Took the test for Ham license, new geek on the air soon...

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Mtbcoach

Mtbcoach

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I'd been toying with taking the license for Amateur Radio (aka Ham radio) and picked up the recommended book to study for the exam. I read through it this week and took the test today down in New Hill at the fire department. Somehow, the old brain cells still can retain a few things and I passed (actually, it was pretty easy). So, now I just have to wait to get my official call sign and I can then have another layer of safety when out on the trails.

Now, I just have to figure out the best radio to get, mobile for in the rig and higher power or handheld for taking in any rig but much lower power. I'm such a geek...
 
I've got a buddy who I used to hang out a lot with in Portland Oregon building up old Mercedes. He is a pro ham radio guy and works for the local search and rescue.

Last year he bought a Unimog with a huge radio-box and uses that as his mobile command center when doing search and rescue missions. He even had a cool set up in his Mercedes. When I went home for Christmas we rolled around it in in the snow storm and he had everything hooked up to headsets (pretty loud in that thing).

Anyway he works for a communications company that does a lot of work for the federal government. If you want I can give you his e-mail and I know he would be more than happy to help you figure out what type of setup would work for what you want.
 
addicted56 said:
I've got a buddy who I used to hang out a lot with in Portland Oregon building up old Mercedes. He is a pro ham radio guy and works for the local search and rescue.

Last year he bought a Unimog with a huge radio-box and uses that as his mobile command center when doing search and rescue missions. He even had a cool set up in his Mercedes. When I went home for Christmas we rolled around it in in the snow storm and he had everything hooked up to headsets (pretty loud in that thing).

Anyway he works for a communications company that does a lot of work for the federal government. If you want I can give you his e-mail and I know he would be more than happy to help you figure out what type of setup would work for what you want.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer and, sure, I can always use guidance in things I know little about. If you'd like, PM me his email and I'll reach out to him, asking for his expertise....
 
krzyabncanuck said:
So, How hard was the test ?

Been thinking about it for years now just never really got past that stage .
Click to expand...

I have an electronics background, that part was very simple. The other stuff is related to some pretty basic safety and operational stuff. I'd bet that most could pass the exam, taking it cold if using basic "test logic".

I invested in the recommended text ($20 from Barnes and Noble) and did a quick read through the chapters and took the test questions in the back of the book. It has all the questions from the "test question pool". Its a 35 question test, passing is 26.

There is also an iPhone app ($5) which has all the same content as the book (found it after I bought the book) that has all the test questions also.

Bottom line is that I'd say that the test is easy. I didn't spend more than a few hours looking through the book and taking the test questions. I'd say go for it...
 
I'm sure all that experience will help also. If you want to borrow the book (I'm trying to talk the wife/kids into taking the test so we can talk when I'm on the trail), let me know. Also, look on the ARRL website for a test close to you. It was $15 for the test...

ARRLWeb: ARRL Home Page
 
I was just thinking about this same thing. Apparently, they are pretty dead serious about requiring CB or Ham for Moab this year. I have a K40, but it needs repairing.....for the costs, I might as well buy the ham.....and the bacon. ;)
 
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