To get a ham license has never been easier. The “Technician” license is an entry level license and is a REAL power house for tactical and local voice and data communication (please read the Communication 101 article to know what that means). The license DOES allow the user to talk on the VHF and UHF bands using mobile and Handi Talkies for excellent local coverage, when using ‘repeaters’. Not as well known, is that this same Technician license also allows Morse code on the shortwave (AKA: HF) radio bands. On these bands, you can literally talk hundreds , even thousands of miles in Morse code. So which do you want to ‘spend’? More MONEY or a little time (30 minutes per day) to learn a new skills. HINT: Skills once owned, are yours forever.
Please watch the following linked video of two very small (even TINY) radio stations communicating over 800 miles, from remote locations and doing it on a daily basis – that’s reliable! These radios were built from kits and the NEWEST and tiniest one cost $120 to build, fits into a cargo pants pocket and can use a piece of wire as an antenna and run from solar recharged “AA” batteries. E-Bay is filled with similar “QRP radios”, already built and used for about that same amount. This posting is ONLY an introduction, so please have a look as food-for-thought and I’ll help with more detail in an article I am presently writing.
Video- Tiny Radios +800 Miles Apart
Remember, the Technician class license is only 35 questions, will allow you to create/access excellent tactical and local voice and data communication and that same license ALSO allows Morse on three very useful shortwave (HF = looooong range) radio bands. Morse gets through when voice would not. The article that I am writing is soon to explain why this is true and a LOT more.
Haaaaaar!
Popeye
Both the Technician and General class license tests are 35 questions of which 27 or more must be correctly answered. The Extra class license test is 50 questions with 37 or correct to pass.
Thanks for catching that Romeo-01! I’ve corrected the article.
>Popeye
Another advantage of the Tech Morse bands is that they are relatively UNUSED and as such it would be easy to find a clear frequency to use. Also, that lends a bit more security since there is less of a chance that someone else will stumble on your discussion.
For those of us without allot of sodering skills is there someone online you can buy a fully assembled unit?
I checked eBay but did not see any like the one in the picture.
The one in the picture is only kitted once or twice per year in small lots, has all surface mount parts and is for advanced builders (but it’s SOoooo cool!) . However, there are many small, light and efficient “QRP” rigs out there and let me give you the names of a couple that can be bought already assembled.
MFJ Cub is a single band, Morse only ‘QRP’ rig with similar performance to what you saw in the video.
For a multi-band off-the-shelf ‘QRP’ Morse transceiver (also called ‘CW QRP’) probably the best deal going is this imported rig sold through Ten Tec called the HB1B. It’s four band with a built-in shortwave radio for listening to broadcasts as well as ham. Again, it’s CW (Morse) only, which is why it’s so efficient. Here is a link:
http://www.tentec.com/hb1b-four-band-cw-qrp-transceiver-80-40-30-20-meters/
-or go for this same HB1B in a tough shoulder bag with antenna and etc.(This is what I would do.)
http://www.tentec.com/products/4-Band-QRP-Go-Pack.html
These are available directly from China, but their customer service can be a r e a l problem, while Ten Tec is a FINE American company with very good quality and customer service, so I highly advise buying it through the link above, should you like it. Please, Google the reviews of these transceivers and have a look. Let us know how it works out for you.
Haaar!
Popeye
What is the best way to learn code?
Here are a some resources recommended and some added advice from AmRRON Operator Popeye-
http://www.justlearnmorsecode.com/
http://lcwo.net/
http://www.g4fon.net/
DO NOT USE ANY CHART, GRAPH, FLASHCARDS, OR PICTURE TO MEMORIZE MORSE AT ANY TIME. Morse code is a language of sounds and these sounds must be learned. Printed ‘DOTS and DASHES’ confuse your learning process and have caused needless delay and anguish for more than 100 years. Learn what Morse SOUNDS like, and you’ll learn it about as easily as you learn a new word.
Well, same ole story ……..taking the test is the easy part …..getting to the “there” to take it is always a problem …..
Where do ya go ?
Do an internet search for a local Amateur Radio club near you. They’ll either host testing or will be able to get you pointed in the right direction.