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

"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

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

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

"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

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

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

Glad to hear you are going for it.
Listen for me on the Norwalk repeater.

147.390 MHz Output 147.990 input

There are test sessions near me--one a month.
If you don't pass, he lets you take the test
again without paying for but once. Cost for
the test is only $6.20. So if you are not
sure if you are ready, you still have a good
chance to pass.

The technicians class is great. You get to
use the best band--2 meters. It's lots of fun.
I use a triple 5/8 wave vertical for an
omnidirection pattern and a 14 element beam on
horizontal polarization.

Vertical polarization is common for mobiles
operators who use repeaters. Horizontal is
usually used for direct two way communications
and has better penetration down in the low
valleys.

If you're handy with a propane torch, you can
make a J-pole antenna out of 1/2 copper pipe.
They are indestructible, work great, and don't
cost much. Do a search for J-pole.


Bart


(Bobsprit) wrote

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

Bart, do you think hams will become angry at you for encouraging an ass such
as me to pollute their airwaves?
Do you think I'm suddenly am going to become a considerate, nice guy just
because I'm broadcasting on amateur radio?
Why do people promote their own interests and hobbies to others and then
complain when the hobby/interest becomes over run or degraded?
It seems a rational person with a true love of what he has or does would
want to protect and preserve it.
Well, anyway, thanks for opening the door to the devil!

RB, K7UGA



"N1EE" wrote in message
om...
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

"Bobsprit" wrote in message

Bart, do you think hams will become angry at you for encouraging an ass
such
as me to pollute their airwaves?
Do you think I'm suddenly am going to become a considerate, nice guy just
because I'm broadcasting on amateur radio?

I'm not Bart, but I'll answer those questions for you. First, one does not
"broadcast" on amateur bands. One communicates with others. Second, you
will be a "considerate, nice guy" on the ham bands, or you'll find one of
two things will occur: 1) no one will talk to you and you'll be yelling at
dead air, or 2) someone--a do-gooder, perhaps--will attempt to help you
improve your on-the-air courtesy to the point you'll be an acceptable
communicator. Unlike 11M, where almost no one actually communicates any
more, the ham bands are self-policed and fools and miscreants aren't
suffered gladly. IF you choose to be a jerk on ham radio, you'll discover
just how lonely it can get.

Why do people promote their own interests and hobbies to others and then
complain when the hobby/interest becomes over run or degraded?

This hasn't been a problem for amateur radio. Jerks either go away
eventually, or they convert. In some cases they get turned over to the FCC
for prosecution if they create enough trouble. One repeater group in this
area has transceiver-printing equipment, which can identify any individual
radio by its transmitter waveform characteristics and idiosyncracies. Using
this equipment and other means they have turned several idiots over to the
FCC, for which fines totalling in excess of $100,000 have been levied.
Moral of the story: don't screw with hams. They can be aggressive in
putting your butt in a sling. You may get away with crap on 11M, but not on
the ham bands.

Max