[AT] A little Off Topic -amateur licenses

[Don Bowen]

charliehill wrote:
> My main interest in amatuer radio is for emergency communications, most 
> often hurricanes around here but you never know what the future might bring. 
> I don't know enough at this point to decide what kind of equipment I 
> want/need.  I'm interested in local comms and in being able to talk to "the 
> outside world" also in case of emergency.
>   
Briefly.  To talk on the local repeaters (most are in the 4 meter band) 
all you need is a Technician Class License.  License is easy to get, 
test is mostly on safety, rules, and operating.  To get on the world 
wide bands the tech class will allow you a little code space on 10 
meters but for the other bands you need at least a General class license.

The General class test is a little more difficult with more technical 
questions but it is not that hard if you have a basic understanding of 
electronics and RF behavior. There is no longer a code requirement for 
any US FCC amateur license class.

The Extra class is a much more technical test requireing a rather more 
indepth knowledge of electronics and RF.  All tests are from a fixed 
pool of questions and the questions and answers are available.  Good 
sources are the ARRL and Gorden West books plus practice tests all over 
the web.

-- 
Don Bowen           KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html