Posted on 09/24/2022 4:15:27 AM PDT by tired&retired
QRZ.com has online tests. Read the ARRL license books and take the QRZ tests until you score in the 90s. Get your tech and general. That will give you all you need unless you get into serious DX and contesting.
The 7300 is nice and, I believe, has a built in sound card for digital comms. The ability to use data modes is essential for emergency communications.
You’ll also need a good VHF/UHF radio. My very first radio was a Kenwood D710. I have two of them, one in the car, the other in the shack.
Igotthe study app on my phone. I practiced for a week. I got all three licenses in the subsequent three weeks. So..lf I can do it, you can do it.
Your question is legit. But the biggest issue you will have isn’t the radio, but the antenna. With a good, tuned antenna, you can talk to the world with 5 watts. With a bad antenna, a $5000 rig will not get 50 miles.
$1,000 will get you a decent rig. Any of the “big names” will perform well. But you need to be clear about what you wish to do. You might be able to get away with a 2m rig. Those are for local communication.
I tend to go overboard when I jump into a new hobby. Story of my life.
Definitely want to go worldwide.
I’ll build an antenna. Thankfully the HOA ignores me. I have one pain in the arse neighbor in my Pennsylvania house, but she will be pushing posies soon. Natural causes. 😁
If you hate reading books to study (like me), check out HamTestOnline.com
Used it last year to get my Tech and General licenses at 66 years old.
Will eventually study for the Extra exam, but too busy having fun right now.
Ping
If you can find a local ham radio club they usually have classes and testing sessions.
As to a radio it depends on what class of license you get. If technician class you would need 2 meter and 70 centimeter capability as there is limited HF privileges. If you get a general class you would want HF capability.
My choice for HF is Icom 7300 and for 2 meter and 70 centimeter is Anytone 878 that has regular and DMR capability as there are lots of DMR repeaters in my area. That may differ where you are. Check to see what digital repeaters are in your area DMR, DStar or Fusion and make you decision accordingly.
73 W5HJ been a ham for 60 years.
I’m still rather fond of my Kenwood 940SAT. Legendary Kenwood output audio, sounds like a broadcast station as I’ve been told, and easy to operate with a knob and button for everything. None of those menus for everything!
Think I’ll buy a used 100 watt for a starter.
I tend to have no problems with tests, especially multiple choice, so I’ll go for the three licenses and get them out of the way.
I live in multiple states, moving with the seasons. An antenna at each location and move the radio with me would be easiest.
Kinda what I was thinkin’. Having a ham license in a SHTF scenario might be the least of your worries. Or at least pretty far down the list. I have some GMRS radios that could be brought into play if needed. Breaker Breaker one nine.....😎👍
The thing with the tests is they are pure memorization. You memorize the right answers, and they become obvious—no matter which option they are on the tests. On some of them, I just looked for the answer, without caring for the question. Ha ha.
I literally have a wire in a tree for an antenna. I can hear Europe and the east coast. I don’t talk much, so huge transmission power is not critical.
Some 2m rigs can be connected to your computer to talk to the world. It was interesting to hear what was going on in Italy during the height of the pandemic.
Have fun. It’s a fun hobby.
Also, you do NOT have to spend a lot of money to have a good radio. I have an "expensive" radio that's very good, but I also have a $50 radio, QCX from QRP Labs (QRP-LABS.com) that is Morse code only putting out 5 watts. It's what is called a "low power" radio (QRP means low power). I've used it to contact operators all over the US and a lot of hams in Europe using a home-built antenna that cost about $15 to build. I have more fun with it than the expensive radio because I built it myself and I like the challenge.
If you want to use voice (call SSB), the Xiegu G90 is a good little radio. It has 20W of power, and I've worked into Europe with it using another cheap antenna. It can be purchased for about $425.
I was recently shamed into upgrading my license to Amateur Extra and I used hamtestonline.com. While it was easier since I knew most of regulations already, two weeks of hour-long study sessions and I passed the first time. It is a very effective way to study for the test.
A scanner is a way to get started. There are some small cheap 4 watt units form china.
Been a licensed ham for seven or so years. Five as a tech then took the test for General. Ham articles on Freerepublc are rare and apparently no one maintains a ham ping list that I’m aware of. But, I just may not be aware.
So, is there a ham ping list???
...and speaking of hobbies, I have enough expensive ones already which is why I have yet to make the radio leap other than a two meter Baofeng. Working on an outdoor antenna so I don’t communicate much due to HT rubber duck limitations.
I live in multiple states, moving with the seasons. That alone is worth a thread or two. Perhaps a home page with particulars. Hey, normal folks are interested not just the FBI.
Meadville in WPA. K3KTB on QRZ
I am not aware of a ping list.
A gain outside antenna should greatly increase you range as a duckie antenna is barley above a dummy load. However I reach a DMR repeater on a 700 ft tower about 20 miles from my home with my Anytone talkie.
It has been my experience that DMR gets better range than analog FM.
This: https://www.engadget.com/2005-05-06-morse-code-trumps-sms-in-head-to-head-speed-texting-combat.html
A year before this: https://www.engadget.com/2006-12-17-fcc-drops-morse-code-requirement-for-amateur-radio-license.html
Yes I know, ow stral ya.
DMR seems to be a direction many hams are headed. It does interest me.
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