From: ikluft@uts.amdahl.com (Ian Kluft)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,news.answers
Subject: rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions (Part 2 of 6)
Date: 22 Aug 92 10:08:09 GMT
Expires: 9 Sep 92 07:00:00 GMT
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Followup-To: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Santa Clara, CA
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Archive-name: ham-radio-faq/part2
Revision: 2.7 07/01/92 02:43:00

Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions
Part 2 - Beginning Amateur Radio questions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Questions discussed in Part 2: (dates indicate last modification)
**  What is Amateur Radio? (pre-4/92)
**  Who can become a ham in the United States? (pre-4/92)
**  OK, so how do I become a ham in the United States? (pre-4/92)
**  Where can I locate information and books on Amateur Radio? (4/92)
**  How much does it cost? (4/92)
**  Where can I take the tests? (pre-4/92)
**  What are the tests like? (4/92)
**  What can I do with a ham radio license? (5/92)
**  What can't I do with an Amateur Radio license? (pre-4/92)
**  I'm interested, who will help me? (pre-4/92)
**  Should I build my own equipment? (pre-4/92)
**  Should I build my own antenna? (7/92)
**  Do I need a huge antenna and tower like my neighbor? (pre-4/92)
**  Where do I buy equipment? (pre-4/92)
**  I've only got one 'meter' on the front of my radio - does this mean it's
    a 'one meter' radio?  (Wow - some guys have 80 of 'em??? :-) (7/92)

--Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently-asked Questions------------------Part 2--

**  What is Amateur Radio?
	Amateur Radio is a non-commercial radio communication service 
	whose primary aim is public service and communication between
	private persons.  Amateur Radio operators are commonly called
	hams.  It's great fun to talk to someone in Japan on the radio!
	Here's one ham's description of Amateur Radio:  "Climbing towers,
	roofs, trees, or any other fixed object to hang antennas.  Restoring
	ancient equipment to operation.  Playing with glitzy new equipment.
	Blowing up finals.  Cutting holes in your (or your buddie's) car.
	Building your own stuff.  Wiping out your neighbor's TV and then
	having to explain and fix it.  The joy and magic of communicating
	with someone half way around the world with a few bits of glass and
	wire."

**  Who can become a ham in the United States?
	Anyone who is not a representative of a foreign government can
	be an Amateur Radio operator in the USA.  There are tests that 
	you must pass to get a license, however the tests are not
	insurmountable.  There are 7-year-old hams and 80-year-old
	hams.  There are many handicapped hams who get great enjoyment
	out of Amateur Radio. 

**  OK, so how do I become a ham in the United States?
	There are now two entry-level class licenses in Amateur Radio.
	A Novice license requires passing a 30-question written test
	and a Morse code test given at 5 words per minute.  A Technician
	license requires passing the 30-question written Novice test and
	a 25-question written Technician test, but no Morse code test.
	See local radio clubs or radio stores in your area for more
	information.  Note that you can get a higher class license instead,
	simply by passing the required tests.

**  Where can I locate information and books on Amateur Radio?
	Your local Radio Shack sells some ham radios and Amateur Radio 
	license books.  Books can also be obtained through the mail
	from ham radio organizations, such as ARRL in Newington, CT
	(203-666-1541) and W5YI in Dallas, TX (1-800-669-9594).  There
	may be one or two ham radio stores in the local area (ie, 
	within 50 miles).  Try looking in the Yellow Pages under Radio
	Communications.  Be assured that once you get a callsign, the
	mail order ham radio companies will find you :-).

	For the Novice license, get a Novice License manual, plus 5-word-
	per-minute Morse code tapes, costing around $25.  For the Technician
	license, get a combined Novice and Technician License manual, and an
	FCC Rules manual, costing around $32.  (The combined manual is new
	and was made for the codeless Technician License.)  The FCC Rules
	manual is a good idea for Novice also, but not necessary, since the
	Novice License manual contains all the FCC Rules that are required
	for the Novice License.

	The ARRL Education Activities Department has several programs to 
	help amateurs (or prospective amateurs) to get started.  Ask for a 
	"New prospect package" available free of charge, from ARRL HQ,
	Educational Activities Department, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

**  How much does it cost?
	To take the Novice tests, it's free.  To take the Technician or
	higher class tests, there is a small charge (around $5-$6 currently)
	to cover copying costs and running the testing sessions.  The cost
	of a radio is really dependent on what you want to do.  You can
	make your own radio and antenna for under $150.  You can buy a used
	single-band radio for $150-$300.  Or you can buy a new multi-band
	multi-mode radio with all the doodads for $300-$3000.  I'd suggest
	you learn more about ham radio, talk to local hams, find out what
	you want to do with ham radio first.

**  Where can I take the tests?
	The Novice tests can be given by any two qualified hams of General
	class license or above.  The Technician tests and all higher class
	license tests are given by three qualified Volunteer Examiners (VEs)
	who volunteer their time.

	To locate an ARRL testing session in your area, you can contact
	ARRL at 203-666-1541 x282.
	
**  What are the tests like?
	First off, come prepared to VE sessions.  Bring:  TWO forms of ID,
	one of which has a picture on it; a calculator (if necessary); a pen
	and two pencils; the applicable examination fee (around $5-$6 for
	1992); the original AND a copy of your current Amateur Radio license
	(if you have one); the original AND a copy of any CSCEs for tests
	you've already passed (if you have any).

	Each of the written tests (Novice, Technician, General, Advanced,
	and Extra) are generally a multiple choice test of approximately one-
	tenth of the question pool.  For example, if the question pool is
	approximately 300 questions, then the test will be a 30-question
	test.  You need to get 75% correct to pass.  Note that they truncate
	to determine the correct number of questions.  That means for a 30
	question test, you need to get 22 right, which is actually only 73.3%.

	Once you've paid the small fee for Technician-Extra tests, it costs
	no extra to take another test, so I'd suggest you keep taking the
	next more advanced test until you fail.  If you pass the written 
	but not the Morse code (or vice versa) for a specific class license,
	you have up to one year to take the other test before you would have
	to retake the written test again.  Note that some VEs will not allow
	you to take the written test unless you've first taken the Morse code
	test.

	The Morse code test is a receiving test only.  The test run 5 to 7
	minutes.  After the test, you are given a 10-question multiple-choice
	or fill-in-the-blank test.  Passing grade is 7 or more.  If you fail
	the 10-question test, the examiner team will examine your copy sheet
	to see if you have 1 minute of solid copy with no errors.  For 5 wpm,
	that's 25 characters, for 13 wpm, that's 65 characters, for 20 wpm,
	that's 100 characters.  If they can find 1 minute solid copy, you've
	still passed.

	Hints on Morse code tests:  Generally, it will be a standard QSO
	(conversation), and it MUST contain at least one of each of the 
	following:
	26 letters A-Z, 10 numbers 0-9, comma (,), period (.), slant or
	slash (/), question mark (?), double dash prosign (BT), end of 
	message prosign (AR), end of contact prosign (SK).
	The letters count as one character, all others count as two 
	characters.  There are a couple other prosigns which are worth
	knowing, but will not be on the test, like "I'm done talking, next"
	is K, "I'm done talking, back to you" is KN, "Please wait" is AS.

**  What can I do with a ham radio license?
	There are so many things, it's a difficult question to answer, but
	here's some ideas:
	* Talk to people in foreign countries.
	* Talk to people (both local and far away) on your drive to work.
	* Help in emergencies by providing communications.
	* Provide communications in parades or walkathons.
	* Help other people become hams.
	* Hook your computer to your radio and communicate by computers.
	* Collect QSL cards (cards from other hams) from all over the
	  United States and foreign countries and receive awards.
	* Participate in contests or Field Day events.
	* Provide radio services to your local Civil Defense organization
	  thru ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) or RACES (Radio Amateur
	  Civil Emergency Service).
	* Aid members of the US military by joining MARS (Military Affiliate
	  Radio System).
	* Participate in transmitter hunt games and maybe build your own
	  direction-finding equipment.
	* Have someone to talk to on those sleepless nights at home.
	* Receive weather pictures via satellites.
	* Build radios, antennas, learn some electronics and radio theory.
	* Talk to astronauts in space, or use the moon to bounce signals
	  back to people on the Earth.
	* Experiment with Amateur TV (ATV), Slow-Scan TV (SSTV), or send
	  still-frame pictures by facsimile.
	* Experiment with amateur satellite communications.

**  What can't I do with an Amateur Radio license?
	The most important thing you can't do is transact business of any
	kind over ham radio.  Interference to other hams or services, as
	well as obscene, profane or indecent language is not tolerated and
	is illegal.  Music and broadcasting are not allowed on ham radio.
	Some personal conversations may not be appropriate to Amateur Radio.
	Do you really want the whole world to hear about Aunt Mabel's
	hemorrhoids?

**  I'm interested, who will help me?
	There are hams who are willing to become "Elmers" (mentors, helpers)
	in your local area.  Look around and ask local hams.  Search out
	local radio clubs.  As well, some people have volunteered to be
	an Elmer over the Usenet.  Paul has volunteered to maintain that 
	list.  If anyone wants to be an Elmer, or needs an Elmer, email him:
		Paul W. Schleck, KD3FU, pschleck@unomaha.edu

**  Should I build my own equipment?
	"Homebrewing" is a fun and educational part of ham radio.  It is a
	thrill to build your own transmitter and put it on the air.  However,
	building your own receiver can be quite complicated; if you don't have
	electronics experience, you may want to buy a receiver instead.  Most
	homebrew transmitters are QRP (transmit very low power).  That's fine
	for an experienced ham with a very good antenna, but a Novice ham will
	just get frustrated.  Your first rig, therefore should NOT be a home-
	brew.

**  Should I build my own antenna?
	Most hams build their own antennas for base station use and buy 
	antennas for mobile (car) use.  Most beginner ham books describe how
	to build different types of antennas.  Order of difficulty, from
	easiest to more difficult, for some common antennas are:  wire dipole,
	Zepp, Yagi, Quad, and Log-Periodic.  Books from many sources, including
	ARRL and several Hams, discuss antennas in depth.

**  Do I need a huge antenna and tower like my neighbor?
	No!  Large beam antennas and 40-foot towers are very expensive.  As
	a beginner, a simple dipole antenna is perfectly adequate.  As you 
	gain experience (and money :-), you may want to invest in something
	bigger.

**  Where do I buy equipment?
	If you can afford new rigs, there are many mail order stores that 
	advertise in ham radio magazines.  If you want to buy a used rig,
	the best place is at a "hamfest" (ham flea market).  You should take
	along an experienced ham, since some of the used equipment may be
	inoperative, overpriced or poor quality.  You can also answer ads
	in ham magazines or posted at ham radio stores, although often, by
	the time you call, the equipment has already been sold.

**  I've only got one 'meter' on the front of my radio - does this mean it's
    a 'one meter' radio?  (Wow - some guys have 80 of 'em??? :-)
	Meter refers to the wavelength of the signal at which you are 
	transmitting.  There is a inverse relationship between the frequency 
	(specified in kilohertz or megahertz) and the wavelength (specified
	in meters or centimeters).  The relationship is described by the
	following formula:

	wavelength (in meters) = 300 / frequency (in megahertz)
Xref: sparky rec.radio.amateur.misc:13752 rec.radio.amateur.packet:2116