Any WI Hams out there?

I just took my Tech License, passed. Thought I would try the General License exam and ended up passing that one too.

I decided to get my License so I could keep in touch with friends if anything were to ever happen to normal communications.

Anybody around Milwaukee talk on the 2m bands much?

Thanks!

-HB65

I really need to do this but I so don't want another hobby...


I actually have a copy of radio shacks study book.. I should dust off on of these days..

Ditto. But I DO want another hobby. Have all three books, just need to read then buy equipment. That is next.

I'm not that active, but would definitely be down for making some local contacts. 2m or 70 cm only - radio will do HF, but no HF antenna (yet).

Pick a frequency and a time, who knows, maybe we can get a SE WI group going...?

If you study the guides in the 'cant fail' thread in the Ham radio section - its a breeze.

Tech+ here and, other than the Icom in the truck (which is near useless 'cuz the antennas won't tune up ), nothing else got unpacked when we moved here - 10yrs ago...

Oh, if you need to dust the book off, you may want to check with your library and see if they have a more current one! Some things have changed in the past few years!

I remember picking up a book and wanting to do this when I was young, but I just couldn't get passed the whole morse code thing. So I never did more than just read the book many years ago. I am assuming they have dropped the morse code part, or is that still part of it? Like others I really don't need (can not afford) another hobby now. I already got woodworking, home brewing, shooting, and cooking.

I am a general. 2 meter around here is kinda a good old boys club where the entry age is 70. NAM I believe is also a ham, but he lives elsewhere in the state.

KC9HEJ but I'm only on in the summer as my "ham shack" is on my boat.. but I'd be interested in participating sometimes

Up near point. General. Do mosty digital on HF. Will hopefully be picking up an amp this weekend. From time to time I monitor W9GAP, which has echolink access.

I'm just a tech, gota go for my general sometime soon. I can pick up 2m decently from were I live. I only have 2m 440 capability now till I upgrade radios and license. My. Call is kd0fke

Morse code is not required anymore which is nice. Getting a license is pretty easy!

I have a Yaesu VX-6 which I highly recommend. Its a 2m handheld that does a few other frequencies and has wide band receive, which means it can receive FM, AM, and a whole bunch of other channels. I can listen on CB and FRS/GMRS as well. In addition, its water resistant and meets military specifications.

If anybody has any questions let me know!

Yeah...getting the license is pretty easy these days. There are online practice tests available.

I highly recommend going straight for general. It's not that much harder, and HF is a far more versatile world.

ETA: K9ZW is also an arfcommer, and posts in the Ham Radio section from time to time. http://www.k9zw.com/Home/Welcome.html

My Step-Dad was a Ham for a gazillion years and I always wanted to get involved but..........., but now you've got me thinking.

What due we need to adminster the test.

Isn't it 2 General License's and a tester?


Maybe we could host a Ham N Cram someplace and a bunch of us could get our licenses on the same day??

Thoughts?

Must be VEs

http://www.arrl.org/volunteer-examiners

Seems like it would be easy enough to get the VE cert...I'd be game.

Ok Nam you get on that!!

When that's complete lets have a WI ARF Hometown HAM CRAM!

I am but one person. You need a minimum of 3 VEs.

however, I do have the paperwork filled out. If I don't get sidetracked, I should be able to fill it out and submit it tonight. Being that I am a general, I would only be able to assist with Tech license testing.

I think I know two or three people in the Green Bay Area that would help up out!

I am in Ozaukee County and a Tech, I haven't talked much on my radios as I have been busy with work and what not. I have many of the MKE 2M and 440 plugged into my FT-8800 and VX-7R. We even house some of the equipment for one of the local repeaters in our fire house here.

pinged K9ZW. iirc, he's in the Manitowoc area.

i would be up for a ham cram

that sounds horribly wrong.

As I just got my General, I would need to apply for the VE. I'm not sure if I am eligible but we will see.

JohnPublic - That would be awesome if you could get your Tech! I could easily reach you with my 2 meter Handheld and give you some early warning when the zombies are heading north from downtown Milwaukee!

LOL you are very right

I would be up for studying for ham with you guys

A HamCram would be a great idea.

First though - don't use old study materials - the tests & test questions have changed a fair bit over the last ten years, and nothing is more frustrating than studying stuff that was deleted or changed!

Big two for materials are the ARRL and Gordon West.

Different people find one or the other benefits them more. I personally prefered the Gordon West material, especially in making sense of teh Extra Class material.

I've fair bit on HamCram, including links in my web-blog "With Varying Frequency" at http://k9zw.wordpress.com

Having run a number of HamCrams, they do perfect for the right motivated people. Under 16s tend to have a hard time, as do people who are easily overloaded or just "know they can't learn ..." types.

For these people doing a longer broken up study is MUCH better.

There are several groups of Wisconsin VE Examiners who might be willing to do the testing.

Keep me posted & 73 (Best Regards)


Steve
K9ZW

I used the practice exams on eham and studied the ARRL books. What is really important, like Steve said, is to study the CURRENT question pool. Make sure it is up to date.

I found the Technician exam very easy (34/35) and the General a bit more involved (29/35). Most anyone should be able to get a Tech license.

I would be down for a WI HTF Ham Cram, as I could always go for my Extra class license for the heck of it and would be happy to help anybody as well!

I do need to go extra one of these days, but just haven't studied for it yet. Took it when I took my general for shits and giggles...bombed utterly. lol

I am in the same boat, I just looked at my ARRL study guide and was lamenting the fact that the question pool changes in June for extra. I need to get my ass in gear.

Did your call make it into the database yet?

Negative, I took the exam sunday and was told it would be about 10 days

I guess I just feel in the mood to get them all over with. Better now than to forget everything in a few years and have to restudy everything.

Keep checking for your call - we've been surprised that the last several test sessions that calls were issued within 3-4 days - one was 48 hours later for a group of 8 new techs.

http://www.wm7d.net/fcc_uls/call_report2.shtml is a decent resource to use to check for issued calls.

73

Steve
K9ZW

BLOG: With Varying Frequency - http://k9zw.wordpress.com

EZW (early zombie warning)
You keep finding all kinds of ways for me to support my toy habit.

Don't forget to sent out a SITREP to the ARFCOM Digital Guard Net.

Please excuse my ignorance but what's the difference between talkin on ham and cb other than the range. I used to talk on a cb a lot when I was in grade school but it got old after awhile. What kinda things do you do when you have all that high dollar equipment.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

CB is one firearm for all purposes.

Ham is many diffrerent firearms, each with it's particular purpose.

CB is good for short range communication. Typically between vehicles.

Ham has many different frequencies, modes, higher power, capabilities, etc. a CB either works, or it doesnt.. With ham, if you can't reach someone on one band, you can try another. or another, or another. And if that doesn't work, you could try digital (hook computer up to radio, much like a modem). There's also CW (morse code). not to mention, different radio types, antenna types, etc. With CB, your gear must be type accepted. With ham, it's much more open to tinkering. Not saying you HAVE to tinker....but you can.

I was always into rc stuff if I got a ham license would that give me the ability to use the bigger transmitters past the 2 watt range for radio control and video transmission . Or is that most likely a completely different license all together.


Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

I've never used ham for remote control. However, there are specific rules for doing so.

§97.215 Telecommand of model craft. -
An amateur station transmitting signals to control a model craft may be operated as follows:
(a) The station identification procedure is not required for transmissions directed only to the model craft, provided that a label indicating the station call sign and the station licensee's name and address is affixed to the station transmitter.
(b) The control signals are not considered codes or ciphers intended to obscure the meaning of the communication.
(c) The transmitter power must not exceed 1 W.

Remember, power isn't everything. it depends greatly on the frequency and antenna as well. Wikipedia shows that "Specialized long-range UHF control systems operating at 433 MHz (for amateur radio licensees only) or 869 MHz are commonly used to achieve greater control range, while the use of directional, high-gain antennas increases video range. Sophisticated setups are capable of achieving a range of 20–30 miles or more."

Have any of you hams ever tuned into a Number station? sorry couldnt help but bring it up

The first rule of being a number station is, you do not talk about being a number station.

lol

I'm sorry i had to go there i'm a bit of a conspiracy nerd I'm not saying i believe all of them but its fun to read about them

I have yet to actually hear one on the air. Heard plenty of stories and audio clips, but nothing live.

+1 I have only heard them on youtube. I have heard plenty of crazy things while spinning the dial, but no numbers stations.

lol...been listening to 14.313 again, eh? lol...

The 75/80m south will rise again roundtables are the worst. I've learned new racial slurs from ham radio

I'm not a Ham operator. but a friend i had when i was younger his dad is. in a huge way, but we must have been like 13-14 years old and his dad was driving us somewhere. And over the radio cam a mechanical voice saying a sting of numbers then saying "repeater Break wind" well me and my friend had a good laugh about that it said "break wind" i know it isn't a number station an dis a really common thing to hear coming over the radio but its just a funny story i thought i would share

Old, no code tech here. Could have aced General except for the MC requirement at the time I took my test (mild discalcula/dyslexia condition that renders code impossible for me to transcribe accurately).

I really need to take the new General test - even though I sold off most all the equipment I had.

I had problems with code as well, but jumped at the general as soon as they removed the code requirement.

I'm looking for equipment FMD, whatcha got left????

Tuned in over my lunch break, just in time to hear Lady GaGa played over some yelling and endless cw keying. lol...

Copyright © 1996 - 2013 :: AR15.Com LLC :: All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.