(805) TW Members Thread

Looks like it! fingers crossed it stays cold enough, and not all of LA decides to go...

 

There are different schools of thought as to how one should approach the test. If you want to learn the entirety of the material covered by the test, then you should purchase either the AARL manual (traditional textbook reading) or the Gordon West book (more conversational) [these can be found cheaper elsewhere]. As you're probably aware, the entirety of the question pool is readily available. So, if your goal is to memorize the correct answers, to give yourself a license to learn more, then I would recommend Ham Test Prep for android, or Ham Radio Exam for IOS. Spend a week going through either of those during the time you're on the can, on the company dime, and you'll pass. If you want something in between, then HamStudy.org is hard to beat (it provides a rational for the correct answers).

It's worth pointing out, that SBARC is doing one of those "get your license in a day" classes, where you memorize learn just enough to pass the tech test in a day. That might get you where you're trying to be.

I would encourage you, to also study for the General test (it doesn't cost anything extra if you go for it during the same test session as when you pass tech), as the concepts are essentially the same, and the additional intellectual investment is basically nothing. There's a lot more that you can do with a general license.

Nobody ever takes me up on it, but FWIW: I am more than happy to walk anyone who shows an interest through anything RF related. Passing a ham test. Specific technical questions. Gear to purchase. How to correctly install radio gear in your vehicle. Measure your antenna performance. Etc. There are a lot of really interesting things about ham radio that really suit traveling off the beaten path. And there's unfortunately a metric fuckton of horribly incorrect information perpetuated on the most popular 4x4 forums.

 

Anyone locally have tire chains for 285/75/16s? Heading up to big bear Thursday morning and it's supposed to snow, from what I hear CHP is stopping people to put chains on. Don't think I'll need to put them on but would to have some in the truck so I don't get hassled. Thanks!

 

Thanks for the info, I'd like to take you up on that offer at some point before the exam in March! I've been using the Ham Radio Exam for iOS to study for the test, but as you said, I'd like to do more than memorize. A lot of this stuff hasn't yet clicked for me. Are you free at all during the week?

 

Not necessarily. When I was up there two weeks ago, they were stopping everyone. 4x4 was allowed to go up with no chains, but you still had to show them to the patrol. We opted for lower elevation fun since the wait to get up to Big Bear was HOURS long...

 

I will take you up on it. I got some baofeng radios that I barely know how to turn on.

 

...not sure what size tires gabe has on his F150, but he has chains for that...although, they might also be in Bali still...

 

Thanks guys. Just heard its a hefty fine if they call your bluff and ask to see them or have you put them on. I have 285 Duratracs and 4x4 so I would hope I wouldn't need them...now to go find them in town somewhere! Grr.
It's supposed to dump 8" on Thursday, and we are heading out from SB around 10 to hopefully miss traffic but it sounds like it's gonna be a haul

 

I'm headed up with @YoungGunz on Friday early morning for some boarding, then camping at one of the yellow posts Friday night. @fishfinder will be there Friday night. Also @SixthSnail I think? We should all grab a beer on the mountain!

 

Nope. Got called into work yet another weekend I had plans. I gotta stop making plans because it's bumming me out

 

From what I remember of you're new job, it will be like this for 2 years at least. You're working for one of the 3 big firms in LA, right?

 

Yep! In a tough industry on one of our bigger clients too. It's busy season right now also so we are looking at 80 hours for the next 2 months unfortunately. The annoying part is not being able to plan because random work comes up all the time.

 

Pending who you're with, we get 2-3 newbies twice a year at my job. Generally cute, young girls. So don't go messing that up and come to SB

But yeah, I've known a few people in your position and the hours for the first 2 years are insane. The benefit, if you make it, is that you're pretty much guaranteed an awesome position after.

 

Haha yeah this job sets you up. Problem I'm running into is I work so much that I can't study for my CPA exams which would make me a much more valuable candidate.

What do you do again? I'm drawing a blank, sorry!

Public Accounting haha

 

I'm a monkey with a wrench that looks at small things...

 

This is a bit embarrassing but, I'm in the middle of an oil change and it feels like the dang oil filter is welded in place. Does anyone have an oil filter wrench they could swing by so I can get this damn thing off?

This is what I get for not using my gym membership enough

Never mind, I forgot about the screwdriver fix. All is well

 

Even I'm not sure what I do...my alarm clock is set to say "Wake up, it's time to monkey around..."

Also, since I just posted these items in the upcoming Desert Rendezvous swap meet thread, I thought I'd offer them up here.
Coleman Stove - I use a single burner and bbq now. $20 (I'll clean for next buyer) or a bottle of wine


Zodi Extreme shower. The shower head isn't very good, but it pressurizes just fine. Free dust. $50 or a case of beer?


Bear Vault. BV500 $50 and free dust


16oz rubber mallet - Free-diggity free

 

Preferably not lol