HAM questions...

I notice that all the guys with HAM radios installed also have their own antenna installed just for it, whether it's CB or VUHF.

Since all cars/trucks can do AM and FM radio, wouldn't that put the stock antenna within the range for both VUHF and CB bands?

Just wondering why people are going through the trouble of installing their own antennas, I can't figure out why they'd go through the trouble. Has anyone tried using the stock antenna?

 

Different frequencies/bands and modes.

You need an antenna that’s resonant to the frequency that you’re transmitting/receiving in.

 

I can see that for CB, since AM is way way lower. But VHF HAM is 144 MHz to 148 MHz. And radio stations are pretty close to that at 99mhz-107mhz. so would the wrong tuning make it not pick up at all? Or just not be as effective.

Thanks for answering my questions, I want to get my HAM license in the next couple years but don't know enough yet to take the test.

 

The leingth of the antenna not only is for a certain frequency range but also dB gain. the stock antenna is to revive not transmit, it wound not hold up to the power being put into it. The stock antenna is not a good spot for ham as some say the signal is to close to passenger and could cause RF exposure. as well as the signal does not have a good ground plane being off to the side of the truck and not centered on a large flat Suffice.

 

Ahhh gotcha. Didn't think about the differences needed for xmit vs. rcv and never thought of RF exposure as a potential issue. Good info, thanks.

 

It might be close enough to receive, but would not transmit efficiently and would likely have a very high SWR that could damage the radio. I’m also not sure if the AM/FM antenna is the correct wavelength or impedance (it might be, I just don’t know for sure and lack the motivation to google hunt this morning). The antenna cabling itself, is also likely not well suited for transmitting (leaky/not well shielded).

Also, while it “might” cover 2m band, you’re missing the popular 70cm band which is 420-450, and GMRS around 460.

 

Are you thinking you can just go and transmit on any AM radio frequency that you want?

 

Sure why not! What's wrong with unlicensed HAM operators picking random parts of the spectrum and doing comms checks... Lol, no no no. I didn't realize how low the AM freqs actually were, I thought they were in the HF range (same as CB) but they're not.

 

The goal of ham radio is always more antennas. Never less antennas. All will be revealed once you enter the ranks.

 

study now, its not that hard for the tech license.....You can just memorize most of the answers

 

What the heck does HAM stand for anyways
JK, 73 KG5VFD

 

My favorite theory, from 1959 Florida SKIP magazine:

http://www.rfcafe.com/references/electrical/origin-of-ham.htm

73,
N4GI

 

Handed down from the holy Antenna Master... At least that's how my VEs made it out getting a Tech License.

 

I subscribe to the professional telegrapher's derogatory slang theory myself.
But real talk O.P., the tec license hardly takes years to study for. I studied for mine by listening to an audio book while futzing around in my shop over a weekend then took a few practice tests to see how it sunk in.

 

Yeah, more like in the next couple years I need to dedicate a couple weekends and knock it out lol. It isn't a huge priority, but it is on my to do list. I took it once before and didn't pass, but I didn't follow up and study to pass it.

 

^ this guy HAMs

< 3 extra antennas going on 4

 

I got flack from my wife when We pulled up to a light and I had more antennas than the Fire Chief’s truck beside us..

Now I just run one 270b off the ditch light mount..

Study up for your license- you’ll learn why you can’t use your Am/Fm antenna.