getting into HAM

[emtmark]

bought a wouxon KG-UV6X! Just fumbling around with it n trying to learn its deal. Don't have a ham lic yet, downloaded a few test prep apps.
Anybody feel like getting together n giving me a run down?
thanks
mark

[koocan]

I've recently started getting in touch and trying to figure out the basic functions. I went to a HAM radio class at a survival store in lake Elsinore not to long ago. Learned a good amount. Are you close to the area?

[RudyN]

There is probably a yahoo group for it that can help you. Also check for a program called "chirp" for programing the radio. Might also look on the internet for the repeaters in your area.

Sent From The Telegraph Office

[emtmark]

Without violating opsec I'm south of San Jose

[jerhyn]

Join a local radio club. http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club, I am sure you can find a HAM expert in any club.

[Onetyme]

Just passed the Technical exam today. Took a class. Well worth the $30 & highly recommended. I suggest visiting a few clubs in the area. They'll be more than happy to help you out. Here are a few:

http://www.google.com/search?q=ham+c...&client=safari

[kaligaran]

Welcome to the HAM operating world.

I joined in late April. Still very wet behind the ears (actually I'm a complete noob to put it in more technical terms ).

I also recommend joining a HAM club. I joined one up in the Peninsula area (we're too far north for you but I'm sure there's one in your area).

The HAM clubs are great because many of them do a check-in net and stay pretty active locally so you can get talking to some local people.

[Lex]

Too bad u r so far otherwise I can drive my Beast to your location and give u the run down. I have few ham radios in my truck.

[emtmark]

After fam vacations done I'm going to schedule visits to ham folk in my locale. Still pretty stoked. This is an effort to further expand communication options for me and my family.

[cranemech]

That is the same radio that I purchased. There is software available to download,for free, that will allow you to fully utilize the radios capabilities and make programming easier. You will have to purchase a programming cable to use the software. I also purchased a high gain and a mag mount antenna which improved the RX/TX of the radio. I purchased the radio and accessories from Powerwerx.

If you have a smart phone, download the app called RepeaterBook. It will use your location and give you the repeater name, frequency, offset and PL of repeaters in your area. You plug those numbers into the software, upload to your radio and you're done. The radio can be programmed using the keypad, but using the software is much easier

I started by listening to and participating in the various HAM nets that are going on almost everyday of the week. That helped me with the protocol when talking to other HAMS. I then joined a local HAM club and attend the monthly meetings.

There is a yahoo group for the Wouxun radios.


Any questions, feel free to ask.

[40s&w]

just trying to figure this out . i got this radio bf-888s from amazon do any one know is it a HAM radio where i have to get a license? or can i use it as i want ?

[tacksman]

Welcome to the Ham world. Remember, radios are addictive.

[woods]

If you are south of San Jose you are probably about an hour or so from me. If you are ever north of the Benicia/Martinez bridge give me a PM and if I'm available I'll teach you all about ham over lunch. I'll be unavailable from Aug2 to Aug14 though because of company. I'm licensed and have built quite a few projects.

The best way to learn about Ham is to join the calguns unofficial mumble (voice chat over ip, an app for your smartphone or pc/mac is avaliable.) I'm there every day even when I'm otherwise unavailable.
Mumble server address:
mumble.dependablethings.com

Also keep in mind ham isn't just radios these days, people link VOIP with Radios making a simple 40$ radio into a device that can reach darn near anywhere in the planet.

I also have the hardware required to build and test antennas correctly.



EDIT: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...RS_WX_CALL.csv
You might find this link useful if you get a programming cable and chirp software (free) for your radios. It's a programming CSV for most wouxun and beofeng as well as other radios and it contains some really cool frequencies. The MURS channels are License-Free. The FRS/GMRS (aka FGMRS) channels are listen-only unless you can meet the antenna length and tx power limitations the FCC states. 500ma for FRS is lower than our "low power" setting on these radios. If you have a GMRS license you can bump up the power. Also included are maratime channels aka "marine radio" which may be used on the water, or shore contacting the water. There are also listen-only WX "weather radio" channels which prove to be useful to get the time, date, and weather patterns.

[rogervzv]

I've been a ham for several decades. Let me know if you need any specific information.

Getting a ham license is not at all difficult. To get a Technician license you only have to pass a single examination. This gives you all the VHF privileges and some privileges on 10 meters, which is a shortwave band.

The General license requires passing another exam (still not all that difficult) and then you get most shortwave privileges in addition to the VHF.

[mej16489]

Originally Posted by 40s&w

just trying to figure this out . i got this radio bf-888s from amazon do any one know is it a HAM radio where i have to get a license? or can i use it as i want ?

It is capable of being programmed to operate on frequencies assigned to those with amateur radio licenses. In order to transmit on those frequencies, yes you would need a license (unless its a life or death emergency)

It is legal to use all of the radio's non-transmit functions without a license.

[barrage]

Lot's of fun can be had with a HAM just listening. I don't have a license, which won't stop you from transmitting, but I don't want to be a dick and figure the operating HAM's are probably squares when it comes to FCC regulations, so don't really do anything beyond chunking inactive frequencies to see if I can get a response from the repeater.

Mostly just people talking about cleaning their garages and dealing with arthritis in their hand as far as I've experienced, but the occasional Jack in the Box drive through or walkie talkie pickup can be fun though (you can't transmit on those frequencies without a mod, but can listen all day long).

It's pretty much what you make of it.

[kaligaran]

When you go to take the test, it's normally $15.

The fee is for the session, not for the test. What that means is you can take both the technicians and general test the same day under that one fee which I would recommend doing.

There's some free testing apps up on the iTunes store (dunno about droid) I used those and had a lot of luck with them. The one I used had an icon that looked like a pencil on a scantron sheet.

Good luck!

[Darklyte27]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=202581

We didnt have a survival and prep thread when the i made the thread above.

[emtmark]

Holy chit that's a lot of hammies! Is that the plural.....

[G-forceJunkie]

Originally Posted by emtmark

Holy chit that's a lot of hammies! Is that the plural.....

Plural would be stations. Your ham licence is a station license, you are operating a broadcast station on a particular set of frequencies.

[hermosabeach]

Originally Posted by emtmark

Without violating opsec I'm south of San Jose

Bummer about HAM
Giving your SS# on the Test
Having the ability to look up any ham....
Enter city.... find out every ham's info

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsS...504!-370253106

[G-forceJunkie]

Originally Posted by hermosabeach

Bummer about HAM
Giving your SS# on the Test
Having the ability to look up any ham....
Enter city.... find out every ham's info

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsS...504!-370253106

Just get a PO box.

[problemchild]

Originally Posted by G-forceJunkie

Just get a PO box.

All the same info goes to the PO box. Feds have access but civi's would not. At least a person couldnt look up where you live and rob you during the day.

Never knew the info was there for everyone to see, quite disturbing.

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsS...?licKey=258705

[kaligaran]

Originally Posted by G-forceJunkie

Just get a PO box.

THIS!

I have a PO Box b/c when I moved to CA I was in temporary housing. It's on my driver's license (they have both home and mailing address, but mailing is on the license), FCC license, everything.

The only thing I use my home address for is my employer.

[Uxi]

I was planning on getting my license in the spring but never got around to it. Definitely want to do this in the next month or two. Leaning Wouxoun to start but would like to end up with Yaesu VX-8DRs once I know what I'm doing.

[Jed Meyers]

Originally Posted by hermosabeach

Bummer about HAM
Giving your SS# on the Test
Having the ability to look up any ham....
Enter city.... find out every ham's info

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsS...504!-370253106

It is a bummer, however you do not have to give your SSN on the test. FCC FRN number should be enough, and if you are new you can request the number before taking the test on the FCC website. At some places they won't even accept SSN at all, only FRN.