THE KD5WA HAM RADIO PAGE
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Who can become a Ham?
Where
can I locate Information and books?
How much does it cost?
Where can I take the test?
What are the test like?
What can
I do with a ham radio License?
What can't
I do with an Amateur Radio license?
What Is Amateur Radio?
Amateur Radio is a non-commercial radio communication service whose
primary aims are public service, technical training and experimentation,
and communication between private persons. Amateur Radio operators are commonly
called hams. Hams often communicate with each other recreationally but also
provide communications for others at public events or in times of emergency
or disaster.
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I'm interested, who will
help me?
There are hams who are willing to become "Elmers" (mentors, helpers)
in your local area. Look around and ask local hams. Search out local radio
clubs. Check the links at the end of this page
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Who can become a ham?
The answer to this question differs in every country.
The answer for the USA is listed below. If your country has a
newsgroup specifically for it (i.e. UK, Australia, Germany) the most accurate
answers can be found there. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
may be able to help because they communicate with similar organizations in
other countries, probably including yours. They can be reached by electronic
mail or surface mail. Check the links at the end.
In the USA, anyone who is not a representative of a foreign government
can be an Amateur Radio operator. There are tests that you must pass to get
a license, however the tests are not insurmountable. On that general level,
the requirements are probably similar in almost every country.
For more information on becoming a Ham in the USA, the
ARRL has a toll-free number where you can request information: 1-800-32-NEW-HAM
(don't worry about the number being one digit too long - the phone system
ignores it.)
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Where can I
locate information and books on Amateur Radio?
Your local Radio Shack sells some ham radios and Amateur Radio license
books. Books can also be obtained through the mail from ham radio organizations,
such as ARRL in Newington, CT (203-666-1541) and W5YI in Dallas, TX (1-800-669-9594).
There may be one or two ham radio stores in the local area (ie, within
50 miles). Try looking in the Yellow Pages under Radio Communications.
For the Novice license, get a Novice License manual, plus 5-word-per-
minute Morse code tapes, costing around $25. For the Technician lic- ense,
get a combined Novice and Technician License manual, and an FCC Rules manual,
costing around $32. The FCC Rules manual is a good idea for Novice also,
but not necessary, since the Novice License manual contains all the FCC
Rules that are required for the Novice License.
The ARRL Education Activities Department has several programs
to help amateurs (or prospective amateurs) to get started. Ask for a "New
prospect package" available free of charge, from ARRL HQ, Educational Activities
Department, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
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How much does it cost?
To take the tests for any class of amateur radio license, there
is a small charge (around $5-$6 currently) to cover copying costs and running
the testing sessions. (Due to changes in 1993, Novice tests are under same
procedures as the others.) The cost of a radio is really dependent on what
you want to do. You can make your own radio and antenna for under $150.
You can buy a used single-band radio for $150-$300. Or you can buy a new
multi-band multi-mode radio with all the doodads for $300-$3000. I'd suggest
you learn more about ham radio, talk to local hams, find out what you want
to do with ham radio first.
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Where can I take the tests?
The Novice tests Used to be given by any two qualified hams of General
class license or above. Now all the license tests are given by three qualified
Volunteer Examiners (VEs) who volunteer their time.
To locate an ARRL testing session in your area, you can
contact ARRL at 203-666-1541 x282.
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What are the tests like?
First off, come prepared to VE sessions. Bring: TWO forms of ID, one
of which has a picture on it; a calculator (if necessary); a pen and two
pencils; the applicable examination fee (around $5-$6); the original AND
a copy of your current Amateur Radio license (if you have one); the original
AND a copy of any CSCEs for tests you've already passed (if you have any).
Each of the written tests (Novice, Technician, General, Advanced,
and Extra) are generally a multiple choice test of approximately one- tenth
of the question pool. For example, if the question pool is approximately
300 questions, then the test will be a 30-question test. You need to get
75% correct to pass. Note that they truncate to determine the correct number
of questions. That means for a 30 question test, you need to get 22 right,
which is actually only 73.3%.
Once you've paid the small fee for Technician-Extra tests, it
costs no extra to take another test, so I'd suggest you keep taking the next
more advanced test until you fail. If you pass the written but not the Morse
code (or vice versa) for a specific class license, you have up to one year
to take the other test before you would have to retake the written test
again. Note that some VEs will not allow you to take the written test unless
you've first taken the Morse code test.
The Morse code test is a receiving test only. The test run 5 to
7 minutes. After the test, you are given a 10-question multiple-choice or
fill-in-the-blank test. Passing grade is 7 or more. If you fail the 10-question
test, the examiner team will examine your copy sheet to see if you have 1
minute of solid copy with no errors. For 5 wpm, that's 25 characters, for
13 wpm, that's 65 characters, for 20 wpm, that's 100 characters. If they
can find 1 minute solid copy, you've still passed.
Hints on Morse code tests: Generally, it will be a standard QSO
(conversation), and it MUST contain at least one of each of the following:
26 letters A-Z, 10 numbers 0-9, comma (,), period (.), slant
or slash (/), question mark (?), double dash prosign (BT), end of message
prosign (AR), end of contact prosign (SK).
The letters count as one character, all others count as two characters.
There are a couple other prosigns which are worth knowing, but will not be
on the test, like "I'm done talking, next" is K, "I'm done talking, back
to you" is KN, "Please wait" is AS.
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What can I do with a ham
radio license?
There are so many things, it's a difficult question to answer, but
here's some ideas:
- Talk to people in foreign countries.
- Talk to people (both local and far away) on your drive to work.
- Help in emergencies by providing communications.
- Provide communications in parades or walkathons.
- Help other people become hams.
- Hook your computer to your radio and communicate by computers.
- Collect QSL cards (cards from other hams) from all over the
- United States and foreign countries and receive awards.
- Participate in contests or Field Day events.
- Provide radio services to your local Civil Defense organization
thru ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) or RACES (Radio Amateur Civil
Emergency Service).
- Aid members of the US military by joining MARS (Military Affiliate
Radio System).
- Participate in transmitter hunt games and maybe build your own
direction-finding equipment.
- Have someone to talk to on those sleepless nights at home.
- Receive weather pictures via satellites.
- Build radios, antennas, learn some electronics and radio theory.
- Talk to astronauts in space, or use the moon to bounce signals
back to people on the Earth.
- Experiment with Amateur TV (ATV), Slow-Scan TV (SSTV), or send
still-frame pictures by facsimile.
Experiment with amateur satellite communications.
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What can't I do
with an Amateur Radio license?
The most important thing you can't do is transact business of any
kind over ham radio. Interference to other hams or services, as well as
obscene, profane or indecent language is not tolerated and is illegal.
Music and broadcasting are not allowed on ham radio. Some personal conversations
may not be appropriate to Amateur Radio. Do you really want the whole world
to hear about Aunt Mabel's hemorrhoids?
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ARRL
South Canadian Amateur Radio
Society (SCARS)
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