Ham Radios

[DesertCrawler]

What does it take to get a Ham Radio license and where do you take the tests? Also what Ham radio brands are the best?

[StvDiego]

San Diego Ham Radio club gives the test (and classes) on Saturdays all over the county, similar setup in other counties (making an assumption you're in or near SD County...)

http://www.ac6v.com/sdswap.htm#EXAM

Pick up a good book, like this one available at Ham Radio Outlet (also can be found at Fry's and many book retailers):

http://www.w5yi.org/catalog_details.php?pid=51

Ham Radio Outlet:

http://www.hamradio.com/web/stores/woodbrid.html

Radio depends a lot on what you want to do with it, plan on spend @$200 for a good 2-meter and up to several months pay for the monster multi-band rig.

Generally, for off-road use, a 2-meter radio will fit your needs quite nice.

I'm partial to Icom, just because of brand loyalty. I like the v8000 2-meter, nice size for use in a Jeep. Can be found on sale for >$200.

Watch for the Ham club at the Santee Swap Meet on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays, go very early

[DesertCrawler]

We were just given a Eagle Tomahawk base unit and 40 foot glass antanna. We are in East San Diego County(Spring Valley). So should we be able to talk to people wheeling in our local deserts using a repeater if they have a mobil Ham onboard their vehicles? If so where do you find repeater freq.'s? I won't use it until I get my license but just curious?

[4x4grey88]

I took the test once and missed it by one (twice). I have been talking on radios (11 meters) for over 30 years and missed all the questions about satellites and repeaters. I always used the atmosphere for my conditions to talk to people. skip is great when the conditions are there.

I will try again someday.

[Mike330R]

I think we covered this but I use a Yeasu FT 2800M. You can mod it to a wider range of frequencies, 137-174Mhz. Then I have all the standard RacerX and PCI channels programmed into it.

What frequencies are you guys in?

[Big boy]

Steve, once again, you are the man.

I have always wanted a ham radio but I never had any idea that you would have to take classes for it.
Technical stuff ~cool2.

[StvDiego]

Steve, once again, you are the man.

I have always wanted a ham radio but I never had any idea that you would have to take classes for it.
Technical stuff ~cool2.

Actually you don't have to take classes for it, it can make it easier tho. My recommendation is to head over to Ham Radio Outlet, pick up a test prep book, read it a couple of times, go to some of the on-line test sites and take the practice tests a few times and then go for it.

It really isn't that hard or that technical. Last time I was at the North Park test site there was a family there and their 9yo took and passed the test, everyone in the family, mom, dad and four kids had a ticket

[jbolty]

Steve, once again, you are the man.

I have always wanted a ham radio but I never had any idea that you would have to take classes for it.
Technical stuff ~cool2.

Actually you don't have to take classes for it, it can make it easier tho. My recommendation is to head over to Ham Radio Outlet, pick up a test prep book, read it a couple of times, go to some of the on-line test sites and take the practice tests a few times and then go for it.

It really isn't that hard or that technical. Last time I was at the North Park test site there was a family there and their 9yo took and passed the test, everyone in the family, mom, dad and four kids had a ticket

I think this is a great idea and I had meant to followup when you first posted about it. Nag me next time I see you.

[HURLEYGO3]

i picked a ICOM for the KOH last year. i don't have a lic but if you use freq above 152.000 i was told you don't need one. but i have wrong before. the ICOM is nice because it has a front mounted speaker if you put it in the dash.

[Big boy]

Steve, once again, you are the man.

I have always wanted a ham radio but I never had any idea that you would have to take classes for it.
Technical stuff ~cool2.

Actually you don't have to take classes for it, it can make it easier tho. My recommendation is to head over to Ham Radio Outlet, pick up a test prep book, read it a couple of times, go to some of the on-line test sites and take the practice tests a few times and then go for it.

It really isn't that hard or that technical. Last time I was at the North Park test site there was a family there and their 9yo took and passed the test, everyone in the family, mom, dad and four kids had a ticket

Thanks for the advice, this is something I've really wanted to get into for a while now.

[Metal Twister]

Yep, me to! SCUFF'ed Ham, hummmm?

[Mike330R]

If anyone ends up with the same radio as me I can clone my channels onto your real easy.

[jdjamul]

Since i live in the hills what problems would i run in to out here if any ???

[jeffm1964]

John in your case tin cans and string might work

[jdjamul]

What is this tin you speak of.

[ntsqd]

i picked a ICOM for the KOH last year. i don't have a lic but if you use freq above 152.000 i was told you don't need one. but i have wrong before. the ICOM is nice because it has a front mounted speaker if you put it in the dash.

Reviving an old thread; This isn't correct. If you broadcast above the normal ham freqs you're essentially stealing a freq from the 2 meter business band.

If you do use those freqs, know that you are breaking the law and PLEASE first zero out your squelch & check that there isn't already radio traffic on the freq you want to use. It is very likely that what ever traffic is there Paid the FCC for the right to use that freq in a given area. If you go walking on them they're rightfully likely to complain to the FCC, who will take it very seriously. Old school hams also tend to get really uptight about this sort of thing.

On-line practice Test: http://www.qrz.com/xtest2.html