Ham Radio

[Crabbypatty]

How many rvers are into Amateur Radio? Other than fun how usefull in your travels has it been?

[hotpepperkid]

I found an app for by phone called Repeater Book and it gives the repeaters with in 25 miles of your current location. You can change the distance to more miles. I have found in the flat lands like KS, MO, IA, ect that 25 miles is more than enough

[loggenrock]

Like hotpepperkid I have my call and 146.52 on the back of the van - also think I've had 3 or 4 calls in 90k miles on the road! Oh well... I do tend to venture into areas with poor/no cell coverage. I carry a roll-up J-pole antenna with maybe 20' of coax - toss a rope up over a treebranch and hoist the antenna - REALLY boosts the signal! Don't spend much time on the air when travelling, but nice to know I have a means to communicate if necessary. ST

[Muddydogs]

I really wanted to get into HAM, purchased a handheld and took the general test. Messed around with it for a few months and finally decided it wasn't worth the money, not sure what I was expecting but I just didn't find that setting around listening to other people’s medical problems, checking into some net or the weather all that interesting.
I will keep what I have and mess around with it from time to time to keep familiar with the equipment as I think in a big disaster type event the HAM would be a great tool.
As far as remote camping there are way better alternatives to keep in touch or use for emergency needs. The best but most expensive would be a satellite phone, a cheaper alternative is the In-Reach as one can also send text messages with the unit and for low cost the SPOT locator beacon works well.

[Crabbypatty]

I have begun studying and will eventually go for the tests. Tech and General first then off to extra. My thoughts are that its something I always wanted to do, safety while dry camping, and for emergency communications. We had two years will hurricanes that knocked out power and communications. Super Storm Sandy was a little scary as without power and gasoline shortages, it was starting to get a little nasty here on LI.

Well I ordered an inexpensive Baofung HT as my first radio and will start listening until I get my ticket. Then it will take a little time to figure out what radio to get. Something that would work will at the house, the car and the TT. Should I need to move it around.

What kind of antennaes do you guys use on your rigs?

Thanks

[N7GLD]

I have a Tarheel II on the ladder of our 5er. Stay mostly on 75 meters but do get on most every evening... unless the Oregon Ducks are playing football!

[w4phj]

I'm on 7.153 every morning at 0800 with the Treasure Coasters Net whether home or camping.

I've had great 2 meter conversations while driving my RV.

[hotpepperkid]

I have my call and 146.52 on the back of my 5er and over the years I think I have gotten all of 3 calls. Sometimes I will get on HF while driving. I found an app for my phone called Repeater Book and it will give you repeaters at your current location. Another app called Ham Radio Tools which gives you a simple log book, band limits, formulas and a calculator, both are free.

[wm5e]

I've been a ham since the 70's and love both ham radio and RVing. I"m WM5E and active on most all bands. We're upgrading the TT to a FW and I'm looking forward to some better antenna options!

[Mandalay_Parr]

I'm a recent Ham. Just love the sport.
Also have it for emergencies of all sorts.

[n7bsn]

I've been licensed since 1970
I've been camping even longer.
We've have an RV since 1990.
She has been licensed since about 1990.
In the pre-cellphone days, We always hauled a 2M along, even had a strap-on antenna for tent. We had 2M in all the vehicles, and in the RV. Hauled 2M
talkie's along to keep in touch.

Since cell-phones and wifi really took off, we haven't had either a 2M in any vehicle.

[RoyB]

About the same here when driving... I like to check in with my ham friends back here at home when on the road... Used to use my ham mobile radios for police scanners but now most agencies have gone to digital radio so not much to listen to anymore with older type scanners...

ALways like to check in with other areas when they are on WX alerts etc...

I have full coverage with my ham setup running HF with both screwdriver HF antenna plus off-center dipole up on easy up 20-foot pole. Also have VHF/UHF ops as well.

Roy Ken

[Tom_N]

I don't use it when driving but I did win a couple contests, from FL, a winter or two ago.

-Tom, W3TLN

[wa8yxm]

http://www.openroadsradio.net/

You will find quite a few of us out here 🙂

I was first licensed back about 1968
Then I upgraded in 2006
Now an Extra

[karthuntr]

I'm a HAM but I only use it for caving events. I am making a trip to Disney this weekend and I was thinking about putting freq and call sign on the TT bumper.