Want to see what Ham Radio is all about?

[KYgundude]

Today is your chance. It's Field Day. A national emergency readiness exercise. Ham clubs from around the nation kick off Field Day at 2pm. They will be outside operating multiple stations and making contacts all over the country for 24 hours non stop. ANYONE is welcome to come. In fact, they earn points for you showing up. If you show up before late night you will even have an opportunity to operate a radio yourself and give it a try ( with help ). This is happening locally at 3 places...

Bullitt Amateur Radio Society
4700 Summitt Dr, Shepherdsville, KY 40165

Amateur Radio Transmitting Society of Louisville
Overlook Shelter on Scenic Route in Cherokee Park, Louisville

Clark County Amateur Radio Club
Garry E. Cavan Park (Formerly known as Edwardsville Park)
6485 Cordon Ridge Road, Georgetown, IN, 47150

[Ironsights]

ive been to a few of these, it is pretty cool. im not a HAM but used to be highly interested in obtaining a license, just never took the test.

[son of liberty]

im a general class ham

[KYgundude]

im a general class ham

Extra here but no genius here. Just a good test taker.

[Jakob]

I really want to get into something like this. I'm part of a disaster preparedness group and want to get my Ham license.

[KYgundude]

I really want to get into something like this. I'm part of a disaster preparedness group and want to get my Ham license.

You can get your first level license ( Technician Class ) with a couple of hours study and a quick test.

[Jakob]

Do you have your license?

[KYgundude]

Do you have your license?

Yep yep. I've been licensed for a little over 4 years. I updated to Extra class in 2010.

[Jakob]

Do you have your license?

Yep yep. I've been licensed for a little over 4 years. I updated to Extra class in 2010.

Can you recommend a good introduction level radio? Thinking something hand-held to start with.

[KYgundude]

Do you have your license?

Yep yep. I've been licensed for a little over 4 years. I updated to Extra class in 2010.

Can you recommend a good introduction level radio? Thinking something hand-held to start with.

For handhelds you have a lot of options. My all time favorite handheld is the Yaesu FT-60R. It's a low end handheld. Doesn't do a lot of advanced stuff but it's a rock solid rugged dual band handheld. There are a lot of options including some new Chinese ones that have stormed the market. The Baofeng UV5R does everything the Yaesu does for about 60 bucks. Has only 4 watts instead of 5 but is considerably harder to program and the manual is horrid. The Yaesu would run you 160 bucks.

I would take a look at http://www.universal-radio.com for window shopping and I would call R and L electronics to actually order. Universal has the best website. R & L has the best prices. Anything from the big brands ( Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood and Alinco )is usually quality. We had a thread a while ago about ham radio where I answered a bunch of questions and posted a pic of my shack. Might be worth a read. Can find where to take tests and stuff... http://kentuckyarmoryclub.com/viewtopic ... =ham+radio