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Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 3:42 am
by Rusty
HenryJ wrote:Family is first priority. Take time if your son needs attention, the license will wait for you :D
Absolutely! I just wish his need for attention wasn't constant! :?
HenryJ wrote:After getting the "ham bug", I tuned a couple local repeaters into the mix. It really does help to hear the good operators. There are some lazy ones out there too. Really good stuff to get the idea on just how it works.
I heard one last night that blew me away. There was a club on a repeater conducting some sort of meeting and a guy broke in looking for directions - he was totally lost and needed to get back to the interstate to get home. Now my understanding is that calls for assistance are supposed to take priority. The club very rudely blew the guy off and told him to go find someone else on another frequency. Now I know people around the DC area can get pretty rude sometimes (some most of the time) but that just amazed me. I know that's a club I won't be joining!

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 5:29 pm
by Rusty
I'm passing the online practice tests every time and only miss a few at most! June 5th is it!

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 5:59 pm
by HenryJ
:thumb:

What do you think so far? Is is making sense and getting easier now?

If I forget later, GOOD LUCK to you!

No matter how long you think it will take to get there, take a look outside way before you plan to leave. You never know when an ice storm will sneak up on you with some freezing rain :crazy: :shock: And take a second look at those forms of ID just before you head out :lol:

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 4:31 am
by Rusty
HenryJ wrote::thumb:

What do you think so far? Is is making sense and getting easier now?

If I forget later, GOOD LUCK to you!

No matter how long you think it will take to get there, take a look outside way before you plan to leave. You never know when an ice storm will sneak up on you with some freezing rain :crazy: :shock: And take a second look at those forms of ID just before you head out :lol:


I did take a basic electronics course in school MANY years ago and it amazes me how much of it I remember, so that's helped a lot. I found a lot of the questions are actually just plain common sense. Then again, some aren't. I keep tripping up on a few where the answer I select seems like it should be right but isn't and the correct answer makes no sense at all. I guess as long as I pass, a few wrong answers won't kill me. I'll learn the other stuff in time.

Another place I am running into trouble is researching what radios I want to get. It's just like when I was looking at GPS's. I ended up so frustrated from the "information overload" that I ran out and bought the first one I could get my paws on which turned out to be total overkill for what I needed. Don't get me wrong. I like the Meridian Platinum but could have got by with the Gold just fine and saved a few bucks.

On the radios, I keep looking at the Kenwood TM-D700 for the mobile even though it's pretty pricey and has a few things I may never use. What I like about it is the cross-band and also locked-band repeater functions as well as being able to control the radio by remote from a handheld. What I don't like is the 2 piece design. I would prefer to have the control head and radio as one so it will be easier to move from one vehicle to another, like maybe on a slide mount. I just can't find anything else that does locked-band repeat and remote control. Kenwood had another one but it's been discontinued. I'm also thinking about the Yaesu FT-8800 but I keep leaning towards the Kenwood. The only thing about Kenwood's remote control is I think I'll have to have a Kenwood HT to use that capability and they are pretty expensive as well.

Well, back to the studying. What radios to get is irrelevant if I fail the test! :roll:

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 6:01 am
by HenryJ
Rusty wrote:...Another place I am running into trouble is researching what radios I want to get....frustrated from the "information overload"...I keep looking at the Kenwood TM-D700 ... I like about it is the cross-band and also locked-band repeater functions as well as being able to control the radio by remote from a handheld. What I don't like is the 2 piece design. I would prefer to have the control head and radio as one so it will be easier to move from one vehicle to another, like maybe on a slide mount....The only thing about Kenwood's remote control is I think I'll have to have a Kenwood HT to use that capability...
You will get the "ONE" figured out. I really like the two piece design for the security it offers. The radio is stored out of sight and protected from damage. It also can be mounted in a cooler location. One of the things that sold me was being able to use a phone cable from Walmart for the remote extension :thumb:

If moving from one vehicle to another is a priority, then perhaps you want to go with a HT and a mag mount antenna? I pack one around all day at work now :D

Shoot for all the features that you want, then look at it realisically and get those that you will use and need.

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 7:21 am
by Rusty
HenryJ wrote:
Rusty wrote:...Another place I am running into trouble is researching what radios I want to get....frustrated from the "information overload"...I keep looking at the Kenwood TM-D700 ... I like about it is the cross-band and also locked-band repeater functions as well as being able to control the radio by remote from a handheld. What I don't like is the 2 piece design. I would prefer to have the control head and radio as one so it will be easier to move from one vehicle to another, like maybe on a slide mount....The only thing about Kenwood's remote control is I think I'll have to have a Kenwood HT to use that capability...
You will get the "ONE" figured out. I really like the two piece design for the security it offers. The radio is stored out of sight and protected from damage. It also can be mounted in a cooler location. One of the things that sold me was being able to use a phone cable from Walmart for the remote extension :thumb:

If moving from one vehicle to another is a priority, then perhaps you want to go with a HT and a mag mount antenna? I pack one around all day at work now :D

Shoot for all the features that you want, then look at it realisically and get those that you will use and need.
I thought about this after I wrote the last post (and after the coffee started to take effect). Maybe the two piece design is better. After all, there really isn't much room under the dash to put anything in the Crewcab or the Blazer (the other vehicle). Also the Kenwood has the provisions for APRS and TNC built in. I really like the way they do the repeater functions and the remote control although my reasoning for the r/c probably isn't valid. I thought if something happened and the repeater sticks I could turn it off by remote but that really isn't true because if it's stuck transmitting it isn't going to hear the HT so I'm still going to have to run back to the truck to shut it down. Of course that's a problem I might face with any radio that does repeating. Oh well, I still have lots of time to sort all of this out.

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:06 am
by Rusty
Well,

I PASSED THE TECH TEST!!!! :bounce:

Now I just have to wait for the FCC to post my call sign. Time to start pacing the floor!

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:39 am
by HenryJ
Woo Hoo! :bounce:

Keep watching the FCC website. It really doesn't take very long.

Congrats! :thumb:

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:02 am
by Rusty
HenryJ wrote:Woo Hoo! :bounce:

Keep watching the FCC website. It really doesn't take very long.

Congrats! :thumb:
Thanks! They tried to talk me into taking the General test too but I was so tired from lack of sleep last night and relieved that I passed the test (I was really stressing over it yesterday) that I decided to stop while I was ahead. I did promise them I would go for it eventually though. I picked up an HT while I was there. I found a used Kenwood TH-79A in like brand new condition. I had someone check it out for me since I couldn't transmit yet and they made a few calls on it, got really good reports back on signal and how it sounded so I grabbed it. For $160, it seemed like a bargain. Only thing I don't like about it is I can't connect it to a PC to load the memory. I didn't realize it didn't do that until after I got it home. Oh well.

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:29 am
by HenryJ
Rusty wrote:... I found a used Kenwood TH-79A in like brand new condition... Only thing I don't like about it is I can't connect it to a PC to load the memory...
There may be a way to program it via computer - Mods.dk

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:07 am
by kf6kmx
Rusty wrote:Well,

I PASSED THE TECH TEST!!!! :bounce:

Now I just have to wait for the FCC to post my call sign. Time to start pacing the floor!
Congrats! :thumb: :rock: :cheers:

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:15 am
by Rusty
HenryJ wrote:
Rusty wrote:... I found a used Kenwood TH-79A in like brand new condition... Only thing I don't like about it is I can't connect it to a PC to load the memory...
There may be a way to program it via computer - Mods.dk
Yeah, I saw that. The 79A only has 80 memory positions though and fairly limited recieve range, unless you mod it. From what I've already read though, changing things inside requires some real skill to solder/unsolder the parts needed because they are really tiny. With my crappy soldering ability, I would just mess it up. For what it would cost to have a pro do it, it's not worth it for me, at least not right now anyway. I bought a handheld scanner a couple of months ago that picks up more stuff than even a moded 79A can get so I'm not going to bother with it. It's a good "starter" radio and I'm sure I'll eventually move up to something better.

I forgot to mention about waiting for my call sign. I will be on vacation part of next week and nowhere near the internet so there's no way I'm going to get it until next Saturday. It's going to be a LONG week! :?

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:25 am
by F9K9
Congrats :thumb:

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:33 am
by Rusty
kf6kmx wrote: Congrats! :thumb: :rock: :cheers:
f9k9 wrote:Congrats :thumb:
Thanks guys!

I didn't sleep last night from stressing over the test. Now I'm beat and need to rest but I'm too excited to sleep. I'm gonna "crash and burn" tonight! :|

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:24 am
by Rusty
WOW, that was FAST!

I'm: KI4KLU

I don't know why I even checked. I thought for sure there was no way I would have it before Wednesday. Surprise! :shock:

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 11:53 am
by kf6kmx
Rusty wrote:WOW, that was FAST!

I'm: KI4KLU

I don't know why I even checked. I thought for sure there was no way I would have it before Wednesday. Surprise! :shock:
Hey, now no one can say you dont have a clue (KLU) :lol:

They have gotten much faster than 'old days' when I got mine ('97).. It took about a week and a half to get it posted online then.. now I think the actual assignment of the call is automated.

We have our local IRLP working again (it had an internet failure).. We'll have to try and link up over IRLP cross country (we can do a refledtor on there and all of us can get on at the same time.. basically a big party line setup).

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:31 pm
by Rusty
kf6kmx wrote:
Rusty wrote:WOW, that was FAST!

I'm: KI4KLU

I don't know why I even checked. I thought for sure there was no way I would have it before Wednesday. Surprise! :shock:
Hey, now no one can say you dont have a clue (KLU) :lol:

They have gotten much faster than 'old days' when I got mine ('97).. It took about a week and a half to get it posted online then.. now I think the actual assignment of the call is automated.

We have our local IRLP working again (it had an internet failure).. We'll have to try and link up over IRLP cross country (we can do a refledtor on there and all of us can get on at the same time.. basically a big party line setup).
Have a clue (KLU). That's a good way for me to remember my ID. Love it! :lol: They told me they file the stuff electronically now and that really speeds things up but I wasn't expecting it to be that fast.

The IRLP link sounds like fun. I'd love to try it. I've been trying to read up on IRLP, Echolink and eQSO (HenryJ mentioned that one) and learn how it works and how to use it. Right now I'm just listening to the locals around my area to get a feel for the proper "protocols and proceedures" and trying to get up the nerve to key up and say hello to anyone. It's funny but I have no problem "talking" to new people I've never met before on this site, but when it comes to actual voice contact, I suddenly get a bad case of "stage fright". I may try going to one of the local club meetings and try to break the ice that way.

Hopefully all three of us "Crewcab Hams" can talk soon. Looking forward to it! :D

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 4:59 pm
by kf6kmx
Rusty wrote:
The IRLP link sounds like fun. I'd love to try it. I've been trying to read up on IRLP, Echolink and eQSO (HenryJ mentioned that one) and learn how it works
Never tried eQSO.. heard of it, but never tried it. The IRLP works pretty good.. Our local repeater is IRLP Node 8120 and Echolink Node Node 152747
Rusty wrote:up the nerve to key up and say hello to anyone. It's funny but I have no problem "talking" to new people I've never met before on this site, but when it comes to actual voice contact, I suddenly get a bad case of "stage fright". I may try going to one of the local club meetings and try to break the ice that way.
I do the same thing for some reason..
Rusty wrote: Hopefully all three of us "Crewcab Hams" can talk soon. Looking forward to it! :D
I think we're starting something here with the Crewcab Hams.. :)
You know, it goes both ways though.. I think I started the bug on here of Ham radio, but a few people on this site had talked out it, and gotten me the bug of Geocaching.. Havent gone out and logged a find yet, but I registered software or my PalmOS to log them, and subscribed to the site :!:

Loaded several local 'cache's into my handheld, and about a half dozen 'benchmarks' that are listed as unfound in the area.. A couple of them I already know almost exactly where they will be from the survey report on the benchmark..

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 5:40 pm
by Rusty
Well, I blame HenryJ completely for giving me the Geocaching bug AND the Ham bug! (j/k) :roflmao:

It's funny but I heard someone local that I hear everyday and I think I talked to at the hamfest. Anyway, I was just about to get up my nerve, hit the PTT and call him and the battery dies! :roll: I swear! Talk about bad timing.

I know what's next on my "grocery list" for equipment. A NiMH battery and quick charger. My HT came with a NiCad (probably a few years old) and a 15 hour slow charger. It doesn't run for too long and takes forever to charge. So much for any QSO's tonight! I have a rig for the truck but it'll be a while before I get it installed.

Watch out for that Geocaching! It's horribly addictive! Even my wife got into it. I never thought it was something that she would enjoy but she loves it. So far Sharon, Kyle and I have logged 18 finds. We're stopping for the summer because it's getting too hot, the places are getting too overgrown and we're tired of picking ticks off each other. This fall though, we're going to attack it with a vengence.

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 6:01 pm
by HenryJ
Rusty wrote:... I blame HenryJ completely ...
Muhahaha :evil:

There are worse things to fall into though :D

I like your call sign "K-eye four clue" at a glance your signature looks like KIA KLU :lol:

Here is a place to find your battery and a charger - Batteriesamerica.com - Kenwood

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 6:05 pm
by kf6kmx
Rusty wrote:Well, I blame HenryJ completely for giving me the Geocaching bug AND the Ham bug! (j/k) :roflmao:

It's funny but I heard someone local that I hear everyday and I think I talked to at the hamfest. Anyway, I was just about to get up my nerve, hit the PTT and call him and the battery dies! :roll: I swear! Talk about bad timing.

I know what's next on my "grocery list" for equipment. A NiMH battery and quick charger. My HT came with a NiCad (probably a few years old) and a 15 hour slow charger. It doesn't run for too long and takes forever to charge. So much for any QSO's tonight! I have a rig for the truck but it'll be a while before I get it installed.
I have the same TH-79. Its several years old (maybe a 98 or 99 model).. Its battery died also.. Best battery I found is the Maha MH-PB-34
A direct fit for that radio, and reasonable priced ($39 or $45 I think it was). Lasts a long time also, Ni-MH 9.6V 1050mAh
Rusty wrote:

Watch out for that Geocaching! It's horribly addictive! Even my wife got into it. I never thought it was something that she would enjoy but she loves it. So far Sharon, Kyle and I have logged 18 finds. We're stopping for the summer because it's getting too hot, the places are getting too overgrown and we're tired of picking ticks off each other. This fall though, we're going to attack it with a vengence.
I've looked at the list for my area and there are a couple hundred in 50 miles radious! Been looking at locations over on the coast too :-)

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 6:16 pm
by Rusty
HenryJ wrote:
Rusty wrote:... I blame HenryJ completely ...
Muhahaha :evil:

There are worse things to fall into though :D

I like your call sign "K-eye four clue" at a glance your signature looks like KIA KLU :lol:

Here is a place to find your battery and a charger - Batteriesamerica.com - Kenwood
I'm not sure yet but I think a vanity sign might be in my future. :lol: I really want to get "K4YLE" but I don't know if that's a valid sign. I had a tough time on the 1x2, 2x3, etc call sign combinations. Confusing! Fortunately, none of that was on the test I took. Come to think of it, they never did tell me which one I missed on the test but I guess it doesn't really matter now.

I'll have to check out batteriesamerica.com when I get back from my trip. I wonder what else they have batteries for? Something else I want to get since I'm going on a road trip is a listing of repeaters. I plan to get the ARRL repeater list (only $10) but does anyone know of a good online list?

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 6:28 pm
by HenryJ
Rusty wrote:...does anyone know of a good online list?
Open Amateur Repeaters

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 6:35 pm
by Rusty
HenryJ wrote:
Rusty wrote:...does anyone know of a good online list?
Open Amateur Repeaters
That works. Thanks!

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 7:27 pm
by border man
Speaking of all this radio stuff, where can I find some good info on operating a scanner. The bad guys use all kinds of radio equipment to keep tabs on when they are running dope and I would like to listen in on their traffic. We have already found several hasty but well placed repeater sites on the mountains around our AOR so I want to even the palying field. Also need to get my HAM license. :idea: :idea:

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 7:53 pm
by HenryJ
border man wrote:...need to get my HAM license. :idea: :idea:
Go for it! :bounce:

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 3:54 am
by F9K9
border man wrote:Speaking of all this radio stuff, where can I find some good info on operating a scanner. The bad guys use all kinds of radio equipment to keep tabs on when they are running dope and I would like to listen in on their traffic. We have already found several hasty but well placed repeater sites on the mountains around our AOR so I want to even the palying field. Also need to get my HAM license. :idea: :idea:
I had a coworker going to the HD fest at Mrytle Beach last month and I just plugged "mrytle beach radio freqs" into google and got a bunch of hits for him. :D

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:35 am
by F9K9
HJ, I can't find the original thread of you studying for your license. I'm looking for the site to take the practice tests on. I am afraid that if, I don't immerse myself in something relatively cheap I am going to start looking at used jeeps and trailers. That will lead to a tow rig :bonk:

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:33 am
by HenryJ
This is what you are looking for, as well as the rest of my Ham links:

License:
QRZ Ham Radio Practice Tests
eHam.net Ham Radio Practice Exams
License Search

Ham radio software - cables:
G4HFQ memory management programming software for Yaesu transceivers
Welcome to ttl2usb.com
Jim Mitchell - VX software
EchoLink
Parts Express Home
Texas Towers, The Online Ham Radio Store
Universal Radio shortwave
AES Website
HRO
HRO order status
Ham Radio Forum

ARRL , clubs, information:
Bob Chrz's (KC7BSA) IRLP
KB7USR & KC7IQQ Home Page
Club, Oregon, Idaho
ARRLWeb
Colin's Amateur Radio Website
ARRLWeb: ARRL Home Page
SW Idaho Repeaters
The Voice of Idaho Amateur Radio Club - Home
MURS: Frequently Asked Questions

Handheld:
Yaesu VX-7R VX-7RB Amateur HT VX7R
Yaesu VX-7R Product Reviews
Yaesu VX-7R REVIEW
Welcome to Yaesu.com
Yaesu Modification Website - VX-1R - VX-2R - VX-5R - VX-7R
Yahoo! Groups : VX-7R
Yahoo! Groups : YAESUVX7
Magnet-Mount Mobile Scanner Antenna
Handheld Clip-on Speaker/Microphone
12VDC Car Power Adapter with 8-Ft. Cord

Yaesu FT-8800R:
Welcome to Yaesu.com
Yaesu FT-8800R Product Reviews
Yahoo! Groups : FT-8800R
Download
mods.dk -> YAESU - FT-8800
UL Listed Line Cord 25' Silver
6-Conductor Inline Coupler (Ivory

Antennas:
Comet B-10 and B-10NMO Mobile Antenna
Amateur Mobile Antennas
New-Tronics Antenna Home Page
SMA to BNC Adapter
mods.dk - YAESU - VX-7R
Welcome to Jameco Electronics!
NCG Company

APRS:
TinyTrak3 GPS Position Encoder
APRS
APRS: Automatic Position Reporting System
Radioactive Networks: OziAPRS - APRS for OziExplorer
Byonics - Pocket Tracker
KD4RDB APRS PAGE :: Index
http://www.tapr.org/tapr/html/Faprswg.html
APRS Database Access
aprsworld: Jump to an Area

Repeaters:
Local Repeater
Amateur Radio Repeater database
UsRepeaters.Com - Home
ham-radio-reviews
Wide-coverage Internet Repeater Enhancement System
IRLP - Internet Radio Linking Project
Amateur Radio And DX Reference Guide
Ham Radio Deluxe: Home Page

Oregon Band Plans
FCC frequency database
FCC frequency database 2
Nifty! Ham Accessories Home Page
Parts Express:35 AMP NOISE FILTER HEAVY DUTY
FM VHF Operating

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:48 am
by F9K9
Dayem :lol: I was looking only to find the original thread :shock: No more IDLE hands here. Thank you, Sir :wink:

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:01 am
by HenryJ
This may have been the thread that you were looking for- Tracking radio and HAM radio install in my '03

Expedition Portal communications forum has several good threads going on the subject.

Amateur radio: a friendly competition, but I have to win

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:11 am
by 2kwik4u
Yikes, this is the first I've heard of HAM in some years.

My whole family was into it pretty deep back in the day. I got my license when I was 11 back in 1990. Call sign was KD4EWP.....I let it expire a few years back when I realized I hadn't used it in a few years. Kinda wish I would've kept it now.

Glad to see some people are still involved in the hobby. My grandparents, and subsequently the rest of the family lost interest when computers became able to make contacts for you. Seems to have taken some of the fun from it :(

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:22 am
by HenryJ
In the offroad world it is still alive. It really is tough to beat the amount of "reach" you have on a 2m.

I have not used it much in terms of transmitting, but I use the receiver daily. It also come in handy for the emergency services work that I do.

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:54 am
by HenryJ

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:58 am
by F9K9
HenryJ wrote:A handy link: US Repeaters mapping utility
Three months to the day :lol:

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:42 pm
by HenryJ
Alanh wrote:I doubt it makes that much difference to most of you here, but if anyone has thought about upgrading their amateur radio license, but not wanted to work on the Morse code requirement, I saw a notice on one of the ham radio sites that the FCC has decided to drop it as a requirement for the advanced license classes. The notice didn't say just when though.
I had heard the same thing passed around. The word so far has been don't hold your breath.
Reports I have read said that it doesn't look like anything will change for 2007. This report seems a little more encouraging.

I would like to have some higher frequency privledges. Morse code really is essential for true long distance contacts since it is a very small package, and universal language. I am sure that technology has provided methods of using it without being fluent in Morse code.

For those interested Hello-Radio and ARRL.org

Here is the report:
ARRLweb wrote:End of an Era: FCC to Drop Morse Testing for All Amateur License Classes

NEWINGTON, CT, Dec 15, 2006 -- In an historic move, the FCC has acted to drop the Morse code requirement for all Amateur Radio license classes. The Commission today adopted, but hasn't yet released, the long-awaited Report and Order (R&O) in WT Docket 05-235, the "Morse code" proceeding. Also today, the FCC adopted an Order on Reconsideration in WT Docket 04-140 -- the "omnibus" proceeding -- modifying the Amateur Radio rules in response to an ARRL request to accommodate automatically controlled narrowband digital stations on 80 meters in the wake of rule changes that became effective today at 12:01 AM Eastern Time. The Commission said it will designate the 3585 to 3600 kHz frequency segment for such operations, although the segment will remain available for CW, RTTY and data as it has been. In a break from what's been the usual practice in Amateur Radio proceedings, the FCC only issued a public notice at or about the close of business today and not the actual Report & Order, so some details -- including the effective dates of the two orders -- remain uncertain. Currently, Amateur Radio applicants for General and higher class licenses have to pass a 5 WPM Morse code test to operate on HF. Today's R&O will eliminate that requirement all around.

"This change eliminates an unnecessary regulatory burden that may discourage current Amateur Radio operators from advancing their skills and participating more fully in the benefits of Amateur Radio," the FCC said. The ARRL had asked the FCC to retain the 5 WPM for Amateur Extra class applicants only. The FCC proposed earlier to drop the requirement across the board, however, and it held to that decision in today's R&O.

Perhaps more important, the FCC's action in WT Docket 05-235 appears to put all Technician licensees on an equal footing: Once the R&O goes into effect, holders of Technician class licenses will have equivalent HF privileges, whether or not they've passed the 5 WPM Element 1 Morse examination. The FCC said the R&O in the Morse code docket would eliminate a disparity in the operating privileges for the Technician and Technician Plus class licensees -- something the ARRL also has asked the Commission to correct following the release of its July 2005 Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in WT Docket 05-235.

"With today's elimination of the Morse code exam requirements, the FCC concluded that the disparity between the operating privileges of Technician class licensees and Technician Plus class licensees should not be retained," the FCC said in its public notice. "Therefore, the FCC, in today's action, afforded Technician and Technician Plus licensees identical operating privileges."

Technician licensees without Element 1 credit (ie, Tech Plus licensees) currently have operating privileges on all amateur frequencies above 30 MHz. Tech Pluses or Technicians with Element 1 credit have limited HF privileges on 80, 40, 15 and 10 meters. Under the Part 97 rules the Commission proposed last year in its NPRM in WT Docket 05-235, current Technicians lacking Morse credit after the new rules went into effect would have had to upgrade to General to earn any HF privileges.

The wholesale elimination of a Morse code requirement for all license classes ends a longstanding national and international regulatory tradition in the requirements to gain access to Amateur Radio frequencies below 30 MHz. The first no-code license in the US was the Technician ticket, instituted in 1991. The question of whether or not to drop the Morse requirement altogether has been the subject of often-heated debate over the past several years, but the handwriting has been on the wall -- especially since the FCC instituted an across-the-board 5 WPM Morse requirement effective April 15, 2000, in the most-recent major Amateur Radio licensing restructuring (WT Docket 98-143).

The FCC said today's R&O in WT Docket 05-235 comports with revisions to the international Radio Regulations resulting from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03). At that gathering, delegates agreed to authorize each country to determine whether or not to require that applicants demonstrate Morse code proficiency in order to qualify for an Amateur Radio license with privileges on frequencies below 30 MHz.

The list of countries dropping the Morse requirement has been growing steadily since WRC-03. A number of countries, including Canada, the UK and several European nations, now no longer require applicants for an Amateur Radio license to pass a Morse code test to gain HF operating privileges. Following WRC-03, the FCC received several petitions for rule making asking it to eliminate the Morse requirement in the US.

Typically, the effective date of an FCC Order is 30 days after it appears in the Federal Register. If that's the case, the Morse requirement and the revised 80-meter segment for automatically controlled digital stations would likely not go into effect until late January or early February 2007. That's not clear from the public notice, however. The FCC can order its decision effective upon release.

The ARRL will provide any additional information on these important Part 97 rule revisions as it becomes available.
Looks like an automatic upgrade to Tech Plus priveldges may be in my future :thumb:

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:12 pm
by 04crewvt
Holy resurrected threads Batman!!!

I took the test tonight for my Tech License 10 minutes to fill in the vital stats 10 for the exam and 5 waiting for the guy to call me back in. He says to me how would you like to take another test??? I though to myself I can't possibly have messed up that badly, I had been getting 92-100 % on all practice tests. He says oh no just wanted to see if you wanted to try for your General tag while your at it since you passed the Tech with a 94.3% 33/35 questions. I took it but had not studied it at all so no pass there but as soon as the paperwork goes through sometime next week I will be an official HAM.

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:15 pm
by F9K9
Congrats, Brian!!

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:44 pm
by HenryJ
YES!
That is just great! keep watching here: Advanced FCC search As soon as the FCC posts it , you have your ticket.
Do you have a radio?

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:17 pm
by 04crewvt
yes vx-150 for portable and ft8800r for mobile it's going into my new (to me) Tahoe. Was going to upgrade the portable to a dual band but that will have to wait.

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:22 pm
by HenryJ
Good.

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:42 am
by Gary H
Congrats!

I've been tossing around the idea of trying for my General upgrade and getting back into it. Seems a shame to let that FT-857 just sit and collect dust!

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:47 am
by 04crewvt
You can always donate it to a good causeImage I got my basic equipment and licenses to further my C.E.R.T teams ability to communicate over the distances we sometime need to cover Image

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:57 am
by Gary H
04crewvt wrote:You can always donate it to a good causeImage I got my basic equipment and licenses to further my C.E.R.T teams ability to communicate over the distances we sometime need to cover Image
Sure! (for a price!) J/K! :lol:

I've become active in an off-roading club and the biggest reason I originally got into HAM in the first place was the lack of emergency communications in the mountains. That cell phone just doesn't work once you get away from "civilization". I have to admit though, it was kinda fun to see who I could reach from the top of Meadow Knob when 6 meter was active.

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:03 am
by 04crewvt
That's basically the situation here cell phone coverage is spotty at best and the team has an area that spans some areas that have no reception at all. While the Govt. in there infinite wisdom lets us use business band low power radios (if we purchase them) they will buy us antennas for our ham rigs (go figure) Those of us with our tickets can support a much larger area this way and still be in contact with our CP. Waiting with baited breath to get my confirmation so I can see who will be my first contact.

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:47 pm
by 04crewvt
It hasn't shown up by name on the F.C.C site but it's on QRZ.com and the number brings up the correct info from the search database so I am officially --- KB1RDX---

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:49 pm
by HenryJ
Way to go! We might have to Echolink sometime.

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:57 pm
by 04crewvt
what would I need for the interface to the sound card and or software I haven't looked into that yet

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:27 pm
by HenryJ
http://www.echolink.org/
You should need nothing more than your computer and callsign.

I received help with programing software through a connection in England.

I haven't used it much and don't even have it loaded on this laptop. Might be fun to play with it again sometime though.

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 4:14 pm
by HenryJ
Jerry wrote:Hi,
No more code requirement for any of the license classes so don't bother pulling out the code tapes!!! Only three license classes nowadays, Technician, General and Extra. Tech Class gets you on all VHF and UHF bands, including the popular 2-meter (144) and 70-centimeter (440) bands as well as all of the 6-meter band and a portion of the 10-meter phone band (voice)! And a Tech License still gets you into CW portions of the 10, 15, 40 and 80-meter bands. Play with code if you wish, but it is no longer a requirement.

The 2-meter band, requiring a Technician License, is the most popular among backroad enthusiasts. Based on your past experience it should only take a week of studying in the evenings to bone up for the exam. The easiest way to prepare for the test is to take practice exams on the net. Each site has about 100 mock-up exams with the exact questions and answers as found on the real test. Check out the following links:

QRZ.COM QRZ Ham Radio Practice Tests (free)
eHam.net Ham Radio Practice Exams (also free)
HamTestOnlineā„¢ - Ham Radio Exam Courses (pay $25 and excellent results)
Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area (exam locations, dates and times)

As an aside, if you study up for both the Technician and General you can take both at the same exam session and only have to pay for one. Cost of the test and license is only $15 for ten years.

Good luck!
Jerry, (Kilo Seven Pacific North West)
Just thought I'd bump this for a few who REALLY need a license :bump:

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:11 pm
by saab9k
got my license twenty something years ago, it was easy then. before the cell phones, but beepers.

n5tki

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:47 pm
by HenryJ
Easy, :clap:, I think that you had it rough.
It is a walk now with no code required. Personally I think that will bring in more of the young blood and keep the hobby going.

I have a buddy just north of you that needs a nudge into the ham world. Any help or encouragement you can offer?

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:03 pm
by 04crewvt
Finally set up on echolink on my home computer and iPhone (when I have a WiFi signal only since I have no voice or data plan on it currently)

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:25 pm
by HenryJ
I started to but became frustrated with getting a signed certificate to pass the confirmation. I am not going to accept them charging my credit card.
How did you do it?

I had it set up once, but they have made the process much more complicated.

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:37 pm
by 04crewvt
I just scanned my license into the computer with a flatbed scanner ( had done that when I got it) and just linked the copy to them as requested, took all of 20 minutes to get confirmed

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:50 pm
by 04crewvt
I also just picked up my first dual band hand held a Wouxun KGUV2D from wouxun.us nice dual band with FM radio as well 128 programmable channels via free software and an inexpensive USB cable. Impressive radio for $110

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:10 pm
by HenryJ
Heard good things about the cheap Chinese copy radios. I have been tempted to "invest" in one. The Yaesu VX-7R I have has been doing fine though and I really don't need another HT right now.

I'll give the echolink another try this weekend.

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 7:51 am
by HenryJ
Dusting off.
Those cheap chinese radios have been great. I have used and tested dozens of the Wouxun KGUV2D radios. They really do a great job.
I now have more HT radios than I can shake a stick at. I recently was given a Yaesu VX-170. Looks like a nice little VHF. Matched the programming to my VX-7R

I never though I would get into HF , but I was given the contents of an old Hams shack. That included a HF rig. I was lacking a power supply, but ordered that. Yesterday we went in and pulled down the antennas. Turns out the VHF was just what I needed to improve my VHF at home.

Image

Tuned up very nicely. That should really improve performance.

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:24 am
by roadrunner
Looks like ya stole a knight's lance. :lol: 8)

Re: Ham Radio

Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:12 am
by HenryJ
roadrunner wrote:Looks like ya stole a knight's lance. :lol: 8)
I was thinking the same thing. You should have seen it on the Avalanche. All ready to go jousting :lol: