Topic: Communications (CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?)

[steve c]

Thanks guys.

I think I'm going with the center stack option.  If I don't like it I'll move it.  NBD


Regarding HAM   Where do I even start? 

I need to find a HAM group in my area. 

[knightrider]

Start with research, lots and lots.  There's lots of options.  We've got a pretty decent size ham group on here.

[RBduffer]

I'm all about Craigslist!  Stay with the 'top 3', Yeasu, ICOM or my favorite, Kenwood.  Dual band is nice but if you get a smokin' deal on a 2M only, go for it.  Like Jordan said, read for hours on online sites, it's all out there.  We aren't putting you off, It's just very subjective beyond these basic recommendations.  We all have different stuff.  Good luck, and half the fun is searching for Ham rig.

[knightrider]

Yes, ham has a very wide variety of features and function.  Very different than cb where its a set band and set output.  Socal has lots of clubs as well, look up the papa system that covers all of socal with 2m and 70cm repeaters, they even have dstar which is a whole nother can o worms.

[Ghost65]

IMO - start simple.  Get a solid 2 meter radio, nice antenna and mount, and start talking.

[RBduffer]

Yeah, that's what we were trying to say

[steve c]

Lots of reading and research is right.   

I will get back to this thread with some intelligent questions. 

[Blackx]

In my opinion you don't need to get the speaker.  You can run just hook up the CB to the aux in your stereo and have the sound come through your stereo speakers.  Of course if you do this you can't listen to music and the CB, but personally I prefer to not have music on the trail.

[steve c]

Hey guys, which ham radios do you have in your trucks? 

Is anyone here a member of ARRL? 

I think I am going to get this study guide to get my technicians license.   
http://www.w5yi.org/catalog_details.php?pid=69&sort=4

This ham thing is COOL

[knightrider]

I've got a yaesu ftm-350ar, a pretty nice Tri band radio, I liked the large display that makes it easier to use and change options without using the manual.  It is a pretty expensive option though.  I am a member of the arrl.

[steve c]

WOW Jordan, that's a nice radio! 

[RBduffer]

Kenwood 241a.  $40 on CL.
Yes on ARRL
Go online, there's lots of tutorials and practice tests with all the posible test questions

[knightrider]

+2 on the practice tests, I was going to take one of the all day courses with the test at the end but with my electrical background and the practice tests I was good to go and passed rather easily.  Yea I may have gone overboard for my first mobile rig but I tend to do that.

[GreenGoon]

I have an old Kenwood 631a. I really like to use the 220 band. I also have a CB because there are still a lot of CBers on trail.

hamexam.org is a great site for practice tests and flash cards.

You can also listen to some nets on line to learn etiquette. go to oausa.net and listen to their recordings. You can learn about some great topics. 

[knightrider]

Good call on the oausa nets, good topics for everyone and a lil teaser for the newbies with no radio.  220 is gaining popularity in socal, my radio only does 1 watt on 220 so I use it more for listening, some of the 220 repeaters come in clearer on the papa system for me.