Thinking of becoming a HAM, so here's some first timer questions...

The way GF talks, you would think the person is getting his surgical license....Privilege?
Or better yet, his own personal communication device to talk to Obama himself...
I was wondering for a while if GF was actually a truck driver, and than, to find out GF does drive truck,,,seems to know a lot about radio's but also seems to hate the average truck driver, which really, if they are like me, just want to have conversation.

 

Well, according to the government, if something is not granted as a "right" under the constitution, then it is a "privilege". Therefore, using a ham radio, is a "privilege." As is driving.

So, by extension, paying taxes is a "privilege." So maybe we should all stop exercising that particular "privilege!"

Anyway, whether we like it or not, there are laws in place regarding the use of the airwaves. And there are significant penalties for violating those laws. Now it is not often that folks are actually prosecuted for these violations, but when they are, it can get to be a real nightmare.

IMHO, it just isn't worth it. Keep your CB legal. You can buy a big expensive "foot warmer" and splatter all over the bands and out for miles, but WHY? If all you are wanting to do is create problems for folks, I guess that would be one reason. But I can't think of any others.

Those high powered amplifiers may get your mouth out further, but they don't do anything for your ears. So if you are looking at "broadcasting," then for heaven sakes go to work for a radio station. But if you are looking at having a conversation, where you listen, as well as talk, keep it legal.

If you are going to use the amateur frequencies, then get the knowledge to pass the test, and get your license. It is neither complicated, nor expensive, and can save a world of grief.

 

The FT 8900R is only FM and you have to have a general class license to use it on 10 meters. I own one and it is a great radio.`I have worked Boston and Chicago from north central Florida. I use the HV7A Antenna.
So when you pick up this radio you will have $500.00 in the radio and antenna.

 

Nice radio that ft-8900 ... I run a Alinco 03 on 29.600 myself

As for why you need a license .....

There are rules set for radio that are WORLD WIDE and our FCC has to follow them . Otherwise you would have shortwave broadcasts on CB CH 19 .....

THE ITU is kinda like the UN they set basic rules that everyone has to follow Bands like 10 meters ( 28 - 29.7 mhz ) are HAM ONLY and under the rules a TEST has to be given and licenses required.

CB fits into a band for goverment and bussness uses so is allowed under what the ITU says can go there.

The only change was a dropping of code and again that was done by the ITU because there are so many modes now digital being one of them CODE was just not really needed anymoes . STILL its a very good mode to use
AND is very narrow you can set a radio to 50 hz wide while phone needs about 2,000 HZ to work well ......

 

My Dad is cheap as cheap can get. He got into ham spent thousands on radios and antennas. 6 months later he stopped and now the radio is covered in 6 inches of dust in the back room. I guess it just gets boring hearing about the weather around the world because that is about all a ham radio operator is allowed to talk about.

Serious radio operators hobbies include trying to talk to someone in every country and every county in the U.S. My Dad's friend would go to some cow ranches in Montana with his portable ham radio to broadcast out of some of the hardest counties reach so others can mark their maps to show they talked to someone in that county.

 

That is something that does happen sometimes. There will be folks who jump into Ham radio, (or some other hobby,) spend a bucket load of money, just to find out that it really is not for them.

And it is soooooo unnecessary. You can get on the air enough to see if you are interested in it or not, for less than $200.00. A lot less, if you are in an area where there are Ham fest swap meets.

I guess it is like the person who spends thousands of dollars to go to truck driving school, then finds out that he is not cut out for it...

 

I don't want to talk about how much money I have in Ham gear. I have a bit that I have built also. But the work thousands will fit, Seeing I have 4 HF rigs now and use to have 6. Fm rigs (from 10 meters to 440 including 220) 8. Way to much money in radio's But then again I could be spending it on something else. I enjoy the hobby and don't mind spending the money.

This is one of those hobbies that will cost you a few bucks even if all you buy is used gear. Then there are antennas build your own or buy..new or used...

 

Ive been licensed more that 40 years both my brothers are extra class the wife has her general and we find lots of people to talk to ....