"abr" wrote in message ...
Hi, after almost 42 years I have renewed my interest in amateur radio. I
am
now 57 and am excited about getting into the hobby. I asked the same
question in another (the other) newsgroup and got not much help, one asked
how I found the group and why I asked this question there,,, not too
friendly.... anyway..... If (when) I get my tech license, is there a band
I
can work voice that will cover some distance, not just local (I live in
South Dakota) like other states or countries. When I asked this question
in
the other group, no one answered me. I looked at the arrl site and it
doesn't give me much info on this. And............... what kind of a rig
would anyone suggest I start out with, used is fine with me as I am not
interested in spending a lot at this point....... and shoot me if you want
to, I am not really interested in learning code. Well there it is in a
nutshell, I hope someone can be of help to me,, Thank you all so much for
your time in reading this, Gary Cooper


BANG.. Now that you have been shot.. As others stated 6 meters will open
for DX. I have worked from NC to TExas and FL on 2 meters several times on
ssb in about 15 years. Running about 100 watts ssb to do it.

You might as well get an Icom 706 that has the low bands, 6 and 2 meters and
also the 430 to 450 mhz band in it and is all mode. Also you will need a
power supply of about 20 amps or more.

The code speed has been lowered to 5 wpm for the General and Extra class
license if you did not know that. Very easy test now.
It might be done away with all together soon as other countries have been
doing away with it.

"abr" wrote in message ...
Hi, after almost 42 years I have renewed my interest in amateur radio. I
am
now 57 and am excited about getting into the hobby. I asked the same
question in another (the other) newsgroup and got not much help, one asked
how I found the group and why I asked this question there,,, not too
friendly.... anyway..... If (when) I get my tech license, is there a band
I
can work voice that will cover some distance, not just local (I live in
South Dakota) like other states or countries. When I asked this question
in
the other group, no one answered me. I looked at the arrl site and it
doesn't give me much info on this. And............... what kind of a rig
would anyone suggest I start out with, used is fine with me as I am not
interested in spending a lot at this point....... and shoot me if you want
to, I am not really interested in learning code. Well there it is in a
nutshell, I hope someone can be of help to me,, Thank you all so much for
your time in reading this, Gary Cooper


BANG.. Now that you have been shot.. As others stated 6 meters will open
for DX. I have worked from NC to TExas and FL on 2 meters several times on
ssb in about 15 years. Running about 100 watts ssb to do it.

You might as well get an Icom 706 that has the low bands, 6 and 2 meters and
also the 430 to 450 mhz band in it and is all mode. Also you will need a
power supply of about 20 amps or more.

The code speed has been lowered to 5 wpm for the General and Extra class
license if you did not know that. Very easy test now.
It might be done away with all together soon as other countries have been
doing away with it.

"abr" wrote in message ...
Hi, after almost 42 years I have renewed my interest in amateur radio. I
am
now 57 and am excited about getting into the hobby. I asked the same
question in another (the other) newsgroup and got not much help, one asked
how I found the group and why I asked this question there,,, not too
friendly.... anyway..... If (when) I get my tech license, is there a band
I
can work voice that will cover some distance, not just local (I live in
South Dakota) like other states or countries. When I asked this question
in
the other group, no one answered me. I looked at the arrl site and it
doesn't give me much info on this. And............... what kind of a rig
would anyone suggest I start out with, used is fine with me as I am not
interested in spending a lot at this point....... and shoot me if you want
to, I am not really interested in learning code. Well there it is in a
nutshell, I hope someone can be of help to me,, Thank you all so much for
your time in reading this, Gary Cooper



You will need to be able to work the HF bands (i.e. shortwave) for this kind
of communications. So you will need to get a General class ham license.
This means that you will need to pass the Technician written, General
written and a 5wpm Morse code test. The Technician license only requires a
single written test but only gives you privileges on VHF and higher
frequencies. These frequencies are more for local communications although
under some unusual circumstances, VHF frequencies can travel great
distances.

As far as a rig goes, it would be best to find some hams in your local area
to advise you. Some probably have decent spare rigs that you could buy.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

"abr" wrote in message ...
Hi, after almost 42 years I have renewed my interest in amateur radio. I
am
now 57 and am excited about getting into the hobby. I asked the same
question in another (the other) newsgroup and got not much help, one asked
how I found the group and why I asked this question there,,, not too
friendly.... anyway..... If (when) I get my tech license, is there a band
I
can work voice that will cover some distance, not just local (I live in
South Dakota) like other states or countries. When I asked this question
in
the other group, no one answered me. I looked at the arrl site and it
doesn't give me much info on this. And............... what kind of a rig
would anyone suggest I start out with, used is fine with me as I am not
interested in spending a lot at this point....... and shoot me if you want
to, I am not really interested in learning code. Well there it is in a
nutshell, I hope someone can be of help to me,, Thank you all so much for
your time in reading this, Gary Cooper



You will need to be able to work the HF bands (i.e. shortwave) for this kind
of communications. So you will need to get a General class ham license.
This means that you will need to pass the Technician written, General
written and a 5wpm Morse code test. The Technician license only requires a
single written test but only gives you privileges on VHF and higher
frequencies. These frequencies are more for local communications although
under some unusual circumstances, VHF frequencies can travel great
distances.

As far as a rig goes, it would be best to find some hams in your local area
to advise you. Some probably have decent spare rigs that you could buy.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

" wrote in message
news:dtAeb.653304$uu5.106494@sccrnsc04...
"abr" wrote in message ...
Hi, after almost 42 years I have renewed my interest in amateur radio.
I
am
now 57 and am excited about getting into the hobby. I asked the same
question in another (the other) newsgroup and got not much help, one
asked
how I found the group and why I asked this question there,,, not too
friendly.... anyway..... If (when) I get my tech license, is there a
band
I
can work voice that will cover some distance, not just local (I live in
South Dakota) like other states or countries. When I asked this
question
in
the other group, no one answered me. I looked at the arrl site and it
doesn't give me much info on this. And............... what kind of a
rig
would anyone suggest I start out with, used is fine with me as I am not
interested in spending a lot at this point....... and shoot me if you
want
to, I am not really interested in learning code. Well there it is in a
nutshell, I hope someone can be of help to me,, Thank you all so much
for
your time in reading this, Gary Cooper



Welcome back.

50 MHz (6 meters) has occasional "openings" which allow you to work long
distance. However, these openings do not occur every day. Using SSB or
better yet (gasp) Morse Code will be MUCH better for DX than FM. With a
good
antenna system and lots of patience, 144 MHz (2 meters) will occasionally
allow relatively long distance contacts. This is mostly via Morse Code,
however.

As far as a rig goes, well, that depends upon what you want to use it for.
I'd suggest a used Icom 746.

I'd also suggest biting the bullet and passing the 5 WPM Morse Code test.
If
you really insist on not learned code, you can wait a bit until the FCC
kills the code requirement -- which appears to be more than likely to
happen
within the next several years. (Note: That comment refers only to what is
likely to happen and speaks neither for nor against code testing).

73

Paul AB0SI

Also note that no one knows when it will happen. If you wait, you'll miss
many months or years of amateur radio activity.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

" wrote in message
news:dtAeb.653304$uu5.106494@sccrnsc04...
"abr" wrote in message ...
Hi, after almost 42 years I have renewed my interest in amateur radio.
I
am
now 57 and am excited about getting into the hobby. I asked the same
question in another (the other) newsgroup and got not much help, one
asked
how I found the group and why I asked this question there,,, not too
friendly.... anyway..... If (when) I get my tech license, is there a
band
I
can work voice that will cover some distance, not just local (I live in
South Dakota) like other states or countries. When I asked this
question
in
the other group, no one answered me. I looked at the arrl site and it
doesn't give me much info on this. And............... what kind of a
rig
would anyone suggest I start out with, used is fine with me as I am not
interested in spending a lot at this point....... and shoot me if you
want
to, I am not really interested in learning code. Well there it is in a
nutshell, I hope someone can be of help to me,, Thank you all so much
for
your time in reading this, Gary Cooper



Welcome back.

50 MHz (6 meters) has occasional "openings" which allow you to work long
distance. However, these openings do not occur every day. Using SSB or
better yet (gasp) Morse Code will be MUCH better for DX than FM. With a
good
antenna system and lots of patience, 144 MHz (2 meters) will occasionally
allow relatively long distance contacts. This is mostly via Morse Code,
however.

As far as a rig goes, well, that depends upon what you want to use it for.
I'd suggest a used Icom 746.

I'd also suggest biting the bullet and passing the 5 WPM Morse Code test.
If
you really insist on not learned code, you can wait a bit until the FCC
kills the code requirement -- which appears to be more than likely to
happen
within the next several years. (Note: That comment refers only to what is
likely to happen and speaks neither for nor against code testing).

73

Paul AB0SI

Also note that no one knows when it will happen. If you wait, you'll miss
many months or years of amateur radio activity.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE