New to the Hobby

[White_Angus]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen

I am new to the forum. I have had CB's for a about 3 years now and was looking to upgrade. The deeper I dig the more confused I get. I have heard of Export, 10 Meter and HAM radios. How do I go about getting a license to operate these radios. It sounds very interesting to me that I can potentially talk to other folks around the world, sorta like the internet but in my pick up What do you recommend I do to research this hobby? I want a new set up for my pick up at a low budget. What sites do you recommend to shop at? Thanks!

 

[kd-5-bgt]

Do a search of ham radio clubs in your area,they can get you pointed in the right direction to getting your license.Most of them have a web site with contact information to their members....

If you are wanting to work skip/DX chances are a ham radio rather than the exports would be a better option,they have more bands and are usually better quality..... with the ham radio if one band is dead,just go to another band and you might find it open

R and L Electronics and Associated Radio are two good places to look at for getting a good radio set up,also used radios might be a good option if funds are limited.....avoid ebay!! chances are to great you will get screwed buying a raido off that site

Best of luck in getting your license!!

hope to hear you on the air soon

 

[Robb]

I think you can find any info you want from this forum if you just use the search engine.

What you can't find; then just ask . . .

 

[The Mad Scientist]

I agree. There are many threads here on this fourm and many other sites on the net to aid you in your research.

You could also try researching local ham clubs in your area as they too could be of great help to you.

Good luck in your search. And I hope to hear you on the air as well.

 

[wavrider]

Radio exam . org

pnline study guide for amateur license

 

[Turbo T]

The difference between 10 meter, ham and exports...

Exports: radios that look like CB's but they exceed the FCC's rule of 4 watts of power and 40 channels; truckers and the like want more than 4 watts of power and think they need more than 40 channels, but it's illegal to operate a CB with such features, so the companies make them leave the factory on 10 meters (ham band) so the FCC doesn't fine them...then the idea is you covert ti to work on 11 meters (CB band). Most of these exports are not really any good for ham bands either since most don't have SSB or CW.

10 meters: the 28 MHz portion of the ham band. it's next to the 27 MHz CB band.

Ham radio: could be anything from a 2 meter radio to an "HF band" radio (10 thru 160 meters). The worst built ham radio beats the pants off of the best built CB radio or export radio.

Also when it comes to ham radio, the word "budget" doesn't exist. All ham radio gear is expensive. Although you can make it less expensive by building your own antennas for base station use. That's what ham radio is supposed to be about...is building/experiencing with your own stuff. It's a hobby.

 

[BJ radionut]

W5YI : About Amateur Radio

W5YI : Products Catalog

Good info and study material options above...There are several others...
LOTS of helpful ops here also!

You won't regret adding the Amateur Radio license to your RadioFun experience
All the Best
BJ