How to get a HAM license ?
Bean
Posts: 8,129
I'd like to get a HAM license to experiment with long range communications.
But I have no idea how to go about it.
How do I study for the test ? Where do I take the test ? Etc.
Any suggestions ? I live near Harrisburg PA. Any HAMs in the area that can help ?
Bean.
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Money is not that important....In the grand scheme of things.
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But I have no idea how to go about it.
How do I study for the test ? Where do I take the test ? Etc.
Any suggestions ? I live near Harrisburg PA. Any HAMs in the area that can help ?
Bean.
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Money is not that important....In the grand scheme of things.
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Comments
Or go here:
http://www.arrl.org/
the grand-daddy of all US HAM radio
HTH
- Howard
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You have the good fortune asking this question on the eve of the 24-hour amateur radio operating event called Field Day. Field Day is a sort of a large scale Emergency Communications drill that currently involves more than 30,000 hams annually in the US. We set up a temporary site, attempt to make as many different contacts as possible, and then tear-down the site. Many Field Day sites are operated by clubs, and welcome visitors, especially those visitors who express an interest in becoming licensed.
Go to ARRL's Field Day Locator (www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/locator.php) and enter "Harrisburg, PA" (or whatever your point of interest) in the Location search field. Searching for Harrisburg shows 4 sites listed; and I know that the South Mountain Radio Amateurs SMRA (Carlisle) is now offering license testing at their monthly meetings. Not all sites list on the ARRL locator, so check out your local newspapers--they may mention a site near you.
If you enter W3ACH in the search field, you will find us a little farther south in Chambersburg. And if you come around a mealtime (every 6 hours from Noon Saturday) I'll feed you--in addition to being the our club's president, I'm the Field Day chef.
Most field day sites will be setting up from sometime Saturday morning, and the operating portion starts 2:00pm and continues until at least 2:00 pm Sunday afternoon. Stop in somewhere, and undoubtedly some ham will try to get you to make some contacts.
73,
Daniel KB3MUN
Post Edited (daniel) : 6/25/2009 3:05:16 AM GMT
My two 13 year olds studied using HamTestOnline. We are now a family of four HAMs, W9KFO, W9JFO, W9LFO and of course myself.
Rich H
If you now live in WA, how'd they get W9 numbers?
Bean,
Take SRLM's advice. The Ham Radio License Manual is what got me going again after a long hiatus. The online tests are a big help, too.
-Phil (AD7YF)
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Beau Schwabe
IC Layout Engineer
Parallax, Inc.
When I was 12, you had to test for morse code and wait for a local exam. It has gotten much easier. My code never got up to speed, so I never got it. But I did get my Boy Scout First Class, which required I recite the code from memory. I wonder a bit about the Morse Code in Chinese.....
The only drawback is that components have gotten smaller and smaller with more and more integration. So it is more abstract for a kid to learn and apply.
Can one get an overseas call sign for starters? The ARRL is by and far the best resource for license information, also usually the cheapest. If you need more fundamental theory, the NEETs course is free and very useful.
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Ain't gadetry a wonderful thing?
aka G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan
Post Edited (Loopy Byteloose) : 6/25/2009 7:57:18 AM GMT
The online tests are for practice only. The real thing is administered by a trio of local hams who are registered with the FCC. I took my tests at a local fire hall. It sure beats going to the Federal Building in the nearest big city for an appontment with humorless bureaucrats. I still remember my General Class test at the Federal Building in Indianapolis when I was a teen. Back then there was a Morse code test, too. That's gone away — a fact which I have mixed feelings about.
Chris,
U.S. callsigns must begin with W, K, N, or A. There can be another letter after that. The number (0 - 9) is regional. This is followed by two or three letters. So the total number of so-called "2x3" (2 letters, number, three letters) callsigns is 4 * 26 * 10 * 26 * 26 * 26 = 18,279,040. There are also 1x2, 1x3, and 2x2 callsigns. It appears that the FCC does not recycle them either. My old callsign from the '60s would still be available to me if I wanted it, since it has not been reassigned.
-Phil
Post Edited (Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)) : 6/25/2009 8:42:47 AM GMT
Let me know how this turns out. I am in the same area
--AJ
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Basic Stamp,···· Propeller,·· · SX,·· FUN!
START:·
>Proccessing Data. . . .··
>Task Complete. . .·.
>Saving Data. . . .
>Entering SLEEP Mode. . . .
>Signing OFF
·
VK2ZTZ licenced but not active.
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Links to other interesting threads:
· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80), MoCog (6809)
· Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
My original call was KD7DPY. I especially did not care for the "DPY" part so I applied for a vanity call. When the others got their licenses they also applied for vanities. It is only $12 for ten years, not too bad for being able to choose your own callsign.
Regarding total number of calls available, you need to alter that calculation just a bit. There are some two letter prefix combinations that are not allowed. I haven't looked it up in a while but I think KA, KI, KO and some others are prohibited.
Rich H
You have the coolest ham call EVER!
I love that old film..now every time I see it I will think of you.
CQ Vega... this is W9GFO
Thanks Holly
Old film? It's not that old!
Rich H
I just received notice of a Technician Class class / exam that will be happening on August 29 & 30 at West Earl Fire Company, 14 School Lane, Brownstown, PA 17508.
This two-day class culminate in a testing session and is located northeast of Lancaster. Send me a PM with an email address if interested in the flyer.
Sorry for the interruption, and thanks for sharing the bandwidth.
Daniel KB3MUN
for several months now, I've been mulling over getting the tech class license for experimenting with long-distance communications too.
so I'm curious as to what you're interested in trying - do you have anything specific in mind?
- Howard
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Leon
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Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
The FCC rules, informally known as Part 97, govern ham operations in the US; for example, sections 97.215 & 97.216 www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/c.html#215 shows the following:
§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. §97.217 Telemetry. Telemetry transmitted by an amateur station on or within 50 km of the Earth's surface is not considered to be codes or ciphers intended to obscure the meaning of communications.A little earlier in the rules, section 97.211 discusses telecommand of a space station.
And then there is an whole other section of rules, called Part 15 www.arrl.org/tis/info/part15.html (devices operating under part 15 do not generally require license, but need to take care to behave nicely in as RF manner).
So it would depend on what Bean has in mind.
BTW, I understand that RC systems of aircraft and watercraft using ham frequencies are 'popular', as the frequencies used are not as 'crowded' as the standard non-licensed RC transmitters use. See www.fly-imaa.org/imaa/hfarticles/electro/v8-4-15.html--some of the ham license requirements have been 'relaxed' since that article was apparently written in 1988. See also en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-controlled_aircraft#Frequencies_and_sub-channels.
Daniel
§97.217 = Telemetry
Daniel,
.217 seems like of the most interest for data communications only. I read this a while back, and just again now...
Assuming the correct class of license, band, etc., you guys do bi-directional telemetry often, right?
But does station to station have to be between two different HAMS, or could I say control my home-based Propeller with my office-based Propeller using telemetry and one call sign? (Aside to Leon - I do understand your concerns.)
thanks,
Howard
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You could monitor something using a transmitter at home with a receiver in the office, presumably.
Two-way communication has to be between two radio amateurs.
Leon
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Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
Post Edited (Leon) : 6/26/2009 12:28:12 AM GMT
- H
[noparse][[/noparse]edit - oops, I ment to ask both telemetry and control bi-directionally]
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Post Edited (CounterRotatingProps) : 6/26/2009 2:05:07 AM GMT
There's actually quite a bit you can do with HAM and microcontrollers. As already mentioned, start with ARRL.org and a local club.
73,
KD6QIF
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Andrew Williams
WBA Consulting
IT / Web / PCB / Audio
As Leon points out, telemetry has specific meaning.
Actually, the rules in Part 97 are not that hard to read and understand; and I strongly recommend such an exercise. Or as some other ham says regularly, Read the Rules; Heed the Rules.
Go to that ARRL site with the Part 97 listing (a link with 'bite sized' frames is www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/ and consider the following:
Read all of Subpart C--Special Operations (sections 97.201 thru 97.221), In light of the definitions in 97.3, especially the words: Automatic control Auxiliary station Control operator Control point Harmful interference Local control Remote control Telecommand Telemetry and the emission type Data And keeping in mind the distinction between a Station license and an Operator license (sections 97.5 & 97.9), And pretty soon it should all start making sense.Think of Part 97 as the datasheet for ham operations, and choose to work within the characterizations of that datasheet. With silicon parts, not understanding or following a datasheet's recommendations causes one to become familiar with the magic smoke. With violations of Part 97, you may find opportunity to become more familiar with FCC sanctions.
Finally, find a radio club or an elmer (ham-speak for a mentor) in your area who will help you with any difficulties or questions.
What you are asking, I think, is whether you could receive telemetry from a measurements device and send telecommands to that device. You do need to read the 'datasheet' to be sure that you can.
73,
Daniel KB3MUN
edit: It would also be prudent to mention following the Part 97 sections as germane: §97.111 Authorized transmissions; and §97.113 Prohibited transmissions.
Post Edited (daniel) : 6/26/2009 1:03:46 AM GMT
I will study those sections again - have read them in passing before. I've always assumed that since you guys can remotely control repeaters and what not, that telecommands to a telemetry device would be ok (heeding the rules of course).
If you don't mind an Elmer moment, please, let me ask this again in a more specific way - the answer would be a simple yes/no:
Assuming this is permissible - let's say we have the proper classes of license, are in band, within power limits, and compile with the rules totally.
I give you a gadget that you put in your shack - and I have a clone of the device in mine. (Both are either transmitters out-right or can connect into a rig to xmit.) When I press button X on mine, it telecommands to yours. Your device then reads the temperature in your shack and telemeters that back to me, the temp showing up on my gadet's LCD. And you can press button X on your device which does the same - and you see the temp of my shack on your LCD. So, yes, bi-directional telecommands and telemetry.
Assume we've complied with all the rules, is this possible, Y/N ?
If it's not, I may just try it using ISM - I have near line of sight, but it's about 12 miles.
thanks again
- Howard
@Aside to Bean - don't mean to hijack your thread... I hope this is of interest to you too [noparse]:)[/noparse]
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Yes.
I would analyze it as a simpler setup.
Consider a measurements device at location X that can receive a telecommand from location Y to initiate a measurement sample and telemetry transmission of that sample. In this instance, the ham at location Y would be the control operator.
Don't muddy the waters with the bi-directional bit. Instead just also 'install' a 'second' measurements device at Y to respond with telemetry to a telecommand from location X. With this 'second' device, the control operator would be at location X.
And pay careful attention to that word pecuniary and the rest of section 97.113.
An alternative might be to place a weather-station (or your temperature measuring device) at the remote location, and setup an APRS beacon to make the data available (see, for example, a nearby setup www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=CW1662, and click on the left-side 'Weather Data' link).
Undoubtedly there are dozens of other ways to do the task as a ham; as for non-ham means, I'd probably start with Part 15's 'Home-built Devices', or something along the lines of Ethernet segments linked by an RF bridge.
73,
Daniel KB3MUN
Post Edited (daniel) : 6/26/2009 3:22:00 AM GMT
Leon
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Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
I think the definitive answer to this (for all radio services in the US) could be calculated from the information in this link edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2007/octqtr/pdf/47cfr2.302.pdf; second page is numbered 629 and has the information relevant to amateur radio.
Daniel KB3MUN
Look at §97.221 for a description of an automatically controlled digital station. This probably covers what you want to do.