Getting started in amateur radio
Hi friends,
I was licensed many years ago, but I've come across an online training site to which I have referred some aspiring hams. It's
HamTestOnline™ - Ham Radio Exam Courses. They let you try it for free, and the cost for Technician license traning is $24.95. They claim that ten hours of online training will prepare you to pass the Technician test, and that makes sense to me. Once you are prepared to take the Technician test, you will need to take the test from a volunteer examiner.
ARRL (the U.S. amateur radio society) has info on license classes and exam sessions at
ARRL | Licensing, Education & Training | Getting on the Air.
A low-cost and versatile series of handheld radios are the Wouxun dual-band handhelds (manufactured in China and marketed worldwide, including the U.S.). These cover the VHF Hi-Band (136-174 mHz) and UHF (420-470 mHz) bands. (Actually, there are several slightly different band ranges, so be sure to get the radio that meets your needs.) There are also versions which cover VHF Hi-Band and the 220 mHz band. These radios are legal to use in the ham bands, and also legel (for properly licensed users) to use in public safety and commercial bands.
Furthermore, the Wouxun radios meet the techncial requirements for operation on MURS, GMRS, and Marine VHF frequencies, although the manufacturer did not explicitly apply for FCC equipment authorization in those bands.
These radios will also operate on FRS frequencies, but the power of the radios (1 watt and 4 or 5 watts) is higher than that authorized by FRS rules.
Note that only the very latest version -- the KG-UV6D -- can transmit and receive on the new Part 90 (commercial and public safety) 7.5 kHz spaced channels. The earlier versions of the radio will be off by 2.5 kHz.
I only mention this specific brand of radio because 1) I own two of them; 2) They work reliably for me; 3) They are cheap!
Here is a review of the Wouxun dual-banders from ARRL's QST magazine:
http://www.powerwerx.com/download/WouxunQSTReview.pdf.
I bought mine at
Wouxun KG-UVD1P - KG-UV2D - KG-UV920R Mobile Transceiver. Some other reputable dealers who are selling lots of thse radios are
Powerwerx: Online Shopping for Anderson Power Products Powerpoles, Wouxun Radios, Wire & Cable, Adapter Cables, Powerpole Power Splitters, West Mountain Radio RIGrunner & more and
Home.
In my car I use a roof-mounted mag-mount antenna with my Wouxuns for much better range.
David, K7DB
How do I get started in ham radios? What do I need to do first? I know about CB's because I drive a trk and I plan on putting a CB into the suburban I just got but was interested in a ham radio. Any idea's?