Amatuer radio and murs

[arizonatruck]

Does anyone use amatuer radio and/or murs to stay in contact with others?  I purchased one that is dual band capable, I don't know who else would be on though.

 

[BamaDuke]

Afternoon, AzT.<br><br>I am a licensed ham radio operator, and I've had a blast with it.&nbsp; I have an old Kenwood HF rig, and I've used $6 worth of copper wire and a $23 painter's pole from Home Depot to talk to people all over the world.&nbsp; I wouldn't trade my rig for a solid gold weenie dog.<br><br>BUT, you have to have a license to use a ham (amateur) radio.&nbsp; I don't know which one you have, but it sounds like a VHF handie-talkie.&nbsp; With the supplied antenna, you'd be lucky to get 5 miles of range.&nbsp; Not to mention the fact that no ham operator would respond to you, because it is illegal to operate a radio or converse with a person on the ham frequencies without&nbsp;a license, and we don't want to get our license revoked.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>The MURS frequencies are really pretty neat, and it is a great way to stay in touch with friends while camping, or hunting, or travelling.&nbsp; It, too, has a maximum range of pretty darn little, and you would have to have 2 of the radios on the same frequency (or channel) to communicate.&nbsp; MURS is very much like CB, from a legal standpoint.&nbsp; No license needed, and not that many rules.&nbsp; But I would bet that a week of listening on one channel (unless you are in a big city) would not turn up more than one conversation.<br><br>If I had no license, but wanted to have something other than a cell phone, I would go with the old style CB.&nbsp; I had one in the RV, and long trips on lonely roads were never quiet LOL.&nbsp; With a good antenna, and a hilltop camping spot, I bet you wouldn't go half an hour without hearing somebody.&nbsp; I also like the old shortwave radios.&nbsp; Hearing Radio Berlin or the BBC newscasts really help one see how the rest of the world sees the US.<br><br>Good luck on the radio, but I suggest taking it back.&nbsp; It's illegal to use on the ham side, and almost useless on the MURS side, unless you buy another one <br><br>Bama

 

[Guest]

I suggest getting your license and keep the radio.

 

[arizonatruck]

I have a few friends with the same radios.&nbsp; We don't use them except within a few miles and keep it legal.&nbsp; We use them if we are traveling in convoys.&nbsp; The little motorola t5400's weren't cutting it.&nbsp; With full batteries and nearly brand new radios, we were barely covering a 5 vehicle convoy, sometimes it was very iffy with those motorolas.<br><br>I am studying for my techs license now.

 

[caseyc]

I also recently got a new HAM radio installed in my van, plus an external antenna too. Got it from Amazon for a mere $60.&nbsp; Have absolutely NO idea how to use it though, haha! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif">&nbsp; I'm debating on the HAM operator license.&nbsp; Actually, I prefer to use my CB radio instead...a no brainer almost.

 

[user 423]

If you were out in the boonies and had some type of ham radio but no license and needed to send an emergency SOS, would the rules still apply?

 

[caseyc]

If your life is endangered, who cares? <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif">

 

[BamaDuke]

To answer your question, Slow, the rules do make an exception for messages to protect "Life and/or Property".&nbsp; I am afraid that I haven't been clear.&nbsp; The small handheld radios we're speaking of in this forum have a maximum range of 4 or 5 miles in PERFECT conditions.&nbsp; They work in the 144 or 440 MHz bands.&nbsp; The radio I use to communicate worldwide is on 14 or 28 MHz.&nbsp; At the risk of over-simplification, the higher the frequency, the lower the range.&nbsp; Having one of these radios in the boonies and trying to pass an SOS message would&nbsp;have just about the same effect as if you spoke into a rock.&nbsp; I spend a good deal of money each year travelling to elevated places to use my ham radios.&nbsp; Many times, with a radio having 50 times the power of these handhelds, and a huge antenna, I cannot reach anyone, using these same frequencies.&nbsp; <br><br>I encourage anyone with the slightest interest in it&nbsp;to get a ham license.&nbsp; I have a blast with mine.&nbsp; But if my son or daughter WERE licensed and travelling to the boonies, I would suggest&nbsp;many other options, and would not likely even consider one of these handhelds.&nbsp; <br><br>I don't mean to sound mean.&nbsp; I welcome anyone who would like to join ham radio.&nbsp; But I wouldn't suggest one of these handhelds as anything other than a toy.&nbsp; Just as I wouldn't suggest bringing insulated coveralls to the Texas Gulf Coast in August.&nbsp; There might possibly be an occasion to use it, but it ain't likely&nbsp; <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">&nbsp;<br><br>Bama

 

[user 423]

Thanks,BD. I was trying to think of a lower cost alternative to satellite phone service or one of the personal GPS locator beams. Before I'd consider finding a position as a campground host in more remote areas, I'd want some reliable way to summon emergency help and I wouldn't mind spending some money on equipment. The phone service is at least $60/mo. and I just might find that communicating with a ham might be a good way to break the boredom of retirement. I need to do some more research.

 

[wagoneer]

I picked up a pair of vietnam era military phones at a garage sale and when camping used them to get the kids back, well one fine day i'm yellin at the kids and I get this army guy telling me to get off military frequency, cease and desist (which I did)

 

[user 423]

Yeah, good thing you got off. These days you might attract a drone...

 

[wagoneer]

Old guy that lived a few houses up from me was a navy radio operator about 80 years old When I bought the house I was checking out the hood, this guy invites me in to his radio room in the basement we had a couple shots of Jim Beam and he got to plugging away at this old tube drab green radio it was huge, he was talking to some friend in Australia we had a few laughs I could tell he was lonely so we hung out a while and i would return from time to time Well he passed away and the kids that never came by dumped his entire house into a dumpster I mean everything radio photographs letters they could not wait to put the fer sale sign up. I jumped in the dumpster and pulled out the radio an old canvas tent and a photo of him in his navy uniform. WTF people are so money hungry.

 

[arizonatruck]

wagoneer, I know what you mean.&nbsp; Some people have no idea what family is.&nbsp; I live 450 miles away from my grandmothers house.&nbsp; I still visited here before she died.&nbsp; My whole family did.&nbsp; Even my uncles ex wife visited her from time to time, they were actually friends.<br><br>Even when my wife and I were really low on money.&nbsp; On the way to amarillo for a job interview, we stayed with her.&nbsp; My parents actually helped us out a little bit of gas so that we could go.&nbsp; It gave my grandma a big grin on her face to see us.&nbsp; We stayed with her on the way to amarillo and on the way back.&nbsp; I couldn't imagine not having known my grandma.

 

[arizonatruck]

I personally have gotten about 2.25 miles out of the uv5r to another one before being blocked by a large desert type hill.&nbsp; (if you have been to north phoenix, you know the type.

 

[wagoneer]

OK reaching out for advice I have 2 older small underdash CB radios, they both work fine and both R Shack. Antenna shopping I have a magnetic 4 foot but have a fiberglass bubble top Looking at the truck mirror mounting i could rig to the Yakima Megawarrior. I do not want some super long whip but length is strength. Anyone have a dare I say stealtier alternative??

 

[Mac J]

Breaker...Breaker!
Aside from truckers, and I think they use cell phones now, who uses CB Radios? It could turn out similar to buying one walkie-talkie.
You wouldn't want to spend money on a technology that's no longer used. If you've got two CB Radios you could always give one away. Then you'd have some one to call.
I wonder if you could attach the antenna to a hinge mount. The antenna could then run parallel to your roof rack and be somewhat hidden?!?

edited for spelling

 

[SoulRaven]

Wagoneer, If you stop into a truckstop many will have a radio shop. While length of an antenna is sometimes important, getting the SWR's set is most important. Many radio shops will "Peak and Tune" your radio for a very small fee, giving you a bit more power and range. Cell phones are great but useless for comm between moving vehicles. Length of the coax from antenna to radio is important also if you actually plan on talking, not just listening.

 

[owl]

Ham is big among the boondockers in Q. When I get down there I'll tune anyone interested to the locals.

 

[wagoneer]

thanks to all answering this post. I intend to give one to a fellow traveler (you know who you are) and talk en-route.We will be checking out Your givins thanks again. Adrian aka Wagoneer

 

[Mac J]

Good choice, thank you wagoner but I really don't think I have a use for it. Perhaps it would be better suited for someone heading to the Q.
Once again, you are a generous man but I must decline.

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