I'd be happy to settle for a used radio. But I wanted to first get my antenna deal sorted before I bought a radio. I wanted/want to run dual antennas. One for CB and one for 2M/440CM. I'm trying to avoid that whole "porcupine" look. I might consider running dual whips if I can find a matching set, one for HAM and one for CB.

I've also considered just getting that VX-7R Yaesu quad band and putting a CB in the Jeep. I wouldn't have the xmit power I'd like for emergencies but I would have a durrable, portable radio.

 

I am also contemplating the same thing. I thought about the VX-7R also. I wonder if its possible to connect these handhelds to an external antenna?

 

Yes.....all it takes is an adapter in place of where the rubber duckie antenna would be. Hook up your regular coax to it, and you're off to the races.

Just want to remind you that, although handhelds are nice and have their place, especially for portable use, don't forget output power. I have an Icom 2 meter mobile that puts out in excess of 75 watts. Yes, at times you can get pretty good range with the 5 watts from a handheld, and an external antenna helps a lot. But unless you plan to buy a small vhf amp to go with it, it's pretty hard to beat 75 watts right out of a radio. Especially if you really need to make the contact in an emergency situation.

 

Over the years I have traveled all over the US southwest and was rarely ever out of 2 meter or 440 MHz repeater range. A well placed repeater high up on a mountain top can cover a lot of territory. You can get a nice dual band (2 meter/440 MHz) transceiver for less than $250. A high gain antenna and mounting system will set you back another $125. I live in Southern California and even in the deepest most remote canyons I am still in contact with numerous repeaters.

I have been a licensed extra class HAM since 1983 and must admit to being a bit miffed when the FCC dropped the code requirement but I am also a pragmatist and realize that if more people don’t use the frequencies set aside for Amateur radio they will be taken away; they are a very valuable commodity in today’s high tech world. I welcome any newcomers.

73
Jerry
NW6M

 

FB OM...!!!

 

I think I can speak to all your topics. I've been a HAM for 3 months. I got my license because CB is completely useless off the trail. At first all I wanted was the ability to get a little more distance and bounce off a repeater if needed. So, I bought an Icom 208H an excellent 50w dual band radio that looked really cool and did exactly what i needed. I also bought a Comet SBB-5 antenna not to big not to small but works great. The setup was great for 2m/70cm usage. But....

After being in the hobby for these long 3 months i've decided I want more abilities. For one I wanted APRS (for mapping/tracking etc) along with my 2m/70cm so I sold the ICOM and bought a used Kenwood D700A. Another excellent radio but with a couple extra features. This will be my primary setup in the Jeep until an HF arrives with built in APRS (TNC).

I also bought a VX7R, while it may be a good hand held it's almost useless when I need to get some distance. With the standard antenna I get a bit more distance than a good CB setup when trying to go directly to another station. I'm on the verge of selling it but will hold off until I try it up in the Sierras for stream to camp communications.

I'm a bit obsessive so I also picked up an Icom 7000 for HF. This would be the perfect radio if it had APRS/TNC built in. This weekend from 120 Miles south of the border in Baja I have no repeater access. 2m and 70cm are useless as there are no other HAMs around. My only option for communication is 20m/40m back to the states. I only made two contacts (see my earlier post) but one was in Oregon the other in Texas. In an emergency I guarantee I could have made contact with 100s of people. If I can hear them there's a good chance they can hear me.

So my advise is figure out what you "really" want and need. I haven't found the perfect setup yet it just isn't out there yet. But, I know exactly what I want (at least today) so when it comes out I'll be first in line. Also run down to Ham Radio Outlet ask for the manager and tell him you are new to the hobby and would like to talk to somebody that really wants to help a new guy. There are people in this hobby that aren't jerks.

EDIT: BTW, I can hook my radio up to my laptop and send/receive Morse Code without knowing any code. Will i learn it? Maybe, but I'd rather concentrate on more interesting things like packet etc... Making me learn CW to get a license is like making me learn Cobol or Fortran to be a programmer.

dave.

 

I don't ever eat ham in my Jeep.

 

Wow! Thanks for the info. You all have been very helpful. After I get my license, you have given me some good ideas about where to start. But it sounds like amateur radio is like my JK - always spending money to make upgrades, always a work in progress!

If any of you are going to be in Moab, for the Jeep Safari, let me know. I'd like to talk with you about HAM radio in your jeeps.

 

I'm pretty sure that all I will need for my uses is a 2M/440CM radio and a decent dual band whip. I don't really have any interest in packet or ARPS as I have a GPS built into my Jeep as well as a hand held unit. I might like to be able to autopatch in case I need to make a call while I'm out of cell range. I think 50-75w is enough.

 

For grins I picked up a Diamond Super Gainer, their "top of the line" dual band antenna. I wanted to see how much further into mexico i could get with it versus my SBB-5. Result, I'll be posting it for sale on QRZ when i get back. It's way to long for me and didn't get me any more distance. My normal antenna is mounted to my bumper and doesn't extend beyond my roofline which is perfect. No snags, no taking off to go in the Garage but I get excellent range.

The good thing about this hobby is if you buy something used there's a very good chance you'll get your money back if you decide it wasn't right. Even if you buy new there's a good chance you'll get most of your money back on resale.