Just curious what GPS you fellas recommend and why? Also, what comm equipment? I used to be a ham nerd. Still have my technician license.
Joshua
Joshua
GPS and Radio Recommendations
- Thread starter Explorer4Hire
- Start date
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Devilmans Hand
TLCA #19517
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2008
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- 140
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- Location
- Commonwealth of N.VA
- Website
- www.capitallandcruiserclub.org
Right now I have an external bluetooth gps puck and a smartphone or tablet on a ram mount in the trucks. Allows for more flexibility and it really is mobile and super portable. I have a bluetooth obd2 scanner on the way too, which should get me some better real time info.
Still need to install my icom v8000 into my newer truck. I'll likely mount it in or on the glove box for a stealth install. Drill the roof and install antenna rear of my roof rack. Prob a Larsen antenna cut for ham freqs.
Still haven't played much with my Wolphilink, which allows packet transmission. Will eventually make a man rig connecting a smart phone and 5-7watt dual band handtalkie for more tactical coms when I'm running around.
The club uses a uhf feqs on the trail on a mix of Motorola handtalkies, baofeng handtalkies, and one or two uhf mobile units permanently installed. I'll prob add a windshield bracket and separate uhf antenna so I can plug in a club handtalkie when needed.
Since you are Fire, I'd venture that dual band is the way you'd run.
Still need to install my icom v8000 into my newer truck. I'll likely mount it in or on the glove box for a stealth install. Drill the roof and install antenna rear of my roof rack. Prob a Larsen antenna cut for ham freqs.
Still haven't played much with my Wolphilink, which allows packet transmission. Will eventually make a man rig connecting a smart phone and 5-7watt dual band handtalkie for more tactical coms when I'm running around.
The club uses a uhf feqs on the trail on a mix of Motorola handtalkies, baofeng handtalkies, and one or two uhf mobile units permanently installed. I'll prob add a windshield bracket and separate uhf antenna so I can plug in a club handtalkie when needed.
Since you are Fire, I'd venture that dual band is the way you'd run.
The club uses uhf radios now... we also have a "club" repeater for events to extend our range.
Ed had a group buy of Motorola GP350's and he programmed them for us as well. There are a few threads here in the club forum about radios and programming.
Ed is going to love the fact that you have a licence; his goal is to be able to administer the test within the club. I have been meaning to take the test for a while now.
Ed had a group buy of Motorola GP350's and he programmed them for us as well. There are a few threads here in the club forum about radios and programming.
Ed is going to love the fact that you have a licence; his goal is to be able to administer the test within the club. I have been meaning to take the test for a while now.
I run my phone for GPS right now, but may move to my tablet at some point.
- Thread starter
- #5
It's been a while...my knowledge definitely needs to be refreshed. I'm planning on a dual band setup with a decent mobile under my single din radio or in the center console.
- Thread starter
- #6
Looks like the club is on FRS band. I know 0 about that stuff. I know it's illegal to modify a ham radio to tx on those frequencies. I never understood why, but it is. So I would have to grab an additional radio for club business.
Ed can hook you up with the particulars... he works this kind of stuff for a living and he chose our freqs very deliberately.
We use the GMRS freqs. Correct, it is illegal to modify ham radios to operate on commercial freqs.
The club has 6 loaner portable (handheld) radios for guests & members to use during events. They are currently living with Stump, I think.
I bought a lot of radios (Motorola GP-350) a while back, tested them, programmed them and sold them to club members at cost. These are the radios we use for club activities. There are a few club members who also have 40 Watt mobile radios (Motorola GM-300) installed in their vehicles. I have about a dozen more portable radios looking for a new home.
As Stump mentioned, the radios are programmed with 3 repeater channels. We will put a temporary repeater on the air at some events to expand coverage.
More information than you will every need/want is available here: http://www.capitallandcruiserclub.org/radio/
I'm glad you have your ham license. We now have 4 hams in the club. I am a VE (volunteer examiner) but we need two VEs to administer the test. If I can get someone else in the club to become a VE (you know who you are!) then we can offer the test at a club event and get more members licensed.
73s,
Ed WA3TOL
The club has 6 loaner portable (handheld) radios for guests & members to use during events. They are currently living with Stump, I think.
I bought a lot of radios (Motorola GP-350) a while back, tested them, programmed them and sold them to club members at cost. These are the radios we use for club activities. There are a few club members who also have 40 Watt mobile radios (Motorola GM-300) installed in their vehicles. I have about a dozen more portable radios looking for a new home.
As Stump mentioned, the radios are programmed with 3 repeater channels. We will put a temporary repeater on the air at some events to expand coverage.
More information than you will every need/want is available here: http://www.capitallandcruiserclub.org/radio/
I'm glad you have your ham license. We now have 4 hams in the club. I am a VE (volunteer examiner) but we need two VEs to administer the test. If I can get someone else in the club to become a VE (you know who you are!) then we can offer the test at a club event and get more members licensed.
73s,
Ed WA3TOL
Commercial radios have to pass an FCC Type Acceptance test. This is to confirm that the radios will meet all of the FCC's technical requirements for RF emissions and not cause interference. This is an expensive and involved test all commercial radio manufacturers have to go through before they can sell their radios. Amateur radios are not required to be tested by the FCC. This is because hams can build their own radios. The radios still have to meet the FCC's RF emissions requirements for amateur radios, but that is the ham's responsibility. Consequently, ham radios cannot be used on commercial freqs because the ham radios have not been tested and accepted by the FCC.
Ed
- Thread starter
- #10
Thanks! That explains it and makes sense. So I'll talk to you and get some advice on radios and antennas. The only tranciever I ever used was a Yaesu VX-7R. I've never had a mobile. I'll pick your brain about good deals on radios and antennas for ham and club stuff. Thanks for the help!
Joshua KK4KKV
Joshua KK4KKV
