You Now Have Your Ham License - Now What?
Vložit
- čas přidán 28. 04. 2015
- You've just successfully completed a HamCram, now what? This video talks a bit about radio and antenna selection for the new Amateur Operator, as well as fun and practical things to do. This video was produced after the D4W HamCram.
- Věda a technologie
Please tell me you'll do more videos!!! I'm a total newb who's still studying for my license. And so I'm trying to soak in anything pertaining to amateur radio. The way you explain things is in layman's language that I can understand. I'm still not advanced enough to understand the technical jargon that is used on most channels.
Make more videos. You are a great guy. You may not have a lot of subscribers or may not earn enough views but you have the passion for amateur radio and the knowledge.
It will be of use to generations to come. Don't worry if no one watches them, keep posting
Thank you so much for your comments! I created this after a one day class where I got 50 off-road enthusiasts licensed up. I thought that they may have many questions about amateur radio and what to do next.
Great video showing the nuts and bolts of Ham radio. You can tell when someone really enjoys the topic they are explaining.
Hi Craig, I don't know if I really am very good at this sort of thing, but it was fun to post a couple of videos. Craig, as soon as you learn something, you can teach something. All of us are fundamentally Elmers - and that's a great thing. This hobby is formed by folks just passing on the little shortcuts and speed secrets to the hobby that we learn over time. I love the technology, but mostly love the people in this hobby! Every day that I am a ham, is a great day!
What a great job! Many thanks for taking the time to give a tutorial on how to get launched after getting a HAM license.
Hi Phillip, it is my pleasure! I sure hope that you are enjoying the hobby and doing cool and interesting things with you license! Please have a wonderful day, and I hope that you enjoy Field Day!
Thank you so much for this video. Alot of great info and very encouraging. I am studying and preparing to take the test(s) to get my license for amature radio. I really enjoyed your video and find it very helpful and informative. Keep up the good work.
Hi David,
We are all looking forward to you earning your Amateur Radio license! This is a great hobby, and you will make a lot of great friends! Make sure that you plug into a local club - probably virtually now. That is a great way to get started. Check out as many resources as you can. Please take care and have a fine day! 73 de Jim W6LK
Well would you believe it, we have met in person! I got my tech license at the church with MDARC, and later upgraded to general as well! Hope all is well with your ham community and the W6CX repeater is still going strong! Moved to Oregon a few years ago and haven't checked in in awhile (maybe soon with echolink). Great video! Tell Sherman I said hello! (We're old co-workers) 73 KK6OCW
Hi Rob, thanks for your message! Oregon is a great place for Amateur Radio! I am very sorry that because of COVID-19 the Sea-Pac Convention in Seaside, Oregon has been canceled. That is a great example of lots of excellent hams coming together and having a great time. I will say "hello" to Sherman - if/when I get to see him again. Sherman is a really awesome guy, and I'm glad he is in MDARC and the hobby. Please take care of yourself and be safe! 73 de Jim W6LK
Great video. Just scratched the surface, but you pass along a lot of great ideas for which to build upon. Thanks for it! 73s to you! KG5YTI
bhud1972 , thank you for your comments! You are right, I just scratched the surface. My hope is to make the Amateur Radio Service less scary for some. This is a hobby, and from time to time we save the world, but the most important thing is to go out there and make a new friend and have some fun. At least, that is how I see it. Have a great weekend! 73 de Jim AF6PU
Brilliant information on getting started in Ham radio. Had recently appeared for my Ham test and got my results on 07-02-2020. Greetings from New Delhi, India.
73
Hi Shandy, welcome to the hobby! That is really exciting that you just earned your Amateur Radio license. I know that you will have some great fun, and maybe save the world along the way! 73 de Jim W6LK
@@jsiemons Thank you Sir! Yes, I am too excited and want to get a not so costly HF all in one portable transceiver. Would be grateful if you can please suggest. I know my area would primarily be in the HB bands though.
Hope to see more of your info-loaded videos.
Thank you!
Just got my Tech today! the video was nice thanks!
Hi John, That is really awesome! I hope you have as much fun in this hobby as my family does. Make sure you connect up with one or more local Amateur Radio clubs in your area, and definitely consider joining the ARRL!
Great video .. very well done .. thank you.
Really good video. I am considering the hobby. I became interested 25 years ago while in Navy avionics school but never pulled the trigger. I know two guys in the hobby and will most likely contact them for info. Your video really demystified the years of fogginess for me. Thanks
Hi Double 5! Amateur Radio is an absolutely terrific hobby. Sometimes we save the world, and most of the time, we just have a lot of fun. I think that the dirty little secret of Amateur Radio is that although we really like electronics, and figuring out sometimes tough problems, what we really like to do is make new friends! I have never met a ham I didn't like. Please have a wonderful day. 73 de Jim AF6PU
Love it! Make more videos, please!
Hi Double 5, thank you for your nice comments! I have every intention of making more videos - and have had that intention for three years! I promise to get around to it. I do keep myself pretty busy making antennas and serving my ARRL Section. Please have a great day! 73 de Jim, W6LK
Excellent Video, very informative. I am getting my Tech license net month (2020)
Hi Jose, I sure hope that you earned your Amateur Radio license - and are doing fun and interesting things with it! Please take care, and enjoy Field Day!
Really great video! Thanks for being an Elmer! Im going for my Ham Tech license next month. Im located in OC Ca
Hi Dr. Wolfsburg, thank you so much for your comment! I sure hope that you are enjoying Amateur Radio! I think that now with the advancement of such great radios and antennas, there may not be a better time to be a ham! Please have fun in the hobby and welcome aboard!
You answered a lot of questions I had, and a lot I of questions I couldn't find the answers anywhere else
Outstanding! Please keep up the Fine Business and enjoy the great hobby of Amateur Radio! 73 de Jim AF6PU.
@@mdarcphone2861 Talk to a Ham, most of them will talk to you after you get your licence, some will not tell you a lot before, but there is a lot of them out there that will give you all the advice you need. Dealers will give you a lot of advice, but don't rush in and buy what they tell you if they do not ask a lot of questions, like what do you want from a radio, what do you want to get out of it and where you want to use it? Of course being new you won't know what half the modes are, hell , some Hams don't know what all their own radios are capable of, they learn as they go and get to know from others. Don't be afraid to ask and if you get some head strong Ham that does not want to tell you or treats you as if you are stupid, just remember, he was stupid to and new at one time. You are not stupid, just asking questions and wanting to learn. A good antenna is the best investment you can make after you decide what to buy, along with feeder, I say feeder as when you get to lower bands it is not only co-axial cable but there are ladder lines. Anyway, do not let any hot head is you are unlucky to meat one put you off. Radio is fantastic, even on CB it can be good working a pile up. Anyway, you are more than likely sorted out by now, but others might read. Good DX and good luck.
Are you a teacher by chance? I could listen to you all day! Good info man!
Hi Nathan, Thank you for your kind words! I am not a teacher, but I sure admire and appreciate a good teacher. I try to be an Elmer in our great hobby. As a fine podcaster, Jerry, KD0BIK, always used to say, "if you learn something, you can teach something!" I design and build antennas for a living, and am very active in my Amateur Radio community. Because of these experiences, I have had the pleasure of meeting some remarkable people, learned a multitude of great things, and got my hands dirty building fun and interesting projects. This video was created several years ago now, after a large group of about 50 off-roaders earned their ham licenses in a one-day class. They knew the value of Amateur Radio out on the trail - but didn't fully understand what it really could be, or what to do next. I, very quickly, banged out this video to help some of them move forward in their Amateur Radio journeys.
I am at least as involved with Amateur Radio today, as I was then. Almost every day I come across a story or theme of interest to the ham community and think that I ought to put out another video, but the next day, and the next adventure comes so fast it's hard to keep up with just the activities in my local (ARRL East Bay Section).
Nathan, I sure hope that you are enjoying the hobby. Remember, there are no wrong ways to do Amateur Radio. There may be better ways, but never stop trying to do something new, and interesting, and mostly have fun!
73 de Jim W6LK
Hi Nathan, thanks for you nice comment. There are so many other folks with better voices and more information, but I was just trying to fulfill a need that one group had after they took their ham license exams en masse. It really was fun to make the video. I only with the video and audio quality were much better. Please have an awesome day! 73 de Jim W6LK
Excellent video and very informative. I'm brand new and trying to learn. Please make more.
Hi Dennis, thank you for your nice comment. I am relocating to Clark, WY and hope to make some additional videos from there. Please have a wonderful day - and I hope you get out and operate on Field Day!
I earned my extra licence a few months ago.. in thr last few days we had good opening on 20 and 40 meters contact to Ukraine Costa rica Spain and belguim. There is alot of fun doing dx when conditions are great ... using just a end fed wire antenna ..
Where you located? I'm around omaha and getting my technicians license. I have a couple cbs and talk to people pretty far but excited for ham!
I need an Elmer. Will get my Technician license the 20th of August 2020, even though I don't have any HAM radios. I'm a retired, 69 year old disabled Vietnam vet with no budget for a HAM radio. Guess I will try to dig out my old CB radio and modify it to go to the 10 meter band. I'll have to make an antenna since I sold my CB 1/2 wave ground plane years ago when I moved from the Atlanta area to eastern Tennessee. I used to climb trees to put up a folded dipole but I'm now too old for that. I used to be a single side bander and I still have access to a few modified radios that go above channel 40 and below channel 1. I still have an old Davis Electronics freq counter so I can tell where I am (frequency wise).
Hi Rusty, Thanks for sending in a note! I agree - everyone needs an Elmer! The best place to start looking for an Elmer is at your local Amateur Radio club. I don't know where you live, or I might be able to send you in the right direction. You may have found a club or two in your area - and perhaps that's where you are doing your exam? With COVID-19, you may be doing your VE exam online?
When you get your Technician license, you have limited privileges on HF - including the 10 meter band. You do have some privileges, but not much. If you wanted to convert a radio from the citizen band service, I am not too sure you would find it too useful. Citizen Band - for the most part - uses AM mode. You are not going to work too many stations in that mode. If you have a fancy CB, it may include Single Side Band (SSB). That would be more useful - but you would still have difficulties with tuning.
Where you get the bulk of your privileges with a Technician license is in VHF and UHF bands. If you can connect with a local Amateur Radio club in your area, they have loner gear to try out. Not all clubs have a lending library, but some do.
If you can save up a little bit of money over a few months, you should be able to purchase a very inexpensive HT handheld radio. Some are as low as $15. There are too many hobbies that you can get very active in for only $15!
Another avenue is ham clubs will periodically have auctions - and gear can often be had for very little money. Sometimes, you can appeal to the club and they may even provide you with a radio to use. You will get a lot more utility out of a proper Amateur Radio, then you will out of a reconfigured CB radio.
In any case, welcome aboard! I am glad that you are joining the hobby.
Have a great weekend!
Jim, W6LK
@@jsiemons Thank you for your prompt reply. Yes, I will be talking to the locals when I go to take my test. I was an avid CB side band radio operator back in the mid 70's through the 80's and still have a few radios that have been modified to go just below the 10 meter (28,000 MHz) band. I have never used the AM, only single side band. I'll see what the local HAM club suggests and take it from there. Thanks for your warm welcome. I am excited to get my Technician license. All my side band radios have the clarifier unlocked so I can transmit at the frequency I listen at. That makes it easier to talk to those who are off frequency or that like to talk between frequencies. I still have a few pieces of CB gear that I can use in HAM radio, like SWR meters, an old Davis Electronics freq counter, some coax and patch cables with BNC connectors. I will need to find an antenna. I think you said that you're in the antenna business. I've noticed that the VHF and UHF (2 meter and 70 cm bands) are a lot smaller than the 27 MHz ones. That will be a plus for me as far as antennae are concerned.
This is a very good video explaining what ham radio is. I'll be taking my technician test this June. Hope you make more videos!
Hi Armando, I hope that you took and passed your Amateur Radio license and are on the air and operating! Please have a great summer! 73 de Jim, AF6PU.
Hi Jim, I aced my Technician exam and now I'm studying for the General. I'm using Echo Link for now and made some great contacts. I also received Qsl card from my very first contact that I framed and have on my wall. 73! Armando KG5TVP
Armando Arevalo Best of luck to you on your license exam! This is a great hobby and I hope you really enjoy it! 73 de af6pu
Just got mine today technison license 04-08-2019 im so excited
Hi NWS Storm Chaser, That is so awesome that you just got your Amateur Radio license! I think that you will find that Amateur Radio is one of the finest hobbies that you can have. Not only can you have a lot of fun, learn a ton of new things, but you can actually help save the world every once in a while. Clearly, as a Storm Chaser - you are already doing important work, and this will just be another tool in your toolbox. That being said, the Amateur Radio Service has so many interesting activities beyond doing the great work that you likely earned your license to do. However you approach it, I sure hope that you have some fun, and meet a lot of cool and interesting hams! 73 de Jim, W6LK.
@@jsiemons awsome thank you so much for replying I will have tons of fun with my local club
I am scheduled to take my technician license in a few weeks. I am also excited. Amateur Radio has always been fascinating to me.
storm spotter. cool I got mine 4/9/19
I think a mobile setup is more practical either in a car or for a base setup, The HT is great in certain applications but I have found unless you are frozen in one position people complain about hearing you when moving around.
The ft60 r is really easy to program right on the front keypad. I use mine with a diamond x30 base antenna and 50 feet of rg8x coax. I am full quieting in all my local repeaters.
I agree, the Yaesu FT-60 is a great radio. It is built like a tank with a metal frame, easy to program, and just works. The newer FT-70 is pretty much the same radio, but with Fusion mode added. The only issue that I have ever seen was a good friend of mine purchased an FT-70 as a gift for her husband on my recommendation, and the power converter on the board died - killing the radio. The cost to repair was greater than the value of the radio. They thought that it was a battery issue, and by the time they figured out it was something more than that, the warranty had expired. Beyond that, I am a fan!
Very helpful.
Excellent video
Thank you, evhvariac2! I hope to have some additional content up in the future.
Just got my technician license
Hi Rachel, big time congrats on earning that Technician ticket! It really is a lot of fun being an amateur radio operator. I don't know if your plan is to save the world, or just have fun in the hobby, or a little mix of both - but whatever you decide just know that you now have 750,000 new friends with which to do it! Keep up the Fine Business, and have a wonderful day. 73 de Jim, AF6PU.
Jim Siemons thank you
I did as well. Testing for my general ticket on Monday.
Nice!!! Great job 👍
Congrats hun. And welcome to the hobby,
You'll have so much fun I promise, you'll see that everyone would want to talk to you 73s from New Mexico
Nice for people looking to get into the hobby.
Thanks!
Hi Fin, you are most welcome! 73 de Jim W6LK
Thanks for the video I'm thinking of studying for my ham license
Hi Ruben, I sure hope that you have earned your ham license and are on the air and operating! Thanks for your message. 73 de Jim W6LK
Now, annoy everyone else who doesn't have a licence. KPBZ7K👁
I've studied off and on for many years, but now ready to pull the trigger. Hoping to get my Technician license next month. I appreciate your knowledge and enthusiasm!
I had NOTHING back in April....(2018).........no radio, no antenna and NO license.. Next thing I know, I got two boat anchors (Hammerlund HQ-160 and Heathkit Apache transmitter!) Restoring the Apache now, and scored a beautiful UN-molested, hardly used Kenwood TS-830-S with matching MC-50 mic from eBay.
Got my Tech ticket in July and actually made some contacts on the dead band (10 Meters all the way to Brasil with an end fed long wire!!!)
Had QSL cards made up (thanks to Cheap QSL Cards) and now studying up with my second book from Gordon West for the General......... I enjoy finding videos like this too.......... (O:
73 everyone.............. KC1JZR
keep those boat anchors kg6mn
from the other side of the pond, great video but is it back to front? the text on your wall board and the magazine you hold up reads from right to left!
Hi Leslie, I guess I'm just a backwards kind of guy! ;-) Thanks for watching, and I hope future videos won't be backwards. 73 de Jim W6LK
Thank you so much for posting this video, so much great information. I am going to get my technicain class license soon, would be really nice to talk to you! :-)
Hi Steven, thank you for your thoughts! I know that you will really enjoy this hobby of Amateur Radio. You will never meet nicer folks than in this hobby! 73 de Jim, AF6PU.
Near the end of the video, you showed 2 antennas. The one for your TV and on that you said covered all bands. What is the make and model of the latter? I'm looking for a small, reasonable multi/all band antenna to get my feet wet in HF
Hi Byron, The loop-Yagi antenna is for 1240 MHz, and is used for Amateur Television (ATV). The multi-band antenna that I showed, I believe is a Comet mobile. It really is a fine antenna, but please remember it is a compromise antenna. It is not going to do anything really well, but if you want HF on your vehicle, or you are in a really restricted HOA area, then it might be a good choice for you. I really like Comet Antennas.You can find them at CometAntenna.com. Please have a great day!
For rubber duck antennas and generally antennas that attack to a portable radio including FRS/GMRS, does it use the radio itself as a ground or part of the antenna itself? Also, I try creating a ground by hammering a rod into the ground, but the SWR meter showed a high reading. What are common problems with creating ground? Can an inductor or a resistor create a ground plane? Thanks, I’m a new Ham.
Hi Furonwarrior, you are correct in thinking that on an HT (handi-talkie) radio, the radio itself is the ground plane. You will find that on better radios, there is a metal frame that provides structure and strength to the construction of the radio, as well as providing a better ground plane. Honestly, this is just not enough, in the same way the rubber duck antenna is not enough. You can make a pigtail that attaches to the outer ring of the antenna. A length of wire about 16 to 18 inches, crimped to a ring terminal would be a great thing to improve the performance of just about any HT. A resistor is not the solution! A resistor will provide a "perfect" match when checking your SWR, but all the energy is going into heat in the resistor, instead of power being radiated. By adding a resistor, you have created what is called a dummy load. Amateur Operators often create or use dummy loads when testing their equipment, but not wishing to actually transmit a signal. I hope that helps! Please stay safe and enjoy the hobby! 73 de Jim W6LK
Good video, very informative, one thing I've always thought is that Handy talky makes it sound like a toy radio when you hear it.
I've always heard the HT stands for handheld transceiver which sounds more like a real radio, is that not correct?
Hi Douglas, I completely agree - Handi-talkie (HT) does make the hobby sound like a toy. I do say "HT", because it is quick and easy. However, when I describe the radio (mostly), I say "hand-held radio". I kind of classify radios as base-station, mobile or portable, and hand-held. Pick the one that works best for you! Thanks for your note! 73 de Jim W6LK
The original "walkie talkie" was a backpack model or "packset" developed in WW2. The handheld model was apparently dubbed a handie-talkie by Motorola.
Most people who use them each day like law enforcement, fire, and medics say HT all the time and have no clue what it stands for. It’s just the standard name now.
I'm located in the bay area. Just got my license/callsign. Very interested in using HTs/mobile backpack rigs for ECOMM. Where can I look locally for information or like-minded individuals?
Hi Joseph, Congrats on getting your Amateur Radio license! The best place to find other ham radio enthusiasts is always at your local Amateur Radio Club. I don't know where you are in the Bay Area or I might be able to recommend a fine club or two. You may want to do some googling on Summits on the Air (SOTA activations). Amateur Radio is a great hobby all unto itself, but also compliments so many other hobbies like off-roading, backpacking, hunting and fishing, hiking, boating, and traveling around the country. Have fun and congrats again!
73
Jim W6LK
If i start this hobby, I want to go boat anchors all the away. The question I have Is what kind of boat anchors should I look for? I"m thinking Johnson, National or a good set of Drake. How about swan?
Hi Toolmaker! Getting into older gear can be a really fun and interesting part of our great hobby. Many of us want instant gratification, so we purchase the state-of-the-art right off of the shelf from HRO, or your favorite store. That being said, to buy new gear doesn't really allow the inner geek to come fully come out. Anything that you get will be awesome! I am partial to Collins and Drake gear, but there are so many terrific choices. My shack is a mix of the old and new, with a dash of the esoteric... Whatever you decide - it will be you, and it will be great! Happy New Year! 73 de Jim AF6PU
Thanks for your video, but WHY are your books all printed backwards ? Have you accidentally flipped over you video during editing ?
Hi KiwiCatherineJemma, thank you for your keen observation about the backwards video. When I shot this, I plugged an old camera into my MacBook Pro and recorded in iMovie. For whatever reason, the camera did the ol' flipparoo, and I left it that way. In future videos - you will likely see me correctly oriented... Please have a wonderful day! 73 de Jim AF6PU
Did you say diablo Jeep club, I am retired from concord and use to help maintain as a apprentice, the repeater on mt diablo
Fine business!
You mentioned at 25:30 , 2.4, 2.5 megahertz I don't see that on the ARRL band chart. Also at 25:00 minutes you mentioned 300 mhz - 3000 mhz would that be 70 centimeter band?
Hi RiverVmann, Thank you for your observations and a fine catch. 300 MHz to 3000 MHz is what defines Ultra High Frequency (UHF). I meant to say 2.4 GHz, not 2.4 MHz. I think that I said something like, "427 MHz up to 2.4 MHz.", but meant 2.4 GHz. You have a great ear! 73 de Jim W6LK
Thanks for the video and response.. I am kind of new at radio. I'm still learning the basic stuff.
I have to ask... why is your video mirrored? (look at the printing when you hold up a magazine)
That's a great question! I used a Microsoft camera attached via USB to my 2012 MacBook Pro and the image was flipped. tried to change it, but did not find an acceptable tool or utility to do that. Went online and found that was a known issue with the combination of camera and computer that I was using. I could have used the camera in the MacBook Pro but didn't for a reason that I can no longer remember. Do worry, I will not record using that method again in the future.. It does draw a lot of comments and interest from people over the years.
Happy New Year!
Good video. KK7T.
Stephen, thank you! 73 de Jim W6LK
Just got my tech license and call sign. Not quite sure of what my allowed capabilities are. Am i able to transmit to repeaters?
Hi adfasd, Congrats on earning your Amateur Radio license! You have earned the right the utilize a large swath of bandwidth on the Amateur Radio bands. In fact, the Technician license allows gains you the greatest amount of bandwidth of all classes of license. As you move up to General and Amateur Extra classes, you gain more ability to operate on HF (and MF) frequencies, but most all the bandwidth that is afforded to Amateurs is yours for the using. Any UHF/VHF repeater that you wish to work is yours to do so (unless it is a private repeater - and I'm not a fan of private repeaters). You can operate with 6 meters, 2 meters, 1.25 meters (222 MHz), 70 cm, 23 cm, 13 cm - and a whole lot more. You do have some privileges on HF - so I encourage you to try that out if you can within the bandwidth provided. Field Day is coming up, and that is a great time to meet up with a local club, and see if they will allow you to operate on HF with a General or AE licensing as the control operator. I sure hope that you enjoy the wide, wonderful world of fine repeaters out there. They sure can be a lot of fun, and every once in a while they can save your life - or someone else's. Congrats again!
@@jsiemons Thanks very much Jim, this helps a lot!! I am planning on joining my local club here in southern california. much appreciated!! I will look into the field day and see where I can go to meet up and get on the air.
How do I get some one to help me get a beginner license I don't read so good
"I don't have a fraction of my Radios with me here today," said no Ham ever.😄
i guess it is quite off topic but do anybody know of a good place to stream newly released series online ?
@Archie Darwin I watch on flixzone. You can find it on google =)
@Archie Darwin lately I have been using Flixzone. Just search on google for it =)
I prefer the Yaesu ft60r from hro. It’s only 159 bucks and the quality is high cause it’s made in Japan. Only the battery pack is made in China. The only thing I would change is all ht’s should come standard with a BNC connector instead of sma.
Hi Matt, I absolutely agree, the Yaesu FT-60r is a terrific radio. I often recommend this radio to folks looking for a quality, relatively inexpensive HT. The only downside is that it has a single VFO, and doesn't really allow monitoring a second frequency. I have lots of Yaesu products (heck, I love lots of all kinds of brands), and have always enjoyed the quality and ease of programming of Yaesu gear. The FT-60r is stout enough, with a internal metal frame, that you could likely run over it with a vehicle, and it would still operate. My favorites in this category are the Yaesu VX-6 and VX-8. I use them most every day. I enjoy my Bridgecom 220 HT, and I have a couple of Motorola for DMR and analog. The Motorola's are bombproof, but there is no faceplate programming - so they are really dangerous for EmComm use...
As far as being stout and sturdy, BNC connectors are more durable than SMA connectors - no doubt about that. The downside is that it really makes for a much larger radio to include BNC. Very few manufacturers are including BNC connectors at this time. I think that Alinco may be the most prominent manufacturer to include BNC.
Lastly, you may also like to take a look at the FT-70r. You might not use Fusion as a mode, but it really has all the latest and greatest tech from Yaesu.
Good descriptions of equipment, but what does one do with amateur radio? If one doesn't care much for talking to strangers, what else is there? 73 KD9OCG
Hi Greg, that's an awesome question! I suppose when I am contesting, DXing (talking to distant stations), working Field Day at the end of each June, or helping out with some sort of disaster (like recent earthquakes, fires, power outages) that we have had here in northern California - I will expect to be talk with other hams that I do not know. That being said, there is a ton to do with other hams that you do know. Often, we are asked to help out on public service events to provide communications. Some of these public service events include walk-a-thons, parades, foot/bike/horse race events, swimming events (like Alcatraz to San Francisco), and much more. I use Amateur Radio in my Jeep club for communications between vehicles. Often we travel in areas that have limited or no cell coverage, and being able to tell many other vehicles that you need to pull over is incredibly useful. You get much clearer communication with 2 meter, 1.25 meter, and 70 cm Amateur Radio communication that you ever do with Citizen Band. There are tons of digital modes that we use to more information around. We can even send and receive texts and emails from our "handi-talkie" radios with a special packet mode called APRS. It also turns out that your Wi-Fi router operates on frequencies that are shared with Amateur Radio. In fact, there are frequencies (channels) on those Wi-Fi bands that are limited for use only by Amateur Radio. We can program some types of routers to function only on these frequencies, and build out our own ham radio only networks. This is very popular all around the country. In the event of a disaster, we can still pass VoIP phone traffic, as well as email. During the recent power outages in California (called PSPS), many cell towers stopped working after about eight to 12 hours. Amateur Radio kept working. I volunteered at the local Sheriff's Office in their Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and am here to tell you that important information about downed power lines was received from ham radio operators even though cellular phone service stopped functioning. Beyond all the directly practical and fun aspects of Amateur Radio, there are a multitude of electronic and scientific experiments that can be performed. Neat projects include working satellites, or bouncing signals off the bottom of an airplane to be picked up by a distant station. What you can do is really only limited to your imagination. Many, if not most, people are shy about talking with strangers - at least at first. There are just so many interesting opportunities to do cool and fun activities that the fear or shyness often goes away. If it doesn't there is still more to do than you think.
I hope that helps!
73/Best Wishes
Jim W6LK
I don't understand why cameras reverse left and right so often. ??
Khalim, me neither!
It is usually caused by using an iPhone to record the video.
I wouldn't spent a arm and a leg for a rig to do the cool stuff with till I get boocoo bucks. I'm taking my exam on the 18th of may 2018 and I think my first rig will be a mobile rig. I'm considering getting a tm281a but I also want to do more with it on considering also in getting a cheap one off of Amazon the TWAYRDIO Dual Band UHF/VHF 25W Mobile Transceiver Backpack Radio Built-in 12000mAh Li-ion Battery Portable Amateur Radio Station with Dual PTT MIC. I've had others tell me it's going to be expensive if I want to use aprs, sota, do stuff with amateur radio with emails including messages, qrp and talk with people across the country. I want something easy no fuss, cheap and just shove stuff together
Hi Daniel, I agree with you that you really do not want to spend a bunch of money - especially when you first get into the hobby. The Kenwood TM-281a is a really terrific mobile rig. It is not a low dollar mobile, but it is something that you will enjoy for many years! I happen to have a Chinese portable/mobile rig that pretty much matches the one that you are looking at. It is a Leixen VV-898P. I like the radio very much, however they wired the fan incorrectly, and it created a dead short when you flipped it on. I opened it up, and figured out their wiring problems, and had to resolder the wires that fed power to the radio and fan. Beyond that, I like the thing. I purchased it from at the Duke City Hamfest in Albuquerque, NM a couple of years ago. It sure sounds like you are on a really fun path! Have fun and enjoy! 73 de Jim W6LK (New Call Sign to replace AF6PU).
Jim Siemons I also want to transmit on hf I've been reading the tm281a is good for being very versatile. I want to get a mobile radio for portability but if I get a cheap Chinese one it would be battery internal powered and If I get a tm281a I would have to put a battery and build a rig for it. I know my first radio will be dual band but eventually I will have to get a hf\uhf\vhf to make contacts if I want to contact ppl worldwide
Most people I know thought I was getting a license to allow me to repair other peoples' AM/FM radios for profit, just because they saw the word, "TECHNICIAN". That is the reason why they were against me getting the license
Hi Slackplan9, Thank you for your comment. I don't think that I have ever had anyone ask me to fix their AM/FM radios because I have an Amateur Radio license. I would use the request from people as an ice breaker that allows you to explain what Amateur Radio is, what it allows you to do, and share in the fun with a global community of other hobbyists. Additionally, it may allow you to save the day because of your ability to communicate. If someone is telling you not to get a license for that reason, maybe they are a bit jealous, or really just do not understand what Amateur Radio is? In any case, I sure hope that you earn your license, get on the air, and make a lot of great contacts!
what if i have a learning disability,how do i study for the technical test?im thinking about buying a baofeng walkie talkie,if i just have that why do i have to study for some of the other stuff that i dont have to know
Hi Eric, thank you for your post! I think you brought up a question that many folks who wish to become a ham may have. The Amateur Radio Service is a technical hobby. There is not much getting around that. We, as a group, create many of our own operating procedures and rules. The FCC adds on a bigger framework of rules that we much follow. The rules and regulations in Part 97 that cover the Amateur Radio Service, and the operating rules that hams themselves have created and adopted as best practices, are exactly like the rules that we have for driving a vehicle. There are several items in my state's driver license manual that really do not pertain to me, but I am expected to know them, and can be tested on them. Fundamentally, the FCC is not going to craft a test with just the questions that you believe you ought to know. They develop, with much aid from some excellent Amateur Operators, a generalized test that covers the very basics of each of the three levels of operating: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. I have been a Volunteer Examiner for about a decade, and have seen many folks with any number of disabilities or challenges, and successfully take one or more levels of license exam. Is studying more difficult with disabilities? No doubt it is. But, for all, it is important to persevere and keep studying. I am no expert in what the best method might be for you, or for anyone. I do have some opinions as to techniques that seem to work for me and for many others that I have helped over the years. I really like tests that continually drill you on questions that you seem to miss more often, and not ask you questions that you seem to understand. This is a really practical and efficient practice method. HamTestOnline, and several others - paid and free - now use this technique. Eric, every person that I have seen work at learning the material, has passed. Maybe not on the first go around, but ultimately, everyone seems to pass. Also interestingly, I know more folks that are able to pass the Technician exam, but cannot figure out how to program their Baofeng. At the end of the day, please do not let a 35 question test (and you only have to pass 26 questions correctly) stop you from becoming a ham. Embrace the knowledge that you are gaining, and enjoy this wonderful, technical hobby.
i know about rules and stuff but the electrical part
2) my great aunt I remember her doing Morse code and talking with her ham radio this is my 2nd comment more info below in comments. I’m looking for info on her identity through her call letter she had many awards would the fcc still have her info?
I just got my first license, General class. I was 12 off from getting Extra class. I'm okay with that, I really don't know that much right now, anyway.
Hi Original Gamer, Congrats on getting your license! That is pretty exciting stuff to go from zero to General in one pass, and almost earning your Amateur Extra. You have a whole world of fun ahead of you, and I hope you have a great time in the hobby. Welcome aboard! 73 de Jim W6LK
Be sure to get your GMRS license too so that you can talk to your non-hobbyist family members. I have both licenses.
Hi David, that's a valid comment about GMRS, however, I encourage my friends and family to earn their Amateur Radio license and communicate with a wider range of folks, repeaters, and over greater distances. In my vehicles, it is sometimes challenging to make room for two radios as well.
Sir, from a "newbie", thank you very much for excellent effort on this presentation.
I have a "naive" question that I would like to pose to you, based on your experience and expertise. I know that for a mobile rig, you are limited to the 12-volt battery that is mostly standard in our vehicles. My question to you Sir is what happens if you have more than this ordinary power source. Please consider my situation. I was hoping to mount a YAESU 857-D unit to my truck. However, my truck is diesel powered, ... with two (2) seperate 12-volt batteries. Is this power source too much, making my type of an install an impossibility? Please, I beg of you, your answer will be considered ONLY as a suggestion. I hereby relieve you of any type of a liability, if you answer my query.
Thank you Sir, very much for your video, and help to me personally.
Oscar Lechuga
Southwest Texas
Hi Oscar, thank you for your question! Well, the specifications on the Yaesu FT-857D indicate that it is expecting 13.8 volts DC +/- 15%. The operating range of voltage is then between 11.73 volts and 15.87 volts DC. A standard automotive battery provides around 12 volts, but when being charged by an alternator, the voltage is around 13.8 volts. The design of the radio allows for a bit of variance in voltage - but not to excess. If you are going to run voltages above or below the specifications, then you will need to look at a voltage regulator that will do the job and meet your requirements. Companies that you might want to at least look at are: TGE (TG Electronics), N8XJK Booster, and West Mountain Radio. The ARRL also advertises some items on their website and in QST. If you are handy, you certainly can build your own, as well. There are many plans online that are not too challenging - and are probably a lot of fun to build! The FT-857D is a great radio, and you do not want to burn it up! Please have a great day! 73 de Jim, AF6PU.
🎺😊👍🏼
Hi Michael, thank you for the thumbs up! Please have a great day. 73 de Jim W6LK
I heard they're thinking of dropping the license requirement on the ham radio now like they've done on the CB.
Hi DieselTrucker 2018! That is a real possibility, but I do not think that it is likely in the near future. I think that there is a pretty strong lobby with the ARRL, W5YI, hundreds of contest clubs, thousands of ham clubs, and the 800,000+ actively licensed hams in the US to not do that. Additionally, the IARU (International Amateur Radio Union), a subset of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union - part of the United Nations) has the most of the countries of the world organized and coordinated in regards to their use of Amateur Radio. To take a major player - such as the United States - out of the equation, and go rogue or unlicensed could create quite a bit of chaos. Many things have changed in the rules regarding the Citizen Band Service in the last few years. Mostly it has to do with how far you are legally allowed to make contacts. That being said, you are still legally restricted in the amount of power you can use on in the CB Service. I believe the current limits are something like 4w on AM and 11w on SSB. With a great antenna system, you can make a pretty fair poke with that amount of power, but you are not really going to be a DX big gun. Sure, there are stations with HUGE linears that are pumping out all sorts of power, and you hear a lot of silly things on CB, but it really is a useful tool to all truckers, businesses, off-roaders, and many hobbyists.The ARRL is thinking about making a proposal to increase opportunities for Technician class licensees to operate on HF. They are not getting all the frequencies of Amateur Extra or General class licensees, but they are getting a really nice taste of the possibilities of HF. The 35 question Technician License test would be changed to cover more in the way of HF operating. Who really knows if this will happen? Right now, I drive around California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and Arizona and I hear many operators on 2 meters and 70 cm that I believe are not licensed. They do not identify themselves. I regularly hear Amateur Radio being used by distribution warehouses in the central valley of California (Amateur Radio is not to be used for commercial purposes). I hear folks in the boonies use Amateur Radio in place of cell phones, land lines, CB or anything else. I have had to QSY more than once due to non-licensed operators. To get back to your question, will Amateur Radio become an unlicensed service? I really doubt it, but we really are self-regulated. You are not going to get the FCC to do an enforcement action on anyone - except in the most egregious of circumstances. Additionally, it may take years to complete the enforcement. The ARRL Official Observer program is a shining star of self-enforment (part of the FCC Amateur Auxiliary program). Those are my thoughts. What gave you the idea that Amateur Radio may become unlicensed? 73 de Jim, AF6PU.
Did CB ever have a test for a license? I didn’t have to back in 1977 when I got a good deal on the old kind when they rolled out the additional channels with side bands. Just filled out a form that came in the box & mailed to FCC, who mail back a card with call sign, etc.
. However, they have been talking about expanding the frequency privileges for the Technicians license. So far just talk.
--->> 8:33 what is that dudad called ??
Hi TwstedTV, that little "dudad" is called a BNC Male To Dual Binding Posts Adapter. You can find them at your favorite Amateur Radio store, or google it on the internet. If you pay more than $5.00, then keep looking for a better price. I hope that helps! ;-) 73 de Jim W6LK
thank you very much :) 73
Does my cp200 motorolla also a ham radio
Hi, the answer is "Yes!" You should be able to program the Motorola CQ200 to work on Amateur Radio bands in both analog and DMR modes, and your Amateur Radio License.
@@jsiemons thankyou and btw where is the place for me to get a lisence. Is gmrs and ham radio lisence the same or witch lisense do i need. I have cp200 motorolla radios. And also is the lisence require same as a Drone
@@SuAmigoElilegal Hello, My Friend! There are great opportunities to learn and take Amateur Radio License tests all online now! This is relatively a new thing, because of COVID-19. I would do a little searching on the American Radio Relay League's website (arrl.org) for help with instruction and Volunteer Examiner sessions in your area, or that are convenient for you. General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is not Amateur Radio. It does require a license from the FCC. This license is good for you and your immediate family. There is no testing involved, just an application and the cost of the license. You can think of it as a more powerful version of Family Radio Service (FRS). Those are the little radios that you see in the big-box stores. GMRS can use more power and more channels, but does require a special license from the FCC.
Drone licenses are a whole other thing. These often require a license now, but it is not issued from the FCC, but the FAA (I believe). I am not an expert on this topic, so others may be a better resource than I am. That all being said, many folks over the years that wanted to build and operate model aircraft, boats, cars, robots, rockets, etc. often would earn an Amateur Radio license. Why? It allowed them to operate on more frequencies, with more power than may otherwise be permissible with a FCC Part 15 (consumer) device. It is very common for Radio Controlled craft operators to earn an Amateur Radio license - for non-commercial purposes. The license you earn from the FAA is definitely going to be more focused on proper operation and safety to help you not put your craft where it ought not be - near airports, for example. I think a quick Google search will help you find what you need there.
I hope that helps?!
Have a great day,
Jim W6LK
time to head over to 3.840 and 14.313 and join in on the jamming and cussing
Do u need a license just to license to the ham radio? I don't want to contact or talk to anyone! Thanks.
Hi CT! Anyone is allowed to listen to any signal that comes into their home. What you do with that information could get you into hot water, but you can generally (if not specifically) listen to any signals that you receive. Are there exceptions - always. If you want to use a scanner or an Amateur Radio to listen - you are absolutely free to do so.You can look up the Communications Act of 1934 and glean a little more information.
Bottom line, if you want to purchase an Amateur Radio and just monitor, you can do that without a license. In this day and age, I would just take the plunge and earn that Technician Amateur Radio License and have the option to get on the air.
73 de Jim W6LK
@@jsiemons -Thanks! This really help me out. I just bought a ham radio on Amazon and have no clue about ham radio!
Your first test will be learning to read mirror writing
That just might be true! Be prepared for anything! 73 de Jim W6LK (have a great weekend!)
My great aunt call sign trying to identify info about relatives my moms aunt had many awards I remember her call sign can I get her information her last name looking to join ancestry I only have her first name. Her call sign and awards she would patch calls to loved ones from WW11 and Korea then Vietnam
Hi Anne, thanks for your note. You can do quite a bit of research on your aunt with just her first name and call. If she was active within the last ~20 years, she may be in the FCC ULS database, and that is an easy check. You can simply google "FCC ULS LOOKUP". If your aunt's activities ceased during the Korean War, then you can find a lot of information in old "Call Books". These were publications of listings of call signs. Today, with the internet, they are not necessary, but back in the day they were critical. Many radio and amateur radio specific museums around the country have call books, as does some larger library systems. You might just be able to email or call a local amateur radio museum and see if they will look up your aunt's information. I particularly like the California Historical Radio Museum because of their really amazing library. Good luck with your research! 73 de Jim W6LK
Jim Siemons Thank you so very much her first name Catherine (Gaynor maiden name) irk her married name K2UKQ lol I have to say it fast to get it right again thank you so very much.
He talks about the stuff you can buy and then begins to discuss what you can do on ham radio (14:52) then he switches back (21:25) to all the other stuff you can buy. Huh?
In today's context, ham radio is still relevant?
Hi Rajat, that's a great question and I believe that the answer is "Yes!", Amateur Radio is still very relevant. Amateur Radio is not just one thing, but the experimentation with myriad modes, bands, and wireless technologies. I love voice, or as hams call it "phone", on HF, VHF, and UHF bands, but I absolutely love digital modes on all of these and more. During times of disaster, often the only communications that is functioning is Amateur Radio. Even a year after last years disastrous hurricane in Puerto Rico, Amateur Radio was often the only consistent way of communicating. Amateur Radio has proven itself during 9/11, Katrina, and locally in the aftermath of the Loma Prieta earthquake. Over the last several years, when wildfires have torn through Colorado and surrounding states, the assistance of ham radio operators to communicate with firefighters in the field was essential. There was simply not enough bandwidth to effectively communicate with all the brigades that were trying to knock down the fires. In so much of the country, hams are building MESH systems as an alternate intranet for passing messages, video, SIP phone calls, and e-mails. When the power grid goes down, and towers fall, we still can move vital information. Often, this is in support of city, county, and state emergency operations. So, while Amateur Radio remains fun and exciting, it provides a valuable service for our greater community, country, and world. Those are some of my thoughts on the subject.
Excellent video.....however, I must disagree with one thing you said about CB. You CAN get long-distant (non-skip) contacts using CB radios if you have the right antenna and location. Back in the 1990s my friend and I set up a half-wave antenna on a hilltop in Cumbria, UK, approx. 3117 feet A.S.L. and managed to get as far as Devon approx 250 miles away with a perfectly legal 4 Watt radio (FM mode) without any amplifier. "Height is might" as the saying goes.
Hi Philip, I agree with many things that you mentioned about the Citizen Band Service (CB). There are a couple of little points that I just wanted to mention. CB uses AM mode not FM. There is no discriminator circuits in an AM radio so you often will get layers of conversations from other distant stations mixed together in the contact that you are making. AM is a fine mode, but you do use a lot of energy transmitting a carrier, in addition to the signal portion that contains the intelligence. I too have made some pretty long distant contacts with CB, but there are a lot of factors that had to be in place to make that happen. The elevation of your station and what is going on in the ionosphere have a lot to do with really long pokes. In the same way that low power (QRP) Amateur Radio stations can work other stations thousands of miles away. The problem is that it is not consistent. For vehicle to vehicle communications, ham radio using VHF and UHF does a better job overall than CB on HF. There is another option with CB, I believe that you can run single side-band at 12 watts Peek Envelope Power (PEP) with CB? (Please check the laws to make sure). If that is the case, you have eliminated the carrier, and narrowed up you signal and tripled your power output. I would think that your Effective Radiated Power (ERP) would be quite good with that setup. The only limitation is that you can only work other CB stations with a "side-band" setup. It's a little thing, but a big thing with me is the squelch in a CB vs ham radio. FM detection circuitry will find and hold onto a station, and eliminate most all of the background noise. The squelch on a CB is often breaking - and that is annoying. If you tighten up your squelch too much, then you often don't hear the other station when they drive around a bend or behind a barn.I carry both radios in my Jeeps, but really enjoy VHF/UHF Amateur Radio so much more. Philip, great thoughts, and thanks for bringing them up! I would be happy to talk with you on either radio! 73 - Jim W6LK
As a semi new Ham, who still only has his Tech ticket, you really didnt cover any affordable radio's. Lots of new Hams either do not or can not afford a Yeasu radio. Just my two cents worth. KI7BSL, 73s
Hi James, While I completely understand that there are less expensive radios out there (e.g., Leixen, Baofeng, Wouxon, etc.), I believe that the value for money is still in Japanese radios. I own several Chinese radios (really too many to list), and they all function. That being said, all but the most expensive of them produce third-order harmonics that when tested on calibrated equipment are outside of what the FCC allows. I suppose that the good news is that because of our band plan, when I talk on 2 meters with one of these radios, I am messing up one of my ham friends on 70 cm, and not the local police for fire departments. Now that I know my Baofeng, as an example, is producing harmonics that are outside of the specifications of what the FCC allows, can I in good conscience use that radio? Should I use that radio? Should I recommend that brand based on my experience? The entry in the Amateur Radio Service and hobby has never been less expensive than it is now. Sure, you can spend tens of thousands of dollars on radios, towers, antennas, feedlines, and lots of other related gear, but you can get started in this awesome hobby so inexpensively. I would prefer to see a new entry into this hobby save up their money and purchase a $120 to $160 radio (tax free, delivered to their door). Here is another interesting phenomenon that I have run into over the last several years. I help maintain a couple of repeater sites that are quite popular in my neck of the woods (MDARC), and I found some folks were having a challenging time holding the repeater open. I thought that perhaps they were driving and going behind hills, overloading the front end of the repeater - who knows? I visited a couple of these folks, who coincidentally had Baofeng radios, and found that their PL tones when tested drifted just enough to prevent repeaters from staying open. I have not detected that in any of my personal equipment. Lastly, the durability of, for example, the Yaesu FT-60 is pretty amazing. It has an internal metal frame, so even if you run over the thing or drop it from some distance, there is a good chance it will continue to function. So, in conclusion, I don't really knock any radio, but I really do want folks to get started on the best foot possible and start enjoying the hobby right away. It may be worth waiting a few extra months to save up your money and do some extra chores in order to purchase the radio that will likely serve you well for many years. If all you will ever be able to afford is $25 for a radio, then I understand and I definitely will not criticize you at all. I am just happy you are on the air and operating well! 73 de Jim W6LK
@@jsiemons Good point, but, I've been using Baofeng radio's for four years now and no one has complained that when I transmit on the 2 meter that I am slopping over into the 70 cm range. And I monitor both a 2 meter and 70 cm repeater. So who knows. Then again my UV5R V2+ has the FCC sticker on it, and it is listed at the FCC website as being with in the frequency range. Any ways, have a good one. 73s James Hart, KI7BSL
Hi James, in testing that we did in a local club, we found that about 50% of the Baofeng UV5R radios generated harmonics in excess of what is allowed by the FCC. My personal UV5R does produce harmonics in excess of the FCC limits when tested. It would be challenging to know if your radio were producing the harmonics in that it does not affect every frequency on 70 cm (and every odd harmonic (3rd, 5th, 7th, etc.) I suppose), but the multiple of of the frequency that you are transmitting on via 2 meters. That would be quite a (un)lucky coincidence that you would have two repeaters that you monitor that are exactly a third harmonic apart. That is not to say that the radio could also splatter on other frequencies that are not harmonically related - but that would be more of a defect to the radio than just a poor design or poor choice of parts. My radio has an FCC sticker, but it is Part 90 type certified, and not part 97. It is capable of operating on Part 90, 95, and 97 band frequencies - perhaps even other bands? When my radio operates outside of parameters, I likely would not know about it. The poor ham on 70 cm that could be affected would only know that the simplex frequency or repeater was having some issue, there might be some white noise, there could be some suspicion of jamming, but likely that station wouldn't look to find the stray signal on 2 meters. There are thousands of Baofengs out in the wild now. They are not likely to go away. On another topic having nothing to do with the quality of Baofengs, I have found that having very inexpensive radios - being a wonderful gift to hams, has also caused some unintended consequences. I love to Jeep in the deserts of California and Nevada. Out in the middle of nowhere, I have found unlicensed operators using Baofengs and other radios for communication, and not following any of our rules. I have found folks filling the simplex spectrum on 2 meter, 220 MHz, and 70 cm. I have also found that packing and distribution plants in California's Central Valley will use Amateur Radio to coordinate their trucks instead of using Citizen Band. I have heard commercial fisherman use Amateur Radio to coordinate their boats to get on the hot fishing grounds - apparently all unlicensed. I work where I can to try and educate, and get the folks licensed up and properly use the Amateur Radio Service for its intended purposes. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't work. Have a great day! 73 de Jim W6LK.
I got a license to experiment. I have very little interest in chatting.
Too late, don't have license yet but bought an anytone 878 and Kenwood d74a. I guess if it's the end of the world I wont need a license .
Matt Lord you should start studying for at least your Technician license because they are going to start doing remote testing. Your comment about not needing a license when it’s the end of the world, is the equivalent of owning a firearm and not learning/practicing till you need to use it.
@@vornado8715 I have been studying. It was because of cancelled test I made the comment. I will be ready for all three hopefully when the doors open again. Online testing seems aways out. But is getting a lot of attention as of lately.
Now that you have a ham license..........you just gave up your right to privacy. The government can now come knocking at your door without a warrant.
Hi David,
What you said is true, but the FCC always has the right to knock on your door. That does not mean you are compelled to let them in without a warrant. That being said, with an Amateur Radio License, if you deny the FCC from the ability to inspect your station, you may forfeit your license. I suppose that if you didn't get a license in the first place, you wouldn't have to worry about forfeiting your license?! Just for fun, I browsed through the records and reports that are kept on the FCC website under their enforcement division and looked at how many Amateur Radio stations got inspected because of suspected issues with their operations. The answer is very, very few. As many, or more unlicensed operators were visited by the FCC due to radio emissions emanating from a residence or business.
It is a little embarrassing, but I was president of an Amateur Radio Club that had an Amateur Television (ATV) repeater that developed a spur. The spur affected what is called differential GPS or terrestrial GPS. This allows surveyors, road graders, farmers with fancy tractors, etc. to have really accurate GPS systems. Because of the spur, we adversely affected a huge swath of Northern California. I was told by the FCC that tractors grading fields were constantly stopping because of the issue in our repeater. Once notified, we had the system off the air within a couple of minutes. We still received a very stern Notice of Violation (you can look it up online), but our station was not inspected by the FCC.
Sometimes the inspection works out in your favor... A few years later, I was contacted by the FAA (not FCC). We had built a new repeater that was back on the air, but it turned out that the 23 cm band (1240-1300 MHz) we are a secondary user. The FAA asked to take a look at our station as it was getting into primary radar systems. Two gentleman from the FAA came to our radio site and spent the better part of the day with us. They were as awesome as they could be and although they could not tell us where to move our output frequency, they worked with us to find a channel that made everyone happy. I was not required to show the FAA our systems, but they were not required to be helpful to our radio club. At the end of the day, I made a couple of new friends and learned a bunch about aspects of radio that I was always curious about.
I can give you plenty of example of folks that got knocks on their doors just in this area from the FCC, local police or sheriff, or even from the Coast Guard. None of the folks that I am thinking about are Ham Radio operators. All just acted naughty by any standard and received anything from a stern talking-to, to prison.
Lastly, Amateur Radio is a hobby of rules and laws. Don't kid yourself, you have to know the rules of the road in order to operate. It really is no difference than operating a boat, a car, or an airplane. That is part of the fun, and what makes Amateur Radio great for families and really civil on the air.
So while I agree with you, the FCC could come a-knocking at your door, the likelyhood is more than quite small unless your are going out of your way to interfere with someone.
73
Jim W6LK
Why is everything bass ackwards in yer video?
Hi Rusty, that's a good question that has been asked and answered a few times before. It was just the way that the video encoded.
KN4QCK
real hams build their own stations. Also, I don't think you understand antennas that well, I would suggest you get and read the ARRL antenna hand book.
And you are an expert at Amateur Radio? As far as "Real Hams" building their own stations: I build my own station every time I set up. I have built my own RADIOS. I build my own antennas and I buy antennas. My built antennas work better than my bought antennas but in certain conditions a compromise antenna is needed due to location, transportability, and conditions. I have read the ARRL antenna book and as a matter of fact it is sitting beside the chair I am sitting in. When you have more than four videos you can critique this man's videos. As for now, QRM!!
Now you can start spending your life savings and 401k
Hi, you sure can spend all your money on Amateur Radio. You can also spend very little on the hobby and have a ton of fun in it. Lots of folks get their start by buying gear from swap meets, club auctions, online trades, or just a fine Elmer giving you a starter kit of gear necessary to get on the air. If you want to spend a bunch of money - that is cool - but that is entirely your choice.
@@jsiemons very true I have a modest station I don't go crazy buying 10k rigs 73s
I have watched many of these videos about getting a ham license, and yours is no different. So far nobody has given me a good reason to become a ham. The only conversations these guys have is to ask another ham how good their signal is and what type of equipment they are using. Boring!!
Hi Robert, I agree with you - if all hams did was ask each other how their signal is, that would be a terrible thing. That is not really why I use it, however. Several years ago, two buddies and myself were pre-running the Rubicon Trail on dual-sport motorcycles just before Memorial Day weekend. Our plan was to take our families there in Jeeps for the long weekend, and we wanted to figure out a great camping spot. We got pretty deep into the trail, and a good size river crossing, one of my friends went down in the middle of the river. We helped him out, but realized that the problem was more serious than we had initially thought. My friend was having a very serious cardiac problem, that turned out to be an aneurysm (fortunately it didn't burst on the trail). There is no cell phone coverage out there, and it took us a couple of hours to get to a place where a little resort could sent a kid up on a mountain top with a Forest Service radio and call for help. Because of the remoteness it still took a long time for help to arrive. My friend was airlifted to a hospital in the knick of time and survived - but that was just dumb luck. Had we been licensed and had a portable Amateur Radio, we could have easily made contact with repeaters and got help maybe three hours sooner. That's what got me into the hobby.
Subsequently, I have found that vehicle to vehicle communication with Amateur Radio is such a dream as compared to CB radio. Amateur Radio is excellent for emergency communications, helping out with public service events (parades, fairs, marathons, horse and bike events, etc.) if you like that sort of thing. Also, I like electronics and technology, and Amateur Radio is a wonderful avenue into that world. I do Amateur Television, several different kinds of digital modes, and have been working on bringing a ham radio based Wifi to the entire region that I live in. When the power goes out, hams can still continue to send emails, files, video, SIP phone traffic to each other without reliance on anyone else. I love to build electronic devices. I am not natively talented at this, but with time and practice, and the confidence of working with some great mentors, I have done some really cool things - even beyond the scope of Amateur Radio. Another fun aspect is contesting. Attempting to make as many contact with as many people - preferably really far away from you as you can in a finite period of time. It is challenging and fun. It tests your ability to operate, build antennas, and set up a credible station.
Bottom line, in and of itself, Amateur Radio is a great hobby! Lots of really smart, technically proficient, self-of-the-earth type people that you instantly become friends with. If that isn't enough, it supports the other hobbies that I also like to do and makes them more fun.
If none of these things are of interest to you - that's OK. Every hobby does not have to be for everyone. However, there are likely one or two items in my list that might interest you, and learning a new thing never hurt anyone!
Have an awesome day!
73
Jim W6LK
If you have to ask..! That said, you got a great reply to your comment. I'll add that in the early months of the coronavirus lockdown here in southern California, a local radio club had a "safe at home" net every day that was fantastic for our area-much better info than I found on Facebook and elsewhere. I've wanted to get a license since I was a kid and just got my tech a week ago. And yes, I'm asking how my signal is, LOL. So? :-D
@@blackwingy what does being a ham have to do with safe at home" net? In 2020 you can talk around the world for pennies on VOIP. Of course there is cell phone. There is affordable satellite internet, that will also allow you to make phone calls. Why would anyone spend ten of thousands of dollars for equipment not to mention the huge eyesore of a tower in their backyard. This is not 1960.
@@blackwingy Hi Blackwingy! Congrats on earning your Amateur Radio license! We all really appreciate you earning your ticket - especially during these really challenging times to do so. I know that you will have a lot of awesome experiences in the hobby. Los Angeles is a wonderful place to live and operate. You have some really strong clubs, excellent technology on the hill and mountaintops, and some of the greatest Elmers anywhere in the country. I will let you in on a little secret... every ham you meet from now on is your friend!
Congrats again!
73 de Jim W6LK
Robert Heintz what it is is a local net so operators within a certain area can connect and share. It’s very valuable as it’s a group that knows the area and can touch base. Apps like Facebook and Nextdoor aren’t live and posters there are often unaccountable. The net happens in REAL time. Plus-thousands? That’s what a computer costs. My radio was under $100 and there are radios that run about $20. Buy hey, it’s fine not to be interested or see the value; emergency services would disagree with your opinion, but that’s cool too. If you don’t get it, you don’t. No harm no foul. There’s one other advantage I’ve found: the ethos of courtesy, service and helpfulness in amateur radio-something too often lacking on the internet. 73!
Another guy not helping CBers move on the amateur radio…
Hi Adrian, I love radio - all kinds of radio. I don't care if you are using 11 meter CB, FRS, GMRS, MURS, or Amateur Radio. All modes, bands, and services are great! Amateur Radio offers a lot of flexibility, quality of signal, and range that is hard to match by the other services that I mentioned. It is also likely the most challenging for new comers to pick up and understand. My goal of this video is to help folks get started in the world of Amateur Radio. I sure may have missed your point. What would you suggest that I included that I may have omitted? Beyond that, please have an awesome day, and thanks for writing! 73 de Jim W6LK