Ham radio set?

Question

I've been told that if I get a ham radio I can transmit 400 watts. on am and ssb as well as ssb on several bands. Is this true, and what is a call sign? Is it like a handle on CB and how do I choose one?

Answer 1

You did not mention what country you are in so it will be a little hard steering you in the right direction. Here in the U.S. we have 3 liscense classes. You must study to pass any of the 3. The first entry level liscense class is the Technician. It grants you operation on frequencies at 50Mhz and above with input power limited at 1500 watts. The next step up is the General Class which grants you operation on the HF bands which are frequencies at 1.8 Mhz and up. You have the same power restrictions and limited bandwidth within these frequencies. The last class is the Extra Classs which grants you use of all frequencies allocated in the U.S. Like the previous answer, I'd suggest you find a local radio club or Ham operator and make your intentions known. I'll list some sites of intrest below for you.
Good luck entering the Ham Radio Hobby,
73, de Mike

Answer 2

Right.. are we sitting comfortably....

The first step in becoming a Radio Amateur (They dislike the term Hams) if you are in the UK which makes me think you are as you mention 400 watts is to pass a simple test called the Foundation. This will allow you an M3*** callsign but you will only be able to legally use 10 watts on some bands.
Next, after a bit of studying you go for your Intermediate test which, when passed, will allow you 50 watts. Your callsign will then be 2E0***
The final Amateur test, which gives you the top power, is the Full. This will allow you to use upto 400w on most bands, but not all. You will then be issued with an M0*** callsign.

Most ex-CB operators use VHF between 144 to 146 MHz and there is even a calling channel which is 145.500 MHz and is commonly regarded as S20.

There is a lot to learn before you can push 400 Watts. It is a fascinating hobby though and you will find it much more interesting than CB.

I still operate on the CB bands and they are not dead as some seem to think. True, numbers are low but you can get out much further now and most of the wallys have moved on to the internet. You can hear them regularly in chatrooms making asses out of themselves.

If you have the time spare visit the B.R.A.T.S. website (below) and have a read. All you need to learn is on there and it is online. Don't let the morse test put you off either, it is only an appreciation and you will not fail it.

73 de Graham

Ps. SeargentBilko has it wrong. The UK27/81 CB band given to us on 2nd November 1981 is still legal. Have a visit on my website.. http://www.open-channel.co.uk
PPs. Paulrb also is wrong. I bet he doesn't know that there are more makes of CB for sale today than there were ever in the past. There are well over 21 different types for sale new that I know about. Get on those airwaves and give it another go.....

Answer 3

in thery your right but its not so simple as your post. you need to pass 3 stages of licence foundation 10 watts only. intermediate 50 watts only and full up to 400 watts. the full licence requires some serious studdy. the cb lincence will be not requred after the end of 06 but you can oly opperate on the uk cept freq fm so dont go down the road of your question or youll get done. find a radio club near you and take a foundation licence .look up the rsgb web site youll enjoy it , good luck keith 2e0kei bradford west yorks.

Answer 4

I think you need to pass a test to go on Ham and it's a little different from C.B.

Answer 5

you will be the only one, as no one uses cbradio anymore!!
that went out in the 80's lol