Calgary Jeep Association

General Forums => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: w squared on December 09, 2009, 08:53:53 PM

Title: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 09, 2009, 08:53:53 PM

Well, I took my HAM Basic exam this evening. I scored 95%, which give me access to "Basic Plus" privileges - UHF, VHF, and voice on HF (with limited power). I'll just have to wait for a couple days now to see which of the callsigns that I picked gets assigned to me.

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: Waytec on December 09, 2009, 09:05:57 PM

Congrats
How was the exam?

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: JackstandJohnny on December 09, 2009, 09:07:24 PM

congrats Todd!!!

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 09, 2009, 09:29:20 PM

Thanks guys!

I didn't find the exam all that hard, but I've also had my nose in the study guide on and off for about six months.

I also did at least one practice exam every two days for the past month and a half.

I would like to give a resounding "Thank You" to John and the other people from the Calgary Amateur Radio Association that volunteered their time to let me and other write the exam.

For anyone that is interested, they are starting another HAM radio class in January.

http://caraham.org/joomla/ (http://caraham.org/joomla/)

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 09, 2009, 09:46:28 PM

Quote from: Tinkerer on December 09, 2009, 09:36:17 PM

Congrats.  I usually check the RAC site, it's updated daily with the callsign database. I found out there before I found out through IC.

So we can look forward to hearing you on the air when you are around.  Had quite the 4 way convo going tonight while we were all stuck in traffic.

Thanks!

I heard most of that conversation tonight. It was killing me not to reach up and key my mic.

I think I left Airdrie about five minutes before you did, and was crawling down Deerfoot when you were crawling down Barlow.

So far, I've mostly been running with one side of my FT8800 on VE6RYC and the other half on the CFD Dispatch channel. Lots of listening and no transmission.  :-X

I'm hoping that will change late this week - the paperwork is on it's way.

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 09, 2009, 09:59:22 PM

Yeah...so far I'm only catching initial dispatch calls to specific units, and the occasional "blip" of local simplex (handheld?) use when I'm close to a scene.

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: yyc_tbird_sc on December 09, 2009, 10:09:30 PM

You must have took a look at my rig....LOL...an FT8800 with the left on VE6RYC and the right on CFD paging.

Congradulations on the excellent pass mark!!

VA6SMS

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 09, 2009, 10:12:47 PM

Yeah, that's prett much it. I do have the preferential scan set up so that the left side can flip through all the repeaters from Airdrie through to Millarville if Nose Hill is quiet, but I find that I spend more time just listening for activity on VE6RYC than scanning.

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 10, 2009, 08:16:24 PM

My 8800 cable might work for your 8900's, Pat. You'll need to get the software, but I think that it's only $15.

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 10, 2009, 09:03:48 PM

Same software that I'm using. So far, so good. I've got all the repeaters between here and Spokane plugged in for an upcoming road trip.

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 10, 2009, 09:56:20 PM

I have nothing to compare it with, but so far it's working very well for my 8800. I was able to load up about 150 presets on the left side, and 170 on the right over the course of a couple hours.

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 15, 2009, 04:50:53 PM

Back to the top...with my new callsign VE6 LBV   :)

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 16, 2009, 07:56:02 AM

Quote from: Tinkerer on December 15, 2009, 07:53:52 PM

VE6 Little Boy Vehicle?

I'll listen for you on the air!

I heard you checking in on VE6RYC this morning, but I was just in the process of shutting down as I arrived at Airdire.

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: w squared on December 16, 2009, 08:15:51 PM

I can understand that - I figure that Michie is entitled to a few "Honey-Do's" given recent events.

I'll be on from 6:30ish through until just after 7 tomorrow AM.

Title: Re: HAM license
Post by: yyc_tbird_sc on December 17, 2009, 12:58:34 AM

Too early for my blood...I'm usually kicking the alarm clock across the room at that time in the morning...LOL Catch you on the air sometime maybe in the afternoon....