Any Ham Radio Operators In BITOG?

[ka9mnx]

Congrats! Now it's time to start looking to upgrade your license class.

 

[Rob_Roy]

Bam! Took the test tonight and passed. Now to go down the rabbit hole with hardware.

Congratulations. Keep your momentum and start studying for the General.

 

[ctrcbob]

I was a submarine radio man for 12 years. Operated a lot of different circuits and some pretty good equipment. Tried to get into the Ham radio thing but it just didn't work out. Think I had my fill of it in the Navy.

QRZ caught my interest. I will assume it is based of the Q and Z signals. We used those quiet a bit during my days in the Navy.

I also was an old Navy radio operator for 21 years. (Not a RM, But a kissing cousin, a CTR).
In radio school, I was a natural. Learned Morse very good. Had no problems copying fast operators. Sending was another story. Did good with a regular Hand Key, but always had trouble using a Bug. (Speed Key). Another thing I could not master was using an Electric Bug.

I have a Ham friend who is still able to use a Bug. I’ve watched him transmitting (and receiving) Morse just like the days when he was an active RM. Although I can receive as good as him, he can keep the info in his head whereas I have to use a stick or a keyboard.

A Morse CW signal will always get through. I could always “tweet” my receiver to filter out the signal I did not want and to concentrate on the signal I wanted. The same can’t be said for voice, be it SSB or DSB, or even TTY. (Yes, I’m dating myself).

BT AR

 

[Quattro Pete]

GMRS requires a license in the US ($80.00 for 5 years), MURS is less restrictive (no license) but radios are hard to come by

In recent years, license fee for GMRS has been lowered to $35 for 10 years and covers the whole family, so it's not too bad.

Many of the cheap Chinese radios can be unlocked to support MURS, in addition to all GMRS and Ham frequencies. It's amazing what you can get for $30 or less these days. I've been playing with some of these radios recently.

The first one is Tidradio H3 - you can put it in either Ham, or GMRS, or Unlocked mode to have access to pretty much all frequencies. Of course, you still need a license if you're going to transmit on GMRS or Ham. It can be programmed via Bluetooth through your phone (or PC) or via a USB cable - supports CHIRP.

The second one is a Quansheng unit that was $13 + shipping from Aliexpress. There are various clones available on Amazon for $25 with free shipping. That one supports various 3rd party firmwares that further extend its functionality.

And then there are a myriad of various Baofeng units, also in similar price range.

 

[ka9mnx]

Once opened up, these radios are not type accepted by the FCC. You can use them but are illegal to transmit on.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Once opened up, these radios are not type accepted by the FCC. You can use them but are illegal to transmit on.

That Baofeng I posted up above is FCC approved for GMRS, but yes, in general, you are correct.

 

[vpr5703]

I have been studying to take the test in the coming weeks. I am getting the license so that I can have a handheld in my Jeep when off-roading because you never know if you will have cell signal and things can happen.

What is your reason for getting a license?

Initially my grandpa got me interested. I'm licensed but not active.

 

[supton]

Older thread now. I was a bit more active for a bit, would listen to 20m in the car, but nothing set up in the car at the moment. Occasionally do some Morse in the evenings, if I feel like it.

 

[FordSVTGuy]

Got my Technician license during the pandemic. Need to pick it back up and get my General license…

 

[The_Jeff]

MURS is the de facto standard on the "Golden Road" in the woods of Northern Maine. You pretty much have to have one so you can call out mile markers so oncoming logging trucks won't clobber you on blind curves.

The cheap Baofeng HTs aren't type accepted to transmit on MURS, but every crime has to have a victim, right?

 

[Owen Lucas]

I got my self a "BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery" from Amazon. I got it as an emergency form of communication in case of a SHTF situation. I'll need to program it eventually. Sounds like a fun hobby.

 

[The_Jeff]

^ Those Baofengs can do "more" with a simple unlock you can find on youtube.

 

[Aredeeem]

Yes. Was a radioman in the USN circa 1970. Learned Morse like the back of my hand. Total immersion training, sink or swim. Still remember quite a bit.

 

[Aredeeem]

Where did the years go?

 

[k1xv]

I was first licensed in 1962 at age 14. Let it lapse in 1968. Got interested again after 30 years and in one test session went from no license to Amateur Extra. My user name is my call sign K1XV

Radio as a kid got me into electrical engineering. After 5 years as an EE, went to law school, and had a career representing consumers against utility companies.

I owe it to radio and amateur radio to put me on a career path. Otherwise, I might have become a mortician or garbage man.