[This followup was posted to rec.radio.amateur.equipment and a copy was
sent to the cited author.]

Sounds like you've already picked up some good advice. If you want some
good software to go with the Now You're Talking book, you might visit
the W5YI website at http://www.w5yi.org/catalog.php?sort=18 and check
out the packages they have. They're basic programs that drill you on
the questions that will be on the test, so you can get yourself
proficient before going in for the exam. I used their older DOS-based
stuff for my tests some time back, worked very well.

I believe it also includes Morse training and practice software, which
will be helpful if you want to go for your HF privileges (at present,
the FCC still requires a demonstration of Morse proficiency before you
can gain access to the HF bands). In training for my Morse exam I found
that the tapes are only good up to a point, after which I found myself
memorizing the tapes, so they weren't much good after that. Computer-
generated Morse practice can keep the material fresh so you're never
copying the same stuff over and over again, as you would with tapes.

On the matter of clubs, I've had mixed experience with various clubs
when I was first getting started. One that I visited was pretty clique-
ish, so much so that the only person that took any time to chat with me
was the guest speaker! I've been good friends with the guest speaker
ever since, but I've never darkened the door of that club since. I
found that this was the exception rather than the rule -- nearly all the
other clubs I've visited since then have been more than welcoming to all
new visitors, so if you don't find a good club the first time out, shop
around. The ARRL web site at www.arrl.org lists many different ARRL-
affiliated clubs, so you should be able to find a lot of potential
groups in your area.

You'll also find that your computer skills will dovetail nicely with the
newer modes that are available for your use on the ham bands. Packet
(especially APRS these days) and PSK31 are good examples. There are
also video modes -- slow-scan TV (SSTV) and amateur television (ATV) --
that you could experiment with if you're interested.

Welcome aboard!

In article .com,
says...
Hello, I am currently a comp sci student who has become interested in
ham radio, mainly from taking physics classes and learning about
electromagentic theory. I find the subject fascinating and would like
to learn more theory and hands on applications. Currently my schedule
doesn't let me take any of the classes which sound interseting like EM
wave theory and antenna theory. I go to a small school and there isn't
a ham radio club here.

From my initial research into ham radio, the subjects which I have the
most interest is mainly satellite communications, but I am also
interested in DX communications, antenna theory and packet radio.

I have found three clubs on the ARRL website within 30 miles of me.
Only one of those lists DX communication and none of them list
satellite or packet radio as one of the groups interests. I feel a
little uneasy simply showing up to one of the meetings with my limited
(read non-existant) knowledge of the subject. I know enough about the
physics and theory behind everything, but pratically 0 about the actual
application. I envision going to one of these meetings (the one
closest to me is held at a diner) and sitting around a table with a
bunch of guys who are talking ham radio jargon and not being able to
follow anything being said. I realize they are probably helpful to
newcomers, but I think they would expect a newcomer to be able to hold
their own, which at the moment I would be unable to do

Is there any (cheap) equipiment or kits that I might be able to find on
ebay or some retail outlet that you could recommend to a beginner which
I could play around with to help me get started before being licensed?


Any books or websites geared towards beginners (possibly with my
interests in mind) that I might find useful? I've found a bunch, but it
would be better if I could get some recommendations from experienced
operators.



--

-- //Steve//

Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS
Fountain Valley, CA
Email: