hey you HAM's!!!!!!!!!

Here is a link to some practice tests along with where you can get some study material.

Online practice tests

Study material

All of hard copy materials I have on testing is quite old. The theory is the same, just very old question pools. My wife got her license over ten years ago. That is the "Vintage" of the printed test/info I have.

My first license was a "Novice" many years ago. I earned "Extra" almost 15 years ago. (Back when 20 wpm Morse code was a requirement)

 

No they assign ya one. (Next on in the Que so to speak) But there is a system called the "Vanity call-sign" where you can request a certain call.

"Vanity call-sign system explained here"

I kept my Advanced class "2X2" call when I made Extra. I did not want to change from one 2X2 call to another. (Even though the other 2X2 would still signify I was an Extra) Then the vanity program came along a few years later. So I sent in a list of "Requested" calls in the 1X2 format. (A 1X2 call signifies an Extra Class license) I got the call I have now from the list I sent.

There are a lot of drivers who are Ham radio operators. There are a few "Nets" where drivers make contact and move off to another freq. to chat. Before cell phones it was also a great way to stay in touch with folks "Back home" too. There has been many a night that the miles "Melted away" while I was chatting with folks back home or to other drivers. Good conversations without the junk you hear on channel 19.

 

The best news for you is that there is no code requirements for any of the three classes.

Technician class...you mainly get VHF/UHF privledges (some limited HF privledges). VHF/UHF is primarily shortrange coms, and uses repeaters and such. This is the easiest class to start out in.

General calls...more HF privledges, gives you a good range of bands. Get this if you want to talk around the world. This test is harder than the Tech class test.

Extra...highest class, most privledges. Hardest test, lots and lots of theory.

I'd send you my book, but I need it for reference. Drop the $20 on the book and study hard. Better yet, find another ham near you and meet them and get them to help you. See if you can find an amature club near you, particuarly one that gives classes.

Oh, and there are several truckers that are hams. However, it is hard to run HF from any vehicle, much less trucks (fiberglass bodys mean poor ground planes for antennas and other issues). VHF is much easier to run.





Good luck.

 

I beg to differ it easy easy to run Mobile out of a big rig. Is it a challange yes but easy since you have plenty of room and lots of amps from your battery's allready. Man i ran mobile for many years and have 90% of ll my contacts were mobile and enjoyed the devil out of it. You look up kd5drx on QRZ or do a google search and you will see i was very active mobile and made tons of contacts all over the world on HF and did a lot of 75m mobile which folks say is hard man i checked into the AR Razorback net on 3.987.5 at 1830 local every night from every corner of the US and allways could be heard if you take your time and you set your rigs up right in a big truck you have some very good opportunity i broke more pile ups because they heard mobile i got to work a mobile was every come back i ever got then they started knowing me and would come looking for me on 14.302.5 to set up sched so it can be done and it sure helps pass the miles chatting away and the next thing you know its time to shut it down for the night you done talked the day away from 1 side of the us to the other and had a ball doing it and never heard a cuss word or a radio check or a bear report but i made 750 to 900 miles a day doing it and never got a ticket oh and never got in traffic jam since i had the 2 meter scanning the local repeaters for traffic reports and the local PD channels.