ISS and Ham Radio Testing

For those looking for a testing session, we have been successfully testing with full Covid-19 precautions every third Tuesday of the Month:

Here's the next testing session for all
Start time Feb 16, 2021, 7:00 PM
Location: 400 NW Capital Dr, Lee's Summit, MO 64086, USA
Organizer: Robin Cross (w0fenrobin@gmail.com)

Exam does have a $14 fee

Shane - W0MBC

Sorry for such a late reply.

The test went smooth. also attempted general w/o studying and nearly passed. Heard they might do some sort of video proctored testing if the 'rona virus keeps us distancing.

I have a HF rig that i CW on 40m coast to coast. 10m was open today for phone and always ft8 digital mode. ft8 has gotten me as far as south america.

I'm really enjoying the folk i talk with, have collected a few QSL cards.

Slowing piecing a 2m/70cm HT station. I have a yaesu ft-4x, a J-Pole on the roof fed by 49' of rg213 coax. I live in the country so I also have a small amp on the way and hope to hit the independence 09 repeater.

I have used the EchoLink software to talk around the world.

I went outside my privileges and sent an email to my cell phone though a HF station in Salt Lake City. oops.

Currently attempting to wx2image NOAA weather satellites. I listen to armature satellites if directly overhead. Looking into making or buying a dual band yagi for satellite work.

Radio is fun, compliments my astrophotography well. Great for cloudy nights.

We all might be close enough to do a net of some sorts. I like science, lets work on that!



Jason
ke0zvd

Hi Jason,

I'm a licensed and fairly active amateur radio operator (AA0FO). If you need any advice I'm always available to give you my 2 cents.

Marshall

I'm just seeing this thread so I am quite a bit behind on this thread. How did the test go Jason? I haven't ever had much interest in being a ham operator, but now that we are neck deep in the ISS contact proposal, and have 5 months off from school, I'm thinking I may try and take the exams to become an operator myself. How did the study guide treat you? I was going to get something from the Library, but that's shut down now. $10 for the general guide seems fine if it works.
Thanks!

Good luck Jason. As Dave stated above, practice the General too along with the Tech and if your scoring well take the General the same day. I studied and took hundred's of practice tests and ended up getting General the same day too. Was worth it and opens up many more doors in the band spectrum.

Clint Mayes
KS0CBM

Thanks Doug. I don't see a problem with testing. I do however have some reservations about it being an old used radio. It would be nice to test its power out and make sure the TX/RX frequency displayed is what it does. If someone wants to connect it up with their shack for a quick test, that would be nice.

I believe I can do a pretty good 'tune up' but lack equipment *such as:

• RF Power Meter
  
• RF Voltmeter
  
• Frequency Counter
  
• Standard Signal Generator
  
• Distortion Meter
  
• Oscilloscope
  
• Audio Generator
  
• Attenuator
  
• Spectrum Analyzer
  
• FM Deviation Meter
  
• Modulation Analyzer
  

Sheesh... I should get in to stamp collecting as a hobby. That bioluminescence ocean life stamp I saw was only 55 cents new, and apparently, lasts forever...

Good luck Jason! I'm sure you'll do great! Let us know how it goes.

Doug
KC0VDJ

Good luck on the exams. Taking practice tests is a great confidence builder and also highlights areas you need more study, take several. If you are consistently score in the upper 80s on all the exams, you’re ready for the real thing. Also a double nod for doing both the Tech and then the General the same day.

Dave
W0TET