HAM Radio Discussion

It would be awesome to have a weekend COAR net, however we probably should keep the "AR" inconspicuous, anyone with a scanner can hear stuff.

There are many groups that use the colorado connection repeaters and a couple other networks.

Tying up a repeater system is not really the issue... if there is an emergency, Priority radio traffic and bona-fide emergencies would take precdence over a club radio net. We would just need to ask permission to use the repeater network during specific times.

As far as less-formal communications, I don't think there is an issue with using a repeater network. We should just ask permission when it is required, and yield the repeater network for priority/emergency traffic. That is the rules in any ham radio communications anyways.



I think just a little bit of organization would go a long way and I know that an informal chat or even a quick formal radio net would do this community some good. I honestly think it can be done, and would get more of the folks on COAR15 into ham operation if they had a few of us to talk to once a week...I think it would be more incentive for them to take the plunge and take the test.

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

It would be awesome to have a weekend COAR net, however we probably should keep the "AR" inconspicuous, anyone with a scanner can hear stuff.

There are many groups that use the colorado connection repeaters and a couple other networks.

Tying up a repeater system is not really the issue... if there is an emergency, Priority radio traffic and bona-fide emergencies would take precdence over a club radio net. We would just need to ask permission to use the repeater network during specific times.

As far as less-formal communications, I don't think there is an issue with using a repeater network. We should just ask permission when it is required, and yield the repeater network for priority/emergency traffic. That is the rules in any ham radio communications anyways.



I think just a little bit of organization would go a long way and I know that an informal chat or even a quick formal radio net would do this community some good. I honestly think it can be done, and would get more of the folks on COAR15 into ham operation if they had a few of us to talk to once a week...I think it would be more incentive for them to take the plunge and take the test.

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Agreed, this would get me off my butt to get my tests taken.

My radios should be on my porch when I get home

I haven't been down in this section lurking in a while, so totally missed this topic. Congrats on those who just passed the tests and got their ticket and good luck to those going to take it. I've been dabbling with digital lately with the local ARES group. It works a lot like the old computer modems, with sounds being sent and received. There are some versions that can operate with pretty weak signals, but they tend to be slow. We've talked some about having nets, and the easiest way IMO to do it would be on echolink. You have to be a ham to use it, but you don't have to have a radio. It goes thru your computer, and is like a chat room, but with voice. AR15 has one actually that they just started back up I think.

With the technician license, most of what you can do is on VHF/UHF. Those frequencies are for the most part, line of sight. If there are mountains in the way, chances are, you cant get to the other side. On the flip side, the higher you are above the terrain, the further you can get out. Last year on top of pikes peak, I had no problem talking to a ham towards Boulder, it sounded as though he was beside me, no repeater. The repeaters help with the terrain problems, but for us to hold nets, it would pose some logistical issues, and security issues. In an emergency, things could be pieced together if we work a plan out. For those with a general license or higher, the 80m and 40m bands would allow regional comms without a repeater. However you need an HF radio, and be able to put up an NVIS antenna.

And we has hams are really lucky by living in Colorado. Tons of 14,000 ft antenna locations in the state. The entire front range is covered with communication sites, most are commercial, but ham repeaters are allowed on them too. You'll find most of the good repeaters on those commercial sites.

Think about hams in states like Kansas. (or eastern colorado) The best repeater they can get is up on top of a grain silo or something similar. (just an example) They will have to setup more repeaters to get a further distance away. Greater Power (watts) and such.

If you're in another location/state while traveling and using the ham radio, be aware the communications distance/quality will most likely be diminished compared to here.

The ham repeaters here in the metro area and front range are only about 25 watts output, elevation and quality antennas are allowing such great distance.

I took my first one about 18 years ago when young but I has been out of air for loooong time (others hobbies like guns), the last summer finally took my Technician (yeap, I was Novice for loong time) and now I want to take the General (I want to work the 14mhz because 10m is not what was many years ago) I have the Gordons book but I don't found the time to study yet :-(

73,

KP4MLF (yeap, 4th because I'm from PR and don't want to change it for now)

Greg brings up a good point about echolink - that may be the best solution for a large area net. I'm going to try to get it installed in the next day or two - anyone else game?

Can you post a write up when you are done?

On Echolink or?

I drove into my garage with my antenna attacked... I need a now antenna now, and can't get one until next month :-(