Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

I was wondering how many ham radio enthusiasts are involved in the FIRST robotics program? Mentors, Students?

73,
Brian - K9WIS
Programming Mentor FRC #1675

Note: For those coming to the WI regional I hope to hear you on the 146.31/91 repeater.

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

Not a Ham operator but very active in Citizen Band radio.
Long time scanner bugger too.

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

In case you didn't hear. they morse code requirement for obtaining a ham license has been eliminated as of Feb 23rd. All you have to do is take a written test on electronics theory and some regulatory issues. If you can Build a FIRST robot you can cerrtainly pass a ham radio exam.

Brian K9WIS
k9wis@arrl.net

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

KB9VQF since 1999. I haven't been very active lately, though.

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

I am!

My Callsign is KB1NBN and i am a general!
Located In Montpelier, VT FN34
Love to setup a contact!

73! Chris

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

Check out this thread:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=50790

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

Yes, there's quite a few of us.

73,
Don

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

I'll be taking my technician license over spring break in a few weeks, I'll post back with my callsign, anyone in the Potsdam area should try our repeater, 443.350/850. Also, we're IRLP enabled at 4747 I believe.

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

We have about 15 atudents in the robot club with licenses. 5 teachers and one of our mentors.

Although ransmitters are frowned on at FIRST events, there a hit at demos.

Driving a robot via Amateur Television is the ultimate video game!

Allan

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

I have been involved with metalinmotion - Team 343 - for eight years and I am an active ham. My callsign is KS4YX.
We also have two other "hams" as mentors but I am uncertain of their calls as they are new this year. As soon as I find out, I will repost.
73, Gil:cool:

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

WB9UVJ, licensed in the 70's and now an Extra but I get to play with really big transmitters all the time, one digital, one analog and one FM (plus a few 2GHz and 7GHz low power microwave links) with antennas at 1800 ft. above average terrain.

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

I am a technician class with code call sign - KC2QPK
Mentor Mike Siegel of 375 EXTRA class- W2RT
life member ARRL
Life member AMSAT

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

What does it take to get a ham radio? I have heard of them before and thought it would be fun to do, but I am misinformed. Can anyone help?

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

Eric,
It is pretty easy. All you have to do is study a little and take a test. The test is a variety of electronic questions mixed in with some operations questions. The test is intended to make sure you know enough to operate a transmitter and not interfere with anyone else or their enjoyment of the other public services. There are many local clubs that will help you study and obtain the license. There are several license classes, and each class gives the operator some privledges on different bands. The higher the class of license the more priveledge and the more questions asked. A Technician class license has 35 questions, the General an additional 35 questions and Extra an additional 50 questions. There is no longer a morse code requirement. You can find more info here... http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/license-requirements.html
or search for FCC under US government. A local club will also help you locate equipment and set up a station. Many hams start out with a very simple station, an antenna strung between two trees and a borrowed radio is all it takes. Operating is just like writing here on CD for the first time. You listen around and find how others operate and then you just jump in. It is actually pretty cool because it takes some finesse to tune the radio and find someone. It isn't as simple as just typing and hoping someone reads what you typed. Sometimes the weather is against you, sometimes the sun is against you but sometimes under just the right conditions, you can talk to someone in the jungles of Africa, or downtown Barcelona or a previously closed(radio) country like the Czech Republic. I like a particular facet of this hobby known as QRP. This is where I use a radio with less than 5 watts output. That is lower than CB radios and sometimes I even use less than a watt on CW or Morse Code. Imagine sitting on a beach with a wire strung between two coconut palms while talking to another ham on a beach in St. Thomas who has the same kind of portable station and operates from batteries or solar cells. That is the kind of hobby some hams enjoy. Jump in the water's fine.

Re: Ham Radio and Radio at FIRST
 

I am a ham too! KD7WKD and 15 of our robots kids are too!!!