Made the Plunge...Ouch!

[Rob Wadsworth]

I had to get into HAM as the Emergency Mgr for the county strongly suggested.
So, I went up to 'The HAM Outlet' in Sunnyvale CA and asked them to set me up with all the trimmings to make it work.

Purchased was:
*Gordon/West Tech Class 2006-2010 HAM prep element 2 FCC training book
w/companion CD
*Diamond NR-77OHA 2m/440 mobile antenna
*Diamond SPM-35 Magnet mount w/13' coax
*Samlex SEC-1223 110AC/13.5DC Power Supply
And
*Yaesu FT-8800R 2M/440 Dual Band mobile radio
*Yaesu YSK-8900 remote kit for FT-8800R

The remote mount kit was free, and there was a $30 factory/store rebate on the radio (list $399, store price $379-$30=$349).
The out-the-door price for everything was $619.49 tax/incl.
OUCH!

I have used CB's in the past 20 years, so I am keen on the electronics side of the test - but I have always screwed up the station operation side of the test.
So, that is why I bought the book and CD.
Hey HAM's; any/all advice is welcome at this point.
Help me help my County, please?
:cool:

[Johnathan Brouwer]

HamTestonline (http://www.hamtestonline.com/) is the best approach...

[Jason Tunzer]

Expensive little hobby aint it! Here is how must people pass the HAM test. Take the book and highlight the correct answers. Go through and read the questions and the correct answer 5-10 times. Go to qrz.com and take the online practice test. Keep reading and taking the test til you get 80-90% right each time. Then go and take the test. Good luck.

KC0UJT Clear...

[Skip Talbot]

Getting a technician ham license is cakewalk. Just read through your study guide and cram the question pool.

[Joey Ketcham]

I thought you had to have an active licenses to buy ham radio equipment?

Anyways, I just studied using the ARRL Now You're Talking book, I studied it for a week and took the test and passed.

[Steve Miller OK]

I thought the same thing Joey. Times have changed a little I guess.

I too studied the Now You're Talking book and passing the test was a cinch.
That said, I believe the question pool is changing soon. It was mentioned to me by a Volunteer Examiner so you might want to cram more sooner than later...

[Eric Wolf]

Joey/Steve,

I don't believe there's ever been a legal requirement to become a ham to buy ham equipment. Also, the question pool for tech just changed, so you are good to go on the new one for a while.

[Jay Cazel]

I thought you had to have an active licenses to buy ham radio equipment?

Anyways, I just studied using the ARRL Now You're Talking book, I studied it for a week and took the test and passed.


I thought the same thing but when I went to the ham store here in Wichita to get the book for the test the guy who owns the place said anyone can buy the equiment and use it to listen, but can't talk unless you get a license. But I guess one could buy a scanner and listen in anyway. Would be cheaper.

[Aaron Dooley]

A couple of things PAY ATTENTION to #3:

1) No, you do not have to be a Ham to buy equipment or use it. It is actually similar to one of the questions on the tech exam. Any licensed Ham can be a control operator of a station and allow third party traffic from a non Ham as long as the Ham had control over the control station. I did it quite often at KSWO during weather events for Andy Wallace, Mike Francis & Dave Wallace.

2) Read this while skimming the section: http://www.qrz.com/i/study.html

3) This is the "free", "no-book buying" way to study for the tech and general exam. PAY ATTENTION to this one: http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl Take the tech tests, 1-11 over and over until you are scoring 90+ every time. That's simply what I did and I only got one wrong on the test when I took it. If you want the cheapest, easiest, and best way, this is it: http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl

4) This is why I say take 1-11 over and over: http://www.qrz.com/i/practice_tests.html

5) These test are the most up to date tests available in the new pools. Books in the stores you may want to watch as they will want to sell their old products to move inventory.

Write me if anyone has any questions.

[Tyler Allison]

*Diamond NR-77OHA 2m/440 mobile antenna
*Yaesu FT-8800R 2M/440 Dual Band mobile radio


That's the same gear I run in my car. The guy at the store didn't steer you wrong, which is good to hear.

-Tyler

[Rob Wadsworth]

That's the same gear I run in my car. The guy at the store didn't steer you wrong, which is good to hear.

-Tyler

How do you feel about the competitor Kenwood that is $10-$20 more and has backlit panel buttons amd larger freq readout?
Do you have/use as switching power supply or a linear supply?
I'm glad that the salesman made the right choice for the radio; but I know some chasers have 2 or more radios. The only pitfall (if it could be considered one) is that the speaker output isn't stereo for each band dedication.
Thoughts?
:confused:

[Chris Nuttall]

I know several people that have the FT-8800. I have one, and I think it's the best bang for the buck. The mic can control most of the essential radio functions and is backlit. I've had three different radios (2 HTs, 1 mobile). I highly recommend doing research at http://www.eham.net/ before making any purchases.

Rob, I considered that Kenwood radio, but bought the Yaesu after reading so many postive reviews. My other radios are Yaesu, so I knew would be getting a high quality product.

[Jason Foster]

Some pretty sound advice about how to pass the exam. However, I will say, you do need to read the book and understand it. Memorization gets you past the exam, but you need to know proper operating procedures and etique of ham radio. Unfortunately, there are quite a few Skywarn folks and storm chasers that have become hams simply to radio into NWS or use in the middle of a chase. Their radio conduct is not good and violates many of the rules. They are few, but nontheless needs mentioning. Just please be mindful of the hobby as a whole. I suggest joining a local radio club as well...even before you pass your test(s). This way you can get a jump on the ham radio society.

[Eric Wolf]

I highly recommend doing research at http://www.eham.net/ before making any purchases.

Research there, but be weary. A lot of people go on eham and post reviews after only having the item in question for a few days. I have a habit of filtering those reviews out. Other people will give something a low review because they don't fully understand how something works (usually from not reading the instructions properly, or at all). Just like anything else, put it into perspective before you make your decision.

Personally, I am an ICOM guy. Not to stir anything up, but for VHF/UHF, I like the options a little bit more.

That being said, I don't have a lot of experience with the FT-8800 (virtually all of my friends do, though) but the FT-100D and FT-857 are some of the finest mobile rigs I have ever owned.

Bottom line, if at all possible, try it before you buy it, and use what is going to work best for your situation.


My current dual bander is an ICOM 2820, and I like it because it has two receive oscillators. This past year when I was stuck at home a lot during severe weather, I found it very handy to be able to listen to the spotter net in the county to the west, while running ours in this county. Because of the dual oscillators, I was even able to listen to the other receive frequency during transmit. If you don't need that capability, then it's probably not for you, but I sure do love it.

[Eric Wolf]

How do you feel about the competitor Kenwood that is $10-$20 more and has backlit panel buttons amd larger freq readout?
Do you have/use as switching power supply or a linear supply?
I'm glad that the salesman made the right choice for the radio; but I know some chasers have 2 or more radios. The only pitfall (if it could be considered one) is that the speaker output isn't stereo for each band dedication.
Thoughts?
:confused:

Hi Rob,

If you are hooking it up in your vehicle, which it sounds like you will be, then you won't need either power supply. Virtually everything ham, save amplifiers (and even some of those), will run 12 volts directly from your automobile battery. For just a dual bander putting out 50 watts, either a switching or linear power supply will serve you just fine, but the switching supply may come down a little cheaper, especially second hand.

The reason that your speaker outputs will be mono is because there really is no left/right audio channel to split into stereo...it is purely two way audio in mono format. Usually, people will run one external speaker somewhere closer to their ear in the vehicle (my new one will be directly behind my left ear). I highly advise this route is you can go that way, because even with the radio receive volume all the way up, it's still not enough to overcome road noise, or other things going on that could occur in the heat of the moment.

[Rob Wadsworth]

Hey Chris, Jason, Eric, and all:
I appreciate all of the input I can get at this stage, as I am taking as many practice tests as I can do without losing my cool. But I am persistent and have the time to spend on learning and am willing to see it thru. Radio procedure and etiquette are important to me, as I intend to make use of my purchase by using it during the off-season to get well-acquainted/experienced. This is why I wanted to know about the switching-type power supply, as I have read revues that said that it can be a bit noisy. The Linear supplies seem to be without this functional defect, and I am considering returning the switching supply before I take it out of the box.
BTW-Does Yagi make a dual-band base omni-D antenna so I can use it at home w/the radio/pwr sup? One would think so; but I haven't looked into it yet. Who has the best gain; what brand/model recommended?

I bought the Yaesu after the salesman 'steered' me twards it, after I qualified the fact that I would like to have just one radio rather than using two - as some chasers do. Saving space and being ultimately useful were my reasons. I wanted the ICOM, but he felt that for the purposes that I need it for, the Yaesu would be best and most satisfying.

I have an 11-meter CPI base radio ("CB") that I was thinking of using as well, so as to make communications with locals in chase areas. Does this added strategy have any merit; or is it a waste of time and effort?

Please keep the thoughts and concepts coming.

[Eric Friedebach]

Rob, you made an excellent choice with your equipment selection. I have an 8800 as well, although I spent a little extra for SG7900A for the extra gain. One thing I would highly recommend is this programming software (http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/ftb8800.htm). With a programming cable I bought on eBay, it was the best $30 I spent.

[Eric Wolf]

BTW-Does Yagi make a dual-band base omni-D antenna so I can use it at home w/the radio/pwr sup? One would think so; but I haven't looked into it yet. Who has the best gain; what brand/model recommended?
Just for quick clarification, Yagi isn't a brand name. It's an antenna design type. If you or any of your neighbors have television antennas on your roof, those are likely of a Yagi design origin. Yagi's are highly directional. If you want something of an omni directional antenna for home, you *can* repurpose a mobile antenna for that if you have a sufficient ground plane. Otherwise, a decent base antenna can be had from Cushcraft, Diamond, Comet, or any number of other places for 70 to 100 bucks. For the longest time, I used a mag mount stuck on a pizza pan I tack welded 1/8" cold roll to for a ground plane.


I bought the Yaesu after the salesman 'steered' me twards it, after I qualified the fact that I would like to have just one radio rather than using two - as some chasers do. Saving space and being ultimately useful were my reasons. I wanted the ICOM, but he felt that for the purposes that I need it for, the Yaesu would be best and most satisfying.


I would have to agree, it's a good radio, and a little cheaper than the competing ICOM rigs these days. Like I said, I bought mine based on some niche features I wanted.

[Greg Higgins]

Excellent answers above. Regarding the CB radio; are spotters / chasers using CB to make reports in your area? If so, then it is not a waste of time. However, if you want to have it ready just in case especially if you monitor channel 9. Good luck.

Greg Higgins

[Chris Nuttall]

Rob, you made an excellent choice with your equipment selection. I have an 8800 as well, although I spent a little extra for SG7900A for the extra gain. One thing I would highly recommend is this programming software (http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/ftb8800.htm). With a programming cable I bought on eBay, it was the best $30 I spent.

This is exactly what I was going to point out. Being able to program a radio with a PC is, IMO, absolutely essential.

[Rob Wadsworth]

This is exactly what I was going to point out. Being able to program a radio with a PC is, IMO, absolutely essential.

I haven't gotten as far as programming this thing. I dont even know half of the functions of it yet. I know that I have to get that stuff next, but I have been concentrating on the HAM test since yesterday. Been taking the tests every few hour and I am definitely getting much better. Yesterday my average scores were 65-70%, today I have average 87%. So, I am going to continue until I can score 95% average, probably within this week at this rate.

Programming looks as daunting as the HAM test did last week...

[Rob Wadsworth]

Just an update for those who people who read STORMTRACK that are not members, but are interested in what it takes to get your HAM Technician (beginner) License.

In an earlier post, it was mentioned that the ARRL book "Now You're Talking" was an excellent source to learn from. I bought the book today and began reading it.

I also continue to take the practice tests, as Aaron Dooley had explicitly suggested.
http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl
That was very good means/advice to learn and memorize the test questions. I have taken the first six of the eleven tests continuously, and now a I score an average of 88-90% (even got a few 100%!), So if I continue to repeat the seventh thru eleventh tests this week and memorize the questions and get 90% on them, I am ready to take the test.

Some have said that it is a cakewalk to pass these tests. Well, it's quite a long walk for that piece of cake, and I have yet to eat it either. I haven't even fired up this brand-new radio (Yaesu FT-8800), so it is still in the box until I learn how to use its controls and understand the regulations.

Please keep in mind that I have NEVER used a HAM radio. But I am VERY familiar with CB radios; as I own two and know them well. Let it be known that HAM radios and CB radios only have one thing in common - the fact that they are radios. There is little monitoring of the CB band ('11 meter') as to regard of rules and regulations - some have called it the 'radio romper room'. That is a fair statement - IMHO - since there is no testing or license necessary. But HAM's are dedicated and highly organized so that they can pick up the ball in any national/local emergency and run with it. Additionally, HAM radios have a technical complexity/features that CB's don't even come close to.

So, if you want to be a storm chaser and want to use a HAM radio - as many chasers do - take the time, effort, and determination to see it thru. Chasers often can be the first people who roll into towns that have been devastated by tornadoes and use HAM radios to get the help ball rolling. I am not saying that it cannot be done with a cell phone; but since there are many HAM organizations that gear up for these kind of eventualities and diligently monitor, they are a quick means to see help arrive in a timely fashion.

I will update this thread as I move forward thru the HAM realm.
HAM's feel free to add whatever is helpful!

[Aaron Wesson]

Rob I have the FT 8800R as well and it is a GREAT radio! There is even a program that will program your rig for you. Just connect it to the puter and the program will do the rest.

You can get it here
http://www.rtsystemsinc.com/index.cfm?CFID=2351757&CFTOKEN=69614524

As for studing I second http://www.hamtestonline.com/ I used this to get my tech license and it was very easy. I also used the book to go along with it and together they helped me pass the test the first time with no issues. I even took the Gen test and missed it by one! hamtestonline is a great site and it will help you customize the tests to what you are going for. It also keeps track of your weak areas and quizes you until you get ahold of those areas.

Hope to QSO with you sometime!

[Rob Wadsworth]

Well, I got a wild hair in my lower region and decided to take the test the next day - on Saturday @ 10:30AM. Because I spent all Friday evening taking practice test after test for the Tech license, I thought I would give it a go. I took over 980 questions or more - I really can't remember exactly - but it had to be that many or probably many more. I never got below an 87% and I got quite a few 100% after being at it for several hours of cramming. The entire week before I had practiced every night by doing 175 to 350 questions, as I was determined to see it thru and get it right.

Some have said it is a cakewalk. Maybe if you have a General or Extra license, then I'm sure that it looks that way in retrospect. But I wanted to ace the test. Knowing that if I passed the test, I could be better prepared as a storm chaser that can also use my 2m/70cm radio to make calls to/fro with the NWS, any County Emergency Managers - be it Iowa or Kansas or wherever, and with SKYWARN HAM's who also know the ropes.

So when I got up this Saturday morning at about 9AM, I went ahead and took just three random practice tests from qrz.com. Just to be certain that my focus was good and my memory loaded. I got 100% on all of the practice tests - hmm. I got in my car and drove down to the testing place in Sunnyvale CA and plopped down my $10, sat down and took the test. I felt confident about all of the questions except three; one of which I hadn't even seen on any previous test before - I might add.

I rechecked all of my answers and corrected three of them, it is a good thing that I did. Mostly because after checking I saw that I answered two that I had marked incorrectly and changed them - questions that I was all too familiar with and knew the answers well. I agonized over the third, and followed my instinct for the answer that I had no previous aquaintance with. I struggled and made my decision, and gave my test to the examiners. It paid off to check them all, as I did ace the test and scored a 100%!

I was told that I can check Monday on the FCC site for the assignment of my call sign. While I was waiting to get get signed approval from the board (for the 'CSCE'; Certificate of Successful Completion of an Examination), they all egged me on to take the General exam - for which I had not even studied hardly at all. So I decided to use the waiting wisely and took it; but I only got a 57% - no surprise there. I had taken a couple of those practice tests for the General license online before and realized that it is another ladder to climb (I only got a 60% online), and I probably will go thru with it over the coming months . Now that I have the CSCE and passed the Tech test - I now have up to the next 365 days to prepare for the General exam and try again. I'll be using the same means and methods to pass that one - too...

[Tyler Allison]

The test guys egged me to take the General too when I took my Tech. I scored about the same :) Sounds good!

[Rob Wadsworth]

Newest update:

I recieved my call sign this noon.
I will be addending my personal info to include it.

My call sign is:
KI6USW

BTW - I srill haven't even fired up my new radio nor operated any HAM radio as yet.
Today is the day, though!

[Chris Lott]

Congratulations Rob on passing the exam. It felt like a big accomplishment for me when I got my tech license back in 2005, and I'm still a tech, haven't even attempted the general. If you're looking for a good 2 meter radio, the Icom 2200H is an excellent choice. The radio will do everything under the sun, and my radio and antenna together was a little over $200, and that's with a small mag mount antenna. The furthest repeater I've reached on this setup was about 50-60 miles away while I was mobile.

[Joe Dorn]

The radio will do everything under the sun, and my radio and antenna together was a little over $200, and that's with a small mag mount antenna. The furthest repeater I've reached on this setup was about 50-60 miles away while I was mobile.

I believe the repeater you hit from 60 miles out was probably W5BEC in Eddy. The Eddy repeater is at 1600 feet AGL and has a very wide area coverage. A set-up such as yours should be able to hit that repeater from as far as 70 miles out reliably.

Just don't want people to expect too much out of a mag mount on a vehicle since most repeaters have a more limited range of about 30 miles. That being said, many of the SKYWARN repeaters are wide area capable.

[Rob Wadsworth]

Dug out all of my CB gear (a CPI/CP 2000, a Cobra 29 LTD, & meter bridges) and re-arranging my computer room to accommodate. It's turning into a 11 meter, 10 meter(SSB - haven't bought that yet), 2 meter, and 440 Mhz radio shack. With the 2m & 440 Mhz hookup to my computer thru software/cable coming up soon. I'm giving the CB 1/2 wave antenna 20 ft of mast above the roof; need to get a new piece of 50 ft RG8/U Foam coax @ $1/ft!

The 2m/440 will get a 5/8 wave with 10 ft of mast and 35 ft of Belden 9913 @ $1.20/ft with an 'N' connector. Haven't decided on the antenna brand; most likely a Diamond like the mobile antenna. Man, the price for all of this stuff isn't exactly cheap!

I've also sent an email to the Iowa SKYWARN, and applied for membership. Haven't heard back from them yet. Called up the Emergency Mgr in Buena Vista County/IA and let him know that I got my HAM ticket. He was pleased, as he was the one that told me that I must get the license to stay with the county program. The next most logical move that I must make, is to find a local HAM club.

Edit: Just recieved my HAM license in the mail from the FCC today.

[Aaron Dooley]

Congrats!

Good to hear everything worked.

[Rob Wadsworth]

The Ham Radio Outlet sale ended today at their stores. I made a bigger plunge today; I bought an Icom IC 718 for the sale price of $559.
O U C H ! !
When I consider that the top-of-the-line 160-10 meter radios can go all of the way to $10,000 (that's right - four zeros!), I did all right to get this radio for the price that I did. An entry-level, numeric pad frequency call input, minimal features, 100w, mobile/base, LCD face, lightweight HAM radio. Icom also gave me a $50 rebate form to fill out and send in, so it really cost me $559+tax-$50.

I also bought a MFJ Auto Tune antenna tuner, that has provisions to be able to plugged directly into the back of the radio for power and front panel auto antenna tuning. That cost $149+tax-10% (because it was a display model - it was the last one they had). So, now I want to find a multi band vertical antenna and mount it on my chimney. I don't know if that idea will pan out, though. I have a Samlex 25 amp power supply that I bought a month ago - when I bought my 2m/70cm Yaesu Dual Band radio for storm chasing/NWS reporting.

[Rob Wadsworth]

So now I have began practicing to take the General exam to extend the frequencies I can use on this radio. One needs a calculator to answer some of the electrical problems posed by some of the questions. I'm sure they will allow that on test day. The next Ham test in my area is in less than two weeks; so I have all of that time to prepare. I've taken the first four of the practice tests and gotten 90% or better; now I will add a practice test a day and repeat all until I can pass them. Then, I will add another test the day after that - and so on until the test day. Hopefully, that should get the job done.

Since I haven't opened up the box on my antenna tuner, I am going to exchange it for a different model. The SG-239 Smartuner will replace the MFJ Auto tuner for $50 more; this provides some wattage headroom and can also plug directly into the Icom IC-718. I've decided to get a dipole antenna for the 10-40m range instead of a vertical. If I do add a vertical, I will consider the Hustler 4 or 5 BTV; a very broadband antenna.

[Rob Wadsworth]

In the culminating 'saga' of past posts on this thread, I decided to go down to the Sunnyvale VEC for the General Ham test this morning at 10:30AM PST.
I studied all week and spent most of last night taking practice test after practice test - again - untill I felt confidant. When I woke up this morning, I studied for an addition two hours - only thirty minutes before the test. I passed the General exam, and now I am "KI6USW/AG. Only missed one question on the test - too.

I hope that this thread has made clear to those considering what it takes to become a Ham for service to the community and to the NWS while storm chasing. Getting your Tech Ham license isn't that easy, and I have found that it also isn't that difficult either. But it is all you need for chasing, if you are interested. To get your General license; well, it's not that easy I'll admit and not even necessary for chasing. But, you can never know how much you can do until you give something the full effort that it deserves and challenge yourself. I know this now and shared my experience with you. A cell phone still may be the quickest way to get a warning out; but in many areas of the Plains where many people still use radios and listen to them, it is indispensable.
Thanks!

[Joe Dorn]

Well, I Now that I have the CSCE and passed the Tech test - I now have up to the next 365 days to prepare for the General exam and try again. I'll be using the same means and methods to pass that one - too...

Rob... Congratulations on passing your General License test.

I backtracked through the thread and found a minor error in one of your earlier posts...

The 365 day limitation on CSCE's (Certificate of Successful Completion of an Exam) has little use since the Morse code requirements went away... While Morse code was still a requirement, candidates would quite often pass the written test and then work on the Morse code requirement;the CSCE for passing a component of the requirements was good for 365 days and then you had to re-test.

The only significant use of the CSCE now is to prove you passed the test if your paper work gets lost before it hits the FCC data bank.

There is no legal time limits on when you can test or retest. I allow one retest in our VE test sessions and usually encourage people that miss the first test by one or two questions to try again (I have five versions of each test).

The $15.00 dollar test fee allows you to take each level (Technician, General and Extra) one time; a retest cost another $15.00. Quite often people will try the higher level exams just to see if they can pass them and to get an idea of what they are like.

BTW, the test fees vary depending on the sponsoring organization, I use the ARRL VEC... The VEs recieve no pay, same scale as a NWS Spotter.

(VE=Volunteer Examiner, VEC=Volunteer Examiner Corordinator)