In the interest of trail communications, yesterday I signed up for a GMRS license. Paid my fee and received my license and a call sign this morning. WRJY639
That got me to thinking about HAM radio. So I did some looking into that this morning.
For the hell of it, I sat down this morning and took a practice test and passed. I was kind of surprised. I thought it would be much harder. Looks like I have the technical parts down pat and need to study up on the regulatory side of things.
I've downloaded and printed a study guide and will probably take the test for real next week some time.
Just curious if anyone else on here has theirs.
Technician class license is surprisingly easy. I've thought about getting the next one, but I can't even remember what it's called. I have a license, but I have too many hobbies, and I don't turn the radio on for months at a time. I even have a guy in the neighborhood that I just helped put up an HF antenna.
General is next. I haven't even looked at it. I figured I better get the easy one out of the way before I started looking into it.
KN4OKF, and WRCC232. HAM and GMRS licensed, almost exclusively for back country mobile comm. So far I've found the GMRS to be the more useful of the two when traveling with people. HAM is basically an emergency link if I'm out as a single vehicle and have issues out of cell range. These days it's more likely to find someone monitoring HAM freqs than CB in the larger world if you have to get help.
I studied on line for the technician's test and scored 100% on the test. It's not hard but there are some things people who've never worked electronics may not have ever been exposed to. The HAM testing system is really focussed on the hobby of building radios and systems as much as using them as a means of comm.
If the network of GMRS repeaters ever really gets active it will be the obvious choice to replace CB and HAM as vehicle communications. Right now you've got people spread all over the three systems for preference. In a mixed group it's hard to get everyone on the same frequency, but more and more it's becoming GMRS that is the common thread.
Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) said:
General is next. I haven't even looked at it. I figured I better get the easy one out of the way before I started looking into it.
Well, I will just offer this: I was better prepared to pass the General exam back when I took my Technician test than I am now. At that time, the VE's asked if I wanted to take the General license test, and I declined. Looking back, I was already there, and at least partially prepared--I should have taken it.
Consider taking the General test when you take your Technician test. You'll do better than you think. It's only 35 multiple choice questions ( ? ) and it's totally risk-free. Online practice exams will give you a good idea if you have a reasonable chance to pass it.
Go for it!
Not HAM, but dad and I used to be big into CB back in the day. KFQ9227 was his.
I still have some whopper equipment, but I uninstalled it. These days with leased trucks, fleet-owned rigs, and the lack of owner/ops, nobody really talks on the CB anymore. There was a time when a CB was far more effective than google maps, waze, or a radar detector. You knew everything you could expect for the next 100 miles.
I took all three tests on the first try.
When I passed the technician they did not even ask, just handed me the general test, which I also passed.
The extra license I did not do well on, some obscure solid state questions and the smith charts made my brain melt.
They gave me KI7PLD then I found an available call with my initials and got K7RJB.
I intended to go back for the Extra test but have not done well yet on the practice exam. Recently the test questions changed and I have not looked at the new questions.
I never thought of a GMRS license, I have more than one radio that will work those freq's.
VE3BBI here. I got my license as VE3EZI back when I was in university as my grandfather was a very active ham. I had a mobile rig on my bicycle for a while because it was fun to play with. When he died, I took over his call sign. Apparently I sound exactly like him on the air, which really freaked out his friends.
Haven't been on the air in a quarter century. As noted, the hobby is as much about screwing about with electronics and radios as using them. I still do that, but with things like embedded computers instead.
Looks like there is a test about 2 miles from my house in December. I think I'll sign up for it.
I tried to take the test a couple years ago. I didn't bring any cash, assuming they took cards for payments. Turns out I was wrong. Best part was the guy next to me offering to trade me cash for bitcoin. I'm just a simple 30-something who doesn't carry cash, not some cool crypto guy. I haven't tried to get my license since.
thatsnowinnebago (Forum Supporter) said:
I tried to take the test a couple years ago. I didn't bring any cash, assuming they took cards for payments. Turns out I was wrong. Best part was the guy next to me offering to trade me cash for bitcoin. I'm just a simple 30-something who doesn't carry cash, not some cool crypto guy. I haven't tried to get my license since.
I think I paid by check. Do simple 30-somethings ever write checks?
I allowed my technician license to expire about ten years ago, but just took it again this summer because I wanted to have it current for volunteering for rallysprint and stage rally events.
My local club gives the test for free. If you look around you can usually find a no-cost option.
Cost to take the test should be minimal... its just to cover expenses not a money maker.
Classes are likely different.
I think it was fifteen dollars.
I printed out a study guide for the technician test back in June then forgot about it. I should study it and take the test over the winter for the rally season next year.
My wife and I have thought about getting into ham radio, so I'm watching this thread with interst. Some of the QRP Labs kits look kind of interesting.
I played a bit at it as a teen in the 70's, but did not ever follow through. A close friend was doing the same at the time. He went back and tested for his license years later and still plays with it a bit. He does something HAM oriented through the internet, but we haven't caught up in years, and I didn't really get what it was.
Was a CB guy off and on through the years, including the times I've driven Tractor Trailers along the way, but haven't bothered to put one in a personal ride in 10 years or more.
Had not heard of the GRMS... that has potential.
1988RedT2 said:
thatsnowinnebago (Forum Supporter) said:
I tried to take the test a couple years ago. I didn't bring any cash, assuming they took cards for payments. Turns out I was wrong. Best part was the guy next to me offering to trade me cash for bitcoin. I'm just a simple 30-something who doesn't carry cash, not some cool crypto guy. I haven't tried to get my license since.
I think I paid by check. Do simple 30-somethings ever write checks?
Simple 30-somethings certainly don't carry checks 
In 8th and 9th grade I was in the Ham Radio club in junior high. We went into NYC to take the novice test. I passed and was given KA2 QBC if I recall correctly. That would have been about 1984ish. Never went further than that.
