Ham radio questions please help

[CumminsPusher]

Got ya just didn't know if you had explored that option

A little yes. Been on it since last weekend. It's sure more simple and that may come into play because even when I learn if it's not a very quick thing to teach it's out

 

[Admin]

 

[sharp]

This is getting away from the ham radio question but a lot of guys in my area are running two way marine radios . Good distance and no license required. We have a lot of hills and hollers and they all seem to be able to talk back and forth from long distances

It's illegal to run marine radios on land around here you might want to check on that. But I do understand why a lot of people do that because of the waterproof aspect.

 

[CumminsPusher]

Wow! I didn't hear that thanks for info!

 

[CumminsPusher]

This is getting away from the ham radio question but a lot of guys in my area are running two way marine radios . Good distance and no license required. We have a lot of hills and hollers and they all seem to be able to talk back and forth from long distances

I'm curious how long a distance?


Sent from iPhone

 

[GlockMeister]

I'm curious how long a distance?


Sent from iPhone

At work we use 2 ways and can reach upwards of 40 miles.. but we also use a repeater which greatly increases our ramge. I know that the coyote hunters who run them cam get 25 miles easy depending on terrain and weather conditions.
As far as legality.. here in Missouri there is no law against using them that we are aware of.

 

[CumminsPusher]

Gm In heavy woods what would you say for distance ? Any idea of what bandwidth


Sent from iPhone

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

Yup, marine radios have more power than CB's, and illegal to use them for other than marine use.

25 miles through wooded forest is going to tax any radio, especially if your not on top of the hill, or don't have repeaters to use. I've talked 15 miles on simplex 2 meter in hilly,wooded terrain and it worked but I wouldn't totally depend on it. Handheld radios do lack the punch through power, than say a 75 watt mobile/base rig. Think big tall antenna. I have my larger antenna on my p1k mounted in the bed (not connected to radio), until I need it. Then I remove it from its mounting, and attach it to the coax on my homebuilt plate when I want to use it. If the trail is tall enough I run with it attached, and I have a spring so it will bend, but I don't like a smashing the antenna against treatment branches. Don't want to nick the outer coating that protects the fine wire that is wrapped around the antenna mast. Good news if you use 2 meter radio is that the antennas are fairly short, unlike a cb.

 

[CumminsPusher]

I assume two meter radio is 6 ft antenna


Sent from iPhone

 

[CumminsPusher]

Here is base unit I'm looking at


And the walkies



Good bad? Antenna? I can't run huge antenna either for sure. Options for permanent use?



Sent from iPhone

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

I assume two meter radio is 6 ft antenna

3.25 ft. Divide 468 by the frequency of the radio band you want( 2 meters is 144 mhz, and that gives you the length of the antenna. 1/4 wavelength that is.

Sent from iPhone

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

Here is base unit I'm looking atView attachment 19172View attachment 19173
I'm sure that's a good radio
Look at Diamond dual band antenna. Here's the radio that I really like.
And the walkies #
View attachment 19174
View attachment 19175

Good bad? Antenna? I can't run huge antenna either for sure. Options for permanent use?



Sent from iPhone

 

[CumminsPusher]

I don't see pic?


Sent from iPhone

 

[CumminsPusher]

Damn antenna is a lot. It's as much as unit. Anything more reasonable? I know I'm asking a lot but trying on limited


Sent from iPhone

 

[educ8tedguess]

Educatedguess, thank you as well. It's honestly not too often I look into something and get totally confused. Here it is for me. I love the idea of ham and not only do I think it's imperative for our situation I do think down the road if anything happens it'll be a blessing. I'm usually a quick study but omg. I just want it to work. I've seen prices on eBay and local used prices and we won't lose anything if it doesn't work for us so I'm pulling the trigger. There are 4 of us that are committed to getting licenses but in emergency situations I need it to work for anyone. We will not strand someone again that's a bad deal! Communications has just went to level 1. I know nothing other then brand. I suspect with the 50w on the p1k and an 8w handheld there should be plenty of range for us. It's looking like line of sight is up to 150 miles and heavily wooded could be as much as 25-30. That should be fine. I definitely would say this isn't going to go to be a hobby as it could get expensive but CB won't cut it for us.


Sent from iPhone

That is exactly where I am at. I can usually get things figured out but in this case, I was looking for something I could hand to a friend and let him use on his unit while I utilize one on mine. (He will be licensed as well) Then have the ability to reach out should I need it. But I think that will be a bit of a learning experience. I'm okay with this but as you said, I don't think this will turn into a hobby. I look at it like golf. I want to learn enough to make it enjoyable and useful, understand the etiquette as not to offend, but not make it something I need to practice all the time and drain my account. For me, HAM will be a tool and not a hobby

 

[sharp]

 

[sharp]

View attachment 19179 View attachment 19180

The pic is not good but the antenna is lower than the roof

 

[CumminsPusher]

That is exactly where I am at. I can usually get things figured out but in this case, I was looking for something I could hand to a friend and let him use on his unit while I utilize one on mine. (He will be licensed as well) Then have the ability to reach out should I need it. But I think that will be a bit of a learning experience. I'm okay with this but as you said, I don't think this will turn into a hobby. I look at it like golf. I want to learn enough to make it enjoyable and useful, understand the etiquette as not to offend, but not make it something I need to practice all the time and drain my account. For me, HAM will be a tool and not a hobby

Absolutely same here. I want to have something to depend on but reasonable. The one I'm looking at seems to have CB and two way so might be a go just sucks to buy something I don't know anything about. That's just not me


Sent from iPhone

 

[CumminsPusher]

View attachment 19179 View attachment 19180

What range do you normally have ?


Sent from iPhone

 

[sharp]

What range do you normally have ?


Sent from iPhone

Couple miles in town, more out in the country. It's just a basic cobra, if I relocated the antenna and had it tuned better it may go farther. It's not water proof at all so I wrapped packing tape around where the seam is.

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

For some reason I can't copy the picture. Look up Yaesu 2900R. The only downside is, it gets hot after continuous operation. Added hest to a cab that doesn't need it.