BTW - Way back when the FCC did not allow a PO box. They rejected the application for my novice license with some statement about "since you will not be operating the transmitter from the PO box". I had to file an amendment with my physical street address. This was WAY before the Internet and the online license search, but at that time your address did get published in the Callbook.
Well done! Congratulations. As a Volunteer Examiner I apologize for the VEs who were talking. That was not professional. Excellent comment about your address. Best wishes for General! AE7CA.
Congrats Becky. I got my license in mid June of 2020. I bought the same technician study guide, and when I was getting near the end of it I ordered the general class study guide and passed both exams on the same day. Have fun with the hobby. 73s from NE Ohio. KE8OPY Dave. aka Opy (oapy)
Congrats Becky on getting your license. and welcome to Ham Radio . I have been licensed since 1965 .Got extra class a few years ago. I was a DX station twice On Diego Garcia. call there was VQ9WB. exciting hobby ; know you will enjoy the years to come..!!! DE wa9neu ...............
Congratulations. I got my licence this year. I’m in Australia my callsign is VK2FABR. I can access EcoLink so if you ever want to talk to the Newcastle/Central Coast area look up VK2RNC in the repeater book and look for this repeater RX frequency 146.97500 MHz I personally find using EcoLink easier on the app but the initial set up has to be done on PC or Mac or Linux you need to send through either a screenshot or a photo of your licence to be validated for EcoLink and there is a small fee. It takes time for people to connect to EcoLink so if you call in hang around for 5 minutes before you disconnect
Congratulations and welcome to ham radio! There are so many things you can do with it using different modes and frequencies and meeting new people on the air. I got my ticket at age 13 in 1977 and have had so much fun and have met so many people over the years and still enjoy it as much as I did when I first started and it is changing all the time with technology. Have fun with radio and 73...Larry, wd0akx
Hi Becky, I am James K0UA, I work mostly HF, a lot of digital but a fair amount of CW and SSB also. I like to hang out on 40 meter SSB at night and look for DX, but I wind up working a lot of US stations also when I just call CQ. if you hear me, don't hesitate to give me a call when you get that general. I live in SW Missouri and 40 meters at night would be ideal as I work a lot of folks in your area. 73, and welcome to Ham Radio. James K0UA
I found your your video refreshing, like something or someone missing from a room. Thanks for posting it. Now I can continue my Technician/General studies.
Well, I finished my Swedish license Wednesday tgis week and just waiting for the paperwork to come clear. We're not allowed too transmit anything until the license is approved by SSA/PTS exception for the free bands like CB, PMR and 69MHz which is a great band with maximum TX of 25W no restrictions on antennas what so ever. NYC you say, than you should tune in 17,2 kHz, yes kilo hertz because the old transmitter in Grimeton transmit a couple of times every year 24dec is one date I believe. They send morse code with the same transmitter that connected Sweden and the US in the early 1900.
Good job on getting your Technician license. I got mine in 1996. KB0VQP. I have a Yaesu FT - 65 , Dual Band Handheld. Last May 9th , I took the General test at the Denver Masonic Temple. Passed. Bought a IC 7300 HF radio from Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) , in Denver , CO. Still need the buy a power supply , and an HF antenna. Oh , I bought the General Study book written by ARRL. I see you got your Technician book from them. Cost $ 32 , but , worth it..
Welcome Becky to the ham radio community I was license myself in 1990 and I am 63 years old I did not have any electronic background our understanding unlike you have fun hope to hear you on the year 73 from Roy in Massachusetts K1 Roy
You'd be surprised how well even a simple twin-feed J-pole antenna will enhance a handset's transmission range. Though I'm partial to a rectangular loop antenna. It's basically a folded dipole that's pulled apart, which changes the characteristic impendence from ~270 ohm to 50 ohm for a better HT match. It's also slightly directional. I made one for 440 MHz by drilling tiny holes in an acrylic sheet for the rectangle corners, then stringing 20 gauge wire through the holes. Altogether it's less than a square foot. And if you want some fun, you can always listen to the NYPD and FDNY on that radio. You can even program it in CHIRP to disable transmitting on those freqs, in case you accidentally hit the PTT button.
I actually purchased a couple of radios the uv9r by boa thing mostly cuz I just want a good radios for myself and my wife and we play Airsoft I had no idea that we were going to have to get ham radio operator license is just to use them though that part caught me off-guard so anyway we're currently waiting on the radios to come in and starting to now look into the testing I guess
Welcome to Ham Radio, Becky! I got into ham radio when I was 12 and have enjoyed it ever since. Once you get your General ticket, you're going to have a lot of fun with digital modes.
I’m thinking of trying this hobby and getting a license because I can pick up people on my walkie talkie and obviously I can’t reply because it’s not strong enough but I don’t really know where I can get a license
@@HomebrandFishfood, It is easy. You can start by studying material at a free site like hamstudy.org. Then, look up local clubs in your area. They will organize testing sessions and support to help you get started. Ham radio people love to help a beginner. Prepared to be overwhelmed by tons of people willing to help. Google "arrl find club" to find a club. A local ham in our area (and club president of a large club here) put together a full website if you need additional resources: noji.com/hamradio/hamradio.php
Welcome to the hobby and 73! Good luck on your General exam. I went from no license to Amateur Extra in three months. You can do it! Ken in Alabama, KO4AXN
Congrats Becky! N6KV, I'm an Ex NYer, Born in Brooklyn Raised in Queens (was 9 months old when we moved to Woodhaven.) My Call back then was KA2KSR in 1980, I moved to New Hamshire in 1982 I got the Call N1DHD. I went down to the FCC Office at Varick St in Manhattan after I got my Novice, I took the 13 WPM General code test but flunked it by one Question but I took the General theory and Passed so I got a Tech Licence which was 100 Question (when they upgraded the Tech Lic to only 50 Question in the early 1990s my lic class was called Tech Plus, in 2000 the FCC dropped the 13WPM and 20 WPM code requirement for General, Advanced and Extra, I was upgraded to General (grandfathered in), in 2003 I studied for the Extra Class and upgraded. I just got my call N6KV last year I waited for over 2 yrs to get it. I'm an Extra Class. I just moved out (this past July) of the Mt. Shasta Area of California to Klamath Falls, OR, and brought a double wide manufactured home I went from 425sf apartment to 1300sf. my two daughters are Hams too in NH as is my son-in-law.
Congrats and welcome to the ham radio community. There's so much to learn and do related to the hobby - building radios and antennas (including Arduino or Raspberry Pi based projects), different modes (digital/data modes, CW, SSB), frequencies with long-range propagation characteristics, contests, portable operating games/challenges (POTA and SOTA), etc. It's a lifetime worth of geek fun, and you don't have to be an old guy to enjoy it. Have fun with the hobby, and I hope to catch you on the bands some time.
Great job, de AD0G. I always enjoyed the technical, building, and testing side of ham. It did a lot to get me comfortable with electronics projects and in general helped me with answering "does it work like it should" rather than "did I build it like I planned".
Hi Becky, congratulations on passing. You inspired me to take my test here in the UK, and I passed last week, now I am trying to beat you to the general test! Thanks again, and have fun. Lord Richard
I was a Radioman in the Navy in the 70s. I was always interested in getting an FCC license for ham radio but got sidetracked. I’m going to look into this. Thanks.
Congrats on your license. My call is N2BMU. I am the former Net Manager for the Big Apple Traffic Net as well as the former NLI (NYC and LI) Section Traffic Manager. I gave up those spots when I retired in 2013 and moved upstate to the Adirondacks. I've been a HAM since 1979
Just came across your video here, first off, congratulations on getting your license and welcome to the hobby!!!! I've been into radio for twenty plus years, but a HAM for five.....its a never ending learning experience, and just you wait until you get into digital modes, oh boy!! Good luck on getting your general class license and hope to work your station in the near future.... 73s de KC3FOI
Congrats on entering the Money pit of a Hobby :) I suggest you look into getting a TYT UV8000E Handi Talkie. Its a ten watt radio and alot better then a Baofeng. And Welcome to the hobby. Okay the F8 is a very good radio. I've had one for a few years. Now for some accessories, A Speaker/Mic, so you don't have to hold your radio. A Abbree 18.8 inch long antenna, will improve reception and transmission. A 3600 mAh battery pack. Too replace the 2000 mAh battery the radio comes with. Now if you want to use this in your car, get the Battery Eliminator. And a external Magnetic mount dual band 2m/70cm antenna. And good luck. I fyou have any questions, let me know. KI7BSL. I suggest the Arrow Open Stub J-pole antenna. I've had one for a few years and it works great. If your going to do that, you will need to find a 12 volt deck top power supply. I think you can order a good one from Radio shack.
I let my Advanced (no longer available) license expire log ago. I read somewhere that if you can prove you had a license before and pas the Tech exam, they'll restore me to General. Don't know if that's true or not. But I have call books with my licenses listed in them, which proves I had a license.
Congratulations. Getting that outdoor antenna is always fun. Where I live there aren't any visible antennas, so I use an Elk LPDA VHF/UHF in the attic. For HF I use a stealthy end-fed wire strung through the trees along a fence line. Details on my QRZ page. 73 de N3TS
For some listening fun, tune in to the local public works frequencies during a huge snowstorm. It's both interesting as you can easily track the operations and quite funny when you hear all the weird stuff that happens to the plow operators during those times (like when they call out to have somebody bring them a shovel because they're stuck with the tractor... yes, it happens).
Congrats de NE6RD. Even a mag mount on a cookie sheet will help in your apartment. In the city, 2M repeaters will work alot better. Pick up a NanoVNA to check the antennas coax you purchase. I have not been impressed with some of the cheap stuff. Get a dummy load so you can test the coax for the long run to your roof.
VE3YRG here from southern Ontario, Canada. Got my license in Dec 2019 and as a Basic with Honours in Canada I can do both VHF and HF. Just need to get an antenna put up for HF.
Congrats from Brazil. Eventually you'll find on DMR. My callsign is PU1OWL. If you don't know what DMR is, it is a digital mode that can connect you to foreign repeaters. It is fun to play with!
congrats Becky on getting your Ham license. my name is Kreesan i am from south africa and i don't know where in my country to get my ham license so please help me to study for my ham exam if its not to much trouble
Great job Becky!! You might want to look into DMR radio. DMR is a more affordable way to enter the digital world of amateur radio. You should look into building a hot spot, a Pi-Star maybe. Just a thought, it's kinda fun to build.
Hi Becky, I just received the products that you listed and currently charging the battery for the radio. I now have my license and I am now KF5VTI. Would you have recommendations on programming the radio? Is it Difficult to do?
@@BeckyStern took the test and got my call sign, same day ... KD2UPK ... I'll catch u on the repeaters once I figure out which ones my tiny antenna will reach ... I see a fair bit of roof time in my future.
Exciting times! I think the buzz from your first license is the headiest. This is my 50th year and I still love it, but not in the same visceral way- unless it's a new piece of DX!
Technician class here, 20 years. I like microwaves! I build microwave transverters, test gear, antennas, etc. There's nothing wrong with using an HT to check in to repeaters; I just like building more. You might want to check out the digital modes like JT65. Who knows, you might get into portable VHF moonbounce! Ham radio today covers lots and lots of technologies. Very cool. 73 de KC2HIZ
Congrats on your license and welcome to the hobby! I've been a ham for over 30 years and there are lots of different things that you can get into! I've always been more interested in the more technical areas of the hobby. I started out in the 90s doing packet radio and working amateur satellites. Then I got into radio direction finding and building RDF gear and antennas. Lately I've been into weak signal microwave communications where you have to build all your own equipment and antennas in the GHz bands. EME (bouncing signals off the moon) is next on my list!
Congrats Becky! Be sure to upgrade and get HF privileges; that's where the fun really starts IMHO. Looking forward to your insights into a hobby with so many different aspects to explore. Vy 73
Congrats de KD9MED. I tested and landed a General license. A year and half later, I'm working towards my Extra. There is a lot of interesting things happening in Amateur Radio, and I'm sure you'll find it a rewarding hobby. You might want to look into getting an HF rig, like the Xiegu G90, to explore the HF bands with. My primary means of communication is CW, the original digital mode ;-) 73!
congratulations Becky , i got that wonderful buzz of been told i passed my foundation on 27th June this year . studying hard for my 2i0 now , hope to heat you on air down the line . 73 , stay safe James MI7LAJ .
Great work. Id super recommend upgrading to a general class license. Having HF privileges on bands like 20 and 40 meters open the door for daily worldwide propagation. I talk to friends up and down the east coast every night on 80 meters. Tech privs are fine, but still rely heavily on infrastructure like repeaters (and generally the content is somewhat unexciting, at least for me). Everything changed for me when I got the general.
I got my license during lock down myself. I started out with a handheld Anytone for DMR. Also had a extra pi around so got me a DMR hat for it and use it as a DMR hotspot so I can listen in anywhere in the world using it. Seems overwhelming the amount of stuff you can do with a ham radio. But for now I'm just sticking to DMR. Also look into getting digital radio and a hotspot then you don't need a huge antenna outside to talk to anyone around the world, or just listen in at first. But congrats, people are always saying we need more hams.
Hiya Becky, I just took and passed the UK foundation licence and passed, it's the beginners level, but in the UK, we can use HF on the foundation licence but are restricted to 10watts. What are the restriction on your USA first licence? Congratulations by the way 👍
Congrats Becky ! Becoming a ham was a kid's dream. When I was 12, I was already interested in radio stuff. One of my grandfather's friends was a ham and I went once to his home. He made some contact with a Russian ham, and I was immediately hooked. He has a really huge Yagi antenna. 20 years later I passed my licence (highest one in Belgium). I just read an excellent book from Olivier Pilloud, and that's all I needed to pass it. One of my dreams came true :) I'm pretty sure you will pass the general licence with ease. 73's from ON4SSC.
Congratulations. I am W1GCF - go for the Extra too. Don't fear the math. You can bring in an advanced scientific calculator, even programmable (recommend one with polar to rectilinear conversion). The proctors will simply ask you to clear it fully so it is a good idea to bring a copy of the manual page on clearing fully, factory reset or whatever. I am a VE or "Proctor" as you refer to it. The main privilege of Extra other than a few more frequencies is that you can operate in most of the Americas, Europe, NATO countries, Australia and New Zealand without further fees or applications. Just bring your passport and a copy of the treaty (available from the ARRL). The Extra is harder but you will find the General to be just as big a step as it was up to Technician. BTW - you can operate a radio under the supervision of someone licensed whether you are licensed or not.
I'm glad you're not stopping at Technician. And I hope you will be exploring radio beyond the FM repeater ghetto. There's a whole world out there, and so many modes to pursue. It would be a shame if you only talked to the same people day in and out. You can vastly improve your signal on the HT by using a 'rat tail' counterpoise. This is extremely simple to make, and very effective. Another 'trick' is to put a mag mount antenna on a metal cookie sheet. This does the same thing as the 'rat tail'. It provides a 'counterpoise' which is the missing part of the antenna. The 'rubber duck' antenna on the HT tries to use your body as it's counterpoise, but you can easily see how you body is not well coupled to the antenna, nor tuned to match it. The 'rat tail' will serve you well, wherever you use that radio. The mag mount antenna tries to use your vehicle as it's counterpoise, but it is also not directly coupled. For this reason a more permanent mount where the base of the antenna mount is grounded to the vehicle at the mounting point is very effective. However, vehicles aren't made of steel like they used to be. Best good fortune to you. I'm keen to see if you progress in amateur radio. Would love to see you build cool stuff, like a low cost, low power easily deployed WSPR transmitter that you can follow on WSPRR.net, PSKReporter and so forth. For around $100-200 you can build out something very satisfying and both see and record signals from around the world on less than a watt. Just toss a long wire out your window and watch the magic happen. You might also enjoy fiddling with balloon born radios. Likewise, for under $100-200 you can launch your very own very low orbit satellite that you can track in real time on a site like habhub.com. Very best regards from K6OJ
Welcome to the hobby Becky. Only two more license levels to go! HF is going to generate some amazing stories to tell about antennas and tips-n-tricks for those in a city.
Congrats! I took my tech & general on the same day a couple years ago. Upgraded to Extra last month just before the stay at home orders started. Stay safe! 73 de K2RCB
Congrats!!! I started with the Baofeng. If you stay in the hobby you will find that there are many many different things to do. If you haven't tried it you may consider amateur satellite from the roof of your building. I got central america from Texas on 5 watts. 73!!! de KE5ES
Welcome to the world of Ham Radio, Becky! Congratulations on your new license and callsign. As my dear, late, Elmer, Millard, K9DIY (SK) told us many times, it is a hobby, and a service. I urge you to find a nearby active club and join. You can learn a lot from the older Hams. Adventure awaits you! 73, N9PTG
Congrats on getting your ticket! For practice tests and flash cards, I highly recommend hamstudy.org. When I was studying about four years ago, I discovered that the ARRL practice test site saves passwords in clear text. I saw your video on attaching an antenna to your building, but don't forget you also have digital modes such as D-Star and DMR (based on Motorola's MOTOTRBO); you can get a hotspot (search for things like Zumspot and MMDVM) and transmit from anywhere you have internet. Echolink is another way to get in the air; it lets you use software on your phone or computer to remote control repeaters over the internet). 73 from W4NAI!
@@oldladyme I used a app called HRE-General and the arrl book to help . then when I was taking the practice quiz and test i would memorize everything that I didn't understand.
congrats Becky, I'm an ex-New Yorker (Queens). my call in NYC was KA2KSR and got my Lic back in 1980. I moved to NH in 1982 I got the call N1DHD, I live in Northern CA near Mt. Shasta. I just got a Vanity call in 2019, which I been waiting for it over 3 yrs. My Call now is N6KV I am an Extra Class, I am moving in 2 months up to Klamath Falls I just brought a house there. I've been in CA since 1999. maybe we contact you when you upgrade to General. My oldest daughter and her Husband are hams too in NH. Once I set up my station there we are going to have a skid to talk over HF. 73's & 88's
About the HAM test... Why take a test for building a radio or antenna? When you buy them ready to go. I think the FCC needs to change with the times. We need a test for plug in and go. Thanks
Nicely done! You definitely need to get your General license since you live on the east coast. Even if you go portable with a very modest setup, you will be able to work into Europe pretty easily based on your geographic location. Just get out of the city/urban/suburban areas where the nose is less. 73 ES GL DE KC9EHQ
Over the month of March 2020, interest in Amateur Radio has increased. I'm studying for the General Class license exam too. Good luck on the General Class exam Becky.
Congrats!! I’m sure you will pass your general in no time. You have just entered one of the most interesting hobbies that also provides multiple communication modes in time of emergencies. Good luck and 73 de Roger W8RLP
Nicely done! ... This sort of thing brings me back to the ol CB radio days. It's more or less dead here in Scotland. I want to get my licence but I am dyscalculiac (number version of dyslexia) though I can do very basic sums, if there are too many numbers in front of me (on paper or display screen) or if I have to memorize several numbers and/or a math sequence along with it, my brain goes into scramble mode and sometimes anxiety attack. I don't know if a lot of numbers are involved in learning and are required to pass and get your licence. I really would love to get back on the airwaves again.
Congratualtions on the license, KJ7LYB. Hope you get your general soon and have some fun on the air!
Congrats Becky! Get on the air and have some fun!
This guy right here helped me get my license with the crash course! Congrats, Becky! -KD9YOZ
BTW - Way back when the FCC did not allow a PO box. They rejected the application for my novice license with some statement about "since you will not be operating the transmitter from the PO box". I had to file an amendment with my physical street address. This was WAY before the Internet and the online license search, but at that time your address did get published in the Callbook.
Well done! Congratulations. As a Volunteer Examiner I apologize for the VEs who were talking. That was not professional. Excellent comment about your address. Best wishes for General! AE7CA.
Congrats Becky. I got my license in mid June of 2020. I bought the same technician study guide, and when I was getting near the end of it I ordered the general class study guide and passed both exams on the same day. Have fun with the hobby. 73s from NE Ohio. KE8OPY Dave. aka Opy (oapy)
Congrats Becky on getting your license. and welcome to Ham Radio . I have been licensed since 1965 .Got extra class a few years ago. I was a DX station twice On Diego Garcia. call there was VQ9WB. exciting hobby ; know you will enjoy the years to come..!!! DE wa9neu ...............
Super cool. I am starting my HAM radio journey. Glad I found your channel.
I am studying for the general exam also.
Awesome, hope you have your general by now. I remember well the day I passed my Extra. For me, it's tuning a long wire that iI enjoy.
Pretty cool. I’m on Long Island and think I’m going to get started in the process for the same reasons as you.
Congratulations. I got my licence this year. I’m in Australia my callsign is VK2FABR. I can access EcoLink so if you ever want to talk to the Newcastle/Central Coast area look up VK2RNC in the repeater book and look for this repeater RX frequency 146.97500 MHz I personally find using EcoLink easier on the app but the initial set up has to be done on PC or Mac or Linux you need to send through either a screenshot or a photo of your licence to be validated for EcoLink and there is a small fee. It takes time for people to connect to EcoLink so if you call in hang around for 5 minutes before you disconnect
Just ordered my first baofeng. I'm living in NYC the next few months, I'm crossing my fingers I'll hear an assortment of interesting things.
Congratulations and welcome to ham radio! There are so many things you can do with it using different modes and frequencies and meeting new people on the air. I got my ticket at age 13 in 1977 and have had so much fun and have met so many people over the years and still enjoy it as much as I did when I first started and it is changing all the time with technology. Have fun with radio and 73...Larry, wd0akx
Hi Becky, I am James K0UA, I work mostly HF, a lot of digital but a fair amount of CW and SSB also. I like to hang out on 40 meter SSB at night and look for DX, but I wind up working a lot of US stations also when I just call CQ. if you hear me, don't hesitate to give me a call when you get that general. I live in SW Missouri and 40 meters at night would be ideal as I work a lot of folks in your area. 73, and welcome to Ham Radio. James K0UA
I found your your video refreshing, like something or someone missing from a room. Thanks for posting it. Now I can continue my Technician/General studies.
Well, I finished my Swedish license Wednesday tgis week and just waiting for the paperwork to come clear.
We're not allowed too transmit anything until the license is approved by SSA/PTS exception for the free bands like CB, PMR and 69MHz which is a great band with maximum TX of 25W no restrictions on antennas what so ever.
NYC you say, than you should tune in 17,2 kHz, yes kilo hertz because the old transmitter in Grimeton transmit a couple of times every year 24dec is one date I believe.
They send morse code with the same transmitter that connected Sweden and the US in the early 1900.
Good job on getting your Technician license. I got mine in 1996. KB0VQP. I have a Yaesu FT - 65 , Dual Band Handheld. Last May 9th , I took the General test at the Denver Masonic Temple. Passed. Bought a IC 7300 HF radio from Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) , in Denver , CO. Still need the buy a power supply , and an HF antenna. Oh , I bought the General Study book written by ARRL. I see you got your Technician book from them. Cost $ 32 , but , worth it..
Welcome Becky to the ham radio community I was license myself in 1990 and I am 63 years old I did not have any electronic background our understanding unlike you have fun hope to hear you on the year 73 from Roy in Massachusetts K1 Roy
You'd be surprised how well even a simple twin-feed J-pole antenna will enhance a handset's transmission range. Though I'm partial to a rectangular loop antenna. It's basically a folded dipole that's pulled apart, which changes the characteristic impendence from ~270 ohm to 50 ohm for a better HT match. It's also slightly directional. I made one for 440 MHz by drilling tiny holes in an acrylic sheet for the rectangle corners, then stringing 20 gauge wire through the holes. Altogether it's less than a square foot.
And if you want some fun, you can always listen to the NYPD and FDNY on that radio. You can even program it in CHIRP to disable transmitting on those freqs, in case you accidentally hit the PTT button.
I actually purchased a couple of radios the uv9r by boa thing mostly cuz I just want a good radios for myself and my wife and we play Airsoft I had no idea that we were going to have to get ham radio operator license is just to use them though that part caught me off-guard so anyway we're currently waiting on the radios to come in and starting to now look into the testing I guess
Welcome to Ham Radio, Becky! I got into ham radio when I was 12 and have enjoyed it ever since. Once you get your General ticket, you're going to have a lot of fun with digital modes.
Welcome! So great to you have you on the bands! 73!
Extra Class here. I just used this video to share with a lady that is interested in getting her license. 73
Hey Becky, I watched this video in March and was motivated to study for my license. I got
my "ticket" on May, 13 2020 ! KO4DJM
Well done Becky! I’m Craig VK3CRG in Geelong, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺 😎👍🏻 73, from Australia!!!
Good for you! Congratulations and welcome to ham radio!
Thank you so much for making a video highlighting amateur radio. We need TONS more new people to join in.
We do and needs more advertising..73 M7LLA
I’m thinking of trying this hobby and getting a license because I can pick up people on my walkie talkie and obviously I can’t reply because it’s not strong enough but I don’t really know where I can get a license
@@HomebrandFishfood, It is easy. You can start by studying material at a free site like hamstudy.org. Then, look up local clubs in your area. They will organize testing sessions and support to help you get started. Ham radio people love to help a beginner. Prepared to be overwhelmed by tons of people willing to help. Google "arrl find club" to find a club. A local ham in our area (and club president of a large club here) put together a full website if you need additional resources: noji.com/hamradio/hamradio.php
Hi Becky. Congrats on your license and welcome to the vast and wonderful hobby of amateur radio!
Welcome to the hobby and 73! Good luck on your General exam. I went from no license to Amateur Extra in three months. You can do it!
Ken in Alabama, KO4AXN
Congrats Becky! N6KV, I'm an Ex NYer, Born in Brooklyn Raised in Queens (was 9 months old when we moved to Woodhaven.) My Call back then was KA2KSR in 1980, I moved to New Hamshire in 1982 I got the Call N1DHD. I went down to the FCC Office at Varick St in Manhattan after I got my Novice, I took the 13 WPM General code test but flunked it by one Question but I took the General theory and Passed so I got a Tech Licence which was 100 Question (when they upgraded the Tech Lic to only 50 Question in the early 1990s my lic class was called Tech Plus, in 2000 the FCC dropped the 13WPM and 20 WPM code requirement for General, Advanced and Extra, I was upgraded to General (grandfathered in), in 2003 I studied for the Extra Class and upgraded. I just got my call N6KV last year I waited for over 2 yrs to get it. I'm an Extra Class. I just moved out (this past July) of the Mt. Shasta Area of California to Klamath Falls, OR, and brought a double wide manufactured home I went from 425sf apartment to 1300sf. my two daughters are Hams too in NH as is my son-in-law.
"New York City!!!???"
"Get a rope"
I’m going for
My tech license soon,
Hopefully 🙏
I pass 👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼
Congrats and welcome to the ham radio community. There's so much to learn and do related to the hobby - building radios and antennas (including Arduino or Raspberry Pi based projects), different modes (digital/data modes, CW, SSB), frequencies with long-range propagation characteristics, contests, portable operating games/challenges (POTA and SOTA), etc. It's a lifetime worth of geek fun, and you don't have to be an old guy to enjoy it. Have fun with the hobby, and I hope to catch you on the bands some time.
Great job, de AD0G. I always enjoyed the technical, building, and testing side of ham. It did a lot to get me comfortable with electronics projects and in general helped me with answering "does it work like it should" rather than "did I build it like I planned".
Hi Becky, congratulations on passing. You inspired me to take my test here in the UK, and I passed last week, now I am trying to beat you to the general test! Thanks again, and have fun. Lord Richard
I was a Radioman in the Navy in the 70s. I was always interested in getting an FCC license for ham radio but got sidetracked. I’m going to look into this. Thanks.
I think I congratulated you on Twitter, but it's an honor to do it again. Looking forward to your post after you upgrade to General. 73 de W1LEM
I'm in the city area almost every day. Often on .060
Congrats on your license. My call is N2BMU. I am the former Net Manager for the Big Apple Traffic Net as well as the former NLI (NYC and LI) Section Traffic Manager. I gave up those spots when I retired in 2013 and moved upstate to the Adirondacks. I've been a HAM since 1979
Good for you!!! Where do you go to get the license?
Just came across your video here, first off, congratulations on getting your license and welcome to the hobby!!!! I've been into radio for twenty plus years, but a HAM for five.....its a never ending learning experience, and just you wait until you get into digital modes, oh boy!! Good luck on getting your general class license and hope to work your station in the near future....
73s de KC3FOI
Congrats on entering the Money pit of a Hobby :) I suggest you look into getting a TYT UV8000E Handi Talkie. Its a ten watt radio and alot better then a Baofeng. And Welcome to the hobby. Okay the F8 is a very good radio. I've had one for a few years. Now for some accessories, A Speaker/Mic, so you don't have to hold your radio. A Abbree 18.8 inch long antenna, will improve reception and transmission. A 3600 mAh battery pack. Too replace the 2000 mAh battery the radio comes with. Now if you want to use this in your car, get the Battery Eliminator. And a external Magnetic mount dual band 2m/70cm antenna. And good luck. I fyou have any questions, let me know. KI7BSL. I suggest the Arrow Open Stub J-pole antenna. I've had one for a few years and it works great. If your going to do that, you will need to find a 12 volt deck top power supply. I think you can order a good one from Radio shack.
Just made my first HF contact today. You’re going to love getting your general.
I let my Advanced (no longer available) license expire log ago. I read somewhere that if you can prove you had a license before and pas the Tech exam, they'll restore me to General. Don't know if that's true or not. But I have call books with my licenses listed in them, which proves I had a license.
M7AOE returning. Its nice to see another lady getting on the bands. I've heard one or two in other countries but none in Britain.
Thanks for the heads up with the AT&T video. I just devoured that lecture, a real gem. I‘m affraid I‘ll have to watch their whole catalogue now.
Congrats! Hope you were able to upgrade to General and get on the HF bands. 73 VE5UO
My callsign is KC9SXI and been a Tech for 10yrs now. Im just starting to study for my General license.
Congratulations. Getting that outdoor antenna is always fun. Where I live there aren't any visible antennas, so I use an Elk LPDA VHF/UHF in the attic. For HF I use a stealthy end-fed wire strung through the trees along a fence line. Details on my QRZ page. 73 de N3TS
For some listening fun, tune in to the local public works frequencies during a huge snowstorm. It's both interesting as you can easily track the operations and quite funny when you hear all the weird stuff that happens to the plow operators during those times (like when they call out to have somebody bring them a shovel because they're stuck with the tractor... yes, it happens).
KN4RBO - (west coast FL) Got my Tech, Dec 2018 & General Class Feb 2020. Congrats!
articulate and intelligent discussion - very well done ----
Congrats de NE6RD. Even a mag mount on a cookie sheet will help in your apartment. In the city, 2M repeaters will work alot better. Pick up a NanoVNA to check the antennas coax you purchase. I have not been impressed with some of the cheap stuff. Get a dummy load so you can test the coax for the long run to your roof.
I just began my studies today! So excited!
Congrats on passing the Tech exam. I am currently studying for my General exam. 73's, K5PEB.
How did you get such a short call sign as a Technician?
VE3YRG here from southern Ontario, Canada. Got my license in Dec 2019 and as a Basic with Honours in Canada I can do both VHF and HF. Just need to get an antenna put up for HF.
Congrats from Brazil. Eventually you'll find on DMR. My callsign is PU1OWL. If you don't know what DMR is, it is a digital mode that can connect you to foreign repeaters. It is fun to play with!
Congrats Becky from W6AH. Looking forward to hearing you on the air.
congrats Becky on getting your Ham license. my name is Kreesan i am from south africa and i don't know where in my country to get my ham license so please help me to study for my ham exam if its not to much trouble
Great job Becky!! You might want to look into DMR radio. DMR is a more affordable way to enter the digital world of amateur radio.
You should look into building a hot spot, a Pi-Star maybe. Just a thought, it's kinda fun to build.
Hi Becky, I just received the products that you listed and currently charging the battery for the radio. I now have my license and I am now KF5VTI. Would you have recommendations on programming the radio? Is it Difficult to do?
Becky-Thanks so much for your video. So well organized. Please make another video of your outdoor antenna when you get it installed. 73!
Hi neighbor, I'm up in the Bronx and usually on the local repeaters. Hope to catch you in the air.
"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, KD2GIO"
The cell phone failure in the New Orleans flood prove that cell phones ain't s***
So I'm studying to take my technician exam as well and (I guess unsurprisingly) I have the exact same radio. Congrats on getting yours!!!
Good luck!! You're local so maybe I'll hear you on the local repeaters!
@@BeckyStern took the test and got my call sign, same day ... KD2UPK ... I'll catch u on the repeaters once I figure out which ones my tiny antenna will reach ... I see a fair bit of roof time in my future.
Right on!
Dad and I and Step Mom and her Sister, most of my friends we are Hams, welcome to the family! 🎉
Thanks for the good information thank you for the good advice I've been sitting on this slowly but thanks for the information
Exciting times! I think the buzz from your first license is the headiest. This is my 50th year and I still love it, but not in the same visceral way- unless it's a new piece of DX!
Congrats on getting your ham license and continued success in future exams. Merry Christmas and stay safe.
Technician class here, 20 years. I like microwaves! I build microwave transverters, test gear, antennas, etc. There's nothing wrong with using an HT to check in to repeaters; I just like building more. You might want to check out the digital modes like JT65. Who knows, you might get into portable VHF moonbounce! Ham radio today covers lots and lots of technologies. Very cool. 73 de KC2HIZ
Congrats on your license and welcome to the hobby! I've been a ham for over 30 years and there are lots of different things that you can get into! I've always been more interested in the more technical areas of the hobby. I started out in the 90s doing packet radio and working amateur satellites. Then I got into radio direction finding and building RDF gear and antennas. Lately I've been into weak signal microwave communications where you have to build all your own equipment and antennas in the GHz bands. EME (bouncing signals off the moon) is next on my list!
Congrats Becky! Be sure to upgrade and get HF privileges; that's where the fun really starts IMHO. Looking forward to your insights into a hobby with so many different aspects to explore. Vy 73
Congrats de KD9MED. I tested and landed a General license. A year and half later, I'm working towards my Extra. There is a lot of interesting things happening in Amateur Radio, and I'm sure you'll find it a rewarding hobby. You might want to look into getting an HF rig, like the Xiegu G90, to explore the HF bands with. My primary means of communication is CW, the original digital mode ;-) 73!
congratulations Becky , i got that wonderful buzz of been told i passed my foundation on 27th June this year .
studying hard for my 2i0 now , hope to heat you on air down the line . 73 , stay safe James MI7LAJ .
Well done on passing your ham licence
Welcome to the hobby! KB2SDR in SD.
Thanks so much! Taking my tech exam this Saturday. Really liked the Bell Labs video. Makes SWR so much easier to understand.
Best of luck!
@@BeckyStern Thanks, I passed. Now waiting to show up in FCC ULS. 73!
@@louandpaulanickles7172 whoohoo! Congrats!
Great work. Id super recommend upgrading to a general class license. Having HF privileges on bands like 20 and 40 meters open the door for daily worldwide propagation. I talk to friends up and down the east coast every night on 80 meters. Tech privs are fine, but still rely heavily on infrastructure like repeaters (and generally the content is somewhat unexciting, at least for me). Everything changed for me when I got the general.
I got my license during lock down myself. I started out with a handheld Anytone for DMR. Also had a extra pi around so got me a DMR hat for it and use it as a DMR hotspot so I can listen in anywhere in the world using it. Seems overwhelming the amount of stuff you can do with a ham radio. But for now I'm just sticking to DMR. Also look into getting digital radio and a hotspot then you don't need a huge antenna outside to talk to anyone around the world, or just listen in at first.
But congrats, people are always saying we need more hams.
Hi Becky congrats on your license welcome to HAM world, hope to speak to you sometime on DMR or HF frequencies. 73 PE1NGW, William
Hiya Becky, I just took and passed the UK foundation licence and passed, it's the beginners level, but in the UK, we can use HF on the foundation licence but are restricted to 10watts.
What are the restriction on your USA first licence?
Congratulations by the way 👍
Congrats Becky !
Becoming a ham was a kid's dream.
When I was 12, I was already interested in radio stuff. One of my grandfather's friends was a ham and I went once to his home. He made some contact with a Russian ham, and I was immediately hooked. He has a really huge Yagi antenna.
20 years later I passed my licence (highest one in Belgium). I just read an excellent book from Olivier Pilloud, and that's all I needed to pass it. One of my dreams came true :)
I'm pretty sure you will pass the general licence with ease.
73's from ON4SSC.
Congratulations. I am W1GCF - go for the Extra too. Don't fear the math. You can bring in an advanced scientific calculator, even programmable (recommend one with polar to rectilinear conversion). The proctors will simply ask you to clear it fully so it is a good idea to bring a copy of the manual page on clearing fully, factory reset or whatever. I am a VE or "Proctor" as you refer to it. The main privilege of Extra other than a few more frequencies is that you can operate in most of the Americas, Europe, NATO countries, Australia and New Zealand without further fees or applications. Just bring your passport and a copy of the treaty (available from the ARRL). The Extra is harder but you will find the General to be just as big a step as it was up to Technician. BTW - you can operate a radio under the supervision of someone licensed whether you are licensed or not.
Yay! Congrats!
Afrotechmods
Hi Becky,
congrats for your Licence! Hope to hear you on SW or 6m soon and greetings from Gemany,
vy73
Jürgen DO4DOC
I'm glad you're not stopping at Technician. And I hope you will be exploring radio beyond the FM repeater ghetto. There's a whole world out there, and so many modes to pursue. It would be a shame if you only talked to the same people day in and out.
You can vastly improve your signal on the HT by using a 'rat tail' counterpoise. This is extremely simple to make, and very effective. Another 'trick' is to put a mag mount antenna on a metal cookie sheet. This does the same thing as the 'rat tail'. It provides a 'counterpoise' which is the missing part of the antenna.
The 'rubber duck' antenna on the HT tries to use your body as it's counterpoise, but you can easily see how you body is not well coupled to the antenna, nor tuned to match it. The 'rat tail' will serve you well, wherever you use that radio. The mag mount antenna tries to use your vehicle as it's counterpoise, but it is also not directly coupled. For this reason a more permanent mount where the base of the antenna mount is grounded to the vehicle at the mounting point is very effective. However, vehicles aren't made of steel like they used to be.
Best good fortune to you. I'm keen to see if you progress in amateur radio. Would love to see you build cool stuff, like a low cost, low power easily deployed WSPR transmitter that you can follow on WSPRR.net, PSKReporter and so forth. For around $100-200 you can build out something very satisfying and both see and record signals from around the world on less than a watt. Just toss a long wire out your window and watch the magic happen.
You might also enjoy fiddling with balloon born radios. Likewise, for under $100-200 you can launch your very own very low orbit satellite that you can track in real time on a site like habhub.com.
Very best regards from K6OJ
Welcome to the hobby Becky. Only two more license levels to go! HF is going to generate some amazing stories to tell about antennas and tips-n-tricks for those in a city.
Congrats! I took my tech & general on the same day a couple years ago. Upgraded to Extra last month just before the stay at home orders started. Stay safe! 73 de K2RCB
Congrats!!! I started with the Baofeng. If you stay in the hobby you will find that there are many many different things to do. If you haven't tried it you may consider amateur satellite from the roof of your building. I got central america from Texas on 5 watts. 73!!! de KE5ES
Congrats Becky! Tech blends into General, both blend into Extra! Hope you don't rush through, and enjoy the profound learning experience! 73 N2TSO
Welcome to the world of Ham Radio, Becky! Congratulations on your new license and callsign. As my dear, late, Elmer, Millard, K9DIY (SK) told us many times, it is a hobby, and a service. I urge you to find a nearby active club and join. You can learn a lot from the older Hams. Adventure awaits you! 73, N9PTG
Congratulations!!
Congrats on getting your ticket!
For practice tests and flash cards, I highly recommend hamstudy.org.
When I was studying about four years ago, I discovered that the ARRL practice test site saves passwords in clear text.
I saw your video on attaching an antenna to your building, but don't forget you also have digital modes such as D-Star and DMR (based on Motorola's MOTOTRBO); you can get a hotspot (search for things like Zumspot and MMDVM) and transmit from anywhere you have internet.
Echolink is another way to get in the air; it lets you use software on your phone or computer to remote control repeaters over the internet).
73 from W4NAI!
Went all the way to Extra first time. Got the Trifecta all in one testing session. Way to go
Congrats i passed my general test a few days ago.
what was your best way to study I want to upgrade
@@oldladyme I used a app called HRE-General and the arrl book to help . then when I was taking the practice quiz and test i would memorize everything that I didn't understand.
congrats Becky, I'm an ex-New Yorker (Queens). my call in NYC was KA2KSR and got my Lic back in 1980. I moved to NH in 1982 I got the call N1DHD, I live in Northern CA near Mt. Shasta. I just got a Vanity call in 2019, which I been waiting for it over 3 yrs. My Call now is N6KV I am an Extra Class, I am moving in 2 months up to Klamath Falls I just brought a house there. I've been in CA since 1999. maybe we contact you when you upgrade to General. My oldest daughter and her Husband are hams too in NH. Once I set up my station there we are going to have a skid to talk over HF. 73's & 88's
About the HAM test... Why take a test for building a radio or antenna? When you buy them ready to go. I think the FCC needs to change with the times. We need a test for plug in and go. Thanks
Nicely done! You definitely need to get your General license since you live on the east coast. Even if you go portable with a very modest setup, you will be able to work into Europe pretty easily based on your geographic location. Just get out of the city/urban/suburban areas where the nose is less. 73 ES GL DE KC9EHQ
*Congrats. Becky!!*
Over the month of March 2020, interest in Amateur Radio has increased. I'm studying for the General Class license exam too. Good luck on the General Class exam Becky.
congratulations. nice to see young people getting the license. not very common where i live
Congrats!! I’m sure you will pass your general in no time. You have just entered one of the most interesting hobbies that also provides multiple communication modes in time of emergencies. Good luck and 73 de Roger W8RLP
Nicely done! ... This sort of thing brings me back to the ol CB radio days. It's more or less dead here in Scotland. I want to get my licence but I am dyscalculiac (number version of dyslexia) though I can do very basic sums, if there are too many numbers in front of me (on paper or display screen) or if I have to memorize several numbers and/or a math sequence along with it, my brain goes into scramble mode and sometimes anxiety attack. I don't know if a lot of numbers are involved in learning and are required to pass and get your licence. I really would love to get back on the airwaves again.