Who Ham? You Ham?

[Cincinnatus]

Has any hammerererer ever used their FRN? I had to go thru the rigmarole of submitting my FRN for a password so I could get a CORES Incident Tracking Number, which required a security question for my FRN access.

Definition of Federal Bureaucracy, see Gordian Knot.

Definition of Gordian Knot, see Federal Bureaucracy.

 

[OldFatGuy]

KY6WTF here.

I have a Kenwood TM-V71A dual-band mobile rig that I just use for 4WD runs (it's mounted in my trail rig). Got my license earlier this year, but I haven't really spent any time on the radio, other than to communicate with my friends on the trail.

 

[Cincinnatus]

KY6WTF here.

I have a Kenwood TM-V71A dual-band mobile rig that I just use for 4WD runs (it's mounted in my trail rig). Got my license earlier this year, but I haven't really spent any time on the radio, other than to communicate with my friends on the trail.

WTF??? :rofl

You usually pay extra for that. :teeth

Dammit, I didn't see the KY, either. Dude, you're just trouble in River City. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qam1fbQmA_s

 

[Cincinnatus]

Ham radio go bags, anything special you guys carry, besides a 40-pack of Duracell AA batteries?

 

[OldFatGuy]

WTF??? :rofl

You usually pay extra for that. :teeth

KY usually costs extra, too.

 

[Cincinnatus]

See edit above, Tom.

:rofl

 

[OldFatGuy]

:laughing

 

[Hoho]

Has any hammerererer ever used their FRN? I had to go thru the rigmarole of submitting my FRN for a password so I could get a CORES Incident Tracking Number, which required a security question for my FRN access.

Definition of Federal Bureaucracy, see Gordian Knot.

Definition of Gordian Knot, see Federal Bureaucracy.

Yep, used it to update my address with the FCC a few years ago. Easy peasy.

KY6WTF here.

I have a Kenwood TM-V71A dual-band mobile rig that I just use for 4WD runs (it's mounted in my trail rig). Got my license earlier this year, but I haven't really spent any time on the radio, other than to communicate with my friends on the trail.

That's an awesome callsign, Tom! :thumbup

 

[Cincinnatus]

I wonder if WTFOVR is taken.... :laughing

Just checked, it's not. arty

Dunno if the FCC would allow it, tho...

 

[dmaxAl]

I did chew the rag one evening with a guy who's 1x3 was WTF

and that reminds me, looks like fcc didnt update my addy change, so I goot grit ma teeth and hit that website..

 

[Cincinnatus]

How'd that rag taste? :teeth

 

[EastBayDave]

This little thing?? I think it's 5 watts.

Yeah I'm getting my radios confused. My 1st radio was a FT101EX Yaesu but I quickly changed to Icom ever since then (1977'.)

Most HF radios are 100 watts, so that's approximately ~20amps or so. Far more than most bikes supply on their "AUX" circuit (typically attached at the fuse box.)

Far better to attach an HT via Bluetooth. The 5 watt demand should be handled by an output at the fuse box or battery. I know couple guys who tried it, & used it up in redwood country up North. Guess performance was poor at any distance non-repeater usage.

They told me even a CB (10/11 meters) radio would be better for distance; or you could always try a bluetooth "family radio."

 

[dmaxAl]

this post is really for me to remember to post up how I used that scala thingy along with bt headset and a ptt on the handlebar to drive my vx8dr..

On 5W and handhelds - this is really an area where a proper antenna canmake these little radios sing, even with only 5W. Same goes for a properly installed vehicle mount.. im tlaking vhf here obv..

<edit> btw which 2m repeaters can everyone open? I can hear all the way to N6NFI from here in Alamo - mt diablo repeater is line of sight from my shack so thats pretty easy to tickle at qrp

 

[Butch]

I met some ham radio dudes on the top of Mt Hamilton. Hams on Ham. They were cool dudes.

 

[Cincinnatus]

Were they ham-handed?

 

[mwndoza]

So I'm totally new to the whole HAM scene, but does anyone know what the freq. is for emergency services, like in case of SHTF scenarios. I know I have to get a lic. for it, and also, where did you guys get your book to read up and learn about it.

Thanks! :thumbup

 

[Ironbutt]

So I'm totally new to the whole HAM scene, but does anyone know what the freq. is for emergency services, like in case of SHTF scenarios. I know I have to get a lic. for it, and also, where did you guys get your book to read up and learn about it.

Thanks! :thumbup

Channel 9 on the CB. :cool

Just get a book from radio shack or the AARL handbook and go to town.

 

[Hoho]

ARRL has resouces that you can use.

AA9PW has practice tests that has the actual test question pool. Note that the question pool will change next year.

 

[Cincinnatus]

CB is not ham. :laughing

Given the frequency ranges available just for hams in the 2-meter & 70-cm bands, there are tens of thousands of frequencies you can broadcast & receive. http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Band Chart/Hambands_color.pdf

http://www.arrl.org/ is the main source for all hammers.

The exam is based on electronics and radio knowledge, so if you've already got a background in EE or general computer knowledge, it's much easier than going in cold.

You can take a one-day exam-prep class for around $25, http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class

The exam itself is $15, and a re-test is possible the same day. Exam question pool is http://www.arrl.org/question-pools

Getting smart about ham radio is almost impossible without working with hammers, so joining a club and working with the folks in the club is highly recommended. If you don't have the requisite knowledge first, then http://www.arrl.org/shop/What-s-New/. Get one of the books & start reading. :thumbup

 

[rodr]

You can just go through the ARRL License Manual and learn in a couple of days what you need to pass the exam. It's not hard.