Thinking of getting HAM radio for truck

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by dmg1029, Oct 15, 2009.

  1. dmg1029

    dmg1029 Light Load Member

    182
    55
    Jun 6, 2009
    Coeur d Alene, ID
    0
    Been out of amateur radio for a while now. My license IS still valid (N4LWP). Just recently entered the trucking industry as an owner/operator and thinking about taking up amateur radio again. Wonder what band folks are using? SSB/2 meter/440 etc? A lot I forgot...

    Thanks.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

    3,324
    577
    Aug 12, 2009
    Seminole Florida
    0

    Well .....

    With a EXTRA I would go get me one of the niffty DC-DAYLIGHT radios like a FT-897 .....

    You will find 20 meters even with the very poor band conditions you still can make contacks in the day and on 40 meters you can at night.

    AND ..... even with the radios running 100 watts they are about the size of a CB set .....

    Bruce
     
  4. Rat

    Rat Road Train Member

    Don't expect to contact many drivers with a ham rig because the majority are running the CB bands.
     
  5. Gadfly

    Gadfly Medium Load Member

    674
    323
    Aug 18, 2006
    0
    No reason not to have both if you have the license! As I am sure dmg 1029 already knows having that ticket is a window on the world and a "ticket" to exotic places a CB op can only dream about!

    GF
     
    darthanubis Thanks this.
  6. clantonman1983

    clantonman1983 Light Load Member

    228
    16
    Mar 24, 2009
    clanton, al
    0
    :biggrin_25523:
    But yet you still hover on this board ever day.
     
  7. WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

    3,324
    577
    Aug 12, 2009
    Seminole Florida
    0
    I hover here too ..... some of my best friends are CBers :biggrin_2559:
     
  8. clantonman1983

    clantonman1983 Light Load Member

    228
    16
    Mar 24, 2009
    clanton, al
    0
    Yeah but you don't act like a jerk.
     
  9. Gadfly

    Gadfly Medium Load Member

    674
    323
    Aug 18, 2006
    0
    How is TELLING THE TRUTH "being a jerk"? Just because you might not like being told that you cannot operate on the ham bands doesn't mean does not make someone a jerk. That is my main objective: to inform. Why should I have to "share" frequencies for which I studied for the privilege so some APPLIANCE OPERATOR can just show up just because? What the outlaw CBers do on 11 Meters ain't my business so long as they don't interfere with me on MY bands/privileges.

    Many truckers and CBers don't KNOW they can't BE on those other bands and that they can get into trouble for it. They've been given a whole
    passel of CB myth and legend about "extra channels" and a non-existent "freeband" that belongs to other LICENSED services. There's NO such thing as a "private truckers' channel".

    The so-called "10 Meter" radios are ILLEGAL, their power exceeds that which is allowed, and they only cause interference to other users, and they allow people to flip those infernal band switches and land places they have NO business. People think this "outlaw" image is to be praised and glorified. I don't. I look at them with contempt when I hear them on the frequencies that I obeyed the law to be able to access. If THAT is what makes me a "jerk", then so be it. There are other, more deserving individuals who are CB operators who love this country, respect its laws and obeys them that APPRECIATE the information so they, too, can respect and honor the nation. These people, I, too, give respect because not only are they good radio people, they are likely the drivers I am not afraid to share the road with. After all, they also KNOW that, like the laws/regulations that govern driving vehicles, large and small, the rules were put there for a good purpose.

    GF
     
    KentuckyReject Thanks this.
  10. TriAxleTrucker16

    TriAxleTrucker16 Light Load Member

    107
    17
    Dec 9, 2008
    South Carolina
    0
    Gadfly,
    Just wondering, what do you think of the Rci 2950-70 for a 10/12 meter amateur radio? I have a new neighbor who is a Ham (don't know his callsign yet) and he gave me some info/tips about taking the technician class test.
     
  11. Gadfly

    Gadfly Medium Load Member

    674
    323
    Aug 18, 2006
    0
    If it were ME, just getting into amateur radio, I would hold out for the Icom 718 all-band transceiver. You are paying $379(?) for a two-band radio while the 718 covers ALL ham bands, has 100 watts (50 watts more is not going to have an effect on your output signal), and covers about everything. You even have a General Coverage Receiver with the 718. It doesn't have FM, tho (extra cost option), but the radio costs around $600 instead of the $379 or so of the other radio. If you are going to upgrade to General Class, you will already have a great starter rig that will do about all of it + it will still fit on your truck's dash or on the console. If you don't mind buying a used radio, the IC 706 MKIIG is another great rig for about the same ($500-600) money. Icom radios are pretty reliable, too. These are remotable with the optional separation kit and is really handy for putting in a small vehicle--or even for "hiding" in the cab of a truck. The control head, you can quickly remove and lock it away leaving only the bracket for the disappointed thief!
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.