Amature Radio - got my callsign today.

[MrMoMo]

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]

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

KI6CXS

 

[Biscuit]

Nicely done.

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

KC0NRJ

 

[e9999]

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

 

[Cruiserdrew]

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]

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]

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

k is west of the mississippi

 

[Doug_S]

Congrats!


KC6ZWY

 

[1990 LJ78]

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

 

[spressomon]

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

 

[hatfieldcb]

Congrats. I just passed my Technician test today!!

 

[nats-fj40]

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

KG6 (So. Cal) NLC

 

[dfmorse]

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

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

k0dar
73's

 

[ParadiseCruiser]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[MrMoMo]

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]

>> 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]

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.