Why you should get a HAM radio now and then get your license

[theksmith 4,143]

Amateur radios, or HAM radios work much like CB or FRS/GMRS (walkie-talkie) radios, but require a license to operate. I'll get into that more later, but first let me explain why I think anyone who travels to remote areas should just go ahead and purchase a HAM radio.

 

 

 

 

5 Reasons you should get a HAM radio right now:

 

1. HAM radio just works better than CB.

There are many technical reasons that it's better, but let me simply assure you that the sound quality and communication distance using even an inexpensive hand-held 2-meter HAM radio is vastly superior to CB radio. First consider that CB is AM whereas 2-meter HAM is FM for local use. Just think how much better FM radio usually sounds than those old AM stations. ALso, even the entry-level HAM license allows you to use far greater power than a CB radio can legally put out. Finally, one of the most important factors is that there are a plethora of repeaters in the united states. A repeater is a special type of radio that relays communications. Repeaters greatly increase the distance and reliability of radio communications since they are usually placed on the highest available mountain/building/tower. To keep it simple, think of a repeater as a guy on top of a mountain that relays what people down below on different sides of the mountain are showting up to him... as long as 2 people can reach the same repeater, they can communicate even if their radios can't directly reach each other.

 

2. You may legally transmit on a HAM radio without a license in an emergency situation.

We all know that cell phone signal can be non-existant in remote places, and if you've ever run with a large group you know CB radio doesn't reach far either. Having an alternate way to communicate in the event of an emergency could be priceless. If the situation is truly a life threatening emergency and no other option exists, it's completely legal for a non-licensed person to transmit on amateur radio frequencies to summon help. Read sections 97.403 and 97.405 of the FCC regulations to see for yourself. Keep in mind - if you don't know how to use the radio (what frequencies are commonly monitored, how to program in a repeater, etc), then it won't be of any help. So if you are going to get one for emergencies, you should learn about it, and then you might as well take the test and get your license.

 

3. Listening to a HAM radio without a license is 100% legal.

Listening in on HAM frequencies does not require any license. Some emergency/government services use amateur radio frequencies, which can be useful to listen to (though a dedicated "scanner" is often better for this purpose). Beyond that, it's simply fun to listen in to local repeater chat so you can get a feel for how people use HAM and learn the lingo.

 

4. Having an actual radio in front of you drives you to learn and makes learning easier.

There's no better prompt to learn and get a license like having an actual device in your hands. This is the main reason I think people should just get one right away - without a radio it's easy to put off learning and getting the license, but once you hear for yourself you'll be hooked. I'm sure that this post will upset some HAM users as the general consensus seems to be to discourage people from getting a radio until they have a license. I do understand the concern, but I don't agree.

 

5. A 2-meter handheld radio can currently be had for less than $50.

Though Yaesu and Kenwood mobile or hand-held units are considered the standard, there are a couple of decent Chinese/Korean brands with hand-held units for around $50. I recently purchased a Baofeng UV-5R+ from Amazon for $43 and I'm actually quite impressed with it. A small magnetic mount antenna from Diamond or Comet will run you another $35 - $45. Just as with CB, an external antenna greatly improves the experience (your vehicle is a giant metal shield that blocks signals from getting in or out well).

 

 

3 Reasons why you should then get your license:

 

1. It's nearly free!

The entry-level "Technician" license is free. It lasts for 10 years and can then be renewed online. The fee for the test is usually around $15, depending on where you take it. Many places offer free classes and then hold a testing session at the end.

 

2. It's not that hard after all.

To get a license you likely need to learn some new information about radios and electronics. If you are good at memorizing things, then just do so to get the license ASAP and then let the knowledge sink in as you use it. The test is only 35 questions, but they are pulled from a pool of nearly 400. All the questions and correct answers are available here for you to memorize: http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=349. You can also take practice tests online for free to see when you are ready to take the real test: http://aa9pw.com/radio/technician/. Many places offer free classes, and most use this book: http://www.amazon.com/Ham-Radio-License-Manual-Arrl/dp/0872590976/ Note: if you looked into getting a license in the past, rejoice that you no longer need to learn morse code to get a Technician license.

 

3. You'll be tempted to start transmitting, and there are fines and/or jail time if you get caught doing so without a license.

The HAM radio community is self-policing for the post part. The majority of HAMs I've talked to are pretty darn anal about following all the rules, and having a license is rule #1. Finding someone that is illegally transmitting is not hard for an experienced HAM (many clubs even have contests where they practice finding a signal using specialized equipment). Once you piss of a couple local HAM users by not following the rules, you can expect to hear from the FCC. Check out the "warning letters" section here: http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/AmateurActions/Welcome.html

 

 

 

 

I'm selling HAM pretty hard here, but any from of communication is going to have strengths and weaknesses. CB radio's strength is that it's ubiquitous. No radio is going to help you if there's not someone else with the same type of radio listening. You should certainly still get a CB radio first if you're doing 4x4 runs with groups. HAM may not be the end-all silver bullet for communications, but it is an important tool to consider for your arsenal along with a mobile phone, satellite messenger, PLB, and that scratchy old CB radio.

 

This post has been light on technical details, so if you have any questions just ask! Also be sure to check out our sister club, http://www.4x4ham.com. They are a good bunch of folks also based out of Arizona. Several of their members are also members here.

 

 

[ZMagic97 1]

Love this info, and I agree with the title 100%. I myself just bought a pair of 2 meter HAMs for a good price off Craigslist and plan to get my license when I can find a good time in the near future. I am going to Yosemite for camping and sigh seeing in July and plan to have the unit in my JK to replace my CB; I think it'll be great to have in case of an emergency and will be fun to listen to on my 10 hour days of driving.

 

Every time I talk to an experienced HAM user, I learn more and more about the awesome benefits; one of my favorite is the tracking of a user by using aprs.fi (for those who do not know what that is, type into into your address bar and you'll see HAM users a on Google map...really cool tool). Aprs.fi is free to view and doesn't require a license, therefore your friends and family members can watching where you are on trips, or if you wants to tell someone where you at on a trail, the maps will show you a map of where you been for up for 24 hours (maybe more...cannot remember for sure). So, it's like a free Spot tracker too.

 

HAM radio is also keeping up with the digital age. Since HAM is now connected to the internet like a cell phone, once you have a license you can use your smartphone and a free app to turn your phone into a radio.

 

Again, I myself and pretty new to HAM and do not have a license, but I always learn more about the benefits. Getting a couple radios off Craigslist has really gotten me motivated to get my license sooner as well.

[C-Fish 1]

Good article Kris!

 

I agree that having a radio (and listening) prior to obtaining your license helps the process.

That is how I did it.

 

I've since added a HT radio to my mobile shack and am looking into APRS as well.

 

-Mark

[UnderlyVerbose 1]

x3! Thanks for the great info Kris! This really simplifies the daunting concept of getting a HAM license.

 

Of course you know, this means you'll have less opportunity to talk behind our backs on the trail!

[gearhead 468]

Great post Kris! I like this site for practice testing: http://www.eham.net/exams/

 

As Kris mentioned the technician class is the entry level class for ham radio operators.

[scottL 179]

Great info: I liked that handheld jobber you were showing Diane at smiley rock. Would that be a decent unit for my compact cockpit?

[theksmith 4,143]

Great info: I liked that handheld jobber you were showing Diane at smiley rock. Would that be a decent unit for my compact cockpit?

 

pros & cons...

 

 

handheld units (aka HT's or Handy-Talkies):

 

- less expensive than mobile units.

- typical 2-meter HT's are usually only 5 watts. this level of power can still reach another radio or repeater pretty far away, but only with good line-of-site.

- you can easily take it out of the vehicle (on hikes, into the house to learn to use it, etc). though if you have it hooked to an external antenna (which is really desirable) and a car charger and possibly GPS for APRS, then it's suddenly not as quick to pop out with.

 

 

mobile units are typically about the size of a traditional CB or a little smaller than an aftermarket stereo and are meant to be semi-permanently mounted in a vehicle. they are:

 

- more expensive.

- available in much higher wattage, often 35 - 55 watts. this level of power and an external antenna can really get you some distance or get through varied terrain.

- take up more space to mount, though radios with remote mountable faceplates alleviate that concern for the most part.

- may be simpler to integrate APRS (some units just need an extra module installed).

 

 

i'd recommend people consider getting a cheap handheld as their first unit, it's more versatile and you can always still use it for certain situations even if you add a dedicated mobile unit later.

 

also consider this - i purchased a Kenwood mobile unit for my Jeep when i first got my license, but then i never "got into" the HAM thing because i only used it for trail communications occasionally, when other HAMs were on the run. however, i recently got one of the cheap Baofeng handhelds and leave it on sometimes while at my desk, tuned into a local repeater. i've actually enjoyed listening to some of the "nets" and even found myself joining in on random conversations once in a while now.

 

 

just tell me what to go buy!

 

the Baofeng UV-5R+ on Amazon is currently $43: http://www.amazon.com/Dual-Band-Improved-Stronger-Enhanced-Features/dp/B00C5ABO9O/

 

the Diamond Antenna MR75SJ has a magnetic mount and a wing-nut to allow folding it over when not in use. this model has the correct SMA-F connector on the end of the included cable to work with the inexpensive Baofeng and Wouxun radios. it costs under $40 online: http://www.diamondantenna.net/mr75sj.html

 

if you want to permanent mount an external antenna you have to decide where first, so you can choose the correct length and which connector and cable to use. both Diamond and Comet make plenty of lengths and some with springs (you can't just slap a separate spring on the antenna like you would for a CB, it needs to be a tuned integrated part of the antenna).

[K7VZ 15]

Kris, good timing of your post also. Join 4x4 Ham the weekend of June 22 for ARRL Field Day. We'll be operating in the HF bands, but everyone will be camped out and plenty of show and tell. http://www.4x4ham.com/forumdisplay.php?54-W7AZO-4x4-Ham-Field-Day We're also holding a test session at 9am.

[ChrisD 24]

Hi Kris,

 

excellent posting. Very interesting. I also bought a Baofeng UV5R+ without having a license for now. Works quite nice. We tested it with some responders and got mostly positive feedback about sound quality and so on.

[GRUNT 87]

After reassembly of Franken-Jeep this summer, a HAM radio will be my 1st purchase. I have had my license for about 6-7 years, but no radio.

 

Dan(Straight Up) picked up a great mobile a few year back. If I remember correctly, it was a name brand but designed to be "ruggedized" for use in an open vehicle.