Ham radio equipment > Discussions > Northwest Overland Society

Subject: Ham radio equipment

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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor

04/01/2010 9:31 PM	Alert
How do you envision using the HAM radio? Talking to other trucks on the trail? Monitoring a repeater while talking? APRS and talking? Cross-band repeating (E.g. talk on a handheld, and have the truck repeat what you say using more power). Other? Personally, I think the front bumper is the best place for an antenna in the PNW. Although a little bit ugly, they don't get smacked around by branches as much as they would on the roofrack and they have good visibility to the sky. I've had mine on the rear door which worked pretty well but had some interference when tx/rx from the front of the truck. All in all, I think you'll like it on the bumper. If you wind up hating it, you can always move it up to the roof. The antenna will also serve as an easy indicator of where the edge of the truck is when maneuvering in tight spots. Be sure to put a resistor on the antenna mount when the antenna is removed. You don't want to fry the radio. Craig

My Overland Adventure Blog

04/02/2010 2:09 AM	Alert
Posted By Craig Miller on 04/01/2010 9:31 PM How do you envision using the HAM radio? Talking to other trucks on the trail? Monitoring a repeater while talking? APRS and talking? Cross-band repeating (E.g. talk on a handheld, and have the truck repeat what you say using more power). Other? Be sure to put a resistor on the antenna mount when the antenna is removed. You don't want to fry the radio. [/quote] Hmm, yeah I'd say my main use would be while on the trail with others and possibly using repeaters or some noobie dx'ing. Cross band repeating, nope, handhelds nope but I could see where APRS could be handy while out with this group. Most of the other trucks I've ever run with don't even have FRS radio's so just having basic ham would be a start. I have a radio scanner (receive only) that covers the amateur bands as well so it's possible I could fit that in and be able to monitor multiple channels without tying up the receiver but obviously it'd be a lot easier to install a ham radio with remote head than a big clunky box of a scanner. I'll have to ask about capping off the mounts when the ants aren't on. Thanks.

Traded in all my project vehicles for my 2009 Xterra, not an ounce of buyers remorse.

Craig Miller
Title Sponsor

04/02/2010 11:03 AM	Alert
Bummed you won't be doing APRS, but I understand the budget concerns. That Icom 208H will work fine for what you want to do. Won't work for APRS as it's not a true dual bander, but it will let you monitor a repeater on one side while talking to the group on the MAIN side of the radio. I don't have any experience with the Yaesu's, but they have a reputation for being very tough.

My Overland Adventure Blog

Craig Miller
Title Sponsor

04/02/2010 11:05 AM	Alert
For the dummy load you want one of these http://www.expeditionexchange.com/cart/product.php?productid=19420&cat=279&page=1

My Overland Adventure Blog

Dustin Morrow
Member Sponsor

05/19/2010 4:07 PM	Alert
I have spent a ton of time looking at radio's since I received my call sign and until today was undecided on what path to travel. I opted to go with a hand held device to start so that it would work when out on the trails in the rig and throw it in the backpack for when we hike. I will eventually install a mobile and have a good idea on what I will get there as well, but that is down the road a few months. I ended up with a YAESU FT-60R dual band radio. Added a MH-34B4B speaker/mic and a window mount and I am in business. Now I just have to understand all the features. Time to read the monster instruction manual that came with it. KF7IJN

2011 KLR 650, 2007 LR3, 2004 DII, 1988 RRC

Ben Bailey

05/19/2010 6:04 PM	Alert
Cool. I too was leaning towards a hand held with an amplifier till I found the FT-2900 on Craig's List -- and just down the street too!

RBBailey Images Rovers

Todd Eliason
Title Sponsor

05/20/2010 9:43 AM	Alert
Posted By Dustin Morrow on 05/19/2010 4:07 PM I have spent a ton of time looking at radio's since I received my call sign and until today was undecided on what path to travel. I opted to go with a hand held device to start so that it would work when out on the trails in the rig and throw it in the backpack for when we hike. I will eventually install a mobile and have a good idea on what I will get there as well, but that is down the road a few months. I ended up with a YAESU FT-60R dual band radio. Added a MH-34B4B speaker/mic and a window mount and I am in business. Now I just have to understand all the features. Time to read the monster instruction manual that came with it. KF7IJN [/quote] Hey Dustin, With your handheld, you can get a mobile with crossband repeat capabilities, use the handheld on UHF at 5w, and repeat out at 50w on vhf. with a lapel mic, when you step out of the vehicle, you will still have full functionality and can hear everything. Just turn down the volume on your mobile and the speaker mic is always near your ear in the vehicle, but with your background, you are probably familiar with this set up. Much easer than unplugging the handheld everytime you leave the vehicle (ant, power, etc) and you can have it on your body at all times with full power.

93 LR Defender 110 05 Land Rover LR3

Dustin Morrow
Member Sponsor

05/20/2010 12:25 PM	Alert
Todd- That be the plan. I almost purchased the mobile yesterday as well, but have some other priorites that I really should get done first. Excited though. Last night I discovered there is a repeater on Livingston Mountain (literally my back yard), flipped to that channel and heard a womens HAM club holding a meeting. Pretty cool stuff. Dustin

2011 KLR 650, 2007 LR3, 2004 DII, 1988 RRC

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