Ham radio repeaters

"Getting someone to respond". Now that is a problem sometimes. I swear they hear the VP9 prefix & instantly think 'pirate'. I know that we are rare, less than 6 active on HF with any sort of regularity, but we do exist.

js6343js6343 wrote:
It's been a long time so I am pretty rusty.

FT7900 2M/70cm dual band.

Well, that is a fine mobile dual band radio.... still in production by Yaesu. I have one in each of my vehicles. With a reasonable antenna you should have no problem hitting distant repeaters as you travel. Getting someone to respond to you may be problematical in some areas, but not all. Go for it. Also, a fair number of RVing hams monitor simplex 146.520 on the road.

I have an app of for my phone that gives repeater in your local area, its not perfect but at least you can find a repeater without going through the band looking. Also have an app for Echo Link

W4RLR wrote:

garyhaupt wrote:
I am just starting out to get my testing done. There are no classes up here so I have found a guy to mentor me and we'll struggle along.


Gary Haupt

I recommend Ham Test Online. Google them. I'm using them to get my Extra class ticket.

Yeppers and thanks..I have them bookmarked. First I want to learn the book, then I'll study to pass the test.


Gary Haupt

garyhaupt wrote:
I am just starting out to get my testing done. There are no classes up here so I have found a guy to mentor me and we'll struggle along.


Gary Haupt

I recommend Ham Test Online. Google them. I'm using them to get my Extra class ticket.

br549redneck wrote:

Tachdriver wrote:

Horizon170 wrote:
What does one have to do to qualify for a HAM permit?
No way I can learn MORSE Code.

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The code requirement has been dropped so no worry there. There are numerous websites that support the teaching of the test, once you feel comfortable to take the test find out where the next one will be administered in your area. The cost to administer the test is about $15.

The technician test allows you access to VHF/UHF and SSB portion of a few KHz on 10M (28Mhz).

Worse thing FCC ever did was drop the code portion of the test.
N5DIT

And why would you say that? The former requirement to have code lacked justification, and it was there at the insistence of old timers who insisted it be kept to "keep the riff faff out" or "I had to pass code, so everyone else should, too!" Considering the last commercial radio station that used Morse code closed down years ago, the maritime industry no longer requires it for shipboard operators, and there are modes that are nearly as efficient as Morse (I am a fan of digital mode PSK31 where I have worked stations as far away as Brazil and Italy) the FCC was correct in dropping the requirement. But I will not change your mind, I'm sure. Dropping the code requirement has meant that the ranks of U.S. licensed amateurs has grown in the years since, according to the ARRL.

I am just starting out to get my testing done. There are no classes up here so I have found a guy to mentor me and we'll struggle along.


Gary Haupt

The last VE session we had there was only 4 people
2 new Tech's, one upgrade to General and one upgrade
to extra. Slim picks here in Western Washington around
Centralia this year so far.

Last year we had one VE test session were we has 24
fireman take the Tsch test, all but 2 passed, those
to came back the next month and passed along with
4 fireman upgrading to general.

Now in Lewis County every fire station has a 2 meter
radio in it, one out two 125ft fire towers has a
2 meter 440 repeater attached to it. Testing of the
fire station radios is done once every 90 days by
either fireman or ARES members.....:)

73 Chuck W5KAV

Our local radio club runs classes and testing every other month.
Last Saturday the testing session resulted in 10 new Hams (Tech Class) and 3 or 4 upgrades from Tech to General.
It appears that the 7-Land call signs, now in the G series (KG7***), has progressed from P (KG7P**) to Q (KG7Q**) over the last 2 months.
That would seem to indicate that a LOT of people are getting licensed!
73, KJ7POE

I'll give this QSO a little kick.

The code was dropped for VP9 as well. There used to be one license class. Theory, somewhat similar to the US General level, & code at 15WPM with a requirement for 1 minute error free in the test. That was the easy part.

The hard part was, after you passed the test & had ticket in hand, you could not pick up a HF transmitter mike till you had done 500 CW contacts.

Now that took some doing.

Today the code has been dropped but still new hams are hard to come by. I blame the internet. Before the internet ham radio was the hobby to communicate with the world. Now it is at the tips of anyones fingers.