Just wondering since I've been considering it for awhile. Figure it'll be another cool toy to have Been lurking on 4wdtrips.net and they all rave the ham stuff so just some food for thought.

Seriously considering the yaesu ft-8800r but just don't have a clue on what kind of antenna to get...

anyway, whatcha all think?

 

Yes. From everything I've read they're very practical especially if you like to get out in the boondocks as they're much better for long range comm. Although it seems the CB is still good for close-range comm. like group trail rides. Problem is then you have all these radios and a cell phone hanging around in you ride. I had the hardest time finding a CB here in LA. Tons of ham stores, but no CB stores that have what I want. Finally bought one today on AmazonI hate the feeling that I'm looking for a white elephant. I think you'll see alot more people going Ham. Is 2-meter the same thing as ham?? Or is that yet another radio option.

 

Hams are great!

My son and I got our license's about a year ago. We have 2 hand-held Yeasu's that we use. They are great for when we are hunting and stuff.

I have been looking for a radio for the truck for awhile and havent really decided yet.

They are a great thing to have! Just be sure to get your license, its not hard at all. There are some web sites around that have mock tests to practice on. That is all my son and I did to study.

 

2-meter falls in the Technician Class of licensee. In Canada, the equivalent is called a Basic Licence. 2-Meter refers to a range of frequencies. It's also acts as a reference for some radios in that they can only transmit in the 2-meter range. Most 2-Meter radios can receive on other frequencies.

Unlike a CB, you do need to obtain a license. HAM radios are very cool and fun, but if you don't know the basics of operations, you could get in hot water due to communication laws. I understand that the US will enforce these rules, whereas Canada tends to let things slide. I wish Canada would be more strong armed as there are some bad apples that tend to ruin things for others. I guess the same can be said about some off-roaders that don't heed rules and regs in that sport.

In addition to the benefit of more frequencies (channels to a CB), there are radios that provide more secured options including digital. Did you know that HAM radios can also access the WiFi spectrum? You can get high powered PCMCIA cards with an external antenna and surf the net (provide of course the area you're in has repeaters that give you access). This is a relatively new area for HAMs and geared for emergency operations, but it sure is cool to be able to send brief email using a HAM radio.

This link may help in those seeking to take a exams: http://www.remote.arrl.org/arrlvec/pools.html, but you really should pick up books on the subject or take a crash course.

I only obtained a license a few months ago, and wish I had more time to really get into the hobby. In fact, I don't think I turned the radio on since I got my license. It's real handy when outing with a group and the antenna does make a big difference. Am looking for a handheld to complement my mobile in the 4Runner.
--
Chris
VE7 VEX

 

So, what's the difference between this
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd...5&isArchived=0

And this
http://www.yaesu.co.pt/banda_comercial/vx3200.html

They seem to have the same frequency ranges, or am I looking at the wrong numbers?

 

The first is a ham (amateur) radio. The second is a commercial business radio. Slightly different frequency.

The amateur radio you can dial whatever freq you want (in the range of the radio), the commercial is licensed to operate on a specific freq.

I have used both, amateur is more flexable and the license is cheaper, and the radios are less $$. The comercial sucked cause we had 1 freq to use. If others were using it too, you had to share. With amateur you just change to another freq.

 

OK. Thanks a lot. I kind of have a very basic grasp of what's going on with this radio stuff. Thanks to all those who informed me.

 

I have a modified ICOM 2200H mobile. Modified meaning it has the ability to go out of band. This works very well for me, not that I use the other freq, but it's lacks the ability to pick up/scan lower and higher frequencies. It's an amateur radio.

One day, I'll pick up a portable that has the ability to transmit on at least those same amateur frequencies, but scan most others (save for cellular which is typically blocked). I want a portable so that when I'm scouting a new trail (or horse trail in some cases), I can communicate back to whoever remains in the rig. I like the idea of a mobile in the rig over a portable as the portable requires constant charging which means some sort of wire hanging around or available spare batteries. For me, the portable is something I would use intermittently.

You probably want something that has many memory channels and the ability to Tx/Rx on one freq while monitoring another. This allows a group of people that do not all have the ability to use one freq but between the bunch, there is a common range of 2. Most locals that go off-roading have several memory channels set to various area fire/search and rescue channels on their 2nd radio. This allows them to scan those freq trying to be proactive about getting caught in a nasty situation.

Don't skimp on the antenna either else you'll defeat the purpose of a good radio. It's probably best to try and hook up with a local HAM expert for info before buying anything. I'm sure you're local dealer will be happy to discuss options.

 

I've heard that certain repeaters will also allow you to place a phone call with your Ham. Pretty cool. VE7 VEX is your call sign?

 

Victor Echo Seven Victor Echo Xray. That would be me.

 

Yes some repeaters do that, but if I remember right most of them make you sign-up with them to use that feature.

 

Nicole turned me onto the ICOM V8000, so I ended up ordering one, with the removal of a diode, Radio can be modified for MARS/CAP 136 - 174 MHz operation. For the May run they require the ability to transmitt on frequency 151.

 

mmmmm, ham :pig:

 

lol... on my yaesu, a software that hacked the radio and it allowed:



previous yaesus radios, they had to unsolder a connection...