Anyone into amateur radio (ham)?
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Anyone into amateur radio (ham)?
I've been disappointed with FRS/GMRS and looking to get better range. Doing a teeny bit of research, I ruled out going back to MURS since the basic technical license for amateur radio looks pretty cake.
Checking out ARRL... any other good resources?
Checking out ARRL... any other good resources?
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Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
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I got my tech tag about 3 years ago- took the test on Valentine's night, I think I missed 3 questions but that was good enough.
QRZ's practice tests are a good place to get a feel for what you need to know;
http://www.qrz.com/testing.html
Once you get where you can blow through those, you just need to find a local place giving the test, Sunnyvale VEC ARC has one about every month or so http://www.amateur-radio.org/
QRZ's practice tests are a good place to get a feel for what you need to know;
http://www.qrz.com/testing.html
Once you get where you can blow through those, you just need to find a local place giving the test, Sunnyvale VEC ARC has one about every month or so http://www.amateur-radio.org/
Got my tech license about 5 years ago for work since I'm a pseudo first responder volunteer.
I went to Saturday ham and cram season where it was an 8 hour class. At the end they gave the test. Livermore amateur radio klub gave the free class. Only paid $14 for the testing fees.
Since then I have volunteered for various things like the Rim rally, a couple bike events, etc.
But right now the main purpose for me getting my ticket is for emergency communications for disasters and stuff.
I went to Saturday ham and cram season where it was an 8 hour class. At the end they gave the test. Livermore amateur radio klub gave the free class. Only paid $14 for the testing fees.
Since then I have volunteered for various things like the Rim rally, a couple bike events, etc.
But right now the main purpose for me getting my ticket is for emergency communications for disasters and stuff.
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My main reason is for rally purposes. I'd like to be able to provide that level of volunteer ability as it seems like we're always looking for HAM radio operators right up until the last minute.
-Brian
-Brian
good news is that the rim and the north nevada rally i worked/volunteered for, requires the basic TECHNICIAN class license. certain levels of licenses gives you privileges to use certain frequency bands. as you go up, the neato'ish things come alive... 
again 26 out of 35 basic electrical, radio, antenna, etc questions that most people can take example tests from the internet and go to the testing event and pass.
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml
that link will show who's giving the exams.
if you think you can pass the TECH level, just show up, pay the $14 (IIRC) and good luck.
now the dark side is if you think subaru parts are expensive??? :evil smiley:
again 26 out of 35 basic electrical, radio, antenna, etc questions that most people can take example tests from the internet and go to the testing event and pass.
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml
that link will show who's giving the exams.
if you think you can pass the TECH level, just show up, pay the $14 (IIRC) and good luck.
now the dark side is if you think subaru parts are expensive??? :evil smiley:
250,000-mile Club President
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
I don't know, I picked up two dual transceiver mobile rigs with antennae, a handheld with another anntenna, and an APRS package for less than I'm about to spend on just getting my car back on the road...
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