Ham radio information

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

http://www.w1npp.org/pages/VEexams.html

Maine and a few New Hampshire VE exam dates:

Edited to remove old dates 12/14/14 SB

Thursday December 18, 2014 6:00 p.m. Walk-ins allowed at Narraguagus Estates Lower Community Building 37 Estates Road Cherryfield ME. Contact Phillip Duggan 207-546-1575 or n1ep@yahoo.com

Wednesday December 24, 2014 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Wednesday January 21, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Saturday January 31, 2015 2:30 p.m. (Walk-ins allowed) George F. Rinalducci (603) 231-1392 N1YI@COMCAST.NET Piscataqua Fish & Game Club 198 Tuttle Lane Greenland NH

Monday February 2, 2015 6 p.m. at Mid Coast Chapter American Red Cross 16 Community Way Topsham ME. Contact Don Wakeman at 207-751-1166 or ka1wal.dsw@gmail.com

Wednesday February 18, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Wednesday March 18, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Saturday March 28, 2015 12:00 noon Walk-ins welcome at the Lewiston hamfest at the Ramada Inn 490 Pleasant Street Lewiston Maine. Contact Ivan at 207-784-0350 or n1oxa@arrl.net

Wednesday April 22, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Monday May 4, 2015 6 p.m. at Mid Coast Chapter American Red Cross 16 Community Way Topsham ME. Contact Don Wakeman at 207-751-1166 or ka1wal.dsw@gmail.com

Wednesday May 20, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Wednesday June 17, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Wednesday July 22, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Monday August 3, 2015 6 p.m at Mid Coast Chapter American Red Cross 16 Community Way Topsham ME. Contact Don Wakeman at 207-751-1166 or ka1wal.dsw@gmail.com

Wednesday August 19, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Wednesday September 23, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Wednesday October 21, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Monday November 2, 2015 6 p.m. at Mid Coast Chapter American Red Cross 16 Community Way Topsham ME. Contact Don Wakeman at 207- 751-1166 or ka1wal@dsw@gmail.com

Wednesday November 18, 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

Wednesday December 23 2015 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at MIT room 1-150 Cambridge MA. All commercial and ham exams. Contact Mitch at 617-253-3776 from 9-5. Info and directions at http://w1mx.mit.edu/ham-exam or http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/comex

These are tentative dates only. Please check with team leader before traveling to verify date, time, location and exams being offered. Bring two forms of identification, including a photo I-D, as well as the original and photocopies of all current FCC licenses and certificates of successful completion of exam. The photocopies will not be returned. Persons needing special accomodations should check with the contact person in advance of the exam date.

REMINDER -- The current Technician Class (Element 2) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2014, and will be valid until June 30, 2018. The current General Class (Element 3) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2011, and will be valid until June 30, 2015. The current Amateur Extra Class (Element 4) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2012, and will be valid until June 30, 2016. When preparing for an exam, be sure you are studying the current question pool.

Ok guys and gals. Here is finally what I've been waiting for And its coming to a local location near you.

A two day course, you pick one of two weekends at the end of February or beginning of March and they will do the crash course and the test on location.

I'm signing up for the February one. $50 and your in.

http://preparedassociates.com/ham-radio-class/