Submitted by Barry A. Miller
Amateur (Ham) Radio is regulated by the FCC, Federal Communications Commission. To be a legitimate Amateur radio operator one must obtain a license from the FCC. There are now three levels of Radio licenses. Technician, General and Extra.
Mores code is no longer required to become a radio operator. Morse code is still active for those who enjoy working code. With every level of licenses, often referred to as a “ticket” comes more band privileges and operating modes. Privileges refer to the operating one is allowed to do on the bands. Bands refer to Frequencies that belong to the Amateur operator. We will talk more about bands in a later installment. Let’s spend some time on license requirements.
Technician (Tech)
Exam Requirement: 35-question Technician Written Exam requiring a 74% to pass. There is a fee for taking the test, find more here FCC Application Fee (arrl.org). The Technician class license is the entry-level license. This license allows access to frequencies above 30Mhz. This allows the operator to operate locally, nationally and with the addition of some High Frequency (HF) sometimes referred to as Short Wave around the world.
Part of the Tech privileges are the 2-meter frequency. With a small handheld (AKA Walkie Talkie) an operator can talk for miles. 2-meter is often worked with FM (Frequency Modulation) repeater systems. These systems work using repeater systems. At a central location is a tower, antenna, and repeater transceiver. The users radio transmits on one frequency and receives on another. This covers more area than just radio to radio due to the location of the repeater and the output power. Calhoun’s repeater transmits on 147.450 the input frequency is 144.850.
In the nineties repeaters were busy night and day with the onset of cell phones they are not as popular but can still be a lot of fun. Not long ago I was monitoring the repeater and heard from a HAM who was out checking a well and his truck had broken down. In his location he had no cell phone coverage, I was able to call his company and relay the message, the rescue was put into motion. Mobile operation of a radio is legal to this day.
The simplex operation of the radio makes it much safer than cell phone, pick up the mic push the button and talk. Repeater operation, which is a duplex operation because of the use of two frequencies, Tech bands also take advantage of simplex operation, on frequency. One keys the radio on the frequency of 145.250 Mhz and receives on the same frequency. There are contests on Tech frequencies to see who can make the most contacts and many other contests and events. Along with voice operation there is also Digital modes utilizing computer software, HAMs can contact the ISS (International Space Station) and use Satellites to make contact with other HAMs. I cannot tell you of all the diversity of the Technician Class license.
The exams are conducted by VE’s (Voluntary Examiner) who are HAMs that volunteer their time to allow people the opportunity to enjoy the hobby that brings us so much. Stop putting it off! Get started today.Barry A Miller
KF4BZY Amateur Extra
kf4bzy@yahoo.com
Barry. Great information. Ham radio has piqued my interest for a while now. The biggest hurdle is where does one go to get started? Does Calhoun county have a club or group that meets and helps one get their license? Your articles are inspiring.
Thank you Michael. I know it seems over whelming to to get started but the best place to start is at the beginning. There is a plethora of guids and sturdy tools online. At this point the Calhoun club is in active. I hope to stir interest with these articles.
Feel free to contact me by messenger or email. kf4bzy@yahoo.com
Thank you for writing this Barry. It is refreshing to read about Ham radio close to home. Im trying to learn more to get my license. My Dad (ky4cA) has been in for years after learning from his brother. Now it’s my turn. Kids are growing and I have more time now. I wish more folks would tell their stories and what they know in articles like you. Well keep the stories coming. Talking to New Zealand sounds very cool. Take care & God bless
Thank You! I used to talk with your Dad and his brother Frank a lot. We would have eyeball meetings at Wendy’s Spencer quit often. I learned a lot from both of them. Funny story, I would run the 2 meter net. Frank would check in from Spencee, then Chuck would check in from KY. They had me stumped on how he could make the 2 meter repeater from KY. Well Frank would hold the radio mic ro the telephone. I bet they got a kick out me trying to figure that out.
Thanks Barry. Will do.