Technician License. Check http://arvideonews.com/hrn/ for a list of different sites presenting ham radio content. 2) who do you want to communicate with? These satellites are also in LEO so you repeat through them to contact other hams while you both have the satellite within range. With a technician class license, you can operate radios such as ham radios, 10-meter radios, and others that run on the VHF/UHF bands. (function( timeout ) { .hide-if-no-js { It took about 1 week for my call sign (KD2GNX) to be posted online. A technician class license holder can also communicate around the world. The technician license offers certification for most amateur and handheld radios, while the general license expands to other radios and HF bands. If you get hooked on the fun of HF DX, then you’ll want to start working on your General Class License. It is even a fun exercise to see if you can successfully track the ISS and then hear the packet station transmitting. This is a great way to blend computer technology and radio communications. }. Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. One of the most common usages of AX.25 packet is the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS). Considering a VHF/UHF Antenna for Your Home? Ah, so that’s why you might want to upgrade! The ISS is in low earth orbit (LEO), so it is usually overhead for only 10 minutes or so, depending on the pass. Most ARES and RACES groups have some kind of “registration database” for you to sign up. You can play these shows while doing yard work or while driving and get a good deal of information to keep you up to date with the latest news in the hobby. The 2-meter band at 144-148 MHz and the 70-centimeter band from 420-450 MHz offer direct … When I was first looking into getting it, they were requiring people to learn morse code. When you’re getting started, remembering where you’re allowed to operate is important. To do this, you’ll need a transceiver capable of SSB on the 10m band … Another type of space operation is using OSCAR (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) satellites, which are basically repeaters in the sky. If you're going to take an exam at all, there is no reason not to continue to the highest level of examination you expect to be able to pass, unless you want to deliberately limit yourself until you have gained experience. I recently passed the Technician exam and for the last few weeks have been having a lot of fun getting on the air, learning about digital modes and even tracking satellites. There are many opportunities to get involved in helping out with events such as walkathons, marathons, bike races, etc. It does take a bit of study and practice to track the satellites, figure out the right frequency, point the antenna and adjust for doppler shift. ... SSB, AM, FM and TV: rev. I’ve been wanting my HAM license for over a decade. Morse code isn’t easy to learn so I just kept putting it off and putting it off. Some of these satellites use FM, so you can work through them using just a dualband (2m/70cm) HT and a small yagi antenna. They can operate on the HF bands as well but with much less power compared to the general class. In the process you will hopefully make a few new friends.  +  The most general answer to this question is “find something you are interested in doing and do it.” For many new hams, this is easy— they just need to think about what got them interested in ham radio and follow that path. If you have a radio club in the area, be sure to connect up with them and attend a meeting. You literally can talk around the world. The ARRL has a web page that compares the two organizations. Those that are so ingrained to think that allowing Tech’s to use more HF is bad need to spend more time on 2m/70cm to realize HAM radio is dying. Get the General License Put together a 3 month plan to get the General license. Expired Technician ham license – pre-1987. With a small investment of about US$100 you can get exposure to a wide range of communication modes and learn a great deal about ham radio. If you want to upgrade to further communications, then you can move up in the license class. Bob operating OSCAR as PJ4/KØNR on the island of Bonaire. Please solve the equation to verify you are human. Some new hams are interested in digital communications via amateur radio. In particular, Techs have voice privileges on 10 meters (28.3 to 28.5 MHz). Written for the new ham or those amateurs who have not really been all that active late, its 21 chapters cover just about every aspect of the hobby as it is today. (The new rules do not effect Novice class holders. When the sunspots are active, 10m is an awesome worldwide DX band. License Grants & Exams. display: none !important; But other folks have this basic idea that they “want to do ham radio” but may not be sure how to actually get started. Many hams take the Technician class test and remain “Techs” for a long time. These privileges include operation at the maximum legal power limit and using all types of communications. Who you want to communicate with varies from just your immediate family over short distances to being able to contact other hams much further away. A Technician licensee is allowed access to all ham bands with frequencies of 50 MHz or higher. The test for this license consists of 35 multiple-choice questions on … Introduction to VHF/UHF Repeaters provides an excellent overview of how repeaters work. Time limit is exhausted. If you haven’t already connected up with some local radio hams, give that a try. There are many ways to do this but packet radio is one of the most common on the VHF/UHF bands. Technician licensees now also have additional … Geographical power restrictions apply to the 70 cm, 33 cm and 23 cm bands. Required fields are marked *, Please solve the equation to verify you are human * See Getting Started on 2-Meter SSB. When the normal sunspot cycle is strong, we can also get F2 propagation, which allows contacts to be made into Europe, South America and Asia. Thinking through the answers to these two questions will get you started on creating the desired communication capability. Part of Ham Radio For Dummies Cheat Sheet . The primary use of this station is for contacts with schools as part of NASA education outreach mission. One thing you can do is attached an external antenna to the HT to give it greater radio coverage (see Considering a VHF/UHF Antenna for Your Home?). If you possess a Technician class ham radio license that was issued before March 21, 1987, you are grandfathered credit for the General class exam (element 3). The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is another public service organization, normally associated with a governmental agency such as the county sheriffs department.