Ham Radio

[kezamora]

I need to buy a Ham radio and was wondering if someone could recommend the best MHz and Watts for use off road as well as a good brand. I have a Uniden CB in my 80 and will need to get a 4 1/2 in. wide and 1 1/4 in. tall unit to slide in to the ashtray. I know we talked about this in the past but I can't remember, do I need to pass the FCC test prior to purchasing a Ham radio? Makes sense. How do I register to take the test and where do I find the material I need to learn on line?

Gracias.

Look forward to seeing everyone Saturday.

 

[slimbuddha]

First, you don't have to have a license to buy a radio, so you can plan that out even before you get a license. Many of us have used hand-held, and they work great in instances where you are traveling with a group, and we rarely get separated far enough to get out of range. If you are buying one to install, I think it depends more on the features you are going for, such as repeating capability, remote install, dual-band, etc. I think the basci single-din radio is the Yaesu FT-1900R.

The ARRL has info on how to prepare for the test, as well as testing locations: Getting Your Technician License . I think I spent a total of 1-2 hours looking through test questions the night before I took the test, it's not very hard.

When I get to installing one in the hundy, I'll probably go with an 8800 or 8900 so I can use the cross-band repeater to extend the handheld capability. Has anyone else set this up? Is it worth it? Otherwise, I'll go with the 2900 to get the 75 watt power, rather than the 50 watt power.

 

[alia176]

You won't need a license in order to purchase a HAM radio.

Some good info on this thread as well: Collection of HAM Radio Discussions

Jim is our latest HAM radio ticket holder and hopefully he'll show up at the breakfast on Sat and fill us in on the latest!

 

[pappy]

My only comment on the Yaesu 2900 is I'm willing to bet it is about the same size as the 2800. I used to own a 2800. It's a single band radio, and it's huge compared to an 8800 or 8900, but it is 60 watts (vs 50watts). Most of us have graduated to the Yaesu 8800. Dual band, dual receive, cross-band repeat, remote mount, big learning curve. It's essentially two radios in one case. The nice thing about the 8800 is several of us own them, so coaching is available ... along with programming software, cables, and files.

Before you buy talk to as many hams as you can. Come on a run, since almost all of us have gone ham. I don't even have a CB in the truck anymore.

 

[alia176]

I say get the 8800/8900 because it has a small remote head that can be mounted just about anywhere. Check out your fellow Hundy owners in the Hundy section to see where they're mounting the remote radio heads.

I don't use much of the fancy capability of this radio and it does the job very well. As a bonus, I can program the freqs into your radio!!

 

[mbarela]

Hey Ken,

There is a class and test coming up this weekend by cottonwood, attached is the Information and POC.

Albuquerque NM 87114-5102
EXAM SESSION

02/10/2016
Sponsor: Unsponsored
Date: Feb 10 2016
Time: 6:00 PM (No walk-ins)
Contact: James R. Stephens
(505) 720-8454
Email: jrstephens65@gmail.com
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Albuquerque Police Dept
10401 Cibola Loop NW
NW Command Center
Albuquerque NM 87114-5102

 

[kezamora]

Ali,
Can you log on to eBay and look at the YAESU FT-8900R, DTMF MIC, FREE YSK, HIGH POWER VERSION, 65 WATTS!UNBLOCKED TX-RX item no. 181728720389 and let me know if it has all the right frequencies for the US?
Thanks.

 

[alia176]

It seems to be a normal radio with the exception of the MARS/cap mod and more power.