RAE exams

[SeanB]

Just wrore my RAE...........



Await DATA

[MJLorton]

Excellent SeanB. What is involved in getting to write them here. In the USA it's very easy as there are so many exam centers and tests are held frequently.

I hope the news is good. Keep us in the loop. Is it easy to rewrite if you need to?

[SeanB]

I see you are wanting to do so as well, and it is very easy. You need to contact a local club to do the practical assessment, then fill in the forms and do the exam at the next session, probably March next year. 90 questions, and there is a textbook on the SARL website, along with some sample exams. 90 questions and you are done....... 3 did the test last night, almost outnumbered by the examiners.....

[MJLorton]

Almost outnumbered by the examiners....classic!

Do you have a radio / antenna setup yet...or what do you plan to buy....and are there any good HAM retailers in SA?

[SeanB]

No radio yet, and as I live in a block of flats it can be a little interesting. Good news is thanks to MTN I have a very good earth net, and a cable tray from the ground to the roof for cabling. Will be very restricted in Tx power though..............

Funny enough there are a lot of Ham retailers, though they are all in Gauteng and by you in CT. Hamrad used to have a Durban branch ( now a tyre fitment place) but they are still going in CT.

[MJLorton]

A block of flats can pose a few challenges but that can be part of the fun. I setup my FT-897 in a condo in the USA with a mobile screw driver antenna and achieved some great results on 10 meters. Later I used an end fed dipole which was great for 20 meters.

The last time I popped into Hamrad it looked like they were only doing electronic stuff...I think they might have seriously scaled back on the HAM bits...but I might be wrong.

What radios are you considering?

[SeanB]

Nothing at present, will look at what is available and in price range.

[SeanB]

ZS5TI, looking on Gumtree..........

[MJLorton]

ZS5TI, looking on Gumtree..........

Can't believe I missed this!!!! Congratulations Sean! Brilliant call sign...was that random or did you have some choice?

Ok...so if you are on Gumtree, what are you looking for...?

[SeanB]

No joy on gumtree ( part of Fleabay) so went on SARL and used the advertisers. Got a little 2m handy talkie coming from the windy city sometime this week.

[MJLorton]

No joy on gumtree ( part of Fleabay) so went on SARL and used the advertisers. Got a little 2m handy talkie coming from the windy city sometime this week.

Pop me an email on martin@mjlorton.com

I might have something for you.

Cheers.