The annual BirmingHamfest is this weekend (May 6-7) at the Zamora Temple, which is just off I-459 near the Grants Mill Road exit. Amateur radio operators from all over Alabama and other parts of the nation will be in town for the big event, which includes new equipment vendors, a huge flea market, and a variety of meetings and forums. The event is put on every year by the Birmingham Amateur Radio Club, a local group of ham radio operators.
I attended by first BirmingHamfest in May 1971, about six months after I earned by Novice Class license in late 1970. I was 14 years old at the time, and that hamfest was one I will never forget. It was held back then at the Oporto Armory over on the eastern side of town, and for a kid fascinated by electronics, radios, and gadgets, it was an awesome experience.
If you are interested in amateur radio, or becoming a SKYWARN volunteer weather spotter, I strongly recommend you attend the hamfest this year. You can check out the hobby, see lots of new and used equipment, and meet people that have been in SKYWARN for a long time. If you want to get your license, FCC license exams will be given on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. You don’t have to know the Morse Code to get your license, it is a matter of taking a relatively simple exam on basic FCC rules and electronic theory.
Amateur radio is crucial for SKYWARN operators since cell phones at times become useless during tornado emergencies. My call sign is WO4W, and I continue to enjoy the hobby today. The national amateur organization is the American Radio Relay League, and you can learn more on their web site:
http://www.arrl.org
And, get more details on the hamfest here:
http://w4cue.com/fest.html
I attended by first BirmingHamfest in May 1971, about six months after I earned by Novice Class license in late 1970. I was 14 years old at the time, and that hamfest was one I will never forget. It was held back then at the Oporto Armory over on the eastern side of town, and for a kid fascinated by electronics, radios, and gadgets, it was an awesome experience.
If you are interested in amateur radio, or becoming a SKYWARN volunteer weather spotter, I strongly recommend you attend the hamfest this year. You can check out the hobby, see lots of new and used equipment, and meet people that have been in SKYWARN for a long time. If you want to get your license, FCC license exams will be given on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. You don’t have to know the Morse Code to get your license, it is a matter of taking a relatively simple exam on basic FCC rules and electronic theory.
Amateur radio is crucial for SKYWARN operators since cell phones at times become useless during tornado emergencies. My call sign is WO4W, and I continue to enjoy the hobby today. The national amateur organization is the American Radio Relay League, and you can learn more on their web site:
http://www.arrl.org
And, get more details on the hamfest here:
http://w4cue.com/fest.html
on May 2, 2006, 9:41 pm
My wife was talking about getting me a mobile HAM radio for my birthday (Thursday = 29...WOO HOO
For some reason, I like the portable radios. I'm not sure about usage by battery though. Might be better to go with the mobile units... Anyone that can lend some advice, I'm all EARS. LOL
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on May 3, 2006, 1:21 pm
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