HAM IT UP !...GETTING STARTED IN HAM RADIO...(notes compliments of Lakes Area Amateur Radio Club)...

1. Getting Licensed. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) requires licenses for all ham operators. There are currently 3 classes of amateur radio licenses: Technician (initial required license) which primarily allows access to ham Very High Frequency (VHF) bands, such as the popular 2 Meter (144-148MHz) band, and 6 Meter (50-54MHZ band), along with the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) 430-440MHz band (70cm), There is also some limited allocation within the High Frequency (HF) 10 Meter (28.0-29.70MHz band). The test consists of a relatively easy 35 question multi-choice exam (from an approx. 500 question study pool). This test is administered by VEC ham volunteers for the FCC, at a cost of approx. $14. A passing grade of approx. 74% correct answers is required.

The test may be taken via our club or at various nearby sites such as Nacogdoches, Leesville, Nederland, etc., and can be retaken if needed. Technicians can also access the VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) formats offered by ham internet programs such as Echolink (www.echolink.org) and CQ100 (www.cqnet.com). This mode allows direct computer-to-computer national and international voice contact with other hams, or even radio-to-radio contact via VoIP interfaces (links and repeaters within frequencies licensed). There are many ways hams are able to communicate, and using voice is just one of them. Morse code remains in use, although no longer required for any license purposes. Packet, Radio Teletype (often called Ritty) and PSK are others. Hams can also use television if desired, to transmit pictures over the air. Upon passing the Technician test he FCC will issue you a license Call Sign, which is valid for 10 years and is renewable without further testing. You can also apply for a vanity special Call Sign of your choice at modest cost, should you later wish to do so. General class license (an upgrade from Technician class) allows a generous expansion into many additional HF band allocations, which can allow considerably more world wide radio communication opportunities year round. Amateur Extra is the last and highest class available license, which allots the total use of all amateur HF bands. Nevertheless, the Technician remains the most important license, as it is mandatory to have it to enter this exciting and useful hobby, and allows considerable privileges by itself.

2. Study Materials. Technician book available via our club for check out at Jasper Public Library. Also, these inexpensive test study guides are available from various sources, such as the American Amateur Radio League (ARRL) at 888-277-5289 (www.arrl.org) Note: if you are going to become a ham you should join this national ham organization and receive their monthly QST magazine. Other sources include the popular Gordon West booklets at 800-669-9594 (www.w5yi.org) and web studies and information at: www.hamtestonline.com, hamuniverse.com, www.eham.net, www.qrz.com. Also, a booklet listing test correct answers only, rather than all answer choices is available from mfjenterprises.com. Another good magazine is Popular Communications, especially for shortwave listening and scanner monitoring interest (www.popular-communications.com).

3. Equipment. You can start out with as little or as much equipment as you may wish. If you already have a computer with internet access as example, this would allow VoIP use with no additional equipment, provided you already have speakers and a mike or headset. Once you have that, simply download, install, and registered your FCC license Call Sign with the administrators of any of these or other VoIP ham specialized programs. The Echolink program is available free, and the CQ100 program at $39 annual subscription fee, after a 90 day free trial. Your first radio can be a small hand held transceiver (HT), or mobile or base station model, available new or even used. Ask us about local suppliers. National mail order suppliers include: Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) at 800-321-3594 (www.aesham.com) and Universal Radio 800-431-3939 (www.universal-radio.com). Scanners and CB radios are available at Radio Shack and Wal-Mart, etc. Don't hesitate to ask your Elmer (helpful ham friends) for their equipment and supplier recommendations. Plus many test reports and field use comments are available online at www.eham.net for various amateur equipment.

4. You'll be more than welcomed by other hams into this rewarding and useful hobby. Not only will you enjoy the "rag chewing" with

other hams, but the amateur radio network can offer valuable life saving transfer of information during various emergency situations and conditions when needed. We hope you will consider associating with an area amateur radio club accordingly. Our Club meets the

last Thursday of every month at 7 PM in the Terminal Building at the Jasper County Airport (Bell Field) on FM 777 off Hwy. 190 West.

We hope to see you soon!

73 (Best Regard),

Lakes Area Amateur Radio Club

PO Box 461 - Jasper, Tx 75951

www.w5jas.org