Posted: 1/25/2013 6:58:41 AM EDT
|
Hey guys, I’m a totally clueless to HAM radio. I have no equipment or license yet.
My question is; what equipment would I need for a vehicle-mobile HAM radio setup with a range of 300miles? It doesn’t need to be hand-held, just something that I can power from 12v or with a car-powered inverter, and an antena that I could mount or deploy. Is it even possible? What kind of costs am I looking at? Basically the idea is to have everyone I’d be bugging out with and the BOL within radio range. This would be a great asset and give us a lot more flexibility when it comes to bugging in vs bugging out. But before we get to getting licenses and all that, I’m wondering if it’s even doable, and affordable. Your input is appreciated. Thanks. |
|
Quoted:
Yes it is doable. That being said thre are a lot of other factors like elevation, terrain, etc. I have an ICom IC7000 HF+2m+440 and with the right antenna and conditions I could talk around th world. You can chekc Ham Radio Outlet for latest pricing. Would I need anything with that? An antena I'm sure, anything else? An amplifier or something else to boost the transmit power since I'm running off the car battery? |
|
This gets discussed pretty frequently over in the Ham forum. You might ask the mods to move this thread over there... |
|
Quoted:
My question is; what equipment would I need for a vehicle-mobile HAM radio setup with a range of 300miles? It doesn’t need to be hand-held, just something that I can power from 12v or with a car-powered inverter, and an antena that I could mount or deploy. NVIS |
|
Don't change a thing –– the ham forum is an offshoot of SF. We'll understand where you're coming from completely. I'd guess a large majority of us on the ham forum got into it for preparedness reasons anyway.
Since this thread is still open at the moment though, I'll just say it's very possible, but you will really need to invest time (learning) and money into it. I would advise strongly against compiling a shopping list and buying now before you understand what's going on. Please know it's a "no free lunch" proposition though. In order to get reliable, free (airtime), no-infrastructure communications over 300 miles, you'll have to invest yourself a bit. Mobile VHF/UHF is easy-peasy, but mobile HF (or HF in general) is not elementary. A good elmer (ham-speak for mentor) in your area would get you up to speed quickly. If you're serious about learning, I'd be happy to talk through things on Skype one evening. |
|
Thanks a lot GlockTiger;
I’m trying to get my family and friends on board with this idea but I’m just the blind leading the blind at this point. I was hoping to get a basic understanding of the costs, capabilities, and time requirements involved so I could make the proposal to my group that we do this. Typically, I take the helm and others follow, as long as I don’t ask too much out of them. If the equipment costs and perhaps more importantly time requirements are too high on their part this probably wont work. If I can come up with a proposal that’s accepted, I would very much like to take you up on your offer. Thank you so much. |
|
Any basic 100 watt HF rig will do fine, Kenwood TS50 is a decent compact HF only unit.
ICOM 706 should work as well and adds VHF capability. The KEY elements to successful mobile HF operation are: 1) a GOOD commercial/ marineSSB grade antenna coupler, 2) VERY thorough GROUND PLANE- BONDING of sheet metal components on vehicle. 3) the longest possible radiator : at the bare minimum 102 inch steel whip. bigger IS better. NOTE: resonance is not necessary, a GOOD antenna coupler IS. |
|
Curious why you need a 300 mile range? Family? Obviously someone on the other side needs the same setup.
You will need an HF rig and you tech license along with a General license to do it legally. There are ways to use repeaters and what's called an IRLP via a computer. This can be done on 2 meter FM. If this is to be used during a SHTF situation, you are counting on a number of things being powered up and operating however. |
|
The range was determined by taking the furthest distance between 2 members of my group and the bug out locations, the doubling that range to account for the unforeseen, and less than optimal conditions.
The idea being that anyone in the group could contact anyone else over the entire range we operate in and then some. I do understand that we all need the gear. Once I figure out the cost / time issues I’ll propose the idea if it seems reasonable. I dont want to rely on repeaters outside of our control. But if it seems reasonable to install our own that might work. |
|
Quoted:
the doubling that range to account for the unforeseen That's not a good way to try to figure out your communications needs, and leads to counterproductive discussion and suggestions. Give us your realistic needs and we can suggest reasonable solutions. What's the typical ranges that need to be covered. What is the extreme that needs to be covered, from "BOL"? to other base stations and/or to mobiles. Don't fudge the numbers. Quoted:
I dont want to rely on repeaters outside of our control. But if it seems reasonable to install our own that might work. It's generally not reasonable to install your own, and generally unnecessary. If you find some existing repeater that is insufficiently reliable or whatever for your taste, you're far ahead of the game to work with the club or individual who owns the repeater to upgrade it rather than just striking out on your own. Unless you happen to be golfing pals with the CEO of a TV broadcasting company, radio station, or cell phone company executive  Then your problem is solved 
Parallel threads in survival and ham radio forums are confusing 
|
|
Ok actual required ranges:
2-way General Comm Range 23miles. Most of us are within a 23 mile range, double that to 46 miles at the two most extreme points. Its possible that communications could be manually relayed to the furthest points. After that general (home) range we have the BOLs: BOL A 130miles (most likely) BOL B 240miles (secondary) Perhaps it would make sense (incorporating info from the other post) to go Transmit only at the BOLs; as long as the general com range is covered |
| Communication beyond line of sight can ebecome more challenging. Radio Propagation differs on a daily basis. What I'm saying is you might not reliably be able to talk to the same locations every day. One day it might sound great, the next day you can't hear them. As mentioned NVIS ( a type of way to arrange you antenna) works pretty well for pretty reliable communication in the medium ranges. |
| 240 mile range may be harder to reach than 2,400 miles. It all depends on terrain, antennas and repeater availability (if using VHF or UHF). It's does not work like a cell phone. But you can make contacts 6000+ miles away with just a 12V battery powered radio and a wire antenna. Perhaps you need to study a little more about HAM radio before making an educated equipment purchase. |
|
OP, 23 miles can be a chip shot w/ VHF FM and good antennas/towers and/or repeaters. That's not a tough problem to solve. For your longer range stuff, here's my suggestion: Study and get your tech and general ticket (and might as well test for extra while you're at it). Cost: $15 + some studying. Next pick one of two paths, depending on your level of interest: Really into it: Go buy yourself an HF base station rig, and throw together a cheap wire antenna. You should be able to get on the air for $500 (see ham forum for details) Screw around w/ your rig and learn the bands, how they behave, propagation patterns, etc. Join in the weekly ARFCOM nets Depending on where you are in IL, I'm probable not far from your 230 mi desired range (SE IN). I'd be happy to help you on the air. Still wondering if it's worth the effort: Find your local HAM club In June, we have this thing called "field day", where all the geeks drag their gear out into the field for a 24-hour long emergency communications drill / contest. Find a local club and go visit them on field day. Most will talk your head off and explain / show you anything you want to know... It's a fun, entertaining, and mentally challenging hobby -- the utility of having communications capability notwithstanding. If you're so inclined, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. -Slice ETA: Read these two threads Ham Radio 101 Everything you wanted to know about HAM radio but were too confused to ask |
| Look here once you're ready to start installing equipment. It's the premier site for mobile radio installation and operation. |