I have a general class ham license but have been out of
it a LONG time

I want to get back into some form of free ham radio
comms that would allow me to stay in touch with people
while living in an RV or boat

So.... I want something small and compact. And Im not
sure what "mode" of communications I want. I may want
some form of digital comms like packet or pactor....
not sure

Any advice on all this? What to get equip wise? What
modes to get into?

I would go to your local HAM store and talk to them about gear. There
are a lot of choices out there from tiny mobile QRP type rigs to larger
base stations that will all work in your boat or RV. I would start out
by getting a rig setup that's capable of doing packet and then adding a
pactor or similar into the mix later.

-Todd

I would start out
by getting a rig setup that's capable of doing packet and then adding a
pactor or similar into the mix later.

Packet is 2M only, correct? If yes that's very line
of sight on a boat. Yes?

Would pactor be a better choice for sail boat in middle
of sea?

wrote in message
...
I would start out
by getting a rig setup that's capable of doing packet and then adding a
pactor or similar into the mix later.

Packet is 2M only, correct?

Not hardly.

If yes that's very line
of sight on a boat. Yes?

On VHF band, yes.

Would pactor be a better choice for sail boat in middle
of sea?

It is a good choice on HF frequencies.

Doug, k3qt
s/v Callista

wrote:

I would start out
by getting a rig setup that's capable of doing packet and then adding a
pactor or similar into the mix later.

Packet is 2M only, correct? If yes that's very line
of sight on a boat. Yes?

Would pactor be a better choice for sail boat in middle
of sea?

If you are going to be sailing offshore, go take the easy 24 question test
to get your Marine Radiotelephone Operators License. Then get a SSB that has
the ham bands on it also. This way you can call the Coast Guard if you need
to.

Then get a SSB that has
the ham bands on it also. This way you can call the Coast Guard if you need
to.

Any brands or models to suggest that have above
features?

halibutslayer wrote:

wrote:

I would start out
by getting a rig setup that's capable of doing packet and then adding a
pactor or similar into the mix later.

Packet is 2M only, correct? If yes that's very line
of sight on a boat. Yes?

Would pactor be a better choice for sail boat in middle
of sea?

If you are going to be sailing offshore, go take the easy 24 question test
to get your Marine Radiotelephone Operators License. Then get a SSB that has
the ham bands on it also. This way you can call the Coast Guard if you need
to.

Come to think of it I'm not sure if you even need a MROL if your vessel is
volunteerly equipped (not carrying more than 6 passengers, under 300 tons, not a
tug over 26ft. etc.) Your boat still has to have proper station license.

halibutslayer wrote:

halibutslayer wrote:

wrote:

I would start out
by getting a rig setup that's capable of doing packet and then adding a
pactor or similar into the mix later.

Packet is 2M only, correct? If yes that's very line
of sight on a boat. Yes?

Would pactor be a better choice for sail boat in middle
of sea?

If you are going to be sailing offshore, go take the easy 24 question test
to get your Marine Radiotelephone Operators License. Then get a SSB that has
the ham bands on it also. This way you can call the Coast Guard if you need
to.

Come to think of it I'm not sure if you even need a MROL if your vessel is
volunteerly equipped (not carrying more than 6 passengers, under 300 tons, not a
tug over 26ft. etc.) Your boat still has to have proper station license.

ICOM advertises some of theirs as "ham band and e-mail capable"

ICOM IC-M710

I'm not a ham but some people that post here are they might have some suggestions. I
ve spent quite a bit of time at sea on tugs and wouldn,t want to be out there with
out communication to the coast guard etc.

In article ,
halibutslayer wrote:

Come to think of it I'm not sure if you even need a MROL if your vessel is
volunteerly equipped (not carrying more than 6 passengers, under 300 tons,
not a
tug over 26ft. etc.) Your boat still has to have proper station license.


You will need a Resticted Radiotelephone Operators Permit.....No Test,
just money, and good for your Lifetime...... and a Station License.


Bruce in alaska
--
add a 2 before @

No matter what you get, if you're going to work from a boat I think you're
required to also have a VHF-FM radio. Seems to me I read it in Chapman's.

thuss" wrote in message
oups.com...
I would go to your local HAM store and talk to them about gear. There
are a lot of choices out there from tiny mobile QRP type rigs to larger
base stations that will all work in your boat or RV. I would start out
by getting a rig setup that's capable of doing packet and then adding a
pactor or similar into the mix later.

-Todd