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Talk to me about HAM licensing

lectric80

lectric80

3/4 ton status
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Grantsville, Ut
Ok, I have been thinking of doing this for quite a while, but it is time to move forward. So, those with licenses, recommended reading, license levels and what they mean, costs, and anything else I should be aware of when going for this.

I will worry about radio stuff once I actually get licensed.

No plans to have a radio in home, at least right now, but I would like to have it in the Blazer for some of the more remote areas I hunt and wheel in. So I want to make sure I don't spend money I don't need to, and that I can legally use the radio. I seem to end up in a lot of places that have no cell signal, and CB just isn't going to cut it.

I understand about wheeling by myself, but there are places that are just trails, no real wheeling involved, and it would be nice to have some way to get a signal out if something were to happen.

I have a local family friend who may be able to help with this, but having more opinions is a plus.
 
I have my Technician license. That is the easiest one to get. There are some online study guides and the question pool is available online. I bought the book from the ARRL and used it to study. If you have had any electricity or electronics background at all you can very nearly pass the test without studying. I'm in the process of installing a 2 meter radio in my truck, but have not tried to use it in a remote area. The southeastern part of OK that we like to go to has a repeater that the locals use to communicate with each other. As far as costs, my 2 meter radio wasn't much more than a CB, although you can certainly spend as much as you want.
 
I have been playing with some of the practice tests for the Technician license, although the General was a bit over my head at the moment. If you don't mind my asking, what was the cost to take the exam and get the license?
 
I honestly don't remember what it cost. I'm thinking maybe 15-20 dollars. Seems like the ARRL study guide was $20.00.
 
That's not too bad at all, much lower than I was expecting. I need to talk to the friend of the family and see if he has the study guide, just to save some cash at the moment.
 
The actual license is technically free . The volunteer examiners organized by various organizations like ARRL , charge a fee for their overhead in administering the test for the FCC ( The FCC is saving money ) .

most places its 14 bucks . And there is no Accredited Volunteer examiner group out there who doesn't charge a fee for time and supplies .
 
Good to know, so my buddy should be able to direct me to someone to get the testing done when I get ready.

I am sure I will have lots of questions about radios once I get the license. Really digging the Kenwoods.
 
I just picked up a copy of "Ham Radio for Dummies" in the cheap bin at a local bookstore. Good read, but doesn't have any of the exam prep stuff. I was hoping maybe the local library would have a copy of the ARRL prep guide...not sure if they carry that type of stuff. The online exams are helpful to see the questions but I haven't found much in the way of study material.

You'd think working on a college campus, I'd be able to find something. :o
 
I have looked at a few, and run through the tests a few times. I am only having issues with some of the formulas, other than that I have been able to pass.

The family friend said I could borrow his study guide, which should still be valid based on the three year time period. I will grab it this week and get studying, test is currently planned on the 26th.
 
Yeah, the pool is supposed to be changed every three years. This one is from June 2006 through June 2009, so I should be good at the end of the month. Beyond that, I would need to buy the newer guide to be sure I was ready.

Last year was the change to the Extra class test pool, the previous year was the General pool.
 
Question remembering will cause you to remember a little bit of the the theory . But read the book cover to cover first and see if some of it will sink in .

I know a couple women who were forced by their father to learn morse code and pass the tests ............... and those same women don't how to hook my radio up to the battery in my truck :doah:

And for some reason the father sees them as real hams , and I am not really a ham because I have a hard time with morse code :laugh:
 
I plan on it, and have taken a lot of practice tests as well. It has been years since I did morse code, so that might be a nice refresher.
 
Just go ahead and do it. Matter of fact, you could probably pass the test, or come very close to it, without studying. At least for tech level. The thing that freaks people out is they see they have to get a decent score, and then they fixate on stuff like band plans - which is only a very small portion of the test. You can bomb a complete section and still pass it - so study up for a few hours, and go take the test. There are always some VE's ready to help at your local clubs, and tests happen all the time.

The real question is - once you have your license, can your wallet take the strain? :D
 
No it can't, in fact I have put off this venture until later this year. Problems with my pay at work have made me reconsider some stuff for this year. Priority right now is getting everything together to get the Blazer's new axles underneath, lift installed, and get to AZ to pick up the rust free steel. May consider this if things start to improve, but right now it is just a bit much for me.
 
Well, even if you can't run out and buy the newest and greatest thing, still consider getting your license. At the least you can then use loaner radios. Not to mention, if you don't mind used stuff, there's usually plenty floating around out there, cheap. You just have to find it. Joining an ARC is usually a great start. Heck, I've still got the first 2m HT that was sold to me for a whole $25, and it still works fine. But I sure hear you about priorities, gotta keep working on my electricals.
 
I sold a perfectly good 50 watt 2 meter rig at Decembers hamfest for 50 bucks . Someones always got a decent worker somewhere for cheap .
 
Yeah, I am sure something would come along, I seem to stumble into some pretty decent deals. I am just holding off to see how things are going to play out moving forward.
 
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