Could you use a study/motivation partner? [Ham Radio Study]

[Oldbitcollector (Jeff)]

Ken's recent reply in this thread has got me thinking...

There is an item on my bucket list that has been there the longest: Passing my amateur radio exam.

When I first started studying, it required morse code. This has changed.

Question:

Is there anyone else here who has the same goal and would like to become a motivation partner in learning and passing the test? We'll steal this thread to post up some accountability about spending some time studying, and toss tricks/etc back and forth.

We can celebrate passing the exam on this thread..

Anyone else want to get this off their list with me?

OBC

[erco]

I have my Extra ticket, it's a great goal to shoot for. I'm not currently active, but I have still all my ham gear in the closet. Gonna bust it out one day. And I'm gonna build my newly-acquired unbuilt HW-9 someday, too!

Ironically, I like CW for its purity & efficiency. Plus, I'm a grumpy old guy and "that's the way it was' back in the 1970's when I got my Novice ticket, WN4CIK. Ten years ago when I went to upgrade from Advanced to Extra, I was extremely disappointed that the code requirement had been dropped.

Good luck on your quest, OM. 73's

[sylvie369]

I studied for the Tech license using the ARRL's "Let's Get Talking" (Or is it "Now You're Talking"? I don't remember) a few years ago. The day I showed up at Amateur Electronic Supply to take the test, I expected to be one of maybe three people there. Instead, there was a line around the building - it happened to be about three days after the code requirement was eliminated, and every Tech in town was there to upgrade to General.

I passed the Tech exam easily (and Jeff, I have no doubt that you'll fly through it as well). Then they told me I could try for General without having to pay anything extra. Why not? I took it, and passed by the skin of my teeth, without having studied for it at all (and Jeff, I'll bet you could go right to General as well).

Paul
KC9KST

[Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)]

This book is all you really need:

http://www.arrl.org/shop/Ham-Radio-L...dition/?page=1

BTW, even though Amazon has the "same" book for less, don't buy it from them. It's not the latest edition and does not include the current pool of exam questions.

Here's where you can find an exam session near where you live:

http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-...e-exam-session

-Phil

[Duane Degn]

Jeff,

I want to join you. I noted the walkie talkies I purchased a few years ago at Sam's Club stated the radios required a technician's license to use.

I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one buying them (and using them) who didn't have a license.

Anyone know what kind of license I need to send a radio up in a weather balloon?

I'm off to buy the book.

Duane

Edit: I just purchased the book. $40.45 shipped.

[Dave Hein]

Someone with a basic understanding of circuit design and radio transmission should be able to pass the technician test with very little preparation. Some of the questions are just common sense, such as whether it's a good idea to install a tall antenna under power lines. The only questions that require some memorization are the regulatory ones, like what is the region number for North America. When I got my technician license I prepared by just taking the online tests until I felt like I knew it pretty well.

You may want to study up on all three levels. If you pass the technician test you can take the general test, and if you pass that you can take the extra test -- all on the same day. I only studied for the technician test, but I passed the general test also. I missed passing the extra test by one question.

[Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)]

OBC,

You've been putting this off for awhile, haven't you?

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?115166

-Phil

[Duane Degn]

What kind of license does one need to have a microcontroller send an automated message?

I image a lot depends on the transmission frequency and power?

I've been thinking about this for a few years now. Thanks Jeff for getting me to take some action.

Duane

[Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)]

What kind of license does one need to have a microcontroller send an automated message?

A Technician Class license is all you need for that, but you will be restricted by frequency and power. See this:

http://www.arrl.org/frequency-allocations

-Phil

[ratronic]

Back when I took the test for the technician class license I studied Morse code by writing a program on the C64 that would sound out the beeps for the key you hit. But sadly today I have to admit I barely remember a dit for a "E" and dah for a "T".

[Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)]

As a teen, studying for my General Class license, I made my own Morse study tape by writing down pages of random letters -- too many to memorize -- and recorded them using a code practice oscillator. Then I could play back the tape and compare what I copied to the original list. When I took the test at the FCC office in Indianapolis, their code was much cleaner, more regular, and, thus, easier to copy. It was still a struggle to copy 13 wpm, but I passed. I've never been able to copy that fast since.

-Phil

[erco]

@PhiPi: I did that too, using a cassette tape recorder! Random letters are great for real code practice.

After I got my Novice license, I used the tape recorder to automate my CQ call. I recorded a minute of "CQ CQ CQ de WA4CIK" from my hand-keyed oscillator, and played that audio back through a bridge rectifier & filter, to drive a relay which keyed my trusty Heathkit DX-60B.

[Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)]

I had the matching HR-10 receiver but no money to buy a transmitter for Novice operation. So I borrowed my uncle's DX-20 until I passed my General test and had some bucks for a better transmitter, a Johnson Viking AM/CW unit that I picked up at a hamfest. I later modified it for FSK to use with a Western Union TTY.

-Phil

[Oldbitcollector (Jeff)]

Duane,

Your on! Just ordered the same book. Amazon Prime $29.95 (shipped)

(Double checked ISBN, right book. Yes there are a bunch of the old copies up there, cheaper.)

Anyone else want to join the fun?

OBC

Jeff,

I want to join you. I noted the walkie talkies I purchased a few years ago at Sam's Club stated the radios required a technician's license to use.

I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one buying them (and using them) who didn't have a license.

Anyone know what kind of license I need to send a radio up in a weather balloon?

I'm off to buy the book.

Duane

Edit: I just purchased the book. $40.45 shipped.

[Oldbitcollector (Jeff)]

/hangs head in shame...

OBC,

You've been putting this off for awhile, haven't you?

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?115166

-Phil

[Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)]

/hangs head in shame...

Hey, man, no need to. Just whisper "PropCam", and I'll be right there with you.

-Phil

[Loopy Byteloose]

Is Morse Code still required to achieve the rank of First Class in the Boy Scouts?
Maybe they should now require ASCII and EBDIC.

I'd love to get a license, but being in Taiwan creates a real barrier to doing so. Even if I got the US license, I doubt I'd be allowed to use it here.

[ratronic]

@Loopy they don't allow amatuer radio in your country?

[Leon]

I found this web page describing the situation there:

http://pa2bx.nl/PA-to-BX/?Amateur_radio_in_Taiwan

I don't think that Taiwan can issue internationally recognised licenses, which could cause problems, and there are difficulties operating there with foreign licenses.

[ratronic]

thanks for that info Leon