Posted: 10/9/2013 4:07:36 PM EDT
|
I know, I know - Another first radio question?!
Like many of you, I've been looking into ham radio as a method of communication for SHTF scenario. I've looked around and found some good information, however, I was hoping you all could help me out by pointing me in the direction of a decent handheld radio. My only real criteria is that I'd like it to be rugged and preferably waterproof. I'd like to spend no more than 400. I also have a few questions: I'm in the military and am familiar with electromagnetic spectrum. HF, VHF, UFH etc is in my daily vocabulary, but I've never heard anyone use meters or centimeters. Are these wavelengths? I've seen lots of ham radio operator test study guides, but is there a best one or one that you've used and had good results with? What are the most important things to look for when buying radios? |
|
Get the ARRL (www.arrl.org) guide. It covers more than just the answers to the questions.
If you're thinking about VHF/UHF, most communications beyond a few miles is through repeaters. They'll probably go down pretty quickly when the zombie apocalypse starts. This website will probably answer most of your questions in depth. |
|
https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com
It worked for Me...and cost the same as the ARRL book..YMMV My first HT was the Wouxun, it cost me $120...this was before the $35 Baofengs 
If it were me, and I had $400 to spend...I'd buy the Kenwood TF-H6A It has a WIDE band receive and 3 bands a tech can operate in.... Welcome in and Thx for your service! |
|
There are lots of questions to answer. what do you expect? shft comms with who? are you going for general or just a technician license?
I have done plenty of military comms. I have been to IROC and AROC as well as years of 'field' experience, all that was worth nothing after a year into amateur radio. Its evident by the fact we think a 30-512MHz antenna is effective plus other misconceptions. look over the threads tacked above namely ham radio 101 and all you wanted to know about vhf uhf. when you get a little overwhelmed look at the emcomm box thread for motivation. |
|
Quoted: I know, I know - Another first radio question?! Like many of you, I've been looking into ham radio as a method of communication for SHTF scenario. I've looked around and found some good information, however, I was hoping you all could help me out by pointing me in the direction of a decent handheld radio. My only real criteria is that I'd like it to be rugged and preferably waterproof. I'd like to spend no more than 400. I also have a few questions: I'm in the military and am familiar with electromagnetic spectrum. HF, VHF, UFH etc is in my daily vocabulary, but I've never heard anyone use meters or centimeters. Are these wavelengths? I've seen lots of ham radio operator test study guides, but is there a best one or one that you've used and had good results with? What are the most important things to look for when buying radios? You have quite an array of options with the $400 price you have set. You can get a really nice YAESU that is submersible as well as some Kenwood models and ICOMS in that range. 100% stay away from cheap Chinese imports. gigaparts.com has a nice selection to pick from. |
|
Quoted:
I'm in the military and am familiar with electromagnetic spectrum. HF, VHF, UFH etc is in my daily vocabulary, but I've never heard anyone use meters or centimeters. Are these wavelengths? It is important to know wavelength when making antennas, computing lengths, etc. Wavelength is the inverse of frequency, that is, the higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength. For the ham bands: 3.5-4.0 mhz - commonly referred to as the 80 meter band, though more accurately, 3.5-3.7 is 80 meters, and 3.8-4.0 is more accurately referred to as 75 meters. 75 m is the General Class phone band. Convention here is Lower Side Band (LSB) in the phone portion. 5 mhz - 60 meters. There are five specific frequencies, Upper Side Band (USB), 50 watts, that may be used by hams in this band. 7.000-7.300 mhz - 40 meters. Convention here is LSB in the phone portion of the band. 10.100 - 10.150 mhz - 30 meters. Digital or CW only, 200 w max. 14.000 - 14.350 mhz - 20 meters. By convention, Upper Side Band (USB) in the phone portion. 18.068 - 18.168 mhz - 17 meters. USB in phone portion. 21.000 - 21.450 mhz - 15 meters. USB in phone portion. 24.890 - 24.990 mhz - 12 meters. USB in phone portion. 28.000 - 29.700 mhz - 10 meters. USB and FM in phone portion. 50.000 - 54.000 mhz - 6 meters. USB and FM in phone portion. And more. |
|
Quoted:
https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com It worked for Me...and cost the same as the ARRL book..YMMV My first HT was the Wouxun, it cost me $120...this was before the $35 Baofengs
If it were me, and I had $400 to spend...I'd buy the Kenwood TF-H6A It has a WIDE band receive and 3 bands a tech can operate in.... Welcome in and Thx for your service! +1 on the https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com. I'm currently using it studying for my General, I'm very pleased with the way the information is presented. The radio SCWolverine is recommending is a triband radio, 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm. From what I understand these are the most commonly used VHF/UHF bands. |
|
Quoted:
+1 on the https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com. I'm currently using it studying for my General, I'm very pleased with the way the information is presented. The radio SCWolverine is recommending is a triband radio, 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm. From what I understand these are the most commonly used VHF/UHF bands. Quoted:
Quoted:
https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com It worked for Me...and cost the same as the ARRL book..YMMV My first HT was the Wouxun, it cost me $120...this was before the $35 Baofengs
If it were me, and I had $400 to spend...I'd buy the Kenwood TF-H6A It has a WIDE band receive and 3 bands a tech can operate in.... Welcome in and Thx for your service! +1 on the https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com. I'm currently using it studying for my General, I'm very pleased with the way the information is presented. The radio SCWolverine is recommending is a triband radio, 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm. From what I understand these are the most commonly used VHF/UHF bands. For a free version, check out http://www.hamexam.org/ |