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#11
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![]() "Paul Huff" wrote in message .. . Steve Bonine writes: Whatever else you do, renew your ticket. It's easy and free. When you're 90 days away from expiration, visit the FCC web site and request a renewal. Don't put it off thinking that you're going to upgrade and then end up with no license at all. This is definitely on the agenda, regardless of what happens. Only a couple of more months and I'll be in the 90 day window ![]() quick novice question for you: if I renew and have moved, will they change my call or do I get to keep it? You keep your call sign unless you specifically request a change. Keep in mind that if you request a new sequential call sign that Techs and Generals will receive 2x3 calls as there are no longer any 1x3s available for sequential assignment. By the way, if you don't have an FRN, you need to get one and have it associated with your call. See the Universal Licensing System web page (it's part of the FCC site) on getting one. You should take care of that now. Then you can get a password and renew online. Otherwise you'll have to file paperwork to renew. Dee, N8UZE |
#12
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"Dee Flint" writes:
You keep your call sign unless you specifically request a change. Keep in mind that if you request a new sequential call sign that Techs and Generals will receive 2x3 calls as there are no longer any 1x3s available for sequential assignment. By the way, if you don't have an FRN, you need to get one and have it associated with your call. See the Universal Licensing System web page (it's part of the FCC site) on getting one. You should take care of that now. Then you can get a password and renew online. Otherwise you'll have Great! Thanks for the tip. I just signed up for my FRN, and archived the info, so a month from now when I can renew. Done and done! -Paul |
#13
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"Dee Flint" wrote:
I recently renewed via the W5YI website. I paid them a modest fee for the service ($8.00). It was painless and easy, and they took care of EVERYthing. http://www.w5yi.org/page.php?id=87 Howard N7SO |
#14
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Sorry - Dee didn't write that -- *I* did! ;-)
"Dee Flint" wrote: I recently renewed via the W5YI website. I paid them a modest fee for the service ($8.00). It was painless and easy, and they took care of EVERYthing. http://www.w5yi.org/page.php?id=87 Howard N7SO |
#15
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Paul Huff wrote:
"Dee Flint" writes: By the way, if you don't have an FRN, you need to get one and have it associated with your call. See the Universal Licensing System web page (it's part of the FCC site) on getting one. You should take care of that now. Then you can get a password and renew online. Great! Thanks for the tip. I just signed up for my FRN, and archived the info, so a month from now when I can renew. Done and done! I would like to encourage people who read this and think, "Oh, that must be complicated" to actually go to the FCC web site, as Dee suggested and Paul did, and register. It's a very simple procedure. This is one of those excruciatingly rare occasions when you really do get something for nothing. (Oh, wait. Taxes. Right. I *am* paying for that FCC web site, after all.) 73, Steve KB9X |
#16
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Steve Bonine writes:
Paul Huff wrote: "Dee Flint" writes: By the way, if you don't have an FRN, you need to get one and have it associated with your call. See the Universal Licensing System web page (it's part of the FCC site) on getting one. You should take care of that now. Then you can get a password and renew online. Great! Thanks for the tip. I just signed up for my FRN, and archived the info, so a month from now when I can renew. Done and done! I would like to encourage people who read this and think, "Oh, that must be complicated" to actually go to the FCC web site, as Dee suggested and Paul did, and register. It's a very simple procedure. This is one of those excruciatingly rare occasions when you really do get something for nothing. (Oh, wait. Taxes. Right. I *am* paying for that FCC web site, after all.) 73, Steve KB9X Yeah, I can second that. It took me about 30-45 seconds after I found the link off the arrl.org home page. Just for the permanent record, here's the address you go to: http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home And just follow the instructions there. It took me about 5 minutes start to finish. -Paul, KC8IGJ |
#17
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"Paul Huff" wrote in message
.. . "xpyttl" writes: Yeah, a couple of months back I was looking into buying an HF rig to see if I could have some fun with that, and most of the rigs in my price range looked like they were QRP oriented. Though I _do_ have a great assortment of computer parts lying around, I'm not sure many of them would be useful in building my own rig ![]() According to my map, it's just over 3 hours from your QTH to FDIM. Go to http://www.qrparci.org and sign up for the Thursday events. There will be a paper on micros in homebrewing. There will also be a bunch of great papers. The FDIM activities on Thursday are so good you are kind of disappointed when Friday comes around and it's time for Hamvention! If you can't afford to do the whole, four-day gig, don't miss Thursday. You are pretty close to the two best hamfests around, Dayton in May and Findlay in September. Dayton is kind of a zoo, but there is noplace with so much stuff, and so much opportunity to see stuff. Findlay is far smaller, and far more laid back. It is almost the anti-Dayton. Perhaps for that reason, it is the most enjoyable hamfest. But nothing beats the day before Dayton! Dee mentioned that you should go ahead and get your FRN. This isn't too hard and you can do it right away. Once you have it, you won't believe how easy it is to renew. ... |
#18
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xpyttl wrote:
According to my map, it's just over 3 hours from your QTH to FDIM. Go to http://www.qrparci.org and sign up for the Thursday events. There will be a paper on micros in homebrewing. There will also be a bunch of great papers. The FDIM activities on Thursday are so good you are kind of disappointed when Friday comes around and it's time for Hamvention! If you can't afford to do the whole, four-day gig, don't miss Thursday. You are pretty close to the two best hamfests around, Dayton in May and Findlay in September. Dayton is kind of a zoo, but there is noplace with so much stuff, and so much opportunity to see stuff. Findlay is far smaller, and far more laid back. It is almost the anti-Dayton. Perhaps for that reason, it is the most enjoyable hamfest. But nothing beats the day before Dayton! Getting on the air on a budget: Go to a hamfest and pick up one of the older radios. There are some deals to be had with old hybrid radios. Kenwood made some really nice ones. There are some old Yaesu hybrids out there also. Of course, if you get lucky, there are some deals on more modern ones also. I picked up an Icom IC-745 for 250 dollars at a hamfest. Next get a tuner. MFJ makes some decent HF tuners, and used are pretty inexpensive. Get some ladder line, enough to make it from the shack to wherever your antenna is going to be. Put up as much wire as you can. Feed it, and tune it. My original setup cost me less than 350 dollars to get on the air, and I had 80-10 meter operation (160 too if I didn't mind poor performance. Note: If you want to go REALLY cheap, I picked up a couple of the old single sidebander Heathkits at Dayton last year, mainly to learn about tube radios. 20 Bucks apiece, and they worked. One band only per radio - I got 40 and 80 meters. Dayton is indeed a zoo, but it's a fun zoo. - 73 de Mike KB3EIA - |
#19
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Michael Coslo wrote:
Getting on the air on a budget: Go to a hamfest and pick up one of the older radios. There are some deals to be had with old hybrid radios. Kenwood made some really nice ones. There are some old Yaesu hybrids out there also. Of course, if you get lucky, there are some deals on more modern ones also. I picked up an Icom IC-745 for 250 dollars at a hamfest. Your advice got me to thinking. What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying ham gear at a hamfest, versus buying it on eBay or via the various classified ads? There's no doubt that going to a hamfest is fun. It's a place to meet people, see equipment (both old and new), and generally have a rich social and learning experience. There's likely to be some interesting gear for sale, especially at the larger events. You can see what you're buying, and you don't have to worry about shipping (or the seller just taking your money and not sending the gear). But buying via eBay or classified ad has its advantages, too. You can research the features of the rig, using things like the eHam reviews, to be sure that it really meets your needs. If you're willing to wait, there's a more complete selection of equipment, so if you're in the market for something specific you're more likely to find it. You can check recent sales to build an idea of a "fair price". I'm a bit hesitant to suggest to a new ham that they go to a hamfest and buy equipment. I'm afraid that the equipment-buying experience at a hamfest is too intimidating to a new ham. It requires more knowledge of what's what, and how to size up what's a good deal, than most new hams possess. Now if they have a buddy to help them, that's different. Which gets us back to the point that several have made in this thread -- the importance of making contact with the local ham community. 73, Steve KB9X |
#20
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Steve Bonine wrote:
Michael Coslo wrote: Getting on the air on a budget: Go to a hamfest and pick up one of the older radios. There are some deals to be had with old hybrid radios. Kenwood made some really nice ones. There are some old Yaesu hybrids out there also. Of course, if you get lucky, there are some deals on more modern ones also. I picked up an Icom IC-745 for 250 dollars at a hamfest. Your advice got me to thinking. What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying ham gear at a hamfest, versus buying it on eBay or via the various classified ads? I've had two experiences on Ebay. One buying, and one selling. Both were bad. When buying, the stuff wasn't as advertised, and under selling, the buyer never showed up. Leaving bad feedback isn't much in compensation. There's no doubt that going to a hamfest is fun. It's a place to meet people, see equipment (both old and new), and generally have a rich social and learning experience. There's likely to be some interesting gear for sale, especially at the larger events. You can see what you're buying, and you don't have to worry about shipping (or the seller just taking your money and not sending the gear). I simply love going to Hamfests. The socializing is fun. Lots of bad food to eat too! Lots of interesting people to watch. If I had one complaint, it is that Hamfests are similar to flea markets in that they are starting earlier and earlier. Dayton is one exception, except for Sunday morning. But buying via eBay or classified ad has its advantages, too. You can research the features of the rig, using things like the eHam reviews, to be sure that it really meets your needs. If you're willing to wait, there's a more complete selection of equipment, so if you're in the market for something specific you're more likely to find it. You can check recent sales to build an idea of a "fair price". My XYL has a rule that I like. "On presently manufactured radios, if it isn't 50 percent off new, buy new." On older stuff, if you can't see and touch it, let someone else have it. Nothing like that warranty for me. Collectors will have a different outlook, of course. Your point about Eham is excellent, Steve. In fact, I would suggest anyone who is interested in getting equipment should browse through their reviews. I've spent more than a few entire evenings at their site. I would note to the prospective buyers that they read the reviews in addition to looking at overall ratings. There are some Hams out there who never met a radio they didn't like! ;^) And a few who are really picky. I'm a bit hesitant to suggest to a new ham that they go to a hamfest and buy equipment. I'm afraid that the equipment-buying experience at a hamfest is too intimidating to a new ham. It requires more knowledge of what's what, and how to size up what's a good deal, than most new hams possess. Now if they have a buddy to help them, that's different. Yup, It's always good to have an Elmer with you until you learn the ropes. The Hamfest also has one experience that I really love - even if some don't - the discussion driving the sale. I just love that give and take with the person selling the equipment. Unfortunately, some sellers don't do this, but when I "lock horns" with a seller that knows how to deal, we both have a great time. Which gets us back to the point that several have made in this thread -- the importance of making contact with the local ham community. And how! - 73 de Mike KB3EIA - |
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