Ham Radio and RVs

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by DadOfTwo

I couldn't vote.

Actually, you could have used the GMRS button. These days the radios are hybrids.

Channels 1-14 are dedicated FRS and limited to 0.5 Watts of power.

GMRS uses the same channels 1-7 and plus additional channels 15 - 22 but you must have a license to use channels 1-7 above 0.5 Watts (Low) and channels 15-22. WITH a license, channels 1-7 can be used at 5 Watts (High) and channel 15-22 can go up to 50 Watts (Base Station).

A GMRS license is $85 fee for 5 years and you only need ONE licensed call sign for your entire extended family (Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Nephews and Nieces included). I assigned Alpha letters to each of my kids, their spouses, and grandkids so they did not need to buy the call sign. Our daughter and her family is in San Diego and our son and his family is in Seattle. Its all good.

[DadOfTwo]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Actually, you could have used the GMRS button.

Well, like you pointed out in your excellent summary, FRS and GMRS have different rules / requirements. Thus I wanted to differentiate. I use FRS. So far haven't found a need for GMRS.

[Herk7769]

Don't forget the selectable squelch tone option on both the FRS and GMRS frequencies. While your transmissions aren't "private" you can use the frequency without hearing anyone elses transmssions except those in your party.

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Don't forget the selectable squelch tone option on both the FRS and GMRS frequencies. While your transmissions aren't "private" you can use the frequency without hearing anyone elses transmssions except those in your party.

To be fair, that's actually "except those also using the same squelch tone". Still possible to run into somebody who uses the same CSTSS as you.


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[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

To be fair, that's actually "except those also using the same squelch tone". Still possible to run into somebody who uses the same CSTSS as you.


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True, but you have the option of changing the CSTSS/channel.

[W5CI]

Originally Posted by Evereddie

Curious, why do hams refer to the frequency they use as a wavelength and not just say the frequency? What frequency is 40 meters? 75 meters?

I operate on 40 meters 7.178.00 7.188.00, 7.245.00, 7.253.50 and on 75 meters 3.927.00, 3.937.00, 3.987.50 I hope that clears up your question. plus lots of other freqs

[tinkerreknit]

I got my Extra class license at the end of January. I too have the Yaesu FT-857, and I have it set up (remote head) so that I can operate both inside and outside. I have the screwdriver antenna ATAS-120 and I like it a lot. But before I was on HF in the camper, I was using a handheld and a J-Pole for VHF and UHF mounted on a 21' telescoping painters pole. I still much prefer the J-Pole if I am on V/UHF. If I ever get the time, I'll post some pictures of the set-up because.. well hams love some pictures.
I'm K4SRB.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by tinkerreknit

well hams love some pictures.
I'm K4SRB.

K4SRB, as we say here on the FRF, without pictures; it didn't happen!

[Stank Bait]

Got to admit the Extra studying will make your head hurt. If I had known that a lot of the math problems were not on the test, could have saved myself a lot of grief. No trig for fifty years. Anyone passing the Extra has put in a lot of effort, unless they are already an electrical engineer.

Have you guys had any RFI issues while camping? Angry neighbors while on HF etc.
Also I figured the campgrounds would be QRM city.

KK4RXC

[KennyGolub]

Congrats Herk !!

Call here is WD8CCZ (Extra). I've only taken the two meter HT with me, but I did buy the eagle one and I own an Icom 7000 to tune my AH4 tuner with. I just get too lazy to run the wiring in my MH for the antenna and power.
One day after about 6 beers, I may get motivated.

Again, congrats. At a minimum, I turn the radios in the man cave on at least twice a week. CW being my favorite.

73's !!

Ken

[Herk7769]

Working on my backpack/portable/RV rig and here are some progress pictures.

When finished, it will be solar charged 4 - 7.2AH 12 VDC AGM batteries.
I have a backpack from my boy's Boy Scout days that I designed the frame to drop into.

The faceplate with external speaker, volt/amp/watt meter, dual PowerPole panel sockets (for the solar panel), on/off switch, and dual USB charge ports go in tomorrow.

[BooBoo23]

Originally Posted by Stank Bait

Got to admit the Extra studying will make your head hurt. If I had known that a lot of the math problems were not on the test, could have saved myself a lot of grief. Anyone passing the Extra has put in a lot of effort, unless they are already an electrical engineer.
KK4RXC

I've been an extra a little over 8 years and without some hard studying I don't believe I could pass the exam right now. The new question pool for extra takes effect July 1 and it ain't get'n any easier. I don't take an HF radio with me unless I'm going to be in one place for at least a week. I then use an Eagle One which is easy to carry along. I use an LDG 4:1 balun and lay down a couple radials and am good to go. I usually have a UHF/VHF in the truck though.
Marv
KT4W

[KQ2N]

"Back in the day" (pre 1980) there were no study guides with question pools. One really had to have an interest and understanding of electrical theory and electronics to get a ham radio license and in doing so, the hobby spurred many people to go on to be electrical engineers. Way back through the years Amateur radio also was responsible for furthering the electronics and communications field. Ham radios and transmitters were home brewed also back then. It was Amateurs by and large that took the old spark gap technology of the early 20th century and evolved it into radio as we now know it. It was the mother of invention. Ham radio back then was not catching up as one poster mentions, but it was the innovator.

Most of us - including me are appliance operators, there is no way most people could design and build a rig equal to the sophisticated radios now on the market. That being said, There are many facets to the hobby, once into it many people find their niche. I still enjoy antenna experimentation for example. Although now fairly newly retired, and an rv'er, I didn't bring much ham gear on my 2 month excursion to Florida - this year. But, I'm already formulating plans for next years trip down. So, hams still are innovators. It's up to us to develop ways to integrate ham radio into our RVs as shown by Herk for example. Ham radio and rving, both great hobbies and still a lot of room for innovation and integration between them.

73! de KQ2N

[aa9zz]

For those of you traveling, I would like to invite you to the County Hunter frequencies. We are in need of out of the way counties, especially on CW. And, you will find a pretty good group of guys with a lot of knowledge of mobile and remote hook ups.

More information is available at marac.org.

Let me know if you have any questions.

de Phil, AA9ZZ

[BooBoo23]

Originally Posted by KQ2N

"Back in the day" (pre 1980) there were no study guides with question pools. One really had to have an interest and understanding of electrical theory and electronics to get a ham radio license and in doing so, the hobby spurred many people to go on to be electrical engineers. Way back through the years Amateur radio also was responsible for furthering the electronics and communications field. Ham radios and transmitters were home brewed also back then. It was Amateurs by and large that took the old spark gap technology of the early 20th century and evolved it into radio as we now know it. It was the mother of invention. Ham radio back then was not catching up as one poster mentions, but it was the innovator.

Most of us - including me are appliance operators, there is no way most people could design and build a rig equal to the sophisticated radios now on the market. That being said, There are many facets to the hobby, once into it many people find their niche. I still enjoy antenna experimentation for example. Although now fairly newly retired, and an rv'er, I didn't bring much ham gear on my 2 month excursion to Florida - this year. But, I'm already formulating plans for next years trip down. So, hams still are innovators. It's up to us to develop ways to integrate ham radio into our RVs as shown by Herk for example. Ham radio and rving, both great hobbies and still a lot of room for innovation and integration between them.

73! de KQ2N

My FIL was a ham and I was going to get a ticket back in the early 60's. His WRL Globe King 300 and Hammerlund Super Pro receiver was a sight to behold. I studied the handbook (1962), learned the circuits you had to draw, learned the code (could send about 25wpm but only copy about 10) and had just got married a couple years before so work and keeping DW happy took precedence and didn't pursue it any further. I have a study guide that I got at Radio Shack in 1974 that taught you what was necessary for the Tech/General exam. There were no practice lessons in the book though, there was a sample exam of about 10 questions in the back of the book (I still have both books). The Tech/General was the same exam except the code was different speed. I didn't get interested again until 1992 when my oldest son went to work for ICOM as a Regional Sales Rep. Got my Tech then and it took another 13 years to get my general and then my extra a month after that.
Marv KT4W

[Herk7769]

FINISHED!

Just some touchup where I messed up the paint.

Front panel PowerPole connectors are for Solar, Generator, or External Battery Charging or access to onboard batteries via PowerPole.
12V accessory port for car accessory plug or Auto USB phone/iPad charger,

Left Antenna socket is for external HF and right external VHF.

Right now just going over the top as I just finished the darned thing!

Two Positive buss (one hot as long as battery plugged in so I can charge with the radio/accessory port off and the other switched).

Copper pipes painting did not hold up that well during construction.
Shame I did not know anyone locally who could have powder coated it.

[BigTJohn]

I figured this entire forum were a bunch of hams.

[W5CI]

No CB for me left that when I retired from trucking, congrats Herk in getting your Extra. I love Ham radio

[aa9zz]

Yep, we're all hams and the ones from the 60's are "smoked hams".

73,

Class of 65 AA9ZZ

[doc73]

Like the prosciutto of ham.. Finely cured.

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