[ale] [OT] I want to become a ham

[Paul Manno]

On Tue, 17 May 2005, Christopher Bergeron wrote:

> Paul - your insight is fantastic - thanks again!
> 
> I'm going to attend the Hamfest in Marietta (June 4th) and buy my rig there.

Enjoy!  I'm sure you'll meet lots of hams both on the list and off that 
are willing to provide opinions.  ;-)
 
> But...  I'm still not sure what I'm looking for.  I want to be able to 
> receive an APRS signal in the 14.440-14.600 range (from the near-space 
> satellite) and somehow feed it into a PC/server for processing 
> (navigation, etc).  I'm in the process of securing the weather 
> balloon(s) and related supplies; the flight computer is cakewalk for me, 
> but I'm in need of a Ham/Radio guru to help me turn the APRS signals 
> into something useful so we can recover the aircraft.

I'm not an APRS or a satellite expert and have little experience with both 
so I'm not sure I can best advise which radio is best.  I wasn't aware the 
near-earth downlink frequencies were in the 14.4-14.6Mhz range though. One 
site you may find helpful is http://on6sat.com/links/  The site has many 
links to Satellite work, frequencies, radios, in includes a getting 
started section to boot.

Meanwhile, I'll ponder your question and see if others have better ideas.

Cheers,
Paul - KG4UVU
 
> 
> Thanks again,
> CB
> 
> 
> 
> Paul Manno wrote:
> 
> >You're most welcome.  As you now know, there are hams lurking everywhere 
> >including several on the ALE list.  Amateur radio is a very fun hobby! I 
> >will provide my opinions interspersed below.
> >
> >On Tue, 17 May 2005, Christopher Bergeron wrote:
> >
> >  
> >
> >>Thanks for all of the tips!
> >>
> >>How much will I spend on an entry level Transceiver?
> >>    
> >>
> >
> >VHF transcievers can be a car unit, portable (Hand-held or HT), or base 
> >unit though most are the first two.  Personally, I used an HT for my first 
> >year of operation in the Atlanta area.  A nice 5 watt HT can run from $50 
> >to $250 depending on used or new and capabilities.  Sometimes, folks may 
> >even nearly give them away.  For example, I have a 100 mW HT I bought for 
> >$5.  Works fine but you won't reach all around Atlanta on 100 mW.  The HT 
> >I used for a year (and still do) is a dual band (144 and 440Mhz) I paid 
> >$125 for.  It's now 3 years old and working great.
> > 
> >  
> >
> >>Also, do you have any links to study materials so I can start studying?  
> >>How many licenses are there and what are the requirements for them?   
> >>I've heard that learning morse code is the only requirement for the 
> >>entry level license, is that correct?
> >>    
> >>
> >
> >I like the practice exams on www.eham.com though there are several.  If 
> >you're into books, I recommend the Gordon West books.  Those books are 
> >available in several places including (at times) Fry's, Ham Radio Outlet 
> >(Doraville) and lots of places online.
> >
> >There are presently 4 exams levels.  A no-code technician gets you access 
> >to 50Mhz and above and requires only the technician written (multiple 
> >choice) exam.  The code comes into play if you want the general or extra 
> >class license or wish to operate code in the below 30Mhz bands.  Starting 
> >off, using Sat and APRS only requires the no-code tech license.  My take 
> >on the no-code technician license is it's really fairly easy to pass.
> >
> >There are several places to take the exams in most parts of the metro 
> >area.  See http://www.georgiajobs.com/hamexams.html for additional info on 
> >locations, dates, times, etc.  Exam fees range from $10 to $15 in most 
> >areas.
> > 
> >  
> >
> >>I'm starting a near-earth satellite project, and I need to become a Ham 
> >>in order to receive the APRS broadcasts (unless someone on here can 
> >>receive them and relay them to me).
> >>    
> >>
> >
> >Sounds perfect for the technician license.  A dual band radio with some 
> >power on transmit will run you closer to the $250-300 again depending on 
> >features (cross-band repeat) and location.  Spend some time looking at the 
> >online swap locations (see below) for pricing and features.  The internet 
> >is your friend.  Great deals can be found at local hamfests - the Atlanta 
> >Radio Club's hamfest comes up in early June at the Jim R. Miller park in 
> >Smyrna.  See http://www.atlantahamfest.com/ for more info there.  A deal 
> >for a working, used, dual-band, 50w radio might be as low as $45.
> > 
> >  
> >
> >>Thanks again,
> >>CB
> >>    
> >>
> >
> >You're most welcome.  As I said, best to ask lots of questions.  I and 
> >several others will be happy to answer.  Do keep in mind each ham has 
> >their own opinions - kind of like which Linux distro is best.  ;-)
> >
> >Good luck!
> >Paul Manno
> >  KG4UVU
> > 
> >  
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>Paul Manno wrote:
> >>
> >>    
> >>
> >>>Yep.  There's at least this one ham on the ALE list and I suspect several 
> >>>others.  Feel free to ask lots of questions.  What the cost is to get 
> >>>started can realistically range from $10 to $5000 but I tend much more to 
> >>>the low end of that scale.  There are several ham clubs in the area so it 
> >>>depends on where you are as to what's convenient.
> >>>
> >>>Ask away.
> >>>
> >>>-- Paul Manno (KG4UVU)
> >>>
> >>>On Tue, 17 May 2005, Christopher Bergeron wrote:
> >>>
> >>> 
> >>>
> >>>      
> >>>
> >>>>Is anyone on here a ham?  I've decided that I want to get my license, 
> >>>>and I was just wondering where to begin.
> >>>>
> >>>>Are there any local Lugs for Ham Radio?
> >>>>
> >>>>How much will it cost to get started?
> >>>>
> >>>>Thanks in advance, (and sorry for the OT)-
> >>>>-CB
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>_______________________________________________
> >>>>Ale mailing list
> >>>>Ale at ale.org
> >>>>http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> >>>>
> >>>>   
> >>>>
> >>>>        
> >>>>
> >>> 
> >>>
> >>>      
> >>>
> >
> >
> >  
> >
>