San Antonio Repeater Organization

San Antonio Repeater Organization

"Serving the Amateur Community for 44 Years."

SARO Questions & Answers

On this page we hope to have the questions and answers to those questions posted. Submit your questions about SARO, Ham Radio in general, or other related topics via email to questions@sarepeater.net.

Don't bother asking about the "Birds and the Bees", or "Why is the Earth Round". We don't know. But we do know almost everything there is to know about SARO, and a little something about the Amateur Radio hobby, so we'll be happy to answer those types of questions. Your email will be forwarded to the SARO Board or their designated "Answer Person". Remember that "dumb" questions often get the response they deserve. :)

Who Asked?	When	Question	Answer
Sam	10/13/2003	I have noticed several styles of "Ham" or "Radio Ops" license plates in TEXAS. One style says TEXAS RADIO OP and has the call-sign, but I notice different style lettering on the call-signs. Then I see one with the Texas Flag, TEXAS and the call-sign, more like a vanity plate than the 'radio op' plate. And recently I saw a Handicap plate with the call-sign. How do you apply for the different versions ? I understand one can have up to 5 of the radio op plates ?	There are two styles of lettering on the Texas Radio Ops license plates, an older large letter format and the newer smaller letter format which goes along with the plan that Texas may soon have to go to 7 digits on the LP's like California and a couple other states have done. I have seen Radio Ops plates with Red, rather than Black or dark Blue letters, but those may be old or a mistake. One comment, TEXAS will put a "O" and an "I" on Radio Ops LP's but those letters do not exist on other LP's, there they are "Zero" and "one". Yes, you can get your call-sign on a vanity plate, but why pay the vanity plate price. In addition you can have, looking at the current form, a total of 4 Texas license plates with the same call-sign on them, but your name must be on the registration form for each vehicle. Since Handicap plates, college plates, disabled vet plates, etc., have various numbering systems, I guess you can ask for your call-sign to be placed on the special plate at whatever the cost is for that plate. I have recently seen amateur call-signs on DV, Handicap, A&M, UTSA, The ARTs and Vol Fireman plates. Please visit TxDOT's web page to learn more. For other types of plates, please visit this site at TXDoT also.
Newbie	10/12/2003	How do I get my info updated on QRZ website?	If you are trying to update your license info, you have to fill out the FCC form 610 or do it online at the FCC website. If you are wanting to add your email address, post a picture of yourself or your hamshack, and add or update your bio with QRZ.COM, they have a link on their site to do this. Simply look up your call sign and click on "Add Email Address" for that change, or the "Add/Update biography for xxxxxx" (your call sign) and submit what you want. One hint: Write your texst up in a word processor, run spelling and grammar checking, and then cut/paste the text into the space provided on QRZ's website form. Remember, lots of folks will be reading it. QRZ does manually examine every posting, so your posting and picture might take a few hours to show up. Don't get impatient!
Junior	10/12/2003	How old do I have to be to join SARO?	We don't have any age limits on how young or old our members can be. We have some who act younger their age, others that don't. If you have a ham radio license you are probably able to fill out our application which will be online at this website soon!
Lost in SA	10/11/2003	When does SARO meet?	We meet on the 4th Friday of January, April, July and October. See link for Directions to our meeting location. We also "meet" on the air every Wednesday night at 9pm on the 146.94 repeater (negative offset, 179.9 tone) which you are welcome to attend as well.
Unhappy	10/10/2003	How do I get a Vanity Call Sign and how much does it cost?	Vanity call signs for ham operators are available for a fee of $16.30 (good for 10 years) and you apply on-line at the FCC Website wireless.fcc.gov/services/amateur/
Wannabe	10/9/2003	Where can I take a test for my ham license?	Check out this website for testing info. It contains info about most, if not all, VE Testing sessions in the San Antonio Area. Another source is to visit ARRL.ORG and click on EXAMS which will take you to this link where you can enter the state or zip you are interested in researching. www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml

San Antonio Repeater Organization
P.O. Box 1753
San Antonio, Texas 78296
Send email regarding website to webmaster@sarepeater.net