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Interesting topic.
Some years ago we set out to have a Technician Class for some member of FLCA, for whatever reason it never happened. There are about six or seven members licensed at this time. And as pointed out, the Tech license is relative easy to achieve. I have been conducting Tech and General license classes for about ten years now, doing two to three classes a year here in Citrus County.
If I can also be of help toward training/clases or answering of questions, let me know.
One thing that I’m a real ‘hard arse’ about is doing things legal. Ham radio is not CB or FRS mentality. Most of the Tech license is based on ruled and protocol.
Archie, I never knew you were licensed!
de WA6QFC, Jerry
Some years ago we set out to have a Technician Class for some member of FLCA, for whatever reason it never happened. There are about six or seven members licensed at this time. And as pointed out, the Tech license is relative easy to achieve. I have been conducting Tech and General license classes for about ten years now, doing two to three classes a year here in Citrus County.
If I can also be of help toward training/clases or answering of questions, let me know.
One thing that I’m a real ‘hard arse’ about is doing things legal. Ham radio is not CB or FRS mentality. Most of the Tech license is based on ruled and protocol.
Archie, I never knew you were licensed!
de WA6QFC, Jerry
CruiseOrlando
Conveniently Enhanced
As well you should be. The spectrum is under enough pressure as it is, it doesn't need a bunch of a-holes junking it up... oh wait, what are we doing again!?!
CruiseOrlando
Conveniently Enhanced
2M *can* bounce off the moon and back, given the right scenario. In reality, repeaters can make 2M go for up to 75 miles - even more under optimal conditions, but figure 75 normally if you have a repeater on top of a tall object.
Around town, 2 miles is probably about the nominal limit for a handheld w/o using a repeater.
Around town, 2 miles is probably about the nominal limit for a handheld w/o using a repeater.
By the same token you can bounce a 4W SSB radio off the atmosphere and walk all over the guy next door in Colorado. Then 2 minutes later you can't hear the guy down the road. More importantly what kind of dependable communication can you expect and are there repeaters in the area to help with that?
Please don't take this as a knock on 2M, just looking for realistic expectations on reliable comm. Have had CB's for years, some legal, some not quite so much... But at the end of the day it can be another tool to use, and I am a tool whore so just curious.
Please don't take this as a knock on 2M, just looking for realistic expectations on reliable comm. Have had CB's for years, some legal, some not quite so much... But at the end of the day it can be another tool to use, and I am a tool whore so just curious.
Bret; I am a tool whore so just curious said:I heard you only like Strap-On tools .
CruiseOrlando
Conveniently Enhanced
This is exactly why I wanted my dad to conduct this tech session... he knows more about frequency and antenna design than anyone else I've ever met - he used to have a monthly column in one of the ham radio magazines on antenna design (actually that might have been the catalyst for me getting into computers in the 80's - he had to have one to write the articles, I just wanted to play on it!)
Things to consider about ham radio, 2 meters in particular.
The majority of hams take their radio hobby seriously. Up until about 6 years ago, you worked your butt off to get a license. You didn’t take a 35 word multi choice test, you drew out circuits, interpreted what a design was doing, and of course Morse code. As advances came along in communications, the rules changed and so did the testing. The first license normally is the Tech license. It is like getting a pilot’s license to fly a plane. You still have to learn a lot more to get more privileges with the next level license.
Two meters is a great trail frequency. You use it on what is called simplex, so it’s radio to radio direct, no repeater necessary. You will get about 15 miles on the open highways, maybe 3 or 4 in the bushes. Unlike CB you can switch to local repeaters and get a great more distance. Most of the repeater sites are from 300 feet to 850 feet up on a tower around here. If you go to Moab you would have repeaters up on mountain tops perhaps 60 – 70 miles away, so your radio “line of sight” is vastly improved.
When I first started wheeling is 1968, I had a CB, even had a license, KQX5013. But out in the California dessert you might talk to your buddy a quarter mile away, but you had no way to call for help. I got licensed is 1970, got an old Heathkit in the 40, and a Clegg 2FM radio. Now things have improved, and I can contact anyone for help.
As asked earlier, your legal output is up to 1500 watts. Two meter is normally used from 1 watt to about 70 watts. Ever look in my 40? I have a radio for most of the VHF and HF. I carry seven HF antennas with me, so I know I can get help if needed. Hams also practice what is called a “Fox hunt”, or transmitter hunt. You locate signals that may be from a stuck mic or some sort of interference. Also mentioned by Orlando you could have a radio with APRS which transmit your location to other radios. If your 2 meter radio is able to be keyed up, someone can track you.
Don’t shake off a new tool, keep the CB also, I do. The two meter is the Swiss Army Knife and the CB is the old Case single blade.
For information, I will be having a Tech class here in Citrus on July 21 and 28. It's a two day class from 9AM-2PM with testing on the 28th.
You can tell I’m a ham, I don’t know when to shut up.
Jerry
The majority of hams take their radio hobby seriously. Up until about 6 years ago, you worked your butt off to get a license. You didn’t take a 35 word multi choice test, you drew out circuits, interpreted what a design was doing, and of course Morse code. As advances came along in communications, the rules changed and so did the testing. The first license normally is the Tech license. It is like getting a pilot’s license to fly a plane. You still have to learn a lot more to get more privileges with the next level license.
Two meters is a great trail frequency. You use it on what is called simplex, so it’s radio to radio direct, no repeater necessary. You will get about 15 miles on the open highways, maybe 3 or 4 in the bushes. Unlike CB you can switch to local repeaters and get a great more distance. Most of the repeater sites are from 300 feet to 850 feet up on a tower around here. If you go to Moab you would have repeaters up on mountain tops perhaps 60 – 70 miles away, so your radio “line of sight” is vastly improved.
When I first started wheeling is 1968, I had a CB, even had a license, KQX5013. But out in the California dessert you might talk to your buddy a quarter mile away, but you had no way to call for help. I got licensed is 1970, got an old Heathkit in the 40, and a Clegg 2FM radio. Now things have improved, and I can contact anyone for help.
As asked earlier, your legal output is up to 1500 watts. Two meter is normally used from 1 watt to about 70 watts. Ever look in my 40? I have a radio for most of the VHF and HF. I carry seven HF antennas with me, so I know I can get help if needed. Hams also practice what is called a “Fox hunt”, or transmitter hunt. You locate signals that may be from a stuck mic or some sort of interference. Also mentioned by Orlando you could have a radio with APRS which transmit your location to other radios. If your 2 meter radio is able to be keyed up, someone can track you.
Don’t shake off a new tool, keep the CB also, I do. The two meter is the Swiss Army Knife and the CB is the old Case single blade.
For information, I will be having a Tech class here in Citrus on July 21 and 28. It's a two day class from 9AM-2PM with testing on the 28th.
You can tell I’m a ham, I don’t know when to shut up.
Jerry
Hey Carter I would be very interested in attending and my parents probably would too as they are talking about getting their licenses as well. Depending on when this happens we should be able to head up to Orlando to visit them and make it to the session. Any idea of what kind of time frame you are considering, and if it would be over a weekend or during the week?
Where in South Florida ?
Welcome!
I'm central west coast in St Pete.
There's a guy in Naples with a built white 80 that checks in every once in a while.
I'm central west coast in St Pete.
There's a guy in Naples with a built white 80 that checks in every once in a while.
Ok I have really put some thought into this radio stuff . I have come to the conclusion that for no more than I use a radio , a CB is all I need . If I have a good antenna and the SWR's are set correctly what more do I need . I'm just going to talk to the rig in front or back of me right . I really can see spending awhole lot of money upgrading to something I'm not going to use . I've used CB's all my life and they have never let me down so I'm going to stick with them .
When we first started talking about ham sets at Jerry's house during a tech session. One of the things that came up was costs of ham sets. Jerry said a small unit is around 600.00. alot just to talk. when you can get a 40 channel cb for about 40.00. when you consider most times we run in a convoy.
You guys are right, ham radio is not for everybody. Cost has greatly come down, having a heldheld is about $90, and then go up from there.
In medium size groups, CB is good, talk like Rocky says. Even at these OHV parks now days, help is only a mile away. Remember running at Tellico? If you had a problem out on the trail, CB nor cell phone could get help. You would find help through ham radio, he may not be on the next trail, but at least you had someone that could summon help. Having a licensed ham within your group can be a benifit. As I said before, two or three vehicles in the south west dessert where there is no one around, ham radio is the best to have.
Jerry
In medium size groups, CB is good, talk like Rocky says. Even at these OHV parks now days, help is only a mile away. Remember running at Tellico? If you had a problem out on the trail, CB nor cell phone could get help. You would find help through ham radio, he may not be on the next trail, but at least you had someone that could summon help. Having a licensed ham within your group can be a benifit. As I said before, two or three vehicles in the south west dessert where there is no one around, ham radio is the best to have.
Jerry
CruiseOrlando
Conveniently Enhanced
Not to mention that during/after a hurricane, guess what is the only thing that'll work reliably is? Ham radio.
As for timing, you all tell me. Maybe we can work out something for the following weekend? I'd imagine a Saturday would fit everyone best. As for location, I'd have to ask my dad if he has a preference, but even something like meeting at ARS might work.
As for timing, you all tell me. Maybe we can work out something for the following weekend? I'd imagine a Saturday would fit everyone best. As for location, I'd have to ask my dad if he has a preference, but even something like meeting at ARS might work.
Hey Gator,
I'm in Riverview(South Hillsborough) county, new to owning a cruisers but been coming to mud for fun for a few years. It's an awesome resourse.
What kind of rig(s) you have?
I'm in Riverview(South Hillsborough) county, new to owning a cruisers but been coming to mud for fun for a few years. It's an awesome resourse.
What kind of rig(s) you have?