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  • Brains

    One of the idiots
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    3   0   0
    Apr 9, 2013
    6,904
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    Didn't know that, if I ever do this I'll definitely go for all three. I have been playing with the practice tests, and I'm surprised how much I was getting right. I need to learn the rules and regs better, but the tech I nailed.
    Military Camp
     

    satx78247

    Member, Emeritus
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    Jun 23, 2014
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    To All,

    Fwiw, it depends on WHO is giving the tests & WHERE. = I paid 6.oo total when I took my test. SOME places do not charge any fee.

    yours, satx
     

    POLICESTATE

    Member
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    3   0   0
    Oct 12, 2016
    163
    11
    Wylie, TEXAS
    I think you will probably do well given your background, if you are technically inclined. Just remember that if you get a question that you are a little stumped on to eliminate the options you know are wrong.

    It's great to see more folks getting interesting in amateur radio. Also if you are on Facebook there is a group for Ham Radio & Gun enthusiasts "Guns and Ham / Amateur Radio" so once you get your call sign go check that out, it's a closed group.
     

    Wiliamr

    Well-Known
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    2   0   0
    Apr 15, 2011
    1,807
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    Austin
    Antenna. Probably the hardest thing to nail down is your choice of and what antenna is available to you. Cost, mast, tower, yagi, wire etc. I used two trees and a G5RV for a couple years, till Harvey winds tore up one tree. Now I have a 35 ft mast and a inverted V G5RV.
    lot size, any HOA issues, trees, etc all factor in.
     

    no2gates

    These are not the droids you're looking for.
    Lifetime Member
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    4   0   0
    Aug 31, 2013
    6,023
    96
    Grand Prairie, TX
    I passed :banana:
    ...now what?
    Congrats !!! Almost everyone I know for their first rig got an HT or a 2-meter mobile rig.
    If you've got repeaters pretty close, a HT would work. You can get them for around $30 on Amazon for a Baofeng UV5R. I've got a couple of those, and they work fairly well.
    I would join a local ham club and see what radio that others have and what works good for you.

    An HF rig is an investment, since they are brand new, start around $750.

    Antennas - for 2 meters: making a J-pole would be a great project, or you can buy one. For HF, if you've got the room, G5RV performs pretty good.
     

    tangoparson

    Member
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    0   0   0
    Jan 9, 2017
    176
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    Congratulations too.

    I’ll second what gates said except I would say get a dual band 2 meter/440 mhz. Not much more money but a lot of versatility.

    Find out if you like the hobby and what aspect of it you want to pursue before you plunk a ton of cash into an hf rig or a monster antenna like a G5. Besides, if you only took the technician you couldn’t use an hf rig yet.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     

    Ranger60

    Active Member
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    Mar 28, 2008
    710
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    Taylor
    Congrats Dan, that was a fun session. Now that you are in the cult we have a small radio club in Rockdale. Milam County Amateur Radio club. The guy to my left in the test session is the president. Meeting are at Bandas Mexican in Rockdale on the second Tuesday. We usually meet at 6:15 and eat first. The Williamson County club is much larger and meets the first Thursday at 7 in the Jester county annex on Old Settlers Blvd. Lots of good people.
     

    TexasBrandon

    TGT Addict
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    4   0   0
    Jul 14, 2011
    4,471
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    Salado
    I'm going to try to take the exam the second week of April. My Masters degree class isn't as loaded down as it was last week and won't be for the foreseeable future. I've taken a crap ton of notes from the book and have nearly finished reading it to the glossary. I plan to read it one more time without taking notes to make sure I got everything down that was new to me. I don't want to be "that guy" that fails the exam, I've only ever failed 4 exams in my adult life. I teach for a living and take exams regularly, its an art, taking exams.
     

    avvidclif

    TGT Addict
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    3   0   0
    Aug 30, 2017
    5,794
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    Van Zandt County
    Mark your calendar. The Belton Hamfest is April 5-6. The actual Hamfest is Sat starting at 7AM IIRC. By noon you will be about the only one there, door prize drawing at 11 and gone. It is one of the best in Texas.

    Here is a link to the flyer. https://www.tarc.org/hamexpo

    I get there on Thurs and camp out in the parking lot (Cyclone Toy Hauler, hard to miss). The 7245/7195/wherever group has a cooker that arrives on Thurs, rules are: You bring it we will burn it, err cook it. All kinds of different stuff is available, donation jar to cover costs. Just show up and have fun. VE testing is available. Lots of socializing and fun. Main cooking event is Fri nite and breakfast burritos Sat. Stop by and say Howdy, might be able to find a cold one, GRIN. :rolleyes:
     

    Ranger60

    Active Member
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    Mar 28, 2008
    710
    31
    Taylor
    Brandon, sounds like you are ready for the exam at Belton, or at the very least, wander the show. The exam session starts at 10 and walk ins are OK if you want to cram a couple hours first. Will be most likely meeting some folks for breakfast at 7 if you are interested, details later.
     

    Brains

    One of the idiots
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    3   0   0
    Apr 9, 2013
    6,904
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    Spring
    Where do you find the most traffic these days? 20 years ago 2m and to a lesser extent 70cm were hopping, but listening now there's no conversations to be had. The only voice I've heard has been on 162.400 Mhz :)

    Has everyone gone digital?
     

    satx78247

    Member, Emeritus
    Emeritus - "Texas Proud"
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    1   0   0
    Jun 23, 2014
    8,479
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    78208
    Mark your calendar. The Belton Hamfest is April 5-6. The actual Hamfest is Sat starting at 7AM IIRC. By noon you will be about the only one there, door prize drawing at 11 and gone. It is one of the best in Texas.

    Here is a link to the flyer. https://www.tarc.org/hamexpo

    I get there on Thurs and camp out in the parking lot (Cyclone Toy Hauler, hard to miss). The 7245/7195/wherever group has a cooker that arrives on Thurs, rules are: You bring it we will burn it, err cook it. All kinds of different stuff is available, donation jar to cover costs. Just show up and have fun. VE testing is available. Lots of socializing and fun. Main cooking event is Fri nite and breakfast burritos Sat. Stop by and say Howdy, might be able to find a cold one, GRIN. :rolleyes:


    avvidclif,

    I've always wanted to ask someone & you're "elected": WHY the H do ham-fest committees insist on starting ham-fests so darned early in the AM??
    (I go to bed about 0300 & usually sleep till 1000.)

    yours, satx
     

    Kar98

    TGT Addict
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    0   0   0
    Aug 8, 2016
    5,071
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    DFW
    Where do you find the most traffic these days? 20 years ago 2m and to a lesser extent 70cm were hopping, but listening now there's no conversations to be had. The only voice I've heard has been on 162.400 Mhz :)

    Has everyone gone digital?

    I think everyone has found out about the internet ;)
     

    satx78247

    Member, Emeritus
    Emeritus - "Texas Proud"
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Jun 23, 2014
    8,479
    96
    78208
    Where do you find the most traffic these days? 20 years ago 2m and to a lesser extent 70cm were hopping, but listening now there's no conversations to be had. The only voice I've heard has been on 162.400 Mhz :)

    Has everyone gone digital?


    Brains,

    In The Alamo City 2M & 440 machines are still quite active, though 222MHZ machines are almost a "private club" & quiet enough that I keep my old Icom IC-38 rig turned-on in my BR, without upsetting "she who must be obeyed."
    (My friends know that & contact me there about storm rescue & recovery subjects on the 224.300 machine.)

    yours, satx
     

    Sock Puppet

    Active Member
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    0   0   0
    Mar 8, 2015
    565
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    Where do you find the most traffic these days?

    I'd find out when your local net are. Our repeaters here can be pretty quiet most of the day, but I'll occasionally catch a ragchew. This all reminds me that I need a new rig for the mobile. My crappy HT doesn't really cut it.
     
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