HAM Radio Discussion

[streetglideok]

lol think its more a matter of last year, everyone buying every 22 round they could find, all the primers, powder and guns. Now this year they're spending on other stuff

[Tim K]

I've always been interested but was put off by what I thought was the high cost. My discovery of the $40 hand holds is what tripped my trigger.

[Great-Kazoo]

Have to ask, whats with the sudden increase in interest in ham radio, and even echolink? Just curious what compelled many of you to get into it, or start studying this year, and not last year?

Cell phones and land lines go down. During the high park fire hand helds, kept responders in communication with each other. Especially when the cell towers went down, or the area (as with mountainous terrain) was not available.
As 9-11 was unfolding land and cell service was nowhere. IF i was dialed in with the SW community, i could have been in touch with folks back east.

[streetglideok]

Handhelds can be found cheap, and are useful but as you use them you will find their limits. Adding a mobile rig is only a moderate cost and with a decent antenna you get a lot more range, and capability. It's really only when you get into HF that the costs shoot up, and can skyrocket if you go balls to the wall. When or if work improves(currently work under a gun grabbing liberal "Christian", calls to the owner would do wonders to move this idiot out) then I'm going to work on an all out go kit with a portable antenna, coax, etc., and work on an HF rig.

[asmo]

Have to ask, whats with the sudden increase in interest in ham radio, and even echolink? Just curious what compelled many of you to get into it, or start studying this year, and not last year?

All the cool kids are doing it.

I'm kind of a follower you know.

[gnihcraes]

I've been told that ham radio operators get all the women.

I noticed it didn't say "Pretty Women"..

[cmailliard]

I am in the same boat as many others, I am sick. I swear working in a school is worse than working in the medical field. This is my third time this year, and every year I have taught in schools I am sick. In 15 years in EMS I was sick once.

[kawiracer14]

Anyone know a good spot to get an NMO antenna mount done on a truck? Does HRO do install stuff at all or just sell goods?

Thinking about a getting a mobile rig in the spring to put in the truck once 4x4 starts again.

[rbeau30]

Anyone know a good spot to get an NMO antenna mount done on a truck? Does HRO do install stuff at all or just sell goods?

Thinking about a getting a mobile rig in the spring to put in the truck once 4x4 starts again.

I am pretty sure they do not do installs. I think getting the headliner on and off is probably the hardest part... that and taking a hole saw to your roof, which kinda makes one hesitate a little. They also make cool little plastic caps to cover the mount when it does not have an antenna on it.

[kawiracer14]

I am pretty sure they do not do installs. I think getting the headliner on and off is probably the hardest part... that and taking a hole saw to your roof, which kinda makes one hesitate a little. They also make cool little plastic caps to cover the mount when it does not have an antenna on it.

Yes, drilling the hole makes me nervous. NMO is pretty low profile with no antenna on, and I plan on keeping the truck for 10+ years so I'm not worried about resale issues really.

I know High Country 4x4 does CB installs so maybe they can do an NMO as well when I get some work done there.