Ham N' Cheese

GhostX

Allergic to Pavement<br><img src="http://i164.phot
Location
SoCal
Ham Radio Information

Okay, who in The Nation took The Test...has their Ticket...passed the No Code...ditched the Children's Band in favor of REAL comms?

KD6DCI here...grabbed my ticket back in 92' (cue old prospecters voice from Toy Story) when the no code Techs first came out, and been bouncing around 2 meter for a long time.

Anyone else here a HAM?
 
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mudchet

Got Mud?<br><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/
Founding Member
Location
Brentwood, TN
I am not involved, but am curious. What do you use the HAM for? Do you keep it in you car?
 

GhostX

Allergic to Pavement<br><img src="http://i164.phot
Location
SoCal
I am not involved, but am curious. What do you use the HAM for? Do you keep it in you car?

Mostly for clear trail comms...I have a mobile in the Xterra and several HT's (handie talkies, or handhelds).

Great for backcountry remote xcursions, because with the power of the ham radio and repeater comms, your effective range can be up to 200 miles. Simplex (radio to radio) with 5 watts can go up to 5 miles, but results vary with weather and line of sight. Sometimes more...sometimes less on simplex.

You can find me working on 484m:lols:

484m...must be a new band privilege I am unfamiliar with...:shucks:
 

Airmapper

First Fill-Up (of many)
I've considered it a few times, but the more I hear from HAM's putting down other unlicensed types of radio operators, it puts me off and makes me think the HAM crowd might be a bit too snobbish for my taste.
 

GhostX

Allergic to Pavement<br><img src="http://i164.phot
Location
SoCal
I've considered it a few times, but the more I hear from HAM's putting down other unlicensed types of radio operators, it puts me off and makes me think the HAM crowd might be a bit too snobbish for my taste.

Farthest thing from the truth.

If you can't take a joke about CB...well.


Sent from Planet Claire using Tapatalk
 

Mr_Scott

Test Drive
GhostX, I just finished my CB install a month or so ago and hate it. Is there any ham radios that will fit in the din slot above my single din stereo? Am I better off just getting a handheld unit and keeping the CB where it is? I do a lot of wheeling alone and out of cell range most of the time.
 

mudchet

Got Mud?<br><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/
Founding Member
Location
Brentwood, TN
Ghost,

Would you, or someone else with Knowledge be willing to write up a primer for ham radio for offroading? The primer would cover these topics:

1. Uses of ham radio in offroading, and advantages over CB, cell phone. (looks like you have this done)
2. Necessary equipment for basic-level ham radio in vehicle
3. Other steps necessary to use ham radio (license, training, etc)
4. Recommended brands, models, pricing to acquire #2

Thanks.
 

GhostX

Allergic to Pavement<br><img src="http://i164.phot
Location
SoCal
Is there any ham radios that will fit in the din slot above my single din stereo?

Yes, but I wouldn't recommend that type of install for a 2 meter radio (probably what would fit) mobile, as most of the radio body is a heat sync and needs to cool externally. Yaesu FT 1900 comes to mind...small, mil-spec, 50 watts.

Am I better off just getting a handheld unit and keeping the CB where it is?

You can attack it like this...but if you do, I would recommend installing an antenna and mount on the vehicle, along with a connector for your coax on top of the handheld for better range and signal quality. Rubber ducks are nice for basic mobile transmissions, but with your long distance/remote travels utilizing a 5 watt HT with a better antenna is one way to skin the cat.

I do a lot of wheeling alone and out of cell range most of the time.

This is where ham radios shine, and CB's are challenged. Also, carry a repeater guide and learn the systems near/around where you are traveling for access.

If you have an iPhone, there is an ARRL application that is an excellent tool I use often to search for repeaters in my area (naturally, use this while in cell range and make notes for use later).
 

GhostX

Allergic to Pavement<br><img src="http://i164.phot
Location
SoCal
Ghost,

Would you, or someone else with Knowledge be willing to write up a primer for ham radio for offroading? The primer would cover these topics:

1. Uses of ham radio in offroading, and advantages over CB, cell phone. (looks like you have this done)
2. Necessary equipment for basic-level ham radio in vehicle
3. Other steps necessary to use ham radio (license, training, etc)
4. Recommended brands, models, pricing to acquire #2

Thanks.

Happy to help. See my next post.
 

GhostX

Allergic to Pavement<br><img src="http://i164.phot
Location
SoCal
Here is some verbage that we used over at SCCX:


Southern California Club Xterra encourages our members efforts to upgrade their communications to licensed amatuer radio status.


This is an excellent way to communicate on the trail, in remote locales (where cell phones don't work), as well as during emergency situations.


In the last 20 years the hobby has opened up significantly with the approval of a "No Code Technician Class" licensing process.


With approximately 30 days of study and review, along with the successful passing of a 35 question test, applicants are rewarded with an amatuer radio call sign/license and band privileges that expand both range and clarity of signal.


Local testing is offered monthly all over San Diego County, as well as Orange and Los Angeles Counties, usually through a local Repeater Club or Emergency Services outlet.


The license is a one time $15.00 fee, and the license renews every ten years for FREE.


Basic radio and antenna set ups start at around $250.


For more information on "How To" reach out to one of the many hams here on SCCX who would be more than happy to share their positive experiences with the hobby as well as contacting me personally to help.


John, GhostX



Check out these helpful links as well:


QRZ Website


The newest edition of the helpful study guide is available through the ARRL here:


Ham Radio Licensing Book


A quick link to one of the many Ham Radio suppliers:


Shop Ham Radios/Antennas Here
 

GhostX

Allergic to Pavement<br><img src="http://i164.phot
Location
SoCal
Radios/Antennas

You can't go wrong with any of the radios that the "Big Three," ICOM, Yaesu, or Kenwood manufacture. They are all quality radios for Ham use, and it just comes down to price and features.

Same thing for antennas...and the cool thing with ham antennas is they don't need tuning. Plug and play the coax into the radio and antenna mount, and you are good to go.

There are many styles of antennas from my two favorite companies that apply to all kinds of mounts/locations on your vehicle. Comet and Diamond antenna make excellent products, and Hustler has a nice selection as well.

Length of antenna is another topic of debate, that all relates to vehicle type/range capabilities/garage convenience etc.

Try to look around QRZ.com for photos on installs and specific applications to get a better idea.

I'll post more in a sec...I'm at work and have to deal with an issue.
 

knightrider

Bought an X
Location
San Diego, CA
GhostX, I just finished my CB install a month or so ago and hate it. Is there any ham radios that will fit in the din slot above my single din stereo? Am I better off just getting a handheld unit and keeping the CB where it is? I do a lot of wheeling alone and out of cell range most of the time.

a solution for you may be the icom IC-V8000, it has a front firing speaker and a fan cooled heatsink so it will remain cool as the xterras have quite a bit of room behind the dash.
 
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knightrider

Bought an X
Location
San Diego, CA
ham

1. Uses of ham radio in offroading, and advantages over CB, cell phone.

ham is great for basic trail communications between a group of friends on the trail, but it shines when you have a group of 15 trucks that span a mile and a half of the mojave trail like SCCX Xcursion earlier this year, communications from trail lead to tailgunner and vice verse were no problem while cb was fading out around halfway through the pack. Another example where ham is great are large xcursions we've had with multiple groups on multiple trails, the trail leaders from all the runs can have a dedicated frequency to contact each other on opposite sides of a mountain, country or the WORLD!!! muahahahaha...oh sorry, wrong thread :)*ahem* but seriously, with the use of repeaters, some of which are linked together with the use of the internet.

One of the clear(pun intended) advantages of ham over cb is fm modulation, ham uses FM and cb uses AM. Just like your stereo, fm transmissions are much more clear with ham.

Power is another nice feature of ham radios, most mobile radios have atleast 50 watts, some with as high as 75 watts!! Power isnt everything though, because of the higher frequency, even a handheld with a peak output of 5 watts and an external antenna, similar to the output of all CB radios of 4 watts, you can communicate long distances, much further than cb with reliability. With the use of repeaters, again, THE WORLD!!!

theres more but i think thats enough for now.

2. Necessary equipment for basic-level ham radio in vehicle

Like CB, a basic setup consists of a radio, antenna cable, antenna mount, and the all important antenna. For the new ham, you cant go wrong with a handheld, HT(short for handie talkie) with an external mag mount antenna, thats where i started.

unlike CB, there are many more options and features for radios, so it takes a bit of research and i recommend reading reviews, and getting hands on a few radios to get a feel for what you think is important features you would like. price is another aspect that varies wildly, radios start out at about $150 for a basic 2m radio and go up to $1000 for a full feature, multi band radio with so much capability it makes my head spin.

3. Other steps necessary to use ham radio (license, training, etc)

GhostX(John) touched on this one very well with a paste from the SCCX forum, but i would like to add that there are many websites to take practice tests, and all of the questions on the test are public knowledge and are published with correct answers so its really a no brainer, even if you dont know what the answer means, you can still know the correct one.


4. Recommended brands, models, pricing to acquire #2

Again John touched on this and had very good recommendations. Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood are all good brands for radios, there are some chinese companies now selling very inexpensive radios (starting at $40) but i will hold my opinion on those as i view it like the great winch debate, everyone has their favorites, some get burned, others have no issues.

Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) is a nice place with many locations where you can get a hands on with different radios and they normally have helpful staff that can point you in the right direction.
 
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mudchet

Got Mud?<br><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/
Founding Member
Location
Brentwood, TN
Thanks knightrider. Very good info.

Moderators: Can we make this sticky so it doesn't get lost, this is good info to make readily available.


1. Uses of ham radio in offroading, and advantages over CB, cell phone.

ham is great for basic trail communications between a group of friends on the trail, but it shines when you have a group of 15 trucks that span a mile and a half of the mojave trail like SCCX Xcursion earlier this year, communications from trail lead to tailgunner and vice verse were no problem while cb was fading out around halfway through the pack. Another example where ham is great are large xcursions we've had with multiple groups on multiple trails, the trail leaders from all the runs can have a dedicated frequency to contact each other on opposite sides of a mountain, country or the WORLD!!! muahahahaha...oh sorry, wrong thread :)*ahem* but seriously, with the use of repeaters, some of which are linked together with the use of the internet.

One of the clear(pun intended) advantages of ham over cb is fm modulation, ham uses FM and cb uses AM. Just like your stereo, fm transmissions are much more clear with ham.

Power is another nice feature of ham radios, most mobile radios have atleast 50 watts, some with as high as 75 watts!! Power isnt everything though, because of the higher frequency, even a handheld with a peak output of 5 watts and an external antenna, similar to the output of all CB radios of 4 watts, you can communicate long distances, much further than cb with reliability. With the use of repeaters, again, THE WORLD!!!

theres more but i think thats enough for now.

2. Necessary equipment for basic-level ham radio in vehicle

Like CB, a basic setup consists of a radio, antenna cable, antenna mount, and the all important antenna. For the new ham, you cant go wrong with a handheld, HT(short for handie talkie) with an external mag mount antenna, thats where i started.

unlike CB, there are many more options and features for radios, so it takes a bit of research and i recommend reading reviews, and getting hands on a few radios to get a feel for what you think is important features you would like. price is another aspect that varies wildly, radios start out at about $150 for a basic 2m radio and go up to $1000 for a full feature, multi band radio with so much capability it makes my head spin.

3. Other steps necessary to use ham radio (license, training, etc)

GhostX(John) touched on this one very well with a paste from the SCCX forum, but i would like to add that there are many websites to take practice tests, and all of the questions on the test are public knowledge and are published with correct answers so its really a no brainer, even if you dont know what the answer means, you can still know the correct one.


4. Recommended brands, models, pricing to acquire #2

Again John touched on this and had very good recommendations. Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood are all good brands for radios, there are some chinese companies now selling very inexpensive radios (starting at $40) but i will hold my opinion on those as i view it like the great winch debate, everyone has their favorites, some get burned, others have no issues.

Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) is a nice place with many locations where you can get a hands on with different radios and they normally have helpful staff that can point you in the right direction.
 

GhostX

Allergic to Pavement<br><img src="http://i164.phot
Location
SoCal
a solution for you may be the icom IC-V8000, it has a front firing speaker and a fan cooled heatsink so it will remain cool as the xterras have quite a bit of room behind the dash.

Good call Jordan...is that what you are running?

One of the other options (although a bit more pricey, usually in the $400 to $500 range) is a ham radio with a detachable face plate.

This is similar to the unit that I use, which gives you the flexibility to mount the main unit under your seat and the face plate in the coin tray/center console/dash mount etc.

Faceplate mount for my Kenwood TM-742A


Mounting head unit of ham radio under the drivers seat area




Seat removed...very easy, 4 bolts...be careful drilling the holes for the self tapping sheet metal screws (spy photo, GhostX with step rails)

 
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Tay-Lo

I'm the king of junk food!
Location
Upstate SC
Stuck! This topic has a subforum that is relatively small so I wouldn't expect it to get lost but sticking threads is always fun.

I would say 3 threads is relatively small.....

As of right now I'm planning on CB first since it seems to be the more common one, but in the future I may HAM it up. I have a pretty sweet idea that I got from the CX forum awhile back. Replace the factory radio antenna with a CB antenna and put a splitter on it.....1 antenna for both radios.
 

GhostX

Allergic to Pavement<br><img src="http://i164.phot
Location
SoCal
Keeping both a CB and a ham in your truck covers all bases...when you're ready.

Jordan/knightriders posts are excellent...thanks for sticking this mods.
 

knightrider

Bought an X
Location
San Diego, CA
No but a quick little search found that radio.

I run a yaesu ftm-350ar, expensive radio with a huge display, built in GPS, and APRS. The main draw for me was the ability to do anything without having to look through the manual. The menu is in real English, no 3 letter shorthand.

Not sent with the stupid auto guide app
 

BigRed44

Test Drive
Location
Ontario Canada
i run a CB, a yaesu FT-7800 and have 2 cell phones on me (One for work one for personal) You can never have too many communication devices if there is ever a problem. I've also had my licence since i was 12 and been to many different events and always get asked "why do you have 2 antennas?". Ham Radio hasn't caught on that much that i have found with off roaders in Ontairo but a lot of the guys out west in BC seem to have their licences.
 

knightrider

Bought an X
Location
San Diego, CA
what ive found works well for the non ham people, give them a HT and i will call them on the ham when i cant reach them with the cb, its a little one sided on the converstation but its already convinced 2 of my friends to get a HT on thier own and one has gotten his ticket.
 

L0keman

Test Drive
Location
Biloxi MS
KF5ZLL here. I just got my Pro-4X and will be buying an IC-7000 and doing a couple mods to it. It'll be able to do UHF/VHF/HF including CB bands. It'll even be able to pick up OTA Television. What more could anyone axe for? Access to practically everything you could ever need in any given situation. That is why I got my ticket. Took me a whole 3 hours to memorize the question pool using a $5 app on my Iphone.
 

dhyde79

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Amarillo, TX
just took my test a couple months ago... KF5ZTT, have a pair of Baofeng UV-5RAX+ handhelds, and am looking into a pretty beefy mobile unit, which will of course require me to upgrade to General since it's a quad band (10/5/2/0.7m)
 

mudchet

Got Mud?<br><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/
Founding Member
Location
Brentwood, TN
just took my test a couple months ago... KF5ZTT, have a pair of Baofeng UV-5RAX+ handhelds, and am looking into a pretty beefy mobile unit, which will of course require me to upgrade to General since it's a quad band (10/5/2/0.7m)

I am following right behind you. Studying for the Techniician exam now and I have been shopping the Baofeng radios. Have you seen the new GT-3 radio? Also, have you looked into APRS?
 

dhyde79

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Amarillo, TX
I am following right behind you. Studying for the Techniician exam now and I have been shopping the Baofeng radios. Have you seen the new GT-3 radio? Also, have you looked into APRS?

Gt3 radio: nope, I will though...

Aprs, that's the vehicle pinging transponder deal right? If so, I don't want it. I carry multiple GPS locating devices, I don't want anything constantly broadcasting my location for anyone to find...
 

dhyde79

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Amarillo, TX
Just an additional link for anyone studying-I found this site and the links very helpful when I was reading up for the big test. http://www.ky4ky.com/vetesting_materials.htm

Handy, I'll post a link to a zip file containing all of the stuff my local group distributes for studying for all three levels of testing. I'm going to go ahead and start toward my general and extra classes, even though I probably won't need the extra ever...
 

mudchet

Got Mud?<br><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/
Founding Member
Location
Brentwood, TN
Passed my test this morning for Technician class. Now I just need to get my call sign. Anybody know of a mobile unit that can receive on ANY frequency and just transmit on 2m and 70cm? Or transmit on quad? I'd like to be able to listen on other frequencies.
 
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