Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

There are pros and cons to modifying a radio. I have done the MARS mod on one and bought a radio that was modded for me by the official resaler. I did it for several reasons, the main was the "any means necessary in an emergency" argument.

There are two major difference between what I did and what was being asked about the CB bands.
1) I am a licensed ham, have been for years and knew what I was doing.
2) CB radios and bands a highly regulated by the FCC and part 95 has strict guide lines for CB uses and certified radios.

Radios that violate the CB regulations listed in part 95 a prohibited from being imported or sold in the US. Modifying a radio to work on the CB bands violate these regulations and could cost a person their license.

Good ham practice requires use to give people sound advice. Also, suggesting illegal acts is a violation of TW rules.

 

A lot of people run a cobra 75 or HT CB radios that take up little space. Then get a good, cheap 2m ham radio for greater communications.

I know I have to carry a FRS radio on runs because there are always one or two trucks that only have one, even on 4x4ham runs.

 

CB radios are primarily AM. AM takes up a good bit of band width add a powered mike and crank the gain up and it will splatter everywhere this is a normal "trick" of those assuming they will be heard with a louder voice. It mixes with other freqs and gets into all kinds of gear including P.S. bands the FCC does not take kindly to that kind of interference and if it persists will track it down with a nasty outcome for the CB operator. Basically CB radios are junk using as few parts as necessary to pass the FFC regs. otherwise they would cost a lot more money there is little attempt of decent filtering. As others have said as a ham it is you duty to other hams not to promote misuse of the ham bands. As for “any type of communication in an emergency“ I would not relay on any CB to achieve that purpose. The law allows use of any emission in a life or limb situation it does not allow for moded radios just for that purpose you could be fined and the illegal gear confiscated. It does allow you to use existing police radios fire etc. even though you have no license for that equipment.

 

Just got my basic with honours callsign VA7GVR

Looking at a Kenwood V71A dual band

Also kinda looking at Yeasu 857D all band and HF with a atas120 self tuning antenna, it's a little pricy tho.

 

Great, welcome aboard! I have the Kenwood V71a myself, nice radio.

 

Congrats!

The 857D is a great radio. My Elmer has one and I am starting to save up for one. I hear a lot of mixed reviews on the atas-120, people either love it or hate it. For the price, and it's abilities I don't think you can get better. I want a scorpion antenna, but the price jumps up considerably.

 

The little Yaesu is a nice radio the antenna not so much. You can buy a Tarheel and others for about the same price. The antenna has many issues one being they seem to fill with water hence the nick name "rain gauge". Asking an antenna to be that broad banded is going to make it a compromise. I would go with two antennas one for VHF/UHF and the other for HF yeah more money but in the long run I think you'll be a lot happier. Most of the HF screw driver antennas will also do 80 meters some will do 120 meters. With any HF mobile antenna you basically are working QRP so you want the best one you can afford to get your signal out there.

 

Cool thanks for the advise guys. Go into look seriously at some of that stuff. I was reading reviews about the atas120 and it seams to vibrate apart on rough roads, not good with the wheelin I do so I might look at a dual antenna setup if I go HF.

 

uuuum that hasn't stopped a number of threads/posts in the past, kinda moot, So with that said are any of you running minimum power needed to make 2-way communication? Or....running full power just because its set there?

yes i do, my 706mkiig is set to low on all bands in the truck as well as the 7800 in the shack, I only turn power up where I can't make 2-way intelligibly.

 

I have a question. I recently purchased a Tacoma and installed all my radio equipment (2m/70cm, 10m, and CB radios). When I transmit on 10m using an 200w amp all is good, 2m all is good, but when I transmit on CB my windshield wipers come on, my wipers come on and the ABS light comes on (it turns off after some time by itself without transmitting) and the transmission lights blink. I know it is not the equipment because I had it set up the same way in my last vehicle with no problems.

Someone told me that the 27.385 LSB transmission is interfering with my Tacoma computer. I installed extra grounds to all equip.

Any input???

 

so most as well as Toyota have made replies to ARRL about proper placement of TX cabling and tested power allowances, and those are specific, 100watts is max that ANY vehicle manufacture is required to test to. This is a US standard.

Grounds that are attached to the same ground the ECU is connected to? LOL

 

This might be true but, my wipers come on using stock power of my CB on LSB. It is a bit weird when you are driving down the road (on a sunny day) and when I Transmit on 27.385 LSB the wiper comes on. So I am wondering if this is normal with Tacoma trucks?

 

A) go read the Toyota response to location of TX cabling.
B) why would you waste your time with CB?
C) stop using a CB amp....

 

• Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.-
  Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.
  Customer Relations Department
  19001 South Western Avenue
  Torrance, CA 90509-2991
  www.toyota.com
  Telephone: (800)331-4331
  Fax: (310)468-7814
  
  Toyota is well aware that there is a sizable group of ham radio enthusiasts in the U.S. market. In fact, per capita, that population is even larger in Japan. Obviously, we would not intentionally turn our backs on these potential vehicle buyers.
  As you know, the operating systems in today's vehicles are controlled by a growing number of very sophisticated electronic control modules. Most of these ECM's utilize MOSFET technology, which can be easily damaged by electromagnetic radiation from high power radio transceivers and associated system components.
  Understandably, Toyota and the other automotive manufacturers have to be concerned about such potential problems, because they could affect the operation of electronic systems that control vital vehicle functions such as the ignition system, fuel management system, supplemental restraint system, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, and others. The very conservative position stated in selected Toyota technical manuals recognizes that, as the vehicle manufacturer, we have no control over the wide range of variable circumstances and unforeseen conditions that could be involved in the after-sale installation and operation of those system components.
  In a "worst case" situation, vehicle electronic components could be damaged, and/or the proper and safe operation of the vehicle might be compromised if, for example, any of the following situations (and potentially others) existed:
  - The transceiver is not "type-accepted."
  - The power and/or antenna cables radiate RF current.
  - Routing of the power and/or antenna cables results in inductive or capacitive coupling.
  - Transmitter, feedline and/or antenna inefficiencies result in an unacceptable level of, RF radiation exposure to the ECM's.
  - The standing wave ratio is unacceptably high.
  - The antenna ground plane is inadequate.
  We can understand your interest in obtaining information from Toyota that would provide detailed recommendations on how to properly install ham radio components in our vehicles or, conversely, how to avoid specific potential problems. As a result of several inquiries such as yours, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. petitioned our parent company in Japan to provide as much information as possible that would assist ham radio enthusiasts in making informed decisions.
  Their response provides basic installation guidelines (outlined in the attachment) which we trust will be of assistance to you. Although it may not fully answer all your specific requests, Toyota must take reasonable precautions to limit our potential legal liability, because the full range of possible variables noted earlier could never be fully anticipated. Also, more detailed information that would provide the operational details of Toyota's electronic system is considered proprietary.
  Contacts such as yours are always welcomed, because it allows us to monitor specific consumer interests in the U.S. market. Thank you for the time you have taken to call us, and your interest in Toyota vehicles.
  Attachment
  2-WAY RADIOS IN TOYOTA VEHICLES
  Installation of a 2-way radio in Toyota vehicles should not present problems under the following conditions:
  * The transceiver must be type-accepted by the FCC, and not modified in any way.
  * Maximum output power complies with FCC regulations (100 watts).
  * All installation and operating instructions provided by Toyota and the equipment manufacturer must be followed closely.
  * The antenna must be installed as far away as possible from all vehicle electronic control modules (ECM) or other onboard computer/sensors.
  * The antenna cabling must be routed no closer than 20 cm (7-7/8 inches) to any ECM or other onboard computers/sensors.
  * Antenna and power cabling must not be routed along side or in conjunction with the vehicles wire harness. It is always preferable to cross vehicle harness at right angles when possible. Antenna and antenna cabling should be properly adjusted to obtain the lowest possible standing wave ratio (SWR).
  It must be emphasized that, under the terms of Toyota's new vehicle warranty, and damage caused by RF energy from a higher power mobile radio is specifically excluded from coverage because it is not the result of faulty materials or workmanship. Accordingly, all such responsibility is assumed by the owner.
  

 

I recommend doing proper bonding/grounding on the vehicle.

Cab at four points
Bed at four points
Bed to can
Hood (both hinges)
Exhaust


Check out http://www.k0bg.com/bonding.html for tons of info on antennas and bonding.

 

Our trucks arent ground, ECU, the same way GM/Ford's are, Toyota does not Opto-isolated the ground on the ECU, no matter how much body/chassis grounding you do. Its placement in proximity to ECU controll wiring the TX cabling is to said wiring, plus SWR and power. Being CB it isnt suppose to be over 4 watts let alone 200W.

 

It's an easy fix, run legal power on 11 meters. You could wrap the computer up in tin foil and run a #2 wire to the frame but that will not stop the RF from getting into it. Your low voltage wiring is acting as a receiving antenna that's how it's getting into the ECM's. Most manufactures set limits at 100 watts regardless of what band for safe operation of the vehicle.

 

Sharing this from 4x4ham.com

 

The OAUSA nets are fun. I did them for many months, however I've been unable to for some time.

 

Idiot cell phone jammer in Florida fined $48,000.

http://m.itworld.com/mobile-wireles...gal-jammer-blocked-more-cell-talkers?page=0,0