I took the Technician Test today and PASSED Now it is on to General and Extra. I took the General test and really flunked it, but hey I never studied for it. Picked up the General and Extra manuals at the Hamfest today. Was looking a Alinco DR-M03 10M as starter radio. I want to thank everyone, especially AK4DAVE for opening up a new horizon in the my life. I can see this become a money pit, like JEEPs.

Thanks again


MI-litaria

 

Congrats...you're off and runnin' now!!!

Yes it can get spendy, but buying and selling radio gear is another HUGE part of the hobby. That's pretty much how I ended up with the gear I have now. Just get what you want now, explore for a little while and think what you would like next, then upgrade. I've bought some new, and have come across near mint used gear over the years.

Something also to think about......there no doubt are things lying around your house of some value that you really just don't need anymore. You may want to try and sell them on ebay or craigslist and take that money and put it towards radio gear. It's just another way to get radio gear without digging into savings or whatnot if you really can't afford that much right now.

Have Fun...!!!

 

JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket

HAM = Had Alot of Money

Both can be money pit hobbies. I disagree with Dave on selling stuff, as I just keep getting more and nothing ever leaves me.

Anyway congratulations, only comment is to quickly get your general ticket as it changes the whole game for you. Once you have your ticket there is so much more spectrum available for you to use and a 10m radio will seem like a waste. Ask me how I know as I have a 10m radio that is on the shelf and now I have a couple of IC-7000 mobile rigs.

Hope to work you on the air in the future,

Cheers
KD8NNU

 

Congratulations on passing your Technician Test. Welcome to the community. Based on personal experience, I don't recommend a 10m radio for your first "rig." You just really won't use it that much. I do recommend a 2m/70cm dual band handy talkie (HT). ICOM, YAESU and KENWOOD all make very good 2m/70cm HTs, that can cost anywhere from $150 to $300 and up. That being said many of the new HAMs in my club are starting out with the Wouxun KG-UV3D, which can cost anywhere from $90 to $120, depending on where you buy it. And, if you take the time to do a little research, you can find used units on line at much reduced prices. However, the first actions you should take, as a new HAM, are: (1) join ARRL,
(2) join your local HAM club, (3) talk to the members of your local HAM club and see which "first" radio they recommend, then talk to a couple of new HAMs and see which radio they are using. The answers to most of your questions will be found at your local HAM club. Good luck !

73,

W6PBR

 

Good job I bought a book to study for the test about 3 years ago and I still have NOT taken the test.
I have looked at the book many times though, so I should be able to pass if I ever take it.

 

That may be just because you haven't been in it that long. Some don't ever get into it that much, but many I know did.

 

I would have to say that it depends..... At this time in the solar cycle I think he would have lots of fun on 10m alone as it's a great band when the propagation is there.......favorite of many. Especially if he upgrades to General right away. There again he might like VHF as well if he doesn't upgrade. But I know many HAMs that when they really got into HF, VHF lost their interest......I was one of them. Of course I really never got into the digital modes either. It's all about what he finds out what interests him.

 

So help me understand here..........either you have the 8900 and had it opened up to talk on the CB channels, or you have it in your jeep just as a receiver...???

 

Congratulations! I've been studying for the Canadian basic myself.

Save a little more and buy a used HF rig, or an alinco dxsr8 can be had for $520 with free shipping in several places.

You can still use an HF rig on 10m for now and everything else is there when you upgrade.

 

Congrats on the Tech Ticket, I got mine 2 days after Xmas and then bought a Wouxun KG-UV3D.
Great little handheld. Able to hit repeaters about 60-90 miles away with 5 watt of output.

Enjoy

KJ6TJR