Amateur Radio

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by Binford

Thanks!

Well, I passed, missing 4 out of the 35. A little worse than I usually did with the practice exams. I then took a shot at the General. Nothing to lose, so why not?! I had my 7-year-old with me, patiently reading his library book and playing games on my PDA while I took the tests. I think he would have done almost as well on the General as I did! Heh, heh, heh.... Yep. Pretty much crashed and burned on that one. Got 18 right and 17 wrong!

Now I just have to wait a week or so. That won't be a problem since I haven't any radio anyway!

I've still been eying that IC-V8000.... Any of you "Elmers" think that would be a good one for a complete noob? I just want a mobile set for use in my truck, at least to get me started. What do you think about the V8000?

Congratulations, Tim! The IC-V8000 is a good choice and so is the IC-2200H in the same family (no fan necessary in the 2200). Visualize different scenarios where you might need emergency help and determine whether or not you you would benefit more from a 50w VFH/UHF dual band or a 65/75w VHF single band. And of course price is always a factor. Have fun!

[hutchman]

Congrats! I'm not much of an Elmer, but I would not recommend what I did. I went right out and bought an 857D for a first radio. I got so frustrated trying to get the HF side setup that I sold the radio and have not yet gotten on the air........time will tell I guess, but my advice, FWIW is to start simple and work up as you learn.

Again, congratulations!

[Binford]

Yeah, that's why I didn't want to get too fancy. From what I've read, most Techs seem to use mostly the 2M band. Most emergency nets apparently operate on it too.

I like the higher output capability of the V8000, yet it will also operate at 5W, 10W or 25W when that's more appropriate, in addition to that healthy 75W for situations where one might need it. My thinking is that having the extra 25 watts over most of the other radios I looked at would serve well for emergencies. That's just my noob way of looking at it. Does it seem to be sensible?

I'll take a look at the 2200H too. Thanks, Jerry.

[RidgeRunner]

Very good, Tim. We knew you could do it. Now a little patience until you get your license and in the meantime figure out which radio is good for you.

I have the IC-2200H and am happy with it. Seems to be a good price & has good power, but you need to see what will work well for your needs.

(Great, one more 2-meter amateur radio operator on the trips...)

Mick

[Binford]

Ke7vrr

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by Binford

Ke7vrr

K E 7 V R R

COOL! Great call! Can't wait to call it.

[RidgeRunner]

Congratulations, Tim. That's a VeRRy good call sign.

If you're set up by Saturday we'll be on 146.580 and if not Ch 22 on the CB. The narrative will be on CB.

Mick

[hutchman]

Congrats again!

[Binford]

Thanks, guys! Hey, will the narrative be on 2M too? I've got an horrible lot of engine noise over my CB. Still haven't had a chance to isolate it. I'm setting up a quad-shield coaxial wire for a power lead directly from the battery, hoping that will help. I haven't yet turned the CB squelch down with the antenna unplugged to see if it's coming through the antenna though. Duhhh...

But this coax power feed will supply the 2M radio too, which should be arriving tomorrow in time to set up in the truck. I'm hoping I'll find less interference on the Ham frequencies than with the CB. Ideally both will be noise-free by Saturday.

Oh, and I couldn't figure out how to manage all-caps. Didn't think about spacing them out! K E 7 V R R

I kind of like it too!

[RidgeRunner]

Originally Posted by Binford

Thanks, guys! Hey, will the narrative be on 2M too?

Tim, since everyone (hopefully) will have a good working CB but only a few of us (at this time) have 2 meter ham radios, I'm afraid the narrative will have to be on the CB only. It would be kind of cumbersome to try to hold two mikes and talk most of the day.

We'll do the best we can.

Mick