Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

The fcc doesn't send a license in the mail anymore. Have you searched the ULS database?

 

They told me go to qrz.com. that's what I've been doing.

 

They sent mine in the mail last year.

 

QRZ will lag the ULS by between 0 and 24 hours.

Use the FCC ULS.
Choose Advanced Search.
Service Group: Amateur
Sub-Select: HA

Set the date range, and use your name/state/etc.

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp

 

Ok here is the FCC license search page. Search by name then put your last name in to see if it comes up

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp

 

Feb. 17. 2015 the FCC went Paperless. http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-paperless-amateur-radio-license-policy-goes-into-effect-on-february-17

 

Well I got mine 01/23/15, so that would explain that then.

 

Any luck yet? Who did your test? Where they associated with the ARRL VEC, or the W5YI VEC?

 

Nope. Still nothing. Going to be 3 weeks tmrw since I passed the test.

The paper they gave me as a license has ARRL VEC

 

What diplexer did you go with? Looking to go a similar route.

 

Short term solution is to use an

MFJ Enterprises Original MFJ-916B 1.8-225, 350-540 MHz Duplexer - SO-239

MFJ-916B I expect it to be more lossy than something like a Diamond or a Comet, but it's got the SO-239 Connectors on all three ends. If it works well enough I'll leave it along, Otherwise I'll spend more on one of the Comet or Diamond units.

Now I have to determine which way I want to mount the Antennas....

Down the Middle


or Across the roof.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the link. Keep us posted on how you like it. I like down the middle, but if you ever do a roof rack or bag, its nice to have all the antennas in back running side ways. I have a roof top soft cargo bag that I put on when doing long camp trips.

 

No roof rack currently. There's only one on the market that fits my truck (Access Cab Problems), and if I install it I can't park in the ramp at work anymore.

 

I gotcha. Well that's a bummer.

 

Contact the group you tested with, see if you can get a date they actually submitted it.


FCC Seeks Comments on Petition to Grant Lifetime Amateur Radio Licenses

 

Interested in installing a decent Ham in my first Gen sometime soon. Nothing major, just not sure where to start. I have a mount on my roof rack that would be perfect for the antenna. I prefer a radio and mic, instead of handheld one piece jobs. Any links or advice would be sweet!!! thanks guys

 

Ok, well do you have a ham license or any radio knowledge? Do you plan on using it for commerical band, ham band? Do you want single band, dual band, quad band? How much do you want to spend? All the mobile radios (ICOM, YAESU, KENWODD, ect) are very similar. They just have different interfaces. It comes down to personal preference. Go on some ham radio forums to get an idea of what radio you are interested. eham.net, qrz.com, youtube is good too, to see them being used. With every question you have, expect another question because there are so many options.

 

I would seriously suggest taking a day and drive over to Woodbridge, VA and visiting HRO. Then you can really look and touch several of the radios. See the head size compared to the features offered.

EDIT: HRO in Phx has always been good about price matching and doing free shipping. So when you find the one you want, shop around see what the best price is and then talk to them. Another benefit of visiting them, they should allow you to take the head unit out to your truck and play around with the location and how it looks.

I have heard some stories about HRO employees' being a little snobbish, but the ones in Phx have always been awesome (also in Oakland) with helping me figure out what I need.

 

I don't have my license yet but will be getting it soon, my instructor at trade school has been showing me the ins and outs of HAM and how much clearer and way more dependable it is then my Cb in my truck. Im still a noob but I'm really interested in getting into the hobby. Mostly I will be using it for trail communication or just listening in my truck while driving, so i guess that just means Ham band. I would like to keep the entire setup under 300$ if possible. single band should work fine for me I'm assuming, don't really need to talk to people around the world.

 

Right on! Not trying to degrade you, just trying to figure out what terms I can say without having to explain. When I started out, I bought a yaesu ft1900r with an NMO (non magnet option) mount on my roof with a 5/8 wave antenna. I was under $200 for that setup. You will get a different answer from everyone, but I like yaesu because they are easier to operate IMO. You can become familiar with any radio. But like Chip said, go look at them in person to get an idea of what would are really looking for. My only gripe about yaesu is the mics. Even though they work well, they feel cheap and crappy compared to kenwood. my dad, brother and friend all have ft1900r's with a mag mount on the roof. They whole setup was around $165.

Edit: Also, here is a link to my setup in my truck. http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php/topic,106657.0.html