Topic: HAM License

[jfrabat]

Not sure if I commented this earlier, but I took my HAM (amateur radio operator) license test last week, and passed with 100% score.  I made my wife take it as well, and she also got 100% on it!  So, very soon, I should be getting my license, so that I can finally talk legally on the 2m band!  I am considering getting a dual band transceiver now, but for the time being, I am sticking with 2m and CB.  If I do setup a home base, I will make it dual band, and then maybe I'll swap the 2m unit in the Jeep for a dual band one, but for the time being, I will only tune what I have and maybe re-cable the CB (the SWR is off the scale, and I cannot bring it back down; I know the cable was broken when they rhinod the tub and even more when I painted the Jeep, so it may be time to change it).

[Jeffy]

I keep two separate radios in my Jeep.  Those combo's like the Ranger are crap.  CB is 11 Meter.  You'd need two antennas unless you had a dummy load and could adjust for both but I don't think it would be optimal.  If your antenna isn't tuned you can easily burn out your TX side otherwise. RX isn't usually an issue.

I'd also recommend getting your General since it doesn't require Morse code anymore.  That will give you HF which is really nice.

[jfrabat]

I do have 2 antenas in the Jeep (one on a mount over each tail light).  I had both tuned, but the cable for the 11m got shot when I rhinod the tub and painted the Jeep, so I need to replace it (it was working sort of OK - at about 2.5 in the SWR meter - until I turned on the linear amplifier; then it all went to crap and never came back!).  I did get the general one, so I can use HF, but I do not have room for any more radios, which is why I was thinking about the Yaesu dual band model (so I can work at both 144 MHz or 430 MHz with a single unit, and even use the Jeep as a mobile repeater should the need arise).

[Jeffy]

So you took two tests then? Technical is the first one.  Then you need to take another test to get General.

The Dual-Band you're talking about is a 2M/70 cm which is the most common.  I thought you were talking about combining a 2M with CB...  There are Dual-band 2M/70cm antennas available.

[jfrabat]

So you took two tests then? Technical is the first one.  Then you need to take another test to get General.

The Dual-Band you're talking about is a 2M/70 cm which is the most common.  I thought you were talking about combining a 2M with CB...  There are Dual-band 2M/70cm antennas available.

It is only one test here...  And yes, I keeb CB and HAM separate, but the local club has repeaters in both frequencies, which is why I am considering a switch.

[dwtaylorpdx]

Yaesu dual bander's rock. I have their handheld VX7-R, eventually going to add their under dash unit, then I can use the handheld to talk to the jeep the the hand-held and it will repeat the signal with more power.. (You use the handheld on 440 and the truck unit forwards on 2M.)

Cheers
Dave

[jfrabat]

Yaesu dual bander's rock. I have their handheld VX7-R, eventually going to add their under dash unit, then I can use the handheld to talk to the jeep the the hand-held and it will repeat the signal with more power.. (You use the handheld on 440 and the truck unit forwards on 2M.)

Cheers
Dave

My only issue with dual bands is that I cannot find one with 75W of power; My Icom V8000 has this, and this gives me a little better chance of hitting the repeater (which tehre are only a few around here).  I also carry both a quarter wave and half wave antennas; I use the wuarter wave daily, but in case I need more range, out comes the half wave.  From the ones I have seen, I like the YAESU FT-8900R the most, as it can operate in 29/50/144 and 430 MHz, and it does have the repeater option, but it is limited to 50W in 2m like all the others...

[dwtaylorpdx]

Interesting, my handheld hits repeaters like crazy with 5 watts.
I use low power most of the time because there are so many of them in Oregon..

The only time I have wished for more power was when chasing rally cars and trying to hit the
event repeater which is often in a less than ideal location.

Cool stuff..

Dave

[Jeffy]

My only issue with dual bands is that I cannot find one with 75W of power; My Icom V8000 has this, and this gives me a little better chance of hitting the repeater (which tehre are only a few around here).  I also carry both a quarter wave and half wave antennas; I use the wuarter wave daily, but in case I need more range, out comes the half wave.  From the ones I have seen, I like the YAESU FT-8900R the most, as it can operate in 29/50/144 and 430 MHz, and it does have the repeater option, but it is limited to 50W in 2m like all the others...

I think you're looking at it all wrong.  What you know about CB doesn't transfer to Ham.  Ham is about using the least amount of power necessary.  It's even one of the questions on the test.  75w is a lot of power. (base station power)  Only a few years back you wouldn't have seen 75w on a mobile radio.  Most still are still in the 50-55w range.

The problem I see is that you're only looking at one part of the equation, the radio, and not the most important part at that.  What you should be looking at is the antenna.  Antenna's will usually have a db rating.  This is a multiplier.  So basically you take your output wattage and multiply it by the db rating.  This is where you can easily double or triple your radio's output without having to do anything with the radio.  Most small antenna's are something like 3db/6db.  You can get them as high as 11db though.  You might also consider carrying a different antenna as well.  J-poles, yagi's, or even wire antennas can be setup quickly if you're in an emergency or setting up a base camp.

With a line of sight, you should be able to hit a repeater 100 miles away with 25w and a 3db antenna.  Might even be able to do it with 10w.  I'e used 5w with a 3db antenna and got 30-40 miles (line of sight).  If you're in a valley, you'll need more power.  Though I've used 10w to bounce a signal over a 3000 ft mountain and to a guy on the other side.  Distance was only 20 miles straight across.  I've used a Yaesu 817 which is limited to 5W on HF to talk to someone on the other side of the world.

If you have a General License then I wouldn't even worry about 2M or 70cm and get on 10M.

One thing to also be aware of, some people are more susceptible to RF TX then others.  So if you start getting headaches when you've TX'ed at high wattage for a while that might be the cause.  Especially if your antenna is only a few feet from you.  No need to be radiating yourself unnecessarily.

[jfrabat]

Don't get me wrong, the larger antenna is in the 8~10 dB IIRC (i looked for one with a good rating), so I am trying to squeeze as much distance as possible from this thing...  I thought about a remote antenna (like for a base camp), but have not gotten there quite yet, although a dipole wire antenna is not a bad idea (you can set it up between a couple of trees or a couple of rigs something).

[sharpxmen]

JF, are you trying to reach Santa?

[jfrabat]

JF, are you trying to reach Santa?

HAHAHA!!!  Sort of...

[sharpxmen]

HAHAHA!!!  Sort of...

you're trying to get ahead of all the kids that sent letters