Sit. Rep. #117: On the Cheap but Wise

1- Ham test questions:
For which license classes are new licenses currently available from the FCC?
      Technician, General, Amateur Extra
What is the normal term for an FCC-issued primary station/operator amateur radio license grant?
     Ten years
How soon after passing the examination for your first amateur radio license may you operate a transmitter on an Amateur Radio Service frequency?
      As soon as your operator/station license grant appears in the FCC’s license database

How many operator/primary station license grants may be held by any one person?
      One
What is proof of possession of an FCC-issued operator/primary license grant?
      The control operator’s operator/primary station license must appear in the FCC ULS consolidated licensee database
Who may select a desired call sign under the vanity call sign rules?
      Any licensed amateur

Which of the following is a valid call sign for a Technician class amateur radio station?
    K1XXX
What is the grace period following the expiration of an amateur license within which the license may be renewed?
      Two years
If your license has expired and is still within the allowable grace period, may you continue to operate a transmitter on Amateur Radio Service frequencies?
      No, transmitting is not allowed until the FCC license database shows that the license has been renewed

Which of the following is a requirement for the issuance of a club station license grant?
     The club must have at least four members.

What may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed to provide and maintain a correct mailing address with the FCC?
     Revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license.
When are you allowed to operate your amateur station in a foreign country?
     When the foreign country authorizes it.
From which of the following locations may an FCC-licensed amateur station transmit?
     From any vessel or craft located in international waters and documented or registered in the United States.

Thanks to KB6NU Ham Radio Study Guides

W: Customer to the pet store clerk.  “Do you have any kittens going cheap?”
X: “No. All our kittens go meow.”

2- Gear on a budget (tight budget thoughts):  Or gearing up slowly as your budget allows.  Make your list and keep it handy while shopping.

– What do you or your family already have?  (think dad’s old wool sweater or your gym shorts instead of new underwear)
– Are your sneakers good enough for a day or training hike?
– Second-hand shops, thrift stores, yard sales, auctions (esp. estate auctions).
– End of season rental returns.

– Military Surplus ( some military gear is a bit heavy – but if it costs you a pound and saves you 50 $).
– Hand-me-downs.
– Used gear & clothes from someone who is upgrading or out-growing their kit or quitting.
– Hardware or construction store equipment and clothes.

– Factory Seconds – blemished, refurbished, returned, OS&D (Overage, Seconds, & Damaged), salvaged.
– Buy multiple (with discounts) with fellow campers.  (Another way everyone has the same equipment).
– Ask for discounts (some stores give discounts if payment arrives under a Troop Letterhead or check).
(Offer to let a store come give demos at a Troop Meeting.)

– See if the rental store has a rent-to-buy program?
– Trade a workday for gear.
– Check out to see if there are package deals? (buy a tent & get a backpack at half price – kind of deal)
– No matter what or where you buy – shop around for better prices.

– Be patient and cautious to spend your hard-earned dollars.
– Purchase quality gear that will last at least 10 years or more.

U: What happened to the cat that ate a ball of yarn?
V: She had mittens.

Y: What did the baseball glove say to the baseball after the playoffs?
Z: Catch you next year.

Creative Campfires by Thomas Mercaldo

Semper Paratus,
Gaither

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