2M Recommendations For Beginners Please!

[TACODOC]

I ordered the book from Amazon: Arrl Ham Radio License Manual http://www.amazon.com/Arrl-Ham-Radio...5848526&sr=8-1

Maybe I can have my license and 2M up in time for Death Valley.

[texas taco]

Like lost Canadian I also read Scotts article on dual bands. I have passed my test. I recomend to suck it up and try to take the next ham class put on by your local ham club. They teach the test. You also can lean other things to. Warning-----it can be very boring, but it is a breaze to pass if taken. Before I had taken the class months earlier i purchased a Yeasu 7800 with a Larsen dual band antenna because it seemed the most bang for my buck. It was about 300 dollars from HRO. One day you will want to use 70 cm, so buy what your license will allow you to use. You will not be dissapointed. I am very pleased with my radio. The only thing I wish it did was dual recieve, but thats no big deal just an unneeded want. Good luck. Once you go ham you wont go back!!!

[PhulesAU]

www.QRZ.com all tests on line.

[1leg]

I recommend Gordon West's book. I bought mine at fry's. I studyed it for about a week an half before the test. I have zero electrical knowledge and i passed only missing 2 question.

[viatierra]

www.QRZ.com all tests on line.

I passes last Saturday at 7pm. I started reading the book at 11am. I finished the first chapter which was nice intro to get my brain in the right frame. Then I went to the above website and worked through the sample tests. Just with my general knowledge and luck I scored in the 60's. You need a 74% (27 of 35) to pass. Then I went back and retook each test and easily got 100% on each. I took the first 9 tests. When I took the real test that night I scored 33 of 35 and recognized every question but 2. They don't tell you which problems you miss but...

My advice is to go for it. You have a pretty technical head so it will not be too difficult. Go to the website and work through a few tests. The book is handy to answer all the questions that pop up down the line.

[TACODOC]

OK, radio selection is fairly straightforward. Antenna selection / mounting is not nearly so easy. I have started another thread just for this...

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=10411

[Desertdude]

Dave, I will make this a sticky to help other members find the FAQ info.

[TACODOC]

Dave, I will make this a sticky to help other members find the FAQ info.

Thanks Pasquale!

[p1michaud]

OK, radio selection is fairly straightforward.

Tacodoc,
Great thread! I'm currious what radio you selected. I'll take a guess that it's a dual band, either a Yaesu FT-7800 or Yaesu FT-8800. I've finally convinced 4 people from our group to switch over to 2m from CB so we are all going to purchase our equipment at the same time. They are leaning towards the Yaesu FT-2800 but from what I'm reading here, I may try and convince them to go with another unit.

Cheers ,
P

[1leg]

My .02
A dual band is better. I gives you more Freq. and more repeaters. The IRLP node near my location is @ 449.300. I'm very happy with the yaesu 7800. Remote mount head. I don't think the 2800 has it. Plus i would split the cost between the 4 of you and get the programming disk and cable. Makes for loading repeater easy. Ham radio outet has a deal somtimes that you can get the remote head kit for free with purchase of the 7800. that's what I did.