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I have a GMRS license and I decided I wanted my amateur radio license as well. So I studied for the Technician test for the last few weeks off and on, and I took the test this morning. (Side note: I live in California, but currently visiting Wyoming, so I took my test in Wyoming. The VE's were happy to have me.) I passed the Technician test 100%. Then the VE's asked if I wanted to try the General test, which I was completely unprepared for. Turns out I am pretty good at guessing, I almost passed (I scored 25 out of the required 27 to pass). My favorite part was when the VE was grading my general exam, he was shocked that I actually got as many correct as I did. "Unbelievable" was his exact word. Just thought I would share. I guess my point is that for the folks that complain about the testing, it really isn't that hard.

That’s specifically for GMRS radios that transmit digital data. GMRS radios that only do analog voice signals may have alternative eye pokers installed. ?

The very first question in the Technician Class test pool is a good reference: T1A01 (C) [97.1] Which of the following is part of the Basis and Purpose of the Amateur Radio Service? A. Providing personal radio communications for as many citizens as possible B. Providing communications for international non-profit organizations C. Advancing skills in the technical and communication phases of the radio art D. All these choices are correct ~~ The correct answer is C. “Advancing skills in the technical and communication phases of the radio art.” Or from the actual regulations: § 97.1 Basis and purpose. The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles: (a)Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. (b)Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. (c)Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. (d)Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. (e)Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.

I don’t agree. Judging by the frequent questions on this forum about antennas, coax cable, load matching, rules etc. and GMRS doesn’t even require a test. And of course all people want to do on GMRS is just talk too.

If a person just wants to buy a radio and talk on it there are several other very reasonable choices, such as MURS, CBRS, FRS, and GMRS. No test required. The Amateur Radio Service isn’t intended for people who just want to buy a radio and talk on it.

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1. Find the study aids that work best for you. For me HamStudy worked the way I enjoyed learning. 2. Keep a sense of humor. There’s more that joins us than separates us. 3. If you’re social, consider visiting some nearby clubs to see if you enjoy them.

I know you are messing/joking with him. [emoji14] We should just be as informative as politely possible and encouraging as we can be. Especially, when someone is asking for help. Could turn them off, more so if they take it the wrong way. /rant Overall impression, I get from non-amateur radio people is that we can be condescending, know it alls that bitch too much about everything. Some of it true, especially since we do most of the self policing. Can't tell you how much of the public safety/lmr groups think we amateurs are a joke and don't want to invite us out for events. With our relay forms and other politics and attitudes. Then those same guys praise people like Marc, can't tell you how many times I hear " I trust Marc and his small group". Because why? They do everything possible to get the objective done, then cross the tees and dot the I's later, with minimum fuss or bs. We should aspire to be the best spoke person for the hobby /rant Still love your comment [emoji14] but I get it. Not everyone will. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

The RigExpert is not a watt/swr meter like the SW-102. It’s an antenna analyzer. They are completely different in use and purpose. There are alternatives for either type of device, ranging from the NanoVNA as an alternative to the RigExpert, to SWR/wattmeters from Daiwa, Comet, Diamond, MFJ, and Bird as alternatives to the SW-102.

Yep, I would like to go all the way to Amateur Extra! I actually enjoy the reading and studying part of it.

I don’t. It’s a gift I have.

Last fall I purchased a Wouxun KG935G and two Wouxun KG1000G radios from Buy Two Way Radios. One KG1000G was for my truck and one was for a base station. Recently, when powering up the unit in my truck, it would display the model and voltage and would go no farther. I contacted BTWR and John Sorrentino had me do a couple of checks and decided to send me a new face plate at no charge since the unit was under warranty and that solved the problem. BTWR has been a great company to deal with and I highly recommend them.

@OffRoaderX I don't have a link to the rules explicitly saying it's allowed, but I accidentally paid for (2) licences under the same FRN number and now I have (2) calls. I never use the other one, but it exists in ULS and the feds haven't said anything to me about it yet. I think they were just happy to have their extra $35.