Ham Radios

[Shoyrtt]

I am doing a double post here in Chit Chat along with my build thread, so bear with me. 

I have been using my piece of crap handheld CB for the past 4 years without many positive experiences. Poor range, hard to hear, etc. etc. etc. 

I would like to purchase a HAM radio (most of the Benders had them in my last visit to the Hammers). It looks like from my research (not much) for every watt the Radio puts out, the transmission and reception range is about one mile (depending on terrain). I have found several sites that cater to the off road industry, with complete in car setups. I have also found a few "Ham Radio" specific sites that sell the same or better radios for half the price. 

The question to the Marlin crowd is have you used a Ham Radio? What do I "need" to have? Where did you buy? I have heard that I will need a license?

Thanks for the help. 

[Shoyrtt]

Here is the one I am looking at (Vertex FT-2800) $118 + about $35 for an antenna. It is rated at 65 watts.: http://www.hamcity.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=10

[Rockcrawlintoy]

yes you are goin to need a license once you do that you will know what radio you need.

Drew

[Shoyrtt]

yes you are goin to need a license once you do that you will know what radio you need.

Drew

Drew,
If I know I need a radio in the 137 to 174 MHz range can I buy the radio, then get the license? I hear the test easy.

I am guessing the channel "151.475" is in the 137 to 174 MHz range.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

yeah you can buy the radio. go get the book Now Your Talking it has everything you need to know

Drew

[Shoyrtt]

yeah you can buy the radio. go get the book Now Your Talking it has everything you need to know

Drew

Found it on Amazon!

[Shoyrtt]

This was a good read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_licensing_in_the_United_States

[Shoyrtt]

I hear the test easy.

I found this sample test. I need to study!
http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl

[Rockcrawlintoy]

the book has sample tests in it too. im goin to get a hand held radio when the time comes

[Duffil]

 

[Shoyrtt]

Showoff





I was in the 50s on the first test. :

[Shoyrtt]

the book has sample tests in it too. im goin to get a hand held radio when the time comes

Do you have a mobile unit in your rig? The hand helds seem to only be around 5 watts.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

with a handheld and repeaters you can be more mobile and still reach out quite a ways. my buddy has a handheld and can get about 300 miles using repeaters on it

[Not A Toy]

Im not thread jacking but what is the difference between a HAM radio and a Cb?

[Duffil]

HAM and CB operate on different frequencies, HAM requires a license to operate, and is much more powerful.
you can look around on http://www.qrz.com for more info.

[Not A Toy]

Is ham what the police use? why do you have to be licensed?

[Duffil]

Is ham what the police use?

uhm...similar, but on different frequencies i think.

why do you have to be licensed?

Because the FCC says so.
I assume because it is a pretty powerful radio, and HAM radio is used a lot more as a "station" not a mobile unit...there is a lot to know about operating it correctly.

[Not A Toy]

ohhh gotcha thanks for not flamin me for askin a question.

[DTB]

ohhh gotcha thanks for not flamin me for askin a question.

the threads not over yet! 

[Duffil]

ohhh gotcha thanks for not flamin me for askin a question.

Do I have a bad rep or somethin?

[Not A Toy]

oh no it just seems like more and more Marlincrawler is turning into Pirate im starting to notice alot of negative comments and stuff on peoples threads.    and DTB youve left me no choice.   

[Not A Toy]

"I LIKE HAM"   

[DTB]

why....I oughta

I havent really noticed anything out of the ordinary regarding posts........if anyone gets outta line...I make sure to

[Not A Toy]

Just seems like some people never have nothing nice to say about anything and its getting worse. maybe its just a faze.. anyhow I have a feeling that pic of yours is going to keep resurfacing for awhile haha. I really dont see why people are teasing you tho?  Alls I see is a guy with a bigger then life smile and a helmet ok wait I guess i see it now...      just kiddin man your a good guy.

[Shoyrtt]

with a handheld and repeaters you can be more mobile and still reach out quite a ways. my buddy has a handheld and can get about 300 miles using repeaters on it

The only concern I had about repeaters is that the handheld still needs to reach it to communicate. In areas like Johnson Valley it might be asking the impossible for the handheld to find a repeater within five miles with a five watt system.

[Shoyrtt]

Im not thread jacking but what is the difference between a HAM radio and a Cb?

The "ham radio / cb radio" section of the board has very limited info (if any) on Ham radios. You won't catch any grief from me about "thread jacking" as I am trying to learn all I can about the systems. 

[Not A Toy]

I just try to keep learnin everyday ya know knowledge is one thing you can never have enough of. Im just gonna put a CB in mine. Seems like theres too much to HAM radios

[Duffil]

I just try to keep learnin everyday ya know knowledge is one thing you can never have enough of. Im just gonna put a CB in mine. Seems like theres too much to HAM radios

I've used CBs forever, and never had any problems...I don't see the need for an increase in power.  I have a switch for that.

[Not A Toy]

What kinda switch are we talkin here?

[Shoyrtt]

I just try to keep learnin everyday ya know knowledge is one thing you can never have enough of. Im just gonna put a CB in mine. Seems like theres too much to HAM radios

Other than the test, it seems like the HAM is basically the same as a CB (price, install etc).