Radio question

68 replies to this topic
  • johnnyairtime

Posted 02 November 2009 - 04:15 PM

#41

luissuperdog said:

I guess that radio does not cover VHF race frecuencies. What do you like for race radios???

PowerCell said:

I use a VHF 6550 in analog for race freqs. It has the most sensative front end of any receiver I've ever seen... crisp audio for miles past every other radio out there.


Holy Cow... thats no cheap radio! Starting about $600 and up to $1000!! :crazy:

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  • PowerCell

Posted 02 November 2009 - 04:18 PM

#42

johnnyairtime said:

Holy Cow... thats no cheap radio! Starting about $600 and up to $1000!! :crazy:

You're right, it's not cheap. And fortunately it's not too expensive either...

  • amazing ricardo

Posted 02 November 2009 - 06:03 PM

#43

johnnyairtime said:

sumpin' simple... A 2M NMO hard mount, stainless whip - trimmed down 4" for best results (And I carry a magnet mount for using it with a portable or other mobile)

Base looks like this;


Cable and mount like this;

JJ... that looks like the same setup i have.. purchased and recommended by HRO...

..admittedly... i don't know much about radios.. but i do know there is such a thing as a "tuned antenna"..

can you give me some more info on your antenna... i.e. such as length of whip? and is this optimized for the race frequency bands? or all 2M bands?...

:banghead:

  • johnnyairtime

Posted 02 November 2009 - 07:08 PM

#44

amazing ricardo said:

JJ... that looks like the same setup i have.. purchased and recommended by HRO...

..admittedly... i don't know much about radios.. but i do know there is such a thing as a "tuned antenna"..

can you give me some more info on your antenna... i.e. such as length of whip? and is this optimized for the race frequency bands? or all 2M bands?...

:banghead:

Correcto'mundo....

From the standard length 2M whip (39" I think), it's "normal" to cut 4" off for the upper bands. It's not "tuned" per say, but gets better results for 150.000 and up to 160.000 .... if ya want perfect, you have to 'tune' it with a SWR meter and account for loss in the cable run. However, "tuners" for 2M is far and few between and rarely needed. It's also a science I'm not too familiar with when it gets into impedance and all kinds of other star-trek blah blah.... :D So to answer your questions; 1- Length of whip uncut should be 39", cut it down to 35" for best "race" results. 2- Yes, it's optimized for race freqs. 3- No, ham bands like it at 39" as it's optimum range is 144.000 to 148.000, but will work up to 174.000 (with loss).

  • amazing ricardo

Posted 02 November 2009 - 07:33 PM

#45

THANKS.... that is exactly what i wanted to know...:thumbsup:

  • walshdanielm1965

Posted 02 November 2009 - 09:07 PM

#46

johnnyairtime said:

Correcto'mundo....

From the standard length 2M whip (39" I think), it's "normal" to cut 4" off for the upper bands. It's not "tuned" per say, but gets better results for 150.000 and up to 160.000 .... if ya want perfect, you have to 'tune' it with a SWR meter and account for loss in the cable run. However, "tuners" for 2M is far and few between and rarely needed. It's also a science I'm not too familiar with when it gets into impedance and all kinds of other star-trek blah blah.... :D So to answer your questions; 1- Length of whip uncut should be 39", cut it down to 35" for best "race" results. 2- Yes, it's optimized for race freqs. 3- No, ham bands like it at 39" as it's optimum range is 144.000 to 148.000, but will work up to 174.000 (with loss).
I have always said you are a nerd......:p
you just prove me right all the time.......:thumbsup:

  • Danger Dave

Posted 02 November 2009 - 10:06 PM

#47

I got lost on the third page, so what are the odds that Gary will find someone to talk to that will understand his accent?

  • gdbarr1976

Posted 03 November 2009 - 07:16 AM

#48

Danger Dave said:

I got lost on the third page, so what are the odds that Gary will find someone to talk to that will understand his accent?


Ya'll are the ones that talk funny:banana:

  • MMotohead

Posted 05 November 2009 - 05:37 PM

#49

For exploring in the desert with my 3 boys, would I simply go buy 4
IC-V8s? I probably would mount them on the front chest with an earpiece. Good? Bad? - Input please.

  • johnnyairtime

Posted 05 November 2009 - 06:01 PM

#50

MMotohead said:

For exploring in the desert with my 3 boys, would I simply go buy 4
IC-V8s? I probably would mount them on the front chest with an earpiece. Good? Bad? - Input please.

even better... go buy used VX-170s, or new FT-270s (Yaesu - more durable then the IC-V8) and buy the lapel mic. It serves as a microphone and speaker, that you can mount up by your helmet on your shoulder somewhere... cop style.

I've done it in emerg. situations and it worked (just) okay, compared to a $200 headset.

  • MX813

Posted 06 November 2009 - 01:28 PM

#51

I have been following this thread with great interest in regards to outfitting my club with better quality radios for internal usage.

We currently use basic radios that everyone else and their grandma uses. These have limitations such as: too many people on the channel and poor reception.

Every year, we put on one of the largest races in the PNW, drawing up to 4000 spectators, 2400 poker runners and 900 racers. Covering this in terms of being a sweep rider takes a lot of work. I was wondering what set-up you might recommend for 10-12 radios and what their range? Like Baja, there are a lot of valleys, draws, etc... that can interfere with reception. There is a local HAM group that comes in for the weekend and camps out at the checkpoints so they can help relay info, but....looking for sweep riders to be able to do this as well on the run. We always run in pairs so in the past, a rider would go to the top of a hill while 2nd person stays with down rider or whatever the case is.

Any thoughts/ideas?

  • PowerCell

Posted 06 November 2009 - 01:31 PM

#52

MX813 said:

I have been following this thread with great interest in regards to outfitting my club with better quality radios for internal usage...


You require business band radios. I suggest just renting radios for your events. Approx $10 per radio per day...

  • MX813

Posted 06 November 2009 - 01:58 PM

#53

PowerCell said:

You require business band radios. I suggest just renting radios for your events. Approx $10 per radio per day...

Not sure what a business band radio is? Is that similar to the Icoms we use in public schools to connect office staff with janitors, principal, etc...

Is there a requirement to purchase this type of equipment? We hold many events each year, with the aforementioned one being the largest so...renting would not make sense if we used radios multiple times a year.

  • johnnyairtime

Posted 06 November 2009 - 02:04 PM

#54

MX813 said:

Not sure what a business band radio is? Is that similar to the Icoms we use in public schools to connect office staff with janitors, principal, etc...

Is there a requirement to purchase this type of equipment? We hold many events each year, with the aforementioned one being the largest so...renting would not make sense if we used radios multiple times a year.

Business banded radios require a license... and to buy, you'd need to aquire that license (if I'm remembering correctly). If you rent, your radio use is on the piggy-back method of the renter's license. No need for you to jump through the hoops.

There's several places that can rent, sell, or simply answer those questions. I like this place;

Two way radio info;
http://www.bearcom.c...ories/index.cfm

Rental info;
http://www.bearcom.com/rent/index.cfm

License info;
http://wireless.fcc....strial_business

  • MX813

Posted 06 November 2009 - 02:17 PM

#55

Thanks for the information JAT.

I am a little confused tho...the original poster of this thread is asking on purchasing a handheld....but to transmit would be illegal? Does that sum it up?

mx813

  • johnnyairtime

Posted 06 November 2009 - 02:25 PM

#56

MX813 said:

Thanks for the information JAT.

I am a little confused tho...the original poster of this thread is asking on purchasing a handheld....but to transmit would be illegal? Does that sum it up?

mx813

I'll give you the quick, down and dirty;

Buying a HAM radio, is not illegal.
Using a HAM radio without a license is illegal.
MOD'ing a HAM radio (removing MARS/CAP) is not illegal
Using a modified radio is illegal.

A business banded radio, is basically an upgraded ham radio. Better quality, made to better specs...etc. It also requires a different license to operate. As well, programming software is harder to come by than a HAM radio software. A business banded radio, does not need to have the MARS/CAP removed to operate in the upper bands (due to it's quality at time of production and purpose of use).

Make more sense? The OP needs a "Ham license" to operate legally and within the law.

  • MX813

Posted 06 November 2009 - 02:31 PM

#57

That sums it up pretty good for me. Thanks:thumbsup:

I checked the link for renting a system. There is store about 20 miles from where I live so I'll check them out next week.

Last question: What is the range on these things? The ones you can buy without license claims 10 miles or so...but I find that to be line of sight only...reduced to 2-3 miles in hilly terrain. Your experience (or anyone elses)

mx813

  • MX813

Posted 06 November 2009 - 02:47 PM

#58

Sorry for the 20 questions and my ignorance...just trying to learn more on better quality radios.

The reason I am kinda confused is because of this:

Quote

For exploring in the desert with my 3 boys, would I simply go buy 4
IC-V8s? I probably would mount them on the front chest with an earpiece. Good? Bad? - Input please

I am assuming (no negativity meant for anyone including original poster of quote above) that user is simply using for recreation and not worrying about license?

  • PowerCell

Posted 06 November 2009 - 02:51 PM

#59

johnnyairtime said:

I'll give you the quick, down and dirty;

Buying a HAM radio, is not illegal.
Using a HAM radio without a license is illegal.
MOD'ing a HAM radio (removing MARS/CAP) is not illegal
Using a modified radio is illegal.

A business banded radio, is basically an upgraded ham radio. Better quality, made to better specs...etc. It also requires a different license to operate. As well, programming software is harder to come by than a HAM radio software. A business banded radio, does not need to have the MARS/CAP removed to operate in the upper bands (due to it's quality at time of production and purpose of use).

Make more sense? The OP needs a "Ham license" to operate legally and within the law.


Using HAM radios or FRS radios for your event is illegal. $8k per day fine if you get caught...

  • MX813

Posted 06 November 2009 - 02:58 PM

#60

PowerCell said:

Using HAM radios or FRS radios for your event is illegal. $8k per day fine if you get caught...


I know all the operators that act as relays at checks are licensed since they are ultimate enthusiasts (or at least that is my gut feeling.) They are not charging a thing....

Sounding like I will check out bearcom store to see what it'll cost.



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