At the last meeting, we talked about the possibility of buying hand held radios. I visited ComWest Radio at 8171 Main St, Vancouver, 604 321 3200. He is offering the ICOM IC-V8 hand held 144MHz FM Transceiver for $175. plus the quarter-wave magnetic base antenna for $40. so the total would be $215. plus taxes = $245. complete with rechargable batteries and 110V charger. A 12V in-vehicle charger is also available for about $9. This setup would probably be adequate for our needs, although a half-wave whip antenna is also available for $67. if you prefered that. This radio would not use CB frequencies.
The ICOM is a highly-rated unit that meets military standard 810. The beauty of this unit is that you can dial into the logging company frequency so that you don't become road-kill by being unexpectedly flattened by a logging truck.
Users of this equipment are supposed to aquire Ham amature radio licences and we could arrange a weekend course to get qualified. Some users, like paragliders, use these radios without licences, but I understand it is not too difficult to get a licence now that we don't have to bother with Morse Code any more. Be aware that our radio transmission could go long distances and be heard by large numbers of people through repeater stations.
At the last club meeting, the following people expressed some interest in this radio. Barry, Steve, Rob, Mike, Paul, Rod, Gary T, Greg-- I need some feedback now as to if you are still interested please. If we go ahead with this purchase, I think we would just go to ComWest individually to buy our own units rather than the club putting out the money up front.
COMMENTS PLEASE!
~Bill
The ICOM is a highly-rated unit that meets military standard 810. The beauty of this unit is that you can dial into the logging company frequency so that you don't become road-kill by being unexpectedly flattened by a logging truck.
Users of this equipment are supposed to aquire Ham amature radio licences and we could arrange a weekend course to get qualified. Some users, like paragliders, use these radios without licences, but I understand it is not too difficult to get a licence now that we don't have to bother with Morse Code any more. Be aware that our radio transmission could go long distances and be heard by large numbers of people through repeater stations.
At the last club meeting, the following people expressed some interest in this radio. Barry, Steve, Rob, Mike, Paul, Rod, Gary T, Greg-- I need some feedback now as to if you are still interested please. If we go ahead with this purchase, I think we would just go to ComWest individually to buy our own units rather than the club putting out the money up front.
COMMENTS PLEASE!
~Bill