Ham anyone?

Discussion in 'Survival Communications' started by Wild Trapper, Feb 5, 2009.


  1. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    I've just gone through the process of getting my first amateur license. I got the Technician level license and so am limited to VHF/UHF until I can learn Morse code. I have already started to study for the general exam.

    Are there any hams here? Or do I need to look somewhere else?

    Any thoughts on amateur radio in a [shtf] shtf situation? I'm thinking it might come in handy. I have a CB, but truckers seem to be about the only users since cell phones became so common.
     
  2. Conagher

    Conagher Dark Custom Rider Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I've got a 2 meter Kenwood TH-78A radio that has mods done to it. I have yet to read the manual and play with it some though.
     
  3. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    I bought a 2M Yaesu VX-170. I've yet to actually talk on the thing, but I've been listening in on some of the locals. Right now we've not had a lot of traffic on the repeater I'm tuned into. I'd like to get a tri-band mobile for the truck/car for when I travel. Then after I get my general license I want an HF rig I can use for DXing.
     
  4. Tango3

    Tango3 Aimless wanderer

    Ham
    w/cheese?
    older vaccum tube gear will withstand an emp pulse better than newer stuff.imho hams were the first civilian preppers...
     
  5. franks71vw

    franks71vw Monkey+++

    Tango what models of the vacuum tube types do you recommend :oops:
     
  6. dragonfly

    dragonfly Monkey+++

    We purchased 4 of the 10 meter radios with the optional 5-25 watts, solely due to the fact we can use the 11 meter (C.B.) base antennas as well as the 102 inch stainless steel mobile whips!
    License? "We don't need no stinkin' license"!
    (Still working on that part!)
    3 are in emp cages, along with 3 cb's and 3 scanner units. Only 1 set at a time is allowed outside and to be hooked up, at least for awhile!
    Bill
     
  7. Tango3

    Tango3 Aimless wanderer

    we"played" with a few "collins kwm xxx sets" the name "lear sigler" comes to mind too ???? sets and 1kw amps but its too far back to remember any numbers."tape measure type dipole" and scratch built longwire antennas
    I'm not a ham. but I understand alot of this older stuff shows up at ham related swap meets, ebay has some tube stuff occasionally also. Sorry I'm not any real help.Just the fuzzy yammarings of a guy in sleep pants and house shoes. Thisisthe kindastuff we played with ( kwm-2a) http://www.radioing.com/collins/tr01.html)Hey look what I found looking for a picture of the power amp http://www.armyradio.com/arsc/customer/home.php?cat=71
     
  8. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    Actually the license exam for Technician is quite easy, at least it was for me. But since dropping the requirement for MC amateur radio has begun to rebound. Now, I'm not knocking the code, but it was a bit of a turn off to me, because of my already lacking ability to hear well. Radio technology has advanced just as it has with computers. There are so many new developments in radio that go so far beyond the code it boggles the mind.

    Anyway, I just wondering if there was any interest in radio, especially Ham Radio, here on a survival/preparedness forum. This is something I always had interest in since like 40 some years and even studied for it back then, finally took the plunge and determined to do it. I could explain here how to do it, but all the information is free on the internet. The ARRL.org and QRZ.com websites are two places to start. I bought a Tech exam manual and studied it for about 3 weeks before I took the exam. I was ready a bit sooner but you have to wait until there is an exam given and they (local VE hams) administer the exams locally now and the exam is all multiple choice now. Oh, and the testing folks, where I took my exam was free, but the usual fee is only $14 or $15 all the FCC will allow them to charge. So it won't break the bank to get licensed.
     
  9. dragonfly

    dragonfly Monkey+++

    Trapper...
    You got me interested!
    I'll have to get a license, but as you said there's a time and place where you take the tests...
    Bill
     
  10. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    If your location is really Phoenix, Arizona, you should have no trouble finding a club. Start here. Once you locate a club that is near you, do the contact thing. My club is very small, but we are even presently having classes for anyone who wants to do the first step and get the tech ticket.

    Here's a sample of what I found in that search, while the day was yesterday, there are several other upcoming days available, just contact these folks and they should be able to get you started.

    07-Feb-2009
    Sponsor: DEVRY ARC&WEST VALLEY ARC
    Time: 9:00AM (Walk-ins allowed)
    Contact: DAVID R MORRILL
    (623)925-0680
    Email: N7TWT@ARRL.NET
    VEC: ARRL/VEC
    Location: DEVRY UNIVERSITY
    2149 W DUNLAP AVE
    PHOENIX, AZ 85021</pre>
    If there is anyone else interested, just follow that link and you can find a location near you to take the exam. Exams are usually given on weekends or evening.
     
  11. NVBeav

    NVBeav Monkey+++

    Here's a link I was thinking of registering at to study for the Technician course (or maybe all 3):
    http://www.hamtestonline.com/

    Prices are:
    <TABLE class="dataTableCell_inner " cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=8 border=0><TBODY style="FONT-SIZE: 90%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px; FONT-FAMILY: verdana"><TR><TH class="borderTL lightBlueBorder" width=80>Price </TH><TH class="borderTRL lightBlueBorder">Course </TH></TR><TR><TD class="borderTL lightBlueBorder" vAlign=center align=right>$24.95 </TD><TD class="borderTRL lightBlueBorder" vAlign=center>Technician Class study course (2-year subscription) </TD></TR><TR><TD class="borderTL lightBlueBorder" vAlign=center align=right>$29.95 </TD><TD class="borderTRL lightBlueBorder" vAlign=center>General Class study course (2-year subscription) </TD></TR><TR><TD class="borderTL lightBlueBorder" vAlign=center align=right>$34.95 </TD><TD class="borderTRL lightBlueBorder" vAlign=center>Extra Class study course (2-year subscription) </TD></TR><TR><TD class="borderTL lightBlueBorder" vAlign=center align=right>$49.95 </TD><TD class="borderTRL lightBlueBorder" vAlign=center>Limited-time offer: All three U.S. study courses purchased together (for the same user profile, 2-year subscription) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    It seems like a reasonable set of classes to me... Any suggestions are appreciated since I've never had an interest until recently.
     
  12. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    Sorry for not visiting in a while. I have been busy studying for my general license at QRZ.com. Better than taking classes that cost you money, study at your own pace, instant results. If all goes right, and the exam is given this Sat, I should be upgrading to general. Join ARRL too, lots of info there from members.
     
  13. dragonfly

    dragonfly Monkey+++

    Yeah, I 've been out for a few days back and forth..
    Seems someone brought home the flu bug,... and shared it!
    Lucky me!
    Bill
    (Trapper) yes, I live just off Deer Valley rd. @ I-17!
    Have to wait until my head clears to do much of anything now!
    Bill
     
  14. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    Used to hang out in Phoenix whenever I could get a weekend pass and had the money to travel there from San Diego, but that has to be about 40 years ago. I did make a trip out to see my cousins there a few years back. Wife nagged me all the way out and all the way back to about 35 miles from home. [beat][beat][beat] I told her to either shut up or get out and walk the rest of the way. I just about refused to ever take her in the car even to the store if she ever did that again to me. She did shut up and has been a little more pleasant on trips since than.:rolleyes: Can't imagine why! :rolleyes:

    Well, I didn't get to take the general exam yesterday as the VEs didn't have the right test material, but they did reschedule for this coming Saturday morning. Gave me a little longer to study.
     
  15. Cephus

    Cephus Monkey+++ Founding Member

    Don't know if ya have Navy MARS in your area,but if ya do ya may want check with them about Eq. .
    They used to give it away ,back in the 60's a few of us older guys used to work with the old model 28 teletype ,hell they even gave us generators and a couple of towers to work with .
    Just a thought
     
  16. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    Took my General exam today and passed it.
     
  17. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Good work. [beer]
     
  18. NVBeav

    NVBeav Monkey+++

    Awesome! That's a lot of studying... many kudos are in order.

    Are you going to keep going for the Extra? I've got about a month before I'll try the General exam.
     
  19. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    I took my Tech license test on the 2nd and missed one question. On the 28th (same month) I took the General and didn't miss any (100%). They (VEs) let me try the extra and I didn't pass that, but I had not studied much for it. Other factors were the setting, too much talking by the time I got the general done the ones that had taken the Tech exam all stood around talking and the VEs didn't tell them to be quiet. Actually I quit on the Extra and told the VE I couldn't concentrate. He did apologize for allowing the noise and talking. Fact is I was not ready for the Extra and knew it.

    To answer your question, Yes I do plan on continuing to get my Extra while it is all still fresh in my mind. I took a couple days off but have started studying again. Don't know why I want the Extra, just to prove to myself I can do it, maybe.

    The only rig I have yet is a 2M HT (handheld). To get out to the repeater, I built a ground plane antenna and stuck it on the roof. The little rubber (duck) on the HT does get the repeater, just not very good, (weak signal report). I've plans to buy a HF rig very soon, just haven't gotten around to place the order.
     
  20. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    Amateur Radio

    Bump! Got a lot of new members recently. Thought I'd revive this thread to see if there is any new interest in the hobby.
     
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