How To Become a HAM Radio Operator

NYECOGunsmith · Oct 19, 2017

What we usually tell folks is, get your license (memorize the answers) and then you will learn the how's and why's when you get on the air, and by asking your Elmer (Elmer is HAM speak for mentor) questions .

When taking the exam in most locations, when you pass, one of the examiners, or a senior Ham in their club usually volunteers or gets assigned to be your Elmer if you want one that is.

I took a look at the manual you posted the link too, a bit dry but a quick scan thru it shows that the info is reasonably accurate.

What questions do you have that its not answering?

You can always post them here, PM me, email me or call me, if I can't answer them I will find someone who can.

NYECOGunsmith · Oct 31, 2017

Saturday, 11 Nov 2017 at 1300 hours (1 PM) is the next HAM EXAM in Pahrump, at the Nye County EOC, 1510 Siri Lane, Pahrump, NV 89060

Contact Dick Grady at 775-513-4388 if you want to register for and attend a study class from 8 AM to 12 noon prior to the exam. We only hold the class if at least 1 person signs up and says they will definitely show up.

You must study the question pool for at least 2 weeks or so, 30-60 minutes a day, PRIOR to taking the class and exam if you want to pass the exam.

The study class goes over all the questions, and provides memory tricks to remember the correct answer, but for 99% of the folks out there, by itself it is NOT sufficient to let you pass the exam, you also need to study as I said for at least 2 weeks prior to the class.

Study materials are available FREE here, as I have mentioned before.

The current question pool for the Technician Class License is good from 1 July 2014 through 30 June 2018.

It can be found at:

http://ncvec.org/page.php?id=362

The above URL leads to a page that looks like this:

2014-2018 FCC Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool.doc
2014-2018 FCC Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool.txt
2014-2018 FCC Element 2Technician Class Question Pool.pdf

2014-2018 FCC Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool Graphics Only.doc
2014-2018 FCC Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool Graphics Only.pdf
2014-2018 FCC Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool Graphics Only.jpg

Graphic T-1.jpg
Graphic T-2.jpg
Graphic T-3.jpg

I suggest downloading the .doc versions, going through them the first time, and erasing the three incorrect answers, leaving only the correct answer, then study the questions and just the correct answer.
The correct answer is shown in parenthesis just above each question, immediately following the question number. DO NOT memorize the letter that indicates the correct answer, it will be different on the real exam!

Remember to also download the THREE schematic drawings for the question pool!

The General Class Question Pool is valid from 1 July 2015 through 30 June 2019, and can be found at this URL:

http://ncvec.org/page.php?id=364

You want the file that looks like this:

February 11, 2015 FINAL REVISED 2015-2019 General Class Question Pool 2-11-2015.doc and the schematic .....
2015 G7-1 Diagram

Same thing applies to the General and Extra class pools, use the Word.doc form, and study just the correct answers.

The Extra Class question pool, valid from 1 July 2016 through 30 June 2020, is found at:

http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=365

And you want these two files, the questions and the diagrams

2016-2020 Amateur Extra Class Question Errata Pool with 2nd Errata.doc
2016-2020 Amateur Extra Class Question Pool Diagrams.pdf

Any questions, drop me a note.

Dusty · Nov 4, 2017

I'm not going to make this one Steve. I have started studying though. Hopefully next month.

b0neZ · Nov 4, 2017

Dusty said:

Uhm, Dusty... 😂😂

NYECOGunsmith · Nov 4, 2017

Dusty said:

That would account for that smile on your face!

Dusty · Nov 9, 2017

Oops, My bad. I'm going to try and make it Steve. Anybody for sure going to the study class yet? I should know by tomorrow if I can make the HAM CRAM for sure or not.

NYECOGunsmith · Nov 9, 2017

No one has signed up for the study class, unless at least one person doe so, we will not be there in the morning for the class, but we will be there for the 1 pm exam session.

If you've been studying and taking the free practice tests on QRZ.COM and passing them with at least a 80% score, you don't need the study class, the real exam only requires a 74% score to pass.

If you want the class, you will need to call Dick Grady at 775-513-4388 and sign up for it before tomorrow.

NYECOGunsmith · Nov 11, 2017

We have a new HAM, Dusty showed up, took the exam, and got his license.

So what's holding back the rest of you mugs?

Get your licenses, get on the air, lets start a Nevada Shooters Weekly Net, good way to trade info, check on each other to be sure everyone's OK, and get help in an emergency.

Dusty · Nov 11, 2017

Thanks for everything Steve. You and the rest were more than kind and helpful. I may be back next month for the general. Now what should I buy for a mobile radio? At some point I want to buy a base as well. Awesome experience thank you.

DonTom · Nov 11, 2017

Dusty said:

That's kinda like asking others what type of gun to buy. Or what brand oil you should use in your car.

But first decide by the features you want. For an example, I only work full QSK CW. If a radio won't do full QSK I will not even look at it, regardless of all other features.

Other hams might hate using QSK.

I wonder if anybody these days takes the time to learn CW. Seems everybody on CW is my age or older these days. CW used to be a requirement, even for the tech & novice class.

BTW, I am leaving on an RV trip tomorrow to southern AZ, around Tombstone. I have my 40M CW stuff all in the RV already, including a portable vertical dipole for 40 & 30m.

Oh, I almost forgot to say congratulations!

73, -Don- AA6GA, Auburn, CA

Dusty · Nov 11, 2017

DonTom said:

Than You! I have no desire to use cw. But it would be a good tool to learn. I'm mainly looking to transmit mobile to mobile. I want a transceiver in My jeep as well. I was stranded last year on the mountain in My jeep. Thank goodness I had cell service in that spot. I really know nothing about transceivers. My Dad has been a ham for a few years now. I plan on picking his brain. I have so much to learn.

DonTom · Nov 11, 2017

Dusty said:

The very best thing you can do, when you need a tow, is get a Spot Messenger and subscribe to their towing service. Press a button and a tow truck comes. Don't need to be in range of anything other than sky.

See here.

I will not leave home without my Spot Messenger. At least not for more than a few miles.

I would NOT rely on ham radio for anything useful. Think of it as mostly a hobby, but with some rare exceptions.

BTW, I also have an inReach. I can send and receive text messages to E-mails accounts form anywhere--even in the middle of the ocean.

Ham radio is unreliable, in most cases, compared to many other methods available today. But it's a great hobby.

And if you do take the time to learn CW well, expect to get hooked on it. There are many hams who won't touch a mic.

73, -Don- AA6GA, Auburn, CA

lonerider · Nov 11, 2017

A great mobile radio is the Yaesu 8900. Recommended by Nyecounty Gunsmith himself. It is a 2 meter 440 rig with the addition of 6 and 10 meters. It also has cross band capability which is an asset if you are hiking away from your vehicle. They have come down in price to about $330, sometimes less on sale. They were double that. Get a good antenna and mount and you are set. 1/2 wave is ideal. Get a Yaesu FT 160 hand held to compliment the system. This is the best bang for the buck. Do not get a TYT copy. I did that. It failed. They would not honor the warranty. They wanted me to send it back to China. That cost more than the radio. Yaesu is all over the USA with factory outlets.

Tophog · Nov 11, 2017

Dusty said:

Than You! I have no desire to use cw. But it would be a good tool to learn. I'm mainly looking to transmit mobile to mobile. I want a transceiver in My jeep as well. I was stranded last year on the mountain in My jeep. Thank goodness I had cell service in that spot. I really know nothing about transceivers. My Dad has been a ham for a few years now. I plan on picking his brain. I have so much to learn.

Congrats!

Bob
KF7TOE

Dusty · Nov 12, 2017

Thank You all, and thank you for the info.

Dusty · Nov 12, 2017

Tophog said:

Bob, I can send up smoke signals from My house and You could read them from Yours!:sifone::smilielol5:

iweb · Nov 13, 2017

Congrats Dusty! Let me know if you want to meet and talk radio, I know you have a bazillion questions and if I can't answer them I know who can!

I may have a lead on a couple of mobile radios for sale in Pahrump.

Dusty · Nov 13, 2017

iweb said:

Thank you! Interested in the mobiles.

iweb · Nov 15, 2017

Still waiting to get info about the mobile radios, I reminded him again too.

Dusty · Nov 15, 2017

iweb said:

No worries, Its all good.

How To Become a HAM Radio Operator

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