HAM Radio

[Bbasso]

Which antenna do you guys recommend for the boafeng to increase the ability?

[ert01]

Nagoya NA-UT108 SMA-F SF Dual Band Mobile Radio Antenna

That's the mag mount one that I use on my van.

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by ert01

My brother and I both carry a pair of them in our vehicles. We can lend them out to others who join our convoy...

If they don't have licenses, you're jeopardizing your license.

Herb

[Ned5555]

For the uninitiated here, what advantages does a HAM radio bring over radios that don't require a license? If you're not traveling with other HAM operators and there isn't a natural disaster, is there much to use the radio for?

Right now I use a handheld CB radio with a removable 36'' antenna that can be switched between vehicles. CB seems to be the most informative about interstate conditions (where I usually drive), but you have to deal with crass trucker chatter. Are there enough mobile HAM operators to relay road conditions?

Of course HAM gives you a huge range in places where there's no cell phone coverage. I already have a Globalstar satellite device for emergencies, so just wonder what else HAM could add to the equation.

[ert01]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

If they don't have licenses, you're jeopardizing your license.

Herb

I also let my 3yr old daughter steer the wheel in my jeep when I'm puttering around at the farm.

[ert01]

Originally Posted by Ned5555

For the uninitiated here, what advantages does a HAM radio bring over radios that don't require a license? If you're not traveling with other HAM operators and there isn't a natural disaster, is there much to use the radio for?

Right now I use a handheld CB radio with a removable 36'' antenna that can be switched between vehicles. CB seems to be the most informative about interstate conditions (where I usually drive), but you have to deal with crass trucker chatter. Are there enough mobile HAM operators to relay road conditions?

Of course HAM gives you a huge range in places where there's no cell phone coverage. I already have a Globalstar satellite device for emergencies, so just wonder what else HAM could add to the equation.

Must-call rig roads and logging roads. Up here we see more and more of them using VHF and not CB.

http://www.truckerswheel.com/Oilfield-V ... o-use.html

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by ert01

I also let my 3yr old daughter steer the wheel in my jeep when I'm puttering around at the farm.

Private property where you don't even need a driver's license, versus a Federal offense where as part of your license agreement you agreed to not let anyone else operate your radio unless you are immediately present. Airwaves don't care about property lines. Apples and oranges comparison.

[DCHitt]

I know of only four VHF FM CB channels that don't require a license. Are they the ones the OIL truckers use?

[ert01]

BC has a standardized set of 40 channels that users should pre-program into their radios when using resource roads.

Here's a snapshot of the frequency list that they use now.

[DCHitt]

Thanks for the frequencies. I assume that is Canada only and can't be used in the U.S.. Maybe even restricted to the specified roads?