Passed ham tests Wed night

[sealer]

I've been trying to follow this thread but haven't been very diligent. Please bare with me if I ask questions that have already been answered.

#1 Is there anyone on this thread that works at HRO?
#2 Can a "newbie" attend the proposed meeting on the 24th?

I'm very interested in getting involved, but I'll admit, I'm a bit intimidated. Civil Engineering/Transportation Surveying background but I get lost when you guys start talking freqs, bands, or "2M" radios. Sorry, I don't know the difference between a 1M, 2M, or 8000M. That probably doesn't exist but I was just pointing to my stupidity on the subject.

Thx - Drew

[baglock1]

I'm very interested in getting involved, but I'll admit, I'm a bit intimidated. Civil Engineering/Transportation Surveying background but I get lost when you guys start talking freqs, bands, or "2M" radios. Sorry, I don't know the difference between a 1M, 2M, or 8000M. That probably doesn't exist but I was just pointing to my stupidity on the subject.

Hey Drew,

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I'm not licensed but I can answer some of these questions in a real general manner. Understanding however will only come through actually being involved in it. My knowledge comes from a really strong, albeit shallow, understanding of basic electronics and the RF spectrum.

Freqs refers to the specific frequency one is transceiving on.
Band refers to the specific section of the RF spectrum. For instance, when you are listening to the radio, it might be 102.3 Mhz (the frequency) on the FM band (a range of frequencies). Other bands (designated by their own specific range of frequencies) include HF (High Frequency), VHF (Very HF), or UHF (Ultra HF). These are just a few bands. There are many.
2M or 8M or whatever refers to a radio that is designed to receive/transmit on a specific category of wavelengths (inverse relationship to frequency). A 2M refers to 2 meters or a radio utilizing wavelengths in the 2 meter range (peak to peak of the wavelength is 2 meters long).

It can be confusing but once you start working with it a little it gets pretty easy to understand.

[sealer]

Whoa!!!

Should I get a study guide before I go to HRO or even open the HAM book?

Dang Badger football games on Saturday mornings?!?!!!? No wonder my parents were upset about those 6 years...