Yes, I did pass my first test. Only missed 4 out of 35.

→   
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Yes, I did pass my first test. Only missed 4 out of 35.

CONGRATS!

Do you have any immediate goals to get on the air?

For most, the VHF repeaters are the best place to begin. There you can meet more local HAMs and even the local club(s) are available for support and mentorship.
These days, one can get on the air using any number of disposable Chinese hand helds. Personally, I need a radio that I can program on the fly rather than have to use a computer, so I opt to stick with the brands that have been around for a while. But! As they can be rather expensive, I do have a pair of Retvis RT-85's that we use hiking or kayaking so in the event of loss or damage, we're not out an expensive quality rig.


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
\/ WWIVnet Node 1@707 - Sonoma County California \/
      
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Do you have any immediate goals to get on the air?

For most, the VHF repeaters are the best place to begin. There you can
meet more local HAMs and even the local club(s) are available for
support and mentorship.
These days, one can get on the air using any number of disposable
Chinese hand helds. Personally, I need a radio that I can program on the fly rather than have to use a computer, so I opt to stick with the
brands that have been around for a while. But! As they can be rather expensive, I do have a pair of Retvis RT-85's that we use hiking or kayaking so in the event of loss or damage, we're not out an expensive quality rig.

I was thinking of a hand held transciever for under 249 to start out with. Then when I get to know the fundamentals then buy a tabletop unit.

There is a local club in my area that seems to be very decent.


--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

I was thinking of a hand held transciever for under 249 to start out
with. Then when I get to know the fundamentals then buy a tabletop unit.

There is a local club in my area that seems to be very decent.

Excellent. With that budget, you can start with either the disposable buofangs, or a very decent used HT. AND a fairly decent used mobile rig. If I could provide any advice it would be to invest in the best antenna you can afford. Even with a $4,000 high end All band HF rig, without a decent antenna, you're not going to talk across town, let alone Europe.

Julie and I have been doing SOTA activations using less than 10 Watts and have reached Spain & France using a Random Wire antenna with a 9:1 Unun.

And using our VHF HT's have reached well over 100 miles running 3 watts into an Elk Log Periodic. Closer to 200 miles actually. From the top of Mt. Burdell in Novato to a ski-lift near Mammoth Lakes.

Don't let me overwhelm you though.. There are just so many possibilities, that you just need to try a few to see which suits you best and run with it.


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
\/ WWIVnet Node 1@707 - Sonoma County California \/
p ╞"
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

On Monday,November 04, 2024 at 10:00 PM, Jimmy Mac wrote:

I was thinking of a hand held transciever for under 249 to start out with. Then when I get to know the fundamentals then buy a
tabletop unit.

There is a local club in my area that seems to be very decent.

Excellent. With that budget, you can start with either the disposable buofangs, or a very decent used HT. AND a fairly decent used mobile rig.

Do you mean Baofengs?

-=<(xenos)>=-


A .-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-.
/*\ | /\liens' /\lcove! WWIV on Linux - Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines |
/ v \`-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=[ WWIV Reg. #30282 ]-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-'

           
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

disposable
buofangs, or a very decent used HT. AND a fairly decent used
mobile rig.

Do you mean Baofengs?

Yes, If that's how it's spelled.


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
\/ WWIVnet Node 1@707 - Sonoma County California \/
→p ╞"
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Yes, I did pass my first test. Only missed 4 out of 35.

Did you get your license issued yet? Should have only taken a few days..


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
\/ WWIVnet Node 1@707 - Sonoma County California \/
→      
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

RE: Re: Update
BY: Utopian Galt #1 @815

Yes, I did pass my first test. Only missed 4 out of 35.

Did you get your license issued yet? Should have only taken a few days..

my employer wants to pay for it, but if it doesnt get done by next friday im paying for it out of my own pocket.

→
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)