Going HAM!

This weekend is the ARRL Field Day. You may find a local group setting up you could participate with. It is one way to get to know some of the local hams in person and to operate different radios, bands and modes. If your call posts you can operate on your own if not with a control operator. I'm not much on contests but I do enjoy field day.

 

That was one nice thing about hauling produce Coast to Coast is that I always ran down the same highways and was always bumping into drivers that I knew (or knew who I was by the sound of my voice) everywhere that I went

 

You could try arrl.org website they may have some local groups listed where you happen to be. The object of field is to get amateurs out and show our hobby to new hams and non hams. locally where
I live the Eastern Shore Amateur Radio Club is setting up at Four Corners shopping plaza in Onley, Va.with 2 operating positions and still need folks for some of the shifts The Peninsula Radio Operators Society and Delmarva Amateur Radio Club are combining to operate at the Home of AL Waller K3TKJ Hebron, MD. with 6 operating positions. In both these places visitors ham and non ham are encouraged to come out. If you have your call sign now you could participate as an individual. 1 year
I was taking my granddaughters to Disney world field day weekend so cut down a k40 trunk lid mount antenna for 10 meters and made a few contacts along the way maybe 15 with fieldday stations. Just check the rules at arrl.org so you know which category to class yourself. The bands should be alive with activity from 2pm east coast time to Sunday 2pm eastcoast

 

http://aa9pw.com/radio/ is a great site to practice taking exams online for all 3 tests.

I never thought I'd pass the Extra exam, but kept taking those tests over and over until I started passing, then I went down and took it and passed it.

As far as dual band 144/440 I'm not sure you'll be happy with that.

I hardly ever hear any talk on 440 in my area even though there are repeaters listed. You might as well be on the 220.

It might be better to spend $200 more and get a used all band radio on ebay. If you do go for that $300 dual band, make sure you check out Universal radio prices, they are usually lower than HRO (Ham Radio Outlet) prices.

73's
K7HY

 

A word of advice on that ATAS 120 antenna...

Take as much of it apart as you are comfortable with and reassemble using locktite on all the screws. They have a habit of shaking apart on trucks.

 

Here is a set up a fellow had with the screwdriver antenna mounted to his bull bar bumper. He said he had good results moving the tap to greatest noise level but was looking for a tuner.