W4QR - SPARK

Radio NETs

• Hampton's Public-service Team (HPT) Net is every Monday evening at 7:15 PM local. 145.490 MHz, DUP-, PL100. Please visit W4HPT's web site for information about HPT and its activities in our community.

• Lower Peninsula (LPEN) ARES Net is every Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM local. 147.165 MHz repeater.

• List of local area Nets - click here.

Local Weather
Current conditions...click this.

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Learn more about Amateur Radio at the
American Radio Relay League
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AMATEUR RADIO
...
Transcend borders
-
escape physical bonds.

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General Information

SPARK Meetings

Our meetings are a great place to get started in Amateur Radio. At these meetings you can meet local HAMs and learn more about Amateur Radio. In Amateur Radio everyone likes to talk about their rigs and share information - it's a learning experience for all. You may even meet your "Elmer" (HAM mentor) to help you along. You don't have to have your Amateur license to come. SPARK meetings are held every month on the first Tuesday. The meetings start 7:30 PM and are held at:

   Salvation Army Building
   1033 Big Bethel Road
   Hampton, VA 23666

Young and Old

There is no age limit for Amateur Radio operators. The very young or old can become licensed. Amateur radio can be fun for people with hearing difficulties too through the many digital modes that are available. If the testee can understand the test and receive a qualifying score they can receive their license. In Amateur Radio there are three license classes being award now. These are: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. The Technician and General class tests consist of 35 questions. And the Amateur Extra test has 50 questions. Check out http://www.eham.net for Amateur Radio online tests that you can use to test your knowledge.

Have Radio will Travel

You can travel all over with your radio. Many Amateur Radio operators establish their HAM shacks at home and put one or more radios in their car or truck too. Some, even use their Handy-Talkie (HT, Handheld Transceiver) from their car. This works just as it comes, but your signal will be greatly reduced by the frame of the vehicle. If you want to do this it is best to get an external antenna (magnetic mount) for your car instead of using only the HT's rubber-duck antenna.

There are many fine radios to choose from for automotive applications. All the major Amateur Radio manufacturers produce mobile radios. You can choose models from Alinco, ICom, Kenwood, and Yaesu to name a few.

You can even use a mobile rig in your HAM shack! But the manufacturers listed above produce desk model radios too. If you're a kit builder you may be interested in Elecraft radios. They're awesome too.

Ham Nation

Ham Nation from "This Week in Tech" (TWiT) is scheduled to be podcast each Tuesday evening at 9PM eastern time. The program will is hosted by Bob Heil; the maker of superb microphones. The show will talk about the exciting and important hobby of Amateur Radio. You can stream it to your home computer by clicking this. Or you can go to twit.tv/hn and catch any episode and learn more about it.

What Else?

Radios-Schmaedios, who needs them these days?

With all the modern communications systems like smart phones (iPhone, Android, and others), the Internet, digital television, et cetera you might think "Who needs radio, I'll just text...?" I can assure you there's a good reason for having your Amateur Radio license. In fact, through 2011 and 2012, the number of new Amateur Radio operator licensees has rapidly grown ¹ - out pacing previous years. Why this is happening could be because how tumultuous the world is now. This makes people nervous and they want to be able to communicate when everything else won't - that's where radio comes in. So, Amateur Radio is alive and well and that's a good thing.

Amateur Radio operator's interest in radio is often more than just a hobby though. We also stand ready to support our local cities during times of need. In May 2012 HPT Net was activitated to support emergency communications when a tornado touched down in Hampton near the marina. Or in Suffolk in the summer of 2009 when a tornado destroyed many homes there. Local Amateur Radio operators were the first on the scene to set up emergency communications and report to local Public Safety officials. After hurricane Isabel devastated Hampton Roads it was Amateur Radio operators that communicated needs for generators and ice to Richmond. Why? Local communications, to include Public Safety communications where not available. While helping out in time of need is part of what we do there's more to it than that.

Amateur Radio operators establish their "HAM shacks" and often communicate all around the globe using simple gear. It's really something when you here a CQ from a distant land and make a contact. HAMs are always eager to talk to others and to share experiences and discoveries in radio. Many HAMs find it especially interesting to see how far they can reliably communicate using the lowest power levels. Others find excitement making their own antennas, radios, and other gear. Come to one of our meetings to find out more.

So, where do I go from here?

It's easy to get started in Amateur Radio. All anyone really needs is interest. Some may tell you that Amateur Radio is expensive though. Well... it can be, but doesn't have to be if you're on a tight budget. Check out e-bay . You can find a used Motorola 2 meter rig there for $129.00. With an antenna and a car to put it in you're set. But remember... you can't transmit until you have your Technician's License!

Buying a used rig is one way to get started, but why not buy new! There are some very nice, affordable radios on the market now too. Search online vendors for Wuoxun and Puxing brands. Those are pronounced Woo-shon and Poo-shing). Wuoxon makes very nice dual-band models. When you are looking into any radio though, make sure it is FCC Part 90 compliant.

If that sounds a bit too much come to one of our meetings or send an e-mail. Contact information is on our Contact Us page on this site. We're "standing by" to help you get started in Amateur Radio.