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
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.
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.
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.
What Else?
Radios-Schmadios, who needs them these days?
Yes, many might think that Amateur Radio is a dying technology but that is far from the
truth. Amateur Radio is alive and well and that's a good thing. Amateur Radio operator's
interest in radio is more than just a hobby. We also stand ready to support our local
cities during times of need. Like 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 (see Contact Us).
We're standing by to help you get started in Amateur Radio.
