Question about Ham Radio

[kc0rey]

I answer many question weekly about Ham Radio that drivers ask me though-out the week on the CB.

For those of you with questions or who might be curious, check out:

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

You can ask your questions here as well and I'll answer them to the best of my ability.

I also have free study guides (in PDF format) I can email you.

Many truck drivers are Ham radio operators and I'll tell you a story.

As I was travelling through Omaha, NE I heard a Mercer Driver KL7IZH (Rick) in Palmdale, CA. We talked for a while, and I gave it no further thought. Later in the week when I was at the FlyingJ in Barstow, CA I heard Rick again. This time he was in Barstow,CA at the FlyingJ. I was in front (on the street) he was way in the back. I invited him inside for coffee and a meet and greet. We had a great time and I consider him a new friend. This was allot more fun then peeping over the steering wheel and watching all the trucks come in and out of the truck stop.

Ham Radio is about emergency communications. This is why we are allowed such a huge portion of the spectrum. In time of need we (many of us) can build a radio (if necessary) throw a wire in a tree (literally) and provide communications for the world. Our services were used most recently during the Katrina disaster and we are asked for most every major disaster.

Ham Radio is also a boat load of fun. We talk world wide and even into space. The conversations are kept clean and the CB radio BS id not tolerated. I have met thousands of people on the air while I have been a Ham.

It is very easy to get started in Ham Radio and often times it is cheaper then CB.

[rl- LTL driver]

is there enough operators to give you reports on road conditions or bear reports?

because iv had enough of the yawning/burping/singing crap, but i really
dont want to have both going because i like to listen to xm as well

[kc0rey]

Originally Posted by rl- LTL driver

is there enough operators to give you reports on road conditions or bear reports?

because iv had enough of the yawning/burping/singing crap, but i really
dont want to have both going because i like to listen to xm as well

Bear reports? No, road and weather conditions are another story. There are thousands of Hams who will be happy to give you accurate information and will have the latest info. Not not like crap a truck driver will tell you. Some will give you bear reports. I've never asked.

I run my CB squelched out, my Ham Radio and XM all at the same time. Put speakers in defferent locations so you know what radio is talking and keep the Mics as far apart as you can get them. I lso have my GPS with mapping and routing talkingto me as well.
You have to be within' 400 yards of me to for me to hear you in the CB.

[MACK E-6]

Originally Posted by kc0rey

No, road and weather conditions are another story. There are thousands of Hams who will be happy to give you accurate information and will have the latest info.

I think NOAA weather radio is very helpful in this regard, as long as you're close enough to a transmitter to hear it. I think most of them get out about 20-30 miles.

[kc0rey]

Originally Posted by MACK E-6

I think NOAA weather radio is very helpful in this regard, as long as you're close enough to a transmitter to hear it. I think most of them get out about 20-30 miles.

Yes, that is correct but on a proper reciever the broadcasts can be copied for hundreds of miles. Another reason why I dislike CB's with weather band.

The National Weather Service is a great resource but they can not give you instant updates. That is why they rely on Spotters for sever weather events. Most spotters are Ham radio operators, but anybody can be a spotter. We just have the resources to get the info to the police as well as the National Weather Service.

[DigiTrucker]

I'm just wondering what license you hold? I've thought about getting a No Code license but if I'm not mistaken in order to fully get into 2 meter you need the code portion at 5 wpm. And from what I've seen 2 meter is probably more to my kind of thinking.

The actual question is: is it really worth the investment of time and money? I've looked at a few 2 meters (mainly Radio $hack [emphasis on $]. I'm guessing I can get a better buy on a 2 meter somewhere online, probably a better radio for lesser price, I'd bet.

Make some suggestions, point me in the right direction, and convince me to convert. I never even turn on my CB anymore. There's just too much garbage on it so I just steer clear. Oh yeah, and if you don't mind fire off a copy of that study guide to me at . That's something I can start putting to use right away!

Many thanks!!!

[TruckerLlew]

Howdy. I am a bit new here but I have had a ham radio license General class for a while. I've been inactive for a while though. I am currently on medical leave from my company so I have time to surf. My call is N2NKW. I can take a stab at answering some of your questions here...

Originally Posted by DigiTrucker

I'm just wondering what license you hold? I've thought about getting a No Code license but if I'm not mistaken in order to fully get into 2 meter you need the code portion at 5 wpm. And from what I've seen 2 meter is probably more to my kind of thinking.

No you do not have to have the morse code requirement to use 2 meters. You just need the no code tech license. That, I believe, gives you all voice capabilities above 50mhz or 6 meters. It's more or less for local or regional communications. 2M is a pretty good band to play with. Most communications on 2M use repeaters. A repeater is simply a retransmitter. It takes your transmitted signal and retransmits it over a large area. This is done by having them mounted on mountains or high towers. While you may get 15 to 20 miles with a ground wave (like CB) a repeater can extend your signal for over a hundred miles in some cases.

In recent years, technology has allowed users for 2M to actually work the world by giving some 2m repeaters internet access. you transmit to the repeater, then the repeater uses VOIP to send your transmission to another 'net connected repeater. That repeater then retransmits to its local coverage area, be it across the county or across the world. In essence, you can use 2M to work the world as long as there is internet access involved. Imagine working a ham radio operator in England or Russia or wherever from the cab of your truck. This is still in experimental state though and is not very widely spread.

Originally Posted by DigiTrucker

The actual question is: is it really worth the investment of time and money? I've looked at a few 2 meters (mainly Radio $hack [emphasis on $]. I'm guessing I can get a better buy on a 2 meter somewhere online, probably a better radio for lesser price, I'd bet.

Make some suggestions, point me in the right direction, and convince me to convert. I never even turn on my CB anymore. There's just too much garbage on it so I just steer clear. Oh yeah, and if you don't mind fire off a copy of that study guide to me at . That's something I can start putting to use right away!

You can check out

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

These sites will give you a good idea of the prices on VHF radio's

As for study guides, I don't know of online editions available. However, an excellent starter book for getting your fist license can be found on Amazon.com

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

Once your get this book and begin stydying, there a quite a few online practic test sites available.

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.


I very rarely used the CB in the truck. I did use at most shippers and recievers for my callup to my doc door. Thats about it though. I just got tired of the "unsupervised teenager" attitude on there. Everyone it seems wants to be howard stern or whoever. Either that or they never matured emotionally beyone 13 years of age. I got better things to listen to then crap like that.

ANyw, 'nuff bout that. I hope these resources help you Digi. Enjoy the day

TruckerLlew

[kc0rey]

Welcome truckerlew N2NKW. I missed Digitruckers post completely. Thanks for the save and my apologies to Digi.

Good honest answers to you questions Digi. Thanks Trucker.

The is ahn online study guide for Tech, General and Extra class. The Tech question pool just changed and the study guide I have is no longer a "good" one.

When I find a current one I'll be sure to post a link.

73 Gents,
Steve kc0rey

[Road Boy]

Hey all. not really a Question well may be.
been a Amateur For a Few years and was Wondering what sorta Antenna to Run on a Couple big trucks.
Ham Sticks or Screwdriver.

Have Np for VHF and UHF antenna but the HF one's are a Bit of a trouble for me.

Thanks VE9FC

[Redneck]

Originally Posted by Road Boy

Hey all. not really a Question well may be.
been a Amateur For a Few years and was Wondering what sorta Antenna to Run on a Couple big trucks.
Ham Sticks or Screwdriver.

Have Np for VHF and UHF antenna but the HF one's are a Bit of a trouble for me.

Thanks VE9FC

Sorry Road Boy I myself am not a Ham operator.......I hope Kc0rey see's this, or another truck driver who is a ham operator....Thanks