Get Started In Ham
Radio
So, you want to be
a ham radio operator? Or maybe you want to know WHY you should want to be
a ham radio operator? Either way, this is the right place. At the Cherokee
County Amateur Radio Club, we welcome you to the wonderful adventure of Amateur
Radio!
Things to do in
Amateur (ham) Radio:
Talk to friends and family who have ham licenses.
Make new friends.
Join in on group ham activities, meetings, contests and more!
Join a local repeater net.
Join ARES or RACES.
Join SKYWARN and
become a weather spotter.
Keyboard-to-keyboard chatting with PSK31 and other
digital modes
Get on Packet and talk around "on the cluster".
There is SO much more!!!
LICENSE CLASSES:
No
Morse Code requirement exists for any class of
license.
Technician General
Extra
Study for your
exam:
"The W5YI Ham
Radio License Manual -- All you need to become an Amateur Radio Operator"
We
recommend you buy it direct from W5YI:
http://www.w5yi.org/
Radios to get started? There are many entry level radios to get started with. If you want, you can post to our reflector list or check our SWAP/FOR SALE page for used handhelds - or you can buy one from www.gigaparts.com. Here are some entry-level handhelds that will get you talking around the valley and beyond right away:
Yaesu VX2R
$170 + shipping (2m & 70cm handheld)
Icom T2H Sport $99 + shipping (2m only handheld)
Kenwood TH-D7AG $339 + shipping (2m & 70cm handheld)
Or, if you want to
talk around the world on HF (General or Extra):
Kenwood
TS-2000 $1589 + shipping
Yaesu FT-450 $825 +
shipping
Icom IC-718 $579 + shipping
The above HF
radios will need antennas, power supplies and coax also.
There are many
ways to get started. This should give you some things to think about.
You can learn from a computer program, the web, CDs or with a tutor (an Elmer). If you are interested in talking with someone in the club about becoming a ham, simply send us an email and we'll hook you up.
Ready to take a test and get your license? Click here for a list of test venues and dates.
So contact us today and you'll be on your way to enjoying the fun of being an amateur radio operator tomorrow!!