Hi @Chris4,
Me too, but at a slightly more advanced age than you. I practiced until I could copy 100% at 18 and maybe 50% at 20wpm. When the test came I was so nervous that it was all I could do to hear what the sender’s question was, then wait for the receiver’s answer. My “notes” looked like a cheat-sheet! But I passed, just in time for the FCC to drop the requirement. Oh well…
73,
Alex
Do you have any specific models or series to look at? It would be helpful for me (and possibly others viewing this later) for knowledgeable folks to recommend items at different price points.
Like… what is the equivalent to a Highpoint? (only if you cant afford anything else), What is the equivalent to a Glock? What is the equivalent to a Dan Wesson? etc etc
@Harvey, I wish it were that simple. The problem with the industry is similar to that of the cell phones: every new model has a myriad of new features, many of which will never be known to, let alone mastered by their new owners. I don’t know how to order them from High Point to Glock.
In the case of the radios, simpler is better for emergency preparedness purposes. Features that send your call sign to when you talk, to everyone who is listening, dramatically increase the cost of each radio and the repeater. (It may not surprise you that there is more than one “standard” way to support this, and that the repeater and both radios must conform to the same standard, as I understand it.) Having over a hundred memory locations so you can easily choose the repeater or simplex frequency you want to use means you have to enter them all, one by one, along with their offset and PL tone if any. One look at the data entry keypad will explain why I spent another $40 for the software and special interface cable to make this easy to change on a PC, and it allowed me to easily program another radio to that same set.
That said, the simplest radio that I ever owned was the Icom IC-2AT. The first two digits of the frequency was assumed to be “14” so setting the thumb wheels on top to 647 will tune it to 146.47 MHz. On the back you set the PWR switch (power) to “High” (2 Watts I think), the SMP/DUP switch to SMP for simplex and ignore the +/- offset switch, which is only used for duplex. (You may also ignore the offset switch on the top.) The two knobs on the top are the On/Off/Volume and Squelch. With VOL at about half, turn the SQL knob left; it will hiss at some point. Turn it back to the right just a little to quiet that hiss, and you’re ready. If you get a rechargeable battery case you’ll need an AC charger. Best bet is to find a six-AA battery case if you can. Finally, later models came with a keypad on the front so you can enter control signals into a repeater - probably not necessary.
The IC 2AT was designed for use in the ham (Amateur Radio Service) 2m band. There was also a 3AT (220 MHz) and a 4AT (440 MHz band: ham UHF). I don’t mean to sound like an Icom salesman. I happen to like them just a little bit better than Kenwood, which I also own. I can’t bring myself to like the look-and-feel of Yaesu products, though your tastes may differ.
Above all, ham radios restrict you to a bunch of rules that you might want to avoid. It’s true that rules can be ignored in an emergency but you’ll want to run emergency drills with your group. And don’t discount the Family Radio Service (FRS) radios. Get the ones that are made by a high quality company. They’ll cost a little more but, as a friend of mine used to say, “The very best is the cheapest.”
Best,
Alex
For those of you who have a license, I know you’re going to cringe… But I am still reluctant to get any form of license and announce to the government that I have radios.
The intend use of the radios I have is solely for comms in an emergency, primarily for communications on the ranch. We’d be using simplex on predefined channels. Why we wouldn’t use any type of FRS or more common consumer grade radio is bad guys would potentially be more likely to have this type or radio as well and this would compromise our communications.
@Fisbin, the FCC probably doesn’t care at all that you use ham equipment on your ranch. If you interfere with someone else who is legal, and you continually interfere with them, they might put in a formal complaint, and the FCC might eventually come out to see what’s going on. But probably not, otherwise.
When I got my license, way back in 1980, smugglers, spies, and some other very bad people used ham HF gear for international communications. I was told that in LA, the local ham VHF repeaters (144-148 MHz) had been “taken over” by illegal operators. Your use of Ham or FRS equipment makes no difference. What “they are likely to have” is an array of ham and FRS radios, which are easily available online for under $50. Whatever you talk about can and probably will be heard by more than those you intended to hear it. And PL (private line) tones will not change that.
Voice encryption might, but that’s a really good reason for FCC and perhaps NSA agents to take notice, and start wondering what you are up to!
License or no license - run your radios illegally because you don’t want to bother with all the paperwork, but don’t think for a minute that undesirables aren’t likely to be listening in…
Oh, I have no doubt that people could listen in. But just less than those people that would be using FRS or something more common.
We don’t even use them now on the ranch. I could see where years ago you might use a CB on the ranch, but now it’s all just cell phones and text.
Thanks for the info, it makes me feel a lot better.
That’s about the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me - thank you too!
Alex
New Launch Discount for US Factory
CB HAM Transmitter/Receiver 10w upgraded
Any Thoughts/Concerns on this Model?
https://storetis.com/products/2pcs-baofeng-uv-9r-plus-10w-upgrade-version-two-way-radio-vhf-uhf-walkie-talkie-for-cb-ham-us-plug?variant=32658662326403&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiLPm7-qa6gIVRr7ACh236wNrEAQYBSABEgKfQfD_BwE
I just took a quick look as I am at work but a few things jump out at me.
Unless something has changed and I missed it CB channels have a 4 watt limit for xmitting
HAM requires an fcc license which you must take a test for.
Your range with something like this is going to be short (under 5 miles) and depending on terain very short (under 2 miles) like I said I am at work and these are just quick thoughts. I’ll try to look into it deeper when I have more time
Thanks for the feedback. I’m new to the radio world, and ready to learn
40 years ago I was big in CB land. When I first got in a license (no test) cost 40.00. Then it dropped to 20.00. It has dropped to either 4.00 or just apply now (i would have to look it up) but fir CB it was a life long license. HAM I have just recently started diving into and am ready to take my test (if they ever open up a testing place ) that license is good for 10 years and i dont remember the cost.
Les then $70.
Arrives: Aug 18 - Sep 9
I do not want to bring up an old post, but it is practical for me to do so. I have picked up two handheld radios, but I do not know what station to dial in on for news or broadcasts. It is the programming part that I have right now. Then I have a book on getting my license and I am studying it to take the exam.
Can anyone help me out?
Todd,
Is this the kind of thing you’re looking for:
https://ccrane.com/shortwave-frequency-list/
I’m glad you revived this thread. I’d not seen it, but with all the SHTF discussions going on, and the world circling the drain, I was actually going to start my own thread discussing alternative communication ideas.
Personally, I’ve been a decades-long CB owner, and I keep multiple radios around in case cell/landline communication goes down. I’ve had a CB mounted in my truck for decades, I have a couple good quality hand held units, and a base station that’s not set up, but that I can quickly put in operation. With a dipole base station antenna hung from a tall tree, it’s possible to talk to someone with the handheld several miles away, and to the truck for several more. I had planned on taking the test to get my technicians’ license, and did all the studying, but never bothered to take the test, so I never adopted 10 meter. I’ve found that most guys who are into amateur radio as a hobby also run CB’s, and there can be a good exchange of information between the different platforms.
What else are people in the community doing to be ready to keep in touch if standard communications go down? To me, being able to communicate with my wife during a protracted outage, when we have to separate, would be the most important thing, which is the main reason I keep the CB setups. I do also have my boat with a marine VHF (and handhelds as well) that could be used to summon help in an emergency. If you live in a coastal area where the USCG is monitoring the marine frequencies this could be an alternative for you. Technically it’s not legal to use a marine frequency from land, but if it was a life and death situation, you’ll do what you have to do.