Just Signed up (Ham)
Submitted: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:01
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Atropos
Hi Folks,
I've just taken the plunge and decided to take the Amateur Radio Foundation Licence, on may 20th/21st. I like the idea of having more radio coms in the car especially 2Mtrs.
I know there are a few "hams" here, so what do you think of the new licence classes?
BTW I do have technical background and should have obtained a licence years ago.. perhaps it was more fun being a "naughty boy"
regards
john
Reply By: Arkay - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:13
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:13
Congratulations, as welcome to the Club. VK5KP
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Reply By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:18
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:18
Good on yer
John. Great to have another person join the ranks.
I think the Foundation Licence is a terrific step forward - it opens up Amateur Radio to many more people than the previous system did, even the Novice class was not a trivial examination for people without a technical background whereas most people who are prepared to put in a few hours study (about 12 I think?) should be able to obtain a Foundation Licence.
The Foundation Licence gives you access to a whole range of frequencies right across the HF, VHF, UHF (plus others) spectrum albeit at restricted power levels.
Plus you will not be limited to the Type Approved Barret/Codan etc radios but will be able to buy Amateur gear at much more reasonable prices - $250 or so will get you an aged (but still good) Kenwood HF rig.
For more info.
http://www.wia.org.au/foundation/foundation%20licence%20information-v1.pdf
www.amateurradio.com.au/foundation/
We'll look forward to hearing you on air after the 21st :)
Mike Harding
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:19
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:19
Welcome. Don't forget the Travellers Net on 20 and 15m.
VK4BBG
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Follow Up By: gumagoo93 - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:27
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:27
Ham radio is the ultimate travelling companion....VK8DP
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:28
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:28
Foundation Licence holders cannot use 20m (14MHz) but they can certainly use 15m (21MHz) and as we're heading out of the poor propagation conditions of recent months they should be able to reach a pretty (world) wide audience with a decent antenna.
www.wia.org.au/info/travellersnets.php
Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 15:13
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 15:13
Mike, I live in eternal hope that all the new ops will upgrade.
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Reply By: signman - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:26
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:26
Onya there
There's quite a few of the new 'Fxxx' calls on the UHF repeater around here.
I hope you are considering the Foundation license as a step to the next up??
73s
VK2EZY
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Follow Up By: Atropos - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:43
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 14:43
Hi Folks,
Well I did do the standard paper on line this morning.. got 70% on first attempt so was quite chuffed with myself, so when I have the foundation I'll have a go for the standard (Only managed 60% in the advanced so a little work required there)
regards
john
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Reply By: hl - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 15:19
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 15:19
Hi,
Welcome to the fraternity...
You WILL have a lot of fun. Also, try your hand at APRS...
Your friends will have great fun following your travels on the net!
Cheers
VK2HL
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Follow Up By: geocacher (djcache) - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 15:32
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 15:32
Hi all,
Back in the early nineties I got a letter of exemption from the SMA for full call theory, based on completion of RMIT's Radio Tradesman (Communications) course as an apprentice.
Do you reckon it'd still stand?
I haven't really gotten my head around what you need to do for the new structure. Up until a few months ago all I had to do was my regs for a limited license.
Not sure where I stand now?
Dave
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 15:45
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 15:45
I reckon you may be able to talk the ACMA into it.
Site Link
On my computer Firefox doesn't like the above site, IE is OK with it?
Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 18:06
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 18:06
Mike,
Worked OK on Firefox (1.5.0.3) for me.
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 18:12
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 18:12
Hi Al
Try scrolling the page by using the up\down scroll bar at the right of the screen. On my machine (same Firefox version) there are significant delays before anything happens. Scrolling with the mouse wheel or the page up/page down keys works OK.
Mike Harding
PS. Can we persuede you to go for a Foundation Licence? I suspect you and I might have some interesting chats on HF :)
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 18:25
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 18:25
Hmmm I don't get the delays but it is "jerky". I thought it was down to my much abused mouse. It has a habit of falling off the desk or propelling itself through the air until the cord brings it back to Earth. Strange coincidence though, tends to happen when I am a bit miffed LOLOL
Foundation License !!! More than my life's worth. SWMBO was less than impressed with my new 'feral reducer' toy (204 calibre).
Once we make a decision on our trip around '
the block' though, I might be able to sneak it in under Miscellaneous Expenses hahahahahaha
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Follow Up By: geocacher (djcache) - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 19:27
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 19:27
Hi Mike,
Thanks for that.
Are you sure HF is ready for us?
I'll have to pull my finger out and organise it. I've been meaning to for years.
My local comms business keeps saying he'll give me a job if I ever get sick of patients. He can't get Comms Techs for love nor money.
I think the Shep club runs exams.
Dave
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 19:41
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 19:41
I agree but voice ops allowed only for a foundation License.
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 19:50
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 19:50
Mike/Gramps
If you two want to chat why not install Skype, excellent quality free computer to computer voice comms, no need to dodge the booms and crashes on 80 metres these days :) conference calls also, I'm on there everyday....more fun on the radioo though
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 20:10
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 20:10
Responding to a few posts in one go:
--
>Foundation License !!! More than my life's worth.
>SWMBO was less than impressed
Very low cost for the exams/licence - $100 or less total.
--
>Are you sure HF is ready for us?
I _very_ much doubt it! :)
--
>more fun on the radioo though
Ah yeah... and you get to use it when the internet is just a distant memory :)
--
Mike Harding
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Reply By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 19:55
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 19:55
>so what do you think of the new licence classes<
Good, I went from a limited to an advanced without blinking :)
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Reply By: Dave_01 - Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 23:01
Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 23:01
Atropos,
I'm also studying for my amateur radio licence at the moment, my father is licenced (VK4NX) and wants me to be licenced as
well.
good luck to you.
Dave.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: RedGibber - Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 21:05
Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 21:05
Welcome aboard Atropos!! I've been QRT for a number of years now but spent many a happy time in the 70s and 80s working my favourite band ...6m!
In the next couple of years I hope to be up and running again on HF/VHF/UHF but in a portable/mobile capacity.
73s
VK6OX
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