All about the HAMs

[Indy - KK6ONP]

[Indy - KK6ONP]

[kg6mov]

1) Yes, dual band (2m/440) is a good thing to have, especially in CA where 2m is crowded. Outside CA 440 isn't as common but it's still good to have. Most 2m/440 radios can also be "opened up" to allow them to transmit out of the ham bands on things like FRS (462mhz). My frs and cb radios in the jeep are actually a 2m/440 radio and my HF radio.

2) The features you need in a radio (transmit bands, output power, memories, etc) are important but installation is just as important. Most mobile ham gear will have a removable faceplate so you can install the radio body under the seat and only have the control head where you want it. Some radios have the heads permanently detached so you have to do this. You will also find radios with the mic connector on the control head, on the radio body, or both and this can make a big difference in installs. My biggest criteria in choosing a radio is how easy is it to operate with my eyes closed. I can do almost all of the normal tasks (memory changes, squelch, volume, transmit power, lock unlock) without having to look at the radio, so I can do them while driving.

3) The ft-8800r is a very good radio, I have one in my niner, a buddy has one in his tacoma 4x4. It is a good solid radio with all the features you need and some nice ones as well. Things I don't like about it are the tiny hard to read display, only having a mic connector on the control head, and the mic is poorly laid out and doesn't lock well. For those reasons I prefer the icom 2720 I have in the green pig. The display and controls are much nicer and easier to work with, there is a mic connector on the body of the radio that I have run to a connector in the center console, and the mic itself is nicer. Unfortunately the 2720 isn't made anymore and the replacement (2820) which we installed in the cooper isn't as nice IMO. You can still find the 2720 used, we just installed one in my shop managers 2014 diesel grand cherokee.

Before buying a radio I suggest playing with one in person to get a feel for the controls. You can mess around with the demonstration models at HRO http://www.hamradio.com/, they have stores in oakland and sunnyvale.

I have programming software and the cables for most yaesu radios and older icoms like the 2720.

[kg6mov]

Links and Sites:

Info:
http://www.qrz.com/ - Practice tests and callsign database.

http://www.arrl.org/ - ARRL, the biggest amateur radio association.



Vendors:
http://www.powerwerx.com/ - For all you anderson powerpole needs, pretty much the standard for emergency services groups for power.

http://www.hamradio.com/ - HRO the original toy store for ham radio.

http://www.universal-radio.com/ - Very good for radio specs and accessory info. Has good info on discontinued gear.

[89YJBuilder]

As well as the sites that kg6mov listed you can also look for the following:

http://www.aesham.com

http://www.hamradio.com

http://www.hamcity.com

There are many many more. You can even go to Amazon though you have to be careful as their prices can very greatly from the normal range.

For information you can go to :

http://www.eham.net

http://www.hamradiodaily.com

Dual band radios are great! They offer more flexibility. Single band radios are very good too. I have a single band in the YJ and a quad band in my Durango. Probably obvious but the more bands and options the higher the cost. There are a lot of cheap junk radios out on the market these days too. I recomend sticking with one of the "Big 4," Icom, Alinco, Yeasu and Kenwood. I know several people who have the cheap ones and all have said how difficult they are to program. I have no personal experience with them though. I have 2 radios that have cross band repeat ability and I have used it about 3 times total in the last 7 years that I have had them. Having said that it was really helpful when it was used.
As another resource VOIP modes such as WIRESII, IRLP, and the WInSystem are usable options for single band radios in order to be able to give far more accessibility to hams on very tight budgets. It allows hams to talk around the world from as cost effective radios as hand helds by linking different repeaters on different frequencies around the world. Info on it is available at:

http://www.irlp.net

Ham radio is such a divers hobby that having a single site with everything that someone could want to know in one place is almost impossible. Radio controled satellites, amateur TV, R/C vehicles, contacts with the ISS are all thing that can be done. Hams have been and will continue to be a part of the relief effort of every disaster response that has been undertaken during the last 50+ years. There are facets like Skywarn that help NOAA collect emergency weather information. In areas that the SAR system uses volunteers they use both hams and 4wheelers to help them with search ops.
Amateur radio is a huge hobby. As well as being a lot of fun and an important part of the national support and security system according to the head of FEMA.

Ask questions anything that I can answer I will I am sure that kg6mov would as well be willing to help. Search, learn, study, get a license join the fun!

73

kg6ysf

[Indy - KK6ONP]

Thank you both!! Very helpful information! I am studying right now and going to take the test on 08/12/2014 in Fremont, CA.

I will for sure ask questions when I need help from you guys.

[kg6mov]

Happy to help.

[89YJBuilder]

Cool! I had and still do have friends that help and helped me along the way. Usually referred to as Elmers.

By the way the radio you posted the link to is a good one. It is in the same family as three of the ones I own currently. Good luck!

[JKTHOMPSON]

Hey I am taking the test up here too! Maybe we can talk soon!

[89YJBuilder]

Cool when you taking it?

Oh and what class of license are you two each going for?