Reasons why CBers should consider HAM Radio

[Robert Price]

I run both and my CB pushes 250 watts ha ha ha! compliments of a palomar linear that is. Also have one on the ham too

[spincycle]

Robert Price previously said:

I run both and my CB pushes 250 watts ha ha ha! compliments of a palomar linear that is. Also have one on the ham too

Thanks for increasing your signal's bandwidth into nearby channels and screwing things up for other people.

[Robert Price]

spincycle previously said:

Thanks for increasing your signal's bandwidth into nearby channels and screwing things up for other people.

Actually if it is done properly the interfearance is almost non exsistant. And besides I can turn it off. And you are welcome too. I do radio comps all the time to see how far I can skip. You judge before you know, I only use the amps when out in the rough and on unused chanels too so I dont cause too much intefearance at all. Enjoy running barefoot if you like but I like a little power behind the mic, when needed.

[COOKN]

Robert Price previously said:

I run both and my CB pushes 250 watts ha ha ha! compliments of a palomar linear that is. Also have one on the ham too

Is that legal? Just curious..

[FJ-Ollie]

I will always have a CB to maintain comms in a group but after using an amatuer radio I find CBs to be a nice decoration. It also makes for a nice tool to use when wanting to listen to battles of profanity when on the highway.

WHen taking large groups into maze-like areas like Truckhaven near the Salton Sea in SoCal, Amatuer radio becomes imperitive to keep the group together and literally not getting people lost.

COOKN previously said:

Is that legal? Just curious..

Nope... Very illegal. The problem is that unless he is screwing up his neighbors television set every time he presses the pickle then nobody is going to do anything about it.

[Robert Price]

Yes useing a ny amplification is illegal. I did not meen to post that I condone it just that I have used it durring skip compitions out in the country, in the rough.

[spincycle]

FJ-Ollie previously said:

Nope... Very illegal. The problem is that unless he is screwing up his neighbors television set every time he presses the pickle then nobody is going to do anything about it.

The FCC has been known to be very proactive over the years - but only sporadically - about code violations. Mostly with HAM stuff, but CB as well. But they just don't have the manpower. Now, if his neighbors were complaining, an FCC trangulation vehicle might be dispatched, and such things ave been used to identify HAM operators using over-power transmitters and/or misusing spectrum based on their license/lack of license.

[Topless4runner]

Ok, you guys don't have to sell me on HAM, im already interested. I have CB currently, for the same reasons everyone listed to have both (mainly how common they are). The question I have relates to gear and what would be best for my intended uses.

1) I have more than one vehicle and would like to end up with an RT which can readily be switched from one to the other; I would shoot for five to ten minutes total. Running seperate antenna on each vehicle I can live with, its mainly the RT I am concerned about.

2) The RT needs to be relatively rugged/weather resistant as one of my vehicles is open top and door-less whenever the weather permits (hence my username). What are my options as far as purchasing a ruggedized RT vice mounting it in some type of protected fashion (enclosure etc...).

3) Intended use of the RT is on-trail comm (what I have the CB for now), but more importantly for safety purposes during short duration solo expedition style travel. No more than a week or two in the bush at a time, mainly just for amusement, peace of mind, and SHTF type situations.

4) While I do not intend to do so in the immediate future (too much other stuff going on in my life right now), at some point I can definitely see myself getting involved in the volunteer and community service aspects of amateur radio.

5) I would prefer not to drop a huge amount of money on this setup as it will be my first RT; if I enjoy it and want to exapand the hobby or decide to change my focus I'll change/upgrade my gear at a later date. That being said, I would much rather spend a little more and get a good quality RT that will serve me for a long time, as opposed to something I will outgrow very quickly. I understand the difference between cheap and inexpensive; what I am after is "the best bang for my buck" without spending a fortune on something that can do everything.

My Maintenance Officer at work is a HAM so I will probably go to him with further questions, but I wanted to get the perspective of you guys as well, especially regarding the off-road/expo applications of a vehicle based station.

Thanks for the help guys, very informative thread.

[1911]

Topless4runner previously said:

1) I have more than one vehicle and would like to end up with an RT which can readily be switched from one to the other; I would shoot for five to ten minutes total. Running seperate antenna on each vehicle I can live with, its mainly the RT I am concerned about.

This would not be a problem; the only connections are two wires (power and ground) and the antenna coax. The coax is a standard connector just like a CB, that unscrews easily without tools by hand. If you use quality quick-connect terminals like Anderson Powerpoles for your power/ground wires you are set. Depending on how you mount the radio itself, you might have as many as four machine screws to take out/put in, but five minutes would be generous to switch vehicles.

Topless4runner previously said:

2) The RT needs to be relatively rugged/weather resistant as one of my vehicles is open top and door-less whenever the weather permits (hence my username). What are my options as far as purchasing a ruggedized RT vice mounting it in some type of protected fashion (enclosure etc...).

All the major manufacturers make ruggedized and/or waterproof radios. I'm partial to Yaesu so I'll use theirs as examples:

Yaesu FTM-10R

"Waterproof/Dustproof Front Operation Panel is designed to support All-Weather Outdoor Activity"


Yaesu FT-2800M

Heavy-duty, ruggedized, high-power 2m radio. I have two of these and they work great anywhere. Can be bought for $125-139.

There are lots of other choices that would fit your bill also.

Topless4runner previously said:

3) Intended use of the RT is on-trail comm (what I have the CB for now), but more importantly for safety purposes during short duration solo expedition style travel. No more than a week or two in the bush at a time, mainly just for amusement, peace of mind, and SHTF type situations.

4) While I do not intend to do so in the immediate future (too much other stuff going on in my life right now), at some point I can definitely see myself getting involved in the volunteer and community service aspects of amateur radio.

A 2-meter radio would serve you well for these purposes. If you were really a long ways from civilization (more than 50-60 miles), a radio with high-frequency cabability would have more range but the cost goes up.

Topless4runner previously said:

5) I would prefer not to drop a huge amount of money on this setup as it will be my first RT; if I enjoy it and want to exapand the hobby or decide to change my focus I'll change/upgrade my gear at a later date. That being said, I would much rather spend a little more and get a good quality RT that will serve me for a long time, as opposed to something I will outgrow very quickly. I understand the difference between cheap and inexpensive; what I am after is "the best bang for my buck" without spending a fortune on something that can do everything.

Like the one I posted a link to above, an excellent new 2m radio can be had quite reasonably, and second-hand even cheaper. The thing about a 2m radio is, you will always have a use for it even if you grow into broader privileges and aspects of the hobby, and you won't have a ton of money sunk into one in the first place.

[ohiobenz]

I just picked up ICOM IC-2000H 50W 2M FM mobile Transceiver on e-Bay for under $100.

I have a Cobra CB and a 20W linear (which only gets turned on if i get lost/stuck out of range of others)

I'll take the time to read through this whole thread later... meanwhile could someone guide me to relevant posts regarding additional equipment I will need? Is it possible to just run 1 coax and a switch plus replace antennas?