A Technician license will give you full access to the VHF/ UHF Ham bands. A good VHF / UHF Handheld radios can be bought for under $50.00. A Mobile unit will run between $200.00 $400.00 new. Texas is blessed with an intensive network of repeaters and repeater systems. Handhelds can do real well on these systems, and with an external antenna remarkably well in a car or at home. Its really not all that expernsive until you move away from the VHF/UHF bands and more exclusive licenses. These are the bands that people talk around world with. The VHF/UHF is considered local and repeater oriented.carlson1 wrote:I just bought a hand held HAM radio to put in my travel/get home bag in case of emergencys. I know I can talk on it (unless there is an emergency), but I can listen to it and so now I am intrigued and would like to learn more about this. I understand to get a license there is a test involved? How much money (not counting equipment) does it take to get started and can someone give me a few of the benefits for having a license?
Thanks,
Carl
The Technicians test is pretty easy, but it does require some studying. There are lots of practice tests. that will help with confidence before you do the real test.