TexasCHLforum.com

At the Charles R. Hooks Education Center in Spring. I needed a little extra motivation to buckle down, so I attended a class run by Keith Dutson NM5G and Skip Ferguson K5LLR the week before the test and did a review session day of the test.

I know they also do some testing at Tomball Regional Hospital. At the Hooks center they're doing some CW classes but I didn't see another license testing session on the calendar. I may have to go down to TranStar to take the general/extra.

Passed the Technician's test last Saturday. Got my call sign from the FCC at 1 AM last night.

Now I just need UPS to deliver my HT radio so I can start listening and plotting my first transmission. Delayed yesterday for weather, of course, but says it's out for delivery today. Not sure I believe them.

TexasJohnBoy wrote:

bblhd672 wrote: It appears the UV-5R may be end of life. Would the BaoFeng BF-F8HP be a suitable replacement? https://baofengtech.com/bf-f8hp

That or the UV-5X3 https://baofengtech.com/uv-5x3
I'm going to try and figure out the pros and cons of one vs the other in the next couple of days. Haven't dug in yet.

Curious to hear your verdict.

I'm waiting until I learn more before jumping into hardware. All suggestions for reasonably capable gear for the beginner greatly appreciated.

carlson1 wrote:

Scott B. wrote:Fortunate timing. My packet from W5YI came today. Includes Part 97 of...FCC code covering amateur radio operations? the rules and regulations. A book about Technician Class. Two CD-ROMs, one is the HamStudy 14.0 software the other is with the book....ah, it's an audio CD of the book. A PreStudy Q & A booklet for Technician Class. And a two-sided chart with frequencies depicted.

I think this is going to get me where I'm wanting to go.

Where did you sign up for the packet?

Here> http://www.w5yi.org/catalog_details.php?pid=71&sort=5 that was in Charles' post hyperlinked as Gordon West study guide.

Came quick too...2 days? Must be here in Texas because they got me for sales tax.

Edit: Arlington.

Fortunate timing. My packet from W5YI came today. Includes Part 97 of...FCC code covering amateur radio operations? the rules and regulations. A book about Technician Class. Two CD-ROMs, one is the HamStudy 14.0 software the other is with the book....ah, it's an audio CD of the book. A PreStudy Q & A booklet for Technician Class. And a two-sided chart with frequencies depicted.

I think this is going to get me where I'm wanting to go.

carlson1 wrote:I didn't want to take Mr. Cotton's topic off course so I thought I would ask here.

Where does one start to enter the world of HAM radios? I have a brand new hand held that came with an external mic and intenna. Now what?

I'm at a similar point. The idea intrigued me during CERT training, but their radio group meetings didn't work for my schedule.

Decided to go for Technician on my own but wasn't sure where to start. Mr. Cotton's post w/ the software link got me off the pot. I've been using this site and its flashcards: https://hamstudy.org But it's clear that I need to read something on rules/regs otherwise you're just learning test questions without the benefit of the background.