Reasons why CBers should consider HAM Radio

[Mikey D.]

spincycle previously said:

Let's say I'm trail leader on some trail, and we're all using some repeater. If I call out "This is KD0ECN, make sure to turn right at the large cairn on the right, KD0ECN clear", that's harder to decipher than "Leader on channel 14, turn right at the cairn".

spincycle, you could try this: 'Trail B leader to all Trail B vehicles, make sure to turn right at the large cairn on the right (pause) KD0ECN! It is perfectly legal to ID your station solely at the end of a transmission, especially if you are in a 'net' type of situation. Also, if I were in the group and wanted to contact you I would simply say: 'Trail B leader this is car 3' and wait for your reply which could go like this: 'Car 3 this is trail B leader, whats up Joe?' Once comms were completed between the two stations Trail B leader, (KD0ECN) and Car 3 (WA1ABC) would each ID themselves and say clear, i.e., KD0ECN, CLEAR / KC1ABC, CLEAR.

The more you work in a 'net' environment the easier comms get!

Mike

[TIT-CRUISER]

Mikey D. previously said:

spincycle, you could try this: 'Trail B leader to all Trail B vehicles, make sure to turn right at the large cairn on the right (pause) KD0ECN! It is perfectly legal to ID your station solely at the end of a transmission, especially if you are in a 'net' type of situation. Also, if I were in the group and wanted to contact you I would simply say: 'Trail B leader this is car 3' and wait for your reply which could go like this: 'Car 3 this is trail B leader, whats up Joe?' Once comms were completed between the two stations Trail B leader, (KD0ECN) and Car 3 (WA1ABC) would each ID themselves and say clear, i.e., KD0ECN, CLEAR / KC1ABC, CLEAR.

The more you work in a 'net' environment the easier comms get!

Mike

That is good information. I was curious on how more casual conversations were held.

[spincycle]

MountainMan, 1911, MikeyD -

thanks for the clarification. As you can tell, I'm about as raw to this as a new Tech can be, and am still struggling with both the technology and the procedures. That's all excellent info, and I thank you.

[Mikey D.]

TIT-CRUISER previously said:

That is good information. I was curious on how more casual conversations were held.

Well, if you're on a repeater frequency and don't hear anyone else you could say: WA1ABC Mobile listening, or just WA1ABC listening. Now, if you are looking for a friend on a repeater you could say: KC6DO, WA1ABC or KC6DO, WA1ABC - Pete are you on frequency? After trying this a max of 3x you would then say: Nothing heard, WA1ABC clear or Negative contact, WA1ABC clear.

When you run simplex it's always nice to use the pro-word OVER when you're finished talking to another party as there are no squelch tails (heard on a repeater) to let you know that it's the other party's turn to talk. When you're done with the QSO you simply say WA1ABC CLEAR.

As you listen to others talk, you'll pick up nuances that you will incorporate into your own radio style.

Mike

[1911]

spincycle previously said:

I'm about as raw to this as a new Tech can be, and am still struggling with both the technology and the procedures. That's all excellent info, and I thank you.

No worries, I am in exactly the same boat - a couple of oar strokes behind you in fact.

[JoeUser]

My stepfather is a HAM operator (has been for years), and I'm seriously thinking of taking at least the Technician's test.

One question: Does the Technician's license limit you just to 10M? I would think that would be all that would required for trail use, no? Is it really necessary to take the test for 2M?

[shane4x4]

Someone will be able to clarify more, but I know that the Tech license gets you 2m & 70cm. I think we get a little HF (10/11M?) privileges too, but I'm not 100% sure.

[Wolf]

JoeUser previously said:

One question: Does the Technician's license limit you just to 10M? I would think that would be all that would required for trail use, no? Is it really necessary to take the test for 2M?

The Technician License allows for the following communications:

(80m) 3.525-3.600 MHz: CW Only
(40m) 7.025-7.125 MHz: CW Only
(15m) 21.025-21.200 MHz: CW Only
(10m) 28.000-28.300 MHz: CW, RTTY/Data-200w, 28.300-28.500 MHz: CW, Voice-200w
(6m) 50.0-50.1 MHz: CW Only, 50.1-54.0 MHz: CW, Voice, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
(2m) 144.0-144.1 MHz: CW Only, 144.1-148.0 MHz: CW, Voice, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
(1.25m) 222.00-225.00 MHz: CW, Voice, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
(70cm) 420.0-450.0 MHz: CW, Voice, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
(33cm) 902.0-928.0 MHz: CW, Voice, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
(23cm) 1240-1300 MHz: CW, Voice, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data

So the primary focus of the Tech license is for VHF and higher communications. It still allows you to dabble in the HF range, but that is best served by the General license. If you're thinking of doing it, go for it! It's a whole new world.

Howls,
FJ Wolf

[JoeUser]

I was under the impression that the Technician was the entry level license (no key coding). And that it was a step above CB, but with the benefits of HAM clarity and sanity (sort of like what CB was like in the days when licensing was required, and less used ~1979 or so).

Anyway, I'm not really interested in setting up a base station at home, but would like more power and clarity when communicating. Plus, I really miss the old days when CB was a little less cluttered and helter-skelter. Went with SSB to avoid that issue some years ago, but now pretty much everyone has abandoned CB for everyday-type mobile communication (and, cell phones have cut into that as well).

So, is 10M worth it?

Edit: Looks like Wolf posted while I was typing (thanks!). Disregard my posting above...

[Wolf]

JoeUser previously said:

I was under the impression that the Technician was the entry level license (no key coding). And that it was a step above CB, but with the benefits of HAM clarity and sanity (sort of like what CB was like in the days when licensing was required, and less used ~1979 or so).

It is exactly that. CW keying is not required for any amateur license now. There are specific portions of the bands designated for that, but you are by no means required to learn it unless you want to.

JoeUser previously said:

So, is 10M worth it?

As for 10M, I don't spend much time there, but hear often of folks doing so. I like the VHF 2M band for local stuff and the HF 20M band for long-distance work. Those are the two primary bands for me and are pretty stable, fun, and useful. But hey, the best thing about ham radio - is finding your own path!

Howls,
FJ Wolf