Any Hams on AO?

[stuart]

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

[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.

[Info_Au]

"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!!

[stuart]

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.

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

[stuart]

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

[westin]

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.