What is Amateur Radio

[BuddahFRS]

hey all

this may sound silly but i only use VHF for FESA and UHF CB, so

What is Amateur Radio?
How do i get into Amateur Radio?
And what other info do i need for Amateur Radio?

cheers

[VK6ZMS]

This page explains AR

http://www.wia.org.au/

The entry level license is called foundation.

http://www.wia.org.au/licences/foundation/about/

Ham College in Perth will teach you all you need to know about
the three license levels.

http://hamcollege.com.au/wordpress/

[robbage]

It's a hobby (or a lifestyle for some ) You have access to many bands of the spectrum from low as 1.6 MHz through the HF band (eg 3.5MHz 7MHz 14, 21, 28 .. 28 very close ot the old CB frequencies) Then a couple of bands on VHF and quite a few on UHF and above. You are required to pass an exam to acquire a licence which involves testing you on your knowledge of radio and electronics as well as the regulations you must know. Usually you will do a training course before the exam. Each band has it's advantages and disadvantages as well as some uniqueness over other bands. HF is generally for long distance (talk to people all over the world). VHF and UHF are generally for line-of-site comms (although many amateurs are keen on pushing the limits with the right conditions and equipment.)
Some hams only ever talk to locals on the repeaters (much like UHF CBers would, except without the language and farting into the mike) Some hams will only be heard on low frequencies talking DX (distance) or CW (morse code) Part of the fun is making your own stuff (eg antennae)

I see Martin just replied so I'll just stop

If you want to hear hams on VHF through repeaters then dial up 146.700 MHz FM and listen from around 6.30 or 7.00 am

More here as well http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio

[Zebedee]

Also, shameless plug, if you *are* interested in taking the first step, Ham College has courses running on the weekend of the 23/24 May and 18/19 July. It will teach you everything you need to know about obtaining the Foundation level amateur radio licence (and it's a bit of fun too )

[BuddahFRS]

hey thanks for the information, and i am looking into it.

roughly how much will it cost to get a basic setup at home, and in car???


thank you

[meg]

roughly how much will it cost to get a basic setup at home, and in car???

A few like me who are new to the hobby are finding that out in gruesome detail at the moment!

It varies by quite a lot. I started with one of the Chinese made handhelds for $100 - 5 watts on 2m (VHF). It works well, but at our location, we needed a much taller base antenna to get into the repeaters - the antenna I got was about $100.

You can use the same unit in your house with a 12v power supply, and in your car - just move it back and forward. At the moment (everything has gone up in the last few months), you can get a new VHF and UHF "mobile" unit for about $400, a few of us have Diamond car antennas and I'm very happy with mine, they're about $100. I also had the handheld mounted in the car for a while connected up to the external (car) antenna.

If you want to get into HF as well, a new HF plus UHF and VHF rig starts at about $1,200, antennas start from a piece of wire that you cut yourself, to a couple of hundred for a commercially made dipole (or you can make your own) and they go up from there for HF.

Also, there's often gear sold second hand, advertised in the For Sale part of WARSUG, and also on VKClassifieds http://www.vkclassifieds.vkham.com/. Also, have a listen on Sunday morning on 146.700 - at 9am is the national amateur radio news, then at about 9:30 is the local WA stuff including Roy's Helpline where you can sometimes hear of people looking for assistance in rehoming gear

[robbage]

Depends what you want in your car. Some hams have a complete HF, VHF, UHF rig in their car with automatic tuning antenna (thousands). Others will have a second hand 2 metre (144 MHz) radio with a simple whip for less than $200. I have a second hand dual band (2 metres and UHF) cost me $250 and a half decent high gain whip for around $100 with mount etc.

For home, you aren't going to get on HF for less than $1200 for a new rig. Then there's HF antennae. If you just want 2 metres then similar cost to mobile except you probably want to get the antenna up high, so maybe a small mast. Mine's mounted on 4.5 metres of salvaged aluminium tubing on the point of the roof.

I posted a link in the foundation thread.. a local is giving away a 2 metre radio, power supply and antenna to a foundation licenced ham still going to school. Some times kind people just give you stuff

Also, as a starter you can get a 2 metre or UHF hand held for $120 at hamshack http://www.hamshack.com.au/index.php?pr=Quansheng

[Nosferatu]

Some hams only ever talk to locals on the repeaters (much like UHF CBers would, except without the language and farting into the mike)

At the heart of every radio frequency transmitter is an array of electronic circuitry generating a RF signal that carries useful information, or intelligence. First, an oscillating circuit generates a continuous, steady state signal, referred to as the carrier wave, fixed to a discrete frequency in the radio frequency spectrum. Second, useful intelligence is inserted into the carrier wave.

[robbage]

Second, useful intelligence is inserted into the carrier wave.

That's always appreciated but doesn't always happen