've actually gone and taken a few technician class practice tests and passed without any studying. Most of what I got wrong are ham specific things, so I'd want to read up on those. I have decent basic electrical knowledge. However, I'd have to travel to take a test in person which isn't a huge deal or I could do it online. In reviewing the requirements for this I actually laughed at how seriously they take it (don't take this the wrong way). But the testing procedures are seriously locked down. This sort of relates to my final "turn off"
Lastly - Some....not all.....some and perhaps the noisiest of hams really put me off and make me question if I want to get into this and communicate with any of these people. It largely seems like a giant "measuring" contest. Nearly all replies contain "I've been a ham for x number of years". It's all very pretentious. All hobbies have these people and I know there are MANY hams that are not like this but really this is a large reason the hobby may be in danger. I'm not trying to get my PhD in RF and electrical engineering (I actually work in an electrical engineering department for my job but not an engineer personally) and while I would love to learn things I'm not trying to argue about who's right or wrong and be told I dont' know anything because I'm a newb and unless my ancestors operated the amateur radio on the Mayflower I should hit the books harder.
So in closing - maybe I'm not a fit, or maybe ham isn't a fit for me. I'm not sure. I'm a glutton for information and love learning stuff. But for casual use, and "fun" maybe it's just to stuck up and expensive.
**** If you made it this far, you might be thinking - what a jerk, why bother asking this question if he doesn't like hams. That's not at all the case, and in fact this is written in a very devil's advocate sort of way to spark some debate as to what the reasons might be or not be for getting my license and what I can expect if I try and enter this hobby ****
So that all being said - would love to hear some thoughts on this.
OH - PS, I saw some stuff about SOTA and POTA. I think that's the correct acronyms and that is interesting as well so another thing to add to the Pro's list. I live in a very mountain region with many 4000 footers to hike (i'm out of shape though, lol)