Grex Radio Conference

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Grex Radio Item 27: About radio
Entered by sparks on Mon Mar 27 12:27:19 UTC 2000:

I got real interest in ham radio. caould ny body gimme an idea on how 
much it;s gonna cost me and what all I need to set up a station

8 responses total.

#1 of 8 by omni on Mon Mar 27 14:15:19 2000:

  Depends on what your interest is. I am into packet and 2M Fm, and I've
invested about $1000 over the last 7 years. You could of course, spend lots
more for a top of the line radio, a big tower and all the bells and whistles.
It really depends on you. My advice- Read some magazines, and talk to a few
hams and see what sparks your interest. I'd be happy to show you what my
interpretion of Amatuer radio is.

#2 of 8 by goose on Tue Mar 28 21:14:15 2000:

A 2M mobile with a mag mount antenna will set you back $150 or a little less
if you buy used.  If you want to get into HF, start with 10M and you can get
a mobile rig for less than $200 with a decent antenna.

If you like building things consider HF QRP (low power) kits.  You can put
together a 1W 30M CW QRP transmitter for $25.  

Or on the other end you can spend $5000 on a radio, $2000 on a tower, another
$1000 on an antenna, and still spend more on other junk deemed necessary.

#3 of 8 by mattd on Sat Apr 29 11:21:20 2000:

I don't quite know how it works in the states, but in the UK there are also
extra costs for the examinations and the morse tests. Please, everyone, don't
start a 'no morse' thread. There are enough of those on the ngs. I think your
tests are easier to get, though. You still need to study, but the tests can
be taken almost anytime. Over here we only get two chances a year!
As far as gear is concerned, start off with VHF for a taste of radio,
preferably on 2 SSB where you can practice your operating procedures. A Belcom
Liner 2 SSB rig can be picked up for about $100 second hand, and they last
for ages. You will need a horizontal antenna, but I started with an HB9CV
type, which saw me through until I got better kit. It comes slowly, just start
somewhere and get some experience, because you won't know (and nobody else
can tell you) what you'll enjoy until you've been there. For FM, PMR rigs make
a cheap entry for chatting and packet.

#4 of 8 by goose on Thu May 11 20:26:23 2000:

Tests in the states cost $6.65 from VECs (Volunteer Exam Coordinators)
with that $6.65 you can take as many test as you'd like at that exam session.

or example: I took my 5wpm code, 13wpm code, and advanced written all at
the same session and it cost me $6.65.  In January I took my general written
and it cost me $6.65.

#5 of 8 by rcurl on Thu May 11 22:52:32 2000:

On the other hand, I took the 3B exam in April for $6.65, and now I have
to pay another $6.65 to just apply it to my upgrade to general. (Yes, 
I could have waited until May, and avoided one payment.)

#6 of 8 by ball on Sun Sep 24 05:31:56 2000:

I hope to sit the Technician exam next month, wish me luck! =o)

#7 of 8 by rcurl on Sun Sep 24 19:58:20 2000:

Good luck.

#8 of 8 by ball on Mon Sep 25 05:54:53 2000:

Thanks =o)

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