Anyone rock'n a ham radio in their rig?

I was thinking of getting my license and 4 wheelin to the top of a hill and chatting with folks. Or the more important emergency and convoy communication.

Would anyone recommend a uhf/vhf radio? And is there any other bands to consider?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/14658554/?q=Ham+radio&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1

 

Thats cool thanks, between rigs, which would make it so much more fun too.

I was also wondering if people got more range to talk to cuba say but you need a big antenna.

 

yes you can certainly talk to cuba however, you will need to get your general lic, its the one below technician class. I have personally worked many ISS passes with a 5 wat HT, and a small home made directional antenna. It wont take much trust me. UHF/VHF coms are so much more efficient than GMRS. I wish the 4x4 community pushed everyone to go that route.

 

Yes and no.

As noted in a prior post, you'll need a higher license grade and more specialized "HF" gear to communicate "directly with cuba", for example.

There are other options out there. For example, we have a "repeater" with what is called a "10 Meter Link". I've stood in a parking lot in PA on a handheld and chatted with friends on VHF in TX (through the link). Disclaimer: This depends on "band conditions".

My best suggestion is for you to get active with one of your local "ham radio clubs". You will benefit from their experience and they will be happy to help you spend your money on a fun hobby.... says someone who probably significantly helped boost stock prices of radio gear and gadget companies.

My current favorite mode for communicating while roaming around town is DMR (Digital Mobile Radio).

73.

 

I will be soon taking the test next month..

 

Keep us updated. Is it just an online course?

 

I downloaded the study app and just study the a bit each night.. it has practice tests and ya stoked to get in the game.

 

Okay, I’ll try to help as best as I can in this post but you’ve asked a broad question.
There are currently three class levels that are available for new hams: Technician, General, Amateur Extra. Each gives more band privileges respectively. You start out with a technician license and have access to mainly VHF/UHF frequencies. I use them every day on my commute through a repeater. Great for communicating with a group 4 wheeling if everyone is licensed. Antennas are not overly big and work well in a vehicle setting. Next is General class, followed by Amateur Extra. Those open up the HF bands for world wide communication. Those frequencies tent to be more base station (meaning not moving) type although there are some antennas allowing HF while moving which either require selecting a frequency range for the antenna or using one that is called a screw driver type that adjusts for several bands. I only know a two hams that use these frequencies when driving out of a bunch. I started out only looking at a technician license and then was bitten by the bug once a fellow ham allowed me to use his HF rig. Get you tech license - it’s fairly easy and there are free apps to help you study. Once you get it, pm me and I’ll help you pick out a radio. Here’s the band chart. Read it by looking at anything with a T = tech, G = General, E = Extra. Other letters are for license classes that aren’t available for new hams anymore. Green is “phone” I.e voice, red is Morse code.
Good luck!
KA1PG

 

Thanks thats really cool. Complicated but you could talk to the world. And yes shouldnt everyone know morse code.

 

Not necessarily.

It sounds like POTA (Parks on the Air) would be right up your alley! Basically you set up in a state park/national forest with your truck or portable setup and talk to people around the country. You get credit for each contact you make, and the people talking to you get credit too! https://youtu.be/A2wu1dY3Gjk?t=191

There's also SOTA (Summit on the Air) which is more backpacker oriented. You hike to the top of a mountain summit and, just like POTA, you get credit for each contact made. https://youtu.be/YOCovRmJ19I?t=257

To those curious, the study material is a little bit intimidating at first, but the answers for every single test question are online so the tests are relatively easy. I highly recommend www.hamstudy.org to study for the test, use the Study Mode. In about 2 weeks of studying an hour or so per day, you'll be ready to take the test. The tests can also be taken online now so you don't have to wait for a local club to host a session.

Get your technician test out of the the way, then go right into studying for general.

Also you mentioned big antennas. It's all relative, but they come in all shapes and sizes. You can talk around the world on a single wire strung up between 2 trees or from a 200' tower with rotating beam antennas. The cool thing about ham radio is that if you can get something to radiate, you can probably talk to someone on it.

 

I have had 2 in my truck since i have owned it i am currently loving my setup that i have! I have a Yeasu FTM-400XDR and the head is mounted below my rearview mirror and the base is under my driver seat. it works great and i would highly recommend it! I'm running dual band 2m/70cm with no problems at all

 

6 meter is good for on the road chats in many areas I frequent. VHF is king, as you already seem to know. I run commercial gear and kenwood D710s for dual band ham and APRS.

 

I run a 2 meter I use for paragliding A Yaesu FTM-7250 and FT-270

 

That’s epic I want to get into the power paragliding so bad top of the bucket list! It must be a dream floating with the birds!

 

Soared with a few hawks, Never been bombed yet Sill so cool!

 

I run a decent 2M/440 rig.
My hf rig is in my shack.


Chapter Six of my build thread may give you ideas.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cudgels-build-thread.600420/#post-20174395

 

Yaesu FT2980R and Beofeng BFF8HP mainly use them in Baja. I need to get my license to interact with the locals. Anyone in the 805?

 

https://www.w6bhz.org/fall-2021-ham-cram/
https://ham.study/sessions/61397906d84d7b27ac1a7efc/

 

Thank you man. I’ll be getting that done.

UPDATE:10/23/2021 @Taco 422 i got my license!!! Now just waiting for my call sign. Again, thank you for hooking up the info.