SteveShannon Posted October 30, 2023 Report Share Posted October 30, 2023 On 10/28/2023 at 11:38 AM, Tiercel said: Thanks SShannon, I responded to your message. I appreciate the offer. WRUI365 - I don't totally understand what I am looking at but it was interesting to change the time and extent of the tails to see the movement of what must be GPS tracking. APRS is a way of communicating information using packets. The most common information transmitted using APRS is location, but it can also include weather or text messages. There is a whole unofficial network of radios called digipeaters (digital repeaters) that share all of that information so it can be seen using the website APRS.fi, but if you have an APRS capable radio you can receive the information locally as well. People flying large high power rockets or high altitude balloons use tiny little APRS transmitters tucked away in their payloads so they can get them back. When my ham radio club provides logistical support for a local fundraising bike ride, many of us use handheld radios that allow us to communicate by voice on one frequency while transmitting our location on the APRS frequency. That allows our “base” to see all the moving pieces on a map on a computer screen. If you search for AI7KS in APRS.fi you may see traces for AI7KS-7 or AI7KS-8, depending on which one of my APRS radios I am carrying (assuming I remember to turn on APRS.) Tiercel, AdmiralCochrane and WRXB215 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiercel Posted October 30, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2023 18 hours ago, gortex2 said: And on ham you can use DMR, P25, Fusion, IDAS etc..... That you can't use on GMRS I did learn one thing from this post. You know a lot more than I do. I remind everyone that I have had a GMRS radio for a week. I have not even completed the study for my Ham test. If your answers wouldn't make any sense to the random guy on the street, then they won't make sense to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcspaz Posted October 30, 2023 Report Share Posted October 30, 2023 3 hours ago, back4more70 said: Where can I find these? They sound great for search and rescue use or event communications. That'd typically what I use mine for. They are available from Ham Radio Outlet, DX Engineering, and companies like them. Common brands are Yaesu, iCom, Anytone, etc. back4more70, Bisquit4407 and AdmiralCochrane 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonolvey Posted November 13, 2023 Report Share Posted November 13, 2023 With a little Google research you should be able to find an amateur radio club in your area most people in these clubs are more than willing to show you there radio's and answer as many questions as they can . And please remember if everybody like the same thing Walmart would constantly be sold out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lscott Posted November 13, 2023 Report Share Posted November 13, 2023 On 10/30/2023 at 10:26 AM, Tiercel said: I remind everyone that I have had a GMRS radio for a week. I have not even completed the study for my Ham test. If your answers wouldn't make any sense to the random guy on the street, then they won't make sense to me. It's like any other hobby specific area. They all have their funny jargon. After you're in it a bit you'll pick it up quick enough. Remember just one thing, DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS! That's how you learn. WRYZ926, Tiercel, Bisquit4407 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamdaj Posted December 19, 2023 Report Share Posted December 19, 2023 Comparing services in UHF HAM vs GMRS. Both services have their pros and cons, but each service gets the same job done. True an Amateur Radio Licenses only authorizes the person who passed his or her exam and GMRS licenses authorizes the entire Family. A CB would do just about the same as GMRS on simplex and even about the same with the audio quality, now that FM is legal on 11m Band. In a real SHTF, the majority of GMRS repeaters, like Ham repeaters will be down or in service for BUCC, with the Local ARES or CERT groups. So, using any repeater, whether Amateur or GMRS will be like trying use a Landline or Cellular. SteveShannon and gortex2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRQC527 Posted December 19, 2023 Report Share Posted December 19, 2023 2 hours ago, Adamdaj said: In a real SHTF, the majority of GMRS repeaters, like Ham repeaters will be down or in service for BUCC, with the Local ARES or CERT groups. If the S really does HTF, I'll be using my repeater to transmit AC/DC Highway To Hell on an endless loop. Like the guys on Titanic who played while the ship sank. Only edgier. WRUU653 and GreggInFL 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRUL474 Posted December 24, 2023 Report Share Posted December 24, 2023 On 12/19/2023 at 5:10 PM, WRQC527 said: If the S really does HTF, I'll be using my repeater to transmit AC/DC Highway To Hell on an endless loop. Like the guys on Titanic who played while the ship sank. Only edgier. When all is quiet will you switch it up to Sound of Silence? WRUU653 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRYS709 Posted December 24, 2023 Report Share Posted December 24, 2023 43 minutes ago, WRUL474 said: When all is quiet will you switch it up to Sound of Silence? When you add Garfunkle, it becomes SoundS of Silence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRUU653 Posted December 24, 2023 Report Share Posted December 24, 2023 4 hours ago, WRUL474 said: When all is quiet will you switch it up to Sound of Silence Radio Nowhere, Springsteen SteveShannon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PugetSounder Posted February 15 Report Share Posted February 15 You may already know this but here goes: A cheap SDR will give you the ability to see what's out there on HF, VHF, UHF, slow scan TV, track satellites, listen to the space station etc. Additionally, you can listen to international shortwave broadcasts, pirate and spy stations. Listening to active NETS is super easy. -There is a lot more but it's TLDR. You can program in all of the active frequencies within your antennas reach and use a scanner plug-in to monitor traffic. People get into the radio hobby for different reasons. I personally like to listen mostly. I humbly advise that if you want to be a HAM, check the radio bands chart and then use the cheap SDR to monitor the allowed bands that you are shooting for. This will give you a realistic idea of what is going on out there and help you decide if you would like to spend time and $$ to get in on it. WRHS218 and SteveShannon 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveShannon Posted February 15 Report Share Posted February 15 54 minutes ago, PugetSounder said: You may already know this but here goes: A cheap SDR will give you the ability to see what's out there on HF, VHF, UHF, slow scan TV, track satellites, listen to the space station etc. Additionally, you can listen to international shortwave broadcasts, pirate and spy stations. Listening to active NETS is super easy. -There is a lot more but it's TLDR. You can program in all of the active frequencies within your antennas reach and use a scanner plug-in to monitor traffic. People get into the radio hobby for different reasons. I personally like to listen mostly. I humbly advise that if you want to be a HAM, check the radio bands chart and then use the cheap SDR to monitor the allowed bands that you are shooting for. This will give you a realistic idea of what is going on out there and help you decide if you would like to spend time and $$ to get in on it. Great advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSBW539 Posted May 10 Report Share Posted May 10 On 2/14/2024 at 8:54 PM, Sshannon said: Great advice! Thanks makes sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidphc Posted May 10 Report Share Posted May 10 Thanks makes senseSide benefits, which I found useful. I was able to find signals easier, adjust bandwidth (figuring them out), and identify different modulation types via the visual signature. It also helped when signals were out of frequencies in normal us amateur bands. Due differencent in ITU regions and government band plans.Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRDJ205 Posted May 11 Report Share Posted May 11 On 2/14/2024 at 7:59 PM, PugetSounder said: A cheap SDR will give you the ability to see what's out there on HF, VHF, UHF, slow scan TV, track satellites, listen to the space station etc. I’m all in!! Can you give us an example? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffRoaderX Posted May 11 Report Share Posted May 11 3 minutes ago, WRDJ205 said: I’m all in!! Can you give us an example? This link has all the info: https://gprivate.com/6b4um Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRDJ205 Posted May 11 Report Share Posted May 11 9 hours ago, OffRoaderX said: This link has all the info: https://gprivate.com/6b4um Wanted specifics, maybe a model which has worked well or did not. That’s the reason many people are on this site. That’s why many people go to your YouTube for valuable information. That response was not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidphc Posted May 11 Report Share Posted May 11 They all work decently. Even the Rtlsdr off of Amazon, usually to $20-40.It is usually what I buy for friends (usually with a minimum with rabbit ears. Then tell them to look at the different consoles (software) to find what they like. Each console has a different feel and some are way more technical.Don't get caught up in to many of the recommendations. Nor the the technical like lna's, bias tees and long wires off the jump.It has a lot to learn. But first get your hands on a cheaper unit like an rtlsdr. I had a generic one (silver one) and it looks like Amazon is full of the Nolecs now adays.Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk WSBW539 and WRDJ205 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcspaz Posted May 11 Report Share Posted May 11 19 hours ago, OffRoaderX said: This link has all the info: https://gprivate.com/6b4um Is it bad if I turned the volume down on my phone before I clicked on the link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRQC527 Posted May 11 Report Share Posted May 11 1 hour ago, marcspaz said: Is it bad if I turned the volume down on my phone before I clicked on the link? I thought it might be malware but I clicked anyway. So far nothing bad happened, but sometimes these things unleash later. marcspaz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamdaj Posted August 6 Report Share Posted August 6 Since it seems that no one mobile transceiver will cover both HF and UHF it has me wondering what band of Ham unit I would get. It seems to me that long-range HF is the fun stuff of Ham radio. I am having trouble seeing what Ham UHF, has over GMRS. Oviously GMRS has the advantage of talking with my family on outings, emergencies, and just routinely. It seems to have similar range in HTs and mobile units. You're right, you won't see an HF/ UHF only mobile radios. As far as the 70cm / 440 Band, there's really not much of a difference except power output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveShannon Posted August 7 Report Share Posted August 7 2 hours ago, Adamdaj said: Since it seems that no one mobile transceiver will cover both HF and UHF it has me wondering what band of Ham unit I would get. It seems to me that long-range HF is the fun stuff of Ham radio. I am having trouble seeing what Ham UHF, has over GMRS. Oviously GMRS has the advantage of talking with my family on outings, emergencies, and just routinely. It seems to have similar range in HTs and mobile units. You're right, you won't see an HF/ UHF only mobile radios. As far as the 70cm / 440 Band, there's really not much of a difference except power output. The Icom IC-7100 is available. It’s HF, VHF, and UHF, a mobile transceiver, and probably can be unlocked for GMRS. Of course there’s the IC-705 which is a portable radio that does HF, VHF, and UHF. If you don’t mind used there are a few really nice older radios like IC-706MkIIG and the Yaesu FT-857D that are mobile and do HF, VHF, and UHF. All the radios I listed above except the ic-705 are 100 watts on HF, and about half that on VHF, a little less on UHF. Plus you can do SSB on them. A little bigger radio is the FT-991A, which still isn’t huge, but does all modes and all bands. WRUU653 and marcspaz 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRUU653 Posted August 7 Report Share Posted August 7 3 hours ago, Adamdaj said: I am having trouble seeing what Ham UHF, has over GMRS Many more repeaters and simplex frequencies would be the biggest difference I can think of. SteveShannon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveShannon Posted August 7 Report Share Posted August 7 10 minutes ago, WRUU653 said: Many more repeaters and simplex frequencies would be the biggest difference I can think of. And digital modes, and no hand wringing over whether repeaters may be linked, and up to 1500 watts of power (not that anyone would) and many times as many users. WRUU653 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRUU653 Posted August 7 Report Share Posted August 7 17 minutes ago, SteveShannon said: And digital modes, and no hand wringing over whether repeaters may be linked, and up to 1500 watts of power (not that anyone would) and many times as many users. Yeah a built in community for sure. And cross band repeater capabilities… SteveShannon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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