Reasons why CBers should consider HAM Radio

[shane4x4]

Depending up on license & equipment, you 'can' talk on CB frequencies. It is however, illegal

[uphill]

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.

[KD7NAC_07FJ]

chris2 previously said:

Can you only listen or can you talk to cb's also?

It is not legal to transmit on non-type specific radios. HAM radios are not rated for CB/FRS/GMRS/Emergency frequencies.

There have been a lot of posts about what you can and cannot do with a HAM radio. Fact is I can build a transceiver that will transmit and receive on any frequency from 0 to 8 GHz. The responsible HAM will tell you to restrict your comms to authorized frequencies that your license allows you to operate on.

Please don’t mistake what you can do for what is legal and make sure you understand that you are assuming all responsibility for any illegal actions you may undertake. Anyone telling you “it’s ok everybody does it” is wrong for one, irresponsible and will get you in trouble.

Armature Radio has a very long history of policing itself and in doing so has kept more historical capabilities then any other organization in the history of the US and we would like to keep it that way. Promoting illegal activities is untimely counterproductive and irresponsible.

In the last year there have been 6 people in my area investigated for illegally transmitting off frequencies. 5 were justified and even so one of those people lost a radio and one person lost their ticket, all their equipment and was fined on top of it so believe me it does happen.

I have many, many capabilities and I am authorized for RACES/MARS, I am an emergency worker, work for FEMA, The department of Emergency management and I have authorized equipment in my FJ capable of transmitting on even military frequencies. To talk on CB frequencies I use a CB, to make emergency calls when I’m not on duty – I call 911.

[MountainMan]

Katfish previously said:

Clicked on the practice test....can you please post where the info is located that you need to study for this test, and all the licensing info?

This book has everything you need to know, including all the questions that could be on the test in the back of the book with the answers and page references, this is all i used

they do have classes from time to time in most local areas, you can check here for classes ARRLWeb: Licensing Class Search

chris2 previously said:

Can you only listen or can you talk to cb's also?

i will second what KD7NAC said, i am still a noob and really dont mean to mislead anyone. i edited the original post so as not to give poor information.

[Katfish]

MountainMan previously said:

This book has everything you need to know, including all the questions that could be on the test in the back of the book with the answers and page references, this is all i used

they do have classes from time to time in most local areas, you can check here for classes ARRLWeb: Licensing Class Search

Thank you very much!!

[shane4x4]

A group buy would definitely be a possibility. The problem is that you must have your license before you can buy the radio. Once we get people the license - we can find a vendor that will do a group buy for us.

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.

[KD7NAC_07FJ]

shane4x4 previously said:

A group buy would definitely be a possibility. The problem is that you must have your license before you can buy the radio. Once we get people the license - we can find a vendor that will do a group buy for us.

Unfortunately that is not true - I wish it were but you do not legally require a license to purchase a ham radio. Some stores will not sell you amateur gear without a license but there is no law restricting the purchase of armature gear.

[FlyNdrive]

If you want more range and power order a UHF CB from Australia and use it. There is no laws against importing it and the laws that enforce the use of it are lax. If anyone sees it like a police and a forest ranger they probably can't tell the difference between a UHF CB and a 40 Chanel CB.

[tibaal89]

Well this has got my attention...

[DominicG]

id consider ham if i could talk with CBers through it. because most people have CBs.