Conservative Freedom Lovers Forum

There is definitely a large need for these skills. I should be trying to complete a course. About what is the average time to be able to communicate effectively? That is my desire, communicate as needed.

Hey, Boots,
I wish others of our group shared your insight. Your interest in amateur radio is well-founded; if only from a preparedness point of view, it's spot on! Then there's so much more it offers.

The study time needed to get your Technician level license really depends on your level of understanding & experience. Since Morse code is no longer a requirement for testing, this is a pretty quick study.

If you go online to the websites listed in the 'basics' post attachment, you'll find links to online practice exams that you can take as often as you wish, & they're free.
Here's a more current list:

• http://www.arrl.org/exam-practice
• https://www.eham.net/exams
• https://hamradioprep.com/free-ham-radio ... gJGSfD_BwE
• https://hamexam.org/

More websites exist, but these are some of the heavy hitters.

The Maricopa Amateur Radio Association (MARA) is another major resource. The club has offered free Tech-level classes, & they've indicated that they'd like to schedule another series. I have a suggestion: if CFL can pull together a list of people who'd sign up for free classes, I'll check with the club to see if they'd be willing to set up a course for us. MARA offers testing for free!
MARA's website: https://www.copahams.org/

For more info, message me on this forum.
ggg

Hi, Boots & Everyone,
We hope this finds all of you well.

Thanks for your post & your question!

I wish I could give you a simple answer to your question about how long is required to become effective. It mainly depends on how much time you put toward amateur radio. GOK how busy all of us are.

Here are a couple of approaches:
1) Purchase a basic radio kit for less than $30 & listen in on the frequencies commonly used in our area. Even without your license you can monitor amateur radio traffic -- you just can't push the 'transmit' button until you get your license. By monitoring you can gain a lot of experience. You can be listening as quickly as your radio arrives from Amazon or wherever, we program it (10 minutes), & you turn it on. It's fast. Most people buy a Baofeng UV-5R https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-13 ... B074XPB313
2) Do some studying (see links in first post) to get your license, then get your basic HT (handheld transceiver) kit, then listen as well as transmit.

I'd like to invite any & all to attend the local amateur radio club meetings. Visitors are very welcome, & the experienced ham radio operators are more than happy to assist newbies. https://www.copahams.org/meetings Next meeting is Saturday, 01 July, 9:30am - ?? at the Maricopa Public Library. Be early to meet folks.

Another suggestion: we could pull together a brief presentation on amateur radio for those who would like to investigate the features & benefits. If ok with Boots & Xenia, let's plan a get-together!

ggg
KF7MHT