Eric,

My local HAM club is beyond nerdy... they were downright scary. I went to 2 meetings, and left with the realization that the internet and books would be how I learn. Maybe you'll have better luck with your local club.

Regarding the radio... Although illegal, it can be modded to do CB and FRS. The only thing I don't like about that radio is that it only has one side. You can't talk on one side and do APRS on the other, or talk on one side and listen to the CB/FRS on the other.

It's a workhorse of a radio that has a lot of loyal fans. If you don't plan to get into APRS then it should work great for you.


Craig

I had been using the  "studyguide" for a month or so...The material was pretty dry, and the book almost too technical.

I discovered the online test a few days before I wanted to go and take the test.  I began running through all 20 or so test, and in a day, I could pass every test offered and get 95% or better.

I took the test and missed only 1 question-97%! These online test work for sure, I was pretty confident driving to the test site, having passed more online test earlier while having coffee.

The Icom 706 is a great radio.  The head unit is a little large, but fits pretty well on the panel where the sunroof buttons are (assuming that you relocate the sunroof buttons).  I believe it covers all of the amateur radio bands, so if you want to use any of the HF bands keep studying and pass the General exam at a minimum.

I'm KE7K**, I don't post my whole call sign on the net.  I'm paranoid.  A few years ago a guy used our sig lines off a Land Cruiser site as a personal shopping list.  Your call sign gives a thief exact GPS coordinates to your house.  Check out the trip forums and their call sign and you have sent an invitation to a thief. 

I'm running an old ICOM IC28H 2M rig with a Wison 2MTR mag mount 5/8 wave whip on one rig.  And in the Cruiser I'm running a Yaesu 7800 dual band with a Diamond dual band mag mount antenna.  I eventually want to go to a K400 mount with a SSB5 Comet Dual Band antenna.   I ran a Kenwood TMV7A for awhile in my last Cruiser.  It was an OK radio, hard to program, and it had the stupid cool blue screen which was impossible to read in the rig.  I lust after the Kenwood 700A and the newer 710.  Dual bands and APRS in one unit.  Very nice, but a little too expensive for my budget.  I'm running Bob Freeths programming software for the Yaesu, it is simple to use and makes programming a no brainer.

Congratulations, Craig.  K7NAV, sounds good.   Is that short for "belly button"?  Just kidding!

Jerry (KE7RLA)

Newbie here.  N7YQM.

The only acronym I can think of is "Young Queen Mary".  I'm not pleased with this.  Suggestions?

Young, quintessential, man.

think positive

N7YQM is not a vanity call.  It is standard issue.  That may be part of the problem but I've had it for 16 years and feel attached to it.

"Young, quintessential, man" isn't bad but quintessential is a bit bulky.  I think it is true though.

Just noticed this thread with the recent activity.  Craig, you can add me to the list -  KD7TRX.