To dual or not to dual, that is the (ham) question...!

[e9999]

yet another tidbit of info about dual bands while I'm at it, and to answer the question I asked above:


assuming 50W for 2m and 40W for 0.7m, 3dB for 2m and 5dB for 0.7 for both receiving and transmitting antennae, and assuming the formula I was given is correct:

at the same distance, the 2m signal will be 3.7x (or 6dB) stronger than the 70cm one. Or alternatively, the 2m will reach 1.9x farther and deliver the same power as the 70cm one... The better gain for 70cm does not outweigh the frequency effect.

So, if in trouble, try the 2m band first!

 

[alvarorb]

Eric,

What I've heard is that 440 works best in city environments. It tends to propagate better, bounce off buildings better than 2m. 2m has better range out in the open.


Regards

Alvaro

 

[e9999]

Eric,

What I've heard is that 440 works best in city environments. It tends to propagate better, bounce off buildings better than 2m. 2m has better range out in the open.


Regards

Alvaro

good to know.
Although if I'm stuck in the city, I'm not using the radio to call for help...! too embarrassing! Will try cell first....

 

[Pskhaat]

Hmmm, I've had very good performance on 70cm, but very truly LOS mountain-top-to-top. VHF or so does experience tropospheric ducting (don't want to sound redundant sorry). It's supposed to be more rare than not, but I've experienced it pretty well.

Many moons ago, old-school-smart RCA and TV RF engineers did loads of testing to see which bands would suit them best. My understanding is (and someone please correct me?) they choose between ~40-80 MHz for low band and ~170-210 for high band transmission and ducting capability (among other esoteric resaons).

 

[Kofoed]

addendum:

a closer look at the 440 repeaters list in SoCal suggests that whereas there may be a lot of them around, many/most are closed or private, whereas most of the 2m ones are open... so the advantage could well be to 2m in practice. Not sure.

?

Told you

Further on 440, if you are looking at the SoCal Repeater guide by WD6DIH and N6BVU available at HRO (call first) They don't list the locations and PL's of the private and closed repeaters. And, the ones that are open have poor coverage of the boonies, much less than 2 meter.

 

[alvarorb]

Eric,

Did you finally get your call sign?
I seem to remember you saying there was some issue with getting it.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[e9999]

Eric,

Did you finally get your call sign?
I seem to remember you saying there was some issue with getting it.

Regards

Alvaro

yup, got it, all is well, just took longer than usual.
thanks

 

[alvarorb]

yup, got it, all is well, just took longer than usual.
thanks

What is it?
What is it?

Alvaro

 

[Cruiserdrew]

What is it?
What is it?

Alvaro

What is it?
What is it?

Congrats!

 

[alvarorb]

yup, got it, all is well, just took longer than usual.
thanks

And your call sign is????
I'm beginning to feel you're avoiding my question...

Alvaro

 

[e9999]

And your call sign is????
I'm beginning to feel you're avoiding my question...

Alvaro

I'm back. What's with that weird curiosity from you all? Something I should know, like a contest?
I do make a point of not posting stuff like that on the web, though, (ID theft, black helos and all ) but I'll gladly tell ya on the air, has a nice ring to it...

[Plus this way, a nice side benefit for him, Andy doesn't have to read any of my ham threads... ]

 

[FirstToy]

dude, it's not like you're a girl at a club. anyone can look you up and find the call sign. so at this point you're just making friends do extra work.

anyway, you should be glad someone actually wants to talk to you!

 

[spressomon]

dude, it's not like you're a girl at a club. anyone can look you up and find the call sign. so at this point you're just making friends do extra work.

anyway, you should be glad someone actually wants to talk to you!

Maybe he didn't pass the test FT! . That would be the only reason I could think of for not displaying what would be public information anyway...

 

[bj70_guy]

Just curious, in the US can you request your address NOT be shown in the call sign database?

 

[spressomon]

Just curious, in the US can you request your address NOT be shown in the call sign database?

Not that I am aware of...unless you are using a PO Box as your mailing address...

 

[e9999]

sorry, I don't post my full name and address on the web.
What's with this bizarre fascination with call signs anyway? It's not like it's the Medal of Honor or something...
and surely you don't expect to be able to talk to somebody in another city just by knowing their call number, right?
Whatever, back to Tech now....

 

[FirstToy]

where's the 'whack off' icon?

 

[alvarorb]

Guys,

Eric does have a Ham License. He PMed me today and it's for real.
In this age were it's very easy to find out information about people, I can understand Eric's position.

I don't think not sharing the call sign actually makes your info any safer. You can go to the FCC web page and type in a zip code. That will get you all the Hams in that particular area. Including their home addresses, etc.

Let's move on

Regards

Alvaro

 

[Kofoed]

Guys,

Eric does have a Ham License. He PMed me today and it's for real.
In this age were it's very easy to find out information about people, I can understand Eric's position.

I don't think not sharing the call sign actually makes your info any safer. You can go to the FCC web page and type in a zip code. That will get you all the Hams in that particular area. Including their home addresses, etc.

Let's move on

Regards

Alvaro

That's how I started getting the flyers for local clubs and HRO. BUT, it was mailed to my PO Box

 

[1990 LJ78]

I went dual band years ago and never looked back.
We have an extensive network of repeaters here 2m and 70cm so the dual band is sure nice.
Have one in the truck along with a twin set up at home along with two HF rigs.
Was planning on putting one HF rig in the truck but I have put that on a back burner for now..

Regards
VE3UOD