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A few questions from a non-licensed beginnner
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. |
Charles,
Attend a meeting, introduce yourself and tell them your interests. Get a feel for the members and what they are doing. Typically, there are hams who are involved in various aspects of the hobby. You may be presently surprised. Start at the top with the Club's President or if he/she turns out to be non responsive find someone who is. Just my opinion for a "first step". Of course read up as much as you can. The jargon, by the way, will come as you get more involved. Good luck. 73 Murray, K3BEQ charlesW wrote: 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. |
A bit expensive unless you buy a used one, but you might purchase the ARRL
Handbook, which contains hundreds of pages of useful information about most aspects of ham radio. Both new and old copies of this book can be purchased through Amazon.com. "charlesW" wrote in message oups.com... 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. |
Thanks for the advice, I will attend a meeting. After further
searching the ARRL website, I found that my school is actually conducting a test on Sept. 24th to get a technician's license! I will have time to attend one or two meetings before then and I also found the ARRL book Now You're Talking and the hadnbook at my schools library. Hopefully this should prepare me enough for the test. On another note, I am working part-time while at college so money is a little tight. So I can get an idea of what I need to save, how much should I expect to spend on a beginner's rig? Any advice on a model or make that would be a good starter set? What if I want to do some sattelite communications? Thanks again for the advice, Charles John N9JG wrote: A bit expensive unless you buy a used one, but you might purchase the ARRL Handbook, which contains hundreds of pages of useful information about most aspects of ham radio. Both new and old copies of this book can be purchased through Amazon.com. "charlesW" wrote in message oups.com... 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. |
Charles,
Clubs vary - from my experience, the majority are very open, friendly, and helpful to newcomers and would-be hams. Unfortunately, to be totally honest, some are cliquish and not like the majority. I would suggest you vist all three and see which one "feels best" in terms of openness, interests of the membership, etc. and decide from there. Ham radio is supposed to be about "Elmering" (experienced hams welcoming and helping newcomers), so don't feel like you need to go it on your own until you've "earned your stripes" ... if you visit a club and don't get an appropriately warm welcome, move on and try another one. 73 and good luck, Carl - wk3c "charlesW" wrote in message oups.com... 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. |
"charlesW" wrote in message
oups.com... Thanks for the advice, I will attend a meeting. After further searching the ARRL website, I found that my school is actually conducting a test on Sept. 24th to get a technician's license! I will have time to attend one or two meetings before then and I also found the ARRL book Now You're Talking and the hadnbook at my schools library. Hopefully this should prepare me enough for the test. On another note, I am working part-time while at college so money is a little tight. So I can get an idea of what I need to save, how much should I expect to spend on a beginner's rig? Any advice on a model or make that would be a good starter set? What if I want to do some sattelite communications? Thanks again for the advice, Charles Glad you found the book - read it and you should be able to make inroads into a licence. I'll say, just to reinforce it - go to the club! There's bound to be one or more who'll point you in the right direction when you need some help. Take a look at Ebay for prices of rigs - search on 'amateur radio' (duh! wasn't my first pick but it's pretty durn obvious :-) or the makes, like Yaesu, Icom, etc. Take you pick, depending on band(s) you want to work. Or just drool for a while before you splurge - if you wait a while you'll find you'll have a better idea of what you want to do. You guys are spoilt for choice in North America. :-) For satellite, and I'm talking from a position of not having done it for a few years (I have to do it at work so I tend not to at home now) so someone correct me if I'm wrong; look at a 70cm and a 2m rig or a 70cm/2m dual-bander. But if the cost is beyond you at the moment, get one rig and play with it and figure out procedures, antennas and the like. Plenty to play at before moving on! Have fun! Cheers. Ken |
charlesW wrote:
Thanks for the advice, I will attend a meeting. After further searching the ARRL website, I found that my school is actually conducting a test on Sept. 24th to get a technician's license! I will have time to attend one or two meetings before then and I also found the ARRL book Now You're Talking and the hadnbook at my schools library. Hopefully this should prepare me enough for the test. Make sure that the Now You're Talking book is the latest issue so that you're studying the right stuff. Although I'm not sure how much it's changed. An older issue may be close enough. Anyone know? |
Charles,
OMG, please don't count on any of these groups if you want to get an idea of what amateur radio is like. Go to the club like these guys suggested. Do some research online (arrl.org, etc.) and go to the library if you can, and go to HRO on a Saturday morning if it is close by. Hams are, by nature, good people, and they will be glad to help you! But r.r.a.m and other such groups are not good indicators of what ham radio is like. These newsgroups are the "short bus" full of ham radio wannabees. There are many, many good resources here as well, but the dozens of idiots screaming from the short bus drown out the few intelligent ones. You will get insulted here (as will my posting... watch). That is not what ham radio is about. Don't let it bother you (and in fact, don't even read the rest of the sentence when they spray paint you with their grafitti.) Just go ahead and get on the air and you will have more fun than you can imagine. Trust me - I have been on the air since 8th grade. I turned 50 years old in Feb 2005. And go ahead and post here, but remember that amidst the 90% jerk factor here, you may find people who actually are licensed, and among them, you may find some who get on the air sometimes, and among them, you might find someone who can do you good. All the best, and 73, Dave KZ1O Carl R. Stevenson wrote: Charles, Clubs vary - from my experience, the majority are very open, friendly, and helpful to newcomers and would-be hams. Unfortunately, to be totally honest, some are cliquish and not like the majority. I would suggest you vist all three and see which one "feels best" in terms of openness, interests of the membership, etc. and decide from there. Ham radio is supposed to be about "Elmering" (experienced hams welcoming and helping newcomers), so don't feel like you need to go it on your own until you've "earned your stripes" ... if you visit a club and don't get an appropriately warm welcome, move on and try another one. 73 and good luck, Carl - wk3c "charlesW" wrote in message oups.com... 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. |
"charlesW" wrote in message oups.com... 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. Did anyone mention the www.arrl.org page and AMSAT for the sats ? Look around and see if there is a hamfest near you. That is a flea market for ham gear. You may find a used rig there. As always you may find a few that will sell a rig that is not working like it should and so on. While studying for the license test don't try to learn anything from the qustion and answers, Just study the correct answers. Get a ARRL Handbook , even a used one a few years old will go a long way in getting you started on teh correct path. Packet is just about dead except maybe a few that are looking at the DX clusters. |
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