WRYZ926 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 The FCC use to make you change call signs when you moved to a different part of the country. I don't know exactly when the FCC stopped requiring that one change call signs when they moved. Quote
Lscott Posted January 5 Posted January 5 On 1/3/2026 at 4:03 PM, GreggInFL said: I see why this question is relevant if you are designing a radio, but why is it necessary knowledge if you are just using a radio? If you need to build a power supply for it. The voltage drops can get significant. If your using a full wave bridge rectifier you have two diodes in series so the total voltage drop can be closer 1.4 volts. So, if the transformer output voltage is a bit on the low side the extra drop due to the diodes can put you at or below the lower voltage spec, after filtering, for the radio. Also diodes are used to isolate parallel solar panels. That keeps any shaded panels from shorting out the the current from other panels. Some higher power panels have diodes bridged across part of the series string of cells to guard against hot spotting. Yes panels can develop what is called hot spotting from partial shading, or bad cells, which in some extreme cases may even result in fires. Then you have blocking diodes between charge controller and battery. You find diodes are used in places you wouldn't expect that can result in mysterious voltage drops. AdmiralCochrane and SteveShannon 2 Quote
TNFrank Posted January 5 Posted January 5 3 hours ago, WRYZ926 said: The FCC use to make you change call signs when you moved to a different part of the country. I don't know exactly when the FCC stopped requiring that one change call signs when they moved. From what I've seen in videos that's no longer the case. You can have any number you'd like which really doesn't make sense and can be confusing to fellow HAMs. When I get my General I'll probably pay the $35 and Ger a 1x3 but I'll keep the 7 because that's the area I live in. I just hope the call sign I want will be available. Quote
Lscott Posted January 5 Posted January 5 On 1/3/2026 at 4:03 PM, GreggInFL said: I see why this question is relevant if you are designing a radio, but why is it necessary knowledge if you are just using a radio? If you're looking to go for the Extra class, or just for general knowledge, the attached files on VERY basic electronics maybe interesting. At some point you may find it necessary to try and make some basic repairs, or modifications, on equipment so having an idea what all those basic parts do can come in handy. Starting Electronics - 3rd Edition Brindley.pdf Basic Electronics.pdf SteveShannon 1 Quote
WRYZ926 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 55 minutes ago, TNFrank said: From what I've seen in videos that's no longer the case. You can have any number you'd like which really doesn't make sense and can be confusing to fellow HAMs. When I get my General I'll probably pay the $35 and Ger a 1x3 but I'll keep the 7 because that's the area I live in. I just hope the call sign I want will be available. The FCC hasn't made people change call signs when they move in a long time. They still issue call signs based on geographical area. That is what the number stands for. But it does add confusion when people move to different areas. The worst is Alaska call signs. Guys get their license/call sign while living in Alaska and then move to another state. That throws people off that are looking to work Alaska stations. 1x2, 2x1, 2x2, and even some 1x3 and 2x3 call signs are very hard to get. Some have a big list of people wanting it. Technician and general class licenses are restricted to 1x3 and 2x3 call signs. And you are restricted to call signs starting with K, N, and W only. You have to hold Amateur Extra to qualify for a 1x2, 2x1, or 2x2 call sign. The only reason I would change my call sign (after getting Extra) would be to get a shorter and easier call sign for CW Quote
TNFrank Posted January 5 Posted January 5 I looked up the 1x3 that I'd like and there was no results so no one has it which is good. I know you normally put 4 or 5 choices in just in case your first or second choice get taken but both of the 2 choices I'd like were not taken. I won't change it until I get my General. Quote
Lscott Posted January 5 Posted January 5 9 minutes ago, TNFrank said: I won't change it until I get my General. Which by then might be gone. Quote
AdmiralCochrane Posted January 5 Posted January 5 I got a vanity call that can be easy to remember but mostly I wanted to make everyone say my daughter's name when they called me. One way to remember it is if you are older and listened to AM radio in central MD it kind of sounds like the call of one of the old local AM stations. The other way is that I am not wireless, I have one wire. Originally the shorter calls were desired because they were simpler to send on CW. SteveShannon 1 Quote
Northcutt114 Posted January 16 Posted January 16 Took my first General practice test tonight. 25/35 Soooooo close. TNFrank, hxpx, WRYZ926 and 2 others 5 Quote
SteveShannon Posted January 16 Posted January 16 25 minutes ago, Northcutt114 said: Took my first General practice test tonight. 25/35 Soooooo close. You’ll have it in no time!! Way to go! Quote
Northcutt114 Posted January 16 Posted January 16 I appreciate the encouragement, gents. Now that I've seen 100% of the test pool questions, I've just got to brute force my way through the ones I don't know. I passed my technician test with 72% competency on hamstudy. I'm up to 56% on general. It's finally clicking. TNFrank, SteveShannon and WRYZ926 3 Quote
TNFrank Posted January 16 Posted January 16 I've been getting 24/35 but to tell the truth I've not gone over/memorized all the questions yet. Here's a good link to 4 videos on YouTube that'll help you study. I watched the 1st one and I'm going to watch the other 4. Davichko5650 1 Quote
WRYZ926 Posted January 16 Posted January 16 I like the QRZ practice exams as it tells you the correct answer if you miss a question right away. Plus it allows you to concentrate on the individual sub actions that are giving you trouble. https://www.qrz.com/hamtest/ I have also used the ham study practice exams too. Both are helpful. Quote
Davichko5650 Posted January 16 Posted January 16 On 1/5/2026 at 3:37 PM, AdmiralCochrane said: Originally the shorter calls were desired because they were simpler to send on CW. Same on Phone! In some contests I do on Phone I use "Norway" for the N in my prefix as by the time I rattle off November the other end is already picking up someone else! But I mostly do cw and rtty contests and my call in cw and rtty sends quickly. Quote
Davichko5650 Posted January 16 Posted January 16 17 hours ago, Northcutt114 said: Took my first General practice test tonight. 25/35 Soooooo close. Keep swimming! You got this! RoadApple 1 Quote
TNFrank Posted January 16 Posted January 16 HamStudy.org is a good resource. You have 3 ways to study/practice and if you sign up for an account you can keep track of your progress. SteveShannon and RoadApple 2 Quote
TNFrank Posted January 16 Posted January 16 I'm watching video #2 and they're going through all this math stuff that I honestly don't see a need for to talk to someone on 20M about the weather in Japan. I could maybe, just maybe see it on the Extra test where you're geeking out to the point of building a radio but all I want to do is talk. Rules and Regulations/Yes, What Bands to use USB and LSB on/Yes, maybe even basic components but the math stuff, don't really see a need for it. They need to dump it the same way they dumped the CW requirement. Quote
SteveShannon Posted January 16 Posted January 16 11 minutes ago, TNFrank said: I'm watching video #2 and they're going through all this math stuff that I honestly don't see a need for to talk to someone on 20M about the weather in Japan. I could maybe, just maybe see it on the Extra test where you're geeking out to the point of building a radio but all I want to do is talk. Rules and Regulations/Yes, What Bands to use USB and LSB on/Yes, maybe even basic components but the math stuff, don't really see a need for it. They need to dump it the same way they dumped the CW requirement. So don’t study the math part and take the test to see if you needed it. im pretty sure that if you do well enough on all the other part you can pass even with very poor math skills. RoadApple 1 Quote
TNFrank Posted January 17 Posted January 17 Math is a part of the test so I'll need to know it if for no other reason padding the test. Just like some of the stuff on the Technician's test, once you use it on the test you never use/need it again. Quote
SteveShannon Posted January 17 Posted January 17 16 minutes ago, TNFrank said: Math is a part of the test so I'll need to know it if for no other reason padding the test. Just like some of the stuff on the Technician's test, once you use it on the test you never use/need it again. I use it frequently. dB calculations and antenna calculations mostly, but also things like impedance calculations and SWR. Quote
Northcutt114 Posted January 17 Posted January 17 28/35 just now. Passed. Keep. On. Grinding. If anybody's curious, here's a freebie. "QRV" means "I am ready to receive." Who knew? hxpx, WRYZ926, RoadApple and 1 other 4 Quote
WRYZ926 Posted January 17 Posted January 17 You actually use quite a bit of math when figuring out the lengths of different antennas. And math is used when building baluns, unun, and common mode chokes. A somewhat related story. I barely passed college algebra by the skin of my teeth. I can't do math on paper. Put me in a machine shop, give me a block of metal and a blue print and I will do trig all day long without any problems. The reason I mentioned that is the math on the general test comes to you once you start putting it into hands on applications. Quote
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