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Here come the newb questions....(HAM)

readymix

readymix

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I have been studying for the Tech license test, and can pass all of the practice ones I find on-line, so I am going to get it done.

First I have all kinds of newb HAM questions. I have searched the internet for answers but the information I find is either obviously biased, or incomplete.
I will ad more posts as I think of more questions....thanks for the help ahead of time.

I plan on getting a radio that will serve my needs as I get better at it, and move up the General and Extra.
  • Any suggestions for a good starting point?
It will be mounted in my truck, so no hand helds.
  • Do ham installations suffer from engine generated RFI like CB does?
My current CB is bad, so I leave it off most of the time. I have not really put much effort into fixing the problem though.
  • I have seen a higher and Yaesu that had to PL connections for antenna coax. Is that to allow one antenna for each band the radio is capable of transmitting on? Like a built in antenna switch?
 
Start with a basic 2-meter radio - probably new, so you don't have any troubles with used equipment from the beginning. (my first mistake buying a used radio cheap to start with...) You probably don't want to buy a really fancy and expensive radio to find out you really don't like ham radio or make mistakes with operation and so on. (IMHO)

Usually not to much RFI - the radios are built better. Sometimes you will have it - just depends on the vehicle/mount and radio.

If it's a dual band radio - it could possibly have two PL connectors for two antennas. Some have one for a dual band and some don't. Depends on the brand and model of radio.

Hope this helps. Kelly - KB0UQT - Denver, CO
 
The search is on then.
I am not much for buying the lesser of anything, so I will probably get a better radio to start with.
If I end up not liking it, then someone else will get a good deal off of me.
 
Speaking of HAM , I made a motivational poster for people wondering about ham who are currently only versed with CB :thumb:

Untitled-1_copy.jpg
 
I like it! very easy to read and understand for the beginner or those who are forgetful like me...
 
Do not buy an HT (handheld) as your starter rig. For the same amount of money you can get a mobile VHF or UHF rig. Mobiles can also be used as a base station. I've got two Icom 2100H VHF radios and an AZDEN PCS-3000 VHF radio. I've always used both brands of VHF mobiles for base stations. All you need is a 12 volt power supply.

Get with some of your local amateur radio clubs in your area to find out if VHF or UHF is more prevalent in your area. Wichita Falls, TX (where I got my ham ticket) had about a 50-50 split of VHF and UHF repeaters. I bought my first radio, a dual-band HT while I was there. After moving up to Wichita, KS, I switched to VHF-only for my mobiles. Hardly anyone uses UHF voice here.

Back home in Northern VA, UHF is about 50-50 with VHF.
 
Consider more power too - like the ICOM V8000 - 75 watts. Since you're mostly on flat areas of land, the repeaters antenna might not be at a great height allowing good coverage in the area.

Here in Denver, most everything is on a mountain - so a 1 watt radio works well in most locations...

Kelly.
 
I have always just grabbed cheap used radios that I could test in person before buying (similar to how I buy all my trucks:thinking:). 30 watts is generally enough to hit a repeater or twelve.
 
I have to differ on getting a mobil radio. It is all personal preference but I am getting a hand held to start with. I am out of the vehicle a lot spotting and need constant contact with the others in the group. We are all using ft-60's or similar hand helds. Az things progress I will get a mobil once I can secure it in the truck.
 
Remote faceplate would be your best best. The radio itself can be mounted in a secure location, with a remote faceplate similar in size to a removable faceplate on a car stereo.
 
readymix said:
  • I have seen a higher and Yaesu that had to PL connections for antenna coax. Is that to allow one antenna for each band the radio is capable of transmitting on? Like a built in antenna switch?
Click to expand...

The Yaesu FT-100D has two antenna pigtails, one for HF and 50 MHz and the other for 144MHz and 430 MHz.
 
ssped said:
I have to differ on getting a mobil radio. It is all personal preference but I am getting a hand held to start with. I am out of the vehicle a lot spotting and need constant contact with the others in the group. We are all using ft-60's or similar hand helds. Az things progress I will get a mobil once I can secure it in the truck.
Click to expand...

Wow , most of your wheeling group is hams . I would love to wheel with enough licensed amatuers so I don't need a CB ianymore :D
 
I have been researching radios all damn day and am no closer to deciding.
They all have a billion features that I am not sure if I will ever use.....
 
readymix said:
I have been researching radios all damn day and am no closer to deciding.
They all have a billion features that I am not sure if I will ever use.....
Click to expand...

Yep.

I recommend a single or dual-band mobile. Take a look at the repeaters in your area, and use that as a guideline whether you need something for 2m or 70cm.

A 12 volt power supply and an easy to make copper j-pole will get you up and running for a VHF/UHF base station, or you could mount it in your vehicle of choice. If you think you might want to do APRS, get the Kenwood D710.
 
Congrats on the license.

I looked on http://www.artscipub.com/repeaters/ , to see what repeaters are in your area but, I am not all that familiar which cities/towns are down near the big salty pond.

A real inexpensive way to get into a dual band radio is the Yaesu FT-7800R, a couple of my friends have them. Very basic 2m/70cm radio - no detatchable faceplate, no individual volumes for each band.

One guy has a FT-8800R, it costs more and has more features, detatchable faceplate, cross band repeat etc.

Then there is the Kenwood D710's, they do just about everything but program themselves (I have two of the older D700's and two real old Yaesu FT-7100M's). Detatched faceplate (it can only be used detatched), cross band repeat, APRS capable. My only issue when going to the D700's is they are complex. But, once you start using the rigs you get the gist of them very fast.

When I started I first had mono band radio's. For awhile two monobands in the rig, a 2m and a 70cm - actually a PITA, as it took two complete antenna systems as I did not want to use a duplexer, and the mics were exactly the same. Of course I had my local ham buddies who would transmit to me on both bands. It became very interesting trying to talk/tune radios/find the correct mic and drive a car more than once.

One thing you will find, there will be much less RFI on FM than you heard on the AM of the 27mhz.

Hope this helps a little,
K7KIT
 
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