Even more 2 meter radio tricks

[Cruiserdrew]

I'm bumping this to the top for Silvercruiser since there is good discussion of 2m in this thread.

I would also like to add one more 2m trick from this weekend's adventure into the Mojave Preserve. Friday afternoon, it was clear that a change in the weather was on the way. Big storm clouds were piling up, with thunderheads on the horizon. There are a series of weather channels on 2m and we got a local forcast on weather #2. It spoke of a major front coming through around 6, followed by thunderstorms and a flash flood warning.

To make a long story short, we found a site on high ground and out of the washes. We had an interesting thunderstorm that went by right after dinner with spectacular lightening on the near horizon but minimal rain for us.

About 4 am the rain started for real, with the heaviest and most spectacular lightening I have ever seen. Literally the flashes were a few seconds apart and this went on for over an hour. Fortunately there were some hill tops within 1/4 mile of our site that got most of the lightening. Even though we were in the desert, it POURED rain. I was glad we were on higher ground, because I'm sure it flooded in some of the canyons.

So, add good weather forcasts to the stable of 2 meter tricks. I have never found the weather feature of CB useful when off road, but the Ham system proved itself to me on this trip.

[n0up]

The National Weather Service runs the NOAA weather radio system in the 162.xxx range. They are 162.400, 425, 475, 500, 525 & 550. Their locations can be found at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/nwrbro.htm

I keep the local ones (Omaha, and westward) programed in the radio. Check to see if your radio will do AM Receive just below the 2 meter band, 118 to 138 mHZ. There are airplanes in that part of the spectrum.

N0UP

[Kofoed]

With wide band receive (say the standard 136 to 174 mhz) you can pick up the audio portion of Channel 2 and 7(?). I can get Fox Sports West around 166, for what it's worth.

[Capt. Jim]

I modified several of my 2M radios to transmit out of band. This gave me the ability to TX/RX on the marine VHF band, 15X.000 mHz Needed a frequency chart as the marine band frequencies are designated by channels, not frequencies.

[ParadiseCruiser]

There are a series of weather channels on 2m...

So, add good weather forcasts to the stable of 2 meter tricks...

Just to clarify Andy's remarks for those not familiar with the equipment... The 2 meter ham band is 144-148 MHz, and the NOAA weather channels are on 162 MHz. Strictly speaking, the weather channels are not on 2m (not on the ham band, anyway).

Some radios have a couple of extra channelized slots for weather, and others have extended receive capability that often covers the entire emergency services band (149-174 MHz), which can be extremely useful (Local police, sheriff, highway patrol, Forest Service, National Park Service, weather, etc. are all in this part of the VHF band). Other radios have neither of these. Something to look for when shopping for radios.

Andy also mentioned (in another thread) the slick ability to "cross-band repeat," using your low-power handheld to talk to your truck, and having the truck's higher power radio retransmit your signal to a repeater... which in turn retransmits your signal 100+ miles from there.

I would add to this the ability to remotely control your truck's radio with your handheld. That is, send tones to the truck's radio to change the frequency, move from one repeater to another, etc., all from the HT on a foot trail some distance from the rig. Another feature to look for on that dual-bander you are looking for

Cheers, R -

[FineWynsFJ40]

So, with a conversation earlier today with my manufacturing professor who uses 2M band for SAR purposes, I've decided to get one. What would be a good one to fit in an FJ40 slot, with either no or minimal cutting of the opening? Is it possible to splice the radio antenna (not hooked up to anything, just there for show) and use that? Also, how would one modify their ham to TX/RX on marine freqs? Thanks, and soon I'll be joining you guys on the radio waves.

Brian

[KLF]

I just passed my Tech exam last night, I'm looking at radios now too. Most of the better 2M or dual-band units have remote fronts that make installing much easier, you surface mount the control face and hide the main box somewhere else, like under the seat.

It comes down to how much you want to spend and what features you want. I do like the cross-band repeat function in the Yaesu FT-8800, but the $375 price is pretty steep. I'll probably just go with the FT-7800 for my first rig. I'm fortunate that I have an HRO retail store about 4 blocks from my house, so I can go look and play with them all.

Not sure what you are asking about on the antenna. Do you want to use your existing AM/FM stock radio antenna? That ain't gonna work for 2M.

[FineWynsFJ40]

What I am asking about, for the antenna, is if I cut the end off, splice the wires into a connector that would work, will it function? I have a brand new one from CCOT but no radio to hook it up to, and don't wanna drill holes or add an extraneous antenna if I don't have to. I already have the antenna installed, isn't it just a matter of the wiring plug?

[Cruiserdrew]

Originally Posted by FineWynsFJ40

What I am asking about, for the antenna, is if I cut the end off, splice the wires into a connector that would work, will it function? I have a brand new one from CCOT but no radio to hook it up to, and don't wanna drill holes or add an extraneous antenna if I don't have to. I already have the antenna installed, isn't it just a matter of the wiring plug?

Lots more to antenna matching than the plug. Go do some reading on Ham Radio, then come back and ask the right questions.

To answer your question, the generic antenna is not going to work with your 2m radio. You need a dedicated antenna.

You will be miles ahead once you study the material and take your licensing exam.

[Bob_Garrett]

Originally Posted by FineWynsFJ40

So, with a conversation earlier today with my manufacturing professor who uses 2M band for SAR purposes, I've decided to get one. What would be a good one to fit in an FJ40 slot, with either no or minimal cutting of the opening? Is it possible to splice the radio antenna (not hooked up to anything, just there for show) and use that? Also, how would one modify their ham to TX/RX on marine freqs? Thanks, and soon I'll be joining you guys on the radio waves.

Brian

As Cruiserdrew said, it won't work, plus the first time you try to transmit you run the risk of damaging the radio.

While many of the HAM rigs can be modified to transmit outside the HAM band, they are not FCC approved for that. Also, use of the VHF marine band requires a license for that band and the use is restricted to boats. You can be fined up to $10k! for unauthorized use.

[spressomon]

Originally Posted by Bob_Garrett

As Cruiserdrew said, it won't work, plus the first time you try to transmit you run the risk of damaging the radio.

While many of the HAM rigs can be modified to transmit outside the HAM band, they are not FCC approved for that. Also, use of the VHF marine band requires a license for that band and the use is restricted to boats. You can be fined up to $10k! for unauthorized use.

Plus confiscated equipment AND the possiblity of jail time too!! But heh...go ahead & try it out...let us know how alert the FCC is/isn't .

[KLF]

Originally Posted by FineWynsFJ40

So, with a conversation earlier today with my manufacturing professor who uses 2M band for SAR purposes, I've decided to get one.

It just occured to me... you DO know that you MUST have a license to operate on the 2M band, or any other Amateur frequency? It's not just a paper formality, you WILL get in trouble if you transmit without one. Lots of Hams make a hobby out of tracking down unlicensed operaters, then they will turn you in. It's much easier to just get a license.

[FineWynsFJ40]

Yes, I'm actually studying right now. I've got a 1997 book from the Library, NOW YOU'RE TALKING!! All you need to get your Ham Radio License. I'm gonna join the local club, get my license, then get my rig outfitted. He has his license and told me when his group meets and all. I was just doing preliminary research before I went to the library to look stuff up. Thanks for the advice guys!

Brian

[alvarorb]

Brian,

It's great that you're studying but the 97 book will do you no good.
The questions since then have changed. Now the pool of questions is much smaller and the test is easier than before.

I'd suggest you pickup and updated book or try one of the online study guides such as http://www.hamtestonline.com

Regards


Alvaro

[nakman]

I got my "Now you're talking" book from Amazon, book was like $1 plus maybe $4 or shipping? After reading the basics, I ended up at qrz.com taking the practice exams. If you master those exams, you'll master the test. But do learn some basics though, otherwise you will still be confused about antennas, ground planes, etc.

[Weedhopper]

You would probably get reported by another Ham. Some of these guys are a_al about this. Kind of like the bezel police. Some guys have equipment that tracks your signal. I think you would have to be out there for a while. It is a fed law, just like any other licence. BUT. In an emergency anyone can use it. This is one of the pool of test questions

[kb3gun]

Maybe we should plan a Cruiser Fox Hunt (aka T-hunt, RDF or Radio Direction Finding). We do 5 or 6 hunts a year with my local ham club. It can be a lot of fun and it helps us train to find the kerchunkers and open mics that pop up from time to time. The last hunt was easy because the fox hider left his aprs on.

Ham Radio can be a lot of fun, but it is what you make of it. Get that license and start playing. It also serves as a public service. Check local clubs for membership in ARES, RACES, SATURN, etc. I know first hand it was a huge benefit having ham volunteers around on 9/11.

---Stepping off soapbox now.

73!