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Anyone here into Ham radio? ...
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cmeisenzahl
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Apr 18, 2011, 09:48 AM
 
Been thinking about it for years. Just ordered a book to take the test. Any words of wisdom? :-)

Just ordered this ... 'Technician Class 2010-2014' by Gordon West ( Amazon.com: Technician Class 2010-2014 (9780945053620): Gordon West, WB6NOA, Pete Trotter, KB9SMG: Books ).

Chris
     
SSharon
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Apr 18, 2011, 09:51 AM
 
A friend of mine in high school was into it so I've thought about it for years, but never took the leap. I'd be curious to hear your experiences as you study, take the test, and actually use the radio. The last I remember reading you don't need to learn morse code any more. Is that true or am I misremembering things?
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subego
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Apr 18, 2011, 10:24 AM
 
There's all kinds of stuff on the Internet to help with studying (practice tests an such).

It is correct you don't need to learn morse code, or pull it off at 13 freaking wpm.


(Not a HAM, just a small sampling of how my brain wastes space)
     
bstone
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Apr 18, 2011, 01:43 PM
 
I have the books and 2 radios. Never took the test but thought about it for years. Just too busy with school to find the time to sit and study it. I modded the radios to use GMRS and we used HAM radio in the Gulf Coast after Katrina- it was the only method of communication.
Emergency Medicine & Urgent Care.
     
Laminar
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Apr 18, 2011, 04:10 PM
 
No, sorry, I'm not into Ham radio.
     
bstone
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Apr 18, 2011, 04:11 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
No, sorry, I'm not into Ham radio.
Would you like more information about Ham radio? It's also called Amateur Radio.

Amateur radio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Emergency Medicine & Urgent Care.
     
Laminar
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Apr 18, 2011, 04:19 PM
 
No thanks.
     
bstone
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Apr 18, 2011, 04:20 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
No thanks.
Well that's ok! What sorts of things are you interested in?
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The Final Dakar
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Apr 18, 2011, 04:23 PM
 
Is Ham Radio kosher?
     
bstone
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Apr 18, 2011, 04:24 PM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
Is Ham Radio kosher?
Emergency Medicine & Urgent Care.
     
SpaceMonkey
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Apr 18, 2011, 04:27 PM
 
Someone once told me that I have a face for ham radio.

"One ticket to Washington, please. I have a date with destiny."
     
olePigeon
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Apr 18, 2011, 05:04 PM
 
Originally Posted by cmeisenzahl
Anyone here into Ham radio?
Only during the holidays.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
phantomdragonz
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Apr 18, 2011, 06:25 PM
 
I got my tech license two ears ago or so.

I do a lot of 4-wheeling and my two buddies have ham radios so I took the very easy test and got my tech license. and after using CB's it a lot nicer using a 2m setup.

the people using the radios are usually 60 or older, and constantly talk about their radios. once you get into the HF side of things at least you can talk to people in other countries and continents. get your general license and get an HF rig.

I started with Yeasu but they are all about the same (Icon, kenwood, yaesu)

-Zach
     
alligator
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Apr 19, 2011, 09:44 AM
 
Yes, I just passed my Extra class license. I've been into ham radio for about 10 years. I mainly contact people through AO-51, the amateur radio satellite. You get about 5 seconds to make a contact and I've spoken to people halfway across the US with a 5 watt radio. It's cool.

Let me know if you have any questions.
     
Chongo
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Apr 19, 2011, 10:48 AM
 
My brother-in-law was a ham operator. He mentioned they removed the requirement for morse code.
45/47
     
ghporter
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Apr 20, 2011, 07:12 AM
 
Morse code had kept far more people from getting ham licenses than the electronics knowledge ever could. I've learned Morse probably 10 times, but I have never used it actively enough to be able to remember it.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
subego
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Jun 21, 2011, 10:11 PM
 
Wanted to pass along that TWiT has a HAM radio show now.

HAM Nation
     
SSharon
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Jun 22, 2011, 09:57 AM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
Wanted to pass along that TWiT has a HAM radio show now.

HAM Nation
Wow, twit really has a lot of shows now. I remember when there were only a handful.
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subego
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Jun 22, 2011, 10:46 PM
 
I'm pretty thrilled. They have yet to do a show that I'm not at least mildly interested in.
     
SSharon
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Jun 22, 2011, 11:28 PM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
I'm pretty thrilled. They have yet to do a show that I'm not at least mildly interested in.
I started out listening to twit and security now, but I've missed some of the more recent twit episodes. Security now, on the other, hand I haven't missed a single episode of. I listened to the first ham nation episode and now I want to get into ham again.
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Peter
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Jun 23, 2011, 12:59 AM
 
I was before the internet was around
we don't have time to stop for gas
     
subego
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Jun 23, 2011, 07:15 AM
 
Originally Posted by SSharon View Post
I started out listening to twit and security now, but I've missed some of the more recent twit episodes. Security now, on the other, hand I haven't missed a single episode of. I listened to the first ham nation episode and now I want to get into ham again.
If I had to watch one show, it would be Security Now. If it was two, I'd say Security Now and This Week in Google. Even though there's a nominal Google focus, TWiG is basically TWiT, but with a really good regular panel. Similar to Security Now, Leo found good people and just lets them run with it. Highly recommended.

(I'll stop the threadjack now)
     
Doc HM
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Jun 23, 2011, 05:13 PM
 
Here a dude I met at the Retro Computer Fair last year.


He was using this SW (?) LW(?) radio kit to get onto the internet. Amazing what some people will do. The bandwidth was terrible, the amount of kit required huge.

Brilliant
This space for Hire! Reasonable rates. Reach an audience of literally dozens!
     
alligator
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Jun 24, 2011, 03:01 AM
 
Yes, ham radio isn't as cool as it once was with all of the internet-connected cell phones around now, but there is still something interesting about being able to get on the air and communicate over long distances when the power or local phone network is out.

Plus, you can do interesting things such as control RC airplanes, rockets, and even satellites with a ham radio. It is truly something for experimenters.
     
   
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