Yes........it's never a bad idea to at least try for a higher grade license. At least you now know what it's about. And hey..18 wasn't bad....you'll ace it next time.
Good Luck and Welcome...!!!

 

I wonder if it would be possible to request that a HAM sub-forum be created under the "Fun in the Sun" one. I for one would find it a good way to keep all the amateur radio stuff in one place rather than having to search threads all the time. Hate to hijack the original thread but what do you all think? Maybe it has already been suggested but I couldn't find it.

 

Yes, I seem to recall somebody saying something along those lines. Not a bad idea at all.

 

I picked up a used Icom 706 HF/VHF from a guy in our local club and have been working my way through all the bells and whistles trying to learn the radio while I wait for the next test date (3/1). Was messing around (no Tx) on 20 meter this afternoon and listened in on a marine relay net out of Miami FL, another station in Montana on the WEST side of the rockies, one out of NH, another in ME. All from my driveway in central AL (I do live on top of a ridge which helps). The antenna was just a used Hamstick I picked up at the swap meet (got a 15m and 20m Hamstick plus a 10m whip for $10).

The ducting on HF is amazing. Glad I went with the 706 for the HF - I can see how it could be very beneficial in a remote emergency where VHF might not get out. I wish that test date would hurry up and get here!

 

Congrats on the new "toy"... There is a learning curve with the 706, but once you have it down you'll really have a blast with it. The main complaints I've heard about them, if you can really call it a complaint, is that the buttons and knobs are too small for fat fingers... Other than that, they are tried and true radios.

Yes the Hamsticks are great antennas. I worked a friend in Santa Barbara CA from here at the qth in Alaska on 40m one night. He was barefoot (100w) using a Hamstick, and sitting out in his drive like you were. Had him at around 5-6 s-units. Now that is good communications...!!!

Seeing that you already seem to be interested in HF DX, while you are waiting for the test, you may want to look into building a few REAL simple wire antennas for use as a base at home with your 706. You won't believe what a simple wire dipole can do if you have the room and can get it up in the air a bit. Of course there are unlimited wire antennas that can be built, some with fantastic gain. I only mention the dipole as it's another tried and true antenna the thousands of hams use daily. Do some google searches and you will find all kinds of info.

Congrats again, Have fun and Good DX...!!!
Dave / wl7cmg

 

It's finally official...
KJ4JNF
Now, I have to wait for my tax refund, and I'll get a radio...
Ef

 

I have a 10M that I picked up and have been using it as a scanner as I do not have a license.

I never hear anything on USB, LSB or FM. Is 10M dead ?

 

Well.....yes and no. Meaning, cycle 24 is being stubborn and seems to be taking it's time ramping up. Even at the lowest sunspot activity in the cycle there will always be small, intermittent openings on 10 meters. Unless it's local stuff (ie, ground wave), you'll almost have to be "camped" out on 10m in order to be there when it happens. At this time the 10m frequency, 28meg, is still a little too high to be the MUF (maximum usable frequency) on a regular basis. Now go down to 20m, 14meg and it's open almost nonstop all day long.....to somewhere in the world. But, rest assured, it will happen. And when it does it is indeed a very popular band for DX'ing. You'll be very glad you have a 10m rig before too long.

 

Way to go...

 

Does anyone know if a scanner can easily be modified for transmit also? I found a cheap scanner at radio shack... (Kinda funny that they only offer cbs and scanners now).