Any Hams On TT?

[hemibee]

I've always been interested in amateur radios and now that I've retired and with the 'rona BS that's taken over, I finally had time to get licensed. I was curious if there are any others here? I've got my Technician ticket and as soon as the next test session is scheduled I'll go back for my General exam.

Back in July of 2019 I picked up a truck load, well a shortbed Toyota Tacoma load of antique radios and radio parts. Still not sure what all I have but I do know there is a couple of old HF receivers and a ton of parts so maybe I can bring one of them back to life.

There's just not enough time in the day to do all that I want to do, this retirement is a rough life.

 

[DaveM]

My brother is into this and really loves it. Apparently they also have groups that meet on air a certain times and they have a chat session.

At one time I was thinking of alao getting into it but as of now I have not got any closer to doing it.

 

[hemibee]

I thought about it for years, between 35 and 45 years and once I looked into it I realized I would have to learn Morse Code to take the test and had no one in those days that could teach me. Fast forward several years and I found a cassette tape for learning Code but I learned then that my work had ruined my ears and I couldn't hear it good enough to make out the dots and dashes. I was talking to someone a couple or three years ago and found out Code was no longer part of the test so I started looking into it more and finally got around to taking the test for my Technician ticket last month.

 

[DaveM]

Even a few years back if you were certified tone deaf you could skip the code. I think most of us riding bike have some sort of hearing issue.

My issue now is the cost of all the equipment needed. As you know you start off on that 50cc and before you know it you need that 1000cc with extra mods

 

[hemibee]

Even a few years back if you were certified tone deaf you could skip the code. I think most of us riding bike have some sort of hearing issue.

My issue now is the cost of all the equipment needed. As you know you start off on that 50cc and before you know it you need that 1000cc with extra mods

I bit the bullet, started with a free hand held and a purchased 125.

 

[hemibee]

Thought I would update this thread with some new information. I did sit for my General license test back in February or March. Passed and while waiting for my license upgrade to become official I decided since I was in a routine I would go ahead and keep up my study pattern to take the top license in the USA, Amateur Extra. On May 15th I passed the Amateur Extra exam.

Shortly after passing the test I got to thinking, a very dangerous action on my part, why not study for the Volunteer Examiner (VE) certification. So I read the VE manual, took the test and was certified by the ARRL to function as Volunteer Examiner at license testing sessions.

Testing has been, as usual, a little slow during the summer months, add in the covid crap and it has been real slow. The group I work with is one of the few in the area that is actually holding test sessions. I've been able to do two sessions as an examiner. One of the sessions was only one test taker, a teenage boy from out of the area that had no test sessions being held in his area. He and his mother drove over and stayed in a motel the night before so he could be there for the test.

So I'm enjoying the hobby and spending time with some great folks that went out of their way shortly after the big freeze to find a location for me to take my General exam. The General Exam was held at a local celebrity's ranch. They were having to use an additional site when I went back for my Amateur Extra Exam. The local HAM groups aren't doing any in person testing so I drive over to Washington County to work with them. It's the least I could do after all they did to make sure I was able to take my tests.

 

[sikatri]

I’ve contemplated getting into hams. It wouldn’t be a bad idea considering. Emergencies seem to grow and a radio wouldn’t be a bad idea. Taking tests at the moment and getting time to study might be the biggest obstacle. Are there links to study materials or are they hard copy?

 

[DaveM]

I’ve contemplated getting into hams. It wouldn’t be a bad idea considering. Emergencies seem to grow and a radio wouldn’t be a bad idea. Taking tests at the moment and getting time to study might be the biggest obstacle. Are there links to study materials or are they hard copy?

Have a look at this site they have a lot of info on it

https://hamstudy.org/

 

[hemibee]

I’ve contemplated getting into hams. It wouldn’t be a bad idea considering. Emergencies seem to grow and a radio wouldn’t be a bad idea. Taking tests at the moment and getting time to study might be the biggest obstacle. Are there links to study materials or are they hard copy?

There is multiple free aps and websites with all the questions and answers. Dave linked to probably the most popular study app/website. If you decide to use them, do yourself a favor and ONLY read the correct answers. Don't polute your mind with the wrong answers. Studying for the Technician exam can be done at your lesiure in 5 to 15 minute settings if you want to do them that way.

A good book to help and is free to read if you have Kindle Unlimited or a paperback can be purchased for $17.95 is Craig "Buck" K5IA's Technician Class 2018-2022: Pass Your Amateur Radio Technician Class Test - The Easy Way

To be perfectly honest, the Tech Exam answers can be memorized with just a little studying. Sometime in 2022 the FCC is saying they will start charging $35.00 for the license which was another reason I decided to get them all before they started charging.

 

[hemibee]

I’ve contemplated getting into hams. It wouldn’t be a bad idea considering. Emergencies seem to grow and a radio wouldn’t be a bad idea. Taking tests at the moment and getting time to study might be the biggest obstacle. Are there links to study materials or are they hard copy?

Brenham is just a short ride from Houston, we usually test on the third or sometimes last weekend of each month.

 

[sikatri]

Brenham is just a short ride from Houston, we usually test on the third or sometimes last weekend of each month.

LoL. My wife and I have been contact moving to Brenham when I retire. I’ll look into your link.

 

[hemibee]

LoL. My wife and I have been contact moving to Brenham when I retire. I’ll look into your link.

I just retired and looking to move that way too. I would prefer over around Shiner but my wife is generally of the thought not to move that far so I've been pushing her toward Brenham.

 

[hemibee]

Our website is still a work in progress but we can be found here W5AUM Washington County Amateur Radio Club or Washington County Amateur Radio Club - FaceBook