Are there any active HAM radio operators in this crowd? If so, what bands do you work? And what is your location? We are planning a hop across the gulf in May from Dunedin, Fl. to Kemah, Tx. Would be nice for the non-HAMS on my boat to play for a while. They might like it. Tony B KC5SDI
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Thinking about it...
I am thinking about getting my Technition License and getting a handheld radio for local chatting while out sailing. I still haven't decided if it's worth my time and effort. -- Jeremy
I am thinking about getting my Technition License and getting a handheld radio for local chatting while out sailing. I still haven't decided if it's worth my time and effort. -- Jeremy
seems like there are a few
I'm not active much in the spring/summer (wonder why...) but operate the low bands 10-40 when not sailing. Don/K1VSK
I'm not active much in the spring/summer (wonder why...) but operate the low bands 10-40 when not sailing. Don/K1VSK
CW for HAM HF
Technicians lisc will not give you access to the HF band below 6m. You would need the Technicain Plus ticket. Now that the General Lisc has CW down to 5 wpm, I am thinking about trying to learn CW again. I could never get a fist worth a darn. That being said, if you are looking for informaiton about Ham Radio, and popular bands / nets, you should contact the ARRL. The American Radio Relay League has a web site, and could provide you with more information.
Technicians lisc will not give you access to the HF band below 6m. You would need the Technicain Plus ticket. Now that the General Lisc has CW down to 5 wpm, I am thinking about trying to learn CW again. I could never get a fist worth a darn. That being said, if you are looking for informaiton about Ham Radio, and popular bands / nets, you should contact the ARRL. The American Radio Relay League has a web site, and could provide you with more information.
Try to get the TECH Plus
Try to get the tech + as a minimum, if they even have such a license anymore. I'm not very active so i lost tract of license requirements. 10 meters is a fun band. When I was active, i spent all of my time on 10 and 17 meters. I was only active from offshore on the rigs and platforms. About 5 or 6 years ago, the new safety rules out here precluded me from having a 2 way radio. The antenna could possiblly cause a spark and the SSB rig is not 'intrinsicly safe'. And thats only for starters. Anyway, last year on a short cruise by my self, the SSB Ham bands kept me company and also gave me a more secure feeling knowing that others knew where i was. It would be nice on our trip across the gulf to chat with other sailors looking for QSO's and QSL cards. Tony B KC5SDI
Try to get the tech + as a minimum, if they even have such a license anymore. I'm not very active so i lost tract of license requirements. 10 meters is a fun band. When I was active, i spent all of my time on 10 and 17 meters. I was only active from offshore on the rigs and platforms. About 5 or 6 years ago, the new safety rules out here precluded me from having a 2 way radio. The antenna could possiblly cause a spark and the SSB rig is not 'intrinsicly safe'. And thats only for starters. Anyway, last year on a short cruise by my self, the SSB Ham bands kept me company and also gave me a more secure feeling knowing that others knew where i was. It would be nice on our trip across the gulf to chat with other sailors looking for QSO's and QSL cards. Tony B KC5SDI
Got Mine
I got my no code tech license recently and have been using a 5 watt handheld. With all the repeaters in the area, I seem to never be out of range of someone. I plan on upgrading to a general after July. The FCC has dropped the CW requirement as of then, and that will make the upgrading easier. I know that there are purists out there that did not like the move, but it really should open up the doors to a lot more people
I got my no code tech license recently and have been using a 5 watt handheld. With all the repeaters in the area, I seem to never be out of range of someone. I plan on upgrading to a general after July. The FCC has dropped the CW requirement as of then, and that will make the upgrading easier. I know that there are purists out there that did not like the move, but it really should open up the doors to a lot more people
Karl !!!!
I have not been keeping up with new laws. Am I to understand.." after July. The FCC has dropped the CW requirement as of then, "...?No more code?
I have not been keeping up with new laws. Am I to understand.." after July. The FCC has dropped the CW requirement as of then, "...?No more code?
YES
Tony, I just took the class with Gordon West about two weeks ago, and that was what he announced. I have seen some of the ads for his class lately and the same info was included. So bye bye CW and hello more availability to have ham licences for more people. Guess the FCC finally accepted the fact that almost no one uses code anymore.
Tony, I just took the class with Gordon West about two weeks ago, and that was what he announced. I have seen some of the ads for his class lately and the same info was included. So bye bye CW and hello more availability to have ham licences for more people. Guess the FCC finally accepted the fact that almost no one uses code anymore.
Karl
I'll just have to go to the ARRL website and find out what bands i can use. Thanks for the info Tony B
I'll just have to go to the ARRL website and find out what bands i can use. Thanks for the info Tony B
The same ones as before
They are keeping the same licenses as before, but I don't know how that will play with the tech and the tech plus issue. I do know that currently a tech plus has access to more of the band then I get. My guess is that it won't change. Karl KI6CZP
They are keeping the same licenses as before, but I don't know how that will play with the tech and the tech plus issue. I do know that currently a tech plus has access to more of the band then I get. My guess is that it won't change. Karl KI6CZP
Ed, CW is nice to know
I used to enjoy cw when i had my TECH + and was practicing for my General. Almost thought I would stay with it, but once I got my General, I just didnt want to mess with CW again. I have thought about re-learning it and gettin back into it. It can be fun. Just stick with it for a while. Tont B KC5SDI
I used to enjoy cw when i had my TECH + and was practicing for my General. Almost thought I would stay with it, but once I got my General, I just didnt want to mess with CW again. I have thought about re-learning it and gettin back into it. It can be fun. Just stick with it for a while. Tont B KC5SDI
see excerpt for requirements
I copied this from one of the ham radio URLs and appears accurate as of this date: Technician Class - this is the entry level license. It gives privileges on all amateur frequencies above 50 Mhz and is the most popular. It requires only a written test. General Class - this is the mid-level license. It enables privileges on most amateur frequencies below 50 Mhz and includes global HF (shortwave) communications. This license also has a written test and a 5 word-per-minute Morse code test. Extra Class - this is the highest level license. It grants privileges on all amateur frequencies. It has its own written test and requires that you also have passed all of the Technician and General class written and Morse code tests.
I copied this from one of the ham radio URLs and appears accurate as of this date: Technician Class - this is the entry level license. It gives privileges on all amateur frequencies above 50 Mhz and is the most popular. It requires only a written test. General Class - this is the mid-level license. It enables privileges on most amateur frequencies below 50 Mhz and includes global HF (shortwave) communications. This license also has a written test and a 5 word-per-minute Morse code test. Extra Class - this is the highest level license. It grants privileges on all amateur frequencies. It has its own written test and requires that you also have passed all of the Technician and General class written and Morse code tests.
At the moment
Don, you are right...at this moment. However, the cw requirement is scheduled to be dropped in July. I checked ARRL's website and the original plan was to roll the tech and the tech plus into the general class, with all the access to below 50 MHz, and without taking another test. There was also to be a novice class. I don't know if it got passed in that form. So it is going to be interesting to see how it is going to all be worked out.
Don, you are right...at this moment. However, the cw requirement is scheduled to be dropped in July. I checked ARRL's website and the original plan was to roll the tech and the tech plus into the general class, with all the access to below 50 MHz, and without taking another test. There was also to be a novice class. I don't know if it got passed in that form. So it is going to be interesting to see how it is going to all be worked out.
Wow...
I have really been out of the loop. I got my Extra the old fashion way. Went through all the levels except General. Went from Novice to Tech, then straight to Advance. Worked on the 20 wpm CW and got my Extra. I found the 20 wpm to be easier than the 13 wpm. At 20, the words just flowed. Need to get back in the swing of things.
I have really been out of the loop. I got my Extra the old fashion way. Went through all the levels except General. Went from Novice to Tech, then straight to Advance. Worked on the 20 wpm CW and got my Extra. I found the 20 wpm to be easier than the 13 wpm. At 20, the words just flowed. Need to get back in the swing of things.
Code requirement facts
I serve as a VE (Volunteer Examiner) for the ham licenses here in La Paz. To the best of my knowledge there has been no movement by the FCC on the CW requirement except for a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. That the requirement will be eliminated is probable, just when is up to the slow political machine. Also, the FCC has not commented upon, nor adhered to the ARRL's proposed plan for how the future Ham licenses will be established. The ARRL only makes suggestions, many are not taken. We are still giving the code tests or a certificate for passing the theory test and the applicant can wait 'till passage of "no code", but no longer than a year. The Notice of Proposed Rule Making was made last July, but that doesn't mean adoption this July. The FCC has a priority on a band-plan before license restructuring is tackled. Any assumptions are just that until official adoption of no-code and license privileges. This link may discuss the matter further (as we are down here in Mexico, I hope this is timely information. Time seems to stand still here in the 90 degree temps) Jack Swords N1IY
I serve as a VE (Volunteer Examiner) for the ham licenses here in La Paz. To the best of my knowledge there has been no movement by the FCC on the CW requirement except for a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. That the requirement will be eliminated is probable, just when is up to the slow political machine. Also, the FCC has not commented upon, nor adhered to the ARRL's proposed plan for how the future Ham licenses will be established. The ARRL only makes suggestions, many are not taken. We are still giving the code tests or a certificate for passing the theory test and the applicant can wait 'till passage of "no code", but no longer than a year. The Notice of Proposed Rule Making was made last July, but that doesn't mean adoption this July. The FCC has a priority on a band-plan before license restructuring is tackled. Any assumptions are just that until official adoption of no-code and license privileges. This link may discuss the matter further (as we are down here in Mexico, I hope this is timely information. Time seems to stand still here in the 90 degree temps) Jack Swords N1IY
Licensed, but not currently active
When we get a "big boat", I'll dust off my General class. Jeremy, you find much use for it in the great South Bay as you have VHF and cell phone coverage anywhere we sail. fair winds, Chris (N2NOJ)
When we get a "big boat", I'll dust off my General class. Jeremy, you find much use for it in the great South Bay as you have VHF and cell phone coverage anywhere we sail. fair winds, Chris (N2NOJ)
KG4MTM
I run 2-meter and 440- on my boat since I only hold a technician license, now for 5 years. It works for my needs cruising the Chesapeake Bay, keeping me in touch with land hams on nets and such. Also a nice alternate means of communication when I'm cruising with other hams. I even had a conversation with someone on the Gulf Coast one night that the atmosphere was propogating even 2-meter frequencies, my longest contact. I'm studying up and learning code so I can upgrade to general and get the HF bands. Is it worth it? Definitely.
I run 2-meter and 440- on my boat since I only hold a technician license, now for 5 years. It works for my needs cruising the Chesapeake Bay, keeping me in touch with land hams on nets and such. Also a nice alternate means of communication when I'm cruising with other hams. I even had a conversation with someone on the Gulf Coast one night that the atmosphere was propogating even 2-meter frequencies, my longest contact. I'm studying up and learning code so I can upgrade to general and get the HF bands. Is it worth it? Definitely.
Yes Peter
Yes, it is worth it. Once when transmitting on 10M on a platform in the Gulf of mexico, I made contact with a rig in the north sea. I have made several contacts with airline pilots on 10M while they were flying, and of course, several contacts with sail boats on their cruise. I have a General, but my favorite band will always be 10M Is it worth it? Deffinately
Yes, it is worth it. Once when transmitting on 10M on a platform in the Gulf of mexico, I made contact with a rig in the north sea. I have made several contacts with airline pilots on 10M while they were flying, and of course, several contacts with sail boats on their cruise. I have a General, but my favorite band will always be 10M Is it worth it? Deffinately
14.300 is the Ham marine net ... during the day
and probably the best day time band (20M). At least that's where a lot of the boaters meet. great to check in on when doing the bahamas etc. Vic "Seven" WW 4 OK
and probably the best day time band (20M). At least that's where a lot of the boaters meet. great to check in on when doing the bahamas etc. Vic "Seven" WW 4 OK
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