Ham radio license

I won't be able to make the test this Saturday (February 20th), other obligations. I do have the book an I'm studying it, hope to be ready for next go around ...

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As always IMHO

SEAN TENNIS KF7JJR
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
SAAB 99, SAAB 850
SAAB V4, SAAB 99T

This is kind of a resurrection of an old thread, but I started looking into a ham license today at work, because it'll be kinda neat someday.

Looking into it, I see they have 'study guide' books, but are they just a repeating of the questions in the pools, like cramming for an exam, or do they actually explain WHY the rules are as they are? Or, is it basically "Read Part 97. memorize it. Then answer the questions. ta-daa, you've got a technician license."

I guess another question would be, is most of the learning about it done AFTER you've got the license, and are using it, while the preparation for getting the license is just so much governmental poppycock that you have to perform just to prove to the powers that be that you're not a terrorist?

--sarge

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---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **---
Jorden R. Kleier
Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA
1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD
1973

Quote
SgtRauksauff
This is kind of a resurrection of an old thread, but I started looking into a ham license today at work, because it'll be kinda neat someday.

Looking into it, I see they have 'study guide' books, but are they just a repeating of the questions in the pools, like cramming for an exam, or do they actually explain WHY the rules are as they are? Or, is it basically "Read Part 97. memorize it. Then answer the questions. ta-daa, you've got a technician license."

I guess another question would be, is most of the learning about it done AFTER you've got the license, and are using it, while the preparation for getting the license is just so much governmental poppycock that you have to perform just to prove to the powers that be that you're not a terrorist?

--sarge

We're at war with an implacable foe.
You're either for Freedomâ„¢ or with the Terr'ists.

The mere fact that you'd question, even THINK of questioning your Government says you belong on a Watch List.
Thank Gawdâ„¢ that I still have Cheney on the speed-dial!!

I just want to make sure that I'll be working in a well-controlled and monitored environment with easy outs to blame others. Can you imagine the sheer magnitude of anarchy that could happen if people were expected to have common sense and be responsible for their own actions? That's CrazyTalkâ„¢!!!!

Interesting note, I found out that the only Amateur Radio Club in WI closer than 2 hours away (Yellow Thunder ARC) has it's monthly meetings about a mile from my house. It would be interesting to see if they do the license testing and such here, or if I've got to drive all the way to the other end of the state.

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---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **---
Jorden R. Kleier
Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA
1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD
1973

Quote
SgtRauksauff
"Read Part 97. memorize it. Then answer the questions. ta-daa, you've got a technician license."

this.

Getting a Tech license is like studying for No Child Left Behind standardized tests. See my post above. I have both the ARRL and Gordon West General Class study books in a half-hearted attempt to get a license that requires a little knowledge, but I guess I'd rather fiddle with chainsaws and nail guns than get serious about learning that material. Haven't been using the radio much other than at rallies anyway (not that I've been to many of those lately, either).

In terms of learning on the air, the huge number of knuckleheads out there on most 2 meter repeaters (some aren't much better than CB radio conversation) makes me think you don't have too much to worry about in terms of embarrassing yourself or "breaking the rules". Keep the language PG, don't try to conduct business on the air, and ID every 10 minutes and at the end of your transmission, and you'll be all set.

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SgtRauksauff
I guess another question would be, is most of the learning about it done AFTER you've got the license, and are using it, while the preparation for getting the license is just so much governmental poppycock that you have to perform just to prove to the powers that be that you're not a terrorist?

Meh, maybe. But think of it this way: how much of what you learned in Driver's Ed class really taught you anything about driving? Is this really any different?

To me, it's not worth worrying about. Spend a couple nights reading up on the info, go pass the test. That's what my wife did, and she's not an engineer or math major or super tech geek. Then get a radio and get on with RALLY!

Anders

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Grassroots rally. It's what I think about.

I'm thinking of buying a good Husqvarna chainsaw. Personal firewood permits are only $10 in the national forests around here. Most have a one cord minimum requirement and no max too so I can stock up for the future wood fired sauna.

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NoCoast
I'm thinking of buying a good Husqvarna chainsaw. Personal firewood permits are only $10 in the national forests around here. Most have a one cord minimum requirement and no max too so I can stock up for the future wood fired sauna.

Husqvarna and Jonsered are usually the same saw, just with the Jonsered painted red and with a straight top handle. Stihl and Dolmar are also good saws. A really good deal to look for is a Makita 6401 used from a Home Depot Tool Rental. They usually sell them for about $225 used, they're a $500 saw new. Pretty rugged saw, 64cc, and if you blow it up (or find a blown up saw for super cheap, renters straight gas them all the time), you can buy a Big Bore kit online for $120 and make it 84cc's of wood shreddin' terror!!!

You can cruise over to Arboristsite.com and check out their chainsaw forum. It's turned me into sort of a saw snob.

Depending on what you're cutting, for a Husky I'd look at 353, 359, 357xp, 346xp, the latter two being "pro" saws. I have a Jonsered 2159 which is a Husky 359 essentially. I like it, but it had a bum carburetor from the factory and it was a two year process to get the thing running right (and I ended up doing it myself because I was smarter than the dealer and the distributor). I also have a Dolmar 510, which is a little lighter (but still well-made) but still cuts pretty quick, but I was disappointed to learn it was Hecho en China considering the price I paid.

For Stihl, MS260 and 362 are popular "pro-grade" midsize firewood saws.

There are also more "homeowner" oriented saws like the Husky455 Rancher and Stihl MS290, which are a bit heavier, lower powered, and sometimes not as well made, but they still can get the job done. Stay away from the Poulan Wild Things and other box store dreck, buy a nice used saw instead. There's nothing on a good used saw that you can't fix.

My father's got a Mcullough Pro Mac 610, for a little more than 30 years. I think it originally had two bars, a 20", and a 16". Not sure where the 20" bar and chain got off to, I should look around for it. We usually used the 16 anyways, it was more maneuverable for doing quick work.

I've got a friend that was an engineer at Husqvarna for awhile, and on a beer-drinking weekend a couple years ago, we were cutting some firewood. I think it might have been partially operator skill, but the 30-year-old Mcullough made the brand-new fancy-pants Husky look like the biggest pile of crap you'd ever seen.

I'm kinda sad that if I look it up now, Mcullough went bankrupt, and Poulan now owns them.

--sarge

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---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **---
Jorden R. Kleier
Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA
1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD
1973

Quote
SgtRauksauff
This is kind of a resurrection of an old thread, but I started looking into a ham license today at work, because it'll be kinda neat someday.

Looking into it, I see they have 'study guide' books, but are they just a repeating of the questions in the pools, like cramming for an exam, or do they actually explain WHY the rules are as they are? Or, is it basically "Read Part 97. memorize it. Then answer the questions. ta-daa, you've got a technician license."

I guess another question would be, is most of the learning about it done AFTER you've got the license, and are using it, while the preparation for getting the license is just so much governmental poppycock that you have to perform just to prove to the powers that be that you're not a terrorist?

--sarge

There're two main study guide publishers: Gordon West, which is more of a "learn the questions" sort of thing, and ARRL, which actually teaches the material. I dislike the Gordon West ones, but it works for many people.

If you're buying an off-the-shelf Yaesu/Kenwood/Icom/blahblahblah, you don't really need to know about power limits or what frequencies you can send on because the radios just plain won't let you violate those aspects of the rules. There are other things you should know about, like roughly how antennas work and what simplex vs duplex is, and tone coding for for repeaters and stuff like that.

I think I'm just going to make a high-powered un-triangulatable relay that plays "Pirate Radio" by Mojo Nixon in a loop.

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---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **---
Jorden R. Kleier
Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA
1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD
1973

So at the risk of dragging this back on-topic...

I recently completed the testing for my HAM and found that the easiest way to prep was to usr the practice tests availiable at www.QRZ.com After a few evenings reviewing the tests I was well prepared for the real deal, now I just need to figure out how to make all the gee-whiz features on my new radio work!