Posted: 8/5/2013 8:21:25 AM EDT
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Greetings-I've been out of Ham radio for over 20 + years. You know, job, kids, life, etc. I kept my Tech license active and have recently got to a point in my life where I can start to enjoy the hobby again. I started with the purchase of a TH6A. I've yet to make a contact with it but a neat little toy none the less. As time allows, I'll bring the Kenwood 820S out of the closet, dust it off and fire it up. For right now my goal is to get back up to speed on theory ,current operating practices, and what technologies are available in the hobby. I travel for my job - 7 on/7off. I spend my plane time and evenings in the hotel working on upgrading my license to General or even Extra. I picked up the code bug also ... Ok, I'm trying to pick up the code bug ( lol ). Along with that I'm slowly relocating my residence from the west coast to the midwest.
Here's my questions: So far I haven't had any issues traveling with my handheld, any requirement that I travel with a copy of my license? I have not yet submitted an address change to the FCC as I still recieve most of my pertinent mail my at my old address, should I? When I do, will they issue a new call sign based on my new address?(From the land of 6 to the land of 7). When I'm ready to take the General/Extra exam I could be in one of several states. I assume that a reissue of my call sign would still be based on the address that I have on file with the Feds not where I take the exam, correct? Some sites on the net don't tolerate newbies well. This site provides alot of good basic info in a non threatening enviroment. Thanks for that... Larry-KC6DMM |
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Great now we have 13ers in the Ham forum.
Just playing. That little kenwood is more than a toy. Its my next HT. I like my 72 but the 6 is smaller more bands and HF rx. Its a great rig to drag around with you. Something you might want to do is get the 'repeater book' app. It uses your phones gps to show the closest repeaters. The best way to update your FCC info is upgrade your license 
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FWIW when I am out running 'guerilla radio' I bring my license with me simply for credibility purposes.
When I was in a mall parking lot at 0230 once a cop that pulled up asked me what I was doing. I simply handed him my license and told him I was trying to get through to the other side of the world. I also explained to him him that the mall was further above sea level than my home was. That ended the 20 questions game right then and there. |
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In short - if your tech ticket is old enough it will get you a free general. When you move you can get a new callsign if you want, but you don't have to. Likewise when you upgrade.
Now, I don't know about this forum being non-threatening. We all have guns, most have evil black rifles, and some probably live on "compounds" with "arsenals", maybe even with a bazooka or two. Welcome back to the sickness but remember, we could turn on you.
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Quoted:
Greetings-I've been out of Ham radio for over 20 + years. You know, job, kids, life, etc. I kept my Tech license active and have recently got to a point in my life where I can start to enjoy the hobby again. I started with the purchase of a TH6A. I've yet to make a contact with it but a neat little toy none the less. As time allows, I'll bring the Kenwood 820S out of the closet, dust it off and fire it up. For right now my goal is to get back up to speed on theory ,current operating practices, and what technologies are available in the hobby. I travel for my job - 7 on/7off. I spend my plane time and evenings in the hotel working on upgrading my license to General or even Extra. I picked up the code bug also ... Ok, I'm trying to pick up the code bug ( lol ). Along with that I'm slowly relocating my residence from the west coast to the midwest. Here's my questions: So far I haven't had any issues traveling with my handheld, any requirement that I travel with a copy of my license? If you're transmitting you should have a copy. Photocopies are fine, most make several photocopies of their license and stash them everywhere. Reduction copy at 87% to have laminated so that one will actually fit in your wallet... or I'm going to experiment and try having mine copied onto a PVC ID card blank. There are a few states that have scanner possession laws, so if you're traveling its a good idea to always have a license copy. I have not yet submitted an address change to the FCC as I still recieve most of my pertinent mail my at my old address, should I? When I do, will they issue a new call sign based on my new address?(From the land of 6 to the land of 7). Anywhere you can receive mail is fine, many use a PO Box for PERSEC reasons. You will not get a new call sign unless you request one. I'd probably do vanity rather than get a sequential 2x3, or better just keep your existing call. When I'm ready to take the General/Extra exam I could be in one of several states. I assume that a reissue of my call sign would still be based on the address that I have on file with the Feds not where I take the exam, correct? Tech and General are the same callsign group, so there's really no reason to change unless you go Extra, or do a vanity call to get a 1x3. If you get a standard sequential callsign, yes it will be from the call district of your license address. Some sites on the net don't tolerate newbies well. This site provides alot of good basic info in a non threatening enviroment. Thanks for that... Larry-KC6DMM As previously mentioned if you have a Technician license from (IIRC) 1987 or earlier you can get an immediate upgrade to general just by showing up at a test session. |
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Quote from the ARRL VE manual.
Instant Upgrade CSCEs For General written test (Element 3) credit, persons who took a 50-question Technician/General written test before March 21, 1987 receive “grandfather” Technician licensees’ credit under Section 97.505 of FCC Rules. The paperwork only upgrade forms may not be sent directly to the FCC or the VEC office by the amateur (the upgrade must occur at a test session and follow FCC guidelines). The candidate must hold a current Technician license and present themselves to a VE exam session with valid proof. Although no test will be taken, the candidate will pay the test session fee, fill out a 605 form and receive a new CSCE from the examiners before their license may be upgraded to General. An applicant who has proof of “grandfather” Technician licensees’ credit, but does not hold a current Technician license, must pass the Technician written exam before they can apply the “grandfather” credit towards a license. The candidate will pay the test session fee, fill out a 605 form and receive a new CSCE from the examiners showing a new General license earned. It is the applicant (not the VEs or coordinating VEC) who is responsible for supplying the evidence of holding valid grandfather credit. For detailed information on valid forms of credit see the “Element Credit” Section of Chapter 6. If you qualify, go get an upgrade. |
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Quoted:
Greetings-I've been out of Ham radio for over 20 + years. You know, job, kids, life, etc. I kept my Tech license active and have recently got to a point in my life where I can start to enjoy the hobby again. I started with the purchase of a TH6A. I've yet to make a contact with it but a neat little toy none the less. As time allows, I'll bring the Kenwood 820S out of the closet, dust it off and fire it up. For right now my goal is to get back up to speed on theory ,current operating practices, and what technologies are available in the hobby. I travel for my job - 7 on/7off. I spend my plane time and evenings in the hotel working on upgrading my license to General or even Extra. I picked up the code bug also ... Ok, I'm trying to pick up the code bug ( lol ). Along with that I'm slowly relocating my residence from the west coast to the midwest. Here's my questions: So far I haven't had any issues traveling with my handheld, any requirement that I travel with a copy of my license? I have not yet submitted an address change to the FCC as I still recieve most of my pertinent mail my at my old address, should I? When I do, will they issue a new call sign based on my new address?(From the land of 6 to the land of 7). When I'm ready to take the General/Extra exam I could be in one of several states. I assume that a reissue of my call sign would still be based on the address that I have on file with the Feds not where I take the exam, correct? Some sites on the net don't tolerate newbies well. This site provides alot of good basic info in a non threatening enviroment. Thanks for that... Larry-KC6DMM I dont carry my license, never have The only requirement for your address is to keep an address listed where you can be contacted. Theres no requirement to use your home address. I don't. I use a PO BOX, not my street address. I would not change your address unless you can't get mail there in the future. I would keep your current call. I've had the same call since 1986, with two upgrades. I simply indicate I want to keep my call is all. |
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Ijust did the same thing a few weeks ago. I havent been on the hf bands since 2000. So I unboxed the TS530 S and went to some of the Kenwood discussion groups. There are a few good ones that had discussions about cleaning the bandswitches and other points of maintenance before I put power to it. Their advice helped a lot. Then I built a 20 mtr magnetic loop antenna last week and the first contact was with S57S in Slovenia yesterday. Its nice to be back on the bands. |
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Quoted:
Interested in hearing more about this.  Quoted:
Quoted:Then I built a 20 mtr magnetic loop antenna last week and the first contact was with S57S in Slovenia yesterday. Interested in hearing more about this. We could do a thread on magnetic loops. Theres also a lot of info in the web W2BRI website. Youtube videos. |
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Sorry about the tardy response. I've been on the right coast on bussiness all week...which explains now that I'm on the left coast why I'v e been up since 3:00 in the morning surfing the net....
Thanks for all the prompt responses. As soon as everbody wakes up I'll check my license for an issuance date. It will be close. That'd be great if I didn't have to take the exam for my General. Although I haven't had any issues, carrying at least a copy of my license could prevent the "20 questions" - good suggestion. Good info on the call sign also. Even though I haven't used it much in the last 20 years it has none the less become somewhat part of my identity, like your name. So , at least for now, not changing it is a good thing. I'll check out the repeater app for my I-phone. Tthat would be hugely helpful. Thanks for that. I played with the TH-F6 some this week. I still yet to make any contacts but of the 4 repeaters where I was at I could ony hit 1 on vhf & 1 on uhf from my hotel. My biggest problem is that I'm unable to squelch the noise on 2meters in my hotel room. The noise is so strong that even with the squelch turned all the way up the squelch is still tripped. I also manage to hit the"wrong" button(s) and have giberish displayed on the display. There'll be a learning curve on this litte monster or..... a factory reset and start all over (lol). Thanks again Larry - KC6DMM |
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Put Google Earth in your laptop. Then go to IRLP.net and get the IRLP plug in for Google Earth. It will show you all the connected nodes and repeaters. When you travel, it will make it easier for you to find links to get out across the country (and world) with your HT. http://irlp.net/ <--Link http://irlp.net/google.htmlhttp://irlp.net/google.html <-- Link to google plug in. |
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Quoted:
I dont carry my license, never have I keep a copy, not the original, in my vehicle's console. Some cops have been known to hassle hams about having "scanners" in their vehicles. Presenting them with a copy of your amateur license should cover that problem. Also, flying with my HT, I had a copy of my license with me. I wasn't hassled, but if there was any question about "why do you have a 2-way radio?" then I would simply show my license. No, it is not required in either case, but lends some credibility. |