Regarding mobile 2-way communication

[Tools R Us]

...
This above quote has always been the response from our club. I suspect it always will be the response. While I think it would be wonderful for CSC to head the way of the 2m the way many/most 4x4 clubs have gone, the charge would have to be lead from the top and that just isn't going to happen. I can think of a TON of reasons it would be great for our clubs communication on the trail, as well as on trail meet ups etc maybe in the end we are just too old school to make the transition

There is no need for leadership, if it is something you are interested in do it, I encourage it. Will allow your little group to have exclusive conversations.

IMHO, about the club, we have never been exclusive, all about being inclusive. On most runs some don't even have CB's. So, what will be the new policy, to enjoy wheeling, be able to communicate with the group, you need to spend ~10x the $$$, study, adjust your schedule to take/pass a test. Way too high of a barrier to entry?

As far as "old school" ham has been around what 100yrs, CB 40yrs, so what is "new tech"? As far as the "safety card" that gets played so often now days, if I wheeled alone, would have something, but ham wouldn't be first on my list, newer tech stuff like; Spot, sat phone, epirb, etc, would be higher. If it's important to you to talk on ham on trail, there are ham clubs that also wheel. With this group, will need a CB to chat with the main group, so if you are into ham, will need both.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

What is this below from Practical HAM: A Beginners Guide


Recommended Accessories: Yaesu Programming Kit, allows easy programing from a Windows PC (ADMS-21, $37)

 

[clarkrw3]

There is no need for leadership, if it is something you are interested in do it, I encourage it. Will allow your little group to have exclusive conversations.

IMHO, about the club, we have never been exclusive, all about being inclusive. On most runs some don't even have CB's. So, what will be the new policy, to enjoy wheeling, be able to communicate with the group, you need to spend ~10x the $$$, study, adjust your schedule to take/pass a test. Way too high of a barrier to entry?

As far as "old school" ham has been around what 100yrs, CB 40yrs, so what is "new tech"? As far as the "safety card" that gets played so often now days, if I wheeled alone, would have something, but ham wouldn't be first on my list, newer tech stuff like; Spot, sat phone, epirb, etc, would be higher. If it's important to you to talk on ham on trail, there are ham clubs that also wheel. With this group, will need a CB to chat with the main group, so if you are into ham, will need both.

Believe me, I have never been an exclusive type of person and never will be. That was not really my point. I do have both, so no worries there I understand HAM has been around forever, but having mobile units is relatively new and using them as your main trial communication is even newer school. Also not having to learn morris code to get a lic has made it FAR more available to everyone.

Also you can get a good radio for $140 and the antenna and mount are about the same as for a CB so far less than 10x $$$
Here is a hand held unit that will blow even the best CB setup out of the water for $142 https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/FT-270R-p1795.htm

Every argument has multiple sides. To "wheel" with us you have to have a general "setup" to your rig. Is this exclusive? I don't think so... Our "stock friendly" trips are usually far from advertised grade. I have heard several times "you going to wheel with US in that?....I don't think so!!" How is FAR superior communication any different to any of the other mods we put on our trucks? It's where you put the importance, where you WANT to spend your money.

 

[clarkrw3]

What is this below from Practical HAM: A Beginners Guide


Recommended Accessories: Yaesu Programming Kit, allows easy programing from a Windows PC (ADMS-21, $37)

This just allows you to easily program all the repeaters in your area (which is not used for simplex) and to set all your presets vs doing manual in the unit sitting in your car.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Ham is gaining popularity if you want to wheel out of your hood. If you are planing to run Hole in the rock trail in the next week you will need a ham if you want to communicate with the group looks like the same story if you are registering for the Maze pre Moab this year. So no you dont need to get involved but if you want to be part of the groups wheeling away from home its becoming neccesary if you want to be involved.

Personly I getting tried of hearing the hi powered CB blowing there spam on every channel late in the afternoon which seems like every run I have done the last year. Communication has been missed by many on the last runs I have been on because they turn the squelch up so high to avoid the hi power CB spam. Limiting there range to 50'.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Im looking for a radio that can be modded to program, transmit and receive freq 150.000 - 158.000 along with 2M. Also the ability to monitor 2 channels at the same time a plus. 150.000-158.000 are commonly used for of road racing teams and event staff.

Any help?

EDIT found one - Alinco DR-635 dual band 2m/440 also with the same simple mod communicate with FRS handhelds Mod covers from 137Mgz-175Mgz, 420Mgz-480Mgz

 

[Tools R Us]

Hole in the Rock trail was high on my list, but if ham is required, will likely be a while, just have to wheel in the 'hood.

If you guys feel having ham as the primary/recommended/required radio is the way to go for CSC, make it so. Having it the primary eliminates the need to have a CB, so would still only need one radio. Wheeling season is on us, post up the group buys, deals, test dates, etc, so those who choose to attend "official runs" can be properly equipped.

 

[puulboy]

I already bought Ham equipment, Kenwood dt-710a dual band, but think there is probably going to have to be some length of a transition period. I will keep my cb while this happens, since now I have a spare .
I am no authority on Ham radios since this is my first one, but Ham Radio Outlet, seems to be the go to place for Ham stuff, around the valley.
I will be happy to eventually not here the screams, static and general low quality sounds coming from cb's.
There is also another layer of safety for the group with Ham also

Another benefit will be if the all forms of communications become disrupted, we can still chat and get information to those that need it. Examples Hurricanes, bad weather, bad guys etc.
You can monitor emergency channels as well.
Nothing wrong with making us old dudes advance some skills a bit

The tech class license can be studied on a smart phone, I have a program called Exam Prep that has tests from the pool questions reviews etc. Testing is all over the valley for about 15 bucks
I will be taking my test soon

 

[Cee Fish]

...I will be taking my test soon...

I'm holding you to that statement!!

 

[puulboy]

Listen here bubbles

 

[Cee Fish]

Listen here bubbles

Hey, that pet name was never to be used on the air...


JK...

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I already bought Ham equipment, Kenwood dt-710a dual band, but think there is probably going to have to be some length of a transition period. I will keep my cb while this happens, since now I have a spare .
I am no authority on Ham radios since this is my first one, but Ham Radio Outlet, seems to be the go to place for Ham stuff, around the valley.
I will be happy to eventually not here the screams, static and general low quality sounds coming from cb's.
There is also another layer of safety for the group with Ham also

Another benefit will be if the all forms of communications become disrupted, we can still chat and get information to those that need it. Examples Hurricanes, bad weather, bad guys etc.
You can monitor emergency channels as well.
Nothing wrong with making us old dudes advance some skills a bit

The tech class license can be studied on a smart phone, I have a program called Exam Prep that has tests from the pool questions reviews etc. Testing is all over the valley for about 15 bucks
I will be taking my test soon

What antenna are you going with?

 

[puulboy]

Diamond nr770hab
http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-000063
I mounted it on a boztek Ham radio mount, off the FJ door hinge.
I had it mounted on the roof rack until an unfortunate tree branch, took it out . It wasn't the ideal location since it was above the bars on the rack.
It seems to be the correct location now.

 

[brittan]

What antenna are you going with?

Comet...I'll post up some pix and part numbers when I get home.
I moved to ham long ago. I don't run a CB because I'm lazy. I realize I miss out on conversations but I hated my CB set up. Damn thing never worked and the range was feet, not miles. I refuse to go back. If that puts me at the end of the line I'm ok with that. I like hang'n with Michael.
My church puts on a ham class with a proctored test. I'll try to find out when the next class is and post up here.

 

[Blues Dawg]

Brittan changed his avatar, too...
I will say I've had fun watching this. My CB and antenna stow convienetly in my truck and are there when I need them (well, there was the one transition run:whoops. I consider HAM, but, well, see my sig line

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Any suggestions for free on-line study?

 

[Cee Fish]

Any suggestions for free on-line study?

Phil, I used Ham Tech on my iPhone/iPad. There is an Android app as well.

If you don't own a smartphone, this might be a good option for you.

 

[puulboy]

Any suggestions for free on-line study?

Put copious amounts of penetrating lube on the hinge side of your wallet, open it long enough to pry a few bucks out (I know you wouldn't want to looses any fingers) and buy the "exam prep" technicians study guide, for one of the smart phones and study away. You can probably buy it for pc as well .

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Put copious amounts of penetrating lube on the hinge side of your wallet, open it long enough to pry a few bucks out (I know you wouldn't want to looses any fingers) and buy the "exam prep" technicians study guide, for one of the smart phones and study away. You can probably buy it for pc as well .

What spend m...o...n..e..y....

 

[brittan]

Any suggestions for free on-line study?

Google ham class. There is a great podcast out there that helped me. I also used the AARL book. I also did a few practice tests, those are free sites. Come on in the waters warm.