Ham Radio

[Dave Rennie]

Does anyone have any experience with the Yaesu FT-1900R, and would you recommend it for chasing? Also, what is involved in getting a license to operate one? Otherwise I would only use it for monitoring chatter.

I also have a scanner that receives the 145mhz and up range. Would that provide chasing monitoring capability?

 

[Steven Howell]

Does anyone have any experience with the Yaesu FT-1900R, and would you recommend it for chasing? Also, what is involved in getting a license to operate one? Otherwise I would only use it for monitoring chatter.

I also have a scanner that receives the 145mhz and up range. Would that provide chasing monitoring capability?

There has been a "tech no code" license for some time now. All you have to do is study the theory books, you can pick it up at your local "rat shack". It used to be published by Gordon West, a HAM out of California. Study, then find a local place to take the exam. You can probably google something local for your area for HAM license testing. I dont know how fast the FCC is these days with giving out callsigns, but back when I got my original Tech no code, back in 1994, it took almost 16 weeks to get my call sign, that sucked! Fortunately, when I took my Advanced Class in 1995, I was able to get on the air on the new bands, immediately.

 

[Steven Howell]

Like Tyler said, it really depends on what you want to focus on. If you're just about talking on local repeaters, then you just need a good mobile rig and an antenna. I'm partial to Kenwoods myself, but my first radio was a Yaesu FT-8000R. I currently use a Kenwood TM-742 but will be switching to a Kenwood TM-V72A.

If you're looking to get into HF then your setup depends on what your location and what you want to do on HF, that is, CW, phone, digital, etc. Just yesterday I used my Kenwood TS-50S and my homemade end-fed Zepp (taped to the wall in an inverted-L) and 15 watts to talk to southern Louisiana from SE Michigan using PSK-31 on 20 meters.

I was just talking with my father recently about just how large of a hobby amateur radio is. You can focus on HF, local VHF/UHF, fox-hunting, satellite communications, QRP (low power), and the list goes on and on.

I wish I still had my 742...I sold it, like a jackass, a few years ago. I was downsizing, as Tyler said, but I wish I had it now for chasing. All I have now is a Kenwood dual band mobile. I usually only monitor, but if I need to get a signal out, dont have much horsepower to do it now...

I would say the best rig I ever had was an old Yaesu FT-2500M, that thing was a TANK! Wish they still made it.

 

[Fred Dearborn]

Lots of options out there for you,but if your just wanting to get something to chime in with chasers,etc. then look into a 2m Yaesu 1900.It took place of the 1802 as it has been discontinued and puts out about 55 watts.It's small,easy to mount,use, and includes your NOAA stations.I have used the 1802 for a couple years,sold it this winter and purchased the 1900.Great little unit and will serve you well.Good luck....

 

[Andrew Ryan]

There has been a "tech no code" license for some time now. All you have to do is study the theory books, you can pick it up at your local "rat shack". It used to be published by Gordon West, a HAM out of California. Study, then find a local place to take the exam. You can probably google something local for your area for HAM license testing. I dont know how fast the FCC is these days with giving out callsigns, but back when I got my original Tech no code, back in 1994, it took almost 16 weeks to get my call sign, that sucked! Fortunately, when I took my Advanced Class in 1995, I was able to get on the air on the new bands, immediately.

I think it takes 1-2 weeks to get your call sign. I don't really remember, it's been a couple of years. But I remember it being not that long.

 

[Matt Tottle]

It takes about 1 week from the day the FCC gets the paperwork from the VE. I had mine in 12 days.

You can take practice exams online at http://www.qrz.com/exams .. All questions on these exams come from the actual question pool. But don't just take it a bunch of times and memorize the answers because you won't learn anything that way. Get some study books and actually learn the answers. Also, you should prepare for the General exam while you're studying. If you ace the Tech exam, the VE will offer you the General exam at no extra charge. It's worth the try. I wish I had known that because I only failed the General by two, if I had prepared I'd have passed. The test site is over an hour away, so it would've saved me the trip and another $15 when I get around to going again..