Socal: Taking my test March 15th

[silentsamurai]

I've been studying my Technicians Class off and on for the past few months now and finally taking it seriously.

For all of your southern California residences. This monday at 5:30pm in Mission Viejo there will be testing at the P. MURRAY SENIOR CTR.

I've been taking the practice test on QRZ's site for the past two weeks and getting at least 86%+ on the first 20 tests or so, plus i read Gordo's book before bed every morning. My friend tells me I study way too much for just the technicians course but I disagree. As simple as it may be to him, I actually want to know what im doing for when I get my cert.

For people in Southern California, if you could, post up and maybe tell me where your located so when I get my radio, we can "CQ".

I think I will be going with the mobile Yaesu 8800 unit for my truck. I've seen my friends in use before and even owned one, for testing purposes ( VHF - not transmitting) And I enjoyed it's ease of use.

other than that, If you could make it to the testing, it would be great to meet you or even grab some food afterwards or just to say hello.

keep in touch.

Adam

 

[BigJimCruising]

Good luck tonight! Sounds like you'll be well prepared. When you get your ticket and radio jump on the 146.895- 136 repeater. It's an open repeater run by the Orange County RACES. Nice folks who'll be happy to talk with you. If I'm on the air I'm KD6FHO.

This site also lists various repeaters around the region.
http://rptrlist.w6jpl.ampr.org/
Plug in a bunch of them and go for a drive. You'll find lots of people to talk too!

Happy Haming!

 

[SilverBullet]

Good luck tonight, and let us know when you pass!

 

[silentsamurai]

Thanks for the luck, passed with flying colors. Now it's time to study for general

Jim,

Thanks for the info! Once i get my 8900R I'll be sure to hit that repeater! I'll keep ya updated on my radio / install progress as well.

Cheers.
Adam

 

[xtatik]

Now it's time to study for general
Once i get my 8900R I'll be sure to hit that repeater!

Excellent job and excellent attitude.
If you're serious about advancing to the General license, I would save some more or, spend more now if possible, and get a mutli-mode, multi-band radio and skip the FM only rigs. In the long run, you'll have spent less. The 8900 does have 6m and 10m FM but, you'll quickly realize there is very little, or more often, no activity on these FM bands. HF is the heart of Amateur Radio and is a much more powerful tool, but if you're bent on getting an FM rig, I'd get the 8800 instead.
Again, congratulations.....it sounds like you're headed in the right direction.

 

[HanzoSteel]

Congrats!

 

[silentsamurai]

Thanks guys!

Xtatik, I thought the 8900 was a quad band meaning it had everything all rolled into one. I guess I should look into it some more. I had it before along with the diamond antenna made specifically for it, but sold it to 'cellularsteve' on the boards here..being the newb that I am I only listened to VHF channels on it though so I didn't know much about what it could do. I am in no rush to go out and buy a radio ATM, if i do i'll get a little yaesu handheld, and just do my homework for a month or two while saving up at the same time.

But I do agree with you. if I am going to get a radio, I might as well go all out the first time and not upgrade everytime i get a higher license.

 

[gary in ohio]

congrats.....

 

[SilverBullet]

congrats, I need to upgrade to general... some day

 

[BigJimCruising]

Congratulations Adam!!! Good going and my best wishes that you really enjoy your new hobby! There's lots to do in HAM radio, so much that if you join to much at first you'll never have any time off! lol! Don't ask me how I know that!

That Yasau 8800 would be a great rig to start with. The 8900 gives you 2 other bands but as mentioneed above they have been dying out the last few years. There is still some fun to be had on them but you'd really have to work them to find it.

I now run two rigs in my truck, a 2meter/440 Kenwood and an Icom all bander. I'd recomend going with the 2meter/440 for now and add another radio when you pass your General. The all band radios are a nice idea but more restrictive then you'd first think. For example I have friends on several different repeaters and bands. With the dual band radio like the 8800 I can monitor 2 repeaters at the same time for when they come on the air. With scan you can monitor a bunch of systems at the same time. That just might be me but it can sure keep you busy with all your new radio buddy's.

Happy HAMing!!

 

[xtatik]

But I do agree with you. if I am going to get a radio, I might as well go all out the first time and not upgrade everytime i get a higher license.

Precisely! Your mention of wanting to advance to the standard license (General) is why I recommend you go for it and get the all band radio. If you don't advance right away, it won't hurt you to have the HF reach capabilities in a real emergency. A simple cheap dualband antenna for the FM side (VHF/UHF) of the rig will work fine for hitting repeaters and simplex between vehicles. Antennas on the HF side can be kept simple at first for 20m and higher (Hamsticks, or equiv.), and once you get your General you can upgrade antennas if you want.
Unfortunately, the 8900 is only an FM rig for 6m and 10m and will be limited in reach in much the same way it is for 2m and 70cm.
Going this route, will cost a couple hundred more if bought new, but will be well worth it....again, saving you money in the long run. You might keep an eye on the ads at QRZ.com. Their are ads for Yaesu 857d's and Icom 706mkIIg's over there from time to time. Most Hams take very good care of their equipment, and buying used can save you big bucks.

 

[rambrush]

Congrat's Adam!
I take mine on Saturday the 20th going to try the tech and general in one sitting. See how it goes.

Just picked up a 706mkIIG and a AH4 tuner so have the equipment now need to pass the tests.

 

[silentsamurai]

Good luck Rambrush!

If you can pass the first 10-15 tests on QRZ(dot)com with 80+ or higher score, then you'll be fine.


Xtatik,

Thank you for clarifying the 8900 radio. it is greatly appreciated. I'll be heading down to HRO this week and getting Gordo's general and extra study books, as well as checking out some mobiles.

Cheers.
Adam

 

[silentsamurai]

Congratulations Adam!!! Good going and my best wishes that you really enjoy your new hobby! There's lots to do in HAM radio, so much that if you join to much at first you'll never have any time off! lol! Don't ask me how I know that!

That Yasau 8800 would be a great rig to start with. The 8900 gives you 2 other bands but as mentioneed above they have been dying out the last few years. There is still some fun to be had on them but you'd really have to work them to find it.

I now run two rigs in my truck, a 2meter/440 Kenwood and an Icom all bander. I'd recomend going with the 2meter/440 for now and add another radio when you pass your General. The all band radios are a nice idea but more restrictive then you'd first think. For example I have friends on several different repeaters and bands. With the dual band radio like the 8800 I can monitor 2 repeaters at the same time for when they come on the air. With scan you can monitor a bunch of systems at the same time. That just might be me but it can sure keep you busy with all your new radio buddy's.

Happy HAMing!!

Thanks Jim. I really do like the yaesu series of radio's. We'll see how busy I get with work in the next few weeks to determine how much i can really study for the general class. Hopefully I can work a few hours a night on it. From what I was told by a friends father, I should focus more on general / extra then Technician because all the 'FUN' is on general / extra.

 

[xtatik]

From what I was told by a friends father, I should focus more on general / extra then Technician because all the 'FUN' is on general / extra.

SS, I wouldn't say ALL the fun is had on HF, but for most hams...most of it is. You may or may not tire of chatting on the local repeaters....I did. It's an entirely different experience making a contact in Borneo, Svalbard, Antartica or just two states away by sending an unassisted sky wave signal directly from one antenna to another. The same contacts can be made to a much more limited extent on FM by use of IRLP and Echolink (if the repeater owner allows Echolink, many don't)........but, using the internet to span the distance loses it's appeal once you've experienced HF and you realize you could do the same with...well,...the internet.

Rambrush, good luck on your tests and great choice on the radio. It's funny how spending the dough on a radio will motivate you to get that next ticket. I did it the same way......it worked! At $13.00 a shot and tests being held weekly nearly everywhere...you just gotta' go for it!