Thinking of getting HAM radio for truck

Why would you use an "impedance matcher" with a screwdriver antenna?

 

Yeah know what your saying got mine stolen in amarillo at petro insurance baught me another one

 

It depends on the antenna. I had one from MFJ that was poorly constructed and did not get a good impedance match no matter where the coil was set. I still have it, and my intentions are to put in a "matching coil," about 7 turns of wire on the coax connection to try to bring the SWR down to something less than infinity! But if you have a good screwdriver and are able to get a 2:1 match or better, then you don't need an impedance matcher. I never did like impedance matchers, they really don't fix anything, they just trick the radio into thinking things are fixed, but you still have the same mismatch, so you won't get the output you could if you fixed the problem (such as with the coil I mentioned) rather than just masking it.

 

You are right, those little Baofengs will go outside the allocated ham bands. I have one, a UV5R....I won it at a hamfest. It also has a built in siren to really ruffle some feathers....oh and it also has a built in 2 tone roger beep. Hhhmmm.....what's up with that?

As for putting a ham rig in the semi, I think it can be a great idea.....when parked. Unless you just stick with just an FM only radio. Something like an all mode VHF/UHF/HF rig like the Yaesu FT857 might be a challenge getting dialed in while trying to drive.

 

Turbo-T - I agree with your comment about using ham radio only when parked. I think the biggest challenge to mobile use (besides common sense) is that the antennas for HF bands would exceed clearance. A screwdriver antenna mounted on the side of the cab might work, especially if you provide a way to raise it higher when parked. Do you program in the local repeaters for your trips in a 2 meter or 440 FM mobile? I have found that, especially with the Internet linked repeaters such as WinLink, there is always some good chat on these bands.

Oh, by the way, I didn't know about the "Roger Beep" being part of the China radios. That's sure to ruffle some feathers in the ham community!

 

If you won't buy a china made radio. Don't buy a low cost Yaesu. Like their HT's or 2 meter rig. Like FT-270, VX-170, FT-1900, FT-2900, FT-1802, and others are also made in China. Look at the label. And many other things are made there too!.

 

I haven't used my Amateur Radio License for many years.

I'm heading back to work sometime this week, whenever my Truck ready.

Maybe I'll have a look at Radios again.

 

I would say a screwdriver antenna would be the best antenna for an HF mobile. You can raise them while parked...and lower them too! They have a built in electric motor that you use to manually raise (or lowers) the antenna depending on what band you are on.

Usually on my trips I keep the radio on 146.52 and listen for chatter.

I don't know if ALL Chinese radios have the roger beep and siren, I just know the UV5R has it, and I know the UV3R has the siren (not sure if ti has RB or not)....word of advice, if you make the siren go off, it also transmits this noise on the frequency you are on! I learned the hard way when it went out over a repeater by accident.

 

I have a Baofeng UV-5R. And no RB. Maybe you have uv-5r with another letter.

 

Thats funny the chinesse are our enemies, Guesss you dont shop at Walmart or Pennys, or Sears, or anywhere else.

I think its a shame that Americas has let this happen.

Just thinking about startng a manufacturing company in this rea go high tech, solar, have rail and highway access.

I believe I could compete being that I would not have to sea-land anything.
Plus Solar Credits, New Business credit....

Its about time Americans stop crying like babies and do someting about, or at least try.