Ham (Amateur) Radio, what it is and why drivers should use it.

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by kb0wzh, Jan 3, 2012.

  1. kb0wzh

    kb0wzh Bobtail Member

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    OK everyone, I have read the Notice and looked at the other threads and I think that this will be a bit different. Well here it goes, the first step ANYONE that wants to learn about ham radio should go to http://www.arrl.org
    then go to the "licensing, education & training tab at the top of the frame. There you will find most of what you will need, all in all you can look around the site if you want.:biggrin_25520:

    Why would you want to move from CB (11meter) to ham radio (microwave down to 160meters). What we go by is FCC type accepted equipment, that said "Hams" can also make their own equipment if they go by some simple guidelines. Now code (Morse Code) is no longer required to get the license.There is three classes of licenses people can get, the first is the Technician class, General class, and the Extra class.

    The Tech class is the easiest to get, this class will let you do microwave, 2meter, 70cm as well as a portion of the 10 meter band (phone). General class let's you do all of the Tech class plus a portion of all of the other bands, and the "Top" class (Extra). With this class you have privileges to all the Ham Bands!

    Now after reading all of that you might say what is the big deal other than more places to talk, well that is true in part, we do get to use 1500 watts legally. I would not recommend that much power in a truck as you could kill or maim yourself or others. The average radio (HF) has 100 watts barefoot and 2meters has 50 watts (mobile), this said the rule of thumb is use the lowest power you need to make the contact, on HF you can make contact world wide with 1 watt.

    If you want to run a mobile rig in your truck you need to hook up to the battery (fuses needed at batt. hook-up point) or hook up to at least to a 30 amp fuse box connection (not recommended). Now there is a new law on the books that says drivers can't use any electronic devices (cells and radios) when driving unless you have a hands free device. We do have Blue tooth hook-ups we can adapt to CB's and Ham radios. This is the minimum you will need to run mobile down the road, 1) An radio. Rather it is a HF/VHF/UHF, VHF, VHF/UHF or just HF 2) Antenna with good coax 3) A tuner 4) This is optional if you are at a stop (not driving), a Bluetooth.

    Also remember always have a good ground!! Ground the doors or anything that can cause static. The fun part is there are a lot of other modes like digital and ARPS. There is another big thing no bad language.

    Any questions You can ask me or most any other ham operators that you know or meet. Have fun and good luck!

    Keep the rubber side down 73,
    KB0WZH
     
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  3. The Truckist

    The Truckist Medium Load Member

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    Very timely for me, KB0WZH. Don't really know why the bug has hit me at this late stage in life but it has. About a year ago, I casually began reading more about HAM and to my surprise, last month I read an internet news article that mentioned HAM license applications were up unusually high.

    Spent a couple hours earlier today on a couple sites learning more about the licensing, call signs, etc. I may do this yet.
     
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  4. kd5drx

    kd5drx <strong>Master of Electronic Communications</stron

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    Let me expand a little on this thought. I have been trucking for over 20 years. And have been a ham for over 15 years. I was real big into CB radios for years i got hooked on the Ham radio one week when i was home listening to the guys on 20 meters talking all over the US to each other and knew i had to get my ticket. Once i got it i never looked back, there is nothing like riding down the road with 10 or 20 friends to talk to all day long and all night long and them being from 10 to 1000 miles away and even setting up coffee or lunch days ahead. Its not hard to get now and the radios are easy to set up and use today so if you have questions or need help just ask me or any Ham and they will be glad to help you out.
     
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  5. Big_m

    Big_m Heavy Load Member

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    Central Maryland
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  6. joplinlocal

    joplinlocal Light Load Member

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    Joplin, MO
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    I kind of went the opposite direction... was licensed from '90 to '00, let it expire, and went back to CB. I'll probably never renew it. CB is where my "roots" are and I've always enjoyed talking on the CB more and hanging out with the CB crowd. The local hams where I lived at the time always seemed to have "attitude" and a "good 'ole boy" mentality. Amateur Radio just didn't make a good "first impression" on me and it kind of stuck.

    Of course that's just one man's perception. By all means... if you're interested in Amateur Radio, go for it and best of luck to you! I'm sure you'll really enjoy it.
     
  7. WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

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    Seminole Florida
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    Maybe my ham radio is in a diffrent world likr any group there are lids
    but like any group much depends where you hang out ....

    If you hang out on repeaters ( like the 10-4 / 64 mess near Tampa ) I could easly see how you got discuraged.

    Like anything else you get out of it what you are willing to put into it ....
    Repeaters as a rule are not a good place to develop your opinion of what ham radio is about the other thing is having a limited ticket like a tech one again limiting you to a very limited view of what it is all about.
     
  8. kd5drx

    kd5drx <strong>Master of Electronic Communications</stron

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    I whole heatedly agree there are those groups in any crowd that can leave you with a bad taste. And a limited ticket will sure get you that way. I have found places on the HF side that are that way as well. You have to pick and choose you way around with the Ham guys just like with the CB guys there are good and bad in every crowd. The thing i enjoy about the Ham bands is there are so many different modes and bands that can spark an interest from 2meter side band and digital like APRS which i run all the time to the world wide HF DX contest guys that i hate but that is there thing. I love the idea that any time of the day or night some where on some band i can find some one talking and chew the fat to kill some time and make the day or night go by. Also i enjoy making antennas and experimenting with what works and doesn't work out of a simple piece of wire and a chunk of coax. i am always amazed at what you can do with the simple things. I have went as far as load and tuning my electric fence that was stretched around my pasture one day to tuning up a 53 ft trailer. It will all work just not all as well as the other. SO in short each to his own and keep an open mind.
     
  9. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    Wow, a sequencial call sign, I know KB0WZI, he used to be a driver as well, haven't talked to him for a couple years though.
     
  10. Big_m

    Big_m Heavy Load Member

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    Central Maryland
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    As for me I am a CBer first since 1968. Still run CB mobile & Base. But I am also a Ham. I do enjoy both. You could always give it another try. And since the licenses are good for 10 years with free renewal why not just keep it. And one day you may just find a few Hams with some sense to talk to. Or work other bands like 6 & 10 meters where you don't have to deal with the locals.
     
  11. Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

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    Good post kb0wzh, but the thing to remember is CB is (and is supposed to be) a business band, and ham is a hobby band. I think "most" truckers only see a CB (or any radio) as a tool. It takes someone who really likes radio more than for business reasons to enjoy ham, IMO. I don't think it's for everyone.

    My $.02
     
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