Amateur Radio (HAM) thread
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Amateur Radio (HAM) thread
It looks like there are at least a couple of us interested in getting a HAM license. Thought this might be a place we may be able to chat about it.
I have taken the sample on-line tests a handfull of times, I pass the electrical questions fine- but when it comes to the actual rules and operations of the unit I fail. It seems there are books to purchase out there, does anyone have any experience with any of them?
Talking Radios; I know a couple Search and Rescue folks, they recommend the AnyTone Dual Band Transceiver VHF/UHF AT-5888UV for a mobile unit, and the
Wouxun KG-UV6D V2 136-174 /216 - 280 MHz UHF/VHF as a great beginner hand held.
Who out there already uses a radio?
Shawn.
I have taken the sample on-line tests a handfull of times, I pass the electrical questions fine- but when it comes to the actual rules and operations of the unit I fail. It seems there are books to purchase out there, does anyone have any experience with any of them?
Talking Radios; I know a couple Search and Rescue folks, they recommend the AnyTone Dual Band Transceiver VHF/UHF AT-5888UV for a mobile unit, and the
Wouxun KG-UV6D V2 136-174 /216 - 280 MHz UHF/VHF as a great beginner hand held.
Who out there already uses a radio?
Shawn.
Last edited by SHAWN on Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
post the details, i'd probably be in. the radio i've been trying to pull the trigger on is a yaesu
http://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-DualBand-Tr ... p_t_1_SK7K
http://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-DualBand-Tr ... p_t_1_SK7K
1970 FI 5.8,4r70w,fwhp44,9,airlockers,oba,35's not 5cents to my name.
Ya Starky post up, that would be great. I may be in too.
The mobile rig unit would be great...you get more power and I think you don't need to use a repeater as often as a hand held as a result. However, who knows what/who's rig I will be in...or leaving the vehicle to find help
- a rig unit wouldn't be much help in that scenerio... I am leaning more towards a handheld myself.
Shawn.
The mobile rig unit would be great...you get more power and I think you don't need to use a repeater as often as a hand held as a result. However, who knows what/who's rig I will be in...or leaving the vehicle to find help

Shawn.
- Mherriford
- BFix Built
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- Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:18 pm
- Location: Oregon City
I have had my general ticket for 4-5 years. When I decided to try for it I just took the online tests on QRZ. they use the same question pool as the actual test. So I just took the online test until I had the question pool just about memorized and then found a local club to take my test with.
QRZ online tests- it seems that you have to join qrz now but it is free
http://www.qrz.com/hamtest/
The portland group that I took the test through
http://www.w7lt.org/
And the radio I run in the truck, real basic and I would love to have a multiband unit but this got me started
http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-010077
QRZ online tests- it seems that you have to join qrz now but it is free
http://www.qrz.com/hamtest/
The portland group that I took the test through
http://www.w7lt.org/
And the radio I run in the truck, real basic and I would love to have a multiband unit but this got me started
http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-010077
Sanity is the playground for the unimaginative
- STARKYPDX
- BFix Locked and Loaded
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- Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2002 9:37 pm
- Location: Secret lab in Oregon
Holy shit!
Herriford! Where the hell have you been?
http://www.carsradio.org/
Here's the link to one of the local groups that offer classes
Herriford! Where the hell have you been?
http://www.carsradio.org/
Here's the link to one of the local groups that offer classes
Broncohazard Godfather
'77 351w 5.5", 33" BFG MT, 4:11's & Locked
'77 351w 5.5", 33" BFG MT, 4:11's & Locked
- Mherriford
- BFix Built
- Posts: 298
- Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:18 pm
- Location: Oregon City
Ok so a multi band radio can transmit and receive 2 or more bands or frequency ranges.
This radio works on 4 bands
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=Di ... Archived=0
6 meter, 10 meter, 2 meter, and 1.25 meters
This is a diagram of all the available ham bands
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Hambands_color.pdf
That being said. The most common and the frequency that has the most active repeaters in this area is 2 meters. It is like the CB of the Ham bands. I keep a 2 meter rig in my truck because I know I should always be able to raise someone should the need arise.
The ARRL puts out books each year that list all of the available repeaters in any given area. Repeater list can also be found online
One of the most common around here is the 146.960 repeater. you can almost always raise someone on that repeater
That wouxun radio lists alot of different options. If you were looking for a 2 meter radio you would look for one that covers 144 to 148 Mhz
This radio works on 4 bands
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=Di ... Archived=0
6 meter, 10 meter, 2 meter, and 1.25 meters
This is a diagram of all the available ham bands
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Hambands_color.pdf
That being said. The most common and the frequency that has the most active repeaters in this area is 2 meters. It is like the CB of the Ham bands. I keep a 2 meter rig in my truck because I know I should always be able to raise someone should the need arise.
The ARRL puts out books each year that list all of the available repeaters in any given area. Repeater list can also be found online
One of the most common around here is the 146.960 repeater. you can almost always raise someone on that repeater
That wouxun radio lists alot of different options. If you were looking for a 2 meter radio you would look for one that covers 144 to 148 Mhz
Sanity is the playground for the unimaginative
- Mherriford
- BFix Built
- Posts: 298
- Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:18 pm
- Location: Oregon City
I have been riding the crazy rollercoaster of life. Things have just been interesting to say the least. But I am still around, Bronco still looks as ugly as ever. I have started driving it a little more lately and have found that it isint very happy after sitting for so long!!STARKYPDX wrote:Holy shit!
Herriford! Where the hell have you been?
Anyway how have you been??
Sanity is the playground for the unimaginative
- Tom Dummer
- BFix Locked and Loaded
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- Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2002 10:29 pm
- Location: Scappoose, Oregon
Okay, so make sure you do your homework before just going and getting a radio
I ordered two 2m/1.25m radios cause someone sent me a link, and when I checked it out, THEY WERE ON SALE
! After I placed the order I started doing some research..and after I questioned said teller his reply was "Ooops, sent you the wrong link".- Oh well, my fault for just jumping the gun. Seems the 1.25m (220) band isn't used that often...Oh well, less traffic.
BUT, I ran into HAM Radio Outlet in Portland (AWESOME customer service [even if you don't know what you are talking about as I] and they were busy!) for some antenna inquiry/upgrades. Come to find out, 2m and 70cm has many manufacturers and choices to choose from to be able to use the same antenna, but finding a 2m and 1.25m in the same antenna are not as common and are more expensive.
I wanted to have external antennas on our vehicles to be able to connect to our HT's. So this is what we are running for now X2; Wouxun KG-UV6D V2 136-174 /216 - 280 radio, MFJ 1728b mag mount antenna, and HS-05 adapter. This antenna is for 2M so I will need to to see what I want to do about upgrading the 220 side. The antennas I ended up with were like $30 each and the adapter $15. They did have a 2m/1.25 one there, but it was like $70 without the mounting hardware...and since I would need to buy two of everything I decided on the 2m stuff for now.
Shawn.

I ordered two 2m/1.25m radios cause someone sent me a link, and when I checked it out, THEY WERE ON SALE

BUT, I ran into HAM Radio Outlet in Portland (AWESOME customer service [even if you don't know what you are talking about as I] and they were busy!) for some antenna inquiry/upgrades. Come to find out, 2m and 70cm has many manufacturers and choices to choose from to be able to use the same antenna, but finding a 2m and 1.25m in the same antenna are not as common and are more expensive.
I wanted to have external antennas on our vehicles to be able to connect to our HT's. So this is what we are running for now X2; Wouxun KG-UV6D V2 136-174 /216 - 280 radio, MFJ 1728b mag mount antenna, and HS-05 adapter. This antenna is for 2M so I will need to to see what I want to do about upgrading the 220 side. The antennas I ended up with were like $30 each and the adapter $15. They did have a 2m/1.25 one there, but it was like $70 without the mounting hardware...and since I would need to buy two of everything I decided on the 2m stuff for now.
Shawn.
Last edited by SHAWN on Sat May 04, 2013 4:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.
I can't do thatSTARKYPDX wrote:Was listening to PDX air traffic tonight.

Clackamas county sheriff freq has some neat stuff sometimes.
There is a cool phone app at repeaterbook .com that gives you the repeaters around you.
I'm official...well in a couple weeks
. Finally got out to take the exam and passed the Technician. Tried for the General while I was there for the heck of it (hadn't ANY idea what the questions were going to be) and only got about half correct. Oh well, would have just been more money to buy the extra cool stuff.
Shawn.

Shawn.
After 'lurking' in on ragchews and nets for the last month, I finally checked into a local net tonight- it was the sandy-clackamas-timber connection...I can't believe I was nervous
My neighbor has a 100'+ tower 6 beam Yagi he uses for HF stuff and says I can run an antenna up it...but I am already a geek
Shawn.


My neighbor has a 100'+ tower 6 beam Yagi he uses for HF stuff and says I can run an antenna up it...but I am already a geek

Shawn.