Thinking of getting HAM radio for truck

SSB is fun but at time can be lonely .......

 

The RCI 2950-70 radio would be a huge waste of money for a Technician class Ham. Because a Tech is only allowed to talk on 28.300 - 28.500 on 10 meters. And none of 12 meters. A much better radio would be something like a Yaesu FT-857D. It cost a little more, but it covers everything. And when you upgrade to General or Extra class you don't need to buy another radio. And they are GREAT radios. About the size of a Cobra 29 LTD.

 

YEP !

That FT-857 is one nice radio

 

Once you become a ham you will not look at CB the same ever again. Ham radio is much more fun and technical. CB is fun too, but very limited. Hams call CB "Child Band" radio. If you like CB, then plan to stay in the Tech Class area of 2 meters and 70 meters. Its similar to CB but not with the iddiots. By the way, the FT-897 is a nice radio but I think that you are better off with a radio that has a remote mounted head. This was you place it on the dashboard with the vent mount or similar mount, and drag it back to the sleeper to talk at night. The FT-897 does not make for a good dash mount.

 

My FT-100D does remote .....

 

You can also buy 2 remote kits (they aren't that expensive) and mount one on the dash and one in the sleeper! Then you can move the control head into the sleeper!

Gadfly

 

The Icom 706 can be remote mounted, but I think it's an extra purchase. The remote kit was a freebie when I got mine.

 

Yep, it's a sales incentive. But you can buy another kit and run 2 cables; one to the dash, another back into the sleeper. By simply swapping out the cable on the radio and moving the remote head to the sleeper, one could have the pleasure of working at either "office"!


GF

 

I currently run an Icom IC 7000, with a Hi Q 5/160 HF motorized antenna. If I knew then, what I know now, I would have gotten the Hi Q 5/80, as the extra coil length actually causes more problems and 160 is difficult, at best, to use mobile. I also run an "E-Factor" dual band loop for 2m/70cm SSB work. Texas and the southeast has had excellent propagation the last week, or so, on 2 meters.
For FM work on 2m and 70cm, I run 2 radios, for 2 distinctly different reasons. I have a Kenwood TM D700A for APRS use, which I originally thought was useless, but now have found in invaluable in the truck. Your TNC will tell you what other hams are in the area, and where they are headed. Nice for having a conversation going down the road. It also gets used for standard FM repeater work.
Then, I have an Icom ID 800H for D-Star, which is the new digital technology, which allows you to talk via VoIP around the world, or across the country, or locally, your choice. Unfortunately, there aren't a bunch of D-Star repeaters out there. There are a few hundred around he country, and more around the world, but, it's scope is still limited. I got into it, because I think the FCC is eventually going to force VHF & UHF amateur stuff onto digital, like they did to TV, Cell Phones, Marine radios, and public safety, in major metro areas.
If I were to be asked about a setup to run, I would recommend an Icom IC 706MkIIG with a Hi Q 5/80 and a dual band horizontal loop. Then a new Yaesu FT M350, or a Kenwood TM D710A, for APRS, and wait for more D-Star stuff to go up, before plunking down $500-$800 for a D-Star mobile.

 

I've had a difficult time trying to convince new hams about 160 meters! It is just such a LOW frequency and it takes such a whompin' antenna to cover it! They don't listen, tho! So I just let'em find it out on their own!!!

73

GF