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Old 13-10-2012, 17:43   #31
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Re: Ham Exam.... prep?

I've worked with military stuff and been a ham since high school. Another radio that I would suggest is if you can find one of the Icom 706 series radios. I have an IC-706MKIIG that has worked out very well for me. Detachable front panel allows you to mount the radio itself anywhere and have the front control panel to be mounted where it'll be operated and taking less space on the desk.

Good luck studying for your next exam.
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Old 13-10-2012, 19:16   #32
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I really like my 857-D. Great radio for the money.
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Old 13-10-2012, 19:19   #33
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Re: Ham Exam.... prep?

Congratulations! I take my test Tomorrow. Plan to try for both Tech and General. We shall see. We are having an Icom 802 installed now in prep to head for the Bahamas on our first real cruise latter this month. Been following much the same route as others. In fact going to take some more practice tests now! Wish me luck!
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Old 13-10-2012, 19:55   #34
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Re: Ham Exam.... prep?

I don't remember which books I used. They were either Radio Shack or ARRL books - I think. I studied and passed my Tech in less than a month. I think it was only a few month's later that I passed my General. In both cases, Morse Code was the major slowdown.
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Old 13-10-2012, 21:35   #35
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Re: Ham Exam.... prep?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cruiser2B View Post
If anyone has any other suggestionsfor a QSO portable type rig please let me know.
For 2m & 70cm these work and are crazily cheap..

baofeng uv-3r | eBay
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Old 14-10-2012, 10:01   #36
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Re: Ham Exam.... prep?

The Elecraft KX3 is a fantastic little rig, limited of course to 12 watts output. I now have one and for Ham use it is terrific, but I like low power and portable operation in particular. The built-in wide range antenna tuner does a really good job with simple wire antennas. The user interface is far friendlier than menu driven radios like the FT-817/FT-857/FT-897/IC-7000/IC-706 radios.

It can be used for digital modes, though it does not have the fixed audio output that many other rigs have that simplify digital modes somewhat.

It is not a good choice for your sole HF radio on board when cruising, but as a hobby and something of an emergency backup radio I would recommend it.

For utility use on a boat, something like the IC-706 would be better, particularly if you are interested in doing a lot of ham band VHF/UHF.

I would also suggest that Cruiser2B go ahead and take the Extra Class exam right after passing the General class test. It won't cost anything extra to do that, and if you don't pass you lose nothing.

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Old 21-12-2012, 19:23   #37
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Re: Ham Exam.... prep?

Passed General tonight, Now a General class operator(temporary AG) . Looking at putting an IC 706MIIG unit on boat for now, it will be my base station as well. When we get closer to cruising I will put a M802 or similar onboard. Thanks everyone,

BTW i think I did so poorly on the Extra the VE thought he had wrong answer key!
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Old 22-12-2012, 14:54   #38
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Re: Ham Exam....prep?


Everyone learns differently, but I used HamTestOnLine and really liked it. Very effective learning tool for me. I used this in combination with on-line ARRL resources and the ARRL license prep book someone had recently dropped in the book exchange.

Personally don't like the Gordon West approach. To me seems more focused on cute tricks for memorizing exam answers -- I prefer to learn.
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