Hey guys! I've always been enamored with the crazy communication rigs folks put in their trucks. You know the ones, a shocking amount of antennas mounted everywhere, whips so long that need to be strapped to the front bumper even though they're mounted on the rear, more screens than one could ever actually monitor... It's all very cool and impressive but likely overkill (and stupid expensive) for most of us.
I've used CB a bit and was always throughly unimpressed. Bad audio quality, limited range, etc. CB's do have their place and I'm not ragging on anybody that has one. But my main concern with CB is solo travel. Most of the places we like to go have zero cellular coverage so when I'm out by myself, even with a CB, I'd be SOL.
Which brings me to HAM, or Amateur Radio, many times called 2 meter. Now keep in mind all of the following is my research, I didn't have any actual time using HAM, so I could be eating my words later on but I don't think so
So for trail communication within the group, think CB but better audio and range. And for those of us that like to wander alone there is longer range communication available in case a SOS call needs to go out. There are a number of other potential benefits; real-time location tracking, weather monitoring, and even email or data transfer outside of cellular service.
So the real question...is anyone else interested?
There is a license required by the FCC that needs to be administered by someone, I haven't found an online test anywhere. The test is 35 questions, multiple-choice, and a 26 is passing. There is a local Bozeman HAM club and it turns out I happen to know the guy that teaches the test prep. I don't know that a class would be necessary for most folks but I'm trying to gauge interest before contacting him. They have a tentative test date of June 25th and another September 3rd. The test costs $14.00 If we have much interest I'm sure we could get a club prep session together, or maybe even a presentation....
I will be moving forward on this personally and thought it might nudge others if the process was easier since I'm doing the legwork either way. And this should be a very affordable endeavor, the test is cheap, the prep can be free unless you want to buy study materials but I have found everything online for free.
So who's interested?
Here's some informational links:
Practical HAM: A Beginners Guide
www.aarl.org/home
www.gallatinhamradio.com
I've used CB a bit and was always throughly unimpressed. Bad audio quality, limited range, etc. CB's do have their place and I'm not ragging on anybody that has one. But my main concern with CB is solo travel. Most of the places we like to go have zero cellular coverage so when I'm out by myself, even with a CB, I'd be SOL.
Which brings me to HAM, or Amateur Radio, many times called 2 meter. Now keep in mind all of the following is my research, I didn't have any actual time using HAM, so I could be eating my words later on but I don't think so
So for trail communication within the group, think CB but better audio and range. And for those of us that like to wander alone there is longer range communication available in case a SOS call needs to go out. There are a number of other potential benefits; real-time location tracking, weather monitoring, and even email or data transfer outside of cellular service. So the real question...is anyone else interested?
There is a license required by the FCC that needs to be administered by someone, I haven't found an online test anywhere. The test is 35 questions, multiple-choice, and a 26 is passing. There is a local Bozeman HAM club and it turns out I happen to know the guy that teaches the test prep. I don't know that a class would be necessary for most folks but I'm trying to gauge interest before contacting him. They have a tentative test date of June 25th and another September 3rd. The test costs $14.00 If we have much interest I'm sure we could get a club prep session together, or maybe even a presentation....
I will be moving forward on this personally and thought it might nudge others if the process was easier since I'm doing the legwork either way. And this should be a very affordable endeavor, the test is cheap, the prep can be free unless you want to buy study materials but I have found everything online for free.
So who's interested?
Here's some informational links:
Practical HAM: A Beginners Guide
www.aarl.org/home
www.gallatinhamradio.com
