Trail Communication (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter bhmmapping
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The long distance stuff (across the world) is like you describe.
The "local" long distance stuff uses repeaters to increase the range of the transmission. A repeater a device that receives on one frequency and then retransmits that traffic on the primary frequencey... Repeaters are generally located on high points like mountain tops etc.... this increases your communication range by a significant margin.
justbecause
perpetually lost.
I have two of these.... which seem to be well made and have a lot of features. Just throwing this out there....
http://www.google.com/search?q=cobr....,cf.osb&fp=f75f4431cf0404ed&biw=1680&bih=890
CB is your best option for the money, as they are very common and most everyone has one.
well the link below is what I have...looks like there are some different models in the first link above. FGR/GMRS
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=BOIxT4HrE4iusAKEzun4Bg&ved=0CKkBEPICMAA
http://www.google.com/search?q=cobr....,cf.osb&fp=f75f4431cf0404ed&biw=1680&bih=890
CB is your best option for the money, as they are very common and most everyone has one.
well the link below is what I have...looks like there are some different models in the first link above. FGR/GMRS
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=BOIxT4HrE4iusAKEzun4Bg&ved=0CKkBEPICMAA
- Thread starter
- #45
I thought that might be a good alternative to CB since it is so simple, but the more I look at the HAM radio the more it looks like the way to go. The FRS radios are cheap and simple but they do require a license for GMRS and it is expensive.
The 2M is really not nearly as complicated or expensive as I thought now that I look at it. I skimmed through the study manual posted in one of your links the other night and passed two practice tests no problem. There is a HAMfest in Birmingham the first weekend in March and they have several test times. I will probably go ahead and get the license and start saving for a rig, maybe poke around the flea market there and see if I can find a deal.
Yea...I poseted up some good info in the two threads ... I bought a paper study guide from ARRL but I've donated it to Andy at STLCA as he is wanting to take the test. I studied the book and read it a few times and then took the online exams (eham.net) a few times (free) until I passed a few in a row. Then I signed up to take the real written test. Volunteers give the ham tech test in the Cullman area. You can find out locations off teh ARRL web site. It was not much (I don't recall the fee)...under $40.00. I knew most of the answers from this brief stufy...I have maybe 4 to 5 questions I was not 100% sure of the night of the test.
I'm not sure how they enforce the lic requirements for FGR/GMRS... you can buy those things all day long for under $30.00 for 2.
2 meter ham is the best choice long term.. Equipment is not bad expensive, you can transmit on 144.0 freq range and 440.0 freq range, and you can use the repeaters when necessary. My ham radio in my truck max is 70+- watts. My radio is just for two meters... (144 range) they make dual band radios..and I think even tri band ones...but you will pay more $$$ and will need the approprate licenses if you plan to use frequencies beyond what the tech lic supports.
ARRL web site is the best source of information....and the eham net web site has reivews and good informations as well.
I'm not sure how they enforce the lic requirements for FGR/GMRS... you can buy those things all day long for under $30.00 for 2.
2 meter ham is the best choice long term.. Equipment is not bad expensive, you can transmit on 144.0 freq range and 440.0 freq range, and you can use the repeaters when necessary. My ham radio in my truck max is 70+- watts. My radio is just for two meters... (144 range) they make dual band radios..and I think even tri band ones...but you will pay more $$$ and will need the approprate licenses if you plan to use frequencies beyond what the tech lic supports.
ARRL web site is the best source of information....and the eham net web site has reivews and good informations as well.
where are you guys seeing a license requirement for the FGR/GMRS radios for non-commerical private use?
Some of you guys may remember way back in the 70's....when you technically need a license for CB's...well that did not last long, and it was quite obviouis there was no way to enforce it or really any reason to enforce it.
I'll look at any links...but I thought no license requried for personal non-commerical use.
Some of you guys may remember way back in the 70's....when you technically need a license for CB's...well that did not last long, and it was quite obviouis there was no way to enforce it or really any reason to enforce it.
I'll look at any links...but I thought no license requried for personal non-commerical use.
- Thread starter
- #48
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) | FCC.gov
I see no requirements for passing any type of test ( i'm not going through the registration process)..
on the link above I see where people who transmit 1/2 watt or less are exempt.... I must have two of those units.
Looks to be a pencil whip game from the FCC to me... also saw a note where they have decided to discuss withdrawing the licenses requirement. I suspect that only businesses have a lic to operate these type of radios...and that's probally some very small percentage of the users at large.
I don't plan to pay for a licenses of this type any time soon.
I see no requirements for passing any type of test ( i'm not going through the registration process)..
on the link above I see where people who transmit 1/2 watt or less are exempt.... I must have two of those units.
Looks to be a pencil whip game from the FCC to me... also saw a note where they have decided to discuss withdrawing the licenses requirement. I suspect that only businesses have a lic to operate these type of radios...and that's probally some very small percentage of the users at large.
I don't plan to pay for a licenses of this type any time soon.
- Thread starter
- #50
FRS channels do not require a "license," the GMRS channels do. Most of the radios have both frequencies.
here is another link:
FCC GMRS License Information
there is no test, it is basically just a registration fee and they are supposedly going to drop it this year. Also, they don't issue licenses to businesses anymore, just individuals.
here is another link:
FCC GMRS License Information
there is no test, it is basically just a registration fee and they are supposedly going to drop it this year. Also, they don't issue licenses to businesses anymore, just individuals.
I don't have any concern about the Lic on these FGR/GMRS radios.... I suspect the lic requirment will go away just like the CB one did many years ago. The low power stuff to me should not be a problem for anyone.
I think its a great alternative choice but not primary....for less than $40 you have two nice walki-talkies... hard to beat that.
I think its a great alternative choice but not primary....for less than $40 you have two nice walki-talkies... hard to beat that.
First off, sorry for the necropost... looks like the first one in here was 4 years later, so I guess I can't feel TOO bad, lol...
I've been a ham for a few years now, and have operated in and around B'ham on repeaters as well as simplex. I can pretty easily talk 10-15 miles on simplex, and easily into Tuscaloosa or parts of GA on repeaters. There's a Cheaha repeater that I can hit from B'ham and talk into GA, and the Tuscaloosa "Tall Tower" repeater serves B'ham pretty well. Not sure what coverage is like going north. I'm pretty sure the Cheaha machine serves the Talladega National Forest fairly completely.
The "belt and suspenders" setup is to have a mobile rig in the truck that's capable of doing cross-band repeat, and then having a handheld. You can run 1/2w power out of the handheld, and then basically pivot through the mobile rig and run 50w out. I use that with a handheld in my basement when we have tornado activity so that I can monitor the severe weather net and storm spotters on it. If even just a couple of guys in the group have that setup, it can be used by multiple folks. You just have to watch the duty cycle on the repeater radio so you don't overheat it.
CB is definitely the most common offroad, but my experience has been that once you try 2m ham it's tough to go back. I had a friend that didn't believe me, and I convinced him to get his ticket before we went out west and loaned him a radio. He was really glad that he did, as there were a lot of times he couldn't hear other folks on the CB, but the ham worked like a champ.
As far as licensing goes: There's not an FCC fee for the license. You will pay a "test fee" to the testing organization. In Birmingham, the Shelby County Amateur Radio club and B'ham ARC have testing at the Red Cross on Valleydale in Hoover on the first Sunday of the month. Last I heard they were alternating months so that it was every month, but same location. I believe the test fee is $15 to take it.
The material for the entry level exam, which is called the Technician License, is really easy. The electronics theory is minimal, and most of it is procedural. Morse code, or CW in ham lingo, has been eliminated from all classes of license as of a few years ago.
If there interest, once we get things rolling with meetings, I'd be happy to do a show and tell sort of thing for the group.
I've been a ham for a few years now, and have operated in and around B'ham on repeaters as well as simplex. I can pretty easily talk 10-15 miles on simplex, and easily into Tuscaloosa or parts of GA on repeaters. There's a Cheaha repeater that I can hit from B'ham and talk into GA, and the Tuscaloosa "Tall Tower" repeater serves B'ham pretty well. Not sure what coverage is like going north. I'm pretty sure the Cheaha machine serves the Talladega National Forest fairly completely.
The "belt and suspenders" setup is to have a mobile rig in the truck that's capable of doing cross-band repeat, and then having a handheld. You can run 1/2w power out of the handheld, and then basically pivot through the mobile rig and run 50w out. I use that with a handheld in my basement when we have tornado activity so that I can monitor the severe weather net and storm spotters on it. If even just a couple of guys in the group have that setup, it can be used by multiple folks. You just have to watch the duty cycle on the repeater radio so you don't overheat it.
CB is definitely the most common offroad, but my experience has been that once you try 2m ham it's tough to go back. I had a friend that didn't believe me, and I convinced him to get his ticket before we went out west and loaned him a radio. He was really glad that he did, as there were a lot of times he couldn't hear other folks on the CB, but the ham worked like a champ.
As far as licensing goes: There's not an FCC fee for the license. You will pay a "test fee" to the testing organization. In Birmingham, the Shelby County Amateur Radio club and B'ham ARC have testing at the Red Cross on Valleydale in Hoover on the first Sunday of the month. Last I heard they were alternating months so that it was every month, but same location. I believe the test fee is $15 to take it.
The material for the entry level exam, which is called the Technician License, is really easy. The electronics theory is minimal, and most of it is procedural. Morse code, or CW in ham lingo, has been eliminated from all classes of license as of a few years ago.
If there interest, once we get things rolling with meetings, I'd be happy to do a show and tell sort of thing for the group.
- Thread starter
- #53
That's great info, I missed the hamfest but it is good to hear there is a monthly test. I would love to have a show and tell type meeting once a few more people get their license.
My brother and I plan on getting our licenses next month. He lives out at Mount Hope where the tornado destroyed everything last April. This way during storms or when my Bride and I are hiking in bankhead forest help is a call away.
Cool. There's usually a good bit of severe weather net activity on the 146.880 repeater around Birmingham. I'm not sure about other areas, but the one here at least has good info. The NWS has a station on air during most weather events as well.
- Thread starter
- #56
still haven't taken the test, but this looks interesting:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/581637-ham-cheap-little-one.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/581637-ham-cheap-little-one.html
We passed the test Saturday, it was actually pretty easy just used The Ham Whisperer: Ham Courses to study with.
Today I ordered Ham Radio Outlet | ALINCO DJ-V57T | 2M/440 DUAL BAND HT
Today I ordered Ham Radio Outlet | ALINCO DJ-V57T | 2M/440 DUAL BAND HT
Those cheap Chinese HT's are hard to beat for the money. The Wouxun ones are really popular, but I think the price has gone up. Haven't seen that particular one before, but it's probably similarly built. They're cheaply constructed, but as long as you don't go around dropping it and banging it around they're fine.
For folks new to the ham radio thing I usually recommend a mobile unit. Something like the Kenwood TM-281 or Yaesu FT-2900R. They put out a whole lot more power and generally the user experience is a little better. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to hit a repeater with a HT on 5 watts and getting a lot of, "I hear someone, but I can't make out what you're saying" in response. Not to say you can't hit stuff around Alabama, particularly if you're on a hill top. 5w is more than enough to get into the 146.880 machine if you're up on a hill, and for most of the B'ham metro area.
You can run a mobile radio off of a car battery and a battery tender for a poor man's power supply and battery backup. I've got some friends that do that, and it works like a champ. A car battery the size that goes in one of our rigs will run a radio for about a week of normal use. It's nuts. Obviously for hiking and the like, that's a moot point, so a HT was probably a good solution. If you're using it in / around the house or truck, a mag mount antenna on the car, or a J-Pole or other DIY antenna at home makes a BIG difference.
Congrats on getting your ticket!
For folks new to the ham radio thing I usually recommend a mobile unit. Something like the Kenwood TM-281 or Yaesu FT-2900R. They put out a whole lot more power and generally the user experience is a little better. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to hit a repeater with a HT on 5 watts and getting a lot of, "I hear someone, but I can't make out what you're saying" in response. Not to say you can't hit stuff around Alabama, particularly if you're on a hill top. 5w is more than enough to get into the 146.880 machine if you're up on a hill, and for most of the B'ham metro area.
You can run a mobile radio off of a car battery and a battery tender for a poor man's power supply and battery backup. I've got some friends that do that, and it works like a champ. A car battery the size that goes in one of our rigs will run a radio for about a week of normal use. It's nuts. Obviously for hiking and the like, that's a moot point, so a HT was probably a good solution. If you're using it in / around the house or truck, a mag mount antenna on the car, or a J-Pole or other DIY antenna at home makes a BIG difference.
Congrats on getting your ticket!
- Thread starter
- #59
For riding in a group on a trail ride these are just as cheap or cheaper than a CB and I assume would work much better. Other than the license, which doesn't seem to be too hard or expensive, I don't see how anyone would have an excuse not to go HAM.
On a large ride if several people only had handhelds, could you use two mobile units in two groups as repeaters to allow everyone to cover a larger area?
On a large ride if several people only had handhelds, could you use two mobile units in two groups as repeaters to allow everyone to cover a larger area?
I'm a novice in the ham world but the clarity and range just on the 2m stuff even in simplex is amazing...we were using mobile radios...
Just a few weeks ago at the "cove" in TN we tested the ham setups using simplex was very impressive...all worked well until I totaled my antenna with a friendly tree limb.
So in a week or two I'll be hunting another antenna 2m or dual band.
What I've not seen in mobile 2m or dual band antennas is really anything that has a spring base mount, that could take a reasonable hit by a tree limb or whatever else. I think firestick makes a fiberglass antenna but I'm not sure how well that works.. I was using a comet brand that's roughly 3 feet tall and has a fixed mount.
I will be looking for something like a simple 90 degree fixed mount but it would be great if there were any nmo mounts with a spring base? if anyone knows. When you get into the trees and stuff the antenna's and mounts take a beating.
Just a few weeks ago at the "cove" in TN we tested the ham setups using simplex was very impressive...all worked well until I totaled my antenna with a friendly tree limb.
So in a week or two I'll be hunting another antenna 2m or dual band.
What I've not seen in mobile 2m or dual band antennas is really anything that has a spring base mount, that could take a reasonable hit by a tree limb or whatever else. I think firestick makes a fiberglass antenna but I'm not sure how well that works.. I was using a comet brand that's roughly 3 feet tall and has a fixed mount.
I will be looking for something like a simple 90 degree fixed mount but it would be great if there were any nmo mounts with a spring base? if anyone knows. When you get into the trees and stuff the antenna's and mounts take a beating.
