lisencing

[kg6qpd]

often a times you hear about something about lisencing that goes like this "get kids lisenced". In my opinion this is 99% stupid. The reson is, how will the kid get a radio?
I know this because I'm 11 years old http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif . Unless the kid got interested by a parent, bying equipeptment will be #near imposable! Instead, lisence adults, I say this because adults have money and learning the stuff for the higher exam. In my opinion the stuff for the general test looks imposable. Besides install a 2 meter verticel on the car roof, buy a mobile radio and enjoy rush hour or trafic jam. thiese resones are why adults should go tech.

[N0PU]

Whoa...back up...
You sound frustrated...
Maybe I can give you some hints...

When I was your age, I got radios by finding ways to make money. My family did buy ANY of my Ham stuff... well, I take that back, I got a Hallicrafters S-38D Rcvr for Christmas one year. I collected scrap metal and conned my dad into taking me down to the scrap yard to sell it. He believed in a person earning their own way and charged me 5% of the money I got for the 'hauling' charge. That did two things...

From this I learned:
1. to earn my own money
2. to pay for what I got
3. to do the math and understand what a percentage is

I also weeded people's gardens [I hated that but I wanted a radio] and I cleaned peoples garages, swept walks... In short I wanted a radio and would do whatever it took to get one.

Also I didn't set my eyes on a Collins S line [ The fanciest radio of the time period].. All I wanted was a little Heathkit...

Point is...want what ya can afford...

Also, General Class may be a little tough for you right now. The math may be a little stiff... That's ok.. you're young...got lots of years ahead of you... You'll get there... Have patience...keep reading....keep studying about radio and electronics... NOT just the study questions... Radio and electronics in general...

If ya got questions, ask 'em... we'll answer them for you in the best way we know how... but you have to study too... that is what Ham Radio is all about...learning...

I wish you the best... You'll make it...just keep at it

[K5USS]

Evan,

As Harry said calm down. You passed the first test and you are certain to pass the next if you apply yourself. Yes I know I sound like your parents, but it is true. There are cars to wash, yards to mow, etc, that can help you get your radios. As for the rush hour traffic jam, skip it. There are many people in your area that are hams and will be willing to assist you in learning what there is to know about this hobby. The first person that replied to your post is a darn good start. Harry has a lot of information available on his site that he put there for those of us to learn from.

Join your local ham club, I would be willing to bet that there are more than a few people that belong to the club that would be willing to loan you a radio and "elmer" you along. It takes time and it take patience, but anything can be accomplished if you want to do it.

I to am a tech and will be upgrading soon due to the help and knowledge people on this board, and in my local club, have provided to me. This is not an adults hobby, this is a hobby for any and all who want to enjoy it.

Good luck and I hope I work you in the very near future.

Charlie
KD5USS

[KD7KOY]

You spelled
'license'
'reason'
'buying'
'equiptment'
'impossiable'
'vertical'
'traffic'
'these'
'reasons'
wrong.. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
I'm not coming down on you..but maybe you should concentrate on school instead of ham radio for awhile.
This phonics stuff is not working.. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[n5zvp]

kg6qpd,

Sounds like there are two problems you are facing.

The first is the cost of the equipment. This is a problem that even adults face. You don't need the latest, fanciest rigs that you might see in QST or CQ. There are a gut of decent older rigs out there. I started out in my teens with a AM/FM/SW receiver that had a 8 track tape player built in. It was a Christmas gift from my cousin who was switching his stereos in his house and car to cassettes. I spent a lot of time DXing broadcast stations, SWLing and listening to classic 70's rock. Over time I was able to afford transceivers and gear like computers.

The second problem you face is the material on the General test. I know it looks hard, but actually it's not much harder than that on the Technician test. The main problem is that you are encountering terms and math that you haven't had to face before.

Some suggestions:

1) See if you can find a elmer or mentor. Look at joining a club or finding some ham buddies.

2) Take care of Element 1, the Morse code requirement. It's easier to now when you are young. There is free software available on the internet. Search Google for Koch and G4FON.

3) Work on your writing, reading and math in school. If you find yourself bored, see if you can go to a local library and look for radio books and periodicals or on other subjects that interest you. Write reports and do research for yourself. Keep a log or a daily journal.

4) Use the internet as a resource. There are tons of sites with radio, electronics and other neat information out there.

5) Used scanners and older radios are affordable and sometimes a kind person might be willing to let them go for very little lucre. You can learn a lot from just listening to VHF or shortwave and building simple antennas.

6) Don't be afraid to ask a question or two or twenty.

Take care, you live in a interesting time,

Chris
N5ZVP (soon to be WA5TT)

[ka8jhm]

equiptment ? equipment
impossiable ? impossible

Bob ka8jhm

[kd5scg]

Don't worry, I was 13 when I was first licensed, and my first radio was a hunk of junk Digicom HT. Then, when I upgraded to general, a man named Ron ,NE0X, gave me a hw-16, that was awesome. Now I've got a really nice station (by my standard) with two HF rigs and a 2 meter FM. If an 11 year old were to show up at one of the DRC meetings, I would loan him my TS-520 (which cost only $150) in a flash. Besides, even if you can't get a "nice" radio, get a kit, and learn how to solder. Why don't you try and start a radio club at shool? If you can get every one to give some money, you will be able to afford at least a used HT. Also, do not worry about how hard the general test is, because it isn't hard at all. I nearly had a heart attack when I realized that I forgot a claculator, but it turned out I didn't need it. Just hang in there and don't stop trying.

[K5USS]

Let's cut out the grammatical issues and concentrate on this fellow amateurs issue. I am 36 and still live for spell check. Give him a break and explain to him how he can go forward in this hobby.

KD5USS

[w5alt]

Evan,

First, congratulations on your Technician ticket. That's a good start, but the real fun and challenge is ahead of you! It may be hard to figure out at your age, but I think you need to decide what you want to get out of ham radio. You'll get as much out of it as the effort you put in. And, as others have said, if you want to, you'll learn a lot in the process.

As far as the General exam, don't get too frustrated. The math and electronics part will make sense if you make an effort to study and understand. The rest of it is just rules and terms which you have to memorize, just like the rest of us. Take it a piece at a time and it will come.

When I was your age I had the chance to get my ham ticket - my Dad taught classes and I sat in on quite a few of them, but couldn't see the use for Morse code so never studied until about 9 years later. What a chance I passed up! THis year I've made about 3000 CW QSO's and a couple dozen on SSB/FM, etc. What wisdom I had as an 11 year old! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

At age 11 I went around to garage sales in my neighborhood and bought old, broken radios. Sometimes they gave them to me, since they didn't work. Most of the time I could fix them easily enough - a broken wire or something simple was wrong. Then I sold them to earn money. I didn't fix all of them, but I learned a lot about electronics and (especially) what not to do. My Dad let me use his test equipment while he supervised, but he would never do things for me. By age 14 I had read every electronics, radio and science book in the small, local public library.

When I finally got my Novice ticket (it took me an entire 2 weeks to learn code at 5 WPM - with no help - by listening to a SW receiver), I had no money for radios. I already had a SW receiver and started looking for a transmitter. Someone told me they had a Knight T-60 that didn't work and if I wanted it, it was mine, so I took it. I spent my meal money for a VOM meter and started checking it. I found wires loose, wrong connections, etc. I also got lots of help from local hams. I was away from home, so my Dad couldn't help. In a couple weeks I finally got it working.

For an antenna I found an old motor in a trash bin and salvaged the wire out of it. A Morse key was made from a couple pieces of sheet metal scrap I found and mounted on a piece of wood from a scrap bin. The wire also provided a loading coil wound on a large cardboard tube out of - you guessed it - the trash. I got a box of surplus crystals that were being thrown out and learned how to grind crystals so I could use them on the Novice bands. To grind them I used a piece of window glass someone threw out and some Comet cleanser I begged from a janitor. I soon had a few dozen crystals for 40 and 15 meters. I also saved up my meal money to buy a couple crystals for 80 meters and some parts for a field strength meter. Total investment, maybe $20 in 1970, plus the SW receiver my Dad gave me as a present years before. I proceeded to learn more about antennas and worked all states and about 30 or so countries as a Novice with 75 watts input, crystal controlled.

The point of all this is: If you are really interested, there is always a way to get something on the air. It depends on your interest and efforts. There are lots of older hams that will be happy to help you. Sure there may be some old grouches - don't worry about them. If you can get on the air locally, ask for help. If there is a club in your area, ask for help. You'd be surprised what you might run into.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

73,

[N0WVA]

Get a soldering iron, some perfboard and $20 worth of scrounged or new components and build your station. It might be c.w. only, but any kind of station is better than none at all!. Good hams will stop at nothing to get on the air!

[KA8NCR]

First off, to my colleagues and their problem with the spelling and grammar issues, take a chill pill. #The kid is 11 years old.

Now, with that said. #I cut a whole lotta grass to be able to afford my first rig. #In the mean time, I was lent a HW-7 qrp rig from a generous amateur. #That one act lead me into getting a loaner program going at the local club. #

I suspect you could find someone to loan you a radio.

[kc0kvu]

Not intending to bring up a DeadHorse issue, however the last couple posts make 100% justification for the existance of CW in ham radio. #I may not be an electronics guru yet like Harry (sorry, Harry, only on Module 2) or Glen but it doesn't take a genius to know that CW transceivers are easier to build, operate and troubleshoot than a ssb rig. #In an emergency or financial pinch, getting on the air is the primary focus. #CW provides that.

Note; did not touch on the issue of CW exams so bugger off, trolls....

QPD- #My budget is smaller than the Gross Domestic Product of Antarctica- #I understand your plight. #However, getting your general ticket- even if it takes all summer vacation to study for it- will virtually expand your budget by being able to build your own radios for less than $20. #It's certainly worth the effort.

Adam, KCØKVU

[N0WVA]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc0kvu @ May 25 2003,19:06)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Not intending to bring up a DeadHorse issue, however the last couple posts make 100% justification for the existance of CW in ham radio. #I may not be an electronics guru yet like Harry (sorry, Harry, only on Module 2) or Glen but it doesn't take a genius to know that CW transceivers are easier to build, operate and troubleshoot than a ssb rig. #In an emergency or financial pinch, getting on the air is the primary focus. #CW provides that.

Note; did not touch on the issue of CW exams so bugger off, trolls....

QPD- #My budget is smaller than the Gross Domestic Product of Antarctica- #I understand your plight. #However, getting your general ticket- even if it takes all summer vacation to study for it- will virtually expand your budget by being able to build your own radios for less than $20. #It's certainly worth the effort.

Adam, KCØKVU[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Yes, so start saving some toilet paper tubes for coil forms! Make buddies with the local electric motor repair man, Hit those yard sales and hamfests and fill up the closet with parts. Ive literally made a complete junkbox station in a couple evenings. You can too!

[KD7UKT]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (N0WVA @ May 25 2003,19:11)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Yes, so start saving some toilet paper tubes for coil forms! Make buddies with the local electric motor repair man, Hit those yard sales and hamfests and fill up the closet with parts. Ive literally made a complete junkbox station in a couple evenings. You can too![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Hey, isn't that how the first hams got started? Go warm up the soldering iron!

(Remind me to tell the story of how I learned NOT to pick up a soldering iron from the wrong end one of these days...)

[WA2ZDY]

At age 12 I was collecting shopping carts from the nearby apartment complex and pushing them back to the grocery. I was also washing school buses at the garage where my mother worked. Because I showed a willingness to put forth the effort, my mother did help me.

My first receiver was a Hallicrafters SX140 that would probably even then have qualified as junk in most hamshacks. But it was MY SX140 and all I had. My first transmitter was a single tube - a 6L6 - and it put out 4 whopping watts on 40 meter CW. That was it. CW. No AM/FM/SSB, nothing but CW. That's all Novices were allowed then anyway.

Total investment? I don't even remember now, but not much. $40? I can't tell you. Total payback? Priceless fun for a lifetime.

This is like the thread earlier today where one post said HF is too difficult. It is? I don't remember it that way.

You don't need a TS2000 for $1600. You need anything that will put a legal signal on the air. I'm not suggesting a one tube oscillator. Those days are over (though it would work as well for you as it did for me.) But there are plenty of ways to get on the air, just as I did at age 13. Many of the best ways to do it have already been posted in this thread.

Congratulations on the good start. Now keep the momentum going and move forward. The rewards will be immeasurable.

Good luck.

[kc0kvu]

I gotta add a website to the mix. #Since we've been eluding to homebrew there's a great webpage for the beginner. #They're articles written by KI6DS to ease one into homebrewing through a series of simple projects. #

So You Wanna be a Builder (http://www.qsl.net/nogaqrp/builder/builder.html)

Each project is currently available to order at a very reasonable cost for the monetarily challenged. #Well written walkthroughs and narratives guide you thorugh each kit. #I believe you end up with a CW station complete with tuner and some other essential gadgets. #

Adam

[N0PU]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc0kvu @ May 25 2003,20:06)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I may not be an electronics guru yet like Harry (sorry, Harry, only on Module 2)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Outstanding..
Point is you ARE on module 2...
You wouldn't be THERE if you hadn't started...

If ya need help let me know...

And I'm not a GURU...
There are lots of people out there that know way more than me... I found out long time ago; The more ya know, the more ya'll know ya don't know...

[W1RFI]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ka8jhm @ May 24 2003,18:28)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">equiptment ? # # equipment
impossiable ? # #impossible[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
From what I have seen on various newsgroups and discussion boards, about 75% of those who criticize another's spelling or grammar make a similar mistake of their own. It adds to our reading pleasure. :-)

73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI

[KB1IPK]

Evan,
Above all don't get discouraged. I am 14 years old and I started making money when I was 9 by doing a paper route. Another thing you can think about for making money is to cut lawns. You might wan't to talk to your parents about that because it takes alot of commitment and hard work! I know.
As far as getting a radio, you #can get some good HTs on the classifieds if you look. Another option is to involve yourself in a local radio club. I have heard lots of people on the air in my state talking about all the radios they have collecting dust. Alot of people have multiple HTs and they don't even use half of them and they would probably let you have them for free or close to it. It's worth a try at the very least. An HT is a very good way to get started in Ham Radio cheaply. Don't look at some of the prices of the new stuff and think &quot;wow, that's it! To expensive, I quit!&quot;. It can be discouraging but you start to look around and wola! You can find some great deals and get started in ham radio.
Whatever you do.... Don't get frustrated and whatever else.

73, Jonathan..... kb1ipk

...... okay all you professor word brains out there.... go ahead and correct all my spelling errors!!!!........

[KB1GYQ]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc0kvu @ May 25 2003,22:06)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Not intending to bring up a DeadHorse issue, however the last couple posts make 100% justification for the existance of CW in ham radio[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Really? If you are running QRP, just take an old telephone mic (carbon pile) and put it in series with the supply to the final and a RF choke... AM is easy too. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[w0tdh]

Dumpster diving is an art.

Used to be an old tube type TV would yield the makings of a power supply es a one or two tube xmtr. I find discarded new construction ROMAX. The trick is finding enough of the same size. #I find the covered wire is best when using trees for supports like I have to do. No worry about limbs on the line. My 160 doublet es ho-made two wire 40 mtr beam is made from discarded romax. The author of this thread has a four year head start on me though. #I was an old 15 when starting Ham Radio. #Only thing I can tell him is; #if you hear/see #something moving around in the dumpster with you its time to bail..........retreat til another day http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Tom - K0PJG

[W5HTW]

I choose to differ. If the kid mispelled words, who is going to help him? Apparently not the schools. I don't think criticizing him is necessary, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with pointing out the mispellings of some basic words a 4th grader should know. OK, my wife works at school in upper elementary, grades 5 and 6, so I believe in teaching, not destructively, but instructively.

Sure, we all make typos, and I'm as guilty as anyone, as I get in a hurry and then don't rely upon the spell checker.

I have a feeling there is more to this kid's story than we are reading, for, as some pointed out, he appears very frustrated. Coupled with his poor writing skills, the problem may not be being addressed here, nor should it be.

However, all the hints about earning your own money are great. I'm not sure that's how it's done in today's instant gratification society, but reversing that trend would certainly improve tomorrow's society.

While my own parents never bought any ham radio gear for me, they did help by cosigning a loan for a receiver so I could work and pay it off, which I did. Harder for kids to get credit today, and I was 17 then anyway, not 11. At age 11 I was not aware ham radio existed, but was doing little things like mowing and weeding lawns to earn money for the Saturday movies, or a Coke and fries, or a toy set of some sort. I think that ethic has nearly disappeared, so let's hope the idea of working for and achieving something actually rubs off on the original poster of this thread.

There are ways. I, too, built power supplies, and even a small SW receiver, from parts from old TV sets. Electric salvage places were gold mines.

Look around. Find, beg, borrow, buy. Align with an older ham, even a teenager, with a club affiliation. The key is to open the eyes and find ways, rather than to sit back and kick the dog.

73
Ed

[KD7KOY]

KD5USS..
#Was'nt coming down on the grammer perse..however..my parents taught me that priorities come first..for example school and study. Not concerning themselves with a radio or license.
As for my own children, they would'nt get near a radio until I see the report card..My son just recently acquired his Master's degree in Marine Biology and is presently working off of Guam. He dives sometimes to over 100 feet.
An 'error' at that depth and he is history.
Teach children to pay attention to small things and he will pay attention to larger things. It may save them alot of aggravation later on. May even save his (my son's) life.
I don't think being 'strict' and bringing to his attention errors did him any harm..I suppose times have changed.73

[K2AMB]

when I was your age., I mowed lawns and saved everything I could until I had enough to buy my toys.

[K5USS]

KOY,

I agree with you 100%. I did not want to see this turn into so many of the other topics that lose sight of the issue. I was not pointing at any one individual at all. Just basically saying we need to provide encouragement and support to this lad.

My opinion of what all children's priorities should be are, family, his/her religious beliefs, themselves, education, and then fun and hobbies.

As with you, around my house, you don't play until the priorities and rules are met. Then you are free to pursue your interests. Those are the YL's rules with me too...

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

73,
Charlie
KD5USS

[K9STH]

You can definitely believe Charlie. He and a friend stopped by my house yesterday afternoon and his YL called to make sure that he was behaving himself!

By the way, I'm well trained. When my wife says jump, I ask how high on the way up and permission to come down! With a wife and three daughters, one gets &quot;well trained&quot; where women are concerned in a very short time.

Glen, K9STH

[kd5icr]

Hey Evan Dont get all bummed at 36 years old with a job I cant pay some of the cost of the radios that are out there. I have been a ham for 4 years and I was lucky I gat my first radio for 100 bucks. A 2 meter fm only. And a 2m mag mount for $50. a deal for me. that was all I had for almost a year then I lost my job and got one at a Ham Radio store It was to good to be true.That said,
I can tell you DONT GIVE UP!! It will happen in time summer is here,Work for it,go out and do some small jobs, I bet your mom and dad can find a few friends that need some work done around the house.And with a month of work and the money you make I know you will find a radio that will do what you want. Take your time after all this is a hobby and you have 10 years before you have to renew. Learn the code get good, take the test I bet you pass no-problem.Then you have a year to take the general.After that you can go higher if you want,or stay right were you are.You will have more elbow room in the general band than you could use.Heck at 36 I have a harder time with code than any other part.
I ask for help all the time. Ateacher told me once that:
&quot; the only stupid question is the one you did not ask&quot;


And another way to got information is to go to yahoogroups and look for ham list that you get into.Just like this list you ask a question be ready for information overload http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Just remember these things:
Study code
Take your time
Ask questions
And the most important thing is, HAVE FUN
73
KD5ICR (aka) Bill

[WA7KKP]

Just keep your eye on the goal and hustle a bit to get some money together. Then head for a hamfest with a nicely stocked flea market. I bet you can pick up a nice Heathkit HW100/101 for very little. Even less if it doesn't work.

Then with help from a technically minded ham, fix it. Yes, I said, FIX IT. You will discover that most problems are quite simple, and a little sweat equity in the gear makes you appreciate your accomplishments even more.

I've been a ham 35 years now, and I get stuff given to me all the time -- all it takes is a little snooping and scrounging.

Ham radio (in spite of the ads in the mags) is not an expensive hobby. Just know what you're getting, and don't be afraid to pop the top and venture inside. Hams have been doing that for years.

Gary Hildebrand WA7KKP
St. Joseph, MO

[Stevenjuke]

&quot;There are cars to wash, yards to mow, etc, that can help you get your radios.&quot;

Hold everything, I know you all have good jobs so a radio my not seem that much to you, but to a 11 year old kid it is. Suppose a kid just got his tech ticket and he wanted a icom T90a, well that cost 279.00 and a mic and a 2 hour charger, that price just went up to 390.00 dollars. Thats alot of money, what I'm trying to say is this hobby does cost alot of money to be. In this world of High Techology there is no way you can build a radio without being in a factory in Japan.

So yes it is hard for a kid to break in this hobby.

[kd5icr]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Stevenjuke @ June 07 2003,21:07)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">&quot;There are cars to wash, yards to mow, etc, that can help you get your radios.&quot;

Hold everything, I know you all have good jobs so a radio my not seem that much to you, but to a 11 year old kid it is. #Suppose a kid just got his tech ticket and he wanted a icom T90a, well that cost 279.00 and a mic and a 2 hour charger, that price just went up to 390.00 dollars. #Thats alot of money, what I'm trying to say is this hobby does cost alot of money to be. #In this world of High Techology there is no way you can build a radio without being in a factory in Japan.

So yes it is hard for a kid to break in this hobby.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Not true!
I bet if you looked you could find an older 2m or 440 HT from radio shack for well under 150.All you have to do is look a little.After all, if the time can be spent to study than a little time can be used looking for a deal.eBay comes to mind as well as the swap meet here on qrz.And there are other ways as far as batteries like a dry cell battery case ect... I say you dont have to spend mega bucks on a radio to get on the air.
73
KD5ICR
Bill