I'm a new ham myself, licensed about a month and a half.  I didn't get into Ham Radio sooner because of testing intimidation.  Once I actually decided I HAD TO BE A HAM, I dove right in and passed my Tech and Gen test within 3 weeks from each other.  Yeah I had to be diligent about studying, but that's all behind me now.  I'm going to start studying for Extra because I enjoy DXing, but all that necessary to be a "Radio Prepper" is your Tech.  Though I highly recommend General with HF capabilities.

I'll stop rambling and cut to the chase.  We need to support and encourage our fellow preppers to get licensed.  The more we help them, the more that will get licensed, and that's what I think is greatly needed in the Prepper community. 

Out of 300,000,000 people in this country, only 700,000 are licensed Hams.  That's .2%  !!!!  I doubt the percentage of licensed preppers is much higher. 

Here is what I used to help study, and I hope it helps others.

KB6NU has some great Manuals for Tech and Gen  (FREE!!!):

http://www.kb6nu.com/tech-manual/

AA9PW has a great site with practice tests:

http://aa9pw.com/

Here is an iPhone app I used.  It was worth the money.  Unfortunately there is one app per element. (STILL WORTH IT):

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amateur-radio-exam-prep-technician/id297951496?mt=8

Quote301 Posts in 63 Topics by 128 Members. Latest Member: SDI
Latest Post: "I highly recommend 'Lice..." ( Today at 07:17:41 pm )
View the most recent posts on the forum.

THAT'S the sig I've been looking for.  Thanks, and no offense O.H.S.

There are already so many more license prep resources on the web than the modest licensing requirements actually deserve, though.  Do we need more here?

I get it adding an air of legitimacy to this ad-hoc startup site, but is it necessary?

Hum, it wouldn't hurt any...

Comments?

Quote from: Scott on September 08, 2012, 12:48:05 PMadding an air of legitimacy to this ad-hoc startup site

That was uncalled for, imo.

The reason I made this suggestion is due to the fact that many Preppers are not licensed.  If this forum continues to be recommended by "Prepper Sites" it would be good for visiting preppers to have some encouragement to get licensed. 

In general the Ham community is not geared for the same type of preparedness that we are.  Though I have met some truly wonderful ham, they aren't in the hobby for the same reason we are.  It would be excellent if this was a community that was promoting Ham radio for the reason that searching preppers are looking for.  The promotion of Ham radio must start from square one, licensing. 

I'm really sorry I'm not the best at articulating my thoughts.  I hope everyone understands why this wouldn't be redundant. 

Quote from: Scott on September 08, 2012, 12:48:05 PM
I get it adding an air of legitimacy to this ad-hoc startup site, but is it necessary?

Be glad I'm not a mod here, Scott. You would have earned a week's vacation for that post!

From Wikipedia:

QuoteAd hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "for this". It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task.

Exactly what this site is...

Radio Preppers will be what it's members make of it. You want it to be a reputable source of information, make it so.
I am not taking offense. I have too good an opinion of my own work for that and too much self esteem to take it personally.

Scott does participate in this site quite a bit and does start new threads on a regular basis.
I can see Scott that you have strong opinions, and that's fine as long as they are expressed politely.
So far so good. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

I do not want RP to be a highly moderated site. There has to be a place for debate and disagreements.
What I will not tolerate is ab-hominem attacks and foul language.

Make no mistake, if moderation is ever needed, I will come down like the hammer of Thor.

Gil.

WHAT !!?!?!?!   

"I highly recommend 'Lice..."

Phhhhhhew! 

I thought this was a survival food topic!   :P

-...-

Glad that you mean licensing.  Maybe having known good/useful licensing LINKS on this site as part of the 'float to the top' greeting message.  This would assure that newcomers to this site would have this useful information presented from the beginning, yet not repeatedly consuming forum time as a discussion, only to then run off the bottom as it ages (like fine wine  ;)    This would present the GOOD ham license sites we know about which are already out there.  List a few different links of differing flavor to suit the variable tastes of different people.

>>> Those of us who already have a ham license know how to do it, but when you're NEW, it's a total mystery , or at least unfamiliar enough to make it seem unobtainable.  A deffinate direction fromt hose who have done it, like :"Go to this URL, take the practice tests, using THIS as a study guide then get back to us when you're over 75%."  could really change people's world.  From there, WE who know ham and the internet can locate nearby ham tests, ham fests & etc for them. It's just a thought.


de RadioRay ..._ ._

Quote from: RadioRay on September 09, 2012, 08:05:14 PM
WHAT !!?!?!?!   

"I highly recommend 'Lice..."

Phhhhhhew! 

I thought this was a survival food topic!   :P

-...-

Glad that you mean licensing.  Maybe having known good/useful licensing LINKS on this site as part of the 'float to the top' greeting message.  This would assure that newcomers to this site would have this useful information presented from the beginning, yet not repeatedly consuming forum time as a discussion, only to then run off the bottom as it ages (like fine wine  ;)    This would present the GOOD ham license sites we know about which are already out there.  List a few different links of differing flavor to suit the variable tastes of different people.

>>> Those of us who already have a ham license know how to do it, but when you're NEW, it's a total mystery , or at least unfamiliar enough to make it seem unobtainable.  A deffinate direction fromt hose who have done it, like :"Go to this URL, take the practice tests, using THIS as a study guide then get back to us when you're over 75%."  could really change people's world.  From there, WE who know ham and the internet can locate nearby ham tests, ham fests & etc for them. It's just a thought.


de RadioRay ..._ ._

QFT

[and that is NOT a Q-signal...]

I have learned more talking to an actual ham - than I did studying the book. It would seem to me that anyone WANTING to do something would be preferred to only those who could pass the theory portion!

...now, don't get me wrong, just like theory is important for good music, theory is important for good radio - but it just shouldn't be used to determine who gets to play the Piano, Guitar, Sax...or the radio!

At least, I don't think so.