Anyone into Ham radio?

[J.Rambo]

What's up arrma folks? Just curious, anyone into ham radio?

For a living, I install fire alarms andDAS systems. ERRCS (Emergency Responder Radio Communication System) in particular but not limited to. My shop required me to get my GROL(General Radio Operators License) so that I can work on these types of radio systems. I've successfully installed/commissioned a few systems already. Part of the job is to take readings inside buildings. Normally, the city's FD or PD has loaner radios. Well, one city (unnamed) didn't have a loaner for their VHF band, so my work purchased a pair for me to use. AWESOME! I LOVE NEW TOOLS!
However, I just realized that I don't know how to use and program a transceiver! How ironic that I fix/install these systems but don't know how to operate the end user equipment! Shame on me!

Anyways, any of you guys into Ham radio? I'm interested in learning and getting licensed to help further my knowledge and skills in the radio world. Any help or info is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Jerold]

I got my ham license during the pandemic. It's pretty straight forwards to do. The test has some number of known questions (428) and the actual test will be a subset (35) of them. So if you memorize the answers of the 428, you're done. It's not that hard really.

If you have any background in electronics some of them will be easy. (answer is D)

Others are from high school electronics class.

Some of them you just memorize.

If you read the explanation it will give you some clues. ... for what that is worth. In this case, I just remember long wavelengths (low frequencies) bounce more.

You can sign up for a class where you cram all day with other people, called a ham cram.
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class

Or you can do what I did, which is do practice tests for about a week (~1-2hr a day) then go take it. I used this website, it's free and has a lot of feedback about your progress. I was cranking through a test in about 15 mins with 95% at the end.
https://hamstudy.org/tech2022

I took my test in Fremont on Warm springs. I don't recall which club sponsored it though, but there are lots of tests when you're ready.
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

You will learn about what the radio settings mean, or at least learn to understand the instructions. To be useful, you will need to find your local frequencies. Carla is a network in California. If I know someone will be on or I'm just monitoring I typically use Carla 7 or Carla 10. There are some tones you have set to get to the entire network.
http://www.carlaradio.net/

A ham license makes you a license FCC radio station and you are allowed to build radios and experiment. So there is some safety stuff that matters, but if your not doing that a lot of it comes down to the correct settings and etiquette so it doesn't end up being like CB, full of hooligans.

 

[Reverendg]

Been an extra class for 20 years licensed for 30. Antenna farm needs some work these days, and not much time to sit and gab. Never really took to the digital modes, cw is ok, but ssb is really my place. 6m, 40m, 80m were my favorites.

 

[Reverendg]

I can remember when CB (citizens band) was a licensed band, class d radio. And radio control of aircraft cars and boats were class C licensed frequencies. There were some RC frequencies in the 6 meter ham band, you needed an amateur radio license for those. I think you had to be 12 for a Class C radio control license. I know I had one back then.

 

[lipo-joe]

KC2THB

 

[Reverendg]

KC2THB

AB8TF