Reasons why CBers should consider HAM Radio - Page 17

**Recon FJ** · 07-26-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

uphill previously said:

I know you all are not HAM radio sales people, but what about some sort of GROUP BUY for HAM hardware? I'm not saying I'd even buy, but it might generate enough interest to get people to buy (a) any radio (b) get the hardware and take the test for a license.

It doesn't make much sense when you're the only one on the trail run with a HAM set.

You're right! HAM for the road; net meetings and the like. Usually CB on the trail (rarely do you find more than one or two other HAMs); FRS for the campsite so kids can run around and play... As much as I like and prefer 2M comms, CB is much more prevelant and good for the "wanna stop for a soda" calls w/o having to identify your station every 5 minutes.

**1911** · 07-26-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

ohiobenz previously said:

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?

Congrats on your new radio.

You'll need a 2M antenna, and you'll want to power your radio straight to an aux. fuse block or straight to the battery with at least 10 or 12-gauge wire.

I doubt that you'll find any 2M antennas that use the same bottom connector as a CB antenna, but the radio probably has a PL-259 connector just like a CB. Other than that, you can use the same 50-ohm coax for either CB or 2M.

MountainMan · 09-19-2009, 09:29 AM

i finally got my Kenwood D710 and got it installed with APRS working and the like, just in time for a deployment with my local ARES group, was cool!

Ric · 11-06-2009, 11:26 AM

HAM vs CB

HAM- cost, average $200+ for the set-up. (radio and antenna)
CB- under $100 for everything.(can be done for about $30 total)

HAM- you HAVE to test & get a License
CB- NO license needed.

HAM- NOT many people have them, to expensive for some. (no one I wheel with has a HAM)
CB- EVERYONE I wheel with can afford and has a CB.

HAM- much better range vs CB.
CB- works GREAT for what we need.

FJ-Ollie · 11-06-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Ric previously said:

HAM vs CB

HAM- cost, average $200+ for the set-up. (radio and antenna)
CB- under $100 for everything.(can be done for about $30 total)

HAM- you HAVE to test & get a License
CB- NO license needed.

HAM- NOT many people have them, to expensive for some. (no one I wheel with has a HAM)
CB- EVERYONE I wheel with can afford and has a CB.

HAM- much better range vs CB.
CB- works GREAT for what we need.

You can be completely set up for HAM for under $100.00 too.

Come to Truckhaven with me or just Anza Borrego and I'll prove you wrong.

Ric · 11-06-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

FJ-Ollie previously said:

You can be completely set up for HAM for under $100.00 too.

Come to Truckhaven with me or just Anza Borrego and I'll prove you wrong.

no way,, please point me that way

Please dont get me wrong, Id love to have a HAM set up but like I said, no one I know uses it, lol and if it can be done under $100, Im listening

**raYGunn** · 11-07-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Ric previously said:

no way,, please point me that way

Please dont get me wrong, Id love to have a HAM set up but like I said, no one I know uses it, lol and if it can be done under $100, Im listening

Hi, I'm Jesse and I got my HAM radio license. Nice to meet you. There, now you know two people who use it, including Ollie. No more excuses, it's very handy.

shane4x4 · 11-07-2009, 09:01 AM

I have 2 radios, a hanheld & moble in the fj. I'm in for about $200, including the antenna.
The test is the biggest issue IMHO, but I've offered to teach anyone who is willng how to pass the test in 1 day. After that it takes an hour or so & $15 to take the test.

I've wheeled with you too. Doug from Toytec is also a ham, we talked quite a bit on the fun run

Ric · 11-07-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

shane4x4 previously said:

I have 2 radios, a hanheld & moble in the fj. I'm in for about $200, including the antenna.
The test is the biggest issue IMHO, but I've offered to teach anyone who is willng how to pass the test in 1 day. After that it takes an hour or so & $15 to take the test.

I've wheeled with you too. Doug from Toytec is also a ham, we talked quite a bit on the fun run

Your correct, we have wheeled together, twice, let me explain what I meant here:

Quote:

HAM vs CB

HAM- cost, average $200+ for the set-up. (radio and antenna)
CB- under $100 for everything.(can be done for about $30 total)

HAM- you HAVE to test & get a License
CB- NO license needed.

HAM- NOT many people have them, to expensive for some. (no one I wheel with has a HAM)
CB- EVERYONE I wheel with can afford and has a CB.

HAM- much better range vs CB.
CB- works GREAT for what we need.

the people that I wheel with "on a regular basis" has a CB already..

If someone can show me where/how we can get set-up, and by "set-up" I mean the radio, coax, antenna and test, for UNDER $100 I would more than happy to pass this info along.
Untill then we are all set-up with CBs, that work great for us, its just so much cheaper for someone new into wheeling to get set-up with a CB, and it is easier, being they dont have to take the time to go take a test.

shane4x4 · 11-07-2009, 11:57 AM

I agree that cb is easier & is a good first step. I think the pointof this thread is to show why, for some people, the extra effort to get into ham is worth it. Definitely not for everyone though.