Passed ham tests Wed night

[Singlestack]

I was able to pass the Technician and General tests Wed night, and just missed the Extra class license. Have a Baofeng UV-5R handheld arriving in a few days; ought to be fun. I don't really consider myself to be a "ham", per se, but wanted some options to communicate if cell phones and landlines are down in an emergency. Thinking some of these modes might be useful for forum members to stay in Comm.

[ruffian]

Congrats! Been studying myself...just can't seem to get time to take the test....long drive for me. This topic came up at this weeks team meet. A lot of interest on the comms angle. Post your call sign when available.

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[streetglideok]

Congrats on getting your ticket. I passed my tech, then upgraded last year to general, wife has her tech. Even if you don't consider yourself a ham, you'll want to learn how to use the radios effectively, how to get into repeaters if need be, and a basic understanding of nets. You'd be amazed how many struggle setting their radio up for repeater use, and you don't want to find out where you're lacking at when the chips are down.

[asmo]

Damnit I need to do mine. Now that I have finished one of my other certifications I need to knock this out. Thank you for the reminder.

[Singlestack]

Going to Ham Radio outlet on Iliff in a few minutes. One of the guys who works there (Russ) I think lives in Elizabeth and is the comms expert for the prepper group he belongs to. He suggested the ARRL Technician level study guide for me, which I picked up. He didn't recommend the General book as much - said if I just take the General practice exams on line (EHams, for example), Id be fine if I did a good reading of the Tech book - which I did. If he is there today, going now to ask him what the next step is for me. I really don't care about all of the traditional ham stuff - contests, making friends around the world, etc. More concerned about SHTF comms.

One area that did concern me a bit was about RDF (radio direction finding), which the ham community has some contests around and also uses to track down "offending transmitters". In times of peace, thats all fine and good, but in SHTF has some dangerous applications...nuff said.

I should have my call sign in a week or so, which I'll post.

[sroz]

Congratulations, Singlestack. Not one myself, but can definitely see the value of it.

[Singlestack]

Thanks Sroz. BTW, becoming a ham is pretty darn cheap. The exam (however many you are able to pass in one sitting) costs $14. The radio (Baofeng UV-5R) with accessories (antenna upgrade, additional high capacity battery pack, rainproof speaker mic with cord, USB programming cable) cost $114. Then this morning bought an up-to-date sheet with all of the state of CO repeaters on it ($3). Thats $131 for everything, including tax and shipping.

Russ at Ham Radio outlet said that he would be happy to talk to any of you guys looking to get into ham and walk you through what you need to do. Although I went the cheap route on the radio, Russ does recommend some better Yaesu models that they carry at the store. I wanted to go cheap, since I didn't want a lot invested if for some reason it wasn't for me.

One thing he suggested was starting a COAR-15 radio net and prepare to use it if SHTF. Might be useful to find out who is interested, and maybe schedule a meeting to figure out how involved people want to get and what the net should be used for.

[streetglideok]

One thing he suggested was starting a COAR-15 radio net and prepare to use it if SHTF. Might be useful to find out who is interested, and maybe schedule a meeting to figure out how involved people want to get and what the net should be used for.

This is probably a really good idea if you ask me. There are some nets on HF with the arfcom people, that you'd need a general or higher to do. I myself have a pair of 2m mobiles, one of which is mounted in my jeep, and then I have a yaesu ft60r handheld. Once you start using the radios, you'll realize the benefits of having a handheld, and the disadvantages as well. There are several linked repeaters in the area as well, the colorado connection group has a bunch of linked sites. The only bad thing is, and this has come up in ares, they rely on internet service to link the sites. What happens if or when the net goes down? Food for thought.

[streetglideok]

Also, the FCC can use the same directional finding as well, its pretty basic stuff, and in a shtf situation, something you'd want to know how to do as well. I wouldn't be worried about hams hunting you down, unless you're on the air causing mayhem.

[asmo]

One thing he suggested was starting a COAR-15 radio net and prepare to use it if SHTF. Might be useful to find out who is interested, and maybe schedule a meeting to figure out how involved people want to get and what the net should be used for.

That is a good idea. I'm interested.