FWIW, IV got a Yaesu HT in the Jeep for now and Im using a LArson antenna on a Diamond mount.
So far as I know, no one else in the Jeep group I belong to has a ham rig in their Jeep.
Seems to work good for me.
[IMG][/IMG]

 

I've got my whole yeasu 957 VHF/UHF/HF rig for sale in the classifieds under the electronics section. comes with everything including 2 antennas.

A great way for someone to get into the hobby. At about 30% off retail

 

Nice setup Aggie.

 

So I'm running an Icom F320 for my Volunteer FD. It appears to cover 146Mhz to 174 Mhz. Since this appears to overlap with the 2m Ham Band, can I conceivably get my license and use this as a HAM radio?

 

Yes you can operate any VHF or UHF radio with a Technician class license in the US. The Technician license is not difficult to obtain. You will find that many public service radios, however, are programed to operate in a specific frequency range within the appointed band. I operate an ic7000 radio in my JK using the V/UHF bands with a Technician license, anyone can use any band for the purpose of emergency communication with out a license. With that you may consider HF as an emergency back up, as the HF bands can reach out way more than 100 miles (beyond line of sight). I routinely monitor stations (simplex) 500 miles away. Good luck!

 

Smoepick,

That IC7000 is HUGE! Where do you mount it?

I need to juggle the F320, my CB, my phone and my new Nuvi 1450.

Got any pics of your set-up??

 

That is a really great question. I bet you wont get an answer where the terminology originated from. If you really dont know what ham is, google and do some reading. I am studying for my license now.

 

Actually, AND I COULD BE WRONG, but I don't know if this is entirely true. I know that a HAM radio has to be "type accepted" by the FCC for HAM radio use. It would be for the same reason you can't (legally) use a HAM radio on the CB freqs. As well as even though some HAM radios can talk on the aircraft bands it doesn't mean we are allowed to. Your service radio may indeed also be the same "type accepted" as HAM radios are and therefore no problem to use. It should be listed on the radio somewhere but you'd have to have a reference. Service radios "may" be a different "type" but I just can't remember all the particulars. You may want to call your local HAM club somebody there may know, or if all else fails you can always call the FCC.

And yes, anybody can use ANY radio in case of an emergency. But as far as a mobile HF rig for back-up???.....well that would be one pretty expensive back-up.......lol. I couldn't imagine having a fine radio like that in my rig and not be able to use if for anything else but listening and calling for HELP...!!! ...lol.

 

HAM Radio is the nickname for amateur radio.
The nickname came when amateur's accidentally went into the military freqs and were nicknamed HAMs by the military operators, I believe this was WWII..
that is my understanding of where the word HAM came from.

73's

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymology_of_ham_radio