Radio, that is!
I attended my first stage rally this weekend. It was epic.
While chatting with the event chair, he mentioned pursuing a ham radio license for future events.
I haven't searched teh Googles yet, but will.
Anyone here have any insider info on the topic, or will googled info suffice?
I'm in Canada so the rules are different, but there are lots of online info including test question generators to help study.
Lots of science (physics) questions related to wavelengths, etc.
In Canada there is a study guide that was in print, not sure if that stuff has made it on-line yet or not.
Oh and VA3 COT here!
I passed the Technician's test without studying, but then again I'd been playing with AM radios and CBs for years, and I'm a nerd, so that helped. Find your local club, ask somebody to administer your test, and jump in.
KK4MMK here!
here is a study guide http://www.kb6nu.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2014-no-nonsense-tech-study-guide-v20.pdf plenty of apps on both app stores, the test is only like $10. Most offroad guys will have both CB and Ham. I need to study and take the test.
I'm actually surprised that HAM still exists with how cheap cell service has become. Only advantage I can see is remote areas.
Amateur radio is not about talking cheap.
I used hamexam.org, free and tracks your progress, asks you the questions you missed again etc.
KG7PKT here!
In reply to Grtechguy:
Yeah I use to for off road comms for the most part. There is a lot of WA state that has zero cell service. An I like to find those places :)
Am I too late for a "License to hard salami" joke?
In reply to Huckleberry:
It's never too late for a joke like that. In fact, it might be better the later it gets.
Grtechguy wrote: I'm actually surprised that HAM still exists with how cheap cell service has become. Only advantage I can see is remote areas.
...which is, coincidentally, where most rallies and offroading is done. 
Yes, I have my HAM for volunteering at rallies. Cell phone coverage is spotty at best in the areas where they run and 16 years ago was non-existant.
HAM also doesn't have usage fees.
In reply to Grtechguy:
I just realized I didn't specify where the rally was. It was in the central UP, so cell service sucked. I sort of had service in the towns, but when the cars were out on stage there wasn't E36 M3.
Those of us in service without radios kind of eavesdropped on the teams that had them.
Anyway, thanks for the input guys! I didn't think a local club would exist! I'll try them first. I'd be willing to bet my employer even has one.
I took my technician test today- and passed (woot!).
Using KB6NU's study guide and a free practice test phone app (by Roy Watson N1ZTL) more than did the trick.
Still researching the license to hard salami 
NGTD wrote: Yes, I have my HAM for volunteering at rallies. Cell phone coverage is spotty at best in the areas where they run and 16 years ago was non-existant. HAM also doesn't have usage fees.
Is there a recommended equipment list for volunteering at rallies, etc?
What channels/frequencies are commonly used?
UHF VHF 900mhz 6 Meter 10 meter?
Prices range from under 100$ to over $300 for mobile gear power levels from 10w to 60w
Duplex? Tone?
paranoid_android74 wrote:NGTD wrote: Yes, I have my HAM for volunteering at rallies. Cell phone coverage is spotty at best in the areas where they run and 16 years ago was non-existant. HAM also doesn't have usage fees.Is there a recommended equipment list for volunteering at rallies, etc?
Mag-mount antenna and a 2m Mobile personally. I have an ICOM V-8000 (75W) and a Larsen Mag-mount. Some people like a hand held (5W), but I find that they just don't have the power to reliably hit the repeaters.
Check with the clubs that put them on but most run the 2m band (144.0 MHz-148.0 MHz).
In reply to bentwrench:
I honestly have no idea.
In reply to NGTD:
Thank you for that info, it's very helpful! I'll do some checking with the clubs.
paranoid_android74 wrote: In reply to Grtechguy: I just realized I didn't specify where the rally was. It was in the central UP, so cell service sucked. I sort of had service in the towns, but when the cars were out on stage there wasn't E36 M3. Those of us in service without radios kind of eavesdropped on the teams that had them. Anyway, thanks for the input guys! I didn't think a local club would exist! I'll try them first. I'd be willing to bet my employer even has one.
Magnum opus?
joey48442 wrote:paranoid_android74 wrote: In reply to Grtechguy: I just realized I didn't specify where the rally was. It was in the central UP, so cell service sucked. I sort of had service in the towns, but when the cars were out on stage there wasn't E36 M3. Those of us in service without radios kind of eavesdropped on the teams that had them. Anyway, thanks for the input guys! I didn't think a local club would exist! I'll try them first. I'd be willing to bet my employer even has one.Magnum opus?
That's affirmative!
paranoid_android74 wrote:joey48442 wrote:That's affirmative!paranoid_android74 wrote: In reply to Grtechguy: I just realized I didn't specify where the rally was. It was in the central UP, so cell service sucked. I sort of had service in the towns, but when the cars were out on stage there wasn't E36 M3. Those of us in service without radios kind of eavesdropped on the teams that had them. Anyway, thanks for the input guys! I didn't think a local club would exist! I'll try them first. I'd be willing to bet my employer even has one.Magnum opus?
Nice! Jamie and I went up there a few years back to watch my buddy run this magnificent beast:
In reply to Huckleberry:
I'm in the mood for some nice turkey with a slice of mild cheddar.
bentwrench wrote: What channels/frequencies are commonly used? UHF VHF 900mhz 6 Meter 10 meter? Prices range from under 100$ to over $300 for mobile gear power levels from 10w to 60w Duplex? Tone?
Now that I've had some time to look it up, I found this (from Magnum Opus):
13.10.Radio repeater frequencies
13.10.1. Newberry Repeater: 146.610 – (No tone)
13.10.2. Pine Stump Repeater: 147.090 + (No tone)
13.10.3. Simplex Backup : 146.5
paranoid_android74 wrote:bentwrench wrote: What channels/frequencies are commonly used? UHF VHF 900mhz 6 Meter 10 meter? Prices range from under 100$ to over $300 for mobile gear power levels from 10w to 60w Duplex? Tone?Now that I've had some time to look it up, I found this (from Magnum Opus): 13.10.Radio repeater frequencies 13.10.1. Newberry Repeater: 146.610 – (No tone) 13.10.2. Pine Stump Repeater: 147.090 + (No tone) 13.10.3. Simplex Backup : 146.5
Those are all 2m stuff.
Program them into memory and you are good.
Id get a 144/440 rig if I were you. They are not much more than a 2m rig and give you another freq band.
If you end up 2m only (only reason I would really do it is if you need the most wattage possible) the yeasu 2900's are dirt cheap, very well built and 75W.
Do any ham radio people still use old tube ham radios? I inherited a Hammarlund HQ-129x and it looks in decent condition but it doent look like i got anything to hook up to it (speaker, antenae, mic...) to test it. Would this have any value?
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