Text 11957, 99 rader
Skriven 2005-04-21 07:15:08 av Ed Hulett (1:123/789.0)
  Kommentar till text 11850 av Max Kohn (1:18/200)
Ärende: Off to the Wilderness
=============================
Max Kohn -> Ed Hulett wrote:
 MK> *** Quoting Ed Hulett from a message to Max Kohn ***

 >>> I might have to put off taking the test for a while since I'm on
 >>> medical disability and don't have a lot of cash plus I do owe the US
 MK>> government for income tax for 2003.  Gotta pay them before they come get
 MK>> me.  :-)

 >>> You will enjoy HAM radio. There are clubs that will help you not only
 >>> take the test, but will lend you equipment and help set it up so you
 >>> can get on the air.

 MK> Oh really?  I want to see if I need to attach any antennae outside
somewhere
 MK> or on the roof or what?  As you can see I don't know much about it.  I'm
going
 MK> to learn though.

Yes, you will need an antenna somewhere. You can make the antennas yourself. If
you live somewhere where you can't put an antenna up outside then you can put
one up inside or use a "stealth" antenna outside.

 MK>> I'm betting the clubs have fees or dues though.  :(   I will
 MK>  MK > check into it on the outside chance I'm wrong about fees or dues.

 EH>> Yes, most HAM clubs have yearly dues, but many of them will give you
 EH>> a break if you are a first time HAM. Some, like our local club (Radio
 EH>> Club of Tacoma) will give first timers a free one year membership
 EH>> when you pass the test.

 MK>  What's it cost to TAKE the test though?  That's the problem.  Also what
 MK>  would you suggest I use to prepare for the test?  Aside from the website
 MK>  you gave me, would you suggest any specific book(s)?

The test cost $14 whether you take one test element or take them all at once.
So, the best way is to learn all you can and take 2 or 3 elements at one
setting. The ARRL has books for each license class and tapes or CDs for morse
code. Some clubs will have used books to loan you or you might find someone who
has passed the tests and will loan you their books.

 MK>> The old saying is that the only stupid question is the one not asked. :-)
 MK>> I'm fascinated by that website.  I'm going to be spending a lot of time
 MK>> there.

 EH>> Great! It's a fun hobby. The people are helpful and friendly.

 MK> I hope so...I'm prone to forming an opinion without facts to base it on
and I
 MK> have to have a totally open mind for this. :)  I remember when I first
learned
 MK> how to go online a BBS.  My friend who taught me got angry at me lots of
times
 MK> because I thought something he was showing me seemed wrong and told him
so.

Heh heh heh... check out your local ham club and they will even let you
use the radio with someone there as the "control operator."
Once you've been on the radio, you'll be hooked. I remember back when I first
got my license and participated in a contest. I was hooked when I called out
and unkeyed to hear a guy from New Zealand answer my call. The very next
contact was a guy from Australia. Then, at about that time I had a "pile up"
waiting to make contact with me. It was exciting.

 >>> This isn't the first time I've gone through this process. It never
 >>> ceases to amaze me, though, how ungrateful some people can be.

 MK>> Well like anything else you can't shove help down someone's
 MK>> throat. You can give it but if it's not taken, don't give any more to
 MK>> that person.

 EH>> You got it. And I wasn't even shoving... ;-)

 MK>  Didn't say you were :-)

Heh heh...

 >>> Oh no, I will answer your questions. I'm just not going to prolong
 >>> the agony of trying to be helpful to people who don't appreciate it.

 MK>> Sean can vouch for me that I'm grateful for any help I get :-)

 EH>> That's good. :-)

 EH>> Sean is also a good source of information on HAM radio.

 MK> Problem is that he's a very busy guy.  He has a wife, classes he's taking,
 MK> the BBS, his own HAM radio hobby and a myriad of other things.  HOWEVER,
I'm
 MK> sure if I had a question and emailed him on his own BBS, he'd answer it
when
 MK> he got a shot.  :)

Sure he would. He might help you find other HAMs that would be willing to help
you, too. Your local ham radio club is the best source of help, though.

Ed

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