I just got me Tech license this weekend. Now I need to look into
actually purchasing some equiptment. I don't have much space ( or
money ) and can't put a big atenna on our roof. Could you make some
suggestions? Also, what equiptment is required to run off your
computer??

Also, does the general license still require that you pass Morse Code
Exam first.?? I"m hearing lots of debate over that. Thanks.

" wrote:

I just got me Tech license this weekend. Now I need to look into
actually purchasing some equiptment. I don't have much space ( or
money ) and can't put a big atenna on our roof. Could you make some
suggestions? Also, what equiptment is required to run off your
computer??

Also, does the general license still require that you pass Morse Code
Exam first.??

Yes, unfortunately it's only 5 WPM.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

wrote:
I just got me Tech license this weekend. Now I need to look into
actually purchasing some equiptment. I don't have much space ( or
money ) and can't put a big atenna on our roof. Could you make some
suggestions? Also, what equiptment is required to run off your
computer??

Don't buy anything. Look around for antennas, ham radio license plates,
and search the callsign directory (www.qrz.com) for hams in your area.

Walk up to a few and introduce yourself. You may get a blank look, or a
"I don't do that anymore", or "he dosen't live here" responses but on the
whole you will find that hams a friendly bunch and will gladly show you
their shack, and if you bring a copy of your license many will let you
operate.

Once you've done that, you can find clubs to join with stations you can
use as a member, and hams that will help you learn (called elmers).

They will help you shop around and find used gear where you can look at,
see if it works and does what you want before you buy it.

If you do want to buy something the first thing I would suggest is a
2 meter handytalkie (called a walkietalkie by nonhams). From there you
can get on local repeaters and meet other hams and connect that way.


Also, does the general license still require that you pass Morse Code
Exam first.?? I"m hearing lots of debate over that. Thanks.

Yes. Look up Code Quick. It will teach you to copy code in a few weeks.

73,

Geoff.
--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM
IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838
The trouble with being a futurist is that when people get around to believing
you, it's too late. We lost. Google 2,000,000:Hams 0.

"Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote:

wrote:
I just got me Tech license this weekend. Now I need to look into
actually purchasing some equiptment. I don't have much space ( or
money ) and can't put a big atenna on our roof. Could you make some
suggestions? Also, what equiptment is required to run off your
computer??

Don't buy anything. Look around for antennas, ham radio license plates,
and search the callsign directory (www.qrz.com) for hams in your area.

If he took the exam he must know some hams... ya think? It's not as if he pulled
it out of a Cracker-Jack box. (Well, not quite)

dxAce
Michigan
USA

"If he took the exam he must know some hams... ya think? It's not as if
he pulled
it out of a Cracker-Jack box. (Well, not quite) "


Yes, Ace you're very astute. However, I did just walk into the meeting
- a month before I took the test. So, while I have been introduced to
a few people at the meeting, I don't really know any very well. And
besides, one can never be too informed.

" wrote:

"If he took the exam he must know some hams... ya think? It's not as if
he pulled
it out of a Cracker-Jack box. (Well, not quite) "

Yes, Ace you're very astute.

Damn straight.

Good luck.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

Maybe each State's Department of Motor Vehicles should do away with
requiring people to get Drivers Licenses too.Judging from the way some
people around here drive,running red lights and stop signs and failing
to yield the right of way and speeding and doing everything they are not
suppose to do,,, they might as well.Operating a motor vehicle on public
roads is not a Right,it is a Privaledge.It should be the same way with
Ham Radio Operators too.
cuhulin

wrote:

Yes, Ace you're very astute. However, I did just walk into the meeting
- a month before I took the test. So, while I have been introduced to
a few people at the meeting, I don't really know any very well. And
besides, one can never be too informed.

You never did say where you lived. If you lived in a big city, it's likely
that you did meet the hams at the test beforehand. If you lived in a
rural area, you might have come from a relativly long distance.

For example, If I have to take a test to upgrade to Extra, the nearest
place I can go is Kuwait. The Israeli government specificly asked the VECs
to not test here.

Geoff.


--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM
IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838
The trouble with being a futurist is that when people get around to believing
you, it's too late. We lost. Google 2,000,000:Hams 0.

"If he took the exam he must know some hams... ya think? It's not as if
he pulled
it out of a Cracker-Jack box. (Well, not quite) "


Yes, Ace you're very astute. However, I did just walk into the meeting
- a month before I took the test. So, while I have been introduced to
a few people at the meeting, I don't really know any very well. And
besides, one can never be too informed.

Geoff:

How do you search the call sign directory -- is it set up by city -
name - ??

thanks for your advice. Preciate it.