Tech Class Amateur Radio License

[workinwifdakids]

Three questions, Randy (and others):

1) In the setup you spec'd, what equipment would you need to allow that battery to be recharged from a portable solar unit? I don't want to get stuck on stupid (and I trust you to tell me if I'm being an idiot), but living in SoCal, if it's a minor thing to do, then I want to do it. Or do I?

2) Until I can get all that, is it smart or stupid to buy a Handi-Talkie and the hardware to connect it to that comet antennae?

3) How does that setup you listed allow you to go mobile, or does it? How would a GTFO scenario affect your communications ability?

Ahhh, so many questions!

[randy]

1. The battery would normally be charged by the Power supply (The power gate acts as a charging circuit normally, and then switches the battery in line with the radio if the AC goes out). Easy to unplug the power supply and hook the solar output into the battery during power out operations.

2. An HT can easily be hooked to the external antenna. You will need an adapter (PL259 to BNC or SMA depending on the type of connector the HT uses). That gives you some flexibility of moving around and a back up if the mobile unit goes out.

3. Pull the mobile radio and throw it in a vehicle. Best to have an antenna and power run already set up on the vehicle, but you could get by with a mag mount antenna and using the the battery from the base set up, with a cable from the cigarette lighter to the battery.

You cannot safely run a full power mobile through those auxiliary plugs, but the battery would filter and get recharged from the vehicle.

Good luck on the test. Let us know if you have any other questions.

[randy]

I'm enrolled for the test on the 27th.

So? Let us know how you did.

[workinwifdakids]

You're so awesome for remembering, Randy!

I PASSED!


31/35 (89%)

I attended an 8-hour review session of every question in the test pool, followed by the exam put on by the local amateur radio civil defense organization. A two-year old could kill me with a spork, but it's over!

[308Mike]

[center]CONGRATULATIONS!!!![/center]

That's AWESOME!!!

It just goes to show you, the learning NEVER stops - and don't EVER let anyone tell you that you can't do something (as long as it's not physical) - if you can understand it, and perform it competently, there's NO DAMN REASON YOU CAN'T DOT IT to get licensed!!

We're PROUD OF YOU!!!

[randy]

Cool!!!! Welcome to the next level of geekdom!

[randy]

It just goes to show you, the learning NEVER stops

RR (Roger Roger)! I always tell people that an amateur radio license is learners permit, not a certificate of completion. Each level of license simply gives your more stuff to learn and play with.

[Rumpshot]

Congratulations. Hope to catch you on the airwaves one of these days.

Drop me a note when you plan a trip to Chino Valley and we will tip a cool one and tell some lies.

[randy]

Workin's license is now listed on line, so he be legal. (Call not published here due to respect for privacy)

Welcome aboard!

[Cybrludite]

You'll be amazed at how far you can reach with just a HT, too. My dinky little 5w rig let's me hit a repeater that's appx 10 miles to my southeast with enough signal to be easily understood. I use a Vertex VX-150 from Yaesu with a stock antenna.