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New Guy

KB1SYV

Old School Newbie
Sep 11, 2009
23
0
11
56
On me boat!
www.qsl.net
Hello Everyone,

I'm not new to radios, just the Amateur Bands. I did a lot of work with HF/VHF/UHF in the military early on and worked in the telecommunications industry on the civilian side. I never held a license for what I did, but I guess I will now. Let me clarify before I start something, that I never transmitted on the amateur bands either. November 10, I'll be sitting for all three licenses. I figure the class is free and the 3 tests are $14.00, it will be the cheapest way to go, rather then testing again later on. If I fail, then I'll have to pay another $14.00. I wanted to find a forum that I could be comfortable asking questions and gaining insight from. I tried QRZ.com, but I immediately felt like I had committed a crime for not being a ham for 20 years. I hope I can find a home here.

73,

Jethro
 

Howdy,

QRZ is a strange place. A lot of people who post there aren't even on the air. There are a lot of ex CB types who like to dump on CB in order to distance themselves from their past. Once in a while someone gets called on this and the fun starts.

With your background the license will be no problem.

All you have to do is figure out where you will enjoy operating the most.

Have you got a way to listen to H.F.?

Best of luck.
 
Hi HiDef,

No, I really don't have a way at this point. Would you suggest a receiver or scanner? If so, I would really like to stay on the cheap side since I still need to save for another transceiver. Any recommendations or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

73,

Jethro
 
Well Let me Say Welcome to a Great Hobby & Like Most of us we have all sorts of back grounds so don't take the negative people too seriously find were you like the atmosphere & try too Enjoy it if there is anything I can do or point you in the Right direction let me know & I'll Try ,& we all have different likes you can find me on 160 meters too 70cm SSB I like too Get around
 
Thank you for the welcome. I am trying to find out if I can test out on technician and general on Sept 15 and then do the extra in the beginning of Nov. I know I can ace the first two, so we will see. I think HiDef brought up a good point and I should invest in some sort of scanner/receiver for the short term. I don't want to spend much, because I still need to refit the boat and get another transceiver. Any advice is appreciated.
 
Hey TonyV,

Thanks for the response. I'm good and ready to sit the tests, I was just asking about any advice that anyone might have on a cheap interim scanner/receiver to get an idea how the Amateur Bands work.

Thanks
 
Greetings! Welcome to the WWRF!

If you are going to do a two-fer or three-fer on the tests then maybe you should just go ahead and get a rig that you can immediately start using once your call shows up in the data base after testing. In the meantime you can still use the rig to listen to whats going on and get a feel for the HF bands. As mentioned, take the tests available online at QRZ or eham. I always liked the QRZ site because it gives instant feedback on your answers. Once you can consistently score in the high 80's, low 90's you should be good to go. The "thee-fer" can and has been done and with your described background the odds are in your favor in such and attempt. This forum has a wealth of individuals who are willing and able to help you out with the questions you may have.

Good Luck and let us know how you faired on the tests.(y)

73

Wayne C.
WV4L
 
I 3rd the above 2 statements save and buy a transceiver not a receiver it would be wasted money if you were to have to buy a radio later anyways ;)
 
If I was Going too point you too a GOOD Radio! Kenwood TS 2000 Great Radio I wish now that I Own & Operate 1 would have bought it too begin with For the $ Can't be beat . All Bands 1 Radio . I had a 706 mk2g , the TS 2000 beats it hands Down , You Probably Wont find a Better Bang for your $ PERIOD!
 
You may want to get the Gordon West or ARRL book to study for the Extra test. That test covers about anything you can think of and later forget.

It seems the mob at qrz wasn't upset at you as much as you mentioning winlink, they see it as an evil in the amateur bands.

Good luck with the tests
 
Welcome to the forum & to ham radio! :)

I agree with the recommendations on skipping the scanner/receiver. If this rig is going on your boat then you probably want one that can do just about everything in a smallish package. The Kenwood TS-2000 is one heck of a radio. I think I know someone who has a lightly used one for sale on this forum if you decide you like that rig.

Someone mentioned winlink...that's great for HF mail, weather broadcasts, etc. on the boat. You will need to purchase a TNC at some point to make that work, though. I have winlink set up at my house and also take the TNC with me when I'm camping in the Jeep in the desert & mountains. If you're on the boat, you definately want to have the ability to use it, regardless of what the qrz crowd thinks.
 
I haven't installed it on the boat yet, but I bought an IC-M802 and AT-140 tuner. I looked at the Pactor modem, but said screw that for now. What in the hell do they have packed in that thing that warrants paying over $1100.00 for that box o' bolts? I wish there was a cheaper way to go...Is there?

73,

Jethro
 

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