Reasons why CBers should consider HAM Radio

[1911]

Dennis, if you want I'll demo my 2m radio for you at the Meet & Greet tomorrow, if you're going to be there at the beginning - I can't stay for the whole thing. 2m is a VAST improvement over CB that has to be heard to believed.

[opg4759]

JoeUser even though FJ Wolf answered part of it I figured I would elaborate on the multifaceted setup aspects.

The beauty of ham radio is you can set it up anyway you want.

I went years just working repeaters off a handheld. Over time I moved into mobile rigs to help extend the talking range to the repeaters as well as long distance simplex. I don't have a home base station since in the bay area I don't need it due to the great repeater systems we have. One repeater group I belong to has is a 22 repeater system that is linked from San Francisco to Fernley,NV up to Mt Shasta area down to Bakersfield. With coverage like this I don't need a base station since my interest in radio is the mobile social aspect not sitting in a room with a cw key trading postcards. For some people it's the latter and that great because that is what their interest is.

[MountainMan]

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?

opg4759 previously said:

I went years just working repeaters off a handheld. Over time I moved into mobile rigs to help extend the talking range to the repeaters as well as long distance simplex. I don't have a home base station since in the bay area I don't need it due to the great repeater systems we have. One repeater group I belong to has is a 22 repeater system that is linked from San Francisco to Fernley,NV up to Mt Shasta area down to Bakersfield. With coverage like this I don't need a base station since my interest in radio is the mobile social aspect not sitting in a room with a cw key trading postcards. For some people it's the latter and that great because that is what their interest is.

here is another great resource, i suggest printing this out and keeping with your HAM gear as a reference.

http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/reg...ands_color.pdf

the general summary is this - tech license gives you:

15 Meter Band (21Mhz) for CW (morse code) only
10 Meter Band (28Mhz) for SSB and data
6 Meter Band (50Mhz) for voice/data
2 Meter Band (144Mhz) for voice/data
1.25 Meter Band (222Mhz) for voice/data
70 CentiMeter Band (420Mhz) for voice/data
33 CentiMeter Band (902Mhz) for voice/data
23 CentiMeter Band (1240Mhz) for voice/data

I hag out / monitor repeaters in our area on 2 Meter and 70 CM (see sig). All the other bands around here are pretty quiet for voice communication. I prefer the 70CM band/repeaters for greater building penetration. At 5Watts from my HT i can easily hit the repeaters on Conifer Mountain which is about 35 miles SW of my house.

Many folks i deal with (just buddies and our local ARES group) are mainly involved for social reasons and for community service. I only have a HT (handheld) with a external antenna on the FJ. I use a big linked repeater system in the area as well, and simplex when out with a small group somewhere wheeling or fishing or hiking or geocaching or whatnot...

you can do a TON of what HAM offers with just a Tech license. In fact the leader of our ARES group only has his Tech (as do i) but probably 20% of the ARES folks have their General as well.

[JoeUser]

1911 previously said:

Dennis, if you want I'll demo my 2m radio for you at the Meet & Greet tomorrow, if you're going to be there at the beginning - I can't stay for the whole thing. 2m is a VAST improvement over CB that has to be heard to believed.

Yeah, I'll be there, Lee. I'd definitely like to see what you're using.

To the others, thanks for the replies. I think I'll probably take Mountain Man's tack, and get a handy-talkie and hook it up to an external antenna when in the FJ (and get the best of both worlds). My stepfather does the same, and never has to worry about his rig staying in the vehicle (and being snatched).

So, it's off to study for the Tech license and shop around for HT's!

[MountainMan]

if i were looking for an HT i would wait for this bad boy
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...ming-soon.html

[JoeUser]

I'll probably just settle for a 7R, as I'm sure they're gonna be real affordable after the 8R hits the shelves...

I really don't need Bluetooth or APRS, in the near future (just not that into it at this time).

[Boxerdad]

what can I do with this radio, I am new to this stuff? thanks

[KD7NAC_07FJ]

Boxerdad previously said:

what can I do with this radio, I am new to this stuff? thanks

Not sure what you mean by "this" radio? There are a number of radios listed.

By "new to this" do you mean you are a new Ham or you are just looking to figure out what radio to use, what's available and what's in use?

Need more info.....

Most all of the radios listed are Amateur (Ham) radios that require a license to operate with the exception of CB. The only real differences between radios are the frequency bands they support and cool new features they like tempting us techno junkies with.

[Dusther]

Hey everyone... well have been reading this thread and what a trip it has been. I do NOT have a Ham lic. as of yet but have thought of it over the years. I do however have one heck of a CB setup, Galaxy 99 and just can't figure out how to mount it in my FJ. I still have some searching to do and maybe be able to find some posts on the mounts others have used in here. I already have an IComm ham unit which is a very close match in size to my galaxy so when/if I get my license I will be able to swap the radios out. any ideas where I may be able to find some good mounting options? in an 07 with AT 4WD

[acruxksa]

I'm barely a HAM (7 months) and will probably install a CB. One thing I can say is that HAM can be spendy. You can get a nice single/dual band setup inexpensively, but you won't want to stop there and will find yourself wanting more.. I actually spent the day building my own 10m vertical dipole antenna, what's up with that? It gets addicting quick, now I just need the sun solar cycle to pick up a bit.