Any Ham Radio Operators on FHC?

Not sure how this'll turn out.

Lemme know if there's any problems.

Ham-Radio - YouTube

 

I appreciate anything you put up that you believe will help. It took me three hours just to go through the 450 questions the first time. There is so much to absorb. I was watching videos on antenna setups until 0300 last night. Still lost. I haven't been this ignorant on any subject since I was a kid. The right antenna looks like the biggest hurdle to clear.
It seems like we will be spending over a grand on a radio alone.

 

There is certainly a lot to take in.

Best thing to do is take practice tests on each section, find your weak areas, study those areas heavily.

Remember, there's only a couple/few questions per group.

So you could get the easy questions, or the harder ones.

 

Would anyone know if a 1/2 wave 40 meter dipole has to have both legs straight? Not an inverted V, just both legs running at 33 feet a piece in same direction?

 

No they don't need to be.

My antenna has a bit of a V in it, as seen from above.

Not sure if I'm suffering a real performance hit or not though.

I didn't have much choice, as it's hard to relocate the trees




Edit.. Besides, as they say, a compromise antenna beats NO antenna

 

Do you have 20 or 40 meter antenna Chaz? I can do a 40 dipole, but it is looking like a 20 meter would be ok for me. I have a couple sixty foot trees but they are only fourty feet apart, and thick spruce. I need to cut down some wind sail in them anyway

 

I actually ended up buying a used fan dipole.

I have this antenna..
Alpha Delta Parallel Dipole Antennas DX-CC

It's got 3 wires of differing lengths, and the longest is coiled for 80M

On 80M it tunes at the bottom of the band, but it's also the 40M wire, which tunes great.

Once I pass for Extra, it'll serve me well on the bottom end, and I plan to make a homemade End-fed for the upper part of 80M

BTW.. Once you pass your testing, QRZ-dot-com is a site you can join. I got my radio and antenna through the classifieds there.

Use caution of course, but some nice deals are out there.

 

Wow! I just spent three hours studying up the wrong tree. What I was googling, and watching had me looking at 6 figure numbers! Thanks again Chaz

 

Camber have you thought about your desires in the hobby?

I mean, there's digital, voice, emergency communication, wireless networks, and much more.

I can help tailor things for people if they let me know their specific interests.

I listen to a LOT of Am. Radio stuff, some I'm interested in, other stuff I skip.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm in at just above $1000 at this point.. still not cheap, but I did get the KW TS590SG for $800 vs $1350

I've seen Icom 7300 radio's go for around $700-$800

 

Camber here's a pic of my antenna showing the angle.

It's on a steel pole, roughly 23' up, sloping upwards towards the trees.



Looking forward to getting a tall antenna from my friend's place.

 

Well, that is a very good question. I,m not a hundred percent certain on my goals. I do not want to do emergency services. I like to listen in to obscure channels, would like to just explore a bit. Rag chewing sounds fun to me.
With all that is going on in the world, I'd like to show my kids something "different". I suppose if I had a radio to even just listen, we would find out just what is actually our there to begin with. If I understand correctly, 40 meter and 20 meter is where I would want to start. On your advice I have been studying for the general. It just seems logical to test a little higher so you can do more if you so choose.
I don't know if I want to have to worry about trying to figure out how to use a laptop with the radio. I did google your radio. very nice I don't mind spending the money, if it saves me from wanting or needing something better in 6 months. It would be far far better for me to have too much than too little. There IS a amaturer radio club in Missoula, but I am not interested in traveling to that place unless it is an emergency. Their website is down, but they do have a facebook page. (I don't like Facebook, and refuse to join).

I wish I knew more of what my goals were. I'm so ignorant on this stuff. This one video has been the best explanation but not in itself exhaustive.



If I'm getting tiresome, just let me know. My wife will understand fully.

 

ok. that top picture explains alot. I can do that. I wasn't sure if both leads have to be exactly or close to 180 degrees opposite of one another. Is the bottom picture with for 80 band also?

 

What testing software you using?

I'll say that I'm not a fan of "learning' to the test.. I think you'll miss a lot of important information that way.

That being said, if you can memorize all the correct answers, then you've missed your calling.


Learn the frequency ranges, very important.

I'm sure I'll think of more, but the frequencies and modes are very important, and it's what you'll be using regularly.

The math through General isn't rocket science, but if you're weak in amps/ohms/voltage/watts.. hit that hard.

This was my first practice tests, before I got my books..

Any Ham Radio Operators on FHC?

I used an app..



I have an Android phone.. If you're on Apple it might not be available.. unsure.

 

HamStudy.org: Cutting edge amateur radio study tools is what I'm using to study. I am just actually remembering the answers, which is no way to learn. I haven't learned anything through the study app actually. I am testing at 55 percent on the practice test for the general after three days of part time study. Long way to go before I test. Actually considering pushing back my test date a month or two.

I just have an android. I will look at the app you posted above. the hamstudy app just trains you to remember. I remember poorly

 

You're not. If ya haven't noticed, I enjoy talking about this.


Now, I'd feel remiss if I did not emphasize the importance of emergency communication.

If the SHTF, a radio, a bit of wire, and your knowledge goes a long way.


Have you checked out websdr yet?

You can listen all you want, get a feel for the "community", and get a good idea of the protocol for contacts.

If you really get into this, your kids may get interested as well, and there's so much they can learn, while having fun.

 

Thanks, actually I haven't checked out webdr yet. I will tonight after feeding. That sounds like a brilliant idea. The emergency comms are important. Years ago I remember the ham operators helping with the forest fires, and loggers hurt or missing in the woods. That was before our new modern forest practises.

I'll check it out!

 

I've not used hamstudy.org but it seems highly rated by others.

55% is a decent baseline to start from.

If your there on General level, you shouldn't be far from passing both.

BUT.. I would not skimp on the Tech test prep.. you cannot take the General unless you pass Tech first.

 

Ahhhhh! I was under the assumption that you could choose the general, and the only difference was a random question pool of 450, verses 300.

 

Nope.. Level one.. then level 2

You can take all 3 levels at one sitting.. one price covers all, but you have to pass Tech to take General, and General to take Am Extra.