Ham radio monitoring.

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Someone let me know if this should be posted in another location.
I am an amateur radio operator (K4JBC) but I have not been active in years. I would like to listen in on some Local repeaters while traveling and in campsites. Thinking about getting a handheld but would like to see what bands are active for repeaters. So here is my question. Are there any apps for IOS systems that give you the ability to monitor local activities? I know there are some Hams that hang out here. Any guidance is appreciated.

[TNRIVERSIDE]

I have finally succeeded in getting Echo Link to work. Thanks to all.

[SaltiDawg]

w4phj wrote:
K4JBC, your license is due for renewal.

Hope you return to the wonderful hobby of ham radio !!!

Many years ago my two very young sons (10 & 13 years old) and I got our Amateur Licenses, but carelessly let them lapse and lost interest. Interestingly we could talk via Morse Code world wide, but my sons could not (legally) operate a CB Radio as they were not yet 16 years old.

I was KA4WVX, the year was 1980. We're all older now.

[Dick_A]

Moved from Tech Issues

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OP here.
Thanks for all the help. I have been trying EchoLink but have not mastered it yet. And the Baofang looks interesting.

[wa8yxm]

Repeater activity is heaviest on 2 meters. then 70 cm, then 6meterws 10meters and 220 Mhz.

A Dual band radio is usually 2M/70cM and is your best choice.

If you have a smart phone there are a couple apps like Repeater book you might want also EchoLink and IRLP apps.

Many find the low cost Baofang and woxon radios hard to program.. I do not, But then I do not often find things hard to program... That said I'm not all that pleased with mine... A nice Icom, Yesau, Kenwood et-al much better epically the receive audio.

[TNRIVERSIDE]

w4phj wrote:
K4JBC, your license is due for renewal.

Hope you return to the wonderful hobby of ham radio !!!

Thanks. Renewed yesterday.

[SCVJeff]

Search Repeater Book in the App Store for iOS

As far as popular bands, 2 Meters is by far the most used nationwide both on Simplex or repeater service

There's no Hams around here... 🙂

[w4phj]

K4JBC, your license is due for renewal.

Hope you return to the wonderful hobby of ham radio !!!

[stew47]

I played around with echo link a little. Works easier as a phone app rather than computer. If you want a handheld Google baofeng and wouxan.....very affordable.

[KD4UPL]

You can listen in on HAM radio and even talk from a smart phone or tablet. The format is called Echo Link. It doesn't work with all repeaters, just the ones that are active on the system. I don't know much about it because I don't use it. I'm sure if you Google Echo Link you can read for hours. You might try the QRZ.com website as well for information.
I have a hard time thinking of Echo Link as HAM radio even though many operators do. If I'm using a computer to talk to someone over the internet it doesn't seem like amateur radio activity.

[RoyB]

There is alot of Ham repeaters on the BROADCASTIFY.com site. They are mostly associated with the Rescue Squads and WX things... I listen to about 10 tabs on my computer all the time...

The local police have all gone to digital radios and you can't hear them talk anymore... It just goes BRRRR when they talk on my old scanners. they all but worthless now...

I imagine all of the FED chaneels are doing the same thing...

BROADCASTIFY is really neat for me however as i have four or five groups I like to listen too all the time... Works anywhere being on the internet...

Haven't locate much for the Tn area but I bet there are a few on it...

Roy Ken

[Artum_Snowbird]

Certainly in Washington and Oregon you can use Repeater Book to look at the repeaters. The program uses the build in GPS to sense which repeaters are close.

In my experience, many of these repeaters are connected together in trunk systems. I got into local chit chats while camping with my $50 Baofeng almost every night. The radios have a huge following, work very well, and are almost indestructible. VA7MDD

[TNRIVERSIDE]

Mandalay Parr wrote:
Repeater Book app will give you all the freqs.
Need a radio you know to listen.

Thanks. You answered my question. I was hoping that there was a way to monitor without the expense of a radio.

[RoyB]

Camping at ELKMONT in Smoky Mtn Natl Park is great with handheld... Local Gatlinburg Repeater located at Cave Cove on 146.850...

Roy Ken