rexlion
Tulsa OK
Senior Member
Joined: 04/01/2005
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My brother and I are both big hams, always kidding around... where do I get a license? 
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morsecodeham
MA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/20/2006
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73 de N1TT
2005 Jayco Jay Feather Sport 186
2005 Ford F-150 XLT Long bed 4.6 V8 3.55 axle
Reese WD & HP Dual Cam Anti-sway
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Hamops
Oshawa, ON, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/26/2003
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VE3INB since 1976
FISTS #2000
Motto: Morse Code, The Original Digital.
Helen & George VE3INB and Max (Bichon Frise)
06 Silverado LT 2500HD D/A
2006 Crossroads Cruiser CF30SK
Prodigy Brake Controller
16K Reese Slider with a Bedsaver
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rolnrolnroln
WA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/15/2004
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If I may go a tiny bit off topic... I could pass any non-code test with only a little study on the specific FCC regs. I know electronics well. I have thought several times about taking the time to get a license, but (no offense intended) what do you do with a license once you get one? I can certainly see the interest in the pre-WWW/pre-cell/pre GPS days, but with the Web and cell phones, is there anything that the Ham can do that I can't do just pecking a bit on the keyboard or flipping the cell? I'd really like to start a "Ham shack" but need some justification?.
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stouffer
N Central, Tx
Senior Member
Joined: 09/13/2003
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Aa of February of this year no code is required for any level of Amateur license.
So far as what can be done with a Ham license, there are lots of things. The one of greatest interest to a lot of us is being able to provide communications during emergencies when no other means of communications is available. A lot of great things were done by Hams after Katrina.
There are also a lot of place where there are no cell phones and an HF radio is a great way to make contact.
Look at ARRL.net to get an idea of what Ham radio is all about. It's not for everyone, but for those that are interested it's a lot of fun and can be very useful.
Part-timer
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dangerbird
Delanson, New York
Full Member
Joined: 09/04/2005
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Still an RV wannabee but will definately have a radio in a coach or TT. I presently run an IC-706 in the car.
Carl, WG2E
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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Cell phones and internet typically do not operate in an emergency where all power is lost in a large area such as Katerina. hams stepped up and helped with emergency communications to help FEMA, Red Cross, police and fire.
When in Oklahoma, there were having bad grass fires and the local volunteer fire department had a new communications system go down during a bad fire. The fire teams lost all communications as cells would not work in such remote areas. The call went out on the local 2M repeater and we set up a base unit at the fire station and dispatched hams to the areas where fire teams were working. Managed to keep the fire fighting effort going for several hours until the system was repaired and in operation.
I addition to just voice and code (CW) communications, we can also set up amateur slow scan TV, faxes, and email via shortwave radio.
Last data published by ARRL, there are only about 650,000 licensed amateur radio operators in the US.
Plus it is really interesting hobby.
73's
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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kd8wdave
Middletown,OH
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Joined: 06/06/2006
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rolnrolnroln wrote:If I may go a tiny bit off topic... I could pass any non-code test with only a little study on the specific FCC regs. I know electronics well. I have thought several times about taking the time to get a license, but (no offense intended) what do you do with a license once you get one? I can certainly see the interest in the pre-WWW/pre-cell/pre GPS days, but with the Web and cell phones, is there anything that the Ham can do that I can't do just pecking a bit on the keyboard or flipping the cell? I'd really like to start a "Ham shack" but need some justification?.
I am KD8W, have a cell ph and use it. I can talk to folks over all the world on all ham bands and its like a direct party line. You would have trouble with that on a cell-ph(costwise). I like CW also and do some contesting in that mode. There is APRS(it tells the rest of my family & friends where I am in the RV, 'echolink' allows me to talk to anyone in the world using a radio-internet link , should I go on !!??
73's
KD8W
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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One thing regarding a Ham forum.. For many years there was one, on what is now Community.compuserve.com (Back when it was just compuserve, no Dot com) however it folded. We hams often chat via computer, on the radio though, (My preferred mode is PSK-31 right now.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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Joined: 06/04/2003
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I'm no longer a ham, was W5BNH a loooong time ago. But heres an idea that might work for those who already sort of signed in on the idea. Why not start a Yahoo Group for perhaps "Hams who RV" or "RVing Hams". There are Yahoo Groups for every other concievable group. Maybe theres one there already that meets your criteria.
Just a thought.....73's
hershey - albuquerque, nm
Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
NASCAR 20 - - 99
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