cpsTN
Member
I am just wading in here to see what I should look for in equipment and price range if I decide to get one.
Charles
Smyrna, TN
Charles
Smyrna, TN
OK. Lets start with which bands are available and which ones are more desirable.
Charles
Smyrna, TN
I usually start with my cash flow. Is it positive or negative? Then from there move into some fiduciary cost/benefit ratio analysis that would make credit default swaps look like childs play to come up with a decision.I am just wading in here to see what I should look for in equipment and price range if I decide to get one.
OK. Lets start with which bands are available and which ones are more desirable.
Charles
Smyrna, TN
OK. Lets start with which bands are available and which ones are more desirable.
Charles
Smyrna, TN
Study for your license, then GET your license and then come back and ask. Because no licensed amateur would ever or should ever ask a question like that.[/QUOTE
If I don't know ANYTHING about it, and I can't ask questions LIKE THAT until I am licensed, and I can't get licensed until I know in which direction to go, then I should stop. I will look into some clubs or books for beginners and start there, as some people have suggested. Thank everyone for your time.
Charles
Smyrna, TN
Study for your license, then GET your license and then come back and ask. Because no licensed amateur would ever or should ever ask a question like that.[/QUOTE
If I don't know ANYTHING about it, and I can't ask questions LIKE THAT until I am licensed, and I can't get licensed until I know in which direction to go, then I should stop. I will look into some clubs or books for beginners and start there, as some people have suggested. Thank everyone for your time.
Charles
Smyrna, TN
Charles, before I got licensed back in May of 1985, I asked a ton of questions. I was asked a ton of questions about when I was going to upgrade to Tech/Gen license to talk on repeaters. My main source of ham contacts was via my $100 hf radio bought from a club member. It involved a simple used 5 band hf antenna and some coax for under $50. Oh, and a gift of a navy straight key to QSO. So, ask questions, there are still some hams who will answer them for you. Include me in that group that likes to help, not hinder. I was lucky enough to 'Elmered' by a friend I fished and hunted with. The most common way to get into ham radio is on the Tech license, it requires common sense and a little knowledge of electronics. Rules are the most important. Plug in some local 2m and 73cm repeaters into your scanner and listen. You will get an idea of what and what not to do on the air. My first vhf rig was a 2m ht. Wished I could have gotten a mobile then, but, the ht allowed me portability and access to a lot of local repeaters. Radios have definitely more sophisticated in the last 25 years.
HTH,
Larry
Oh, by the way, did you get your scanner up and running on the trunked system??
"f I don't know ANYTHING about it, and I can't ask questions LIKE THAT until I am licensed, and I can't get licensed until I know in which direction to go, then I should stop."
WOAH! Easy there big feller, for one thing you're putting the cart before the horse. OK, you misunderstood his comment so here it is quite simply.
"I will look into some clubs or books for beginners and start there, as some people have suggested."
That's only common sense, the first step toward getting a license. In the process you'll learn what Amateur Radio has to offer. All your questions will be answered and you can base your decisions as to what you want to do with the hobby, the equipment you'll need and what you'll need to spend. The short version is license first, then equipment depending on what you want to do with it.
"Thank everyone for your time."
Oh you're quite welcome but next time please put a little more thought into questions before asking them. Unfortunately this is a common mistake that sends everybody scrambling trying to figure out what you mean. Perhaps a good preface would be "I don't know where to start but I would like to know..." so somebody can tell you where to start and you'll be off in the right direction with your next question, one thing leads to another and we have a discussion.
Oh, by the way, did you get your scanner up and running on the trunked system??
I am not upset but it sounded to me as though I was being blown off due to my ignorance. It is as though, I am being told to go fishing without knowing what water is. I will do some research and keep "monitoring" here. Didn't mean to get under anyone's skin.
Charles
Smyrna, TN
Lighten up! You're not being blown off. Everyone is trying to point you in the right directiion. Books have been written about getting started and there is even more to be learned from experienced amateurs - hence the suggestion that you begin to read up and get some in-person guidance.Like anything else, there are no simplistic answers where previous knowledge is non-existent.
Once you get your license, I'd recommend a portable duel bander like at Kenwood HT-D7.
Kenwood: TH-D7A/E VHF/UHF FM Dual Bander
This will get you on the are talking over the local repeaters and maybe sending data over ARPS.
Don't let the test throw you off! The tech test is easy once you've read up on it. Here's a starting point in you search for material
Ham radio exam : Ham Radio: Exams
73's
Mike.