Amateur Ham Radio License Class Session 2 abbreviated for e-mailing

1. Amateur (Ham) Radio License ClassSession 2—abbreviated for e-mailing Tonight: Questions? Discussion of exam structure More on radio selection and station setup, including lots of photos Clubs Visit station KJ4EU

2. Amateur (Ham) Radio License ClassSession 2 Technician Class Equipment Survey Will concentrate on 2 meter & 70 cm FM radios – HF radios are another subject Emphasis on emergency & public-service usage Your ARRL License Manual has some ads in the back to look through as well!

3. Technician Class Equipment Survey Popular brands of Amateur VHF-FM radios Alinco Icom Kenwood Yaesu Can also use commercial sets (Motorola etc) but convenient programming can be an issue

4. Technician Class Equipment Survey Sources of supply Stores—closest is Evansville (Ham Station) Mail-order: AES, R&L, HRO, Ham Station etc “Hamfests” Madisonville May 3 Dayton OH May 16-18—the biggest Marshall Co “Junkfest” (“Georgefest”) May 24, 8AM at Forgotten Past on US 68 eBay (sellers with ham calls safer?) Personal sale

5. Technician Class Equipment Survey Sources of knowledge Magazines (QST, CQ, etc) Catalogs (AES) On-line reviews (eham.net, etc) “Elmers” and other hams (club meetings) Personal experience & testing

6. Technician Class Equipment Survey Hand-held radios (aka HTs, portables) Very portable Limited range Better range with outside antenna and amplifier Cost (new) ~ $100 - $580 depending on features The simpler, less expensive sets are easier to operate Types of hand-helds Single-band (probably 2 meter, 144-148MHz) Dual-band, one-at-a-time (2 m & 70 cm) Dual-band, two-at-a-time (2 m & 70 cm) Tri-band

7. Technician Class Equipment Survey Other factors on hand-held radios Antenna: usually a “rubber duck” with set Antenna connector: BNC or SMA types are common; some sets don’t have one Battery types: Alkaline non-rechargeable, or NiCd, NiMH or Lithium rechargeable Rechargeable batteries lifetime ~1-2 years Snap-off batteries are a convenience Most sets will receive out-of-band, may have wx Case size considerations: tiny to large Be cautious if buying used Portables get dropped! Older sets may not have needed features (CTCSS)

8. Sample hand-helds mentioned 2 meter only: Kenwood TH-K2AT, ~ $140 Yaesu VX150, $118 on closeout Yaesu VX170, $120 on closeout 2m/70cm hand-helds (1 band at a time) Yaesu FT-60R, ~ $190 2m/70cm hand-helds (2 bands at a time) Kenwood TH-D7A(G) Data Communicator ~ $345 Tri-band hand-helds (1 band at a time) Yaesu VX6R ~ $250 Tri-band hand-helds (2 bands at a time) Kenwood TH-F6A ~ $330

9. Technician Class Equipment Survey Mobile radios Mounted in autos, or at home (more later) Higher power, greater range Require power source and outside antenna Cost (new) ~ $130 - $650 depending on features The simpler, less expensive sets are easier to operate Types of mobiles Single-band (probably 2 meter, 144-148MHz) Dual-band, one-at-a-time (2 m & 70 cm) Dual-band, two-at-a-time (2 m & 70 cm) Tri-band and quad-band and multi-mode types are available

10. Technician Class Equipment Survey Other factors on mobile radios Antenna: not supplied with set Antenna connector: “UHF” connector Power source: 12VDC auto supply or converter (not supplied) Most sets will receive out-of-band, may have special weather-band reception Power levels: generally 50 to 75 watts out Cautions if buying used: Need to verify operation completely, but usually less risk than portables Older sets may not have needed features (CTCSS)

11. Sample mobile radios mentioned 2 meter only Icom IC-V8000 ~ $200 Yaesu FT-1802M $ 130 closeout Yaesu FT-2800M $140 closeout 2m/70cm mobiles (1 band at a time) Yaesu FT-7800R $255 closeout Icom IC-208H $275 closeout 2m/70cm mobiles (2 bands at a time) Kenwood TM-V71A ~ $400 Yaesu FT-8800R $ 355 closeout Kenwood TM-D710A Data communicator ~ $600

12. Technician Class Equipment Survey Base station radios Most stations adapt mobile radios for base Greatest range, if good outside antenna used Require power source and outside antenna Cost (new) like mobile sets, plus power supply and antenna 120VAC to 12VDC Power supplies ~ $100 Can use storage battery with trickle charger; this also provides emergency power. But lead-acid batteries need servicing and have some inherent dangers, and only last 2-3 years. There’s only one true base-station radio marketed today: Icom IC-910H, ~ $1279.

13. Amateur (Ham) Radio License ClassSession 2 Amateur Radio Clubs: A source of information and help A source of helpers for events Club operating activities provide opportunities to learn & practice skills

14. Amateur (Ham) Radio License ClassSession 2 Amateur Radio Clubs: Murray: 1st Tuesdays, 7PM, MSU I&T 237 Net Mondays 9pm 146.940MHz, PL 91.5Hz Paducah: 2nd Mondays, 7PM, KCTCS 142 Net Sundays 9pm 147.060MHz, PL 179.9Hz Benton: 3rd Tuesdays, 7PM, Rescue Squad Net Wednesdays 9pm 145.390MHz, PL 118.8Hz Mayfield: 3rd Thursdays, 7PM, hospital lobby Net Mondays 8:00pm 145.270MHz, PL 141.3Hz Union City TN: 4th Thursdays 6:30pm, Public Library Net Sundays 9pm 146.700MHz, PL 100Hz

15. Amateur (Ham) Radio License Class Next time (2 weeks away) May 12, 4:30pm, in Murray (IT-237) Questions/Answers? Antennas, including pictures of installations Nets, activities, personal operations Exam session Suggestion: read the License Manual! Suggestion: take those on-line practice exams, at qrz.com or eham.net