Most Ham radios require a license though

 

Not most, but ALL require a current FCC license. The entry level test is extremely easy. Understand though......ANYBODY can own a HAM radio. BUT you only have to have a licence to "TRANSMIT" on one. So that means you can own one and listen on it all you want. There are even clubs where people share the common interest......Shortwave Radio Clubs. There are HAM radio receivers these days that cost thousands of dollars that don't even HAVE the capability to transmit. There are all kinds.....mobile receivers as well as even handhelds, but check out this baby....

http://www.icomamerica.com/en/produc...0/default.aspx

 

They have made the entry level (Technician) test so easy now that there's no reason not to earn it if you can afford to invest $15 and a weekend learning the material.

 

Does the Ham radio transmit and recieve straight through, or rely on skip? How much for an entry level radio and antennae, mobile?

 

It all depends on the band (frequencies) used, and the propagation (sunspot activity). I'm assuming that when you say "straight through" you mean ground wave communications. If so then yes, depending on the frequency and the time of day, HAM radio also can use ground wave coms. The sun affects different parts of the atmosphere. And depending on the time of day, usually decides weather a signal will go along the ground, or bounce off the atmosphere one or many times to reach it's destination. Some frequencies work better at certain times of the day for the distances they end up travelling.

As far as radio and antenna, that again depends on what bands you want to use. If all you want to do is use 2 meters, (entry level) then you can get into a "plain jane" radio and antenna for not much more than a higher priced CB. It all depends on what you want to get into in HAM radio as it's almost unlimited.

 

I guess my question is, is Ham a reliable way to communicate 15 to 2000 miles. Please forgive my stupidity.

 

Yes, again depending on what frequency used at a particular time of day, it is EXTREMELY reliable. There is so much to it, like said before it's almost unlimited as to it's applications. You may want to go here: http://www.arrl.org/ to read up and get an idea of what it's all about.

 

Will do, thank you.

 

Just for the record, the Trail Guides for our Jeep Jamboree that use 2 meters are Hams.

73

KD0JLU
General

 

AK4Dave,

Have been reading alot of the post in this thread. Seems like your really up on this HAM Radio stufff. I have been kicking around getting my HAM license.

I also see that you have stated that a 2 meter mobile set-up is not much more than a good CB set-up, so here is my Question.

What would be a good 2 meter mobile set-up to look at ? Puting cost in the Mid range, Radio and Antenna.

Also, Iam guessing that the best place to start in getting a license would maybe be a local HAM club ?