ham license
NOW YOU'RE A HAM -- WHAT'S NEXT?

As many as 80% who pass the exam, NEVER become active. They may (1) be uneasy about talking on the radio, (2) not know the frequencies in their area, or (3) not know how to obtain or operate a radio. Here are some keys.

GO TO A LOCAL RADIO CLUB

The "pros" know the best choices by real experience. Don't "go it on your own."

  • Satellite Amateur Radio Club, www.satellitearc.com
  • Cal Poly Amateur Radio Club, www.w6bhz.org
  • Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, www.sbarc.org
  • Santa Ynez Vally Amateur Radio Club, www.syv.com/hams
  • Santa Cruz Amateur Radio Club K6BJ, www.k6bj.org
  • SLOECC, www.sloecc.org

GET ON A LOCAL 2M REPEATER

Ask on the air or at a club meeting what to buy. The experienced hams know. It takes a little experience to know what you'll be happy using regularly.

Here some local repeaters near Santa Maria area. Many congregate on the highlighted one below.

  • 146.670 (-) 127.3 Tasajara Peak, San Luis Obispo
  • 146.700 (-) 127.3 View Hill, Arroyo Grande,
          Monday night on-air get-together, 7:30 PM
  • 146.800 (-) 127.3 Cuesta Peak, San Luis Obispo
  • 147.120 (+) 131.8 Vandenberg AFB, Lompoc
  • 147.000 (+) 131.8 Broadcast Peak, Santa Barbara County

YOUR FIRST CONTACT

  •  Pick a repeater and just listen for a few days.
  •  Be patient, repeaters are not active 24 hours a day. Midday, most are quiet.
  •  Wait until you hear a conversation (a QSO). Then "tail end" it. That is, make note of a callsign and then give that station a call, eg: W6XXX (their callsign) then KJ6XXX (your callsign).
  •  Say that you are new, They'll welcome it.
  •  Or break an ongoing conversation. At a "lull," simply say "break" and release the mike button.
  •  Ham radio is like any other public conversation. You don't have to "talk "tekky."

HOW TO FIND YOUR NEW CALLSIGN

Normally within a week to ten day, the FCC will post your callsign. As soon as you know it, you may go on the air.
Check the following Web Sites. Search by last-name-first.

  •  http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp
  •  http://www.arrl.org/
  •  http://www.qrz.com/