On Tue, 22 Sep 1998 14:45:39 -0400 Ish <ishgooda@tdi.net> writes: >Khwe Carroll, >What is the average cost for a basic ham radio set up? Ish To answer your question realistically depends on: What class of license you have - before you can operate a ham station you must attain an FCC license for the class of operation you have qualified for. This requires passing an examination of rules and regulations, nomenclature, knowledge of frequencies available for ham radio and the various classes of licenses, some theory of electricity & electronics, and control of the station you are qualified to operate. Some classes of licenses require a knowledge of international Morse code, usually either 5 wpm, 13 wpm, or presently 20 wpm depending on the class of license. In other words, you either join a class in or near your community for instruction, or you may find an "Elmer" or ham who will take you under his/her wing and teach you the necessary information to pass an examination for the class of radio license you qualify to attain. This may sound complicated but not really so if you get a good source of instruction whether in a class situation or via the Elmer who can help you. Once you attain a license you will be restricted by the class of license you attain. You can start out with a very basic license and in time work up to the higher grade license of your choice, each having a greater demand of knowledge of operating and controlling your station or that of another which you may possibly use. Now, to answer the original question - A beginners station may cost nothing to several hundreds of dollars, depending how elaborate the equipment is. The same for the more advanced classes of operation. Many beginners may be lucky enough to acquire enough equipment to get started on the air, however the cost depends on how new or how sophisticated the equipment is, of course. Most hams start out with a shoe string when it comes to equipment to get on the air. Others, if they have the $$$ may begin with fairly expensive equipment. One of the things that affects cost of a ham station is what frequencies it operates on and therefore how large and complex the equipment is. The newer hams getting started these days may use a handi talkie that was used but which they got at a very reasonable price, allowing them to get on the air with their friends, but has limited distance, possibly, because of the frequencies that they are using. Or they may have a license that allows them to get equipment for free or for a very nominal amount that can communicate all around the world on frequencies that will allow that. This kind of knowledge is what hams-to-be learn in classes or from their Elmers. The average cost of a basic ham station, therefore, depends upon the frequencies used, how high tech the equipment is and the class of license that determines what frequencies the ham has qualified to use. The average cost may vary from say $50. used for a transceiver to $500. or more. The more equipment involved the greater the average cost, of course. The more a ham builds and innovates with such as antennas and antenna systems, the lower the cost. I taught ham radio classes over the many years and I was always amazed that my students, once they got their licenses and began getting equipment, got much more expensive equipment than I owned at the time. Mine was most often used or 2nd hand, while theirs was brand new and more sophisticated than mine, but we were all able to talk to each other and pretty much on an equal basis. Average cost of a basic ham station - I would probably be remiss if I said $500. because it really depends upon what one can afford. The most fun over the many years of ham radio are the years that we had the most basic equipment and we struggled to hear other stations with a basic receiver and transmitted with say 15 watts or less. High power is not necessary - a lot of it is the operatror's ability to operate - both sending and receiving. QRP is one of the hams Q signals used in the past in telegraphic days for Low Power - there are many hams whose hobby is to see how many stations they can contact, perhaps all over the world with 5 watts or less, or perhaps milliwatts, such as 100 milliwatts power just to test their ability to put up antannas that compensate for their low power. It is their challenge and they are proud of their achievement using tiny amounts of radiated radio waves. For the handhelds which are getting tinier, approaching Dick Tracy's wrist watch sized two way radios, repeaters on top of mountains or other high places re-radiate the tiny signals from the handi-talkies all over a large region - in our case all over Puget Sound country. The $50. used hand held transceiver aka handi-talkie is capable of doing so most often. So, you see, I haven't clearly answered your question concerning the average cost of a basic ham radio setup. As you can see by all of the above, it depends - . If I can be of further help, I shall try to do so. 73 Clark, W7IML * * * 30 * * * _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]