I use my JK work work out in the field. Most of my radio communication is on the 153-161 MHZ range. I also wanted to do 2 meter operation without adding a second radio so I got a Motorola CDM 1550 it has 128 channel cap. Some are on my work channels and some on my 2 meter band.


CQ CQ K5BWF

 

Very good to know. I have to start reading stats on rigs, so I get the right one for me.

Congrats! I got the ARRL Technician class manual (latest version) I feel pretty comfortable with the info..being a tech nerd to begin with. Hope to find a local test offering for next month.

 

OP, the CB + 10 meter radio will come in handy.

All of you new hams, congrats!

The ham radio licensing exam is pretty easy, and well worth the time and little bit of money it costs. It adds a whole new capability to your JK and off-road experience.

10 meter is nice, but the real value you'll find with your license is getting on local VHF and UHF frequencies, especially when off-road. While CB helps keep you in touch with your trail buddies that are close by, VHF and UHF amateur radio will allow you to keep tabs on base camp, get weather reports from folks back home, and call in help if needed. With my ham radio, when wheeling in the Colorado mountains where I don't get cell phone coverage, I still have excellent coverage to our many mountain top ham radio repeaters which link me to friends back home or other folks out and about. I can use an "autopatch" that allows me to make a telephone call over the ham radio. I can use APRS to beacon my GPS location, which makes its way to the Internet where my wife can keep tabs on my trail progress. And lots lots more.

Now that the test costs $15 for a 10-year license, and you have access to ALL of the questions and answers on the test before hand, Amateure Radio is growing in popularity, especially around off-roaders.

Keep in mind, ham radio has some rules, such as the before mentioned requirement to identify yourself (so people know who you are), and you're not allowed to use vulgar language, so it isn't for everyone (keep a CB handy for your raw talk). But the capability far outpases CB.

 

Being a "tech nerd" as you said, then the Tech test will probably be a breeze for you. What you might consider would be to study just a little bit more and go for the General class test as well. You can take them both at the same time if you want. Remeber, the question pool you will have access to are the same questions you will have on the test.....word for word. I cannot emphasize enough how much more freedom you will have as a General class operator. So if you are feeling real comfortable with the study guide, then by all means be sure and try for the General. In fact, if most of the HAMS giving you the test see that you aced the Tech test, will urge you to try for the General. When I took my General, and only missed 1, they said give the Extra a try....I did, but it's quite a bit harder, so I didn't pass. But at least I tried and could have got lucky I guess.
Something to think about.....
Good Luck...!!!

 

It sure is getting thick with the modified radio threads.

You can not modify radios as you please and you can't use any Amateur bands to do business.

I posted links to the FCC rules in this forum a few minutes ago.

Please go read the rules about using 2 way communication radios. These are regulated and there are serious implications to not following the rules.

 

BTW.....As stated in another thread, it is NOT legal for even a licensed HAM radio op. to use his HAM radio to transmit on the CB freqs. A ham radio is NOT type certified to operate on the CB channels. Also for those of you that do not have a license, and have a 10m HAM radio that is opened up for CB use, it is also illegal for you to use it, even if only on the CB channels.
Yes.....there is a very slim chance of you getting caught, but if you do, as stated, the fines can be severe. I did it for a long time, and then I finally got a letter from the FCC to "cease and desist". That's when I decided to get my HAM license.
But, I also just "heard" that the FCC is no longer enforcing this regulation. It now falls under city and state. So I guess what this means is if alerted, a city cop or state trooper can take the appropriate action..........whatever that may be. It could mean that if a cop looks to see if your radio is type certified for the CB bands, (there is usually a FCC sticker or stamp somewhere on the radio) and then asks you to show him your HAM license, and if you don't, maybe they can take if from you?....I don't know. Maybe someone else can either confirm or deny this.
Either way, it's worth being careful.

 

So if I purchase a radio it is illegal if someone modifies it?

If a ham operator builds a radio on his own, it cant be certified so is that illegal?

Sounds like everything in life is illegal.

If you put an engine chip in your jeep it modifies your engine control system which can defeat your emission system controls, I would guess that this is illegal.

So whats more illegal a radio or a chipped engine?

I don't see anyone complaining about chipped jeeps so why is everyone complaining about radios, that can operate on multiple frequencies.

If I don't broadcast on frequencies I am not licensed to broadcast on how can that be illegal.

So now I can't use it as a listening device?

 

I agree. If the radio is not type certified for the CB band it would be illegal to use in that band for transmit.

 

I feel your pain.... The reason it's so touchy is because what ends up/is happening, is people all over the world are using (and interferring) with freqs. that are intended for other uses.....ie, business, military, HAM, music radio, TV, etc... It is not impossible for a person to get ahold of a 50,000+ watt amplifier and reek havoc over the airwaves. Heck, you wouldn't believe what even 1000 watts can do.

It is NOT ILLEGAL for you to own the radio. You can own ANY radio you want. And yes, many people (that don't have licenses) buy "receivers" ONLY, which are not able to transmit. These radios are the real "listening devices" It is only illegal for you, (or me) to USE our radios other than they are intended. I COULD BE WRONG, (and somebody will probably tell me if I am) but in your case, without a license, and if you are really worried, if you were checked, I'm sure there would be no problem having it in your Jeep if there was no microphone hooked up to it or anywhere in the jeep. Here again, it would only be a receiver. I am in no way saying do this, as it is entirely up to you. I am only giving you that "possible" option.

 

Wouldn't interferrence or non-emergency use of a freq potentially keep emergency responders from their doing their jobs? That's more dangerous than a chipped Jeep.