Been a while but some licenses don’t require Morse Code. Watch your antenna as it can bleed over nearby home electronics
First, buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Ham-Radio-Dummies-Ward-Silver/dp/1118592115/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1503146565&sr=1-1&keywords=ham+radio+for+dummies
Don’t be put off by the title. It’s an excellent overview of the whole thing.
73 and GL.
(I’d put my callsign here, but it’d violate my stealth program.)
Lot’s of Hams on FR, even a few amateur radio people!
The requirement for Morse code as dropped years ago for a Technician ticket. Easy enough to get and find out if you want to get deeper into it. Plenty of stuff online.
I studied on a Friday and passed the test the next day.
I don’t have any practical advice, but my son has also developed an interest in ham radios. He just bought a licensing guide.
http://www.arrl.org/ham-radio-license-manual
I’ve been one since the early 1980s.
It’s been a dying hobby for years, but it is now starting to make a small comeback.
I would suggest going ARRL. They’re website is: www.ARRL.com They have tons of tech, training & educational materials available.
As far as “home brewing” your own equipment, it can be done. In the old days, there were companies like HeathKit that you could buy all the components to build your stuff in kit form. I don’t believe any of them exist anymore.
ARRL usually has some home-brew ideas every month.
Like anything of this nature, it can get expensive, but it doesn’t have to be if you keep it simple.
Good luck and let me know how you make out. 73’s.
Morse was dropped in 2000!
Get with a local ARRL club. Get a test prep book. Got my General in 6 hours study.
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class
It’s easy. Good luck
bkmk
One is the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) website.
Some others, in no particular order:
http://www.w5yi.org/page.php?id=19
https://www.qrz.com/
https://hamstudy.org/
Good luck.
I’m a Ham since 1972. Find a club in your area and attend their meetings. See http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club. A local club usually conducts license tests and some offer classes.
Morse code is not required for any license class, but is still quite popular. Do a search for SKCC and you’ll see.
My first transmitter was built from parts from a TV and put out a massive 8 watts. My first contact was with Mobile, Alabama all the way from Atlanta. Fun times!
There are many facets of the hobby including dozens of digital modes, satellites (search for AMSAT), public safety, fox hunting, etc.
The hobby is like a rabbit hole. You never know where it will lead.
Ham since 1969.
Operate almost exclusively high speed Morse.
Don’t be afraid to learn the code!
If you want to get it quickly, download one of the many test apps. There are only so many questions. You can memorize enough answers to pass it easily.
I tested for all three tests in a month.
There is a huge world of hams. Most of them are eager to help. But the test is the step.
bink
I got a mobile 2 meter radio with a
Power unit and Antenna—New in the box.
250 bucks!
Got a study guide, passed the test and
I’m talking with 50 watts !
Lots of Repeaters out there for 2 meters.
That is the extent of My experience.
Bookmark
bump!
Nearly every community has someone teaching the classes and would be your best counsel.
Advice: Buy both the tech and general books, read/study both, do the practice exams and then take both tests on the same visit (same fee).
I got 50% on the general without even owning the book; you could get both and save some hassle, opening up other frequencies.
Join you local club as well. There you’ll.get all the advice you need and make some friends as well.
Good luck!
Nearly every community has someone teaching the classes and would be your best counsel.
Advice: Buy both the tech and general books, read/study both, do the practice exams and then take both tests on the same visit (same fee).
I got 50% on the general without even owning the book; you could get both and save some hassle, opening up other frequencies.
Join you local club as well. There you’ll.get all the advice you need and make some friends as well.
Good luck!
I just got my General. Took the Technician test last month and the General a week ago.
I will go for Extra when I get the time to read the ARRL book.
This has been on my bucket list forever, but the Morse Code requirement kept me away. Glad they dropped it.
We had a total black out of AT&T wireless, internet and a power failure for a complete afternoon a few months back. If I needed an ambulance, I would not have had any comm link. Scared me into finding a back-up plan.
I have two deep discharge batteries on trickle charge just in case. I will probably buy a used 50W 2 meter car rig and put it in a metal trash can for EMP protection.
BTTT! Must follow later.....