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Ham radio info....

3K views 21 replies 18 participants last post by  Herr Trigger 
#1 ·
Are there any ham guys on here? I have the desire to have comms with several individuals with in 30 mile radius of where I live. Looking at 2m ham hand held radios. Is this possible? Must rely on repeaters from what I have gathered so far. Knowing what my expectations are can someone advise on what radios to buy and what licensing i need to focus on. The radio I am considering is yaesu ft60r. I read that w an mr77 antenna one could achieve 25 mile range mobile. Thanks any help appreciated!
 
#2 ·
A 5 watt handheld radio will require a repeater to reliably transmit and receive 30 miles. A good antenna will help and the antenna will probably require an adapter to attach to the FT-60R. A more powerful radio like 50 watt mobile will reach the repeaters more reliably.

The basic license for amateur 2 meter is Technician. Here is a link for testing information: https://hamstudy.org/

This site may not be up to date but it list Kansas repeater information: http://rcm.k0jpr.net/directory.php?S=KS
 
#4 ·
N7YMZ here

As mentioned above, you'll need to hit a repeater for a 30 mile radius.

If you're planning to transmit from multiple locations in your home/property,
then a portable HT makes good sense. If you're not moving around the
house/property, then an mobile radio will be best located in one room.

You'll need a 12 Vdc power supply to go from 120 Vac house current to
12 Vdc, if you use a mobile radio since they're meant for vehicle use.

You'll also want a good antenna to make sure the repeater can receive a
good clean, fully quieting signal. Nothing sounds worse than a scratchy,
static, weak signal into a repeater. It's like nails across a chalk board...

Good Luck!
 
#5 ·
Yeasu is a fine radio, but you can get a Bow-Fang for $35 to your door. Either way, you NEED a better antenna - like a $15 1/4 wave Nagoya.

For home use, a roof mounted antenna will be much, much better.

Tech test is a piece of cake.

mr77 should be fine for mobile use (prolly need a cheap SMA/UHF adapter). Maybe reach 15 miles to repeater - if you are on a clear hilltop!
 
#6 ·
I use an FT-60 around town and a Yaesu dual band 50 watt mobile transceiver as a base station. It is an FT-7900. I mounted an Arrow j-pole on my roof fed with LMR-400. It works well with either rig. I live in the DFW area, so repeaters are everywhere.

I hold a Extra class license and run Icom HF gear. Don't quit studying until you at least get your General. This is a great hobby that can be extremely useful.

Also, consider a deep cycle battery and charger to keep this stuff going when the power goes out.
 
#7 ·
AC4HT here and these guys are right. I have had good results making up a J pole antenna from 1/2" copper water pipe. If you want I will photograph ones I have made up but never quite finished. I have worked back to the house from about 25 miles. House in down in a bowl so to speak.

With a good repeater in the right place you can maybe cover a hundred miles.
 
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#8 ·
Thanks so much

Spent a lot of time on the radio in the Navy. Know how to talk on one have no idea how they work. So if I understand best bet would be to start with off with a 50watt mobile instead of attempting to stretch limits of the 5watt HT. I'll keep looking for info and studying, feel free to share any and all info you wish, I'll soak it up
 
#9 ·
Ham radio allows mucho possibilities, especially to communicate with family if cell phones are down. Hams will keep their repeaters up if at all possible. I have an Advanced Class license, not offered anymore, between General (13wpm code back then), and Amateur Extra class. My wife is the old Technician Plus, that's a Tech who got a 5wpm Novice license first. Anyway, it's a great hobby, and a bottomless pit for any $ left over from guns! Now you can get started without any code, so doing it legally is really a snap. Yes, you'll have to be careful about what you say, because the world will be listening, but there are lots of reasons to want to be able to communicate, even if "things" are "really bad". Remember that your call sign is public info and says who you are and where you live. We are supposed to identify ourselves with them frequently, but that's one rule I'd break if the shtf. I'm proud of my call sign, but won't give it here for that reason...
 
#11 ·
Technician can get on the HF bands, just not phone(voice). There is a segment on almost every band that will allow CW work for the Tech.

Having received my Tech and General in my first sitting, for some reason, I just gravitated to CW. Passing my Extra only a few months later only reinforced my desire to learn this strange new language. That was only a year ago!

As for radios, get yourself a decent "all mode" "all band" such as the the old indestructible Yaesu 897D or a Kenwood TS-2000. There are others out there and the only limits would be the size of your wallet. These will really get you up to speed on antenna possibilities in addition to having a little power to reach out there.

Get your HT later on as the need or desire arises. Many new hams who start out on a 2 or 5 watt HT get discouraged early.

Trigger
 
#15 ·
kg6ysf here.
I love my FT60r, my wife has the VX6 and it is a nice rig too although the 1 1/4 meter doesn't get used. I have the FT2900 in the Jeep, a FT8900 in the Durango and on in the house. Also a FT7900 in the F150. They all work great. I use a home made 2m/70cm J-Pole on the house works great the antenna cost about $20. Antenna height no matter the band makes a big difference.
 
#17 ·
2 meter is LOS (+ -) 8-11% depending. Never rely on a repeater for e-comms. Our club repeater is what is called a high altitude repeater and I have tripped it with my VX6R w/a 36" Pryme antenna from 250 miles away. If your looking for 100% e-comms within 30 miles and are only a tech I'd suggest either using the 40 or 80 meter bands using CW or a CW computer program. The best way to do e-comms is to up grade to gen or extra and get into digital. Voice is great but when voice will not go do to propagation issues, most of the time digital will still go 100%.
My QTH station is a Kenwood TS-2000, w/ Heil PR 781, Ameitron AL-80B , Ameritron ATR 20, Alpha Delta4 to one of the following 80 meter full-wave loop, or a 80/40 meter NVIS antenna, or a K4KIO 20-10 meter Hex beam.

The Mobile is a complete set up for E-comms as well w/extra power sources(input & output both) as needed. Mobile does digital as well. The last Military cross band test I hit every state side station w/the mobile w/o issue. Spend some coin on both set ups but worth every penny when it all goes south. Spend the time to get to extra, you will not regret the challenge, as it's very rewarding.
 
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