HAM

[thekiltedpatriot]

Hey guys,

Just passed my HAM Technician Exam and will now start on the General and eventually Extra.  It'll take 10-14 days to get on data base, so if I can acquire some gear between now and then, I'll be transmitting.  Anyone else running amateur radio?

~KP

[NOLA556]

dude, can you find used equipment for cheap? that's the only reason I've just settled on CB instead of HAM is because of the price of equipment.

[thekiltedpatriot]

dude, can you find used equipment for cheap? that's the only reason I've just settled on CB instead of HAM is because of the price of equipment.

If you know what to look for, YES.  Contact your local HAM club; they have pretty regular swap meets.  Also, search ebay, but that requires some knowledge of what you're looking at.

Remember, CB is only good for 10-20 miles unless you run illegal amplifiers....them maybe 50 or so miles.  A properly set up HAM base station can talk around the world with enough power at the right frequency.  I'll be running both, but if I had to choose, I'd go HAM.

[Skippy00004]

Hard
As a
Motherfucker

[goodnightChesty1775]

i have heard that HAMs use 'trasmitters' or 'relay stations' i forgot the actual terminology but they are towers that push the signal. is the correct? and if those go out arent you pretty much SOL? 

[thekiltedpatriot]

i have heard that HAMs use 'trasmitters' or 'relay stations' i forgot the actual terminology but they are towers that push the signal. is the correct? and if those go out arent you pretty much SOL?

I think you're referring to repeaters....and it all depends on your setup and the frequencies you are running on.  For example, ten meters can talk around the world with acceptable atmospheric conditions.  Suffice to say, if you've got the right gear, you only need electricity at your operating station.   [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[goodnightChesty1775]

i have heard that HAMs use 'trasmitters' or 'relay stations' i forgot the actual terminology but they are towers that push the signal. is the correct? and if those go out arent you pretty much SOL?

I think you're referring to repeaters....and it all depends on your setup and the frequencies you are running on.  For example, ten meters can talk around the world with acceptable atmospheric conditions.  Suffice to say, if you've got the right gear, you only need electricity at your operating station.   

there we go! thanks man.

[thekiltedpatriot]

No problem.  I should have stated that it will be quite some time before I get "the right gear".  I'm focused on tactical communications gear at the moment...meaning hand-held devices with ranges up to 100 miles give or take.  If I can get the rest of our closely knit group to to get similar comm gear, we'll be set.  Eventually I'll have a base station and a tower in order to reach out and touch someone though.