After getting my Tech ticket back in August, I've tried a few of the super cheap handhelds. Bought my first "real" radio, an icom IC-2730 about a month ago off of QRZ and have been collecting the pieces and parts to install it. finally got it all programmed for our localish repeaters and hooked up this week. Still need to run the antenna through the back of the cab, for now the coax is running through the rear door with a chunk of rubber hose to protect it from pinching. Made some contacts to verify operation. Learned how Anderson Powerpole connectors work in the process. Head unit on the dash with the actual radio under the seat. Despite reports the fan noise on these is distraction, I can hardly hear it run when I key the mike. Outside of learning it's another hobby that's easy to spend money on, I'm having fun with it

IC 2730 by Brad Benzing, on Flickr

Is there a website or blog that
Would explain to us most are using them for?

Is it just for first responders?

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Is there a website or blog that
Would explain to us most are using them for?

Is it just for first responders?

This isn't a public safety radio. I use a department issued portable for that. We currently are on a VHF system fire/EMS but are moving to 800 MHz later this year.

Ham radio is for hobbyists. My Ham club does run an emergency net as an assist to emergency management. but this radio is mostly for social interactions with other Hams.

Get your General/Extra. It'lll open up a whole new world to you.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Get your General/Extra. It'lll open up a whole new world to you.

Working on General. My club does regular test sessions so when I think I'm ready, I'll test for it. Just what I need, more expensive radios.

Been doing GMRS locally and met some great people who of course have bullied me into getting my Tech, scheduled to test in 2 weeks. Looking forward to it.

quote:

Originally posted by Appliance Brad:

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Is there a website or blog that
Would explain to us most are using them for?

Is it just for first responders?

This isn't a public safety radio. I use a department issued portable for that. We currently are on a VHF system fire/EMS but are moving to 800 MHz later this year.

Ham radio is for hobbyists. My Ham club does run an emergency net as an assist to emergency management. but this radio is mostly for social interactions with other Hams.

Even if modded transmit in the public safety VHF band, it's outside the design specs and the power drops to almost nothing. The newer Phase 25 protocol made it incompatible with the freq splits.

Years back I ran the county RACES station . We set it up and had a fantastic repeater on top of a high rise apartment complex just outside of NYC. The range on five watts was great.

KC2IES.is still in operation running

75-meter SSB
2-meter FM
440 MHz FM (repeater freq).

Sadly the operation was set up in a large part due to Lt. Robert D. “Bob” Cirri Sr., KA2OTD. He is a SK on Sept. 11th, 2001 while serving with the NY/NJ Port Authority PD.

quote:

Originally posted by Appliance Brad:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Get your General/Extra. It'lll open up a whole new world to you.

Working on General. My club does regular test sessions so when I think I'm ready, I'll test for it. Just what I need, more expensive radios.

hamtestonline

It'll get you there. Of course, there's a whole lot more learning that needs to be done after, but just get the license and you're halfway there. I still recommend that you read through the ARRL books, but this'll get you where you want to be.

It ain't like the old days when you needed a PhD in EE to be an Extra and be able to send code at 20 WPM. Some of the old timers lament those days, but ... I think it's a good thing. (and I'm gettong close to 20WPM)

Only slightly related, but it reminded me of it...

the other night I was out somewhere and saw a near brand new car with a Wilson 1000 CB antenna on the roof.

I thought to myself, that's an odd sight in this day and age, especially on a new car. Then I thought, what's sadder, that in 2026 there's someone driving around in a new car with a Wilson-1000 on the roof.. or the fact that I knew it was a Wilson 1000?

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

It'll get you there. Of course, there's a whole lot more learning that needs to be done after, but just get the license and you're halfway there. I still recommend that you read through the ARRL books, but this'll get you where you want to be.

I got 50% on the General test after I passed Tech. High School electronics class was over 50 years ago, but I expect to have no problem passing the next time. The problem I'm having with Hamtest and other sites is that I want to know the "why and how' for the questions, not just memorize the correct answers and that is slowing me down a lot.

Cas, Hustler antennas were where it was at.

Congrats Brad.

Doing something very similar to my truck.

Installed a Yaesu FTM510DR with a dash mounted display and dash control head. My sticking point is the antenna and yesterday I installed a Diamond motor mount so I can raise and lower the antenna electrically to get it in and out my garage.

Hope to finish the wiring in Tuesday.

quote:

Originally posted by Appliance Brad:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

It'll get you there. Of course, there's a whole lot more learning that needs to be done after, but just get the license and you're halfway there. I still recommend that you read through the ARRL books, but this'll get you where you want to be.

I got 50% on the General test after I passed Tech. High School electronics class was over 50 years ago, but I expect to have no problem passing the next time. The problem I'm having with Hamtest and other sites is that I want to know the "why and how' for the questions, not just memorize the correct answers and that is slowing me down a lot.

Cas, Hustler antennas were where it was at.

Try Hamstudy.org, has great study guide where you can have answers explained as you test

I got my FCC license back in the 80s when I graduated electronics school. I think it was called a General Radio Operators License. We were told it would open certain career doors. It certainly did for me - though, I made a quick pivot as TCP/IP and Ethernet came in, somewhere in the 1990s.

Out of curiosity, does anyone here know if that thing is still any good? I recall vaguely the subject matter of the test, but not a single detailed specific.

quote:

Diamond motor mount

What antenna are you looking to install?

SPSHOOTER

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
I got my FCC license back in the 80s when I graduated electronics school. I think it was called a General Radio Operators License. We were told it would open certain career doors. It certainly did for me - though, I made a quick pivot as TCP/IP and Ethernet came in, somewhere in the 1990s.

Out of curiosity, does anyone here know if that thing is still any good? I recall vaguely the subject matter of the test, but not a single detailed specific.

That would be a General Radiotelephone Operator license and if I recall correctly, it's good for your lifetime.

Had fun on my club's Tuesday night net. Was able to hit both the 70 cm and 2m repeaters with no problem. They are about 25 miles from me. Sensitivity is much better and I could hear everyone(22 of us tonight) as well. I love it when a plan comes together.

That's great! If you have any interest in working various satellites and the ISS, take a look at the Arrow II satellite antenna. That and your Icom will make a good team for entering the satellite arena without breaking the bank.