Copper Talk » Open Forum » Archived Messages » 2002 » Archived Messages 12/01/2001 to 01/31/2002 » Amature radio info ? « Previous Next »

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ncrebel
Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2002 - 5:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey,it's me again.I was wondering if anybody would share any info with me about Ham radio.I'm just kinda interrested into getting into it and was
wondering if anybody had any recommendations.
I know I can get a tech's lisence and be able to talk on both 6 and 2 meter.What would be your preference on which meter you like best?I know around here 2 meter is VERY popular.I would
appreciate any recommendations.Right now I'm just talkin on regular cb band.Thanks!

*Unit 168 "Timberwolf"*
Eastern North Carolina
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bruce
Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 12:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

anything you want to know fire away !
bruce
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ncrebel
Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 3:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ummmmm ok,first of all,how much power can you legally run with amature radio and tipically on a stock radio what kinda range do they have?Also,I read I think on the FCC page it said it's like
1200 watts of power is the max limit.But I've read in other places where amps were illegal to run with them.So I'm wondering about that for starters.Thanks
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Bulldog
Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 3:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Check out the ARRL website, they have alot of info on that subject
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Scrapiron63
Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 3:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When we use to get around some Ham operators, an old CB buddy of mine use to say, "The reason I like CB lots better than Ham, the hams are so limited on how much power they can use." ha, That got some strange looks, lmao.
The 'legal limit' wouldn't make a good driver for some rigs I've seen.
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bruce
Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 7:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Starters
1) a good 2 meter handheld several are now right around 100 bucks

2) depending on your class of ticket and how far you want to progress license wise i recomend if you are planing to get your general or higher there are at least 4 good HF radios for under 1000 dollars included are the alinco dx-70 ( 160-6 100 watts all mode ), The yaseu ft-840 160-10 all mode 100 watt and kenwood and icom both make good radios in that price range.

You will find all modes used on all bands but SSB is by far the most used... FM comes in at 29.5 and up.. 29.6, 52.525, 146.52 and 446.0 are the calling frequencys. I like FM as a local mode for moble work and SSB for dx on all bands. There is a number of AM stations around 7.92 mhz and 29.03 mhz. check out www.arrl.org or drop a e-mail to me and ill answer what i can
bruce
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Znut
Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 8:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've had my ticket since '99 'rebel and have enjoyed it - even with a low budget. I started off with a 2 meter HT and mobile. Met a bunch of great folks on the air, even did volunteer stuff a couple of times (this seems to be an important part of the ham community). I'm saving up for my first 6m rig 'as we speak. I think you'll be happy with your decision to become a ham. Study the book(s) and get that ticket sir!
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bruce
Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 9:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

oops make that 7.292
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bruce
Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 9:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

znut i take it you have a no-code. i have always said that you no code ticket on vhf would be a winner.... and the stats say it is few no codes get into trouble and most become generals with 5 years.. good show hey drop me a e-mail let me know what you are looking for
bruce
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bruce
Posted on Monday, January 21, 2002 - 12:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I just want to comment on high power not that it dosent have some limited uses. A friend of mine who worked for bell labs in the 40, 50's and was active in the earlest days of radio worked all around the eastern US and into canada on 2 meter am running .2 watts. The alantic has been cross many times running 1 watt or less. And it seems to a common miss belef that you need 10,000 watts to work dx.... check out the QRP websits these guys work the world on power less than most leagual cb sets. Myself i like 10-25 watts even at my base although i have a 800 watt amp which sits in the box... turn on checked put back... if i ever need it i have it.
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ncrebel
Posted on Monday, January 21, 2002 - 5:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for all the replys,just out of being curiouse which band of ham would you be more likely to talk over seas with?Also,what would be a good 2 meter radio to get that wouldn't bust my budget?Thanks

*Unit 168 "Timberwolf"*
Eastern North Carolina
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Skullman
Posted on Monday, January 21, 2002 - 6:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ncrebel, I use an Alinco 2 meter mobile off a power supply as a small base. It cost around $165. As for talking overseas, many other ham bands are better for long distance communications, but check with your local repaeater coodinators and see if they have IRLP access. They probably do. IRLP allows you to link the repeater to the internet and talk to any country you want on two meters. Check it out on irlp.net. Sure beats buying a high power system.
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Znut
Posted on Monday, January 21, 2002 - 11:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Right on skullman. Tell ME more about IRLP. You will be able to email me. I think that is a tangent. Alinco's are excellent 2 meter radios, esp. on a budget. Icom has some affordable rigs right now. Shop! Do you have your ticket yet ncrebel? HF is your way to make DX contacts, it just happens to be a step beyond the first in the licensing structure. I am still a tech, and still enjoying my privelidges as such. I will uprgrade and try 10 meter and such soon enough.
Take Care, Randy
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bruce
Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2002 - 12:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Alincos are my choice for good low priced radios i have right now 440 ht, 2 meter moble and ht, 6 meter moble, ( 2) 10 meter moble , and a 160-6 almode alinco ... love them all. IRLP is neet we just got a link around here ive been lissing to the repeater output cool to here austraila talking to a 2 meter station in clearwater neet stuff.
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ncrebel
Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2002 - 10:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Which in your opinion is more popular?The 2 or 10 meter radio?I know that I can only start out with 2 or 6 meter and a few others but you can talk better dx with a 10 meters more so than you can on a 2 meter.So which in your opinion is more
overall popular?Thanks
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bruce
Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2002 - 11:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If i was starting out and wanted to plan for down the road and a higher license i would buy a 10 meter radio such as the HTX-10 Why? well i always recomend HT's for 2 meters unless your out in the boonies. Now you can buy a nice 2 meter HT for about 100 bucks ( www.pryme.com ) on 2 meters a HT with repeaters will give you good coverage and you can hold your station in your hand. As for 6 i love 6 but it requires investing at least 300 in a radio by far the best is the ranger 5054... not to say alinco, Kenwood and Yaseu dont make good radios they do at 600 and up. Ten is a world wide dx band from my car running only 5 watts fm i work into europe and the west coast from florida all the time. Im using a motorola clone moble wip about 50 inches long no amp and have no problem working car to car 15 miles or more and have worked western canada from here. Also if you want all modes on 2 meters you can buy a Ten-Tec transverter ( www.tentec.com ) build it from a kit and they make GOOD KITS and work through the interational space station and other space craft.
There is so much you can do.
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Znut
Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2002 - 6:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Rebel, right now, AES has a good deal on a 2 meter HT. It is $89.99 and has a $10.00 coupon. The model is ICT2H sport. It uses AA's in a cellholder instead of a battery pack - which you can get for extra. No biggie, just get some rechargeables (nimh, preferably). Icoms are among the best, so don't worry about quality on this one just because of the low price. I have an 18 year old Icom mobile still going strong. Go look, www.aesham.com
Take Care, Randy