I have a Cobra 148 CB with side band that has been peaked with extra channels I got bored of because out of the 40 channels only two are active. One of which is 19 the truckers channel and the other a few hobbies that are still on it... They are nice people it is just that I have nothing in common with them... I am more of a techy computer guy and that sort of interest alot of people seem to be on the ham radio frequencies. What do you guys think of ham radio? What are some of the basics that I need to know?

Join the ARRL, buy the Radio Amateur's Handbook and the license manual. That should supply most of the information you will need. The hobby is very broad and operating can be from CW to satellite, to computers, to TV....and lots more. A local ham club might also help you a lot.

The handbook really is the bible for ham radio and covers operating info, theory, and technical information. You can find used ones for sale. The information doesn't change much, so you don't need to buy a new one every year.

Oh, there are Ham radio forums you might want to join. QTH, QRZ are two that pop in my mind.

Good luck !!!

I would agree with Bill and contact a local club. The ARRL website can help you find one.
There are so many facets to the hobby. There is something for everybody.

Dale
KG4KZG

Just a little reminder , , , , ,

"Real" Ham Radio operators NEVER break the law and operate outside of their FCC allowed power or frequency allocations .

Your "Peaked with extra channels" breaks for sure the law of staying within frequency , and most likely is also putting more than the allowed power level into the antenna ......

Big lesson here = Educate yourself BEFORE ya transmit

I agree with everything said so far.

Where are you located?
I'd suggest looking around the local flea markets and find a
cheap programmable scanner.
Lots of them are getting dumped because the local police
and fire departments have changed to digital radio and
so they can't be heard with a regular scanner, but you
can monitor the local ham repeaters on 2 meters and 70cm,
the 440 band.
Find a club and go meet them, hopefully you'll meet
someone that'll help guide you along.

The quickest way for you would be study to get a license, and then get a 10 meter rig. They are reasonably priced, and you could use your present CB antenna -- if it is working o.k. on the outband right now, it would probably work o.k. on 10 meters with a bit of adjustment.

There are apparently study materials online. The FCC got rid of the code requirement, so that should make it a bit easier.

I myself haven't bothered to get a ham license, I don't really have the interest, or the money to get a radio for it. I monitor the HF ham bands frequently, that's good enough for me right now. But if I were to do it, 10 meters is the way I would go.

10 meters is a temperamental band that is usually dead, unless there is a lot of sun spot activity....which we are beginning to get. Generally the activity runs in an 11 year cycle. There are many other bands that might be more attractive to a new ham. If you are interested in the "magic" bands, then 6 meters is a good option with a smaller antenna than 10.

I wouldn't look at 10 because it is close to 11 (CB). It can be a difficult band. It is not open all the time.

Get a receiver first, and then find out what is of the most interest to you.

What kind would I need to get to hook it up to my computer?

"hook it to my computer" ??
You can build cables and plug in to the sound card, receiver audio output, and microphone input.
OR
You can get a super-modern Software-Defined-Radio that uses the high-end computer as the main part of the radio
OR
a lot of steps in between.
Do you want to talk or just hammer away at a key board or both ?
Do the reading and listening before spending money and you will reduce frustration.
Pat

Typing would be fun..... Is it possible to send images and stuff through ham with a computer? I am very soft spoken and the CB people were very rude and call me a f@g so i am sorta scared about talking on ham but I heard they are more nicer.

Generally, if you can think of it, you can do it with Ham Radio. Get the ARRL operating book and it will give you a good introduction to the various modes. I wouldn't worry about voice qualities, but if you do then use the keyboard to send CW, teletype, and other digital modes. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how receptive hams are. There are a few "lids" and idiots just like here, however it is easy to avoid them.

Thanks for your help... will this book talk about http://www.amazon.com/ARRL-Operating-Ma ... 0872591093 all the modes?

I think between that book and the ARRL Handbook you should be covered. I have my operating manual packed away so can't be sure it covers every mode, but looking at the Amazon synopsis, it looks comprehensive.

You can "look inside" and see the table of contents.