Switching from CB to 2m VHF

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lugueto

10 Year
Joined
Sep 20, 2011
Threads
31
Messages
650
Location
Caracas, Venezuela.
Hey guys,

today, my travel group and I decided we needed a little more serious, less crowded communications. We decided to switch to 2m VHF radios. We are going to do the amateur radio course to get our licenses and start buying equipment.

However, this is not as simple as CB equipment wise. I have seen the most used radio here is the Icom ICV8000 and i've heard brands such as Yaesu, Uniden and Midland. However, what radio would you recommend similar to the ICV8000?? I dont need anything super high tech or high performance, just simple, reliable comms.

And then comes the antenna, I have no clue as to which antenna to get. HELP. There are different gains and sizes and what not. Any input is appreciated

Can you help???

Thanks

Luis Ugueto
 
My suggestion would be to start simple with some single band 2M radios
I like Hamcity, they seem to have the best prices and selection;

https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/144-MHz-c111.htm

Inexpensive 2M radios are easy to use and less intimidating than some of the feature rich higher end radios.

Sticking with 2M also simplifies antenna selection

I first heard of Larson antennas from Cruiserdrew here on mud. they build one kick ass antenna at a reasonable price.

Later as your group evolves some will want to get more involved with the hobby and move on to higher end radios. The nice thing is the simple 2M radios are easy to sell if/when you decide to move up.
 
Appreciate the links!! very helpful!

I was looking at the Yaesu. Would you recommend that website for shopping??

Cheers,

Luis

EDIT: Also, what antenna would you recommend for mounting on the cruiser?? How does the tuning work??
 
Which one? Elbert posted one and I posted another.

I've found the folks at Hamcity be very helpful and their customer service is very good. The one time they screwed up one of my orders they fixed the problem in short order.
 
I bought a Yaseau 2800r a few years ago. It is a 2m radio and it cost $160ish from hamcity shipped. It was an easy transaction.

The radio sits on the floor in front of my bench seat and gets coffee and all sorts of dirt and grime on it and works flawlessly.

It is a fairly simple radio with no removable face plate or cooling fans, but it works great for trail coms. My only advice would be to get a spring loaded antenna if you do any wheeling in the trees. Learned that the hard way... a couple of times.
 
I know nothing about antennas, but i dont think it will be too exposed to trees as I dont regularly drive on tightly covered areas, usually out in the open and with trees not too close from the vehicle.

Since I dont know about antennas, im referencing off my cb, which had a stainless whip antenna. Now I know they're completely different animals but I would like a stainless whip style antenna rather than a fiberglass one. I've seen similar antennas here with different lengths and with what look like coils in the middle of them. I need to know what antenna to get, with what length, material and power and gain ratings before I end up installing g something that would completely hinder proper communications.

Thanks for the replies guys!
 
Start studying for the test and you'll learn a lot and have answers to many of your questions....

For vehicle to vehicle (few miles range) you can use a short flexible antenna like a Comet SBB-1 is excellent and provides the ability to take lots of hits from branches etc. It is a dual band VHF/UHF antenna.

Comet and Diamond make nice mounts. SEARCH this sub-forum and you'll find various antenna installs by different folk.

Maybe add your location/vehicle into your signature eh??

VHF/UHF antennas for HAM use are usually already tuned so ready to go out of the box.

Anyhow, studying the test material will help you understand many of the concepts. There's also HAM clubs likely in your area that can help you learn. Visit a HAM shop if there's one near you and look at the equipment and ask questions. Most folk working in such a store will themselves be HAMs and can help you choose equipment options and especially antenna/mounts.

cheers,
george.
 
Sorry, my friend, I've both an 80 and a 90 series cruiser but im from Venezuela. I'm speaking to my local HAM club already, but my next course/test will be in january and until then I have basically nothing to study. I just want to have the equipment ready as I have a trip to the US on november and it will be cheaper to buy it there, as well as ill have more options.

For general vehicle use, what antenna would you pair with the Yaesu 2900r to maximize vehicle to vehicle range?
 
I would DEFINITELY get a mobile radio instead of a hand held.

Any new radio from Icom, Yaesu or Kenwood will work well for you.

I am partial to a 1/2 wavelength vertical antenna. They work very well mag-mounted to the roof, or clamped to a roof rack or on a arb bull bar type of bumper--they do not need a counterpoise (termed ground plane by some). As they are just a whip, they are very durable.

The Diamond 770 has a "fold-over" feature that is nice. I've read on eham.net that the diamond's quality is poor, but it has not been an issue for me.
 
Kofoed said:
I am partial to a 1/2 wavelength vertical antenna. They work very well mag-mounted to the roof, or clamped to a roof rack or on a arb bull bar type of bumper--they do not need a counterpoise (termed ground plane by some). As they are just a whip, they are very durable.
Click to expand...

+1, a 1/2-wave is the most versatile and forgiving of location. Larsen makes an excellent 1/2-wave with small base coil and a whip. The one on my 40 has been very durable.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantm/larsenm.html

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The place I posted a link to is a local ham store in Huntsville, AL. I've bought a number of things from them without issue. You might find better deals around but Gigaparts is a good source.
 
lugueto said:
Sorry, my friend, I've both an 80 and a 90 series cruiser but im from Venezuela. I'm speaking to my local HAM club already, but my next course/test will be in january and until then I have basically nothing to study. I just want to have the equipment ready as I have a trip to the US on november and it will be cheaper to buy it there, as well as ill have more options.

For general vehicle use, what antenna would you pair with the Yaesu 2900r to maximize vehicle to vehicle range?
Click to expand...
Start reading about getting permission to use your license in other countries, IIRC you need to do that before your Venezuelan license can legally be used in the US.

I use a Larsen 1/2 wave with my FT-2800 (since replaced by the FT-2900) I've never used it in flat terrain but in mountains it will get out 15 or 20 miles with ease. My FT-8900 with a Comet multi-band antenna can hit 40 or 50 miles line of sight. (Generally multi-bands are not as effective as a single band antenna.) The Larsen antennas are efficient and rugged as hell, one word of caution; used locktite on the set screws, I have lost the whip in dense tree cover. The good news is the whip is cheap to replace.
 
I also have a couple of Baofeng UV5s handhelds that work great on the trail. I have an upgraded whip antenna for them. I think they each cost me $65 with an extra battery.
 
Rusty_tlc: I meant I was going to buy my radio and antenna there and bring them home for installation. I dont plan on using any of radio equipment over there, with or without a license. (dont know if you misinterpreted this)

I will mount my antenna on a very similar spot to 1911, on a mount on the rear tire carrier. I have found the larsen 1/2 wave on amazon. Is there anything I should take into consideration when installing the antenna? other than the basics like not running the coax near power wires, no looping, etc?

Do you have any sites where I can find HAM manuals that I can read??

Thank you guys so much for your replies

Cheers,

Luis
 
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