i'm thinking about getting a ham for my runner but i'm not sure what it takes to get the license and how much a unit costs.... just would like to hear some opinions about what they think is a good set up

 

I have an amateur license.

Most people start with the Technician class license. The exam is a multiple-choice written test that covers some simple electrical theory, but mostly its about regulations and operation. The tech license allows you to operate on a number of different bands, but the most used one by off-road types is the 2m band which is 144-148MHz. Its not difficult to pass the test. You can even get a book with a bunch of sample questions that you basically memorize. The book I used is called "Now You're Talking" published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Its available online from a lot of places. I think one ought to put in at least enough effort to read such a book instead of just trying to memorize answers without knowing any of the background info. They keep things pretty simple so don't worry about it getting too complex.

Equipment varies all over the map as far as cost goes. I didn't even look to see how inexpensive one can go, but I don't think you'd end up with something like the $40 or $50 CB radios that a lot buy unless you get an older used radio.

Amateur radios tend to have a lot more bells and whistles than CBs and you'll probably want some of them. The makers of amateur radios use of lot of technology from commercial radios so the technology is generally a lot more current the CB radios. All that tends to add to the cost. Then you get into things like single band (2m) or dual band 2m/70cm (144/440MHz) radios or other combinations that increase the cost. I think a unit from the big 3 makers (Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood) is around $175 for a 2m rig. Ham radio types seem to buy and sell radios a lot in their quest for the "ideal" radio, so there are plenty of reasonably new rigs for sale for less than new. If you look on the sites with amateur radio classifieds you see plenty of virtually unused radios for sale. You don't find many give-away prices, but its still less than new. Some of the really old gear won't have features that you'll want if you plan to access repeaters or do anything fancier than just basic 2-way "simplex" communication.

I have a Kenwood TM-D700A 2m/70cm radio that costs around $400, but its got the capability of monitoring two frequencies at once, receive on more than just the amateur bands, a detachable control head that makes mounting it much easier, and other things for transmitting GPS positions over the ham bands so its definitely more than you need for basic communication. I haven't used 90% of the features either, but I'm a confessed gadget freak.

I don't think I could make a recommendation on one brand or model. For everyone who loves any brand or model, there is someone who hates it. If you're interested, I can supply some links to some of the amateur radio sites with reviews, classifieds, etc. Just about every online dealer sells the 3 major brands, so search for Yaseu and you'll turn up a host of sites to see whats out there.

Don't worry about any of the low frequency radios to start with. The technician license only gets you privileges on frequencies above 50MHz.

 

whats the range on a 2m radio? wiht cb the best you can get is about 4-5 miles...

 

Range all depends on wattage and how well your antenna is tuned. CB's are only allowed 4 watts (maybe 5...?) and that equals about 10 miles range with perfect conditions (temp, terrain, rain, salt, etc) and about 5 miles realistically in normal wheeling conditions.

I've got my license and I bought a dual band (2m, 70cm) ICOM with a detachable face. Haven't actually used it yet... my antenna blew off in Death Valley during a storm! Time for a new whip. My buddy with a similar rig gets about 30 miles range at 50 watts with an untuned antenna - we're expecting much better range once one of us gets a tuner.

 

if you could post up a couple of links to your favorite ham site i would greatly appreciate it ..... what you posted already is just great.... looks like i got another thing to do and research

 

I'm not but my dad is KB8IEX in Michigan. He has lot of quals and says he has talked to guys in Russia. The antena on the barn at the farm is crazy tall and has become kind of a landmark out there.

 

Check out: http://www.qrz.com/ and http://www.eham.net/

 

get one mikey cuz I'm in the process too. Got the equipment, just need the free weekend to take the test O btw, get the technician class book too.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/094...lance&n=283155

I think this is the most current one but I'd check to make sure. I hope to get my license by spring

 

The test for tech isn't hard... at least it wasn't for me. I have a decent understanding of electronics and antenna theory so I just skimmed through the "Now You're Talking" book the night before the test and passed it.

 

<--- dealing w/ a moron here so I know I'm gonna struggle! I got the book and thats about it. I guess I should take the time to read it right? I've read that there are tests floating (sample) that give you a good idea of what kind of q's they ask so I plan to study those

 

Yeah, take the time to read it. I took a physics class and have messed around with radio for awhile so I passed it easy - the only things I needed to learn from the book were antenna height limits, what frequencies were opened up to which classed, and some general stuff like including your callsign once every 10 minutes.

 

In addition to the sites mentioned, this site has a bunch of classifieds if you end up looking for a used radio. http://www.qth.com/

I don't seem to have a link handy, but the ARRL has a web site which is a good place to check for any recent rule changes and regulatory type stuff.

eHam.net has a useful section where people post reviews.

I think there must be Yahoo groups for just about every radio, so if you get to the point of seriously considering a particular one, you might take a look there to see what people are saying about it and ask any questions. It can be difficult to understand some of the more obscure features from the manuals the manufacturers supply.

Its getting pretty hard to actually see and touch an amateur radio in a store before you buy one. Even Seattle doesn't have a good store any more. Ham Radio Outlet seems to have the most stores; everything else is internet or if you're lucky, an independent small shop.

As far as tests go, there is a standard pool of questions that the tests are made from - a certain number of questions are taken from several groups of questions. Any decent book should cover all the questions in the pool, so you don't need to scrounge the net looking for more tests unless you're wanting to avoid buying a book. My "Now You're Talking" book says it covers the question pool that was first used in July of 2003 and is expected to be used until July 2007 unless they change the rules for Technician licenses which would force a test change. One of the proposed changes would eliminate the morse code test for the higher license classes, but that's not something you need to worry about.

 

i knew my yt buddies would have some great info thanks again guys i'm gonna get started on getting one soon

 

KC0TXH hear

yaesu dual band (2m 70cm) cross band repeat 8800 mobile (installed in the truck, but set up to move to any 12 v source)
and a yaesu FT60 HT (dual band)

 

ummm what language are you speaking...... is that clingon or something

 

I use the handheld radio (Icom 2m and Icom dual band) with a roof mounted antenna. When I was in a serious wreck some years back, I called for help on the handheld (on the local Search and Rescue repeater). Talking to a Sheriff deputy, and State patrol and 5 aid cars there ASAP! :fireman: Only bad thing was I had one of the other hams call my wife on the phone, and she heard me relaying patient injury info to the deputy (in the background) and it REALLY freaked her out. Some serious injuries.

KC7OFP (Tech)

 

That depends on several factors: the radios RF output power, antenna type, terrain, operating conditions. Could be from several miles to several hundred miles.
You can talk from one radio directly to another, or use a repeater.

A repeater is fixed station that receives your signal and retransmits it on another frequency. The repeater is a high power station with a high gain antenna on a tall tower, frequently on a hill or mountain. With the combination of power, antenna gain, and height the signal can reach a much larger distance.

Repeaters are also used on the 10m (28MHz), 6m (50MHz), and 70cm (440MHz) bands.

 

Translation from ham geekspeak:

Yaesu = brand name
dual band = the radio operates on 2 of the ham bands (2m (144MHz) and 70cm (440MHz)
cross band repeat = a mode the radio can operate in where it functions as a repeater, receiving on one band and retransmitting on the other
8800 = I guess the model number
mobile = a model meant for automotive use (vs handheld or base (home) use)

 

yes 8800 is the model number

FT60 model number

HT = handy talky or what "most" people would call a "walkie talkie" handheld radio.

I specificaly got the cross band repeat for S&R when i might be dispatched to an area in the truck but then need to get out and go mobile with the HT. so i can keep the 8800 (at 50watt) trasnmitting info back to command from my HT which is only 5watt

 

Awesome, do you use the cross band repeat features for work or just when you're out exploring?