My name is
Alex and the primary goal that I want to achieve by the end of this 20% Project
is to earn my Technician-Class (Level 1) HAM Radio License. My secondary goal in this process is to find a
field of science and technology that I enjoy and want to study in school to
pursue as my career.
Why have I decided to get my HAM Radio license?
My father has a HAM radio license and has been encouraging me to get mine before I graduate high school and go on a mission. By preparing for and earning this license, not only will I gain a talent that will be useful but I can better understand what area of science and technology I may want to study in college.
Why have I decided to get my HAM Radio license?
My father has a HAM radio license and has been encouraging me to get mine before I graduate high school and go on a mission. By preparing for and earning this license, not only will I gain a talent that will be useful but I can better understand what area of science and technology I may want to study in college.
HAM Radio
and its networking technologies cover so many aspects of science that it’s easy
for someone to find a niche that they like. This may lead them down a career
path they wouldn't have considered before.
I enjoy learning
about and using new and old technology. I believe that preparing to be successful
in the future means getting as much education as possible. Learning to
communicate by radio can be not only fun but also a useful and lifesaving
talent. With my license & a handheld
radio I can serve the community where I live in times of need. I can help relay
messages to and from other parts of the world as well as help organize
community events.
Did you know
that Ham Radio Operators (HAMs) can communicate with astronauts in space or
access communication satellites reserved especially for licensed operators? HAMs
are useful in search and rescue operations and also in re-establishing
communication networks for emergency public services during natural disasters. Many
even help improve and develop new technology to do so.
Why is this important for me to pursue now?
I am currently preparing to serve a full-time mission for my church. When I turn 18 I may have the opportunity to live in another country for two years. There are many things I am learning and doing to prepare for that service opportunity but I believe that having my license will increase the value of my service. Many missionaries serve in areas with little access to high-speed communications technology. Often they find themselves in the middle of natural disasters and need to help others with getting relief. Having the ability to help the local communities where I live will be a blessing for them and a reward for me.
Who will be my mentor?
My father has a Technician-Class license and will serve as my Elmer (HAM Mentor) during this project. We will spend time learning about satellite communications, radio frequencies, emergency networks, radio equipment and the laws governing proper radio operations in the US and worldwide. I will study the books, online materials and complete sample exams on my own and will work with my father throughout the week to make sure I understand the concepts clearly.
What challenges or obstacles will I face?
Most of the obstacles people encounter in preparing to take the Level 1 exam are finding the correct study material, a licensed mentor to teach correct operating procedures, and a testing facility to administer the test.
Why is this important for me to pursue now?
I am currently preparing to serve a full-time mission for my church. When I turn 18 I may have the opportunity to live in another country for two years. There are many things I am learning and doing to prepare for that service opportunity but I believe that having my license will increase the value of my service. Many missionaries serve in areas with little access to high-speed communications technology. Often they find themselves in the middle of natural disasters and need to help others with getting relief. Having the ability to help the local communities where I live will be a blessing for them and a reward for me.
Who will be my mentor?
My father has a Technician-Class license and will serve as my Elmer (HAM Mentor) during this project. We will spend time learning about satellite communications, radio frequencies, emergency networks, radio equipment and the laws governing proper radio operations in the US and worldwide. I will study the books, online materials and complete sample exams on my own and will work with my father throughout the week to make sure I understand the concepts clearly.
What challenges or obstacles will I face?
Most of the obstacles people encounter in preparing to take the Level 1 exam are finding the correct study material, a licensed mentor to teach correct operating procedures, and a testing facility to administer the test.
Our local Redding Amateur Radio Relay League group usually only administers exams every other month. I will need to see if I can take my test in time for this project.
Is HAM radio expensive to get into and study? It isn't at the beginning.
The test prep material (book + cd) is $30 from amazon.com and the testing fee is approximately $15. As far as I'm concerned, this is fairly inexpensive. The financial obstacles start kicking in when you have to buy a radio and antenna to work the radio frequencies you want to use. I will need to eventually purchase a radio for myself. Powerful home base units can be extremely expensive but handheld units are just as useful and can be purchased for a price of between $50 and $300 online. You can take a handheld unit with you almost anywhere and some have more than enough power to meet basic needs.
Equipment can be obtained new or used. Some of the best bargains can be had by buying a used radio and antenna set off of a HAM radio operator that had just upgraded. Many opt to build some of their own components.
Like I mentioned above, the testing fee is affordable and is only $15 per exam session. If you want to upgrade your license and study ahead of time for the next tech path (level), you can take as many tests as you like on that same testing day—as long as you pass each one. Studying properly can save you time and money during the testing process.
What to expect along the way…
I am looking forward to learning about radio technology with my father and I expect that it will be something I enjoy and will use. If you would like to learn more about Amateur Radio and what it takes to become an operator, then follow my blog and I will explain what I am doing along the way. I will be posting illustrations and videos to show some of the cool tech that I am learning and why it is useful.
You can learn
more about HAM Radio by following this link:
http://www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio
