How to become a Ham


As we all know whether we have 20 Hams listening and checking in to a net, there are another 20 listening who do not check in. Among this group are some individual who are not hams but have scanners or radios that can pick up our repeaters. This little talk is for those non hams who think they might like to become hams but don't know how to proceed.

Those of you who have checked in can go get a cup of coffee and get ready for the ball game; I don't wish to preach to the choir except for those of you who have relatives or friends who might be interested in Amateur Radio.

How to get a be a Ham.

First, you must get a FCC license.
To get a license you must take a test which is administered here or in one of the surrounding communities five or six times a year. The license levels are divided into four levels. Novice, Technician, General, Advanced and Extra, that's five but it's going to be four soon. You need only pass the novice and technician to get on the air.

How does one get a license. Well you can do it by yourself, but it is easier to take one of the many classes that are offered. The Radio Club offers them at least twice a year and Sarasota does so on a similar schedule. The Radio Shack offers a fine book on getting you license, Now Your Talking and the National Organization for Amateur Radio (ARRL) offers material for prospective hams.

When you get your first two licenses, you are considered a no code Ham. Only when you wish to advance do you need expertise in the Morse code. With the code comes more privileges but worry about the code later.

What are the advantages of becoming a Ham?

First is the ability to be a part of an organization that is involved with public service. Public service is the main reason you have been issued a license by the FCC. We are expected to provided emergency communication when needed.

After that it provides you with a life long hobby that you can drop temporally if needed and still come back years later without any consequences.

The hobby gives you a sense of fulfillment when you have passed the testing requirement and learned how to use your new equipment and built you first antenna or some other piece of equipment.

It can provide a safety factor in that you always have a radio that will allow you to communicate when in difficulty. The cell phone works only when the towers are up and the phone company is in operation, not always the case in a bad storm.

You will be issued an official call sign that will remain with you until you advance in license class, or you want to get a vanity call sign, may be the one you father had many years ago. You will also be eligible to get a license plate with your call sign on it if you so desire.

What are the disadvantages? Well there are some.

It is not a cheap hobby. Your training book will be about $10, the license about $7, your first radio about $150 to $200. Other things you feel you must have $50 and dues to local clubs and ARRL about $50. If you decide to advance in license class and learn, the code HF equipment may run to thousands of dollars.

The hobby will take some of your time, but what hobby doesn't. You will probably want to attend club meeting and listen to nets like this one and participate in emergency activities through ARES/RACES training and actual situations.

The hobby will frustrate you frequently. Mr. Murphy will get involved often, and you may lose some hair trying to find out why you can't make you radio work or the other party whom you are trying to talk to says you are not making it.

How do you get started. You're already on you way. You're listening to this net. Now contact a ham to further your education. Find out where the classes are. Come to a Club meeting. Contact ARRL for information. Find an Elmer who will help you. Look around your neighborhood and see whether there and any big antennas visible. Not the CB type but big. Ask whether they are a ham and you will be on the way.

Here are some of the local repeaters that you might wish to listen to so you have an idea of what is happening.
146.820
147.195
147.045
146.910
146.300
146.730
149.640

If you're interested please feel free to attend our next Manatee Amateur Radio Club

If you come please introduce yourself to me and lets see whether we can get you started.

My name is Bob and my call sign is KD4EFT