Ham radio noob looking for 'elmer'

[Hoho]

feel the merge

Noooooo!!!!

 

[wazzuFreddo]

Let me dust off and charge up the radio when I get home. I'll drop a note here before I hit up N6NFI

 

[TheBoatDude]

I've always waned to do some HAM radio shit, but have 0 clue about any of it and where to start. It seems like a fairly expensive hobby, from what I've been able to gather.

Can anyone point me in a good direction for complete newbs?

...so you went into the cheaper hobby of motorcycles?

Getting a license is easy-peasy. I took the class from these cats: http://www.smrs.us/classes/classes.htm

Basically, it's a 3 or 4 hour study session, then you take the test. Banged it out in one shot.

KJ6ZSF Running a Yaesu FT-60 I don't monitor that much, but I have N6NFI (PA), WR6ABD (Loma Prieta), K6HSV (Millbrae), and WA6TOV (Pacifica) programmed in.

But back to expense: Yes, I gather it can be 'spensive if you go beyond a 2M/440 handheld. Part of me want's to buy one of those receiver kits and build my own base station for shits/giggles...

 

[Cycle61]

Using our FT60 for NOAA weather reports now.Need to get set up on some of the local repeaters and get a feel for the community. Our location is probably very good in case of emergency, we just haven't checked it out yet.

 

[Hoho]

Using our FT60 for NOAA weather reports now.Need to get set up on some of the local repeaters and get a feel for the community. Our location is probably very good in case of emergency, we just haven't checked it out yet.

You should get April to get her license too... Oh, and let us know if you find a WINS repeater you can hit...

 

[Cycle61]

One of the first things she dug out while unpacking was the technician study book.

I'll take a look for WINS repeaters, given the ridge top location we're much more likely to have a signal than we were in the old house.

 

[BigB]

I have a VX-8R handheld. Will pick up a FT-60R for a second.

Eyeballing a FT-9800 mobile/base for a home station. Quad band, not a bad unit.

Any mobile/base favorite models worth looking at?

Put a new Diamond antenna on the roof, works great. Even on 5w with handheld. Just today bought a cheap mag mount 2m/70cm antenna for the truck.

Monitoring N6NFI now. -- 8:20pm -- KK6HWL

 

[Hoho]

I have a VX-8R handheld. Will pick up a FT-60R for a second.

Eyeballing a FT-9800 mobile/base for a home station. Quad band, not a bad unit.

Any mobile/base favorite models worth looking at?

Put a new Diamond antenna on the roof, works great. Even on 5w with handheld. Just today bought a cheap mag mount 2m/70cm antenna for the truck.

Monitoring N6NFI now. -- 8:20pm -- KK6HWL

I used to have the FT-7800R, skip that one. I replaced it with an Icom IC-7000 all band radio once I got my General license. Take a look at the Kenwood TM-D710G, it's great if you want to dabble in APRS.

 

[BigB]

I used to have the FT-7800R, skip that one. I replaced it with an Icom IC-7000 all band radio once I got my General license. Take a look at the Kenwood TM-D710G, it's great if you want to dabble in APRS.

I was looking at that IC-7000. Figured I would start at a lower price point... sell it if I really get into it...and move up, to that or another.

The FT-7800 and FT-8900 .... any issues on the 7800 they should of worked out by the 8900. I would think. Figured if I like the 8900R and end up with a better home rig, I would move the 8900 into the truck. Then maybe the IC-7000 for home station.

This of course... is the ever changing plan....

 

[Hoho]

Howdy hams...

Just found CHIRP, and I've been using it to program my radios... I've got cables for the following radios:

IC-91A
FT-60R
FT-817ND
FT-7800
IC-7000

I've confirmed that all the cables and CHIRP work for all the radios except the IC-7000, I've just been too busy to drag my laptop down to the car. Anyone need any radios programmed? I just put in some repeaters that cover the Quincy area to get ready for the Spring Rally.

Oh, and anyone have an FT1DR? That looks like an awesome little radio. Except for the price point...

 

[rodr]

CHIRP is good. I recently got it working under Linux with my FT-60.

If you don't have it already, be sure to get the RepeaterBook app to find repeaters near wherever you are.

 

[Hoho]

CHIRP is good. I recently got it working under Linux with my FT-60.

If you don't have it already, be sure to get the RepeaterBook app to find repeaters near wherever you are.

Good tip! I missed that little icon on the repeater book website...

 

[wazzuFreddo]

Cool, I didn't know repeaterbook had an app.