Any Amatuer Radio Operators Here?

[gnihcraes]

I'll start a new thread just to see if there are any Ham Radio Operators on this forum. I am one, since 1995 I believe... technician class, someday I'll get some time to upgrade my license.

I won't post my callsign cuz I don't want google indexing it yet again.

[Pepsi]

[KevDen2005]

KFINN is a Amateur radio operator.

It is always something I wanted to do and get started with. I have no idea how or what the cost could be.

[jerrymrc]

Have a friend that is one. Now that they dropped the code I keep meaning to get on with it.

[gnihcraes]

Not much cost to get the license, but like AR15's, the toys start to get a little expensive... trust me.

License, study a book and take a test for a couple bucks. There are some online testing websites to help you practice and learn.

[KevDen2005]

Not much cost to get the license, but like AR15's, the toys start to get a little expensive... trust me.

License, study a book and take a test for a couple bucks. There are some online testing websites to help you practice and learn.


Where could I find these websites?

[gnihcraes]

here is just one of many... google for amateur radio testing or ham radio practice tests...

http://www.qrz.com/testing.html

[ronaldrwl]

My dad was into that big time. He had a 5,000 watt amplifier and a huge entenna (really huge). His call was W6ZA. Once the internet became popular he quit using it. With IM's you can talk to anyone any time.

[Not_A_Llama]

I let my license expire last year. It was cool when I was in high school, but having made the mistake of using my callsign all over the net in my youth, my address floating around out there was a liability. Kind of sad, since I have my dualband HT, KPC-3+ packet modem, some homebrew Yagis, and a piles of QSL cards sitting around.

[gnihcraes]

exactly why I'm not posting my callsign here. I was involved in a local radio club here in denver for many years, callsign got plastered everywhere... easy to find you with that callsign. So I've tried to get it killed as many places on the net as possible... still floating around out there, very frustrating.

you probably can still renew your callsign even though it has expired, look up the FCC ULS website and try to renew it... keep it alive, you might need it.

[Irving]

So does your call sign directly lead to you or something?

[Ranger353]

Been licensed since 1997. General class operator, I'll upgrade to Extra one of these days. I have the dual band rig installed in the SUV and turn it on every once in a while but I don't really know anyone out there anymore. I moved around so much that I don't have ties to the local base here, although I have lived here for almost 8 years now.

I never did set up my HF station at home and everything is in boxes at home, maybe one of these days when I retire I will break it all out and get back into it.

[sniper7]

got my FCC radio operators license but not old school stuff. i do want to get a CB and a old radio at some point though

[ChadAmberg]

I've got my general, but don't talk that much. My callsign is K0ZZZ, doesn't matter because I usually use my real name online anymore, so people I piss off find me anyway.

[gnihcraes]

looks like a lot of people haven't updated their callsigns in a while either... addresses are for other states/locations.

[mrfish83]

General class here (moved from Ca), but I don't use it very often. 73's.

[jerrymrc]

I have added to the original title to expand the thread. Hope ya don't mind.

[Hoosier]

This is on my list of things to do. I have a friend who's an Extra Class. I want to stay cheap, probably just get a handheld 2m unit and a magnet antenna -- that sound about right? I should be able to talk to most everyone who's an active ham on that band in a 30+ mile radius right.

I also need to move my CB antenna mount, it's mounted on a bar that's drilled into the underside of the bumper cover. There's a lot of wobble, and I'm wondering if I shouldn't have that metal bar to ground.

[gnihcraes]

Jerrymrc - no problem... edit as you see fit.

Yep, basic license and 2meter rig for about $200 with antenna. Simplex (radio to radio) you can talk about 1 mile per watt depending on terrain. Even if local power is out, many of the repeaters here along the front range are on mountain tops, which usually have power when the metro area might not. So using a repeater you can talk from cheyenne to colorado springs usually. (depending on factors)

^^ as for that metal bar and grounding the cb antenna, yep, need to get it attached better to the body/frame for good ground. (or grounding strap from the mount to something better)

[jerrymrc]

So lets talk about staying in touch with the outside world. Everyone needs at least a half way decent SW radio to hear what is going on in the world. Even if ya can't talk ya can listen. I have three portables. If you have nothing then I would look at a Kaito KA1103 or if your short on $$ even a Grundig s350 would be better than nothing. Used I am still fond of the old Radio shack DX-440. You should be able to get a good one for under $60. Every now and then some good deals will pop up but you have to know what your looking at.

Also, get the antenna outside. All the above have an external connection and ya need to use it.

[arz]

So does your call sign directly lead to you or something?
if you know where to look, yes.

Technician studying for my general.

[schapman43]

N7### here. Decent setup of 2m, 70cm and HF. Big into NVIS.

[gnihcraes]

if you know where to look, yes.

The callsign must be registered to the persons Address. PO Box isn't an option. So, this is why I haven't posted my callsign... if you put it into google you'll find all kinds of stuff about me... long/lat of my house, gps coords of my house, my address, etc...

another reason why I don't put it on my automotive license plate anymore either... it says "this is who I am and where you can find me...."

[Driver]

[jerrymrc]

First two pages on just your screen name have all kinds of stuff. ;) I will say that I have found another jerrymrc out there. I wonder how long before his gaming name gets intertwined with mine and his folks start asking about the guns.....

[KFinn]

Been awhile since I've been on here.

Yes as KevDen2005 said I have mine. Just renewed my lic last year or year before. Am a Technician class. Mine is KC0_ _ _. I don't know yet whether or not I feel like posting mine on the net so until I figure that out. Thats all I'll say. I haven't had a radio installed and powered up in a few years. I reaaaaaally want to refresh my knowledge and install in my truck. Just been procrastinating.

[jerrymrc]

Like I said I have been meaning to do it. In all honesty IF shtf then a license is going to be the least of my worries. At least I know how to build an antenna and have the basics on the older HF stuff.

I will say that it will be better to receive than give. :)

[KevDen2005]

Like I said I have been meaning to do it. In all honesty IF shtf then a license is going to be the least of my worries. At least I know how to build an antenna and have the basics on the older HF stuff.

I will say that it will be better to receive than give. :)


If SHTF I think there will still be at least government agency up and running to enforce users having licenses on pretty much everything that is required for them...[PoPo]

[arz]

If SHTF I think there will still be at least government agency up and running to enforce users having licenses on pretty much everything that is required for them...[PoPo]
and paying the requisite taxes and fees.

[The1andOnlyKC]

HAM here, General class with the code.

[vossman]

I'm a General Class license holder. Been licensed since 92. I don't do it much but I do have a dual band HT I used a lot to talk to my F.I.L. back in CA when I was stationed there.

[jerdebson]

Hello

I just made my first post on another Ham question and included my call sign as part of the ending and just had to do a edit to remove it. I am an AE also the last test was very difficult but the first two were easy. The code was necessary then and it was difficult due to a hearing problem due to too many guns, loud music and machinery. YES it cam be very expensive, no more than guns though. Don't ask, I have a lot tied up in both. They are both great hobbys. (ACØ??)

[ChadAmberg]

Just wondering if any HF operators would be interested in trying out a new stealth antenna design myself and another member here are building. We'd just like to have a few folks give it a try, and if it works well, then we'd look at building them as a hobby.


PM me for details...

[coloradoEMT911]

I guess I had Just noticed this thread thought i would chime in I have been a Ham operator since 2008 though I haven't had much time to play with it but i do have a Yaseu VX7R that i love

[thedave1164]

Yep,

Tech working on General.

[thedave1164]

Well on Saturday the 12th, I passed Element 3 for General Class.

And even better, I am proud to say that my 12 yr old daughter passed Element 2 for her Technical class.