Reasons why CBers should consider HAM Radio

[Sean K.]

You just asked the wrong guy b/c that's EXACTLY how we talk to one another at work. If you don't have thick skin at my work, you get a new job. If you're offended by me saying I banged your mom, wife or daughter last night, or asking, "how long does take to microwave a baby?"....don't apply at my work. On the other hand, if you can't make fun of and laugh at yourself, you shouldn't apply either.

As for the kiddies....I do my best not to slip up in front of them....but only b/c not everyone thinks it's appropriate. Personally, I don't give a sh1t. Your precious angel is one day not only going to learn but *gasp* use those same naughty words at some point in their life.

Again, just words guys.

As for the rest of your post....again....you're taking this stuff too seriously (as you seem to do with EVERYTHING you post about). Case in point, how you wanted things so much more organized and "on-topic" w/ regards to how the AZFJ clan ran things at events and threads here on the board.

This is a HOBBY for most people. We all have enough rules and regulations in our lives. Our hobby is generally a break from at least most of that.

All I'm saying is lighten up. I'm not "detracting" from the HAM thread. I was actually sorta interested in HAM (not for trail use, but general emergencies) before this thread. However, after seeing all the little whiners like yourself who feel they need to taddle on other people to keep their little clique "pure"....it's kinda turned me off to the idea. Which is fine. I'm sure I wouldn't be welcome anyway.

As for me calling you a whiner....I'm sure that will offend you. So? I guess your inuendo that I wasn't raised to respect my elders wasn't supposed to be offensive? Whatever. Again, it's just words. No hard feelings on my end.

I'd wheel with you in a heart beat. You seem like a great guy (and I'll keep the swearing to a minimum, kay?)....just taking this stuff a little too seriously.

Sean

PS. If you don't want me to clutter this thread further....PM me with your response. Otherwise, I'll be forced to do it here.

[shane4x4]

Alrightythen.....
I'm glad to see we have quite a few CB'ers interested in learning more about being a HAM. Everyone is welcome to wheel & chat it up with us (on either band). I agree that they are just words. I also agree that some words & dialog you don't use in mixed company. I'm a bit old fashioned that way.

Our country is awesome because everyone can make their own choices & we can all hug at the end

[toddunderscore]

Sean K. previously said:

If you don't want me to clutter this thread further....PM me with your response. Otherwise, I'll be forced to do it here.

The chat room's good for that too. Doesn't take up precious PM space either. Oh! And you can curse your F&*#!# ASS off in there!

[Sean K.]

Either one's fine by me.....though I'd have to be in chat at the same time as Lance.....which may or may not be practical. Or, we could just call one another if he thinks we need to talk about it.

PM me for the number Lance.

Sean

[MountainMan]

my current strategy (subject to change w/o notice ) is this

i have a Yaesu VX-7R HT with a rubber duck (the antenna that comes with the unit) currently. I already have not been able to reach some of the repeaters I want to, I can hear them but cannot reach on transmitting to all the ones I would like so,

I am going to pick up the following antennas:
either Diamond® Antenna ~ SRH320A Triband HT Antenna or Diamond® Antenna ~ SRH999 Quadband HT Antenna to put on my HT

and

Diamond® Antenna ~ NR770HNMO Dualband Mobile Antenna to put on the FJ although i want to confirm that it will fit on the bandi mount (which i have not purchased yet) and if not with a simple adapter will it?

i will get a cable kit to run the FJ antenna up to the cab so i can use the FJ antenna with the HT

also, i will at some point get a mobile rig that supports APRS but thats a few months away i think...(i am not clear on what model it is but i understand Kenwood has a mobile unit that has all the APRS stuff built in quite nicely)

i have a FRS unit that is easy to leave in the jockybox

as for CB i will either live without it, or maybe i will consider a handheld unit like one of these Cobra - the Online Source For Wireless Electronics but those dont look very cheap so i dont know... i dont want the cab filled up with CB and HAM and FRS hardware, i just dont want it that crowded with gear in there.

[KD7NAC_07FJ]

Sorry to say but your not hitting the repeater is because your HT is limited to 5w. You might get enough db gain with the antenna to hit the repeater but your signal is going to be weak and scratchy if readable at all.

Before spending all the dough on an antenna strategy for your HT I would seriously consider a mobile. You can get a great Yaesu FT-2800M (65w on 2m) for $140 at HRO.

EDIT: and if you want a good antenna for the 7R look at the Pryme RD-98SMA. It has served me well.

MountainMan previously said:

my current strategy (subject to change w/o notice ) is this

i have a Yaesu VX-7R HT with a rubber duck (the antenna that comes with the unit) currently. I already have not been able to reach some of the repeaters I want to, I can hear them but cannot reach on transmitting to all the ones I would like so,

am going to pick up the following antennas:
either Diamond® Antenna ~ SRH320A Triband HT Antenna or Diamond® Antenna ~ SRH999 Quadband HT Antenna to put on my HT

and

Diamond® Antenna ~ NR770HNMO Dualband Mobile Antenna to put on the FJ although i want to confirm that it will fit on the bandi mount (which i have not purchased yet) and if not with a simple adapter will it?

i will get a cable kit to run the FJ antenna up to the cab so i can use the FJ antenna with the HT

also, i will at some point get a mobile rig that supports APRS but thats a few months away i think...(i am not clear on what model it is but i understand Kenwood has a mobile unit that has all the APRS stuff built in quite nicely)

i have a FRS unit that is easy to leave in the jockybox

as for CB i will either live without it, or maybe i will consider a handheld unit like one of these Cobra - the Online Source For Wireless Electronics but those dont look very cheap so i dont know... i dont want the cab filled up with CB and HAM and FRS hardware, i just dont want it that crowded with gear in there.

[Chatsworth 818 FJ]

1leglance previously said:

hey and that is great Chats...
cuss , burp, sing drunk, and talk trash over the radio

that is why I prefer ham

Sean K. previously said:

Like I said, potty trained at gunpoint.

You guys are hilarious.

**** is no different a word that shoot, freakin, or dang. Someone, somewhere decided it was offensive and now, due to social pressure most folks agree.

Words are just words. I don't get offended if someone from another race calls me a cracker. Sorry, I just don't.

**EDIT*** I will say this though.....in America I completely agree that one should be able to say whatever they wish without exception. However, that doesn't mean you don't have the right to get your ass beat for it. But hey, that's just me.



Sean

Yes to each his own, I think talking about "how is the weather" and "DXing" to talk to some shack on some tiny island to get a card in your QSL collection is boring.
Its not the point of me being a "low-life CBer" as HAMS think. Cussing isnt the point its that having a written LAW that dictates how your allowed to converse is what turns me off to HAM.
We use to have a station in LA "147.435" it was the wild west of HAM, not as bad as CB but definitely out of the norm for ham, other HAMs had the relay shut down cause they didnt like the conversations that took place, now that irks me they cant stay on another channel and let some ham rebels have some fun on one channel, they patrol all channels and if one person slips up you get reported. I cant tell you the amount of times i hear "I gonna report you" listening to my dads ham.

PS But what are you guys going to do "Broadband over power line" starts. It will kill HAM in the US.

[MountainMan]

KD7NAC_07FJ previously said:

Sorry to say but your not hitting the repeater is because your HT is limited to 5w. You might get enough db gain with the antenna to hit the repeater but your signal is going to be weak and scratchy if readable at all.

Before spending all the dough on an antenna strategy for your HT I would seriously consider a mobile. You can get a great Yaesu FT-2800M (65w on 2m) for $140 at HRO.

EDIT: and if you want a good antenna for the 7R look at the Pryme RD-98SMA. It has served me well.

thanks for the tip on the antenna, i will check it out; how come the PRYME Radio Product site doesnt have any antennas showing?

my buddies with the 7R and the antennas i mentioned allow them to hit the repeaters pretty well, but your point is well taken, everyone keeps telling me my duck is marginally better than a dummy load, lol, so i would like to get a bit more out of it... maybe i will borrow one of their antennas and test drive it a bit...

[KD7NAC_07FJ]

MountainMan previously said:

thanks for the tip on the antenna, i will check it out; how come the PRYME Radio Product site doesnt have any antennas showing?

I don't know - HRO and even Fry's carries them ??

MountainMan previously said:

everyone keeps telling me my duck is marginally better than a dummy load, lol, so i would like to get a bit more out of it... maybe i will borrow one of their antennas and test drive it a bit...

Yeah - mine went away shortly after I got it. It doesn't work too bad within about a mile but it has no legs whatsoever.

[1leglance]

Hey Sean,
I would rather keep my responses here in this thread because there are lots of folks who feel the same way you do and also lots of folks who follow your lead.

Really I think I made a mistake in my analagy that I used. I have read some of your post on trail use/closure and I think if I were frame the Amateur Radio thing within that framework you might understand it better, maybe not agree (and that is fine) but understand.

So lets look at it like this..
You are going out on a trail run that will go onto Az State Trust Land, or Sedona or Bulldog and a fellow shows up without whatever permit is req.

You mention to him, "Hey you need a permit to go with us, it is cheap and easy to get, why didn't you do it?" (kind of like the Ham lic)

His reply is "So what, these are public lands and I can use'em, I pay taxes" (like when folks want to use any radio on any freq).

Your reply might be " Yeah but the State needs to control access to limit trash and damage, also those fees go towards trail upkeep" (like how the FCC makes sure the cops have a clear channel and truckers aren't stepping on NASA comm)

So he says "What a waste of time and energy, you just want these trails to yourself and to not let others run them. What are you gonna do report me?"
(kind of like when folks get mad that hams police themselves)

Trying to be friendly you mention "Well no but if enough folks just do whatever they want then the Gov, or enviro groups have an excuse to close the trail to us" (like the fact that comercial interest would love more chunks of the radio spectrum and hams would be the ones who lost out)

So this little exchange could be about radios or trails as the ideas are the same...a group following the rules to protect a resource and enjoy it at the same time.
I know you can't stand trash on the trails (trash talk on the air)
I know you explain how stacking rocks is bad (Tx out of band)
I know you explain that a person should have the right equip to run a certain level trail (right radio and lic to Tx)
So I know you understand protecting a limited resource from waste, abuse, and having it taken away.

I really think if you have the same frame of mind about ham as you do about trail conservation then it might click...not enough to make you want to be an amateur operator but enough that you mind understand why things are like they are.
I do agree that there are lots of crabby ol' men in Ham Radio and as a newbie I have been roasted over the coals..that is 1 reason I am trying to help other new offroader hams just like we help other new offroaders.

Of course I haven't touched on the value of emerg comm during diaster, search and rescue, storm watch, long distance comm to home/help when out of cell range or lots of other uses.

This thread was about why cb folks should take a look at Ham radio, kind of like looking at a single axle conversion....maybe it is for you maybe not....but we can all agree to see both sides of it without making fun of the other camp.

Oh and on the seriousness thing...well that is just me