Is any one planning to use any ham radio gear in their Slate? (I am!)

[Moe]

I strongly recommend you get involved with a local amateur radio club. The answer to your first radio question is almost universally an analog 2m/70cm dual-band handheld transceiver (HT), often an inexpensive Baofeng brand. Regardless of brand, none of these are trivial to program, and having local support will help you hit the ground running.

 

[cadblu]

I strongly recommend you get involved with a local amateur radio club. The answer to your first radio question is almost universally an analog 2m/70cm dual-band handheld transceiver (HT), often an inexpensive Baofeng brand. Regardless of brand, none of these are trivial to program, and having local support will help you hit the ground running.

Agreed, one of the best recommendations is to become familiar with Chirp. Once you download the local repeaters into a spreadsheet-like programming tool, you are almost immediately up and running. This of course assumes you have a valid Technician license or above in order to transmit. No license is needed to just receive. The local club amateur radio club administers the exam for a modest fee. I didn’t study for the exam, but in retrospect I guess an engineering background helps.

 

[sodamo]

Agreed, one of the best recommendations is to become familiar with Chirp. Once you download the local repeaters into a spreadsheet-like programming tool, you are almost immediately up and running. This of course assumes you have a valid Technician license or above in order to transmit. No license is needed to just receive. The local club amateur radio club administers the exam for a modest fee. I didn’t study for the exam, but in retrospect I guess an engineering background helps.

Plenty of practice exams online for free

 

[metroshot]

I just realized I have to renew my FCC amateur license!

Anyone know how to navigate around the new FCC FRN and CORES online ?

In the past 40 years, I used to renew by mail.

So being a boomer, I am having issues with technology.

I am watching these videos, but does not help me get my license renewed....

 

[bloo]

You prolly want to start here...

https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/login.htm

If you don't alreadtpy have one, create an account to get a FRN (FCC Registration Number). This will allow you to navigate through CORES (COmmission REgistration System. From there, you can associate your HAM license - or any other licenses - to your FRN.

I think it's $35.00 for a HAM radio renewal. You get a two-year grace period after a license expires. Beyond that, you will need to get a new license (with a new callsign) and retake the test. Only way to get your old callsign back is to pay for a vanity call. I don't know how much that is.

The FCC site is browser and device sensitive. It doesn't render correctly on Android tablets or an iPhone. Best to use Edge Browser on a Windoze PC. You'll run into a few broken links no matter what you use. The site is not well maintained and quite primitive.

If you get stuck, call licensing assistance at 1-877-480-3201. I think you need an FRN for them to help you, though.

 

[RedJoker]

Agreed, one of the best recommendations is to become familiar with Chirp.

It's so frustrating that there isn't an android version of Chirp. Yeah, I know I'm not owed that, but it would sure be nice not having to haul out my 14 year old laptop whenever I want to update my radios.

 

[metroshot]

You prolly want to start here...

https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/login.htm

If you don't alreadtpy have one, create an account to get a FRN (FCC Registration Number). This will allow you to navigate through CORES (COmmission REgistration System. From there, you can associate your HAM license - or any other licenses - to your FRN.

I think it's $35.00 for a HAM radio renewal. You get a two-year grace period after a license expires. Beyond that, you will need to get a new license (with a new callsign) and retake the test. Only way to get your old callsign back is to pay for a vanity call. I don't know how much that is.

The FCC site is browser and device sensitive. It doesn't render correctly on Android tablets or an iPhone. Best to use Edge Browser on a Windoze PC. You'll run into a few broken links no matter what you use. The site is not well maintained and quite primitive.

If you get stuck, call licensing assistance at 1-877-480-3201. I think you need an FRN for them to help you, though.

Thank you!
Took 2 days, 2 calls to FCC helpdesk to setup CORES, associate FRN, and unlock account.

Being a boomer, I told the FCC rep that I am not used to this online renewal process and he laughed saying they no longer mail out licenses.

Just got mine renewed in the nick of time - next month I would have passed the renewal grace period of 2 years.

You don't see too many old timers with the Advanced privilege level these days:

 

[docsnavely]

Looking forward to moving my yaesu ftm400 into the slate. I like how the t rail is located under the AC controls. Perfect place for the head unit.

 

[August]

.

You don't see too many old timers with the Advanced privilege level these days:

Upgraded to Extra just before they dropped the CW from 20wpm to 5wpm , but kept my Advanced call.

73,
August KG7BZ

 

[metroshot]

Upgraded to Extra just before they dropped the CW from 20wpm to 5wpm , but kept my Advanced call.

73,
August KG7BZ

Yah, I kept my Technician class license originally issued in 1980.

Now I am looking to buy my own private aircraft and when I do, I will apply for a "FAA vanity" tail number to match my call letters (N6GTU).

AI rendered image on Diamond DA40 plane I am looking to buy: