What are some good frequencies to program.

[WSAA635]

Just passed my Tech License test, now I need to set up a couple of my radios for HAM use. With GMRS it was easy, 22 channels plus 8 Repeaters. I add MURS and I've got all the channels I'd want to talk on.

What are some common/popular channels to program into an HT for 2M/1.25M(yes, I know it's not used much but I'd still like them just in case)and 70cm that I should have? 

[UncleYoda]

146.520 2m National Calling Frequency (simplex)

446.000 70cm National Calling Frequency (simplex)

For repeaters in your area, you have to listen and/or look them up (one good site I'm not sure if OK to post here).

You should also find the band plan for your region (I only use Southeast.)

And search for ham clubs in your area.

There's a lot of info to get you started at arrl.org

[WRYZ926]

Repeater Book is a good place to look for local repeaters in your area.

[BoxCar]

17 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

Repeater Book is a good place to look for local repeaters in your area.

But you need your call sign before using the site. You can use the ARRL website to find local clubs and they often list repeaters and nets on their sites as well.

[WSEZ903]

If you are in Phoenix, I gather you are as you posted about Shaw being down, there are tons of 70 cm repeaters in the county.  I think like 237 statewide.  Another 1oo plus in  2m.  If you want to dip your toes in Digital, there are a lot of "System Fusion" repeaters in the area.

 

KM7BQP/WSEZ903

[BoxCar]

There are 9 DMR repeaters in the area also.

[WSAA635]

I went on Repeaterbook and wow, I've never seen so many Repeaters.  I just when with the ones on my side of town that I think I might be able to reach and so far I have 6/2M, 2/1.25M and 4/70cm(I could have gotten more but only wanted my list on one sheet of paper) but there's dozens, especially 70cm.  Way more than we've got with GMRS.  I have a 2M, 144.200 SSB National Calling, can my "normal" radio do the SSB stuff? Anyway, looks like more to learn just like when I first jumped into GMRS a year ago. 

[WRYZ926]

1 hour ago, BoxCar said:

But you need your call sign before using the site. You can use the ARRL website to find local clubs and they often list repeaters and nets on their sites as well.

No you don't. Anyone can look up repeaters without having to log in or have a call sign. You only need a call sign if you manage a listed repeater.

[WRYZ926]

41 minutes ago, WSAA635 said:

I went on Repeaterbook and wow, I've never seen so many Repeaters.  I just when with the ones on my side of town that I think I might be able to reach and so far I have 6/2M, 2/1.25M and 4/70cm(I could have gotten more but only wanted my list on one sheet of paper) but there's dozens, especially 70cm.  Way more than we've got with GMRS.  I have a 2M, 144.200 SSB National Calling, can my "normal" radio do the SSB stuff? Anyway, looks like more to learn just like when I first jumped into GMRS a year ago. 

I am not aware of any mobile VHF/UHF radios that have SSB capabilities. You would have to get an all band/all mode radio AKA "shack in the box" that does HF, VHF, and UHF to get SSB capabilities on VHF/UHF. The other option is the Icom IC-9700 VHF/UHF all mode base radio but that is expensive.

I would love to use 2m SSB but I don't need or want a shack in the box radio as I already have 4 HF radios as it is. And I can't afford the Icom IC-9700 at $1900.00

[WSAA635]

Ahh, so I'll take the SSB channel off.  

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, WRYZ926 said:

No you don't. Anyone can look up repeaters without having to log in or have a call sign. You only need a call sign if you manage a listed repeater.

And if he needed to he could create a Repeaterbook account using his GMRS call sign. 

[Lscott]

16 hours ago, WSAA635 said:

I went on Repeaterbook and wow, I've never seen so many Repeaters.  I just when with the ones on my side of town that I think I might be able to reach and so far I have 6/2M, 2/1.25M and 4/70cm(I could have gotten more but only wanted my list on one sheet of paper) but there's dozens, especially 70cm.  Way more than we've got with GMRS.  I have a 2M, 144.200 SSB National Calling, can my "normal" radio do the SSB stuff? Anyway, looks like more to learn just like when I first jumped into GMRS a year ago. 

Using anything other than FM on VHF/UHF is sort of a specialty, including digital voice.

Most of your digital voice operations you'll typically find on UHF, normally the 70cm band. There is some on the 33cm band but it's done almost exclusively with new/used commercial radios. There is some activity on VHF. 

Other modes, like SSB can be found on VHF and UHF by a small number of stations. Where it really explodes is on the 6M band during an opening. The SSB section of the band goes from nearly DEAD to wall-to-wall signals at that time. You also might find the occasional AM station on 6M too.  

The 1.25M band is a bit spotty. It can see significant use in some areas and almost nothing in others. There aren't too many radios with 1.25M TX/RX. Before investing in expensive equipment for that band do some monitoring and see what the local activity level is like. If 2M and 70cm is crowded in your area then the 1.25M band might be attractive if you prefer talking to a group of friends and don't want to hunt around for an open frequency/repeater to use all the time. Some also claim 1.25M has the propagation characteristics of 2M and 70cm making it a good choice when indoors or outside. 

[WSAA635]

All of the radios I'm using have 1.25M RX/TX and I have a couple 1.25M Repeaters in my programming list.

One radio I'm looking at will do HF with 6M on the standard antenna. 

[UncleYoda]

1.25 is useful in and around some cities but not here.  For me, it would be a less monitored frequency to use for local comms (like walkie talkie use).  The comments I hear about 6m aren't very favorable.  Same for 10m except when they get excited over band openings.

[SteveShannon]

39 minutes ago, WSAA635 said:

One radio I'm looking at will do HF with 6M on the standard antenna. 

I’m not sure if you meant that 6 meters is HF. 
Although most (all perhaps) HF radios include 6 meters, 6 meters is technically VHF. 
HF is 3 MHz to 30 MHz 

VHF is 30 MHz to 300 MHz 

UHF is 300 MHz to 3000 MHz (3 GHz)

[Jaay]

With our state of Readiness in question, and our Russian Agitators I've been listening to the HFGCS for some years now.  The High Frequency  Global Communications System operates 7 main Nets in the hf spectrum on ; 4724 khz. 6712 khz. 6739 khz. 8992 khz. 11,175 khz. 13,200 khz. and 15,016khz. All on USB.  Granted, the cyphered transmissions won't tell you much, but Frequent transmissions in a 24 hour period will alert you to things popping off. 

[WSAA635]

Here's a list of what I've gotten so far. I'm still having trouble with Repeater Off Sets but I think I've got it right. The listed frequency is the RX and you use the Off Set for your TX Frequency, correct? 

HAM Channels.

[WRYS709]

18 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I would love to use 2m SSB but I don't need or want a shack in the box radio as I already have 4 HF radios as it is. And I can't afford the Icom IC-9700 at $1900.00

I specifically purchased the Quansheng UV-K5(8) and flashed the IJV3 firmware so that I now have a 5 watt HT that can communicate with 2 meter SSB for $20.

I made a 65 mile QSO with my 5/8ths telescoping antenna. 

[WRYS709]

57 minutes ago, WSAA635 said:

Here's a list of what I've gotten so far…

Doesn’t Bridgecom offer a codeplug that is a massive database of interesting frequencies!?

[BoxCar]

Bridgecomm's code plug isn't good for much more than connecting to their hotspot. It has no repeater channels but local to them IIRC. Other than as a starting point, it isn't worth anything as virtually the entire plug is copied from places like Brandmeister and RadioID. "

[WRYZ926]

2 hours ago, WRYS709 said:

I specifically purchased the Quansheng UV-K5(8) and flashed the IJV3 firmware so that I now have a 5 watt HT that can communicate with 2 meter SSB for $20.

I made a 65 mile QSO with my 5/8ths telescoping antenna. 

I have the same radio and the same firmware installed. It does not work as a true single side band mode. It works in double side band mode. single side band is either upper or lower side band of the tiled frequency. Double side band uses both upper and lower side band.

I've used the Quansheng on DSB mode and while it does wok, it is not the same as a radio with true single side band.

[WRYS709]

3 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I have the same radio and the same firmware installed. It does not work as a true single side band mode. It works in double side band mode. single side band is either upper or lower side band of the tiled frequency. Double side band uses both upper and lower side band.

I've used the Quansheng on DSB mode and while it does wok, it is not the same as a radio with true single side band.

What’s your point?!?

The OP suggested SSB on 2 meters and you suggested a $1,900 Icom. 

I pointed out I make QSOs with 2 meter SSB stations at 5 watts HT for $20 and you are nit picking about DSB vs SSB  

Do you get a commission from Icom?!?

[WRYZ926]

56 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

What’s your point?!?

The OP suggested SSB on 2 meters and you suggested a $1,900 Icom. 

I pointed out I make QSOs with 2 meter SSB stations at 5 watts HT for $20 and you are nit picking about DSB vs SSB  

Do you get a commission from Icom?!?

No I do not get a commission from Icom or anyone else. The Icom IC-9700 IS the only new VHF/UHF radio available on the market that works on all modes. The only other options are to buy a shack in the box all band/all mode radio or search for a used all band/all mode radio.

The issues with using a hand held for side band is the fact that most people using 2m SSSB will be using horizontally polarized antennas while HT antennas are vertically polarized. And this does make a big difference. You can get anywhere between a 15 to 40 dB loss when one person is using a vertical antenna and the other person is using a horizontal antenna. The signal loss will affect how well you hear the other person and also how far you can reach.

Another issue is with using double side band. Most people using side band on 2m are going to be using upper side band only. You are splitting your single on both upper and lower side band with the Quansheng. This does have an effect on signal strength.

Again I do have a Quansheng and have used it on DSB. But the difference in antenna polarization definitely hinders things.

[WRYS709]

12 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

Again I do have a Quansheng and have used it on DSB. But the difference in antenna polarization definitely hinders things.

What about 65 miles on my HT at 5 watts to a SSB station doesn’t work for you?!?  It works for me!!

OMG: I have an 80-6 meter vertical: all these years communicating with Hams with beams - my whole amateur radio career is trash!!!

Geesh!! Let the OP live a little on 2 meters talking to SSB stations. He told you he can’t afford the Icom…