General Class License Class

I've been getting lots of requests to know when we are going to do our General class for those that want to upgrade.

Here is the situation. I am busy rebuilding the basement as a result of a flood. We were to have started the class in February, but the basement is not finished. Further complicating things, the FCC has decided to change the General Class question pool this year instead of next year. There is no point in studying one set of questions and then being tested on another set.

The basement may not be finished until April. Then comes May when school lets out and families head out for summer vacations.

As you can see, there are lots of variables and until some of them get nailed down, it is not feasable to schedule a class for upgrading to General.

As things smooth out, I will post updates here.

O. D. Williams
N7OZH

Vanity Callsigns and Ham Radio Links

Here is the single most useful ham radio web site there is. Learn all about vanity call signs, how to apply, how to avoid the "land mines" and much more.

Links to other sites. Get a free email account and/or web page at qsl.net. Learn about "electronic" QSL cards. The list goes on and on. Here is the link, just click the logo below.




N7OZH -73s-

Lost Your Manual?

We all misplace our equipment operating manuals from time to time. With the internet, this is not as big a problem as it used to be.

Using a search engine like Google, you can search for the manufacturer's site where many of them post current and past manuals.

Alternatively, you can use a search engine to look for a term such as "Yeasu 5200 Manual" to find non-manufacturer sites that provide copies of current and past manuals. Most of them are out there somewhere.

Some web sites have huge repositories of equipment manuals at no charge. Seek and ye shall find.

N7OZH

Keeping Information Accurate

01/08/2005

The recent mine disaster where 12 were reported to be alive and only one dead was a double tragedy. First the cave in was a disaster, and then reporting the numbers backwards (there were actually 1 alive and 12 dead), added tragedy on top of tragedy.

In ham radio emergency communications, we often are asked to receive and send information that is crucial to disaster cleanup and rescue operations. Here is one rule to live by above all others: WRITE IT DOWN! If you aren't sure of what was said, ask them to repeat it or read it back to them and request verification.

If you do not write it down, you may get confused and report incorrect information. Worse yet, what happens when your relief shows up and you leave that post? If the information is not written down, you may forget to pass it along at all!

People depend on us for accurate information, the key to that accuracy is a written record.

-73 de N7OZH-

1st Post

Today is 12/20/2005.

This blog will feature general Ham Radio information plus info specific to Salt Lake City, the MARA Net, and the Foothill Net. All are invited to link, post comments, make suggestions and point out needed corrections.

N7OZH
O. D. Williams