Technician License

[tfisher63]

I know we have at least a couple ham operators here. If I get my tech ticket, I have voice privileges on anything above 30Mghz correct? How far can I talk on those frequencies? I hear that the 2 meter is popular here in Colorado, and there are several repeaters. With the use of repeaters, how far can I talk? I have been reading "Now you'reTalking 3rd ed" and I think I want to make the jump. Thanks....

[kc0rey]

How far can you talk? All over the world. But not on repeaters. Well, echolink and IRLP repeaters.

Technician class with give you every thing above 30MHz. 6M is the most fun.

Normal non-linked repeaters are good for 50 to 100 miles. In Colorado everything is on a mountain plus you have a great linked repeater system.

When the band is open........anything is possible

[tfisher63]

Thanks KC, You are referring to 6m when you say 50 to 100 miles? I have heard of echolink, I'll have to go some more research on that, its satellite, right?

[kc0rey]

Originally Posted by tfisher63

Thanks KC, How far can one commonly talk on 6m? I have heard of echolink, I'll have to go some more research on that, its satellite, right?

6M is called the magic band and usually is pretty dead and line of sight is the norm, but when the magic comes (band opening) magic can happen. It can be smokin for 1000 miles or 8000 miles.

See it is not about how far, it is about what do you want to do.

Echolink is VoIP or voice over internet protocol. It is a method for tying repeaters together (linking). The same for IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project)

[tfisher63]

I assume the magic youare talking about is related to sunspots? I have always been intrigued by what you can do on radio ever since I was in high school and talked skip about 200 miles on a cb. I just didnt want to be limited to talking mostly to people here in the valley.
Sounds like something I should try. I'll keep studying and take the Tech test soon.

[kc0rey]

It is called the magic band because most of the time it is only good for local communications and then........several times a year, like magic, it opens up and you can talk all over the place with 1 watt.

[tfisher63]

I will have to give it a try. I will be on the lookout for a used radio, preferably one that will allow me to listen to several different bands and then after I get the right license I can use those bands. Any suggestions for radios?

[kc0rey]

Yaesu FT-857D



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Better and less expensive then the Icom IC-706MKIIG

Then you have the Icom IC-7000, allot more expensive and too new to work out all the bugs, but man, what a pretty face:



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[tfisher63]

Yes that Icom is a beauty, have you heard anything about how visible that display is inside a vehicle when it is bright outside?

[kc0rey]

It is TFT so there are going to be some issues. It is a remote faceplate and comes with a kit so you can mount it with washout in mind and avoid most of the problems.