Do we have any HAMs in the house?

Hey all!

Just wondering if we have any HAMs onboard. If so, please list your callsign, radio type, and based frequency (if applicable).

If your not a HAM, I strongly suggest looking into getting your certification. It is an extremely rewarding hobby and can save your life in case of mass communication failure because radios aren't dependent on a structured communications grid...and best yet...its FREE!

I would be more than happy to help you study for your HAM test and help you find a testing location!


Im a licensed amateur radio technician under the callsign KJ6AXC ( http://www.arrl.org/fcc/fcclook.php3?call=KJ6AXC )
Currently using a Kenwood TH-K2 2-Meter 5 Watt FM Transceiver.
My base repeater is...
Input: 146.04
Call Sign: W7BF
CTCSS: 167.9
Sponsor: DBARS

What the "Watch your language" is HAM.

A high powered radio.

Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is both a hobby and a service in which participants, called "hams," use various types of radio communications equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation and self-training.

Amateur radio operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communications if necessary, while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. An estimated six million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio.

The term "amateur" reflects the principle that Amateur Radio and its skilled operators are committed to helping communities without financial compensation; whereas Commercial Radio operates for profit.

@White Wolf:

Technically no, I think you're refering to HF, VHF, UHF...which are just terms to describe output power. HAM simply means "guys that use radios"

Im not white wolf...

But thanks for the correction.

Lol changed your avatar easy mistake but hows it a hobby?

i want one, what is the overall amount of money needed?

A few grand I believe. There may be smaller kits though.

No not at all. You can pick up a good FM tranceiver for less than 100 dollars! My mobile unit cost only 200! Licensing fee is 15 dollars at most location. Amateur radio costs as much as you want it to. There are even some HAMs that build their own radios from scratch and pay 0 dollars after they get licensed.

Then what about the large systems ive seen that do go for $1k

Spl. Durkee wrote:

No not at all. You can pick up a good FM tranceiver for less than 100 dollars! My mobile unit cost only 200! Licensing fee is 15 dollars at most location. Amateur radio costs as much as you want it to. There are even some HAMs that build their own radios from scratch and pay 0 dollars after they get licensed.

sweet, ima PM you about it later for good suggestions.

Lone Wolf wrote:

Then what about the large systems ive seen that do go for $1k

As I said, HAM costs as much as you want it to. The larger/advanced systems do cost some dough, but you can get into the hobby easily without breaking the bank. Its like airsoft. Sure, systemas cost $1000+, but that doesnt mean you can't find a decent gun for a fraction of that price. Ive put about $300 into HAM radio, some put hundreds of thousands, others put 0.

What is the range on those bad boys?

elementfrvr wrote:

What is the range on those bad boys?

Depends on the output power. Most 5 watt 2-meter hand radios operate on the principle of line-of-sight without the use of repeaters...50 miles or so, depending on atmostpheric conditions. Other high frequency radios can transmit globally! Really depends on what you're using them for. Certain types of radios have certain bonuses and uses.

Even the lowest powered radio can be made to transmit over massive distances through the use of repeaters. You can hop-scotch your signal from repeater to repeater and transmit way beyond it's original range.

how much for one that will reach to you from lake michigain?

white wolf wrote:

how much for one that will reach to you from lake michigain?

ICOM IC-718 HF. Thats what I have and its beautiful.

You didn't give him a price, my friend.

About $470

If any of you are really interested in HAM radio, I could make a "intro" video featuring basic radio operation, etiquette, setup, getting your license, basic science on how radios work..etc...

i actully have one of those, well nothing fancy but i can talk throughout colorado, i don't really know much about it its old as "Watch your language", but i play with it occasoinally

Without a license?