Any HAM operators out there?

[waterinthefuel]

I searched the backlog of threads and couldn't find any so I'll start this one. I'm going take my HAM test tomorrow. I should be able to go up to general. I discovered that with a 2 meter ham radio you can use a local phone patch and call people for free just like a cell phone. I've decided to do that instead of a cell phone as the coverage is limited only by the line of sight to the tower. Cell phones put out milliwatts of power, my hand held (so I can bring it in my bike) will have an amp hooked up to it in my truck to boost it to about 40-50 watts. That will reach out and touch someone, especially when the antenna on the tower is 300 feet in the air. I was told 20 miles in all directions from my little window-mount antenna (I dont want to drill holes or scratch paint on my truck) is easily doable. Some say up to 50, occasionally if the conditions are right, 100.

Any other HAMs out there? Callsigns? Equipment? (not for sale, just what you use) Please share!!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Any HAM operators out there?

KBOJOI yes I have 2 Icom's One is a mobile properly mounted..... uhhh somewhere in my tool area (actually not mounted) and the other is the icom IC-T90A 6m/2m/440 HT W WIDE RX. My fried uses a YAESU handheld and an Yeasu in his truck too. Both brands have their pluses and minus' but I consider them both equal and reliable.

Good luck on the test.

I use HRO for my equipment and they have been great.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Any HAM operators out there?

HRO?

I was looking at a Yaesu mobile with Diamond 47" extendable antenna for range with a 35-40 watt amp in my truck with window mount antenna for use of it in my truck. I think that should be plenty.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Any HAM operators out there?

The mods need to move this to Non-boating technical topics....

My mobile antenna for 2m and 440 is only about 20" long and it is a simple magnetic mount.

Google HRO and look at ham radio outlet.

There really is no need for a long antenna with 2 Meter.

Once you get into it ..... google "echo link" too.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Any HAM operators out there?

My dad is a HAM but hasn't really been in to it for quite a few years now.


I remember when I was a kid being in the back seat of his car, and he would make telephone calls over his radio... this was WAY before anyone had cell phones.

The funny thing about it was if my sister answered the phone when he called the house, something in her voice would cause the "autopatch" to hang up.

 

[v1_0]

Re: Any HAM operators out there?

The funny thing about it was if my sister answered the phone when he called the house, something in her voice would cause the "autopatch" to hang up.

That sounds like it was back in the "Phone Phreek" days that I have read about - there was a whistle that came with Capt'n Crunch cereal that people would use to toggle a telephone line to go into some sort of maintenance mode. (It was a pitch thing) Then they could call places free. Maybe her voice was the right pitch for the "autopatch" program.

-V