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The Ham Radio Thread

sawtooth4x4

sawtooth4x4

Totally Awesome
Location
Land of East Laytonshire
I feel like I should learn how to VHF and UHF, but I have no clue.

I'd like to get into it. Is there a good online way to learn about it and take the tests. I don't have a lot of free time right now for onsite training.

Thanks
 
S

stimmie

Registered User
Location
Roosevelt
I listened to the audio lectures from here:
https://www.handiham.org/local/blind/2014-2018_technician_course.htm

I deliver parts all over the oilfield most days, so I had the time to listen to them. Then I used hamstudy.org and an app called hre-tech on my iPhone. Then Saturday I went to a "class" that was being held at BYU. The classroom section was from 8:00-12:30 and consisted of going over all 400+ questions in the question pool and the correct answer. You study to pass the test, you don't study to use a radio. After studying more on hamstudy.org, I took the test and passed. NV7V put on the class. Worked for me. When my brother did it, he studied all on his own, then just went to take the test in the afternoon on a day they were putting on a class. Only cost was the $14 for the test.
 
nnnnnate

nnnnnate

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Location
WVC, UT
I did that same thing at BYU back in 2014. I think its fine if someone wants to sit and listen but have suggested to others that a less boring route is to take 15-30 minutes a night for a week and go through the questions on something like hamstudy.org then take the test. Regardless though good on you for acing the test.

What are your plans for using ham now that your licensed? Are you going to get a setup for a trail rig or go mobile initially? Do you see yourself getting a home setup and a home antenna?
 
S

stimmie

Registered User
Location
Roosevelt
For me, going to the class was good to visualize different things since I had mainly listened to the audio lectures.

Right now, my plans with the ham are to just use the Baofeng BF-F8HP handheld. I want to get an antenna from Signal Stuff and also a magnet mount to run in the truck. And also the cigarette adapter for it. Eventually I want a dual band installed in the truck. Someday when I can afford a trail rig again I'll have one in that too :). As for a home setup, we don't have room in our current home so that will have to wait until we change houses.
 
Kevin B.

Kevin B.

Not often wrong. Never quite right.
Moderator
Location
Stinkwater
I did the hamstudy.org thing, it worked well. I really could use a proper class now though because I'm still fuzzy on a lot of it.
 
mesha

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
FWIW, when I finished they let me take the next level up exam for free. I did not pass because I didn't study any of the questions. At least I got to see some of the questions if I ever want to get the next level. Had I known they would let me take it I would have studied both. It would have been nice to get two of them out of the way at once.
 
DAA

DAA

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Location
West Bountiful, UT
mesha said:
Had I known they would let me take it I would have studied both.
Click to expand...

I basically just studied for the general. Then just took a few technician practice tests right before I took the exam. I didn't get perfect scores on either exam but easily passed them both. I did score slightly higher on the general and completed it faster, since it's what I had studied for. But, the technician was pretty easy too.

- DAA
 
frieed

frieed

Jeepless in Draper
Supporting Member
Location
Draper, UT
They let me have 3 tries at the general after I passed the technician and missed by 1 freaking point each time.
 
S

stimmie

Registered User
Location
Roosevelt
I've only talked to my brother in Alpine, and a couple nets, and a guy in Northern Arizona. My tx strength must not be that grand... the last net I tried to check in to, they thought that oscar was foxtrot... so they got my call sign wrong.. I would like to get a signal stuff antenna for my baofeng to see if that helps..
 
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