PhotoWrangler

I've always been somewhat interested in HAM radio operation as a few of my childhood friends fathers were operators, but I never moved forward with it. Today I stopped off at the bookstore and bought the ARRL license manual, to begin reading up on obtaining my license.

Aside from communications during natural disasters, why are you an operator? In what ways do you regularly use your radio?

Clowe

Hope your test goes well. I have had my licenses since about 07 and there is a lot you can do. Plus the modern radios are really user friendly. Most repeaters have different nets you can get involved in if you like. I have mine for more of what if reasons. I have some property just a little past bfe which has no cell service. With either of my radios (handheld or one mounted In vehicle) I can reach a repeater to call for help if needed. A lot of repeaters now have an auto patch where you can make phone calls through it. Hope that helped and wasn't just me rambling.

PhotoWrangler

Good stuff! That's what I am looking for.

Skidster

I've had my license since 1993 and enjoyed about every band. I active on 2-meters and have a radio in about every vehicle except for the JK. It is a nice way to pass the time while driving. I've have made several friends over the years, and its good to have communications whether you have cell coverage or not. My wife has her license and she is able to contact me while on the back roads. Other than friends, safety, and to pass time, what else is there. I also enjoy using cw (morse code)....

JeepinJer

I am in a Search And Rescue group and we primarily use ham radios in the field. I also like to listen in during a storm to the Skywarn network.

hypeiv

I got my license b/c I had some questions about radio and the study material was interesting and informative. After reading the information and learning it I figured I might as well take the test.

I am glad I learned it b/c it has helped me set up CB's and fix other's antenna issues but I don't really use my license that much. I have a uhf/vhf handy talky I turn on every now and then to check into a traffic net and I go to some club meetings every now and then, but outside of that I don't really do much with my license anymore.

jimdoss

I've been a HAM for, geez, can't remember - 14 years? I use the radio for communication between vehicles (sometimes out of the HAM band, but mostly in 2 meters), chatting with friends, and sometimes for coordinated communications in search and rescue or emergency situations (wild fires, etc). I also carry a HT (handheld) when I hike and backpack.

73 de W9JIM

JK-jeepit

I became a ham when my son was in scouts and the troop we belonged was very active in HAM radio. My dad has been a HAM for over 20 yrs and I had wanted to become one but until I became involved with my sons troop I never gave it my time. We used HAM radio a lot on the trail. I also became interested in seeing how far away i could reach another HAM.... there are a lot of things one can do with the license. I also find it one of the more reliable means of communications while in the middle of now where. Some of the guys I backpack with are also HAMs so it makes it nice when we split up on some of the exploring days. We also use it to do an autopatch (Call land line) although most autopatch systems are for club members of the repeaters used. NM has a maga link where the entire state is mostly covered by VHF/UHF.
I always have the HF radio while on trips we do for Jeeping in case of an emergency. but I'm not all that active these days.

welcome to the hobbie

southtxemt

Besides getting my custom license plate... It's a cool factor being a ham. You get to experiment with antennas and radios. You get to contact other nations. You get to communicate with others when all else fails!!!

PhotoWrangler

Thanks! I'm not formally "here" yet though! LOL

I've still got to crack the plastic wrapping on the licensing manual and get to studying. I was able to find a local club in my area, so I may check them out for further information and see what its all about.

Good answers here though! I guess the emergency communications thing probably isn't a bad idea, especially since I live in hurricane alley. If there ever is a hurricane, I'm required to stay behind since I work in communications for law enforcement.