The Frankenstein Build! LT/Expo/Trail rig..and BS

Just replied. Sorry didn't see it earlier.

 

VHF

http://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_636&products_id=619

 

It's VHF. I believe the 150mhz band width. I'll look again.

It's for racing only though but people buy them still. But if you buy a "race radio" you don't have the band width a normal ham radio does. It's very small band width.

 

Here is a good explanation Basically they are limited bands and only to be used for certain events. It's still sort of HAM but not.

If you're considering it as an alternative to ham. It's not a good one

 

Agree.... race radios are not an alternative to ham radios.

 

ouch. mold always worries me with camping in the rain. i just went camping this weekend and the same thing happened to me (had to pack up everything soaking wet). thankfully i got the opportunity to unpack and open up the tent this morning and pull everything out and wash it. i can see how now being able to open it up for a week would cause problems though, mine was still just as wet a day later.

 

I'm basically looking for that, too. I think I'll just end up going with ham eventually.

 

It is an indicator of how well the RTTs cover does its job in protecting the tent inside. Maybe too good in this case. It would be interesting to be able to vent (have flow thru air) while on the highway. Might help to remove excess moisture. Not sure how to make that happen tho.

 

Yea just do HAM man. It's the way to go for that. I'm looking at building my dad and I some linear amps too and then we will have some mega power from our ham radios.

Do it! It's great. My dad and I talked on mine when I was in CO and he was in AK

No thank you. I love how tightly sealed it is because it's the one thing during our trips that remains dust free. I would not want vents in it for that reason.

It's not hard to just open it up some time for a few hours. I have closed mine in the rain several times with no problems. Just need to vent it out at home ASAP.

 

I can see your point but I wasn't suggesting a vent that is open all of the time. Rather one on the front side and one on the back side that could be opened up as necessary. It would be for very specific purposes as suggested.

 

Even then though it's still a way for dust to get in. I wouldn't want it

 

Here is a link for an inexpensive starter VHF single band radio that would be perfect for the 4x4 group. http://www.gigaparts.com/Product-Lines/2M-Radios_2/Kenwood-TM-281A.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwspCgBRCiwOjBxeCcm-kBEiQAooz6t1UWDTNq3QpmOgSC-ZtX6yCvQH1ucwcxw6S6bno_vcAaArrz8P8HAQ

There are many more in the $150 range for a single band. Add an antenna you should be in it for less than $200, for that you get communication with a ~10 mile radius on simplex ~50 miles if you can hit a repeater.

 

VHF is just a name of a spectrum. Much of what ham operators use is VHF and UHF. HAM is not the name of a radio frequency spectrum. Ham is just a way of saying amateur radio operator

Most dual band radios you get are 2m and 70cm. And yes you need to have the license to operate on those freq. which is 140 and 440.

There is not getting around the "strict" protocols of operation. Which really is pretty lax anyways. It won't be like your cb of course. It'll be more like a mix of a telephone and a cb.

 

Ok so here is the deal. Ham radio operator can operate on a variety of frequencies. Here is a link to the bands. http://www.arrl.org/band-plan

VHF (Very High Frequency 30 - 300 MHz) is a wide spectrum that lots of commercial, marine, military, and Hams operate on. Hams can operate on the 6 meter band (50-54 MHz) 2 meter band (144-148 MHz). For what ever reason the 4x4 community has picked the 2m band. After looking at the band plan you will see that Tech Licensed hams are limited on some frequencies. Mainly in the HF spectrum (3 -30 Mhz) That spectrum is what most people think about when they hear Ham Radio. The bands within the HF range are the ones that you can communicate with people around the world when the atmosphere conditions are right.

To study for a test go to https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/ this is what me and Monte used to pass our tech license. I think Monte cramed for about 6 hours then passed. Not everyone in our group of test takers did pass. There is a lot of information to absorb but if you know anything about electronics its not hard. If you don't know anything about electronics it might be a little harder but damn sure not impossible.

There is a ton of information on the ARRL website that will be able to answer a lot of your questions. You also have me and Monte as a resource. The 2m band is just a scratch on the surface of what can be done with ham radio. There are Satellite communication, Moon bounce, Digital Modes, etc. Basically it is the nerd kingdom. I'm not sure why I didn't know about it earlier in my life.

 

Well dad covered it for you pretty much ha but essentially you aren't aloud to operate on any of the VHF freq without a license be it a private personal one or commercial/military/event.

Yea if you know about frequency and basic electronics doesn't take much to pass the test.

 

Great info! Thanks for sharing all of that. Bookmarking it as well.

 

I was looking at this and saw there were some options available at the time of purchase. For instance: MARS/CAP Modification for VHF/UHF radios + $35.00.

Not understanding what the MARS/CAP mod is, I followed the link for more information. After reading the info I am still not clear on what this mod actually does. And from the info in the last paragraph, I can't tell what their other options might be.

Can you guys clarify what it is they are referring to? What frequencies?

"To make an amateur radio capable of transmitting just outside of the amateur radio bands, this service usually involves the removal of a surface mount component inside of an amateur radio (along with some additional steps).

By having GigaParts perform this modification, you will retain a 1 year manufacturer warranty backed by GigaParts (should a problem arise from the modification we perform). Damage caused to the radio by transmitting too far out of its intended frequency range is not covered under warranty.

This service is usually performed for licensed operators from the Military Auxiliary Radio Service (MARS) or Civil Air Patrol (CAP), but we do not require proof of license to order this service. It is the responsibilty of each radio operator to make sure they are in compliance with FCC regulations regarding frequency usage, power output, and accepted equipment.

If you are looking for two-way radios for hunting clubs, racing teams, construction teams, family communications, or businesses, using a modified amateur radio is usually not the best solution. If you're looking for one of these solutions, please contact us! We have other radios available for those purposes and are happy to help you choose the best equipment for your application."

 

So MARS and CAP are other services dedicated to their respective service usually emergency services these days that ham operators participate in. I'm not sure of the requirements to participate in these services but I know there some other hoops you have to jump through in order to transmit on their assigned frequencies. The last paragraph I interpret as let us get you licensed to transmit on a commercial frequency or here is a great CB for you and you family to talk on.

 

Yea their are several national and international emergency protocols you can sign up for and partake in.