Ham Radio Guys

[mblndl]

I've always been interested in ham radios but I don't know where to start. Any suggestions?

 

[Poke78]

I've always been interested in ham radios but I don't know where to start. Any suggestions?

Start here: http://www.arrl.org/getting-licensed

There are two ham radio clubs in Edmond you might consider for classes, etc:

Edmond Amateur Radio Society: http://www.k5eok.org/
Edmond Amateur Radio Club: http://www.wd5aii.com/

 

[BadgeBunny]

I've always been interested in ham radios but I don't know where to start. Any suggestions?

And after the guys tell you to buy the book and/or take the 10 week class go to HamTestOnline and sign up. You can study and test at the same time. It is amazing how quickly you will learn the material you need to learn and more ... just by reading and answering questions. If you are a working person (or someone like me who doesn't do well in a traditional classroom situation) this is the only way to study!

 

[Mack45]

Got my novice license back in 78. There was a lot of old tube type boat anchors around back then and that was about all I could afford. It worked great, I pounded a lot of brass back then and got QSLs from all over the world on CW. I lived in a cheap trailer house back then and when I would be trying to copy CW, if anyone walked around, it would make the filaments in the tubes bounce around and the tones would "wobble"! Had a lot of fun back then.

 

[Poke78]

And after the guys tell you to buy the book and/or take the 10 week class go to HamTestOnline and sign up. You can study and test at the same time. It is amazing how quickly you will learn the material you need to learn and more ... just by reading and answering questions. If you are a working person (or someone like me who doesn't do well in a traditional classroom situation) this is the only way to study!

Or, rather than pay money for HamTestOnline, you can get the same test content for free on http://aa9pw.com/ Admittedly, HamTest has additional study materials that guide you through the learning that may have value for your learning style and only you can determine that. Check out the actual test questions for free @ the AA9PW site and you can decide if the HamTestOnline site will assist you.

I'm in favor of whatever works to get the license but I also want to see recently-licensed hams get on the air successfully. A support system through a local group of hams can make a difference in getting on the air, advancing skills, finding a specialty/interest area, etc. I'm really encouraged to see the interest from this thread.

 

[criticalbass]

I am a technical ignoramus whan it comes to anything electronic, but I have a bunch of very old components that belonged to my late father in law. They are small doodads (technical term). Resistors, probably transistors, etc. Maybe ten+ cigar boxes full. I know the cigar boxes are collectible, but would like to know what the rest of the stuff is worth. Anybody around OKC, PM me if you would like to look at this stuff.

I think there is, in my mother in law's house in Lawton, a big desk file drawer full of schematics? for various electronic stuff, probably mostly dealing with early ham. If anybody is interested, I can bring it the next time we go down there.

My FIL was into ham when you had to wind your own coils? and make your own chassis, etc. When it all became available off the shelf, his interest lessened. Smart old boy, and I really miss him.

 

[MyMonkey]

Good afternoon, MM -

I gave you a little guidance earlier in the thread but you've posted some more specific questions so I'll jump back in with some answers. Since you are still working on getting licensed, you'll probably learn more in that process that will influence your thinking, too. As to not being able to make every class, you'll still benefit by developing a resource for face-to-face Q&A sessions on equipment, etc. The online resources will get you ready for the test.

I covered the basics of the handheld vs. mobile choice in my earlier response: https://www.okshooters.com/showthread.php?124396-Ham-Radio-Guys&p=2106759&viewfull=1#post2106759

Dual-band is the way I'd recommend you go for the flexibility. 2 Meters is available with coverage nearly everywhere but it's nice to have options. Having dual-receive capability is a good thing and I highly recommend it.

I live in a neighborhood that doesn't allow exterior antennas so I have antennas in my attic and they work OK. It's not optimal but it is workable. I can tell you a little about how that might work.

I'm confused as to what specific questions you have on antennas but would be glad to help. Don't worry about having uninformed questions because everybody has had to learn it from somewhere. Just express your questions as best as you can with the understanding you have and I'll try to interpret or ask clarifying questions.

Given where you live (OKC, right?), having the ability for wide-band receive is really of no consequence because the police and fire departments have all moved radio ops to systems that can't be received the way they used to be. As to 10m, your initial license will not authorize operation on the FM portion of that band.

Please consider using an actual ham radio dealer that has a brick & mortar location as well as an online presence. I checked just one dealer's prices against your Amazon listing price and the dealer was $40 less on the first item, $50 less on the second item, $38 less on the 2 meter, and the Chinese radios are already at rock-bottom. You will have a better experience and good support when working with an actual ham radio dealer, IMO. Places to check are Ham Radio Outlet, Amateur Electronic Supply, Texas Towers, Austin Amateur Radio Supply, to name just a few. They all have online sales sites.

Thanks for the response! Very helpful. I am now torn between the CB radio bands and the Ham type bands. 10meter vs 11 meter basically. I am curious whether you can obtain similar information frmo the CB bands without the tests and FCC medling? Anyone do CB stuff out there?

I am in NW Okc. Council and Memorial area and figure I could install an antennae in the attic no problem. Maybe a removable one that I could even stick in the yard on a stake when needed and remove when not in use. Not sure.

 

[BadgeBunny]

MyMonkey, I want to thank you for posting your research on equipment and you and criticalbass for having this conversation. I've had to read over it a few times but it has helped me because I'm not sure what I wanted to do radio-wise either and have just kinda put all this on the back burner since I passed the test. I need to get with it ...

Thanks guys!

 

[Poke78]

Thanks for the response! Very helpful. I am now torn between the CB radio bands and the Ham type bands. 10meter vs 11 meter basically. I am curious whether you can obtain similar information frmo the CB bands without the tests and FCC medling? Anyone do CB stuff out there?

I am in NW Okc. Council and Memorial area and figure I could install an antennae in the attic no problem. Maybe a removable one that I could even stick in the yard on a stake when needed and remove when not in use. Not sure.

I don't understand what's causing you to be torn between CB & Ham since the capabilities of those two radio services are very different. This is also the first time you've mentioned "FCC meddling" so I don't understand your context for that and I can't give you an informed response. If I still lived in OKC, I'd be glad to have you look at the radios in my vehicle and home so you could better understand what you might get into. If you can connect with an OKC ham, I think you'd get some info that would help you make your decisions.

 

[MyMonkey]

I don't understand what's causing you to be torn between CB & Ham since the capabilities of those two radio services are very different. This is also the first time you've mentioned "FCC meddling" so I don't understand your context for that and I can't give you an informed response. If I still lived in OKC, I'd be glad to have you look at the radios in my vehicle and home so you could better understand what you might get into. If you can connect with an OKC ham, I think you'd get some info that would help you make your decisions.

Sorry for the sidebar and lack of clarity. I suppose I have never really considered CB radios for some reason. Now that I have been reading and researching radios there seems to be quite a few people out there who use the CB bands lately for simple chatting as well as information transmittal and communications in times of need. I don't understand why the transceivers do not do both though. Seems odd to have a dual band but not one that will do CB and Ham type channels. I still like the idea of the ham radio and obtaining a license and education. Although, it seems the cb line could be fun as well.

Heck! I suppose I must do them both!!!

MyMonkey, I want to thank you for posting your research on equipment and you and criticalbass for having this conversation. I've had to read over it a few times but it has helped me because I'm not sure what I wanted to do radio-wise either and have just kinda put all this on the back burner since I passed the test. I need to get with it ...

Thanks guys!

Glad I can help! I will likely use your posted link as well. Thanks for that! I still owe you I figure for that ammo. Never did return the favor!

JJ