captain
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Post by captain on Aug 24, 2021 19:09:59 GMT 10
Yep - finally done it. Booked myself into a Foundation course in mid September (as long as COVID lockdown doesn’t kill the course). I’ve already been doing the practice exams in the WIA site and have been scoring 68% so I am nearly there (without studying and without doing the course). The pass mark is 70%.
got my eyes on a Yaesu handheld too but am waiting a good time to tell the wife about that one. She knows about the course and agrees with that (I told her I get a discount).
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Post by milspec on Aug 24, 2021 19:17:07 GMT 10
Good work.
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Aug 24, 2021 20:04:00 GMT 10
Well done, all the best, mate.
I don't trip over things, I do random gravity checks!
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Post by Stealth on Aug 24, 2021 21:04:57 GMT 10
I feel a bit dim, what's it a foundation in? Googling it says that it's like the year 12 final exam (VCE/HSC etc). Is that right? If so, freakin' awesome! I'm sure you'll smash it  |
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Beno
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Post by Beno on Aug 24, 2021 21:40:25 GMT 10
Ham radio test me thinks.
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Post by milspec on Aug 24, 2021 22:15:46 GMT 10
Ham radio test me thinks. Yup. |
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Post by Stealth on Aug 25, 2021 9:50:13 GMT 10
Lol either way. I haven't even CONSIDERED getting a Ham licence because I'm all kinds of stupid when it comes to facts and figures. I think anyone that can pass that test is basically a genius, even HF theory destroys my brain!
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Aug 25, 2021 11:52:15 GMT 10
Lol either way. I haven't even CONSIDERED getting a Ham licence because I'm all kinds of stupid when it comes to facts and figures. I think anyone that can pass that test is basically a genius, even HF theory destroys my brain! [br Don't sell yourself short. My daughter doesn't have classroom smarts (but is very street smart) but she made a very good living as a professional radio operator. She set up and operated all sorts of high end gear. |
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Post by milspec on Aug 25, 2021 16:57:35 GMT 10
Lol either way. I haven't even CONSIDERED getting a Ham licence because I'm all kinds of stupid when it comes to facts and figures. I think anyone that can pass that test is basically a genius, even HF theory destroys my brain! I'd be happy to help you learn if you really want to. I used to teach electronic warfare to mixed classes ranging from intellos through techs & engineers to fighter pilots. Thus had to teach the principles in language that didnt make the engineers roll their eyes whilst not putting the intellos to sleep and vice versa. Ive got a box of commendations somewhere for those efforts because people seemed to like the way I taught it. |
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Aug 25, 2021 21:19:12 GMT 10
The foundation license is the simple Ham license test that allows almost anyone, from kids to us oldies, to get on air with type approved (commercial) equipment. The full call is a harder exam, but allows u to use home designed and built transmitters and so on. The Ham radio fraternity is the only group allowed to use home made transmitters on the air, so its a privilege and in relation to comments re learning, you never stop learning. The test is multiple choice, so just guessing you can get 25 % right. The regulations part is straight from the book, so can be passed by simply memorizing the answers. Have a go.
General stupidity error reading drive C:
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Sept 18, 2021 18:54:09 GMT 10
Lol either way. I haven't even CONSIDERED getting a Ham licence because I'm all kinds of stupid when it comes to facts and figures. I think anyone that can pass that test is basically a genius, even HF theory destroys my brain! I'd be happy to help you learn if you really want to. I used to teach electronic warfare to mixed classes ranging from intellos through techs & engineers to fighter pilots. Thus had to teach the principles in language that didnt make the engineers roll their eyes whilst not putting the intellos to sleep and vice versa. Ive got a box of commendations somewhere for those efforts because people seemed to like the way I taught it. Milspec, it is something I really need help with. I passed foundation course over a year ago but don’t have a clue how to get set up and actually use any of it. I was just planning on getting a handheld radio but don’t have that yet (actually I did get a couple of cheap baofengs just incase I delayed deciding what to get for too long but planned on getting a slightly better one to use). Even if a charge it all up and figure out how to turn it on, who do I speak to?? I’m completely in the dark with this stuff. |
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Sept 18, 2021 20:27:09 GMT 10
Charge it up, turn it on, tune to the local repeater (look up the WIA web site), and say "CQ CQ (that means calling anyone around), this is VK2XXX calling and listening"
And take it from there. Lots of help will be available once u get on the air. The first step is the hardest. When I did my license some 45 years ago, I too looked upon that first call out with trepidation, but it gets easier with practice.
To be a man, Be a non-conformist, Nothing's sacred as the integrity of your own mind.
-Emerson
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captain
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Post by captain on Sept 18, 2021 21:37:33 GMT 10
I am the OP and my foundation course got delayed - due to something called COVID. Anyway, it is now on oct 17th.
I’m not scared or anything - I’ve been doing the practice exams and am getting 88-96% each time. You need 70% to pass. The day long course and exam is being held at my local amateur club and I am looking forward to it. Just have to get this damn COVID lockdown past us.
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Post by Stealth on Sept 20, 2021 16:45:26 GMT 10
I guess it's a good opportunity to get more practice in? lol. I had a quick look over a practice test and decided that I simply am not at the stage of my life where thorough understanding of any of the requisite theories is viable to the maintenance of a reasonable level of sanity.
Aka, I'm in awe of people who do, but there's no way in HECK I have the brain space to study any of that right now! Anyone that understands it is definitely at god tier in my books.
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Tri-Polar
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Post by Tri-Polar on Sept 20, 2021 20:04:59 GMT 10
Just jumped onto the WIA site to do a test. 72%, not bad for 99% of guessing.
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greyhat
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Post by greyhat on Oct 2, 2021 15:02:43 GMT 10
captain - how's the study coming along, is the exam still booked in for the 17th? Have you already got a radio(s) and antenna setup for portable, mobile or home use? Good to hear there's a local club in your area, is there a repeater or two around your location? If you have got some radios already, I recommend programming in your local repeater frequencies - you can safely 'listen', just no transmitting until you are licensed. There may be a scheduled 'net' run by your club, also good to listen in on. Just recently I assisted with the practical 'on air' component of someone going through the exam at our local club, always good to see new people getting in to the hobby.
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captain
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Post by captain on Oct 2, 2021 23:11:22 GMT 10
captain - how's the study coming along, is the exam still booked in for the 17th? Have you already got a radio(s) and antenna setup for portable, mobile or home use? Good to hear there's a local club in your area, is there a repeater or two around your location? If you have got some radios already, I recommend programming in your local repeater frequencies - you can safely 'listen', just no transmitting until you are licensed. There may be a scheduled 'net' run by your club, also good to listen in on. Just recently I assisted with the practical 'on air' component of someone going through the exam at our local club, always good to see new people getting in to the hobby. Yep - still booked for oct 17th. Only 2 weeks away. I’m doing well with the practice exam. Mostly in the 88-96% percentile bracket but sometimes getting 100% - so I am not worried about it. was a little upset when I read that foundation users can’t do digital, but then I saw an updated license condition and noticed that this is now not the case. I am wanting to get into d-star. There is a yaesu hsndheld I like but they don’t do d-star and instead have their own system but icom have a unit coming out soon that has d-star which I am looking at. Kenwood also has a tri-band d-star handheld which looks appealing too. I already have cheap baofeng 2m and 70 cm but I am looking to get some units from the major brands. I’ve been into radios for years but only at a 27meg and uhf level - and now wanting to increase my exposure. Technically, I’ve previously worked with lasers, electronics and computer networking so I’ve got the background. The reason I am wanting to get into digital as there some experiments I want to do with a raspberry Pi relating to the automatic transmission of data from a portable self powered device. I have also been getting into SDR via one of my Linux boxes lately and that is very interesting. I’ve got a spare box sitting in the cupboard which I am planning on setting up a sdr spy server on - just have to work out where to install an antenna for it though. Getting the license is basically a formality to me, but I also want want to use the license to join up with WICAN and maybe thd SES too. I see getting into those networks would be advantageous in many ways. |
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greyhat
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Post by greyhat on Oct 3, 2021 7:08:03 GMT 10
Sounds like you'll be putting your license into good use with your projects there captain. My latest purchase was the Icom IC-705 for portable HF use, but I also use it as my 'base station' radio at home for UHF/VHF use and also D-STAR. I don't use hotspots currently but fortunately a local operator in my area maintains a couple D-STAR repeaters. I like it. I haven't used Yaesu Fusion myself but a couple mates run FTM-400 in their 4wds + hotspots and enjoy the system. The benefit of having the ability to send data, in addition to voice, certainly has is benefits (e.g location, text). I also have some Baofeng HTs, in fact use one connected to a mag-mount antenna for my car. It does the job reaching the local repeater, just have to be mindful of the battery and doesn't go well with heavy TX. A dedicated mobile unit is on my 'wishlist'. I also use a Ailunce HD1 handheld when out portable, it has higher battery capacity, can go up to 10w if needed and also has DMR. Though my favourite feature would be the IP67 rating so I'm not too 'precious' with it when I have it attached to the side of my backpack out hiking and it starts to rain  |
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Post by milspec on Oct 3, 2021 8:07:29 GMT 10
greyhat , Speaking of FTM-400 mine arrived yesterday, just waiting on the 2m/70cm antenna now. 
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Tri-Polar
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Post by Tri-Polar on Oct 3, 2021 8:59:27 GMT 10
My bank account slapped me for just looking at that photo.
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