[time-nuts] Amatuer Radio Information

[Justin Pinnix]

Hi Mike,

I'll reply to the list because others will probably give you a similar
reply.

First of all, thank you for your interest in amateur radio.  It's often
described as a hobby with lots of sub-hobbies, so chances are you can find
something that will pique your interest for a long time.

Don't sweat the tests.  Anyone on this list likely already possesses the
technical know-how to pass it.  Even if you don't, it's mostly ohm's law and
a few regulations.

The ARRL is a national organization that supports ham radio.  They have a
section on their web site devoted to new hams.  You should take a look at
the articles here: http://www.arrl.org/newham/, especially the "choosing a
radio" one.  After you read it, you'll see why we can't simply recommend a
single radio :-)

Probably the single best source of support for ham radio is your local radio
club.  There, you will find a network of people who have a wide array of
interests in the hobby and would love to share their interest with you.
Many clubs offer testing and even classes if you want to go that route.
Most importantly, there's usually someone in the club who has a used radio
for sale that you can get started with.  I love buying used equipment
because it holds its value.  Also, if you purchase from an individual, you
can go try it out in their shack before you take it home.  That way you know
it works.  The ARRL web site has a listing of local clubs and testing sites.

Likewise, I would recommend you stay away from the popular Internet ham
radio chat boards.  While there are some "good guys" on there, there are
also a number of cretins who just want to show how smart they think they
are.  Many of them dispense faulty advice, are rude to newcomers, and are
generally poor ambassadors of the hobby.  This is in stark contrast to the
people I have met on the air and in the local clubs, most of whom are open,
friendly, and supportive.

If you have any more questions, please contact me off-list.

Thanks and welcome aboard!
73 de AJ4MJ

On Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 10:37 AM, J. Mike Needham <iain_nitro at att.net>wrote:

> Greetings:
>
>
>
> I have noticed that some of you have call signs for Amateur Radio and I
> decided that I would like to get into that again.  Several years ago I was
> looking into it and was given some modified military surplus radio
> equipment, one such item was a transceiver.  Unfortunately, when we moved
> from the location that I lived in at that time, we could not take the radio
> equipment with us because it was vacuum tube based and very heavy and the
> moving company of course was charging by the pound.
>
>
>
> I discovered where I can take my exam locally and would like to study up a
> little as it has been years.  I understand that I no longer have to do
> Morse
> code as part of it, but still would like to find resources on study
> materials and practice tests.
>
>
>
> As far as equipment is concerned, I am on a tight budget and so it will
> likely be eBay and Craigslist, but I am not sure what I need these days.  I
> have computers a- plenty and basically can use advice on what kind of
> transceiver to get, what are the best brands and what I need for an antenna
> - I live in an apartment and want to do this with a base-station radio
> setup
> as opposed to a mobile.  I need an antenna that would be the least
> obtrusive
> and not mounted in a permanent fashion to the building.  I also need
> information on what kind of lightning protection and etc would be good.
>
>
>
> Thanks - I know this is "off topic" but I do plan to keep perfect time with
> my station as well J
>
>
>
> My real email address appears below, so if someone wants to offer help "off
> list" I welcome someone to write me and of course if you live locally to
> Lawrence, I would love to meet in person and exchange ideas etc.
>
>
>
> J. Mike Needham
>
> iain_nitro at att.net
>
> Lawrence, Kansas USA
>
>
>
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