Any Hams on AO?

I have recently developed an interest in Ham Radio [or amateur radio]. My dad has been a ham for decades now, and has an Amateur Extra license, which I guess is the highest license that you can get. He told me that if I get my license, he will give me one of his 2m radios. Very exciting to me... I was just wondering if there were any hams on AO, and if so, what tips do you have for studying/passing the exam. I have bought the book "Ham Radio for Dummies" and have been impressed with the information and the presentation. Any suggestions/tips would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

As long as you don't start driving a truck with silly long antenna's sticking out - which make you think you're the man for whatever reason (must be the long antenna's), I'm all for it!

lol Negative ... I was thinking more of a van with no windows and silly long antennas... j/k ... nah, I will probably keep all of my equipment in my apartment here... I am just really fascinated by the technology... I have already learned quite a bit about radio signals and transmission theory... there are so many regulations, that is what I am having trouble memorizing... each class of license lets you broadcast on more and more frequencies... I want to work my way up to the 'amateur extra' license, but that will probably be a ways off...

One site I used to visit had alot of information on this. They used to have updates and message boards, but that has stopped over the last 5 years. Even without the updates they still have alot of information over radio and phone technology.

http://www.phreak.org

I used to frequent phreak.org, but once they stopped updating I stopped visiting... I had forgotten that they had info on amateur radio... thanks for the reminder.

Okay, im not from the US or UK. Someone explain this "HAM" endevour.

Ham is actually a term for which no clear origin exists. There are several theories, in fact I think there is a wiki page about it... it basically refers to an amateur radio operator, amateur not meaning without skill, but not licensed for commercial bands. Ham radio operators also act as a means of communication during times of national emergency. During the World Trade Center attacks, ham radio operators were essential in maintaining communication lines... I am starting to sound like the book I am reading :-P ... check out wikipedia or do a google search for more info... I have read that there are Ham Radio operators in almost every country...

Woot - Im going to start one in SA :)

westin: Not too long ago I saw a very young looking geek do a presentation to our local infragard about HAM radio and emergency communications. He was just a freshman in college but he knew his stuff. The papers did a story on him and there were many people writing in questioning his age and experience. He invited them out to see what he had done for the community and how others could help. He had built travel kits and actively does disaster tests of "large scale" on a regular basis. Considering the size of my state (DE), it's not very "large", but still quite impressive for some teen. It's all quite interesting to me but I couldn't afford the equipment to get started at the time.

If your interest develops more and you really get into it, think about joining a local CERT. They'll be able to point you to local "communication corps" in which you can put your newly gained knowledge to the test and help out your community at the same time. My local communication corps has a website here which you can checkout to see what they do. All very interesting stuff.

Phish Thanks for the information, I wish I could have seen the guys presentation... I will definitely look into joining up with CERT...

Cider Looks like someone beat you to it :D http://www.sarl.org.za/

Go to http://www.arrl.org you will find some study guides that you can buy there. You can also find Ham radio clubs local to your area. Go to a meeting, introduce yourself and ask for help. Local clubs usually hold classes and run periodic test sessions.

There are sample tests available at http://www.eham.net and http://www.qrz.com . There are some others that you should be able to find with a little searching.

A little piece of advice, while you can learn the test it is best in the long run to learn the material.

Hams are a great bunch of people and welcome newcomers with open arms.

Good Luck and hope to hear you on the air someday.

Stuart
WB6RXG

Editted to fix URL

Stuart - Thanks a lot for the info! ... I have found a local club, but I wasn't sure if I could show up at a meeting if I didn't have a license... They way you make it sound, it is better to go to the meetings first, then obtain the license with the guidance of the other members. once again, much appreciated.

"Ham" Radio.
Would It Not stand for "High Frequency - Amateur".

Back when i was half my age we had C.B radios and it would be good to chat to someone 50km away and sometimes 100km away.
Finding someone who had HAM radio and could talk to Malaysia or Hawaii was great fun.
Oh Those innocent days!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by westin

Stuart - Thanks a lot for the info! ... I have found a local club, but I wasn't sure if I could show up at a meeting if I didn't have a license... They way you make it sound, it is better to go to the meetings first, then obtain the license with the guidance of the other members. once again, much appreciated.

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Not only will they help you get a license they'll probably help you spend your well earned money on equipment too! :)

Every group has it's grouches and bad apples but Hams are a great bunch of people from every walk of life. I've been licensed for 32 years and have been active off and on throughout. You won't regret it.

Stuart
WB6RXG

One more comment. For now ;)

When you look around in the forums at eham.net and the like, do not let the negative attitude by some of the posters discourage you. I suppose it's just like any other forum site but some of those guys will rip your head off for the most innocent comment. It can look pretty bad to a newcomer and I sometimes wonder how many potential hams the grumps have pushed away from this wonderful hobby.

Stuart
WB6RXG

Info_Au - That very well could be the case, though Hams broadcast on more than just high frequency bands... I read somewhere that it could refer to using a meat tin as a natural sound amplifier... another theory says that in early telegraphy ham meant a poor operator... the first wireless ops were old landline telegraphers, and might have been complaining about the amateur 'Hams" clogging up the airwaves... so it is a mystery...

Stuart - Thanks again for the encouragement and tips. I will remember that. :)