I'll include this in the camping gear section because several of you were asking about it on the MOTL 14 camping expedition. I will try to post all of the information here in one place. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.
Why get in ham radio? The biggest reason for me is the range. CBs have their limitations, communication distances are usually 1-2 miles and output power is limited to 5 watts). The 2 meter band (144-148mhz) is one of the ham bands, and will support radio-to-radio communication to about 40 miles with two mobile units (usually about 50 watts). Range can be extended if communication goes through a repeater (and there are lots of repeaters around). Hams are limited to 1500 watts, though that much power is usually not needed.
Morse code is not needed with any of the levels (Technician, General, Extra)
Books like this can be helpful (this one was for the 2011-2014 pool, get the next edition)... AARL Ham Radio License Manual
QRZ.com online practice test
Free. Get familiar with the questions. The question pool changes every three years, the new question pool starts July 1, 2014. I studied in my spare time, probably about 30 hours total before I took the exam.
what to bring to an exam session
My session was cash only. Call ahead.
Test sites:
If you've already studied, take the test this weekend or monday, otherwise, study the new question pool. http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session
New question pools (July 1, 2014- June 30, 2018): Technician class new question pool
Why get in ham radio? The biggest reason for me is the range. CBs have their limitations, communication distances are usually 1-2 miles and output power is limited to 5 watts). The 2 meter band (144-148mhz) is one of the ham bands, and will support radio-to-radio communication to about 40 miles with two mobile units (usually about 50 watts). Range can be extended if communication goes through a repeater (and there are lots of repeaters around). Hams are limited to 1500 watts, though that much power is usually not needed.
Morse code is not needed with any of the levels (Technician, General, Extra)
Books like this can be helpful (this one was for the 2011-2014 pool, get the next edition)... AARL Ham Radio License Manual
QRZ.com online practice test
Free. Get familiar with the questions. The question pool changes every three years, the new question pool starts July 1, 2014. I studied in my spare time, probably about 30 hours total before I took the exam.
what to bring to an exam session
My session was cash only. Call ahead.
Test sites:
If you've already studied, take the test this weekend or monday, otherwise, study the new question pool. http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session
New question pools (July 1, 2014- June 30, 2018): Technician class new question pool