Actually the first two tests are 35 questions each, of which you must answer 26 correctly. That would be for the Technician license and the General license. The Extra license is a 50 question test and you need a 70% to pass or 35 questions right.
Statistics: Posted by apache235 — Tue May 30, 2017 10:13 am
Ham Radio Licensing Information
For those of you who are interested in communication there is The Amateur Radio System. It includes frequencies set aside for the public to use when licensed . You have to pass a test with 35 out of 50 questions answered correctly. This Year the cost for the test is $15.00
All of this information is available on line There arte several sources
The FCC = Federal Communications Comission
ARRL = American Radio Relay League
Lists Clubs, Locationsof Test sites, Publishes Books.
Your Local City ,County Government, Fire Dept Disaster planning departments may have the names of local sources of clubs , tests.
The North American Ham Radio Club on line
The American Legion , and the Salvation Army both have Amateur Radio Clubs
Study Information is available online Some is FREE Some is NOT FREE
ARRL
HamTestonLine
EHam.net Practice Exams
Ham Radio Study Guide
NC4FB $2.00 to register Has test questions with answers and track your progress
QSL.net
Gordon West Radio School
Most current Ham Operators are willing to help or advise new people. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Norman11
Statistics: Posted by Norman11 — Mon May 29, 2017 5:21 pm
Gunns,
I like this post. I need to get my crap together and get up to speed on this. I used to have my 1st class license but let it expire decades ago.
Yeah Gunns,
I have renewed my license one time now.
My friend out in Tennessee…and I started out on the CB bands many years ago and have maintained contact. When we both got our Ham Tickets…we discovered that we had both been working on Prepping..and the thinking behind the same.
He knew that when he retired he would be wanting to move back out to the mountains…he never got the mountains out of his blood.
Hence he also got his Extra class ticket. And so too of recent has his wife.
We wanted to know if we could make the trip outside of a computer and or a telephone…land line.
This has been incorporated now into our preps…in particular working the extra portion of the bands wherein it is often less crowded…fewer pile ups.
The cabin experience was more or less a remote experiment away from the base here on the Chesapeake Bay.
The next step is to try it here using an olde car battery and carry on for about 40 minutes…and on the lowest possible setting and also using that same G%RV antenna.
Then again another time using a gas powered generator…to a 13.8 volt power supply. Again on the lowest possible power settings.
I do not foresee any problems but you never know until you try It out and see what adjustments need be made.
Best to try it out now and know for sure..in good times rather than under the gun in hard times.
Thanks,
Orangetom
Statistics: Posted by orangetom1999 — Thu May 25, 2017 10:11 am
Gunns,
I like this post. I need to get my crap together and get up to speed on this. I used to have my 1st class license but let it expire decades ago.
Yeah Gunns,
I have renewed my license one time now.
My friend out in Tennessee…and I started out on the CB bands many years ago and have maintained contact. When we both got our Ham Tickets…we discovered that we had both been working on Prepping..and the thinking behind the same.
He knew that when he retired he would be wanting to move back out to the mountains…he never got the mountains out of his blood.
Hence he also got his Extra class ticket. And so too of recent has his wife.
We wanted to know if we could make the trip outside of a computer and or a telephone…land line.
This has been incorporated now into our preps…in particular working the extra portion of the bands wherein it is often less crowded…fewer pile ups.
The cabin experience was more or less a remote experiment away from the base here on the Chesapeake Bay.
The next step is to try it here using an olde car battery and carry on for about 40 minutes…and on the lowest possible setting and also using that same G%RV antenna.
Then again another time using a gas powered generator…to a 13.8 volt power supply. Again on the lowest possible power settings.
I do not foresee any problems but you never know until you try It out and see what adjustments need be made.
Best to try it out now and know for sure..in good times rather than under the gun in hard times.
Thanks,
Orangetom
Statistics: Posted by orangetom1999 — Thu May 25, 2017 10:11 am
I like this post. I need to get my crap together and get up to speed on this. I used to have my 1st class license but let it expire decades ago.
Statistics: Posted by Gunns — Tue May 23, 2017 10:58 am
In case I have not posted this as far as equipment updates…
I have picked up a new Ameritron 811H linear Amplifier. This amplifier is capable of boosting the radio output from 100 watts PEP to some 800 watts PEP.
I wanted to have it on hand in case conditions between me and my friend out in Tennessee get verily rough with static crashes and other noise thusly blocking out his signal.
So far, outside of initially trying it out, I have not used it. We have mostly been running only the power in the radios we have …100 watts or less.
We have even dialed down our power to some 50 watts and still made the trip ..but we think that with the weather warming up….the atmosphere will produce more static crashes along with more summer storms, lightening, thunder etc…all across this nation.
I have this power on tap..but so far we have been trying to use the minimum power we need to make the trip. We have, in particular, been working along these avenues…minimum power needed…but both of us have extra power/linear amplifiers on tap if needed.
We try to find the quieter portion of the Ham Radio bands in which to operate..thus needing less power. We try to avoid the heavily trafficked bands.
Thanks,
Orangetom
Statistics: Posted by orangetom1999 — Tue May 23, 2017 9:06 am
Just returned from a week in the Mountain Cabin up in the Shenandoah…near Waynesboro, Virginia.
As we rented the cabin for a whole week, I decided to bring a temporary Ham Radio set up.
I brought my switching power supply, a small tuner, and my Icom 706 Mk II G radio….and a G5RV antenna and a roll of RG8 coaxial cable. Also I brought a small fishing pole to cast up and thread a small light nylon rope through the trees by which to hang the G5RV antenna. This antenna was cut for 80 to 10 meters.
We would meet on the Virginia Phone net at 3.947 MHZ LSB and check in …then after the net would go down to the lower end of 75 meters and work in the Extra portion of the band to get away from most of the traffic…somewhere from 3.610 to 3.625 MHZ. This worked out well…and the copy was good.
Later in the week I raised my feed point up about 10 feet and thus got a bit more received signal on my friend out west. He is in Tennessee near Johnson City.
From the cabin I reckon the distance at some 250 plus miles. From my home base station I estimate some 400 miles. Decent copies from both locations. All traffic was at night and after the days events and get togethers had quieted down.
Also let the children see how the rig worked…they are not accustomed to something other than a telephone or remote controller…so it was a learning experience for them.
Oh..and I tried this G5RV on 160 meters but it would not work well..though it tuned up fine. But 75 meters …it worked great.
Rig is now back home on the base station and working fine.
Thanks,
Orangetom
Statistics: Posted by orangetom1999 — Mon Apr 24, 2017 8:11 am
ocf.JPG
Spring is here…. Time to work on the antennas, here is a 15% off coupon for your next order.
Use coupon code… APN15OFF
Statistics: Posted by chrisni4l — Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:45 pm
ocf.JPG
Spring is here…. Time to work on the antennas, here is a 15% off coupon for your next order.
Use coupon code… APN15OFF
Statistics: Posted by chrisni4l — Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:45 pm
People tell me I have no CLASS. Still after forty years in electronic, I can analyze radio circuits with out a diagram, repair with out an O scope and still read code. My send speed is rusty but if there is a SHTF event the FCC will have a helluva time catching me. Learn the basics you’ll never go wrong.
Statistics: Posted by sageprice — Tue Mar 07, 2017 3:52 pm
I have the General.
Good luck on the test apache235.
Statistics: Posted by NJMike — Sat Mar 04, 2017 10:46 pm
Studied for the General, take the test in 1 week.
Statistics: Posted by apache235 — Sat Mar 04, 2017 9:58 pm
I have been studying most of the winter for the general exam, past it 2 weeks ago!
Statistics: Posted by eochief66 — Sat Mar 04, 2017 9:02 pm
Interesting. New to ham, I’ll have to check them out when I get a minute. Thanks for the post.
Statistics: Posted by apache235 — Sat Mar 04, 2017 8:47 am
This is the last 8 minutes of a 1 hour video on the AmRRON site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUUU3aU9uOk
Statistics: Posted by eochief66 — Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:09 pm
This is the last 8 minutes of a 1 hour video on the AmRRON site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUUU3aU9uOk
Statistics: Posted by eochief66 — Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:09 pm
Congrats. Studying for mine right now, test is in a couple of weeks.
Statistics: Posted by apache235 — Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:30 am
Mountain wrote:
I passed my General exam yesterday. Yee Haw.
FBOM Mountain…nice going
Fine Business Olde Man…well done.
A very 73 to you and your house. Catch you on the bands.
Hey Mountain….looking at your post…you were in the Navy?? What did you do for the Navy??
Thanks,
Orangetom
Statistics: Posted by orangetom1999 — Mon Feb 27, 2017 9:42 am
North County Guy wrote:
Congratulation!! Not ab easy task.
Maybe one day I will be able to pass mine.
73
Thanks. If I can do it, you can too. Its really nice to have access to all the radio privileges. Hopefully it won’t take me 4 years to get my Extra.
73
Statistics: Posted by Mountain — Sun Feb 26, 2017 2:05 pm
Congratulation!! Not ab easy task.
Maybe one day I will be able to pass mine.
73 
Statistics: Posted by North County Guy — Sun Feb 26, 2017 12:26 pm
I passed my General exam yesterday. Yee Haw.
Statistics: Posted by Mountain — Sun Feb 26, 2017 7:03 am
eochief66 wrote:
I passed my General exam last week. Waiting for the spring to get a hf rig and decide what type of antenna will work best for my requirements.
Yeah..Eochief66….way back when I passed the general and the advanced test in the same session… I too did not even have an HF rig on which to operate my newly earned license privileges. I took me some 11 months to save enough to save for my first HF radio…a Yaesu FT 890. I still have it.
Congratulations on passing the General class….and catch you eventually on the bands.
73,
Orangetom
Statistics: Posted by orangetom1999 — Sat Feb 25, 2017 2:06 am
I passed my General exam last week. Waiting for the spring to get a hf rig and decide what type of antenna will work best for my requirements.
Statistics: Posted by eochief66 — Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:30 pm
looking forward to mounting atop my RV, then going repeater hunting (I have the hard copy book from the ARRL on repeaters for all states)
.
I think you will find that the state by state listings are much more accurate, At least for Michigan I know of repeaters that have been taken off the air years ago, or never even made it to going on the air in the first place are still on many of the nation wide listings.
Statistics: Posted by Scoutmaster — Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:17 am
15 bucks worth of plumbing supplies and some solder will create an antenna with the same performance… there are ample of plans on the net and you can even make them so you can take em apart by using the right parts.
Hans
Statistics: Posted by Hansel1 — Tue Jan 17, 2017 9:14 pm
http://www.mtcradio.com
its the blackbird j-pole, ‘tactical base’ antenna. Three options:
model 2M/70cm for ham143-149 MHz & 437-450 MHz
model MAR/GMRS for gmrs150-156 MHz & 460-470 MHz
model FIRE/POL155-161 MHz & 450-460 MHz
looking forward to mounting atop my RV, then going repeater hunting (I have the hard copy book from the ARRL on repeaters for all states). Reviews are quite good on it – that is where one user mentioned a 50-mile range.
For the price it is cheap enough to get me to try it.
Statistics: Posted by kappydell — Tue Jan 17, 2017 5:25 pm
I can say saving money is great, and first on my list also. I have been retired for over 10 years. and saving money is my direction also. I want Something that works will continue to work and last as long as I do. I guess I am very lucky I got into ham in the early 70s and have been at it ever scene. I never got very interested in the HF bands ( although I have it) I always felt it depended greatly on the band conditions rather than equipment. So I stayed in the UHF and VHF area built a dozen or so repeater systems, Still have one operating from my home that covers much of south east Michigan. That has kept me busy and still does, What I am saying i guess its I have repair ability and longevity in my blood.
I do have a question, I could not get your link to work, I am assuming it is some kind of antenna. I hope you are not thinking that any UHF or VHF radio with only 3 or 4 watts will reach 50 miles on simplex? I have spent much of my adult life trying to extend VHF coverage. With with a good elevation a gain antenna on both ends even 50 miles will be hard to accomplished.
See if you can re-do the link always looking for better portable equipment
Statistics: Posted by Scoutmaster — Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:04 am
www.mtcradio.com%2Fblackbird-vhf-uhf-jp … a-2m-70cm-
Some of us are retired and find the cost index a real limiting factor to our hobby. So I am posting this info, as the above is for an AFFORDABLE (to us pore folks) antenna with no grounding required. It is under $40, comes with mounting hardware, and all you need to hook it up is a coax to screw onto your baofeng. OK, range is only around 50 miles, but it does break down nicely, comes witn mounting heardware for pvc pipe, wood or metal masts, and even has a hole on top so you can put it up in a tree for expedient use. It comes in both the vhf/uhf frequency as well as a GMRS frequency one. I am getting myself one of each for my birthday, looks like it will mount nicely on my RV ladder and take down easily for portability.
I like my Baofengs; I have both kinds and both are good value for the $$. These antennas will increase their versatility. (and yes, I do have a general ham license; my roommate is going the GMRS route as she chokes on tests and the ham test freaks her out. That way we have multiple alternate coms)
88 – KD9FOC
Statistics: Posted by kappydell — Mon Jan 16, 2017 12:44 pm
outback
That is great looks like it should be a good piece of equipment for what you need.
Statistics: Posted by Scoutmaster — Mon Jan 16, 2017 9:12 am
RayMac1963 wrote:
Ok Outback, i’m expecting a full and complete report soon. Those things been in my Amazon basket WAY too long.
Ray I used it for 2.25 hours yesterday just listening to tunes while working in the orchards and still had 3 of 4 bars showing. I didn’t have it on as loud as it could be cause it was too loud. Programing some local channels in today.
Statistics: Posted by theoutback — Mon Jan 16, 2017 3:45 am
Scoutmaster,
I have used the baofeng heavily at work. Our issued radios are $1000 Bendix Kings. They are 5 watt digital handhelds.
My baofeng with the 18″ whip outperforms them for range. But…. the way the baofeng achieves the narrow band (and I do not remember how my comm brilliant friend explained it….) they are not truly narrow band in the same way..
Which means that they are more open to interference. You get break in of static now and then.
Otherwise, I find the radio to be solid. And I have used them for 7 hours with a team, some simplex and some repeater mixed through the day.
So my report is they would be a stellar choice for most small groups. If we were in a serious “grid down” event, a lot of the sources of interference would be gone anyway. LOL
And I like the range and clarity other than the static issue. (I find that this only happens on certain channels, which are near other active channels. If I am on a channel that is a good distance from any other activity, it doesn’t happen.)
Statistics: Posted by Myakka — Sun Jan 15, 2017 8:06 pm
Do a distance check between the two units I will be interested to see if yours comes out like mine did
Statistics: Posted by Scoutmaster — Sun Jan 15, 2017 9:23 am
Do a distance check between the two units, and have another person standing there with a Kenwood, Icon or Yaesu see how they compare. Make sure it is several hrs on high power because that is what we will need then the time comes. I will be interested to see if yours comes out like mine did Also please keep in mind, I did not say they did not have comparable working characteristics some may be better when first out of the box and working, I questioned the longevity repairabilty and general life Expectancy
it is like Nassion building a Mercedes-Benz and charging $5000.00 for it.
It will start and run but for how long, and how far will it travel before breaking down. would any of us expect to get the same reliability I guess we would. When I put my family’s safety in to the hands of manufactured equipment I would load them into the original time tested Mercedes not the knock off. The only thing worse than not having what we need to survive, is thinking we have what we need but it won’t fulfill the need we placed in it.
I guess I really need to except that people will all ways take the shortest cheapest and quickest way and continue to wonder why we failed in getting there, It’s really just human nature.
Statistics: Posted by Scoutmaster — Sun Jan 15, 2017 9:23 am
RayMac1963 wrote:
Ok Outback, i’m expecting a full and complete report soon. Those things been in my Amazon basket WAY too long.
I’ll give ya a report Ray, for what it’s worth. Again, I’m as comms deficient as you. I’ve just used the FM and it seems to be a good radio. I’m out in the sticks and it came in clear as can be. I’ve got a couple hand crank AM/FM weather radio’s, these came in much clearer. As far as battery life and such, I can’t tell ya. I’ve got to work in my orchards today, I’ll bring one out to have some music while I’m pruning. They’ve got a full charge, give you a report on that later.
Statistics: Posted by theoutback — Sun Jan 15, 2017 4:20 am
RayMac1963 wrote:
Ok Outback, i’m expecting a full and complete report soon. Those things been in my Amazon basket WAY too long.
I’ll give ya a report Ray, for what it’s worth. Again, I’m as comms deficient as you. I’ve just used the FM and it seems to be a good radio. I’m out in the sticks and it came in clear as can be. I’ve got a couple hand crank AM/FM weather radio’s, these came in much clearer. As far as battery life and such, I can’t tell ya. I’ve got to work in my orchards today, I’ll bring one out to have some music while I’m pruning. They’ve got a full charge, give you a report on that later.
Statistics: Posted by theoutback — Sun Jan 15, 2017 4:20 am
Ok Outback, i’m expecting a full and complete report soon. Those things been in my Amazon basket WAY too long.
Statistics: Posted by RayMac1963 — Sat Jan 14, 2017 6:37 pm
Thanks for your insight Scoutmaster. I’m sure you get what you pay for. I did get a couple of those UV-5R’s in yesterday from Amazon, put them together, read and watched a couple vids on them. Seems very easy to use and I listened to an FM channel. I thought the sound was real good and that station came in real good for my area. I’m going to program in some of the local weather, police, etc. tomorrow to see how that goes. I’ll try and get together with a friend that has been into them forever to learn from. Who knows, I might just love it and get into it big time.I’m still going to read up and find some good two ways…..Again, thanks for your input.
Statistics: Posted by theoutback — Sat Jan 14, 2017 4:57 pm
Most of the newer Hts are horribly expensive, The Baofang and the like cheap radios are really doing very little to drive down the prices on the brand name ones. What I have done is to watch for the much older brand name equipment I have bought the Icom, yaesu, kenwood hand held’s for $50 to $75 each. some 20 to 30 years old and still work like new some even look new.
There are many that are in rough shape, but many times you will also find then that are all most like new. Many of them either cover the emergency services and marine bands with a slight mod or some just as they are. Most of these radios have battries that will last for a long time when still giving 4 or 5 watts out. They have a good strong BNC antenna connector rather than a mini something or other that will break with normal use. Lots of drop in charger on the market and even just a normal charger for the batteries. Many have AA and AAA cases that can be used on them so you have a verity of ways to power the radio. If you drop them and break the volume or squelch control’s if you have any repair ability you can take it apart and repair it. Try doing that with a Baofang or for that matter some of the new brand name radios.
Don’t get me wrong I think some of the cheap ones have there place as in practice and simulated events
rather than put the ware and tare on the radios you plan to use during an event. That is where the big differences came up for us if you drop it or two people on patrol talking to each other one with the older radios and the other person with the cheap rig it shows up quickly.
We all need something we can depend on for who knows how long. I really hate to see people buy and depend something and then find it will not give what they expect..That really apply s to people that only buy one or two radios have no back ups for what ever reason. Family radios are really great for that for that. It says right on the package up to 15 miles. Many people feel that will be enough buy it put it away and will get a big surprise when they need it. In the real world you are lucky if you get a mile. Drop it and it quits.
I really have no idea how many people or groups are out there that really do drills practice and use the equipment they plan on using. after talking to many many of those it seems not many. So if we can’t talk them unto trying out the equipment at least they should know what to depend on and what not to.
Just my two cents.
Statistics: Posted by Scoutmaster — Sat Jan 14, 2017 10:44 am
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