Ham Radio Tailgate Swapfest

[marcfj60]

Being curious about how, when and where to take the test to get licensed for Ham Radio use, I came across a flier for a winter tailgate 'swapfest'.

Tailgate Swapfest

Probably a good place to buy used equipment and get into the technology.

 

[sl33p3]

Being curious about how, when and where to take the test to get licensed for Ham Radio use, I came across a flier for a winter tailgate 'swapfest'.

Tailgate Swapfest

Probably a good place to buy used equipment and get into the technology.

i went to one of these. very "interesting" to say the least. and there were deals and bad deals... YMMV. nothing you wouldn't expect for a "swapmeet"

i bought my mag mount, antenna, and a CB SWR meter there.

i'd go with ya. the last was interesting, i had taken and passed the test the day before and was overwhelmed to say the least, not sponsored by these guys and buried back in some highschool parking lot.

thanks for the info!

 

[pappy]

Being curious about how, when and where to take the test to get licensed for Ham Radio use, ...

Marc et al,

We had discussion about this on the tree run. Now that many of us have tested, there has been little discussion about the how and when one can obtain their license.

Probably the best place to start is the ARRL.org website. You can go to this page and find a test site near you.

There is a test in Rio Rancho on 12/18/2010, no walk-ins. There is another test in ABQ on 1/15/2011, walk-ins allowed.

There are study materials floating around. I heard recently that they changed the test, so some of the materials out there might be "expired." I suspect the material in the books is probably OK, but the sample tests are not. You can also take sample tests online.

 

[sl33p3]

Marc et al,

We had discussion about this on the tree run. Now that many of us have tested, there has been little discussion about the how and when one can obtain their license.

Probably the best place to start is the ARRL.org website. You can go to this page and find a test site near you.

There is a test in Rio Rancho on 12/18/2010, no walk-ins. There is another test in ABQ on 1/15/2011, walk-ins allowed.

There are study materials floating around. I heard recently that they changed the test, so some of the materials out there might be "expired." I suspect the material in the books is probably OK, but the sample tests are not. You can also take sample tests online.

FWIW this is the path i took. looked up a test and walked in. i have a ARRL tech level test study book you are welcome to borrow (even though it is new it will be "previous generation" of material so the questions won't be word for word, but there is no way the general content has changed THAT much and "new" online test should fill those gaps). i only bought it because memorizing the answers from the online test bothered me to not always know why. even though i'm sure i could have passed it without it in the end (assuming you put in the time it takes to see every question and answer it from memory) the book helped slightly filling those justification gaps in that drive me crazy. one of my character flaws is ALWAYS thinking "why?" even when it doesn't matter.

 

[marcfj60]

What's the difference between an ARRL test and a W5YI test, other than $1 difference if you take it from Frank Warren. I already contacted him and he gave me suggestions on where to practice/study and to just contact him when I think I'm ready for the test.

 

[pappy]

No difference. Some will issue paper tests. Others will have computers. The questions are the same.

 

[sl33p3]

pretty sure i took the w5iy test (still found it on the ARRL linky). used computers at the community center on southern S of costco... computer is def the way to go, not sure they do paper at all anymore.

 

[pappy]

pretty sure i took the w5iy test (still found it on the ARRL linky). used computers at the community center on southern S of costco... computer is def the way to go, not sure they do paper at all anymore.

My Tech was computer at the community center. My General was paper in Socorro.

 

[Beowulf]

Probably a good place to buy used equipment and get into the technology.

You would think so but not really. Those guys hang on to more old junk than any Cruiserhead. I've been to 6 or more of the hamfests and seldom see used mobiles that would make it into one of my rigs. Recent HTs are even more rare.

You can get a good (not great) price on antennas when Daryl has his stuff for sale.

-Mike-