HAM Radio Discussion

When you listen you will get how others talk. plus if you flubb up usually people are cool about it.

Us folks really need to nail down a weekly time to meet on the radio, and a repeater that most of us can get to.

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Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

I bought a FT-60R a few weeks ago. Also bought an extra battery pack, a 12VDC car charger, a programming cable, and a Diamond SRH320A antenna for it. I'm about to start reading this thread from the beginning and start studying. I took a practice technician's test without knowing anything about Ham and scored a 28/35. A few of them were lucky guesses, and quite a few were caught up in the cobwebs from several years ago. I didn't think there would be so many questions on simple electronics diagrams and principles. I definitely don't know any of the Ham protocol. I looked up some local repeaters and was able to listen in easy enough, but that's not very useful for me yet.

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I ran through the questions at hamstudy.org for a few hours before taking the technician test. It has the entire test bank and will keep giving you the questions you miss more frequently so that you improve quickly. Spend a few hours there and you'll probably score perfectly on the test.

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Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

I bought a FT-60R a few weeks ago. Also bought an extra battery pack, a 12VDC car charger, a programming cable, and a Diamond SRH320A antenna for it. I'm about to start reading this thread from the beginning and start studying. I took a practice technician's test without knowing anything about Ham and scored a 28/35. A few of them were lucky guesses, and quite a few were caught up in the cobwebs from several years ago. I didn't think there would be so many questions on simple electronics diagrams and principles. I definitely don't know any of the Ham protocol. I looked up some local repeaters and was able to listen in easy enough, but that's not very useful for me yet.

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Get the AA battery adaptor for your radio if you don't already have it. You'll have added utility in SHTF or emergencies.

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

Us folks really need to nail down a weekly time to meet on the radio, and a repeater that most of us can get to.

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I'd very much like that. I need practice not sounding like an idiot.

OK, I just read through this entire thread and I'm interested. I have ZERO knowledge of this stuff beyond what I've read here.

Since I live in the mountains, is it even worth getting into this? I've read some comments about "line of sight". I have about 50 yards from my house to thick trees, and I spend 90% of my driving time up here. I don't want to spend a bunch of time/$$ for nothing.

I think amateur radio is even more important in mountainous areas. How is your cell coverage? With repeaters, you can communicate in an emergency even when there is no cell coverage.

I don't use my HT often, but take it with me on every trip, no matter where I go. If bad things happen, I only need to get a msg to another HAM and I trust the msg will be relayed. From anywhere, to anywhere, any time of day.

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Originally Posted by GilpinGuy

OK, I just read through this entire thread and I'm interested. I have ZERO knowledge of this stuff beyond what I've read here.

Since I live in the mountains, is it even worth getting into this? I've read some comments about "line of sight". I have about 50 yards from my house to thick trees, and I spend 90% of my driving time up here. I don't want to spend a bunch of time/$$ for nothing.

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Can you see the top of any mountains that have a repeater up there? I think Lookout Mountain and Pikes Peak?

http://www.repeaterbook.com/repeater....w6ZzrnXj.dpbs

Gilpin Repeaters. I think I was successful at contacting the two on Thorodin Mountain with my Baofeng before.

He should be able to hit Pikes Peak, but it really depends on the immediate terrain. If you live in a valley and can't see pikes peak, then you probably won't be able to hit it.

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

http://www.repeaterbook.com/repeater....w6ZzrnXj.dpbs

Gilpin Repeaters. I think I was successful at contacting the two on Thorodin Mountain with my Baofeng before.

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Thorodin Mountain is pretty close. Sweet - thanks!