Where to begin with a HAM radio?

[Scott B.]

Fortunate timing. My packet from W5YI came today. Includes Part 97 of...FCC code covering amateur radio operations? the rules and regulations. A book about Technician Class. Two CD-ROMs, one is the HamStudy 14.0 software the other is with the book....ah, it's an audio CD of the book. A PreStudy Q & A booklet for Technician Class. And a two-sided chart with frequencies depicted.

I think this is going to get me where I'm wanting to go.

[carlson1]

Fortunate timing. My packet from W5YI came today. Includes Part 97 of...FCC code covering amateur radio operations? the rules and regulations. A book about Technician Class. Two CD-ROMs, one is the HamStudy 14.0 software the other is with the book....ah, it's an audio CD of the book. A PreStudy Q & A booklet for Technician Class. And a two-sided chart with frequencies depicted.

I think this is going to get me where I'm wanting to go.

Where did you sign up for the packet?

[bblhd672]

What would be good equipment to get started with? Preferably mobile (handheld) first, then base station (home).

[Scott B.]

Fortunate timing. My packet from W5YI came today. Includes Part 97 of...FCC code covering amateur radio operations? the rules and regulations. A book about Technician Class. Two CD-ROMs, one is the HamStudy 14.0 software the other is with the book....ah, it's an audio CD of the book. A PreStudy Q & A booklet for Technician Class. And a two-sided chart with frequencies depicted.

I think this is going to get me where I'm wanting to go.

Where did you sign up for the packet?

Here> http://www.w5yi.org/catalog_details.php?pid=71&sort=5 that was in Charles' post hyperlinked as Gordon West study guide.

Came quick too...2 days? Must be here in Texas because they got me for sales tax.

Edit: Arlington.

[carlson1]

Fortunate timing. My packet from W5YI came today. Includes Part 97 of...FCC code covering amateur radio operations? the rules and regulations. A book about Technician Class. Two CD-ROMs, one is the HamStudy 14.0 software the other is with the book....ah, it's an audio CD of the book. A PreStudy Q & A booklet for Technician Class. And a two-sided chart with frequencies depicted.

I think this is going to get me where I'm wanting to go.

Where did you sign up for the packet?

Here> http://www.w5yi.org/catalog_details.php?pid=71&sort=5 that was in Charles' post hyperlinked as Gordon West study guide.

Came quick too...2 days? Must be here in Texas because they got me for sales tax.

That sounds like what I was looking for. Thank you.

[TexasJohnBoy]

Y'all, I don't need another hobby. Quit it!

What would be good equipment to get started with? Preferably mobile (handheld) first, then base station (home).

But I have the same questions....

[Liberty]

Baufeng hand helds a good basic 2 bander with a power supply will double as a base and car mobile. Yeasu 7900 or other brand name is a good start.
A hamfest is a good place to get equipment new or used at the best prices. If you are near Texas City they will be having one on July 8th They will be doing testing there also.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Fortunate timing. My packet from W5YI came today. Includes Part 97 of...FCC code covering amateur radio operations? the rules and regulations. A book about Technician Class. Two CD-ROMs, one is the HamStudy 14.0 software the other is with the book....ah, it's an audio CD of the book. A PreStudy Q & A booklet for Technician Class. And a two-sided chart with frequencies depicted.

I think this is going to get me where I'm wanting to go.

Where did you sign up for the packet?

Here> http://www.w5yi.org/catalog_details.php?pid=71&sort=5 that was in Charles' post hyperlinked as Gordon West study guide.

Came quick too...2 days? Must be here in Texas because they got me for sales tax.

Edit: Arlington.

As others have noted, there are free or fee-based websites with practice exams. However, Gordon West's study guides and software do so much more. Gordon grouped all same or similar questions together so you study the entire subject matter at one time. He also gives a short explanation along with the question and answer meaning you actually learn something, rather than merely memorize the correct answer.

I used Gordon's book when I upgraded to Extra about 4 years ago. I read the book first, then started taking practice exams with the software that came with the study guide. That make the exam very easy. I've recommended Gordon's study guides and software to a lot of people and not one person has told me they were dissatisfied. As with everything, people have their own preferences.

Chas.

[Charles L. Cotton]

You can also attend Ham-Com(http://www.hamcom.org) which is held at the Irving Convention Center on June 9-10.

73,
N5AFD

I'm going with a friend. We'll be up there sometime Friday.

Chas.

[Take Down Sicko]

I dont know the first thing about ham radios. What kind of things can you do with them?

[TexasJohnBoy]

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?

[TexasJohnBoy]

I dont know the first thing about ham radios. What kind of things can you do with them?

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"

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technol ... ham-radio/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-reasons- ... adio-home/
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/75830.html

[bblhd672]

You can also attend Ham-Com(http://www.hamcom.org) which is held at the Irving Convention Center on June 9-10.

This looks like the best place to go and get all equipment and new guy questions answered!

[2farnorth]

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.

[Take Down Sicko]

Great info. TJB. Thanks for posting.