Ham radio use/interest in Tucson?

[HoiPolloi]

Looking to see if anyone in Tucson is interested in getting their ham tech license? From looking around the forum it doesn't seem like there are a lot of users here, but I'm wanting to set up a radio in my new 100 and thought I would see if anyone wants to go through the process (researching radios and antennas, learning about ham technology and use, getting licensed) together?
Seems like a great thing to have on the trail, but only if there's someone else to talk to!

After the little research I've done, I think the cost for getting set up will be in the $200-$300 range. After taking one practice quiz online and scoring 75%, I've concluded that passing the exam won't be too tough for anyone with a little technical background. Please correct me if I'm wrong about either the cost or the test.

Here are a couple of links for starters:

QRZ.com (online practice test):
QRZ Ham Radio

FCC Amateur Radio Service
FCC: Wireless Services: Amateur Radio Service: Amateur Home

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I want the same thing as well! It's my busy season at work though so I'm out of it for a coupleof months still. I hope to mount an antenna on both my 80 and 100 and take a radio from one to another depending on the trip. Not sure how the 2-meters look though for that.

 

[JO MAOMA]

alot of info over at expedition portal as well as up top.

Communications: HAM, CB, 2M, SAT - Expedition Portal Forums

lots of ep guys are az based and they have a monthly ham radio net...









... oh yah, after you pass your tech exam don't forget to get a vanity call sign to be a true tech nerd. (K7FZJ here)

 

[brittan]

I own a 2 meter unit and would love to hook up with a group to study and pass my exam. Thanks for the resources...

 

[HoiPolloi]

Thanks for the Expedition Portal reference, Maoma. Lots of good stuff there, including this thread: 2M Recommendations For Beginners Please! - Expedition Portal Forums

I’ve also found a lot on the Rising Sun area of MUD.

Dual band (2m, 70cm) seems to be the popular way to go, with Yaesu radios leading the pack and Icom in second. I like the idea of being able to move the radio from vehicle to vehicle but I haven't looked into it, yet. One thing that will add difficulty to that is that it seems as though most of these radios require a separate speaker.


Here are some more links I found useful, especially the test questions. Apparently you only need 75% to pass. Not that anyone should shoot for mediocrity, but hopefully that’ll take away some of the apprehension some may have. Also note that the fee for the exam is only $14!

Exam Question Pools
The current (2006) Technician pool is valid until June 30, 2010.
Lots of info in the links on the right side of this page, including test locations, searchable by zip code. Looks like there are tests offered every couple of weeks locally.

Radio Society of Tucson
See License Exams link at top of page.

Catalina Radio Club

 

[mp_cude]

what can you use that license for, i may be interested.

 

[HoiPolloi]

what can you use that license for, i may be interested.

Read the "LEVEL 1" portion on this page:
ARRLWeb: ARRL/VEC - Examinations and Licensing

You can actually do a lot with this license, but I think what most 4-wheelers use it for is communication on the trails. The mobile sets that go in vehicles are, basically, like super-powerful CBs with other added features.

 

[Hltoppr]

Good to see some interest in HAM licensure and usage! I have had my license for a few months now and absolutely love it. In addition to having reliable trail communications, it really opens up a whole new world to explore. I have been on the ExPo radio net (The next one is September 7th at 1900 PST...go to the Expedition Portal for the frequency) as well as our local emergency nets, and the 2100 Net, which meets every night at, well...2100hrs.

For me, I always end up in areas where there is little or no cell service. Other than using my Spot beacon, the 2m/70cm Yaesu provides excellent communications for an emergency...the other day I was hitting the Prescott 70cm repeater from Flagstaff at 5 watts of power...78 miles away!

An amazing tool...and lots of cool folks!

I used the ARRL Technician license book to study, and downloaded the test questions. Passed no problem after about a week of study, maybe 1 hour a day.

Now I'm starting on my General license exam to get into HF and broadcasting around the world!

ARRLWeb: ARRL Home Page


-H-

 

[1leglance]

Hey I would like to give another example of why I love ham radio on the trail...
We recently completed the Continental Divide Expedition ...And THANKS to the Copper State Cruisers for the support....and ham radio with it's FM clarity and huge range allowed us to
spread out due to dust
Seperate to explore alt routes without concern about mountains and valleys
talk with locals to get current info on trails...important when you are covering 2700 miles of dirt
listen to NOAA weather radio
know that we could reach out to emerg services regardless of cell coverage (I have a SPOT also but like backup plans

You will be happy with your Tech lic and I love my Yaesu...and I would get the laptop/computer software for programing it as that makes it really easy to clone someones radio (get the repeater freq) and save you trouble and make changes as you go on different trips (with 1000 memories you don't want to reprogram it manually alot).
The only reason to go with a handheld and external antenna is if you plan to hike alot...but I just went with a 7800 and a VX6 and love both of them

enjoy and good luck, check the expo portal section often and if you want to listen in on the Sept 7th net post up and someone in Tucson will meet up with ya and let you on the radio ( they are the control operator so it is legal)

enjoy

 

[msahr]

Well I don't live in Tucson... but I'm kind of a nut for all things push-to-talk so when I was at an estate sale the other day I found one of these:

It's a Yaesu VX-170 2M handheld with 5 watts power. Neat little radio!

Picked it up for $1.00 including the manual (but I need a charger, even though the battery is charged???) and now I want to be able to legally use it.

I'm gonna check those links above...

 

[ttubb]

Ham Radio

I have a dual membership in Copperstate and Rising Sun as I spend the summers in Colorado. We use the 2m radios extensively here for the range. Last weekend we did Red Cone and were able to talk for miles versus yards with the CB. Many of us here have both CB and 2 meter. I have the Yaesu 7800 dual band in my 80. While we use mostly 2m band on this radio versus the 70 cm band, the 7800 has a remote head that allows the radio to be mounted in a convenient location. The single band 2 meter does not have this option.

I did the self study and found it very enlightening. I plan on installing the same radios in the 40 when I finish it in Tucson. The other advantage of the ham is you don't get all the unprofessional CB chatter/bleed-through clogging up the frequency. 2 meter is especially important for one-way roads where you can send the leader on and call for the group to follow (we have many of these in Co) and for announcing on-coming traffic well ahead. I think it is the coming tool for off-road.

In addition, there are many repeaters in the mountains here that allow for long-distance comm, useful for linking up groups coming from different directions as well as emergency use. Terry

 

[HoiPolloi]

It's great to see some interest here and thanks for the usage info.
It really seems like 2m/70cm offers so many advantages over CB that it is bound to surpass it, eventually, despite the higher initial time and money investment required.
One other very minor thing I like about ham in a vehicle is the possibility of a shorter antenna as compared to CB. Seems like some folks are getting away with 1/4 wave antennas, which are a very unobtrusive 20", or so.