Ham, Amateure Lic.

Different "grades" allow you to operate on more frequencies. But yes, an Amateur license is a Ham op license.


Here's a link for you. http://www.arrl.org/getting-licensed

 

It can be fun. And you can talk alot farther that CB. It's not impossible to talk over 50 miles simplex. And much, much (across the nation & around the world) more on HF. And the test are easy.

 

It's been a while since I did anything with ham radio, but want to get started again. Looking at 2M/440 as I heard now the repeaters are linked and there's voice over IP, etc etc.. I have a lot to catch up on.

What's your call sign?

N4LWP

 

Go to QRZ.COM. You must start with the Technician class first. Click start test, then wait for correct. Then it will not change until correct answer. This way you can back the page up if you need to look at it again. When you finish level 1 (page1). Repeat it! Do this about 3-4 times a day. By now you should be able to pass every time with about 90%. Then move to level 2 the next day. Level 3 the next. Up until you get to about page 30. Now you should be ready to try Medium speed. And pass everytime. Now go take your test! Yes I know that there are 99 pages. But you now know enough to pass. And if you really want the better License study General class the same way. Then go pass both for the same $15 fee. Then you can talk on about 90% of the Frequencies. Your license is good for 10 years. Good luck!

 

Unlike CB which is restricted to 40 ch ham radio has many bands each diffrent Bands like 40 meters are world wide while 2 meters and up are local. The wire antenna is a 40 meter dipole it is 66 foot long the vertical which the 40 meter antenna is hanging from is a 2 meter antenna and the other one with radials is 20 - 10 meters. I run from 40 to 3/4 meters here is a look at my place ....

 

A buddy of mine was asking about this the other day...
are the tests on the aarl site the exact same test as the one you take???

 

YES! The Test are the same.

 

You can not talk on 20-40 meters with a Technician class license. And while just saying 2 meters and up are just local. How does saying this help someone that knows nothing about being a Ham? I can talk over 100 miles on 2 meters all day long. To a Driver this may not be talking local. Why not just say what the "and up bands are"? A non Ham needs to know this.