Ham Radio on a Boat
 

Hey, Max...what do you think of these as entry radios for use on a boat?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40 0
66&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40 0
67&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Thanks,

RB

Ham Radio on a Boat
 

wrote:

On 16 Jan 2004 00:21:44 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:


Hey, Max...what do you think of these as entry radios for use on a boat?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40 0
66&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40 0
67&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Thanks,

RB



Bob,

Why the sudden interest in Ham? Last summer you couldn't even figure out how to
hail me using your VHF.


Lat time you were just too far away. Now he wants to be able to call you
up from the "next bay" a couple of hundred miles away.

Cheers

Ham Radio on a Boat
 

Bob,

Why the sudden interest in Ham? Last summer you couldn't even figure out how to
hail me using your VHF.

Well....I bought the 10/11 meter radio thinking it would be great to use along
with a CB walkie talkie, probably better than the FRS by far. Then I started
playing with my friend's Panasonic SW and rekindled my interest in radio a bit.
Sailing around and making far reaching contacts sounds like it might be fun.

RB

Ham Radio on a Boat
 

Are you kidding? Ham is edible.

wrote in message
...
On 16 Jan 2004 00:21:44 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

Hey, Max...what do you think of these as entry radios for use on a boat?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40 0
66&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

and


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40 0
67&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Thanks,

RB


Bob,

Why the sudden interest in Ham? Last summer you couldn't even figure out
how to
hail me using your VHF.

BB

Ham Radio on a Boat
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message

Hey, Max...what do you think of these as entry radios for use on a boat?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40 0
66&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40 0
67&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Both are good rigs. I've used a Kenwood 530 extensively. But it's probably
too large for most boats. The ICOM would probably be okay.

Max

Ham Radio on a Boat
 

Hey, Max....while I'm bleeding you for newbie info...I'm told I MUST have an
Antenna tuner (200 bucks) to run any of these rigs, especially with a backstay
antenna. I'm starting to get discouraged by what this will all take...radio,
antenna, tuner, power supply for winter base use....ugh!

Thanks much for all the help...

RB

Ham Radio on a Boat
 

But on the other hand it will look mighty impressive incorporated into my
home theater system.
Did anyone catch the MIT waveguide cables on EBay for 9 bucks?

RB



"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Hey, Max....while I'm bleeding you for newbie info...I'm told I MUST have
an
Antenna tuner (200 bucks) to run any of these rigs, especially with a
backstay
antenna. I'm starting to get discouraged by what this will all
take...radio,
antenna, tuner, power supply for winter base use....ugh!

Thanks much for all the help...

RB

Ham Radio on a Boat
 

Before you start shopping for HAM radio, you
will need a HAM license.

For online practice tests:

http://www.aa9pw.com/radio/

Choose Technician Exam in the blue box.

If you take a practice test every day for
a week or two, you can probably pass the test.

For advice on purchasing a radio try:

http://www.eham.net/

Start with a 2 meter mobile radio, or dual
band 2 meter 70 cm (440 MHz) radio, a 12
volt DC power supply--or a big battery like
an auto battery, some RG-8 feedline and
connectors, and a high gain verticle antenna
like the Comet GP-9.

Once you are comfortable with that radio, you
may want a second radio for your car, and you
can begin to study for the next higher HAM
class--General.

Most HAMs learn about the properties of the
various bands by talking to other HAM about
the equipment they use and their capabilities.

The next higher General class license is what
you need for worldwide, long-range communication.
Along with a written test there is an easy 5
word per minute Morse Code exam. You can expect
you will need two weeks an hour a day study for
each written test and for the code test.

Bart Senior
(Bobsprit) wrote

Hey, Max...what do you think of these as entry radios for use on a boat?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40 0
66&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40 0
67&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Thanks,

RB

Ham Radio on a Boat
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message

Hey, Max....while I'm bleeding you for newbie info...I'm told I MUST have
an
Antenna tuner (200 bucks) to run any of these rigs, especially with a
backstay
antenna. I'm starting to get discouraged by what this will all
take...radio,
antenna, tuner, power supply for winter base use....ugh!

Thanks much for all the help...

Yeah, you'd need an antenna tuner all right. A good one--one that will tune
up an insulated backstay, which isn't easy--will cost a minimum of $200.
You'll also need a counterpoise--in this case a copper foil ground plane
installed against the hull beneath the hull liner, connected to the braided
conductor of your feedline coax. And you'll also need some rugged
batteries--I recommend a couple of group 31 AGMs minimum--if you want to run
any wattage, such as 100W, on 10M while on the hook. The radio is just the
tip of the iceberg.

My recommendation: get your tech license and work 2M repeaters. Unless
you're going offshore, SSB isn't necessary.

Max

Ham Radio on a Boat
 

You can expect
you will need two weeks an hour a day study for
each written test and for the code test.

Thanks, Bart. At first I was going to run out and buy a big radio to start.
I'll slow down and take the test, plus listen for a while before springing for
a starter rig for the boat. I've already taken the practice tests...passed and
failed a few times. I'll study the Now You're Talking Book until it's hammered
home. I can't see why anyone wouldn't get at least the tech license.

RB