Power Kite Forum

Are you a HAM?

bison - 15-2-2008 at 10:38 AM

I just got my ham license and was wondering if there are any other buggiers that have a ham license?

I just starting out so I am only on 2M and 70CM. But maybe we can make contact over IRLP.

Sorry if this si a little off topic.

Bison
KE7RKI

BeamerBob - 15-2-2008 at 10:56 AM

I have MSN messenger. It can go all over the world. With video. Sorry for making fun. :smilegrin:

bison - 15-2-2008 at 11:42 AM

So how's your MSN when the power goes out? :lol:

Couldn't resist! :evil:

Bison

BeamerBob - 15-2-2008 at 11:51 AM

Hangs right in there with the HAM! back atcha.:lol:

bison - 15-2-2008 at 01:18 PM

For years, I wanted to get my license, just never got around to it.

Then the power went out for my entire county for a minimum of 6 days. Ran radio and scanner off of the car battery and an inverter. No phones, in fact no communication outside of the county. (even for the police for a couple of days) Couldn't even drive out as roads were blocked. My folks were freaking out, hadn't heard a word from me.

ONLY, communication available was the HAM guys! They coordinated all communications until FEMA showed up about 5 days in. I decided then I would never be cut off like that again.

Keep in mind when a cell phone loses coverage, most of the time you can still hit a repeater with a HAM radio AND NO MONTHLY BILL!!! :thumbup:

Bison

Sthrasher38 - 15-2-2008 at 05:48 PM

I love Ham!:smilegrin:

barnes - 16-2-2008 at 09:15 PM

Did you contact the teen radio club to let them know that the Hulk was in trouble too?

But really, I'd be really into ham if I had money.

action jackson - 17-2-2008 at 03:32 AM

We have a pretty good system at work, i let aries run the show though. They can be a big help when the sh(t hits the fan.I have the study book at he bottom of the pile on my desk.................aj

CyberMuZ - 17-2-2008 at 09:23 AM

I have been pondering on getting my license for a while now. My Dad is an old school HAM, lol. Sorry that just sounded funny.

Maybe this will give me some inspiration to get mine. I just figured that the only guy I know on HAM was my Dad, and if I want to talk to him I can just drive 1.5 miles up the street. :)

bison - 22-2-2008 at 09:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CyberMuZ
I have been pondering on getting my license for a while now.


I pondered for many years, didn't know anybody etc, then a new person a work started talking about going to a class. I signed up and passed that weekend. Best to take it I must say. At least in the way they taught the class made passing the test easier.

I get my handheld next week and we have quite the network of HAMs here on the North Oregon/South Washington Coast. But then after the last storm its not too surprising the number of new HAMs in this area.

kullas - 22-2-2008 at 11:15 AM

Do ya still have to know Morse code to get your license

bison - 22-2-2008 at 12:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kullas
Do ya still have to know Morse code to get your license


NOT ANY MORE! The Morse Code requirement seems to be dropping away as the FCC changes the rules. The class was the way to go for me. Knew a little bit about it and having an electronics background helped with the tech stuff. The rest was just operations stuff, etc...

Oh yeah, goto eham.net or arrl.com for more info and classes in your area.

kullas - 22-2-2008 at 09:05 PM

The reason i ask was that about 10 or so years ago i talked on the CB alot base station tower beams and a little power to push the CB :) i say a little was 3000 watts. i got all the books i needed to study and when i found about the morse code i put the books down and kept on talking on the CB

bigkahuna - 23-2-2008 at 03:05 AM

Now that we're moving into a house (been living in condos for years) I'm thinking about buying a rig and going on the air again. If I do, I'll probably hang out on 10 or 15 meters, you get a lot of long distance coms that way. I used 2m a bit while living in California to take advantage of the repeaters they have there (used their free phone patches to call home while I was sailing up the coast). I also used 40 and 20 meters a fair bit while sailing our sailboat across the Pacific.

Getting a ham license has never been easier. Look around, lots of places have ham clubs that offer free classes to prep you for the exam. I studied on my own for a couple days and passed the Novice (which required morse back then) then studied a couple weeks to pass the general. The best way to learn morse I think is to get on 40 meters with a key and start tapping. I found lots of hams that were very patient and would tap at 1 or 2 words a minute to help me out. You'll be surprised how fast you pick it up.

73's de KF6TIL