Another Ham Radio Course Starts June 4th in Delta

[Amateur Radio Dude]

If you missed the last one here is one being held by my club in Delta.

http://www.deltaamateurradio.com/course09.htm

[TardisDeli]

Hi Deli-holics,

This "ham" Amateur Radio course is from a Delica owner (in fact his Delica is almost identical to the TardisDeli, except he has even more antennas than we do). This course is a great price, about half price of others.

Ham is a great way to communicate with Delica's, just add an antenna on to the funky Delica mirror arms, and install a cheap old radio in the lower part of the double din radio slot, and presto. Recently Erebus and TardisDeli were chatting about 15 kilometres apart on the Chilliwack Forestry Roads (versus about half a kilometre apart with FRS radios).

Cheers, Christine of the TardisDeli.

From their Website:

Basic Amateur Radio Course Basic Amateur Radio Course
Presented by The Delta Amateur Radio Society
Dates 7:00 - 9:30 pm Thursday June 4 & Friday June 5
8:00 - 2:30 pm Saturday June 6
7:00 - 9:30 pm Thursday June 11 & Friday June 12
8:00 - 2:30 pm Saturday June 13, includes exam at no additional cost.
Location North Delta Public Safety Building 11375 84th Ave., Delta.
Lots of free parking in the large lot behind the building with the rec. center.
Students should also bring a three ring binder plus a pen.

Be involved in Amateur Radio: make new friends around the world or around the block; be part of your community in various events or emergency situations. Be part of a fun and exciting hobby.
Questions or to register email. Registration is not complete until payment is received. Details of how to pay will be sent via email upon registration.

[Profister]

The timetable is absolutely confusing:

8:00 - 2:30 pm Saturday June 6

I understand it as 8:00 am - 2:30 pm

7:00 - 9:30 pm Thursday June 4 & Friday June 5

Is this 7:00 am or 7:00 pm?

[Erebus]

ya, I would guess that the weekday ones are evening only. <rant on> Why don't people use the 24 hour clock to eliminate the confusion? Then you wouldn't have the confusion of things like "midnight Thursday". Is that at the beginning of Thursday or then end? <rant off>

Yes, ham is a great tool when in the back country with others. On Deli meets if groups split up, you can stay in contact. (Especially when the antennas are properly connected to the radios, as both Christine and I found out!)

Takes a bit more effort to learn than FRS or GMRS, but way more useful too. When travelling, and you are in a strange city, you can (if you did your homework and got the repeater frequency) call for directions, help, a chat, restaurant recommendations, etc.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[maw]

A few questions...

- "Ham" just means 'amateur radio operators' right?
- Does this course instruct how to use CB radios correctly?
- Does Canada/BC require users of CB radios to be licensed?
- What is the cost of radio/antenna/installation for mid to high range equipment?

Thanks.

[Erebus]

A few questions...

- "Ham" just means 'amateur radio operators' right?
- Does this course instruct how to use CB radios correctly?
- Does Canada/BC require users of CB radios to be licensed?
- What is the cost of radio/antenna/installation for mid to high range equipment?

Thanks.

1) yes, ham and amateur are the same thing.
2) the courses tend not to teach you how to use ANY radios, they aim to have you pass the test. They won't cover operating procedures, nor now to physically set your radio (since each one is different). Once you have the licence, you will have to figure out how to use a radio on your own. Best bet is to hook up with some experienced hams and bug them. Many clubs have a Wed. evening or Sat morning coffee klatch at a mall food court or restaurant. Helping out on a public service event (radio for say, MS walk) is another good way to learn.
3) CB, GMRS and FRS radios do not need a licence in Canada, GMRS requires license in the USA. In Canada, land mobile radios need licence of radio by owner. Ham, marine, and air radios require the operator to have a licence, the radio itself does not need a licence.
4) cost? Sky is the limit. But an okay single band radio will be about $200, antenna about $50, installation you can do yourself, or ask someone technical to help.

The radio on my current wish list is a Yaesu 8900 VHF/UHF (and 10- and 6-metre) and costs about $600. It does cross-band repeat, which I consider important. My current radio (icom) I bought 10 years ago second hand, can't remember the price. I recommend staying away from Kenwood, many of their bits and pieces are incompatible with everything else, and they've been having quality issues lately. Icom, Yaesu (Standard), Alinco are good. Doesn't hurt to buy the same as the guy who you will be bugging with questions, since modern transceivers have way too many features, and the manuals are often obtuse.

Many ham clubs have fleamarkets once or twice a year, keep an ear out. Check it out. Ask around for advice, listen to lots, then make up your mind what to get.

Once suggestion is to get a cheap VHF, use it a while, and then you will have a better idea of what you might want. Maybe the cheap single-band will suffice, if not then you have a second radio to lend out or as backup.

Hope this helps.

Erebus the licenced ham <groan>

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