Amature Radio - got my callsign today.

MrMoMo · 11-14-06, 07:41 PM

That was the LONGEST wait for a piece of paper in the mail!!!

Finally got it today VA3BWR.. Transmitted for the first time tonight to check into a local net. 1st transmit got a WICKED hum on my computer speakers, which I promptly turned off.

Low power (10W) with my $12 antenna (used commercial car top antenna with my own 19-1/8" whip and a 5" square (yes 5"!!) groundplane was apparently easily reaching the local repeater which is aproximately 25km away.

Apparently I also managed to correctly program my radio with the in/out frequency offests.

And so the fun begins!! Now I need to make an antenna for my FJ40. I think for now I'll just get a mag mount and use my CB antenna location, as I will likely be using in a few different vehicles.

Question I have is how do you folks get your power leads overhead in an FJ40? Is there a secret wire tray in the A pillar that will have enough capacity for some 10Ga wire?

Thanks!

Cruiserdrew · 11-14-06, 08:02 PM

Allright-I'll be the first to offer congratulations. Nice going.

KI6CXS

Biscuit · 11-14-06, 08:20 PM

Nicely done.

Now you're getting me interested in actually using my license.

KC0NRJ

e9999 · 11-14-06, 09:08 PM

is there some code to these call signs - areas, levels, etc ?

Cruiserdrew · 11-14-06, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e9999

is there some code to these call signs - areas, levels, etc ?

Read the book, then you'll know.

Or, a quick search at the ARRL website will tell you what you want to know.

CDN_Cruiser · 11-14-06, 11:00 PM

MoMo - well done. PS, you could have started to use the radio as soon as your call hit the RAC database (which is often a bit faster than the paper).

E - The call sign prefixes are asigned to countries and regions within a country (eg Provinces and States). So, Canada is VE or VA (newer). Ontario is a '3' so, VE3 followed by the personalized call. That way, I know that I'm talking to someone from Ontario if I hear a VE3 or VA3 callsign. It used to be if you moved, you would have to get a new call. At least in the US, I think you can maintain them, which seems less helpful (to figure out where people really are based)

Cheers, Hugh

Ian Rogers · 11-14-06, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e9999

is there some code to these call signs - areas, levels, etc ?

k is west of the mississippi

Doug_S · 11-15-06, 07:50 AM

Congrats!

KC6ZWY

1990 LJ78 · 11-15-06, 12:15 PM

Congrats MrMoMo on obtaining your call sign.
Welcome to Ham Radio.
VE3UOD

spressomon · 11-15-06, 12:58 PM

Congrats!!! I got get that done myself...sooner rather than later

hatfieldcb · 11-15-06, 11:59 PM

Congrats. I just passed my Technician test today!!

nats-fj40 · 11-16-06, 09:30 AM

Congrats!
Get to Colorado occasionally to visit family in the "Springs".

KG6 (So. Cal) NLC

dfmorse · 11-16-06, 09:42 AM

Welcome to another expensive hobby.
Here's some of my toys

http://homepage.mac.com/dfmorse/RigProj/index.html

k0dar
73's

ParadiseCruiser · 11-16-06, 04:21 PM

Bruce, congrats once again and welcome to the fraternity

>> 1st transmit got a WICKED hum on my computer speakers

Yep, a common nuisance. There are ways to limit this, but for now turn 'em off and enjoy yourself.

>> k is west of the mississippi

Ian, this is true for broadcast stations, but not amateur radio.

>> is there some code to these call signs - areas, levels, etc ?

Eric - Ham call signs have become a real alphabet soup in the U.S., far too complex to try to explain it here. In brief, geographical location, class of license, and other issues are involved. The Amateur Radio Service pages on the FCC site get into it in some detail, but unless you are out there using them it's pretty dull stuff. As Andy suggests, the info is out there for anyone really interested.

>> So, Canada is VE or VA...

Or VY

>> I just passed my Technician test today!!

Music to my ears Chris

Be sure to post your call when you get it!

Overall I am impressed with the level of interest in ham radio: All of you are just opening the door to a huge experience. Enjoy it!

Cheers, R - K6RG

MrMoMo · 11-17-06, 07:19 PM

Just got my Toyota Trails and noticed an article about 2M in there - I can only guess that will get more people into it.

Capt. Jim · 11-17-06, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParadiseCruiser

Eric - Ham call signs have become a real alphabet soup in the U.S., far too complex to try to explain it here. In brief, geographical location, class of license, and other issues are involved.

I don't know if you can tell which class of license a call is anymore. With all the available call vanity calls, I don't believe they follow that procedure of shorter calls being higher grade licenses. I do suspect initial licenses are all 2x3. I still have my original 2x3, (KD4CNK, General class). I have several friends who are extras and they still have their 2x3's. I like your 1x2 call sign.

Is RG your initials?

I don't even know what licenses the FCC offers anymore.

73, Jim KD4CNK

e9999 · 11-17-06, 09:03 PM

so in practice you guys say your call sign everytime you talk on the radio?

MrMoMo · 11-17-06, 09:28 PM

Yup, you have to.

Begining and end of every contact - station must be identified, and at least once every 1/2 hour of transmission.

Similar to FM radio stations giving out their call sign.

VA3BWR, VA3BWR, CQ.

ParadiseCruiser · 11-17-06, 09:49 PM

>> Begining and end of every contact - station must be identified, and at least once every 1/2 hour of transmission.

Same in the U.S., except the interval is 10 min instead of 30 min.

>> I don't know if you can tell which class of license a call is anymore.

Sort of. If you have a higher class of license, you can elect to keep your "lower class of license" call sign. It does not work the other way, however. You must have a higher class of license to hold a "higher class of license" call sign.

>> Is RG your initials?

Nope. Just a random sequence.

>> I don't even know what licenses the FCC offers anymore.

Technician, General, & Amateur Extra. That's it. If you hold an older Novice, Tech+ or Advanced class however, you can continue to renew it indefinately.

Cheers, R -

MrMoMo · 11-17-06, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Jim

Is RG your initials?

Not sure about in the U.S. but in Canada you can request the 2nd half of your callsign if it is available (listing is online)

I requesed VA3BWR as BWR are my initials. VE3 was not available with BWR, or I would have taken it.

Capt. Jim · 11-17-06, 11:01 PM

Not sure of the rule today, but in the US, it used to be you could talk for 9:59 before having to ID. Don't know why you would ever want to wait that long before ID-ing but that was one of my questions on one of my exams.

I need to get back on the air again. My tower and all antennas came down in Hurricane Frances, '04.

Alz Toy · 11-22-06, 09:12 PM

It sounds to me like everyone is basically going 2M these days. I have some 10M radios ( Pres Lincoln, Ranger RG-99, Connex 66 HP ), that I've procrastenated for YEARS about getting licensed to operate. Granted, some of these are " quasi legal ", is 10M dead? Just curious. Al

Rubiconcruiser · 11-23-06, 12:29 PM

Congrats on the license, you will relaay get into it when you QSO friends on the way to work, it really breaks up the drive. As far as ant mounts, dedicate the 2m/440 to just that stay away from CB areas, your ground plane is everythig in the field and the limita are endless. MyFJ mount location is a radio box behind the pass seat, easily accessed wire for power and ant. Enjoy Jim KE6HEH.

alvarorb · 11-23-06, 01:14 PM

Ham Radio is the way to go. It's easy to get a license and the equipment is A LOT better than CB. But best of all, people are a lot more civil. No more having to change channels over and over again because there's a guy with a gigawatt transiver that is dying for attention.

Cheers

Alvaro

jonb96150 · 02-14-07, 08:08 AM

[quote=MrMoMo;1560017]That was the LONGEST wait for a piece of paper in the mail!!!

Congrats. I just passed my Technician test today!!

Congrats to both of you!! I still remember the wait.

11-14-06, 07:41 PM	#1
MrMoMo "Tuh not tuh" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: N44 W76 TLCA# 15901 Posts: 822	Amature Radio - got my callsign today. That was the LONGEST wait for a piece of paper in the mail!!! Finally got it today VA3BWR.. Transmitted for the first time tonight to check into a local net. 1st transmit got a WICKED hum on my computer speakers, which I promptly turned off. Low power (10W) with my $12 antenna (used commercial car top antenna with my own 19-1/8" whip and a 5" square (yes 5"!!) groundplane was apparently easily reaching the local repeater which is aproximately 25km away. Apparently I also managed to correctly program my radio with the in/out frequency offests. And so the fun begins!! Now I need to make an antenna for my FJ40. I think for now I'll just get a mag mount and use my CB antenna location, as I will likely be using in a few different vehicles. Question I have is how do you folks get your power leads overhead in an FJ40? Is there a secret wire tray in the A pillar that will have enough capacity for some 10Ga wire? Thanks! __________________ Bruce (VA3BWR) '66 TR4A IRS '77 FJ40, Frame off SOON! '84 BJ60, Needs TURBO! WVO Buildup Thread '87 924GTr, (summer DD) '90 CRX - DOA. '01 Impreza outback sport, DD '02 F350 Diesel - WVO'd & runnin' free!! (some assembly required to some of the above) ----------------------------------------------------------- To invent, you need a good imagination, and a pile of Junk. (Edison)

11-14-06, 08:02 PM	#2
Cruiserdrew IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA TLCA# 11734 Posts: 7,254	Allright-I'll be the first to offer congratulations. Nice going. KI6CXS __________________ Andrew 1971 FJ-40 Rubicon tested, 2F powered, some mods 1976 FJ40 Rusting slowly in the back yard 1984 FJ-60 H55f, 4.11, Now SOA! 1989 FJ-62 117k-son's driver for now-low and slow 1997 FZJ-80 Driveway queen

11-14-06, 08:20 PM	#3
Biscuit Rovin' Mars Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Moon, Mars, and Beyond TLCA# 15940 Posts: 297	Nicely done. Now you're getting me interested in actually using my license. KC0NRJ __________________ 1974 FJ40L - "The Hangar Queen" - F155/3 on the floor/Stock Wheels and Hubcaps/Parts Inc. "Paki Top" 2000 Jetta TDI - "The Daily Driver" 51hwy/45city - DieselGeek Skid Plate/Ventectomied/E-Codes Installing a PakiTop? Look here Luck is not a factor. Hope is not a strategy. Fear is not an option. - James Cameron on exploration Carpool lanes are the first step towards communism. - Mickey Rubicon

11-14-06, 09:08 PM	#4
e9999 You want to do what...? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PRK Posts: 10,349	is there some code to these call signs - areas, levels, etc ? __________________ '97: 88K, 3xlock, Custom HD roo bar for sale, 285 MT/Rs on steelies, Hanna sliders, 851+1.5"/863/N73/N74E/SD24, ARB bull with M12, Kaymar with duals, Kaymar rack, Slee TC skid, 2m/440, more stuff, loose nut behind the wheel!) '03: 99K, the better half's... DD Accord souped up DR650

11-14-06, 11:00 PM	#6
CDN_Cruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,037	MoMo - well done. PS, you could have started to use the radio as soon as your call hit the RAC database (which is often a bit faster than the paper). E - The call sign prefixes are asigned to countries and regions within a country (eg Provinces and States). So, Canada is VE or VA (newer). Ontario is a '3' so, VE3 followed by the personalized call. That way, I know that I'm talking to someone from Ontario if I hear a VE3 or VA3 callsign. It used to be if you moved, you would have to get a new call. At least in the US, I think you can maintain them, which seems less helpful (to figure out where people really are based) Cheers, Hugh __________________ 97LX450 OME 'regular' kit, Milford barrier, Slee harness, Slee 'rods', side markers, GPS w external antenna, custom 12V plug system, custom 1/2 drawer and custom drink holder. FT-857 HF/VHF/UHF Radio and ATAS-120 antenna

11-15-06, 07:50 AM	#8
Doug_S KC6ZWY Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 785	Congrats! KC6ZWY __________________ Doug Olympia WA 1977 FJ40 1968 R60/2 W/Steib S350 1970 T125 1984 R100ST

11-15-06, 12:15 PM	#9
1990 LJ78 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 448	Congrats MrMoMo on obtaining your call sign. Welcome to Ham Radio. VE3UOD __________________ Richard 1998 JEEP TJ Former 1990 LJ78 Support WWW.IVOAC.CA Pioneer AVIC-N2 Navigation System. VHF, UHF Dual band Ham radio equiped www.eclipzrocks.com Newmarket, Ontario Canada

11-15-06, 12:58 PM	#10
spressomon IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno Posts: 5,129	Congrats!!! I got get that done myself...sooner rather than later __________________ Modded '99 for overlanding/exploring: 35's, 4.88's, AO drawers, Slee rr, TJM fr, ARB fr locker, ear candy, Waeco CF-50, PowerGate with 2nd battery, home brew sliders & t-case skid plate, 9.5XP/X-line, LF 170's, OEM 864's, Foxes x 4, 12mm BL, Carl's UCAs, ... KE7NCM

11-15-06, 11:59 PM	#11
hatfieldcb IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado TLCA# 2768 Posts: 968	Congrats. I just passed my Technician test today!! __________________ Chris Hatfield KCØZAB TLCA#2768, Ad Sales Manager, Toyota Trails/tlca.org "As long as you're skating on thin ice, you may as well dance!" '97 FZJ80, '69 FJ40 "Project Orange" Rising Sun 4 Wheel Drive Club Cruise Moab 2008 Advertise in TLCA's award winning Toyota Trails magazine.

11-16-06, 09:30 AM	#12
nats-fj40 IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brawley, CA. Posts: 66	Congrats! Get to Colorado occasionally to visit family in the "Springs". KG6 (So. Cal) NLC __________________ '70 FJ40 TLCA American Sand Association San Diego Off Road Coalition DUNERS

11-16-06, 09:42 AM	#13
dfmorse IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 1,437	Welcome to another expensive hobby. Here's some of my toys http://homepage.mac.com/dfmorse/RigProj/index.html k0dar 73's __________________ D.F.Morse 1994 FZJ80 Kazumatized 74000 mi 1979 FJ-40 74000 mi Here endith the lesson

11-16-06, 04:21 PM	#14
ParadiseCruiser IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 610	Bruce, congrats once again and welcome to the fraternity >> 1st transmit got a WICKED hum on my computer speakers Yep, a common nuisance. There are ways to limit this, but for now turn 'em off and enjoy yourself. >> k is west of the mississippi Ian, this is true for broadcast stations, but not amateur radio. >> is there some code to these call signs - areas, levels, etc ? Eric - Ham call signs have become a real alphabet soup in the U.S., far too complex to try to explain it here. In brief, geographical location, class of license, and other issues are involved. The Amateur Radio Service pages on the FCC site get into it in some detail, but unless you are out there using them it's pretty dull stuff. As Andy suggests, the info is out there for anyone really interested. >> So, Canada is VE or VA... Or VY >> I just passed my Technician test today!! Music to my ears Chris Be sure to post your call when you get it! Overall I am impressed with the level of interest in ham radio: All of you are just opening the door to a huge experience. Enjoy it! Cheers, R - K6RG __________________ Ron Paradise CA 97 FZJ80 40th 1B2 99K • OEM > lockers, subtank, manual throttle, aux pusher fan, CDL sw • ARB fr, Kaymar rr, Warn 12K, OME 850/863, Hanna sliders, dual batt, ham radio Last edited by ParadiseCruiser; 11-16-06 at 04:28 PM.

11-17-06, 07:19 PM	#15
MrMoMo "Tuh not tuh" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: N44 W76 TLCA# 15901 Posts: 822	Just got my Toyota Trails and noticed an article about 2M in there - I can only guess that will get more people into it. __________________ Bruce (VA3BWR) '66 TR4A IRS '77 FJ40, Frame off SOON! '84 BJ60, Needs TURBO! WVO Buildup Thread '87 924GTr, (summer DD) '90 CRX - DOA. '01 Impreza outback sport, DD '02 F350 Diesel - WVO'd & runnin' free!! (some assembly required to some of the above) ----------------------------------------------------------- To invent, you need a good imagination, and a pile of Junk. (Edison)

11-17-06, 09:03 PM	#17
e9999 You want to do what...? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PRK Posts: 10,349	so in practice you guys say your call sign everytime you talk on the radio? __________________ '97: 88K, 3xlock, Custom HD roo bar for sale, 285 MT/Rs on steelies, Hanna sliders, 851+1.5"/863/N73/N74E/SD24, ARB bull with M12, Kaymar with duals, Kaymar rack, Slee TC skid, 2m/440, more stuff, loose nut behind the wheel!) '03: 99K, the better half's... DD Accord souped up DR650

11-17-06, 09:28 PM	#18
MrMoMo "Tuh not tuh" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: N44 W76 TLCA# 15901 Posts: 822	Yup, you have to. Begining and end of every contact - station must be identified, and at least once every 1/2 hour of transmission. Similar to FM radio stations giving out their call sign. VA3BWR, VA3BWR, CQ. __________________ Bruce (VA3BWR) '66 TR4A IRS '77 FJ40, Frame off SOON! '84 BJ60, Needs TURBO! WVO Buildup Thread '87 924GTr, (summer DD) '90 CRX - DOA. '01 Impreza outback sport, DD '02 F350 Diesel - WVO'd & runnin' free!! (some assembly required to some of the above) ----------------------------------------------------------- To invent, you need a good imagination, and a pile of Junk. (Edison)

02-14-07, 08:08 AM	#25
jonb96150 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: S. Lake Tahoe, CA Posts: 405	[quote=MrMoMo;1560017]That was the LONGEST wait for a piece of paper in the mail!!! Congrats. I just passed my Technician test today!! Congrats to both of you!! I still remember the wait. __________________ JonB ke6gfb 87 bj70, arb'ed, slidered, winched, 4x4llabs bumper. 97 40th fzj80 w/difflocks, cdl switch & pin 7 mod, Hanna sliders, 2.5" ome lift, 1" body lift, rear drawer system on 285/75-16's. 87 sas 4runner- air lockers, dual cases, beadlocked 35" mtr's, waggy & cheby springs, sliders, 8274 winch, etc...

11-17-06, 09:49 PM	#19
ParadiseCruiser IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 610	>> Begining and end of every contact - station must be identified, and at least once every 1/2 hour of transmission. Same in the U.S., except the interval is 10 min instead of 30 min. >> I don't know if you can tell which class of license a call is anymore. Sort of. If you have a higher class of license, you can elect to keep your "lower class of license" call sign. It does not work the other way, however. You must have a higher class of license to hold a "higher class of license" call sign. >> Is RG your initials? Nope. Just a random sequence. >> I don't even know what licenses the FCC offers anymore. Technician, General, & Amateur Extra. That's it. If you hold an older Novice, Tech+ or Advanced class however, you can continue to renew it indefinately. Cheers, R - __________________ Ron Paradise CA 97 FZJ80 40th 1B2 99K • OEM > lockers, subtank, manual throttle, aux pusher fan, CDL sw • ARB fr, Kaymar rr, Warn 12K, OME 850/863, Hanna sliders, dual batt, ham radio

11-17-06, 11:01 PM	#21
Capt. Jim IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida TLCA# 5390 Posts: 1,723	Not sure of the rule today, but in the US, it used to be you could talk for 9:59 before having to ID. Don't know why you would ever want to wait that long before ID-ing but that was one of my questions on one of my exams. I need to get back on the air again. My tower and all antennas came down in Hurricane Frances, '04. __________________ Capt. Jim Florida Land Cruiser Association North Florida Cruiserheads Upstate Cruisers TLCA #5390

11-22-06, 09:12 PM	#22
Alz Toy IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2004 TLCA# 16471 Posts: 314	10 Meter Question It sounds to me like everyone is basically going 2M these days. I have some 10M radios ( Pres Lincoln, Ranger RG-99, Connex 66 HP ), that I've procrastenated for YEARS about getting licensed to operate. Granted, some of these are " quasi legal ", is 10M dead? Just curious. Al __________________ '77 FJ40, 350/ SM 420 / 3spd t/case, TPI Smoky Mtn lift, 35's , Scout p/s, Tornado Alley Cruisers , 1966 Johnson Furnace Co M-416 trl

11-23-06, 12:29 PM	#23
Rubiconcruiser IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 161	congratulations Congrats on the license, you will relaay get into it when you QSO friends on the way to work, it really breaks up the drive. As far as ant mounts, dedicate the 2m/440 to just that stay away from CB areas, your ground plane is everythig in the field and the limita are endless. MyFJ mount location is a radio box behind the pass seat, easily accessed wire for power and ant. Enjoy Jim KE6HEH.

11-23-06, 01:14 PM	#24
alvarorb Cook Free or Die Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sacramento, California TLCA# 12833 Posts: 1,573	Ham Radio is the way to go. It's easy to get a license and the equipment is A LOT better than CB. But best of all, people are a lot more civil. No more having to change channels over and over again because there's a guy with a gigawatt transiver that is dying for attention. Cheers Alvaro __________________ Alvaro Rodriguez 96 FZJ80 "La Cabra" 08 Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 TCLA #12833 / BRC # 41799 KI7FZJ New web site with blog and pics Norcal wagons website INTI Roof Racks - Make a loan, Make a difference - Kiva.org

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