i have been reading and finding out that after having 4 CBs in my last 4 trucks might have not been the way to go. it appears HAM gives you better distance and clarity with alot less work than what you hav eto put into a CB system with a peaked CB and the best of coax you can buy with a possible silencer on the power and ground for feed back in the CB... the list goes on. it seems most pple have had a breeze with the HAMS and have been very pleased. can anyone help me find the current book to read to gain a license on these and recommend some equipment to me.
HAM radio info
- Thread starter WildBill
- Start date
Charlie56
Adventurer
Try going to the ARRL website (the mother of all HAM websites), and doing a search for a HAM club in your area. Then contact the club to see if they offer a Tech level licensing class. If they don't they will know someone that does. You will get face to face answers to any of your questions that way. Get yourself an advisor (called an Elmer) and don't let go.
Enjoy the ride.
http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club
Enjoy the ride.
http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club
MCL_68
Observer
To get yourself started in HAM,you need to get some study material or speak to some people that are already licensed operators.
A good start is the ARRL to study for the Technicians exam,which is the entry level license.
The ARRL has a HAM radio manual,which you can purchase directly from the ARRL or search for it online.There is a section in the back of the manual,that consists of the actual test questions with answers to study.You can also stop by a local HAM radio store like HRO and purchase a copy.Be sure you purchase the latest version of the manual,the question pool changed July 1, 2010 the new version is for use till June 30, 2014.
Along with books,you can take practice tests online to quiz yourself on the material.When i prepared for my Tech exam i used the QRZ practice test,there are other online test sites that are free and some charge a fee.
Once you are able to get 90-100% correct consistently on the practice tests,you can go ahead and search for a exam session. Find a exam session
The Technicians exam consists of 35 multiple choice questions,35 correct for a perfect score and 26 correct for passing.If you are able to successfully pass,the VEC Volunteer Examination Coordinator will issue you a (CSCE) Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination your evidence you passed the exam.
I paid $14 for my examination fee,not sure what it is currently.
After,the examiners (VEC)'s will submit a NCVEC form 605 to the FCC with your information.Typically up to 10 days,you can check the FCC ULS database for your call sign.If it is listed,you are now legally able to transmit on a amateur radio.
The physical license will be mailed to you with the corresponding paperwork within two weeks after you see your callsign on the FCC database.
***The license is valid for 10 years.
FCC callsign database:
FCC
QRZ.com call sign lookup:
QRZ
For equipment recommendations,read some of the posts Here at Expo
Anyway,good luck with it....:sombrero:
A good start is the ARRL to study for the Technicians exam,which is the entry level license.
The ARRL has a HAM radio manual,which you can purchase directly from the ARRL or search for it online.There is a section in the back of the manual,that consists of the actual test questions with answers to study.You can also stop by a local HAM radio store like HRO and purchase a copy.Be sure you purchase the latest version of the manual,the question pool changed July 1, 2010 the new version is for use till June 30, 2014.
Along with books,you can take practice tests online to quiz yourself on the material.When i prepared for my Tech exam i used the QRZ practice test,there are other online test sites that are free and some charge a fee.
Once you are able to get 90-100% correct consistently on the practice tests,you can go ahead and search for a exam session. Find a exam session
The Technicians exam consists of 35 multiple choice questions,35 correct for a perfect score and 26 correct for passing.If you are able to successfully pass,the VEC Volunteer Examination Coordinator will issue you a (CSCE) Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination your evidence you passed the exam.
I paid $14 for my examination fee,not sure what it is currently.
After,the examiners (VEC)'s will submit a NCVEC form 605 to the FCC with your information.Typically up to 10 days,you can check the FCC ULS database for your call sign.If it is listed,you are now legally able to transmit on a amateur radio.
The physical license will be mailed to you with the corresponding paperwork within two weeks after you see your callsign on the FCC database.
***The license is valid for 10 years.
FCC callsign database:
FCC
QRZ.com call sign lookup:
QRZ
For equipment recommendations,read some of the posts Here at Expo
Anyway,good luck with it....:sombrero:
gary in ohio
Explorer
None of those issues go away with ham radio. You still need a good radio, good coax, clean power.
What you need to determine what your going to use the radio for. If talking to your buddies on the trail and your buddies dont have ham radio's then your ham gear is worthless. Define what you want to use it for. Ham radio is a great hobby.
Lostmanifesto
Traveler
Best Ham post on the site, thank you!
OP this but
I run both on my trail rig , I use cb for standard vehicle comms on the trail . I use ham to coordinate 2 or more groups if we have the operators .Also the ham gear gives me a piece of mind if something happens I have a good chance of contacting someone.
I am new to HAM radio and took my time getting into it. After reading as much as I could online I bought the ARRL tech licensing book and sat down. Because I wasn't in a hurry to get licensed I took my time and made sure I fully understood what it was all about. During that time I came across a great radio for my needs (I knew this based on my research and the time I took by not rushing into it) and bought it. After some more research on antennas I bought 2, again ones that fit my specific needs. I set the thing up in my garage and would just listen while I was in there tinkering with my projects. By listening I learned a ton. Nothing that would really help me on the exam but about what to say, how to say it, what goes on and range. I could hear people checking into NETS from over 200 miles away and even farther using IRLP. Again this doesn't help me on an exam but it's learned knowledge and along with the book it all clicked in my head.
I finally got around to taking the exam and got 100%. If you want you can memorize answers but that's not the way to do it. Learn it and you'll be money ahead before you know it. If you're the first in your group to get into HAM (like I am) you'll be glad you took the time. I'm the first to have a rig in my vehicle and I'm fine with that. If I need to I can contact or monitor other groups on a trail or area and call out for help (emergency) or assistance (non emergency) if need be when CB or cell coverage is unavailable. I still have a CB mounted and that's how I communicate with the rest of my group.
Find someone locally that has a HAM setup. From my reading I knew I wanted a 2m or 2m/70cm setup. Elmers in my area were more HF and 6m guys and about the age of my grandpa so I wasn't going to get what I needed from them. I found local guys that wheel and only use HAM so they gave me the basics which was good because I had a starting point.
Expect to spend some money, some book time and have some fun. You mentioned HAM being a breeze. I don't think it is but it's not hard, it's just new and will take some time to get comfortable with your radio and little things here and there. I am on the verge of joining a couple radio clubs and am looking for an additional radio. I'm still working on getting some friends started in it but if they take their time it's fine because I'm having fun with everything else it's opened up.
Hope this helps,
Mike
KJ6LMQ
I finally got around to taking the exam and got 100%. If you want you can memorize answers but that's not the way to do it. Learn it and you'll be money ahead before you know it. If you're the first in your group to get into HAM (like I am) you'll be glad you took the time. I'm the first to have a rig in my vehicle and I'm fine with that. If I need to I can contact or monitor other groups on a trail or area and call out for help (emergency) or assistance (non emergency) if need be when CB or cell coverage is unavailable. I still have a CB mounted and that's how I communicate with the rest of my group.
Find someone locally that has a HAM setup. From my reading I knew I wanted a 2m or 2m/70cm setup. Elmers in my area were more HF and 6m guys and about the age of my grandpa so I wasn't going to get what I needed from them. I found local guys that wheel and only use HAM so they gave me the basics which was good because I had a starting point.
Expect to spend some money, some book time and have some fun. You mentioned HAM being a breeze. I don't think it is but it's not hard, it's just new and will take some time to get comfortable with your radio and little things here and there. I am on the verge of joining a couple radio clubs and am looking for an additional radio. I'm still working on getting some friends started in it but if they take their time it's fine because I'm having fun with everything else it's opened up.
Hope this helps,
Mike
KJ6LMQ
rusty_tlc
Explorer
I started out running CB and HAM, now everybody I know has a license so I don't even have a CB in any of my trucks. The trick to getting a group to adopt Ham is to convince them you and the other HAMS are trash talking them:sombrero:. Once you plant the seed it will grow.
Mr. Leary
Glamping Excursionaire
There is just no comparison between HAM and CB. The range, clarity, and capability differences are like night and day.
Once you go on a trip using HAM for comm you will dread going back to CB and all of its problems. That said, I will continue to carry both for the forseeable future, especially because I lead trail runs regularly.
Once you go on a trip using HAM for comm you will dread going back to CB and all of its problems. That said, I will continue to carry both for the forseeable future, especially because I lead trail runs regularly.
MCL_68
Observer
I agree with you 100%....that was the main reason i got my ticket.
I left my CB in my truck to supplement comms on wheeling trips for the guys that don't have HAM radios and probably never will.
soonenough
Explorer
If you really want to do some reading, here's a link to a ham radio 101 thread on AR-15.com with a massive amount of information:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=22&t=604477
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=22&t=604477
dragogt
Adventurer
Crap..
I'm at the public library and when I go to click on the link I get this...
lolol
Mr. Leary
Glamping Excursionaire
Crap..
I'm at the public library and when I go to click on the link I get this...
Looks like you have a file now at FBI headquarters. :coffeedrink:
We are watching you... :Wow1: