..- ... / .... .. -.-. -.- ... / .... .- ...- . / - --- / ... - .. -.-. -.- / - --- --. . - .... . .-. :tongue_smilie:Quote:
Originally Posted by Camp10
Printable View
..- ... / .... .. -.-. -.- ... / .... .- ...- . / - --- / ... - .. -.-. -.- / - --- --. . - .... . .-. :tongue_smilie:Quote:
Originally Posted by Camp10
Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the Yaesu VX-6R and I've decided to get my technician license. That way I've covered all basis on communications. The Yaesu is on sale until the end of the month.
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0666.html
Keep this up and we'll have to call you Mr. Gadget Jr.
That is the radio that I will probably get eventually. Let us know how the licensing process goes.
I ordered two ARRL books for the tech license. One is The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/087...SIN=0872590836
The other is the ARRL Tech Q and A.
http://www.amazon.com/Arrls-Tech-Qui...ref=pd_sim_b_3
you can take example tests here http://www.eham.net/exams/
Super! Thanks!!
Welcome :)
Okay rick. Have you been watching my internet orders?:innocent: The unit you ordered is the one i also bought several months ago. It's a great radio. In addition to having the "ham" channels, it also has channels you can monitor some are even law enforcement and EMS bands plus NOAA weather radio bands. For the price it is an excellent choice. I think you'll be pleased.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
Here now crash:tongue_smilie: I resemble that remark:innocent:Quote:
Originally Posted by crashdive123
Well, great minds and all. It must be the Hoosier in us.
You got that one right,Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
The Yaesu arrived today. All I can say is holy cow. This thing came with two technicians, a computer engineer and three guys just to look up stuff in the manual. I figured out how to plug in the charger. If I can figure out what the interface of packet TNCs and CTCSS/DCS Operations are I'll be in like Flynn. More to come.....maybe. (This thing is worse that a VCR)
I did a trade today (it's in the mail anyway) on a couple of hand held CB's.
Rick I'll try to find the site/link I found and send it to you. It has a ( i think) 20 minute tutorial video on how to program and operate the radio. The manual IMO is not user friendly unless you are VERY technically minded, however the video is easy enough for even I can understand it. I'll try to find it and send you the link.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
I'm currently studying for my technician's license. I had no idea Ham radio was as technical as it is. I'm pretty impressed with the knowledge that hams have. I thought you might find it of interest. Here's a couple of sample questions:
Q 13: What is the cause of irregular fading of signals from distant stations during times of generally good reception? (T3A08)
A. Absorption of signals by the "D" layer of the ionosphere.
B. Absorption of signals by the "E" layer of the ionosphere.
C. Random combining of signals arriving via different path lengths.
D. Intermodulation distortion in the local receiver.
Q 26: What circuit is pictured in Figure T7, if block 1 is a frequency discriminator? (T7A04)
A. A double-conversion receiver.
B. A regenerative receiver.
C. A superheterodyne receiver.
D. An FM receiver.
http://aa9pw.com/wordpress/wp-conten...ian2010/T7.gif
A, A,,,,,,,,,,?
C and D........
You can take practice exams, which is where these questions came from. I took one before I started studying then I've taken one after finishing each chapter. I past my first test after chapter 4. There may be hope for me. I'm really concerned about that old dog, new trick liability thingie.
The Navy actually taught me most of that stuff...........a long, long time ago. Now, if I could just remember it.
I'll vote D and D
Mods for Yaesu VX-6R.
Here are some modifications to talk on 137 – 174, 222 – 230, and 420 – 469 frequencies with the VX-6R.
http://www.halfzware.com/wordpress/2.../19/vx-6r-mods
Also some other mods for better TX and better sound.
http://www.mods.dk/index.php?ModelId=822&RadioRec=yaesu
I modified my Yeasu about a year ago and it works, able to talk on all those frequencies (except I don't mess with police or military frequencies), but it allows you more options of whom you can talk to.
Enjoy.
I'm not sure I understand the need. If it's something you want to do then okay. With several bands that I CAN talk on and several more common (AM, FM, Weather) that I can receive I, personally, have everything I need. The purpose for me is to have the ability to know what's going on in an emergency and to be be able to call for help when in the woods if I have to. The factory model does all that for me and I'm not taking the risk of hosing up an expensive piece of equipment. Just my point of view. But thanks for the links.
The reasons can be anything from using lower channels which do not require a license to talk on to even being able to communicate with law enforcement during a disaster, since if you have an emergency you can use all frequencies except military to call for help on even without a license. Since any emergency even those who do not have a license can talk on HAM radio stations to call for help. Those are just a few reasons to have the modification, which is useful for me since I live off the grid and miles from anyone else, my neighbor is over a mile away. There are many on this forum who probably have similar circumstances in which they live away from everyone else, so having alternative ways to communicate is nice to have on hand. At least it is for me.
As for the lower frequencies that do not require a license (there are also stations in the HAM range that do not require a license) I use these to frequently talk to friends since I do not even get cell phone reception here.
Since the CB is not capable of reaching many of my friends who live several cities over, the HAM is great to use in those cases on those frequencies, but also I do have my license for HAM and I can use the others as well. It is just a case of preference, but it does make a difference to me and some others.
Just great to have it all ready on hand.
Gotcha. That would be a situation of anything that's usable.
The licence like a car licence is there to prevent you from blowing it up. You become knowledgable to avoid mismatchs and electricution.Quote:
Originally Posted by SARKY
YES you do need one.Quote:
Originally Posted by crashdive123
2nd hand and $400 and you don't need a mountain - VOA is in a cowfield.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sourdough
Repeaters are cool but not nessary. CB does not use repeaters, it works on ionized air called skip. VHF and UHF use repeaters on some freq to involve lower power and greater range.Quote:
Originally Posted by HOSSFLY
ME too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken
Quote:
Originally Posted by homejoy
click here
You can - only because in the past it was unenforceable some years... during a war time build up the FCC becomes involved, very serious! Otherwise neighborhood HAM operators will turn you in or fine you if you are caught without a licence during non emergencies.Quote:
Originally Posted by UnknownWarrior
Honest - Very impractical - check out the link for spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
I didn't either - but some of my freinds got 10k fines.Quote:
Originally Posted by Justin Case
great. check out spot too.Quote:
Originally Posted by crashdive123
The SPOT system is not something that I woudl choose. If it works for you, then it works for me.
On the VHF radio thing....for marine use, or EPIRB use, a license is not required (yes, there are some restrictions) - Telecommunications Act of 1996.
tough call but I am sure if two people used a marine radio other than marine use - which I have never detected, The FCC would be pretty quick to shut it down. Might take a few months...
Keep in mind you only need half of spot the GPS is for sending text back home by bluetooth. Homejoy was looking for a eme device to get ems.Quote:
Originally Posted by crashdive123
In response to the note that suggested getting a ham radio and not getting a license. A ham radio license isn't that hard to get if you have average intelligence. I would encourage you to get the study manual that the ARRL publishes, read though it, check out the questions from the actual test (they give you all the questions that could be on the test plus the answers) and then get the license. The reason I encourage you to get your license is because communicating via radio isn't as simple as turning it on and pressing the button on the mic. There's a lot more to it than that. In addition, any HF rig that is not an HT (walkie talkie) is probably capable of putting out enough energy through the antenna to cause injury should you not know what you're doing.
Think of it this way: Would you buy a gun and never use it until an actual emergency arose? Of course not. Learning to use a piece of eqipment is all about practice. Given that, what makes you think that buying a 2 way radio and not using it or even learning HOW to set it up is any different? You do need to have at least a base core of knowledge you know. The old adage is practice makes perfect. This is especially true if you are considering using the radio in a situation where power isn't just an electrical outlet away.
Rich
That's probably good advice but my failing the @#$% test puts me below average intelligence I guess. I have no desire to yak on the radio. I couldn't hear the other end anyway. It's a portable Yaesu and it's here for emergencies only. So, yeah, it is about pushing the button and talking. I don't need to make perfect, just contact.
That's probably good advice but my failing the @#$% test puts me below average intelligence I guess. I have no desire to yak on the radio. I couldn't hear the other end anyway. It's a portable Yaesu and it's here for emergencies only. So, yeah, it is about pushing the button and talking. I don't need to make perfect, just contact or listen in to what's going on (which someone else will have to do anyway).
Hello guys, As you can see this is my first post. Ham radio is communication that can't be beat. I got my license back in 72 and it is much easier now. Back then you did not know the questions on the test and now you study from a book that has the questions or test at the back of the book. This is a sample of several questions that may be asked. You just don't know which question might be asked. Also one was required to learn the code. I have the advanced license, talked all over the world, navy ships, run what is called phone batch traffic for people overseas. Have even talked to the space shuttle.
Having an antenna is a simple thing to do in an emergency. I always used a dipole antenna. It is just two pieces of wire cut to a particular length (depending on frequency, longer length for lower frequencies, shorter for higher). On the coax the shield goes to one side, center conductor to another.
Trying to place a story in my mind that was several years ago. Some army group over seas had attracted and some students at the school had hid a ham radio and were calling for help. So you can't beat it.
The, what is called 2 meter 147 mhz, is what we have a lot of repeaters on. It is line of sight communications which means basically, you see me, you can talk to me. Also repeaters are put in orbit called oscar. We actually communicate with them and, once again, line of sight which has me talking all over the place on very low power.
I started with FRS quite a few years ago for hunting. Migrated to GMRS because of the wattage increase, and yes I do have a license. The individual license allows anyone in my immediate family to operate on it. I have two 5 watt quasi bases, and a multitude of 2 watt handhelds. Non of those accept an external antennae.
If I understand the license correctly, I can go up to 50 watts and have an external antennae staying within a few guidelines on height. I have been researching on taking full advantage of the license, but am a bit timid of what I am finding.
First, the wish list.
50 watts GMRS (existing license)
.5 watt FRS ( no license required )
2 watts MURS ( no license required )
HAM ( Rx only for the moment, license to follow if deemed necessary )
Weather
External antennae
One radio ( x 5 for all member locales )
Legal
Mobile or base would be acceptable, but mobile would be preferred. 12 volt power and the ability to carry to ridge top for better reception being biggies. Roughly an 8 mile range will be required worst case.
That may in fact be an impossible goal. Dual band (VHF/UHF), programmable power output, FCC "type accepted", and two separate "tuned antennae"? Can anybody help me wade through this, or let me in the boat? The information is overflowing my hip waders, and I don't figure chest waders are going to help either.
Since I keep my BOB in my truck at all times, and it could get stolen, I do not keep expensive items in it. I have a 40 channel hand held CB radio that is fairly light weight, and has a telescoping antenna about 3 feet long. I bought it from Fleabay for 20 dollars about 8 years ago, and it is like new since I have never used it except to make sure it works. So I stretched a plastic bag over it, and it slips right into a side pocket on my BOB. I keep 8 extra batteries for it, and if it gets stolen out of the truck, I aint lost much.
It is a full 4 watt output, and I have talked to truckers 6-8 miles away and much farther when the skip ws right. There is no guarantee it will work out in the wilderness, but I feel better with it than I would a 2 watt FRS unit!
Plus I just love saying, how about you Rubber Duck:scaredQuote:
Originally Posted by Wildthang
Had a had a pair of held 40 channel Cobra units......then one went belly up...so i do carry the last one but leave out the batteries as it uses 16 AA's.
After my quest with the walkie talkies, I thinking maybe I need to look into the ham more......
Yeah those Yeasu's are a portable ham as such, but I think they are around $300 to 400 bucks, and too expensive to just leave in the truck all the time. I will probably get one someday, but for now, the old 40 channel CB will do! If I thought I was going to be 30 or 40 miles from any highway, town, or anything, I would get a Yeasu because the range is phenominal on those things!
I have a Midland 75-822 Portable and the Yaesu VX-6. I carry the Yaesu just about everywhere in the woods. It's completely submersible including the mike to 3 feet for 30 minutes. So I don't have to worry about it getting wet in a rainstorm. $250ish if I remember right. The price might be posted in the thread someplace. I don't remember. It also has five weather service bands so you get weather reports no matter where you are. As well as a barometric chip that displays the pressure.
I have a set of frs ( 2) licensed COBRA radios and my license expires 6/20/12. I am not renewing my license and will be getting rid of them AFTER the license expires. If some on wants them, they can have them for paying the shipping. I have only used them on one hunt in canada just after they were licensed.