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well i am finally ready to try ham radio

Different people learn things best in different ways. Are more comfortable learning one way rather than another. However you learn things best is the best way for you to learn things. Some of those ways are maybe harder than others, but, if that's what works for you, then have at it.
For instance.
My memory is 'sight' oriented. If I see it in print then I tend to remember it longer. That doesn't mean that I'll 'recall' it instantly, but it gradually 'floats' to the top eventually. I also learn very good by making mistakes. Now that's not the best way of learning anything, but it's still a fact, and depending on the results of a mistake, I generally DO recall it @#$ near immediately. (Deals with pain, either through nerves or wallet.)
There's a big difference in attending a 'class' on something and having to learn it all by yourself. That second one, all by yourself, usually doesn't provide access to things that a class will provide, as in equipment, parts, information. The 'all by yourself' method usually takes longer cuz you can't ask questions. The 'class' thingy depends a lot on the teacher(s). Some people can teach much better than others.
So. You decide how you'd rather do it if you have the choice. Knowledge is always good to have! The getting of it can be the hard part.
- 'Doc
 
You want to know what I think is truly the best way to get into ham radio? LISTEN and LEARN. The problem is that it takes time and most people today want instant gratification and the idea of memorising a few Q&A's over a weekend appeals to them more. I started DXing on 11m when I was 14 years old. By the time I was 15 I anted and bought a shortwave receiver, a Realistic DX-160 and started listening to hams around the world.I learned one hell of a lot in a short time because when I hear something I was not sure of I looked it up either in an encyclopedia or checked out CQ magazine. A few years later I bought a much better receiver, a Kenwood R-1000 that I still have. By that time I already knew enough to become a ham except for some of the electronics theory but a couple years of electronics training took care of that but that is what I chose to do in life at the time. One day I decided to get my ticket and called up to find out when the next exam session was being held. I was told on Thursday and it was already Tuesday. Without cracking a book I aced the exam and this was back in the day of real exams that took a minimum of two hours to complete and was in the local district office of our FCC equivalent. My point is that since I had spent some time actually listening and learning I was more than prepared to get my ticket on the first try. Sure there are a lot of things that happen on the air that shouldn't but anyone with half a brain can tell the difference. The two best learning guides IMHO are the ARRL Handbook and a decent shortwave receiver or ham radio to listen to and learn from.
 
I have to second Code Quick, I used it to study for my CW test and it rocks.
You will be surprised how fast you can pick it up using there material.
If you do not like CW, that is cool, but you should at least give it a try....

73
Jeff
 
K8PG said:
Hello Kurt,

Well get the ARRLs license manuels(Tech-Gen) and study all the material in each
book,that way you will know whats going on a bit,I also say find a local club and
find a good Elmer(a amateur who is a teacher/or is knowledgeable in all aspects of
radio,Just memorizing a bunch of answers and questions is very bad, almost anyone
can pass that way but LEARNING the Theory /R&Rs /Operating... ,answering Route
questions is like shooting fish in a barrel.It may take longer this way but in the end you
will be glad you learned what all those questions really Mean.I learned from the ground
up and still learning ,my Elmers were the greatest- all SKs now-Both were BC Engineers/
Professors of Electronics/Math and Physics.I would also suggest you learn the Morse
code,If you want to work Big DX-Iam 99%cw.The ARRL study Guides are excellent,
Good Luck Kurt, I hope to have a QSO with you soon.73/44s/DX

Paul K8PG
Click to expand...

+1. Also, at any local club or hamfest you're bound to run into an 'Elmer' (one who will take u under his or her respective 'wing' and help you along the life-long process.) My Elmer(s) is/are/were (among many others) the Late Great Joe Hellman - W2YY (of CQ and OSCAR fame), Hank Stetson - W4YKD (of Maritime Mobile Service Net 14.313 fame), and L.B. Cebik - W4RNL (antenna GURU and Gentleman Extraordinaire)..... may they all rest in peace.
Seems like I am constantly learning something new EVERY day.

What's especially cool about a LOCAL Elmer is that you may get to operate his/her station and/or they may even loan you equipment to help get you up and on the air in a hurry. They also know all about antennas, accessories, and such. They are what the hobby / service is all about.

Heck, this Forum is chock full of Elmers, so you've certainly come to the right place!

Congratulations & much success! Don't ever get discouraged. For example, I often marvel at the person who goes from Tech (formerly Novice) to Extra in 1 testing session. I took me two (2) non-renewable Novice licenses before I ever upgraded to General. Then it took me about 3 years to pass the advanced theory. Then I must've taken the Extra exam at LEAST 3 times (the code for me at the time wasn't the issue.... the theory was) because I'm the type of person who learns by DOING, and there were a couple of questions on the Extra exam at the time about SSTV, RTTY, ATV, and SATCOMMS; all modes I had never experimented with before. It wasn't until they were running out of the Extra callsign format in the call district I was living in at the time that became the impetus for me to crack open the study materials and really, REALLY learn it all.

Fast forward about 15 years, and I was in a position which would require a First Class FCC license or GROL for advancement which caused me to crack open the books yet AGAIN, to obtain my GROL. So, believe me when I tell you that it is truly a LIFELONG learning PROCESS.

Everything which everybody has posted so far has some truth to it, including some of the 'rudeness' found on 80/20 m bands.... but don't let that discourage you. You are bound to run into some 'schmucks' in and outside of Amateur Radio. Hell, I even lived in a town once where I didn't even like ANY of the locals, and therefore stayed off the local 2M and 440 repeaters, but worked plenty of HF (DX & stateside) from the home QTH. Believe me when I tell you that there is something for everyone in the hobby, and YOUR personal presence on the bands will only enhance it because YOU have something to contribute.

Congratulations and good luck! :thumbup:
 
Stick with it!

I agree with a lot of the responders to your question, so here is my 2 cents.
1. Start with your local club/ clubs. Attend a meeting or two (most clubs have websites). Club meetings are a great place to find Elmers. When the club members find out you are interested in getting into the hobby, Many times the Elmers will find you.
2.See if your local club is running classes, if not see about borrowing study materials ( I've found that if folks have current study materials, and have already passed that exam level, they are more than willing to let someone else benefit from them).
3. If you already have some equipment, monitor the bands. Its a great way to expose yourself to the many aspects of the hobby, and helps keep you involved until you get your ticket.
4. Don't just memorize the test answers. You will be cheating yourself out of a big part of the hobby. Home brewing some or all of your own equipment is very rewarding. Kit building is still very popular and from time to time, something you build isn't going to work on the first go around. Troubleshooting a piece of gear is a whole lot easier if take the time to learn the electronic and radio theory. its a little more work, but well worth the effort.
5. Take a shot at Morse code. Even though there is no longer a requirement to take a code test, you will be cheating yourself out of a great segment of the hobby.
6. Find a test session,and take the test. As one of the earlier respondents said, try all the tests until you fail one. You may be surprised how far you get.
7. After you get your ticket explore the hobby. Unlike most hobbies, Amateur radio has so many operating modes and niches it boggles the mind.
8. Last but not least, do a web search and find the Amateurs Creed, print out a copy and post it at your operating position. It may sound a little corny, but once you begin operating you will find that some would benefit from reading it.
8. Commence having fun!

Good Luck and enjoy the hobby!
 
HAM RADIO

Well I would suggest that you NOT go out & buy an HT to get started unless you have plenty of local repeaters on VHF & UHF.Many new hams buy an HT & can NOT reach out to other hams operating SIMPLEX or distant repeaters because of the lack of output power or antenna height.Depending on your amount of local hams & band usage you could be VERY lonely.The Tech ticket is OK but make the EXTRA effort & at least get your GENERAL CLASS so you can make use of the HF bands.You will be able "DAY or NIGHT" to work the WORLD at most ANYTIME with just a 100 watt radio & a wire or vertical antenna.There are PLENTY of rigs today that offer HF,VHF,& even UHF ALL MODE in one tranceiver if you have the CASH & DESIRE to buy them.Remember just like in CB radio buy the BEST radio,feedline,& antennas you can afford.Even an older radio will do a GREAT job with VERY GOOD feedline & antennas though it may NOT be as PRETTY with all of the bells & whistles as the newer rigs.Look forward to working you soon on HAM RADIO!:thumbup1:

73,
SIX-SHOOTER
 
First, welcome to the hobby. Check out the ARRL website first. American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
I suggest that you join. They have excellent study guides that include some discussion with each question. As they offer some background info. Don't just memorize the answers. The Tech is your first step/license. Locate a club near your home. Visit them and ask questions. Most hams are very eager to discuss the hobby. Also, check out QRZ.com, QTH.com and Eham.net as they have cheap equipment online. All my rigs are used. Don't use Ebay as the sellers may not be hams & don't know the equipment that they are selling. QRZ & QTH will become your daily viewing. I have had 100% success with buying on those forums. Lastly, the web has an almost infinite amount of info regarding this hobby. An HT is not the way to start out either as they lack power and may frustrate you after getting your license. Ask questions. Best of luck. Bob N3JQD.
 

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