Got my license last week, haven't been able to hit any repeaters near me reliably. I'm going to built a j pole antenna this weekend and hook it up to my ht just to see if I can make it any farther without a true shack and rig.
The true shack and rig is going to have to wait for a while before I can put it together!
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Return to “Where to begin with a HAM radio?”
- Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:27 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
- Sun Jun 25, 2017 4:00 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
Pass my tech exam today with 100% correct; I was surprised!
Tried to go General at the same time and missed that one by four questions. Not surprised that about that at all since I hadn't looked at question 1 on the general pool...
Now I wait!
Tried to go General at the same time and missed that one by four questions. Not surprised that about that at all since I hadn't looked at question 1 on the general pool...
Now I wait!
- Thu Jun 15, 2017 7:55 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
Hopefully not too long. Congrats!Flightmare wrote:Just got back from taking my tech test. 33 out of 35 right. Now to play the waiting game.
- Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:37 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
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Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
I picked up a Baofeng UV-5X3 as my first radio, should be here tomorrow. Don't know what to do with it yet, but hoping to take my exam in about a week and a half. Maybe if I pass it, I'll press the transmit button in about 2-3 weeks.
- Wed Jun 07, 2017 11:32 am
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
That or the UV-5X3 https://baofengtech.com/uv-5x3bblhd672 wrote: It appears the UV-5R may be end of life. Would the BaoFeng BF-F8HP be a suitable replacement? https://baofengtech.com/bf-f8hp
I'm going to try and figure out the pros and cons of one vs the other in the next couple of days. Haven't dug in yet.
- Wed Jun 07, 2017 8:38 am
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
http://geekprepper.org/baofeng-antenna-upgrade/bblhd672 wrote:The negative I seem to read most about the Baofeng is the antenna that comes with it. What would be a better antenna to purchase to go with it?RoyGBiv wrote:IMO Buying a Baofeng UV-5R for about $30 from Amazon is the easiest, no-regrets, starter handset.TexasJohnBoy wrote:Y'all, I don't need another hobby. Quit it!But I have the same questions....bblhd672 wrote:What would be good equipment to get started with? Preferably mobile (handheld) first, then base station (home).
Low investment and more than enough quality to get started.
My $150 Alinco handset is great, but the transmit and receive quality of the Baofeng is equal.
Baofeng battery life is MUCH better. The only spec where the Alinco beats the Baofeng is that the Alinco has some water resistance rating.
Make sure to buy from a reputable seller with fulfillment via Amazon. I got one with a defective connector and Amazon made it right, no questions asked.
Also, I highly recommend buying a data cable for programming from a computer. While I find the Baofeng easier to program from the keypad than my Alinco, it's still much MUCH easier to program from the computer. The programming software is free from either Baofeng or you can use CHIRP. I prefer CHIRP.
For $12, why not?
- Tue Jun 06, 2017 10:41 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
The book I ordered was advertised as the ARRL guide for the current technician (until 2018) pool of questions. I'll post if I don't get what was advertised from Amazon...
- Tue Jun 06, 2017 5:19 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
If I want amateur extra, but if I'm just doing a technician license I only have to take the technician test. One test per level from what I understand.cheezit wrote:You will still need to take both of the other tests.TexasJohnBoy wrote:I picked this up on Amazon, should be here Wednesday. The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual Spiral Bound https://www.amazon.com/dp/1625950470/
I'm going to go to an exam early next month, found here:
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-rad ... am-session
I think a full month of study should get me there without letting it get stale. Shooting for an hour of study a day on average.
- Mon Jun 05, 2017 10:08 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
I picked this up on Amazon, should be here Wednesday. The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual Spiral Bound https://www.amazon.com/dp/1625950470/
I'm going to go to an exam early next month, found here:
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-rad ... am-session
I think a full month of study should get me there without letting it get stale. Shooting for an hour of study a day on average.
I'm going to go to an exam early next month, found here:
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-rad ... am-session
I think a full month of study should get me there without letting it get stale. Shooting for an hour of study a day on average.
- Sat Jun 03, 2017 4:19 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
Thanks for the feedback. I'm looking for something that is a bit on the affordable side to start with, so I think it's a compromise I can live with. I had read the same thing about the antennas also.2farnorth wrote:The Baofeng radios are just ok. Not great. Their receivers are like barn doors and will be interfered with by any strong signal nearby. Mine is sensitive to my wifi signals on certain frequencies. To properly program them you need a Baofeng cable to attach the to your computer. Be aware that there are some low quality fake/clones on the market. The radios can be programmed manually but it's an onerous process. The programming disk that came with my cable was totally useless. Would do nothing but flash "Baofeng" intermittently. I downloaded the "chirp" (http://chirp.danplanet.com) program and after I found the proper installer.exe file I was able to complete the programming. Now the radio hears all the repeaters within a reasonable distance but accessing them with the tiny antenna and low power is hit and miss. An optional antenna is recommended.
- Sat Jun 03, 2017 10:37 am
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
A couple of the articles I've read that put me over the edge of curious to "ok I should seriously consider having this at home and in my EDC bag/go bag"Take Down Sicko wrote:I dont know the first thing about ham radios. What kind of things can you do with them?
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technol ... ham-radio/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-reasons- ... adio-home/
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/75830.html
- Sat Jun 03, 2017 10:33 am
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
Ok, I'm seriously considering a license now and a small handheld starter radio. The more I read about it, the more I think "why wouldn't I?" I think I could get in for ~$150 for a study guide, test/license, and beginner radio (something along the lines of a Baofeng BF-F8HP...?) or am I too optimistic?
- Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:26 pm
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80188
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
Y'all, I don't need another hobby. Quit it!
But I have the same questions....bblhd672 wrote:What would be good equipment to get started with? Preferably mobile (handheld) first, then base station (home).