need info on HAM/shortwave radio equipment

[FoBoT]

how much $ for a basic setup? what kind of antennas are needed?

links? can you buy equipment online?

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
how much $ for a basic setup? what kind of antennas are needed?

links? can you buy equipment online?

that all depends on what level of licens you are testing for.

http://www.yaesu.com/

KB0Ogt standing by.

 

[FoBoT]

basic
i am interested in something that could be used in an emergency to talk to people within 50 miles, say the cell towers were knocked out and i needed emergency communications

 

[OutHouse]

then get the lowest class amature radio license which is a technician no-code. this license from the FCC will allow you to broadcast on the 2 meter (2m) band and you do not need to know morse code.

for equipment you can get a nice handheld 2m transceiver for about 300 bucks. its all i have and if i turn to the ARRL radio tower i can go well over 50 miles. without the tower i can talk to about 15-20 miles.

 

[Bootprint]

Originally posted by: Citrix
then get the lowest class amature radio license which is a technician no-code. this license from the FCC will allow you to broadcast on the 2 meter (2m) band and you do not need to know morse code.

for equipment you can get a nice handheld 2m transceiver for about 300 bucks. its all i have and if i turn to the ARRL radio tower i can go well over 50 miles. without the tower i can talk to about 15-20 miles.

A nice addition to the handheld for the car might be a quarter wave or 5/8's wave antenna.

 

[vailr]

The local Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Costco, or auto parts store should probably have a low-cost, hand-held CB radio.

 

[ScottMac]

Yeah, but with Ham equipment, and (usually) a membership with the repeater club, you can use the patch to make phone calls through the repeater (no business use, just personal stuff).

Ham permits more power (legally) than CB.

Ham also has some digital modes, like packet radio, for wireless Internet access (slow, but usable), there are amateur radio satellites you can hit ... like orbiting BBS and repeaters.

There's lots of interesting stuff in Ham radio, something for nearly everyone.

FWIW

Scott
WV9A

 

[Fritzo]

I don't understand the appeal of HAM radio. "It allows you to speak with people on the other side of the world!"

Yeah...so does AIM, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I don't understand the appeal of HAM radio. "It allows you to speak with people on the other side of the world!"

Yeah...so does AIM, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

You are soooooo right.

SK de W6OHI

 

[cardiac]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I don't understand the appeal of HAM radio. "It allows you to speak with people on the other side of the world!"

Yeah...so does AIM, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

Why do people still build their own computers? It's a matter of pride, and a combination of other things.

I enjoy talking to other people via amateur radio. I make most of my own antennas. I am also involved in Skywarn (Weather watchers), and am an official ARRL Emergency Station. I am also a volunteer examiner, which gives the amateur exams.

Go to the Amateur Radio Relay League website. It is a wealth of info on getting started.

PM me if you would like more info.

Bob - K9xx

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: cardiac

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I don't understand the appeal of HAM radio. "It allows you to speak with people on the other side of the world!"

Yeah...so does AIM, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

Why do people still build their own computers? It's a matter of pride, and a combination of other things.

I enjoy talking to other people via amateur radio. I make most of my own antennas. I am also involved in Skywarn (Weather watchers), and am an official ARRL Emergency Station. I am also a volunteer examiner, which gives the amateur exams.

Go to the Amateur Radio Relay League website. It is a wealth of info on getting started.

PM me if you would like more info.

Bob - K9xx

People still build their own computers because a high performance PC is still less expensive to build by hand. Everything that can be done on HAM radio can be done over the Internet more efficiently- not sure of the appeal

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: cardiac

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I don't understand the appeal of HAM radio. "It allows you to speak with people on the other side of the world!"

Yeah...so does AIM, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

Why do people still build their own computers? It's a matter of pride, and a combination of other things.

I enjoy talking to other people via amateur radio. I make most of my own antennas. I am also involved in Skywarn (Weather watchers), and am an official ARRL Emergency Station. I am also a volunteer examiner, which gives the amateur exams.

Go to the Amateur Radio Relay League website. It is a wealth of info on getting started.

PM me if you would like more info.

Bob - K9xx

People still build their own computers because a high performance PC is still less expensive to build by hand. Everything that can be done on HAM radio can be done over the Internet more efficiently- not sure of the appeal

Because we enjoy it like you enjoy a great chord progression. It?s not
more efficient than the internet but when the net goes down we will still be passing info along.

 

[ScottMac]

Except in emergency situations where there is no Internet, no computer, no power, and possibly, no phone lines.

There wasn't much Internet to be had around the Eastern Gulf coast after Katrina, and a Central Office fire in Hinsdale IL some time ago left the Chicago western 'burbs with no phones for ~six weeks.

Hams often practice emergency and disaster communications and operate from batteries in a mobile situation much of the time. Many of the VHF/UHF repeaters have backup power that permits a Ham to continue to communicate when everything else is gone (voice and data).

There are some challenges in the Amateur Radio hobby ... it's a hobby, but it also has many practical uses as well. And, there are places you can reach by radio, in one form or another, that you can't get on the Internet.

If it doesn't interest you, no problem ... but don't try to run it down just because you don't understand it or have no interest in it.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: ScottMac
Except in emergency situations where there is no Internet, no computer, no power, and possibly, no phone lines.

There wasn't much Internet to be had around the Eastern Gulf coast after Katrina, and a Central Office fire in Hinsdale IL some time ago left the Chicago western 'burbs with no phones for ~six weeks.

Hams often practice emergency and disaster communications and operate from batteries in a mobile situation much of the time. Many of the VHF/UHF repeaters have backup power that permits a Ham to continue to communicate when everything else is gone (voice and data).

There are some challenges in the Amateur Radio hobby ... it's a hobby, but it also has many practical uses as well. And, there are places you can reach by radio, in one form or another, that you can't get on the Internet.

If it doesn't interest you, no problem ... but don't try to run it down just because you don't understand it or have no interest in it.

Good Luck

Scott

I wasn't slamming it by any means, I was just saying I don't understand why people still use HAM radio when there are easier, cheaper, and more efficient ways to do the same thing. Emergency situations are a great example of why people still use it. I didn't know this.

 

[cavemanmoron]

CB radio, would be cheaper,
but the distance is not as good, unless your on a mountain.

RCI 2990/ 2970 good units.

 

[cardiac]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: ScottMac
Except in emergency situations where there is no Internet, no computer, no power, and possibly, no phone lines.

There wasn't much Internet to be had around the Eastern Gulf coast after Katrina, and a Central Office fire in Hinsdale IL some time ago left the Chicago western 'burbs with no phones for ~six weeks.

Hams often practice emergency and disaster communications and operate from batteries in a mobile situation much of the time. Many of the VHF/UHF repeaters have backup power that permits a Ham to continue to communicate when everything else is gone (voice and data).

There are some challenges in the Amateur Radio hobby ... it's a hobby, but it also has many practical uses as well. And, there are places you can reach by radio, in one form or another, that you can't get on the Internet.

If it doesn't interest you, no problem ... but don't try to run it down just because you don't understand it or have no interest in it.

Good Luck

Scott

I wasn't slamming it by any means, I was just saying I don't understand why people still use HAM radio when there are easier, cheaper, and more efficient ways to do the same thing. Emergency situations are a great example of why people still use it. I didn't know this.

Fritzo, after Katrina, the only comunnications that numerous hospitals, families, and a few EMS/Rescue units had with the outside world were amateur operators. They passed information to the "outside" world on the health and whereabouts of thousands of families. Here is one article: Katrina hams..
Some of our locally trained folks went down there (And to Florida a few times after hurricanes) and provided emergency comms. Even the Salvation Army has it's own emergency radio operators to use during disasters: Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network.. Most of these folks do this without compensation for anything, other than a meal or a cot here and there. When the sh*t hits the fan, give me a few good amateurs to pass info. You can have your Internet.

I love the Internet (Been on Anandtech since 1999). But I wouldn't want to rely on it during a disaster.....

Bob

 

[cardiac]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
how much $ for a basic setup? what kind of antennas are needed?

links? can you buy equipment online?

Sorry to get off course, FoBoT.

A decent setup with a single band (2 meter) hand held radio, with a carrying case, spare battery (Always get one), and a mobile antenna would be under $250. Add a base antenna and coax for $50 or so. The sky is the limit.

My home station includes: Kenwood TS-950SDX 10-160 meter radio, Amertron AL-80B amp, a Kenwood TM-733a 2 meter/ 440 mhz, Icom IC 37a 220mhz radio, a Force 12 C-3 triband antenna @ 52 feet, a Comet CX 333 triband (2m,220, 440) base antenna, and a bunch of homebrew interfaces for my soundcards to do the digital modes with my computers.

Don't ask how much all that cost - I don't want to know

Bob

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: cardiac

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: ScottMac
Except in emergency situations where there is no Internet, no computer, no power, and possibly, no phone lines.

There wasn't much Internet to be had around the Eastern Gulf coast after Katrina, and a Central Office fire in Hinsdale IL some time ago left the Chicago western 'burbs with no phones for ~six weeks.

Hams often practice emergency and disaster communications and operate from batteries in a mobile situation much of the time. Many of the VHF/UHF repeaters have backup power that permits a Ham to continue to communicate when everything else is gone (voice and data).

There are some challenges in the Amateur Radio hobby ... it's a hobby, but it also has many practical uses as well. And, there are places you can reach by radio, in one form or another, that you can't get on the Internet.

If it doesn't interest you, no problem ... but don't try to run it down just because you don't understand it or have no interest in it.

Good Luck

Scott

I wasn't slamming it by any means, I was just saying I don't understand why people still use HAM radio when there are easier, cheaper, and more efficient ways to do the same thing. Emergency situations are a great example of why people still use it. I didn't know this.

Fritzo, after Katrina, the only comunnications that numerous hospitals, families, and a few EMS/Rescue units had with the outside world were amateur operators. They passed information to the "outside" world on the health and whereabouts of thousands of families. Here is one article: Katrina hams..
Some of our locally trained folks went down there (And to Florida a few times after hurricanes) and provided emergency comms. Even the Salvation Army has it's own emergency radio operators to use during disasters: Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network.. Most of these folks do this without compensation for anything, other than a meal or a cot here and there. When the sh*t hits the fan, give me a few good amateurs to pass info. You can have your Internet.

I love the Internet (Been on Anandtech since 1999). But I wouldn't want to rely on it during a disaster.....

Bob

Yeah, I'll keep my Internet here in geologically and meteorologically stable NW Ohio We had a tornado once about 36 years ago, but that's about it.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: vailr
The local Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Costco, or auto parts store should probably have a low-cost, hand-held CB radio.

the other people involved want to have something with more range than CB , thanks

 

[FoBoT]

the katrina example is what we want to be prepared for

my father in law lives in atlanta, but he went to mississippi for a few weeks after katrina and ran a ham relay to help with communications

thanks everyone for the input

 

[cavingjan]

I'm real pleased with my Icom T2H handhelds which can be had for aroun $100. I used that for a year in my car with a 5/8 wave mag mount antenna on the roof. Just get a decent handheld mic and a spare battery case (it runs on 8 AAs so you can use NiCad, NiMH, Alkalines) The sport model comes without the charger (can only charge NiCad) and the batteries.

If you want a mobile rig, be patient and you can usually get a good deal around the time of the Dayton hamfest. Icom and Yaesu both make decent no frills 50W 2meter rigs for a little over a hundred. Don't forget to by a power supply which could be pricey. If you want it for emergencies, you will probably want to set up a battery backup for it.

I got my ham license because I spent a lot of time caving in West Virginia and Western Viginia. There still isn't decent cell coverage where I usually go to play. Makes finding out where people are a little easier.

 

[Googer]

You don't need an ISP or be tied to a phone jack in the middle of now-where to use a ham radio.

No subscription required.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I don't understand the appeal of HAM radio. "It allows you to speak with people on the other side of the world!"

Yeah...so does AIM, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

because there are still a lot of places in the world that dont have broadband...

 

[cardiac]

Here is one of the places that I like for mail order. They aren't always the cheapest, but have customer service second to none. EVERYONE that works there is a licensed amateur. Here are some 2 meter hand held radios: AES - Amateur Electronics Service

Bob

 

[Rubycon]

Yaesu 1000D transceiver unlocked to talk on 11 meter (CB) bands coupled to dual Eimac 3Z1000 triode linear amp. (home made in Bremen, Germany of course) No carrier (SSB) and PEP of 2.5kW with little interference to outside bands.

CQ Contest Alpha! Eimac! Four QSL?

Haha the golden days. Switch to AM - 100W carrier seems puny (to those truckers running their Cobra 148GTL-DX's and sweet sixteen transistor foot warmers) but whistle into that D104 (TUG-8 four wire had better sound than 9 stand and silver eagles!) And you needed the 5kW slug in the ole BIRD meter to see the max output! That's enough to need really beefed up gamma matches on the moonraker 6! :shocked: