I noticed that Synchronet has a built-in quiz for Canadian HAM Radio basic & advanced questions. I went though about 30 questions before I realized I'd fail pretty bad. Looks like I need to get studying.
I thought I'd try those questions too - just to see what I didnt know. Turns out its easier to say what I do know - and thats nothing...
Like you, I'd like to play with the ham stuff, but at the moment it
looks like a mountain to climb... (And I'm too busy playing with my ANSItex/Videotex...)
It does seem like a pretty scary mountain. Right now I'm trying to figure out why it's called the 2 metre band & the 70cm band, it doesn't seem to be because of antenna lengths...
It does seem like a pretty scary mountain. Right now I'm trying to
figure out why it's called the 2 metre band & the 70cm band, it doesn't seem to be because of antenna lengths...
On 17 Aug 2020, alterego said the following...
Like you, I'd like to play with the ham stuff, but at the moment it looks like a mountain to climb... (And I'm too busy playing with my ANSItex/Videotex...)
It does seem like a pretty scary mountain. Right now I'm trying to
figure out why it's called the 2 metre band & the 70cm band, it doesn't seem to be because of antenna lengths...
I noticed that Synchronet has a built-in quiz for Canadian HAM Radio basic & advanced questions. I went though about 30 questions before I realized I'd fail pretty bad. Looks like I need to get studying.
On 08-16-20 10:02, Warpslide wrote to All <=-
Hey All,
I recently received a TYT TH-UV88 as a gift. I don't know much about
HAM Radio (anything really), but it looks like this small handheld supports 2M and 70cm frequencies. From what I understand, it's ok for
me to turn this on & listen but I won't be able to talk until I get a license.
Since I'm not licensed, I'm looking into what it would take to write
the exam. I'm located in Canada and a quick Google search says I'd need
at least at least 70% to pass or 80% to pass with honours (allowing
access to < 30MHz).
There's an online course starting soon or a local club has a course starting in September. Does anyone in Canada have experience with rac.ca's online course?
https://www.rac.ca/rac-online-basic-amateur-radio-course-registration-su mmer-20
20/
Just not sure yet which route would be best to take for me: Online, in-person or self paced.
I noticed that Synchronet has a built-in quiz for Canadian HAM Radio
basic & advanced questions. I went though about 30 questions before I realized I'd fail pretty bad. Looks like I need to get studying.
On 08-17-20 09:53, alterego wrote to Warpslide <=-
I thought I'd try those questions too - just to see what I didnt know.
Turns out its easier to say what I do know - and thats nothing...
Like you, I'd like to play with the ham stuff, but at the moment it
looks like a mountain to climb... (And I'm too busy playing with my ANSItex/Videotex...)
On 08-16-20 21:05, Warpslide wrote to alterego <=-
It does seem like a pretty scary mountain. Right now I'm trying to
figure out why it's called the 2 metre band & the 70cm band, it doesn't seem to be because of antenna lengths...
On 08-16-20 20:34, Andre wrote to Warpslide <=-
I just checked out the Canadian basic exam. It's a little more
practical than the US tech and general exams, but not by much. All
three contain fairly useless knowledge for getting started. Use hamstudy.org to memorize the questions and pass, then just keep
learning as you need to know things. Definitely find a good club to join... If they're dicks, find a different club. The ham community is
very similar to the old BBS community, and they'll respect people who
try to figure something out on their own before asking for help.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with a course. But finding a good elmer/mentor who builds thier own antennas and operates a lot is
crucial. A lot of hams think they know what they're doing but don't
have a clue... You'll have to shop around a bit to find the right ham friends.
I recently received a TYT TH-UV88 as a gift.
There's an online course starting soon or a local club has a course starting in September.
There was a new guy who checked into his first meeting on today's net, which made me want to join in even more.
Not sure what I just got myself into, but wish me luck! :)
On 08-17-20 22:11, Warpslide wrote to All <=-
I discovered we have a local HAM radio club (www.hamiltonarc.ca) &
today happened to be one of their net meetings. I decided to listen in
& it was actually kind of cool, the repeater is near by & I was able to get a surprisingly clear signal inside my house with nothing but this
tiny handheld w/ a "rubber ducky".
There was a new guy who checked into his first meeting on today's net, which made me want to join in even more. He said he just finished his course online with the same one was I was considering.
I took the plunge and just signed up to this course which begins on Thursday and runs through to October.
Not sure what I just got myself into, but wish me luck! :)
... Of course I talk to myself, sometimes need an expert opinion!
On 08-17-20 21:39, Andre wrote to Warpslide <=-
Welcome to our bottomless pit of a hobby. Your time and money are gone forever. :)
Welcome to our bottomless pit of a hobby. Your time and money are gone forever. :)
Cool, that's handy, makes it easy to listen. :)
Good luck. Don't forget, some of us can answer questions too. :)
Good luck, it will be a fun ride. :)
may be my next purchase. I've also seen some people say "I never use
the included antenna, I always get a tuned one".
On 17 Aug 2020, Andre said the following...
Welcome to our bottomless pit of a hobby. Your time and money
are gone forever. :)
That's what I'm afraid of... this free (to me) handheld seems like
it's going to be a gateway drug.
I recently received a TYT TH-UV88 as a gift. I don't know much about HAM Radio (anything really), but it looks like this small handheld supports 2M
70cm frequencies. From what I understand, it's ok for me to turn this on & listen but I won't be able to talk until I get a license.
There's an online course starting soon or a local club has a coursestarting
in September. Does anyone in Canada have experience with rac.ca's online course?
I noticed that Synchronet has a built-in quiz for Canadian HAM Radio basic
advanced questions. I went though about 30 questions before I realized I'd fail pretty bad. Looks like I need to get studying.
I'm located in Canada and a quick Google search says I'd need at least at least 70% to pass or 80% to pass with honours (allowing access to <30MHz).
On 08-18-20 10:10, Warpslide wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I was reading that I can hook an external antenna up to this, so that
may be my next purchase. I've also seen some people say "I never use
the included antenna, I always get a tuned one".
Do you have any thoughts on glass mount antennas? My home office is on the 2nd floor and if I can get away without drilling through a wall I'd like to go that route.
Good luck. Don't forget, some of us can answer questions too. :)
Awesome, thank you! I'm sure I'll be here asking all sorts of
questions. :)
Good luck, it will be a fun ride. :)
Might be a couple of small mental breakdowns on the way too! lol
On 08-18-20 09:38, Warpslide wrote to Andre <=-
On 17 Aug 2020, Andre said the following...
Welcome to our bottomless pit of a hobby. Your time and money are gone forever. :)
That's what I'm afraid of... this free (to me) handheld seems like
it's going to be a gateway drug.
Yes, you just need a cable with the right connector, or a suitable adapter.
It's not that bad. ;)
I got a 19" magnetic mount antenna from Amazon with a BNC-M to SO-239.
It seems to pick things up much better, even in the house.
Just make sure it's on something metal like a cookie sheet or it won't work very well.
On 08-23-20 20:27, Warpslide wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I got a 19" magnetic mount antenna from Amazon with a BNC-M to SO-239.
It seems to pick things up much better, even in the house.
It's not that bad. ;)
In the course today they were going over how electrons move from one
atom to the other which is how electricity flows... *eyes glaze over*
The early chapters are more theory, I'm sure we'll be getting to more practical stuff soon enough.
On 08-18-20 16:24, Andre wrote to Warpslide <=-
Most hams don't know their ass from their elbow. If it's not backed by data, don't listen to their anecdotes. The antennas that come with HTs
are no worse than the 16" (or so) aftermarket antennas. Three-foot
extenable antennas make a big difference. "Rat tail" counterpoise
antennas are nonsense. The internal metal of the radio body, and to
some extent your body while holding it, act as the counterpoise. You
might see some better RX (receive) quality, but it's inconsistent. Last year someone did a lab test to show all that, which mimics the result
of my son's science fair tests from a couple years ago.
Mobile antennas on a magnet base, placed on a baking sheet, will significantly outperform the ducky antenna.
A home antenna, even in an attic, will outperform all of the above.
Most people seem to think J-pole antennas of copper work best, but I
don't know how much they outperform a purchased Comet or Diamond
antenna (cheaper though, especially if you make it yourself). Outdoors
and as high as possible will perform best, as VHF/UHF are
line-of-sight. Attics work well enough if you can't mount it on a tower
or roof.
Discone antennas are the best scanner/listening antennas.
Window mount are pretty marginal, especially if mounted inside the
window. You'd be better off with the mobile antenna on a baking sheet,
or a roll-up J-pole antenna hanging out the window.
On 08-19-20 11:30, vorlon wrote to Warpslide <=-
That's what I'm afraid of... this free (to me) handheld seems like
it's going to be a gateway drug.
Once you start down the rabbit whole, you wont come back.. %-)
My most expensive rig is a Kenwood TM-D700 ($1200 at the time). It's
now in a box with my other rigs due to living changes. #-(
--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/armv6l)
* Origin: \/orlon Empire: Sector 550 (21:1/195.1)
On 08-23-20 21:56, Warpslide wrote to Andre <=-
On 23 Aug 2020, Andre said the following...
Just make sure it's on something metal like a cookie sheet or it won't work very well.
Yup! A wise person named Andre suggested a cookie sheet on August
18th. ;)
It does seem to work quite well, though I thought the cookie sheet was just for stability. What else does it do?
On 08-19-20 11:30, vorlon wrote to Warpslide <=-
That's what I'm afraid of... this free (to me) handheld seems
like it's going to be a gateway drug.
Once you start down the rabbit whole, you wont come back.. %-)
Hahaha. it's like that. :)
My most expensive rig is a Kenwood TM-D700 ($1200 at the
time). It's now in a box with my other rigs due to living
changes. #-(
I bought a couple of IC-7000s 10 years ago, and with a house move
next year, and some money left over, I think it's likely there will
be an upgrade cycle coming up. ;) Yeah I hit the "toy shop" with a
$5k order in total back then. Needless to say he was happy
receiving that order. ;)
On 09-01-20 15:02, vorlon wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Once you start down the rabbit whole, you wont come back.. %-)
Hahaha. it's like that. :)
But the fun part of the hobie is building stuff your self.
I bought a couple of IC-7000s 10 years ago, and with a house move
next year, and some money left over, I think it's likely there will
be an upgrade cycle coming up. ;) Yeah I hit the "toy shop" with a
$5k order in total back then. Needless to say he was happy
receiving that order. ;)
They are a nice radio, but if a fault develops your out of luck for a
rig. I've got muliple 2m/70cm rigs, but only a single HF right as I
wasn't into the HF side of things.
On 09-01-20 15:02, vorlon wrote to Vk3jed <=-
But the fun part of the hobie is building stuff your self.
Whether that be hardware or software. :)
They are a nice radio, but if a fault develops your out of
luck for a rig. I've got muliple 2m/70cm rigs, but only a
single HF right as I wasn't into the HF side of things.
Yeah, I have a FT-736R as well. I was given the basic radio by a
friend who bought another one. I've optioned up the FT-736R with
6m and 23cm, as well as CTCSS. It's become my main VHF/UHF radio.
Turning it into a remote base with a heap of open source software
was fun too. :)
On 09-04-20 10:17, vorlon wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Whether that be hardware or software. :)
I've always enjoyed the making it part of any adventure.
You've got more radio's than a blind man waving his stick around in a china tea cup shop!
| Sysop: | altere |
|---|---|
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