Ham Radio Info

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85straight said:
So I've been looking at getting my first handheld ham radio.
I know you need a license to broadcast any transmissions.
Mainly need the radio for group comms while wheelin and emergency
situations.
So those of you that are licensed where do you suggest I start? Any books you would highly recommend?

A link to the radio I was thinking of getting
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GC...+ham+radio&dpPl=1&dpID=61IsWeiQW7L&ref=plSrch
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Those little radios are ok for starting out. I would also buy the programming cable for it, since they are kind of a pain to navigate though. The software I use on my laptop to program the radio is called chirp. It's free to download.

When I got my license I paid for the subscription on HamTestOnline - Ham Radio Exam Courses and Practice Tests

You basically take practice tests over and over until you know all the answers. After about 2 weeks I want for my test and got 100%.

When you feel confident go to
Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area
Search your area for the next testing session, pay a small fee, and your good to go.
 
Thanks for the link, I will probably go that route as trying to just memorize tons of info from a book seems illogical
 
the ham test online are great. you would have to be a rock to fail.Look at the baofang radio.They are tough as hell. Mine got soaked like a wet washcloth When we were out in our kayaks. I wrung it out and I still use it today.As far as paying for a subscription for the ham test online... Don't do it. Its just not necessary.
 
Call me old school, but the ARRL puts out fine books with all that you should learn prior to licensing. Practice tests are fine, if you want to understand better, read the books.

Ham Radio License Manual

From what I hear, everyone loves the Boafengs because they are inexpensive, but they are also cheap. If you are truly going to have a radio for emergencies, save up and get yourself a basic 2m/70cm dual band from Yaesu or Kenwood, and practice with that once you have the license.
 
Anyone looking for a nice VHF radio package, I just put two kits. These are the same exact ones 99% of the Baja racing teams use.

f5021mag_grande.jpg


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/group...chase-package-gb-feeler-radio-racers-use.html
 
I have 4 Baofeng Dual Band UV-5R's +3800mAh Battery for each and they work real well for the price @ around $35 each... Like suggested, get the programming cable (the authentic one with real chip) and free CHIRP software and you'll be good to go! I have mine programmed with emergency comms freqs used by AMRRON/TAPRN.

For a real 2M/70cm HAM, I suggest looking at Yaesu FT-60R.
 
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Baofeng handheld is an adequate entry level radio , but once you go with a mobil setup , you realize how limited and underpowered a cheap handheld is .

I say go with the Baofeng , but start saving your pennies for a decent mobil unit ASAP...
 
Question for you HAM guys. Would a HAM radio be able to communicate with a VHF or CB radio? I have a portable CB with a magnetic car antenna I can either use myself or as a loner if someone doesnt have a radio, and I also have handheld VHF radios that I use Kayaking and boating. If they can somehow get to the same frequency that would be amazing. Highly doubtful they will, but it would be beneficial haha.
 
Nickrav4 said:
Question for you HAM guys. Would a HAM radio be able to communicate with a VHF or CB radio? I have a portable CB with a magnetic car antenna I can either use myself or as a loner if someone doesnt have a radio, and I also have handheld VHF radios that I use Kayaking and boating. If they can somehow get to the same frequency that would be amazing. Highly doubtful they will, but it would be beneficial haha.
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cb is in the HF frequency range, so your vhf radio wont be able to get down that low. They also would require compleatly different antenna lengths.
 
v_man said:
Baofeng handheld is an adequate entry level radio , but once you go with a mobil setup , you realize how limited and underpowered a cheap handheld is .

I say go with the Baofeng , but start saving your pennies for a decent mobil unit ASAP...
Click to expand...

That was my thought , get myself something to get started and probably a better unit in a few months

Thanks for all the advice fellas
 
CrazyNorwegian said:
cb is in the HF frequency range, so your vhf radio wont be able to get down that low. They also would require compleatly different antenna lengths.
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I knew the CB and VHF couldnt work together but I wasnt sure about the HAM. Thanks. Might pick up one of those mentioned above and print out the materials to take the test!
 
Nickrav4 said:
I knew the CB and VHF couldnt work together but I wasnt sure about the HAM. Thanks. Might pick up one of those mentioned above and print out the materials to take the test!
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Ham is just a frequency range used in the HF,VHF,UHF ect. frequencies. A vhf ham radio is not much more than the Vhf radio you have, just with a lot more options to select frequencies and other fun stuff. You cannot buy most ham radio that will transmit out of the box on the cb frequencies since it is not labeled as a cb and most of the manufactures will block those channels out of it for transmitting. You can however modify a HF ham radio to use those frequencies, but it doesn't make it legal, and your probably looking at a lot of money to do it right. More and more of the off-road community is switching to ham, and I have a feeling cb will slowly start becoming less coming on off road vehicles. A lot of hams fight to keep the fcc from taking away frequencies in the ham bands. The more people that get their licenses will show the fcc that ham radio is still a thing and keep it for our use. Good luck with the test! Please post if you have any questions.
 
CrazyNorwegian said:
Ham is just a frequency range used in the HF,VHF,UHF ect. frequencies. A vhf ham radio is not much more than the Vhf radio you have, just with a lot more options to select frequencies and other fun stuff. You cannot buy most ham radio that will transmit out of the box on the cb frequencies since it is not labeled as a cb and most of the manufactures will block those channels out of it for transmitting. You can however modify a HF ham radio to use those frequencies, but it doesn't make it legal, and your probably looking at a lot of money to do it right. More and more of the off-road community is switching to ham, and I have a feeling cb will slowly start becoming less coming on off road vehicles. A lot of hams fight to keep the fcc from taking away frequencies in the ham bands. The more people that get their licenses will show the fcc that ham radio is still a thing and keep it for our use. Good luck with the test! Please post if you have any questions.
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Definitely will thanks!
 
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