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Talk to me about HAM licensing

I've been chatting with a friend about getting my license... he has his (although he's not a wheeler he's just into electronics) and he's been pushing me to get into it for the safety/peace of mind out on the trails.

He used www.hamtestonline.com and he said it's VERY helpful and although it costs it's well worth it if you actually want to learn the material and not just memorize enough to pass the test.

When I'm ready to do it that's the site I'll sign up with to study.
 
I'll second his recommendation of the Ham Test Online site - yep, it costs a bit, but it really does work as long as you spend the time to use it.

I highly recommend it. Matter of fact, I should go back to it, I was halfway into Extra before life intruded.
 
This thread (and that link just posted) is excellent. I saw Avery's post about the study site, and signed up for all three test materials, and plan to take my test this weekend. I will almost definitely get Technician and General, we'll see if I have time to finish studying for the Extra.

As a way to pass a little time this evening, I stopped by the local Ham shop to absorb a little (I figured reading some more might make the theory sink in better.) While there, I waited till the store was empty and asked some questions about what radios I should consider etc. I told him that I was thinking that most offroading happens on 2m and 70cm, but for emergencies, I'd want something longer range (10m or the like). He spent lots of time explaining things, and was very friendly, and in the end, I liked the looks of the ICOM 7000 and the Yaseu 875D. They both had plusses and minuses. The 7000 had better filters built in, and had a nice color display, but the Yaesu was smaller, and had the ability to automatically control a screwdriver type antenna (120A). Anyone have any experience with either of these rigs?

Thanks in advance.

-Dan
 
Go with the 857D, forget the ATAS, it sucks. If you have to do screwdriver you have a couple of angles, either do something like a Tarheel, or go full bore and get a Hi-Q. Sit down when you price the Hi-Q's though.....but their durability is tops. Or you can just go monoband, get a hustler or two, maybe a simple switch, and cut to where you like to operate. Don't forget that it's way easy to set up a simple dipole when you're stopped, for either NVIS or DX. With what we do, NVIS is more important. At least that's the way I look at it.

So - I'd recommend an 857D, get a backup 2m - I like the 8800 with the crossband, and I'd also say get an HT as a third backup. Which is basically the system I have for voice.
 
Why does the ATAS suck? The guy at the radio shop didn't push it, but he had good things to say. I am primarily interested in using it for rolling communication (while out in the boonies, cruising along), as well as a rig to bail me out in emergencies.

I have also considered two antennas. The 857D can take two antennas, so maybe I'll get one more optimized for 2m and 70cm and another for 10m?

I am still learning (or trying!) so any advice on radio placement in the truck, or antenna mounting would be good.

-Dan
 
The ATAS isn't durable, drop your money into something sturdier. If you've gonna use that 857 for low and high stuff, yep, you'll have to run a VHF/UHF and a separate HF antenna. Placement of the antenna's...well, you're going to have to assess just where exactly you are going to be going. I've managed to wipe anything that was side mounted off the truck....frikkin' costly experience. Me being a big dummy, I had to do it a few times before it sunk in. I'd mount the antenna's on the roof - great ground plane, probably use mag mounts. For the screwdriver, the rear is about it. Of course, you can always just go with a whip and a tuner. It's not ideal, but it'll work. If you've working mostly monoband, then you've got plenty of options, it's just when you want to work multibands things get complicated and expensive fast.
 
Update

Well, I passed my tech and General Exams this weekend, so I am official. :) I didn't try the extra, because I didn't really study that one, but I'll go back for it again later, I figure.

So my next trip is to the store to get a rig. :)

I plan to drive the Suburban in to the store, and discuss options for antennas with the folks there.

Some questions:

1.) With a magnet mount on the roof, how do you guys run your coax? With my CB antenna in the K30, I run it out the rear sliding window, and in the suburban, I use a Wilson and just kinda stick it through the rear door and close it. Not exactly ideal...

2.) I have a Yakima roof rack, and was thinking of mounting at least one of the HF antennas up there. Maybe with a motorized flip up? Thoughts?

3.) How far apart do all the antennas need to be? I am planing to get an All mode radio (Yaesu 857D or icom ic-7000), so I can run two antennas to either of those, but what are my options? Will I get much worse reception if I mounted one of each (HF and UHF/VHF) in the rear "corners" of the truck kinda above the tail-lights? I was thinking that I could drill holes in the tail light lenses themselves and run the coax through those to each corner?

Thanks for thoughts.

-Dan
 
1. When I did have a mag mount , I had a Blazer , I went along the top gap and into the cab that way . My buddy with a Sub goes along window channel and into the cowl area where hood , fenders , and door meets .

2. Check out Comet , and Diamond , they make some good mounts . I don't know about motorized , but I would start with those two brands .

3. At least 12 inches . Preferably more , like both sides of the rig . I got away with about a foot with a 2m/440 antenna right near my CB antenna .

And congrats on passing .
 
I am a Ham, KI4WOJ.

Antennas should be placed in the center of the roof line, otherwise they become directional antennas because the truck itself reflects-deflects-absorbs RF.

Most people don't want to do this, but hard mounting is best, punching out a hole and mounting a bolt on antenna.

I think that an economical option is to get a 2M hand held, they are usually about 5 Watts, but with a hard mounted antenna in the truck they would work good, also at home, a 2M antenna can be fabricated and mounted up high, there is usually enough 2M activity to keep you from getting bored.
 
So have a Ham radio question if I got into this and say had a 60 ft antenna, have one already, how far away can talk to people ?
 
kgblazerfive said:
So have a Ham radio question if I got into this and say had a 60 ft antenna, have one already, how far away can talk to people ?
Click to expand...


Depends on all sorts of things, like what Frequency you are using, the time of day, the weather (where the ionosphere is), pollution, and you name it. But if you use a long range HF band, with enough power and properly tuned gear, you can talk literally all the way around the world. With a good antenna, and the right band, you can easily talk to Europe.
 
In theory yes, but like dbreid said there are alot of factors that influence your ability to communicate. Weather, equipment, solar cycle, licensing restrictions, etc. Is it gonna happen on 2m with 5w, doubtful, but with the right power and tuning you can make it happen on the HF bands, and maybe 6 if you get lucky and hold your toes in the right position, but 6 has been dead here lately so. just my .02.
 
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