Is it best to get licensed first than get first radio? What is suggested first
radio? The technician license class teaches you the basics than they give you
exam?

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I seen this and wondering any good:

https://hamradioprep.com/technician-license-course/?gclid=CjwKCAjwiOCgBhAgEiwAj
v5whHqGty5npYSE6c9U5E0-bVN5pTSB2nIb8UxPh6OhlaWOlM2AK2E1URoC7L8QAvD_BwE

Does the exam cost anything to take?

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Re: Interested in Ham Radio?
By: tmcca to All on Mon Mar 20 2023 01:05 pm

> https://hamradioprep.com/technician-license-course/?gclid=CjwKCAjwiOCgBhAgEi
> wAj v5whHqGty5npYSE6c9U5E0-bVN5pTSB2nIb8UxPh6OhlaWOlM2AK2E1URoC7L8QAvD_BwE
>
> Does the exam cost anything to take?

The best Study Guides are FREE. The one I used to get my license were made by Jack Tiley, AD7FO. Took me a couple days to study for my Tech and Gen, another week to study for my Extra.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIS GUIDES!!!!!

See: https://www.ad7fo.com

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Re: Interested in Ham Radio?
By: tmcca to All on Mon Mar 20 2023 12:55 pm

>
> Is it best to get licensed first than get first radio? What is suggested
> first radio? The technician license class teaches you the basics than they
> give you exam?

Absolutely, get your license first.

I looked at used transceivers first but to tell you the truth, they hold their value so well that it wasn't worth it for me. I bought an Icom IC7300 for $1100 after rebate from DX Engineering and I'm really happy with it. Remember the antenna too. I installed a 1/2 wave, end feed long wire, running about 6 feet above the ground and it works very well. It's no 200 feet tall yagi but it cost me under a hundred dollars and doesn't need tuning to use.

I've tried 2m and 70cm handhelds too using DMR but it was way to unreliable for me. I still have them but hardly use them any more.

Find a family member or a local friend to advise you. Besides, that makes it even more fun. Also, see if you have a local Ham Club.

Cheers,
Dennis KD4LLC

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Re: Interested in Ham Radio?
By: Airmailman to tmcca on Mon Mar 20 2023 01:25 pm

> > Does the exam cost anything to take?
>
Our Local Ham Club gives the tests and they charge $10. Not per test, it's per session. So, if you pass the Tech, you can opt to take the Gen, and if you pass the Gen you can opt to take the Extra. All for $10. So, I studied for the Tech and Gen and took both on the same day and it was $10. The Extra cost me another $10 because I came back the next week to take that one. Of course, if you fail and come back later it's another $10.

Super cheap in my book.

Cheers,
Dennnis, KD4LLC

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Re: Interested in Ham Radio?
By: tmcca to All on Mon Mar 20 2023 12:55 pm

Get your license first then choose a radio so you can talk on the air.

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Re: Interested in Ham Radio?
By: tmcca to All on Mon Mar 20 2023 12:55 pm

tm> Is it best to get licensed first than get first radio? What is suggested
tm> first radio? The technician license class teaches you the basics than they
tm> give you exam?

I'm going to give you the opposite suggestion from what others have given, here. Sort of.

Get yourself a cheap hand-held radio, or an SDR USB dongle that plugs into your computer, you can use these to tune around the 2m and 70cm bands and listen. Find local repeaters via repeaterbook.com and listen to them.

While you're doing this, study for your Technicians license. You can go the traditional route and use a study guide, which will give you important context to the questions/answers that are on the test, or you can go the memorization route where you just basically memorize the answers to every question.

Hamstudy.org is a great resource for the memorization route, and if you want to know why the answer to a question is what it is, it will expand a bit, and sometimes it'll give you some neat little tricks on how to remember the answer. It also has a companion app for Andriod and iOS. The app is a one-time cost of $3.99 but it's absolutely worth it.

If you have a ham radio club that's local to you, they will probably offer testing. Usually there's a small fee to take the test, (usually between $5 and $15) which goes directly to covering the costs of administering the test. The FCC charges a separate $35 fee to issue your license.

HamStudy.org also has a list of VECs that do online testing, which was first started back in 2020 because of covid. I took my Tech and General exams that way. The process is a little weird, as it required at least two cameras on me (my webcam, and my phone), to make sure I wasn't using notes and no one was feeding me answers from elsewhere. I guess lots of people just lock themselves in a bathroom with a laptop as it's usually a small area free of clutter.

DaiTengu

....A clean desk is a sign of a cluttered desk drawer.

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Re: Interested in Ham Radio?
By: tmcca to All on Mon Mar 20 2023 12:55 pm

> Is it best to get licensed first than get first radio? What is suggested
> first radio? The technician license class teaches you the basics than they
> give you exam?

You don't need a license to receive, and that can be a lot of fun. So I recommend starting there, even an SDR (software defined radio) can make a great receive-only station.
--
digital man (rob)

Sling Blade quote #25:
Karl: they seen fit to put me in here and here I've been a great long while.
Norco, CA WX: 54.5°F, 88.0% humidity, 0 mph E wind, 0.52 inches rain/24hrs
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Re: Interested in Ham Radio?
By: tmcca to All on Mon Mar 20 2023 01:05 pm

> I seen this and wondering any good:

> https://hamradioprep.com/technician-license-course/?gclid=CjwKCAjwiOCgBhAgEi
> v5whHqGty5npYSE6c9U5E0-bVN5pTSB2nIb8UxPh6OhlaWOlM2AK2E1URoC7L8QAvD_BwE

Hi there. Study guides can prep you for the exam to become a ham radio OPERATOR, but they generally don't teach you about the technology or the science behind the exam answers they teach you to remember. I would reccomend finding a local radio club and joining, find an Elmer - an older, experienced ham who will take you under their wing, to explain the science behind radio, electronic circuits, propagation, etc.

Study guides prepare you for answering questions, I've never seen one that actually prepares you to understand them and why they're important to know.

73s
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Re: Interested in Ham Radio?
By: Oldbieone to tmcca on Fri Mar 24 2023 06:17 am

> Study guides prepare you for answering questions, I've never seen one that
> actually prepares you to understand them and why they're important to know.
>
I agree but there are study guides that also teach each question, why when how and where. Those are good. I think the point is that you should totally understand each question before moving on to the next question. In order to do that, you'll have to do a lot more than just memorize each question/answer pair.

When I got my ham license, I had my 1st Class Commercial License for 30 years and worked in the career for even longer as a CET so the technical side of all three ham licenses was not that difficult. Other people might not be that fortunate and could really use some in-depth instruction. There's tons of ham subjects that I can still learn. Love it.

If the classes that you take just teach you to memorize the questions you might as well just use the online study guides that are free. There are some good ones available.

Besides, learning is fun. Take some classes. Join a local Ham club...

Cheers,
Dennis, KD4LLC

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tm> Is it best to get licensed first than get first radio? What is
tm> suggested first radio? The technician license class teaches you the
tm> basics than they give you exam?

The exams cover Part 97 of the FCC Rules and Regulations, which are on
every license exam. You also need to know things such as Ohm's Law, RF
safety, propagation, basic electronic theory, and basic knowledge of the
metric system. Each are in more detail as you move up the ham radio license
ladder...although the way technology is today with "internet radio", you
only need a Techician license to talk around the world...without the extra
expense of equipment and accessories.

However, without a license, having a radio/rig does you no good, as you
can just "listen only"...just as if you had a portable scanner.

Unfortunately, one thing the Question Pools and exams don't cover is
"On The Air Etiquette", especially in relation to nets. I've prepared
a file, called "Mode Overview.PDF", which can be obtained by going to
http://www.wx4qz.net/elk.htm -- and look for the appropriate link. It
covers these, plus getting set up with the modes of D-Star, D-Rats, the
QuadNet Array, and more...and a Technician Class license lets you do all
of these.

For study options, I *HIGHLY RECOMMEND* HamTestOnline, which is located
at https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com

It's all web browser based, with nothing to download or install...so,
you can do it on dial-up, DSL, or broadband internet. However, there are
no smartphone apps for it, and none are planned.

Subscriptions are in 6 month increments, and the price(s) depend on
how many elements you want to take. Instead of covering just the questions
that may be on the exam, they cover the concepts...to explain why the
answers are what they are. So, you're actually learning something, and not
just memorizing answers.

As a side note, FCC Rules require at least 10 times the number of
questions in the respective pools, as there are questions on the exam...
and that total is usually higher. So, the Technician and General Class
exams have at least 350 questions in the respective pools, with the
Amateur Extra exam has at least 500 questions in its pool. However, there
are usually over 400 questions in the Technician and General Class pools,
and over 700 questions in the Amateur Extra class pool. So, unless a
particular question has been withdrawn, there's a chance that it will
appear on the exam. If it does appear, it'll be in the exact same wording
that was in the question pool. There are also schematic diagrams with
each exam. If you have a docmented disability, and you can get exams
without these diagrams.

Back to HamTestOnline...once you reach 80% studying, start taking the
practice tests. When you get to 85% passing rate on a regular basis, you
are ready to take the exam, and will likely pass the test. You can miss
as many as 9 on the Technician and General exams (35 questions each), and
13 on the Amateur Extra exam (50 questions), and still pass...a win by 1
is as good as a win by 10.

The best part though, is that compared to study guides that you buy
(which are YOURS after purchase), is that they offer a money back
guarantee if you fail the exam. Send them proof of the failure (which
is usually a Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination (CSCE),
but with NONE noted in the area of "License Class Earned". They will
cancel your subscription, and refund your money.

For me, it was the best money I ever spent in amateur radio, in the
32 years that I have been licensed.

As for radios, there are rigs for every budget...from a handi-talkie
around $50, to a DC To Daylight all band, all mode, rig...for over
$20,000. It depends on what license class you have, and what modes you
want to operate. I would ask for feedback from other amateur radio
operators in your area...but, you likely will get a wide range of
opinions. It's best to buy a new rig, even though it may be more
expensive...as with used gear, the saying "you get what you pay for",
applies.

Daryl, WX4QZ

.... I CQ. Therefore, I HAM. -- DE WX4QZ
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tm> Does the exam cost anything to take?

Yes and no. Depending on which Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC)
Team is doing the exams in your area, the cost can be free to $15.
The $15 fee covers one exam attempt for each element, as long as you
pass the prior exam (there are 3...Technician, General, then Amateur
Extra). If you fail the exam, you can re-take it, with a different
set of questions, for another $15.

Howevever, if you fail the same exam twice in the same session, you
likely need more study before trying again. See my previous post on
HamTestOnline.

As of April 19, 2022, amateur radio licensees in the US and Canada
MUST also pay $35 to the FCC for a NEW or RENEWED amateur radio license,
or for a VANITY CALLSIGN CHANGE request. There is NO FEE for a license
class upgrade (Novice to Technician, Technician to General, or General
or Advanced to Amateur Extra), or for a SEQUENTIAL CALLSIGN CHANGE
REQUEST. With the callsign change requests, once granted, the former
one is no longer valid.

Also, you have to pay that fee to the FCC within 10 days, or it'll
be as if you never took the exam.

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the National Association For
Amateur Radio in the United States and its territories, does offer a
reduced exam fee of $5 for those 17 years of age or younger, and they
will do a one time reimbursement of the $35 fee for these individuals.
They must bring a birth certificate (with the proper seal) to the exam
session, to provide as part of their identification to the exam team.

Normally, a photo ID (drivers license, passport, state ID, school ID,
military ID) will suffice...but lacking that, one needs 2 forms of
non-photo ID (a utility bill, bank statement, or piece of mail addressed
to the individual). They must also provide a Federal Registration Number
(FRN), which is obtained by going to the FCC CORES website, and providing
their Social Security Number.

Plus, they must also answer whether or not they've been convicted of a
felony, in state or federal court. If the answer is YES, they must supply
all the pertintent documentation to the FCC within 14 days of the exam
session, or the license grant is canceled. A "YES" answer is NOT an
automatic disqualification, but it depends on the circumstances that
surround the conviction.

For first time licensees, they don't need to worry about the original
and a photocopy of their license. However, those who are license, or
whose license has expired (the term is for 10 yeras) or lapsed (expired
more than 2 years), they are "starting over". If they formerly held a
General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class license, partial exam credit
is available, once they take and pass the Technician exam. If they don't
provide the license documentation, including data from a recent CSCE
(Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination) from a prior exam
session, which isn't reflected on their license...they'll have to take
that exam element again, even though they passed it previously.

But, without the photo ID, exam fee, Federal Registration Number, or
license items, they won't be able to take the exam.

Daryl, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison

.... H.A.M. Radio Operator: H)ave A)nother M)eal.
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Rob,

DM> You don't need a license to receive, and that can be a lot of fun. So I
DM> recommend starting there, even an SDR (software defined radio) can make
DM> a great receive-only station. --

I've heard that in some cases, SDR actually stands for "Spousally Declined
Radio" (hi hi).

It's like the memes, where the woman asks her husband/significant other, if
he bought another ham radio. The results are as follows:

1) She says "Look me straight in the eye, and tell me you didn't buy another
radio"...he's now cross-eyed.

2) She has 3 items behind the door, as her husband came home from being out
on errands...they are (for her use):

A) Metal Spoon - Came Home Late
B) Rolling Pin - Came Home Drunk
C) Rifle/Shotgun - Bought Another Ham Radio

3) In the "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" format, the answers are:

A) I won it at a club meeting/hamfest.
B) I got a good trade for it.
C) I'm keeping it for a friend while he's moving.
D) You look wonderful today (is that your final answer??).

4) The apartment building is on fire, and he hands the fireman a fancy HF
rig, saying "Take this...I've got to go back and get my wife!!".

Daryl, WX4QZ

.... Ham Radio QRP: When you care the most to send the very least.
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-=> tmcca wrote to All <=-

tm> Is it best to get licensed first than get first radio? What is
tm> suggested first radio? The technician license class teaches you the
tm> basics than they give you exam?

You do NOT have to have a license to own one, just to use it to transmit.

So you can get one and listen all you want! If your area has a lot of
local repeater traffic, you could get a 'cheap' $35 radio and listen
to see if it's something you're interested in...

.... 1024x768x256.... sounds like one mean woman.
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-=> Daryl Stout wrote to Jimmy Anderson <=-

DS> However, the only time I'm on the air now is when I do my nets.

<snipping stuff about immature and impatient people>

I'll tell you, the bad seeds or bad apples or whatever you want to
call them can ruin ANY hobby!

DS> I do the Trains Net on the QuadNet Array every Friday at 7pm US
DS> Central Time...where we discuss anything and everything about trains
DS> and railroading, and even have railroad trivia. However, I have not
DS> been able to do the net the last 2 weeks...first for illness, and
DS> last week for weather...and the same may be true again this Friday.
DS> So, the ham who normally does the railroad trivia, takes the net when
DS> I can't be there.

I knew you were into trains too. :-) That's cool, and I'm glad you're able
to experience your hobby still!

.... WOW! Short runway, but look how WIDE it is!
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Jimmy,

JA> I'll tell you, the bad seeds or bad apples or whatever you want to
JA> call them can ruin ANY hobby!

Everyone wants everything yesterday.

JA> I knew you were into trains too. :-) That's cool, and I'm glad you're
JA> able to experience your hobby still!

My late uncle was the only other ham radio operator in the family
(K3VRM, SK)...and he was the youngest engineer hired on by the Penn
Central Railroad.

Daryl, WX4QZ

.... Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.
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