Reasons why CBers should consider HAM Radio

[Sean K.]

The fact remains that most people use CB on trail runs. With the testing and regulation, I don't see that changing any time soon....regardless of how "easy" and unrestrictive HAM might be.

JMO,
Sean

[shane4x4]

Good!
Questions?

tibaal89 previously said:

Well this has got my attention...

[tibaal89]

shane4x4 previously said:

Good!
Questions?

Not really - I'll probably pick up that book and check it out. I've been thinking about doing this for a while, but never got around to it and never had a decent reason to.

I had some friends in college who were major EE nerds and very active in HAM stuff. They had a gigantic repeater on top of the 12-story dorm building, I witnessed their radio-nerdy a few times and it was good fun. Here's a page about their station: MSOE Amateur Radio Club - W9HHX - Club Station

[tibaal89]

By the way, it looks they have some resources for the test and whatnot:

MSOE Amateur Radio Club - W9HHX - Exam Sessions / Study Materials

[KD7NAC_07FJ]

FlyNdrive previously said:

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.

Sorry to point fingers but that is exactly the kind of thing I will caution you against if you want to be a HAM. Those kinds of things are why every other operator considers CB "garbage frequencies".

Believe me I get enough grief from my HAM buddies for even having a CB in my rig.

It's against the law if you want to gamble with your money/freedom that's your business but don't tell people it's ok - it isn't - period!

tibaal89 previously said:

Not really - I'll probably pick up that book and check it out. I've been thinking about doing this for a while, but never got around to it and never had a decent reason to.

I had some friends in college who were major EE nerds and very active in HAM stuff. They had a gigantic repeater on top of the 12-story dorm building, I witnessed their radio-nerdy a few times and it was good fun. Here's a page about their station: MSOE Amateur Radio Club - W9HHX - Club Station

On the other hand I like getting to the top of some mountain, set up my low power HF on 10m and chat with someone (from Washington) in LA, New York or even on the other side of the globe with good bounce. No cell phone, phone bill nothing but my rig in my FJ

[MountainMan]

just got my call sign today! woohoo! (see sig for details)

[Armhunter]

i dont think I can watch my mouth with my friends well enough to have a HAM...

[KD7NAC_07FJ]

MountainMan previously said:

just got my call sign today! woohoo! (see sig for details)

Let me be the first to congratulate you and hang you a nick-name.

KD0 Big-Old-Hat

I'm sure others can come up with more colorful phrases but that's best I've got off the top of my head

[Ospreyguy]

That is the most I have ever read about HAM and I scored a 72 on the practice test...

[1leglance]

This goes out to anyone in AZ who is interested in Ham radio....
You can check out my stuff both mobile in the FJC and my handheld that is great for hiking and can be used pretty well in the FJC with a perm antenna

I would also be happy to get together with folks for study sessions although I gotta say that if you just go here
HamElmer Home
and then google free ham test and go to
qrz.com
eham.net
and a few other sites you can and will pass the test no problem...I did and my 9yr old son is ready to take his test.

As to a group buy I would highly recommend Ham Radio Outlet and the Yaesu 7800 as it is a dual band readio with wide recieve that will really serve the majority of folks very well.
I know the HRO here in Phx has been positive about a group but when I ask in the past just looking to get some of my local folks here into it.
Figure right now on sale you are looking at
Yaesu 7800 $250 w/ free sep kit to remote mount faceplate
Antenna less than $100 w/ mount and cheaper can be found

In the end you will still have your CB and if you get Ham you more than likely will be using both on the trail....Driving to and from the trail you will use ham, by yourself you will use ham for ecomm and chatter to pass the time, in the case of emerg you will use ham...and more