crash course in ham

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

ok, so if go into ham, what should i start with.

appreciate theres a course and exam but what
sort of rig.

seen some neat, atleast for in car 144/430MHz
units. think seen that these can access 'net
repeaters?

also ref to 10metres which I believe is much lower
quite close to CB frequencies.

imagine bands are determined by licence level, so
whats the order, just so can get idea of equipment
pricing.

10 10 for now, not ok just joking..

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

best thing for ham is cheese, oh and a nice ripe tomato!

10 4 good buddy :lol

 

[jims-terrano]

I guess you knew I'd jump in :lol:lol:lol

Contact this place http://www.lamcommunications.net/

For mobile check out the Yaesu FT8900, I've heard it can be opened up to cover 27mhz and pmr but that would break license regs of course so I would never tell you to do that. Slightly cheaper is the FT8800 very similar but only 2 bands rather than 4 of the 8900.

Lot's of handhelds about but stick to brands like Alinco, Kenwood, Icom and Yaesu. There are some cheap Chinese made radios about that tend not to be approved for use over here and for good reason.

Drop me a pm if you like and let me how your going on.

Jim

 

[Terranosaurus]

I've got the 8900 rig Jim refers to but tbh I'v never really used the 10m and 6m bands on it. Tend to stick to the 70sm and 2m (or 144 & 430Mhz). The 8900 only does FM on all frequencies whereas the bulk of traffic on HF (10m and 6m+) is AM so tbh its not that useful. The 7800 from yaesu will do 70cm and 2m and is abot half the price.

Depend sreally what you want it for. If its for a whoe new hobby you may want to buy something with AM and HF capability if its just a replacement (but better) for CB or a tool for comms (for me for 4x4 Response work) then a simplker dua band will do the job.

If buying older gear (at theright price of course) check for CTCSS function without which you won't be able to use repeaters (some will allow tone burst but not all) andthe strength of 70cm and 2m IMHO is the repater network. The open up longer distance comms - centre of Leeds to east coast evry day of the year for instance, not reliant on atmpspherics or sunspots etc. you'll never do that on CB.

 

[sperko]

not reliant on atmpspherics or sunspots etc. you'll never do that on CB.

All depends on the CB RIG ya using, :augie . you can still get auntie marie and warm it up a little

 

[Terranosaurus]

All depends on the CB RIG ya using, :augie . you can still get auntie marie and warm it up a little

Perhaps I should have added - legally.

Of course once you have an amateur license you can use AM SSB.

To go back to TTT2's original post. No its not the frequencies that are limited by your license its the power you are allowed to use that goes up as you get the higher licenses. You are also allowed to use modified and self built equipment legally. Amateurs are the only class of license who are allowed to do this across all spectrums and you'll find people playing with all sorts of things on the amateur bands from slow scan TV to internet over radio (used in africa and other remote locations - much cheaper than satellite time. I have friends who are developing various bits of software/hardware to interact with HAM stuff ie location transponders to produce a live map of where 4x4 Responders are on a call. I'm sure there will e proprietary stuff available but at what cost. These guys can just build and program it themselves. Me I just make voice calls.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

ta guys,

so is an 8900 the sort of all singing rig i could try once got my foundation licence.

as JT knows its something im interested in but not had time to give to course work.
now toying again on basis similar costs to a games console or new pc, neither of
which i actually need!

looking at contacting the sheffield club in the new year, take it response groups use
the higher frequency bands.

 

[jims-terrano]

I bought the 8800 as I didn't think the extra two bands 6m and 10m would be of much use and all fairness I have equipment for 6 and 10 and rarely use them. That's not to say they are not of use. I like the 88 89 due to the fact they are two radios in one, so you can use more than one channel at once. Don't let me put you off the cheaper FT7800 but this is single band at one time. For my RAYNET activities I can use cross band repeat ie 70cm on low power and come out on 2m with higher power so that I can walk around with my little handheld on 70cm and let the car do the donkey work if you see what I mean.
Remember as a rule of thumb vhf and uhf that we've been talking about is line of sight but given correct conditions will go further. HF which is normally Sideband and CW (morse) is longer distance and very easily around the world.

Your first license is the Foundation which most people will pass very easily but your limited to 10Watts, this is more than adequate if your clever. The next step is the Intermediate with a jump up to 50Watts but this is technically harder so you have to study for that one but not impossible. Then you have the Advanced which is the old Class A license. This is the months of going to classes to study. This gives you higher power but different limits for some of the different bands. Thing to remember is that power isn't everything.

There are so many different aspects to the hobby not just voice and Morse. Your local club will welcome you and see you right. Call up and see Lee at LAM and have a chat. There's me and Simon who are more than happy to answer your questions.

Simon the locating software that runs with GPS is it called APRS by any chance, my RAYNET group are just getting kitted out with it.

Sorry for going on, it is so easy to get carried away because it is such a big hobby. I've floated from one aspect to another for years. One of the best things I saw demonstrated was Moon Bounce, as it says bouncing signals off the moon.


Jim T

PS if you want to get your hands on some kit and have a play your more than welcome to come up here.

 

[Terranosaurus]

Simon the locating software that runs with GPS is it called APRS by any chance, my RAYNET group are just getting kitted out with it..

Similar but different. From what I gather, "ordinary" APRS is pretty simple. The little group of electronics and computing engineers that are working on this system do the various parts of stuff for their day jobs (Neil who bought your old rig for instance, used to be heavily involved with GPS and inertial guidance systems at work - at a level that required CIA clearance because of the technology involved).

take it response groups use
the higher frequency bands.

NOt specifically but it does seem to work that way. 70cm and m are the most practical for mobile operation and the repeater network is better too, though DX range is lower. But 4x4 Response is mainly looking for short range at the scene comms. Many groups use CB and PMR, YL use all 3, not everyone has HAM and PMR is often enough, but the flexibility to do more is welcome.

so is an 8900 the sort of all singing rig i could try once got my foundation licence.

Not really but its pretty good rig. As JT says the 2 radios in one is good, I don't use mine as a pepeater like him but its handy for monitoring 2 frequencies. Sky's the limit really - its all down to how much you might want to spend.

As JT says get in touch with LAM. Lee and co up there will see you right, plenty of advice and no pressure to buy. But get in touch with a club and get your license first. The little bit f experience you get there should help you decide what you want in a radio.

License difficulty depends on your background. I found the Foundation quite simple, no real learning bar the HAM specific stuff like call sign nomenclature, but you have to do a practical session, nothing too taxing. Intermediate took a bit of work but just a few nights with the booklet, and again there's a practical session but pretty simple stuff really. The advanced however I've stalled at for now, going to take some serious revision for that and I've not put the time aside at the moment. That said I don't feel the need to do it, but just fancy it sometime. I know a couple of people who walked into it and passed with no tuition just a bit of revision from the book - but electronics is their day job. I only took physics as far as A level and that was some time ago now.

 

[sperko]

Lads can you tell me, I had a Ham licence back in the late 60's my call sign was G3 REG or somthing like that it's sooooo long ago. Will the exam I took still be good for today or will I have to sit another exam

 

[jims-terrano]

If you can provide the C&G Certificate or you old license then OFCOM will relicense you with no problems. Nowadays it's a license for life so you only pay once for each license.

Jim T

PS nice to hear of a fellow G3:thumbs

 

[sperko]

Cheers Jim T I have a copy of my old licence and the C&G SO I'll get on the case after xmas. I had to shut down my old station in 73 when we moved house and could not get planning permision for the Arial tower so got into CB But do miss the old CQ DX days

 

[MontysMaverick]

for what its worth....

just to add my 2pence worth, Id look at someting like a icom 706mk2g or a yaesu ft 897 (could be the 857 its the mobile one anyway not the transportable one) always been a icom man myself with no issues and excellent service As you go from 160 mtrs to 70cms and get a full 100w of power so if the 2mtr and 70cms bands are quiet you can always get onto hf and talk to a few europeans or inter-country on say 7mhz.Id avoid the 817 yaesu if you intend to use it as a mobile 5w output, small buttons and a sometimes difficult to drive menu system. Super qrp rig if static mobile etc but no mounting bracket etc etc.Must say tho its very infectious and can be as costly as you make it, BUT its brilliant when you have your first trans atlantic ragchew with a real redneck for the good old state of tennesse like what happened to me more than 35 yrs ago, needless to say have never put a microphone down since, do the exam, (at your pace) read the reviews at eham.com or qrz.com and buy wisely and not whats the in fashion model of the day

 

[briggie]

just to add my 2pence worth, Id look at someting like a icom 706mk2g or a yaesu ft 897 (could be the 857 its the mobile one anyway not the transportable one) always been a icom man myself with no issues and excellent service As you go from 160 mtrs to 70cms and get a full 100w of power so if the 2mtr and 70cms bands are quiet you can always get onto hf and talk to a few europeans or inter-country on say 7mhz.Id avoid the 817 yaesu if you intend to use it as a mobile 5w output, small buttons and a sometimes difficult to drive menu system. Super qrp rig if static mobile etc but no mounting bracket etc etc.Must say tho its very infectious and can be as costly as you make it, BUT its brilliant when you have your first trans atlantic ragchew with a real redneck for the good old state of tennesse like what happened to me more than 35 yrs ago, needless to say have never put a microphone down since, do the exam, (at your pace) read the reviews at eham.com or qrz.com and buy wisely and not whats the in fashion model of the day

as a fully qualified electronic service engineer and a ssb enthusiast for over 30 years , i suspect id have no trouble at all passing the exam...... but ..... i choose not to take it because of all the red tape .... 27 meg ssb is much more fun :augie

 

[jims-terrano]

Eyup Monty's Mav, I did wonder about your background when you mentioned sunspots earlier.
I got the Yaesu 857 which is the mobile all mode all band and it's a fantastic little rig but far too fiddly for mobile use. Love my little FT8800 for mobile. Like the Icom rig too and I know several people who love the 706 to bit's.

Briggies right he'd probably pass the Foundation no probs but he's happy with 27meg and fair play to him as he get's plenty of enjoyment out of it and after all that's the heart of any hobby.

Jim

 

[briggie]

Eyup Monty's Mav, I did wonder about your background when you mentioned sunspots earlier.
I got the Yaesu 857 which is the mobile all mode all band and it's a fantastic little rig but far too fiddly for mobile use. Love my little FT8800 for mobile. Like the Icom rig too and I know several people who love the 706 to bit's.

Briggies right he'd probably pass the Foundation no probs but he's happy with 27meg and fair play to him as he get's plenty of enjoyment out of it and after all that's the heart of any hobby.

Jim

sunspots , propagation...... i detect a thread coming up :lol:lol

 

[briggie]

base loaded/centre loaded .top loaded or di pole debate ? :augie:augie

 

[jims-terrano]

1/4 Wave, !/2 Wave or 5/8 Wave:surrender

Int it past your bed time Pete :lol

Jim

 

[briggie]

1/4 Wave, !/2 Wave or 5/8 Wave:surrender

Int it past your bed time Pete :lol

Jim

of course the 3 element yagi beam ....... now we are talking ... whack a stalker 9 fdx and a1 kw linear through that .... woo hoo

 

[briggie]

of course the 3 element yagi beam ....... now we are talking ... whack a stalker 9 fdx and a1 kw linear through that .... woo hoo

ps . ever had a rf burn ? :lol:lol