Technician License

Update? Inquiring minds want to know..............

 

How do you go about getting a license to operate a HAM radio?

 

RamMan,

This site will answer all of your questions for you.....any questions after that, post 'em here:

Hello Radio

 

How far can one of the hand held dual band radio's get out? Not sure I want to install a full blown mobile unit in this truck, just to take it out when I trade it in in 6-8 months. Been thinking about getting into ham, but want to start out small, upgrade when I'm ready.

Been using the sources you posted here, thx. I have seen some 2M,440mhz hand helds at ham radio outlet, Just not sure how that would work on the road, how close do I have to be to a repeater to get any distance at all, or is it pointless with a hand held?

 

Depends on the repeater, the antenna and what handy you buy. An external antenna is going to work much better then the rubber ducky on the Handy. Many repeaters can be gotten into from 40 or 50 Miles away when you are outside you truck. Inside the truck on a rubber ducky and you can knock 20 miles off of that.

I would install a mobile or at least a mobile antenna. Handies are very hard to hear in high noise environments like a truck.

 

There are very SMALL 2 Meter/440 mobiles around, so check that out before committing yourself. When you get your ticket, I would hold off on the handheld. While it IS an option, you may not be all that happy with it. If you DO go with the HT, by all means, get an OUTSIDE antenna. That will certainly enhance your ability to hit the repeaters and get good results.

I once had a truck driver come in to our place and he saw my little handheld. He knew nothing about Amateur Radio, and started making fun of my "little toy" as he put it.

"Why ah've go this here gre't big 'leenyar' that'll blow that thang in the weeds! HAHAHAHA-HARDY HAR HAR ! Fie watts, that's ALL?"

"Well, I don't know about that" I'll betcha I can beat you in distance right NOW!:smt021 "

So he goes out and fires up his gre't BIG 500 watt 'leenyar' and starts with the "HOW 'BOUCHA, THIS HERE'S TH' ONE MOONDOGGIE H'YAR IN CENTRAL NAW'TH C'LINA, WE TRYIN'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

He got a couple of stations (midday) most of them 5-20 miles away.


"Let ME try my handy talkie"!

First try, I got a car coming off Fancy Gap, VA about 85 miles away standing there on the loading dock with my "little toy"! (we were in Charlotte, NC.)

The driver almost lost his jaw, it dropped so low.

'YOU TALKED 90 MILES AWAY WITH THAT LITTLE THING AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A TELEPHONE???????????????????????????????

It was MY turn to do the HARDY HAR HAR thing!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I didn't take his money)


Gadfly

 

Yeah, I once sat in the Ontario, CA TA East's restaurant and got into the WinSystem and talked to old Mud Duck (can't remember his call) in VK Land (Australia) and 2 drivers were listening in. I got to introduce them to Ham Radio and both were impressed. The idea of a Handy Talkie taking worldwide blew their minds. This system is on the IRLP and is a huge amount of fun.....

 

The most powerful words in Ham Radio, "Anybody listening for a demonstration" They come out of the woodwork.

 

I'm currently studying for my test. Also I just yeasterday found a workshop in Feb set up to get your tech class. I plan to attend even if I have to take vacation to get there.

I find these discussions facinating but they REALLY make me realize how much I need to learn!