purpose of amateur radio in cars?

[AK9R]

As far as those of you enjoy chatting and having the hobby that is all good, no disrepsect, I just don't see it for me. But fortunately we are all different.

I haven't gone back to read posts you've made in this forum, so I may be going out on a limb here.

Why do you come to this forum, read messages about scanners, and occasionally post messages of your own? I guessing it's because you want to be part of a community that has interests similar to yours.

That's what you will find on many local 2m or 440 repeater and on certain frequencies in the HF bands. These communities spring up, attract participants, and evolve over time as the participants or the subjects change. The conversations may not interest you (and I can't blame you if all you hear is guys talking about their health problems), but it must interest the participants in those communities because they continue to exist.

Yes, they could just as easily call their buddies on the telephone. And, yes, they could probably set up a conference call. But it would still be a closed, private conversation. On the radio, however, the conversation contributes to the community and other people, some of whom you may not know are around, have the opportunity to jump into the conversation.

 

[jon_k]

I guess even the amatuer bands have some degree of piracy now with all of the cheap "program from the keypad" chinese radios sold on ebay now. Anybody can pick a few up for under $30 each, then just pick whatever frequency they want to run their business with. The 440 band isn't used much so I guess it is a logical spot around here to hoist the jolly roger.

Probably intermod. Unless you heard a constant discussion pretty regularly.

I hear stuff on 440 from other radio services that jump on to 440 within Dallas quite frequently. There is so much RF in the air in this city that two frequencies collide, make a new frequency that is the sum of the two. Therefore illegal transmissions on 440 appear.

When I do hear this, it's not consistent. I may hear the guys and they may drop out quite a bit. They may drop out for 2-3 minutes then come back in. It's possible they're just nearly out of my range... but I'm thinking more of intermod.

The amateur community really tries hard to protect their bands, that way the FCC won't open it up.

440mhz in my opinion seems to reach further distance with less power. As a result, I wonder why more repeaters aren't coordinated on the 70cm band. I actually think in part it's because up until a few years ago not many radios supported 440mhz, so repeater owners want to get the largest group of people available and always coordinate on 2 meters. I'm hoping in the coming years more repeaters get coordinated on 440.

Originally Posted by PHOENIX_SCANNER View Post
As far as those of you enjoy chatting and having the hobby that is all good, no disrepsect, I just don't see it for me. But fortunately we are all different.

Amateur radio is not for everyone. If you enjoy stamp collecting, or watching sports -- I'd have to say no disrespect but it's not for me.

I didn't get into amateur radio to chat with old men. It just became part of the experience. My primary interests are with studying the technology and playing with digital modes. I plan to design devices that are internet capable using radio as a medium for fun. (Some people like storm spotting, others like APRS.) It's not all just old men talking. That's just mostly what you hear on repeaters. There's so much more in there I couldn't write it all here.

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

On the other hand, if one does NOT want Ham Radio, the none could use GMRS, FRS, or MURS radios.
I know that there is also a frequency band in the 900 megacycle Range that lets you use radios that, I think, can TEXT & Voice message.

Also do NOT forget that if one does have a CB the none is actually operating in the old 11 Meter Ham Radio Band. That is what it was used for before it became the 27 Channel CB Band and then later 40 Channels.

I know, if your CB radio has SSB then it is cable of anywhere between 80 to 120 Channels. That is becasue you have the 40 Regualr Channels Plus the 40 Lower Side Band Channels and the 40 Upper Side band Channels.

Now if memory serves me well, CB actually started out in the same
range of frequencies where FRS is today.

 

[n1das]

do people use this for just long distance travelling or weather chasing instead of CB/frs or ?

i cant imagine they try and get long distance skip to europe to chat with their buddies while driving!

Title of thread: purpose of amateur radio in cars?

Technically, the purpose of amateur radio in cars is to facilitate amateur radio communications while mobile.

From the FCC's Rules & Regs:

§ 97.1 Basis and purpose.
The rules and regulations in this part
are designed to provide an amateur
radio service having a fundamental
purpose as expressed in the following
principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of
the value of the amateur service to the
public as a voluntary noncommercial
communication service, particularly
with respect to providing emergency
communications.
(b) Continuation and extension of the
amateur’s proven ability to contribute
to the advancement of the radio art.
(c) Encouragement and improvement
of the amateur service through rules
which provide for advancing skills in
both the communication and technical
phases of the art.
(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir
within the amateur radio service
of trained operators, technicians, and
electronics experts.
(e) Continuation and extension of the
amateur’s unique ability to enhance
international goodwill.

Fufilling the basis and purpose outline in the FCC's rules & regs is why Amatuer Radio exists as a radio service and can be enjoyed as hobby.

 

[Don_Burke]

On the other hand, if one does NOT want Ham Radio, then one could use GMRS, FRS, or MURS radios.

I corrected a typo. I hope you do not mind.

With GMRS you have only 15 channels to play with and some pretty severe restrictions on what you can do to extend your range.

MURS and FRS have fewer channels and more restrictions.

I know that there is also a frequency band in the 900 megacycle Range that lets you use radios that, I think, can TEXT & Voice message.

That would be the ISM band at 900-something, which is also an Amateur Radio band.

Also do NOT forget that if one does have a CB then one is actually operating in the old 11 Meter Ham Radio Band. That is what it was used for before it became the 27 Channel CB Band and then later 40 Channels.

I fixed another typo.

What a band was used for in the past is not much of an issue.

For the record, Amateur Radio once had everything above 1500 kHz.

Also for the record, it was some number less than 22 channels (I do not recall), then 23 channels, and then 40 channels.

I know, if your CB radio has SSB then it is cable of anywhere between 80 to 120 Channels. That is becasue you have the 40 Regualr Channels Plus the 40 Lower Side Band Channels and the 40 Upper Side band Channels.

I left those typos.

There are 40 CB channels. When using SSB, the radio is using part of the same channel used for AM.

Now if memory serves me well, CB actually started out in the same
range of frequencies where FRS is today.

That would be Class A and Class B CB, which morphed into GMRS, which spawned (with considerable help from Radio Shack) FRS.

Once again, the history is not much of an issue.

At the time, it was pretty expensive to get a radio for UHF and Amateur Radio was not using 11 Meters all that much. For the FCC, it seemed like a good idea at the time. With 20-20 hindsight, I would say VHF high would have been a better choice for Class D CB.

 

[trace1]

do people use this for just long distance travelling or weather chasing instead of CB/frs or ?

i cant imagine they try and get long distance skip to europe to chat with their buddies while driving!

Well it certainly looks as if this discussion has brought out some of the "best" and "worst" responses from a lot of different viewpoints.

While I can't answer for EVERYONE, the only thing I'd like to add, or say, is that many people, hopefully licensed amateur radio operators have and use mobile equipment for many different reasons some of which have already been stated here.

As far as myself, I have a mobile radio that I use for local communications up to and including general talk and weather reporting. Once I make a long road trip somewhere, if I can ever afford to with the price of gas now days, I'm sure I'll be using it to make a few contacts along the way which might include asking about directions, possible road closures, or any other thing that may be of importance to help me and my family along our travels. Sure we have cell phones, but just suppose you're "out-of-range" and there is an emergency. Well then that mobile radio, or even an HT with exterior antenna (if needed) just might be the ONLY way to get help.

While CBs may still be used quite a bit in some places, they might not be so popular in others. So a simple CB rig may not get you the help or information you need. And as far as those cheap bubble-pack type FRS radios are concerned, well you may really only get about 1/2 mile coverage with them and you may not get any help from anyone because there would be no one there to hear you.

As some here have already stated here too, that they enjoy using a mobile HF rig to make those far away contacts as they are driving home, could be a long commute for some of them and it helps pass the time away.

What it really all comes down to is to what each and every individual finds fun, exciting and entertaining may be the reason(s) they may have or may not have an amateur radio in use while traveling down the roads.

 

[dkostrey]

One other thing to keep in mind about those "old farts talking about their health problems", for many of them it is the only contact with another human being. They don't/can't go out, so for many of them it is their only social interaction. While I may not enjoy listening to that stuff (there's always the VFO for that) I realize what it is to them and I tolerate it, ocassionally jumping in to ask 'Bob' how he's doing, knowing he just underwent major surgery a few days ago. Remember, we all get old some day.


73 de KD1BD

 

[kb9hgi]

Is there really Hams on here???

 

[k9rzz]

Lately I've been listening to Deuche Welle Radio on 11,825khz (I think that's right), in English, around 4 - 5 pm local time as I drive around town. It's better that what's on the local radio!!

 

[KC0QNB]

Is there really Hams on here???

Why do you ask?

 

[rescuecomm]

Don't talk about old fart hams. I am slowly getting to represent that remark. And I do have a dual band 2M/440 radio in my car that lets me converse with family, friends, and listen to the WX service. It also receives Fire Dept, EMS, and police comms. Best $400 I ever spent.

Bob
N4CRX

 

[elk2370bruce]

DX mobile capabilities are done every day. You can also access IRLP nodes on 2 and 440 and talk around the world on a few watts and a Tech license. Others just rag chew with club members, friends and others that drop in for some talk. Depends on what you're interested in. My next rig will be an hf mobile - just for the fun of it. Still others, me included, discuss older radio unit repair and restoration. I have not tried cw from the mobile - too distracting when I'm driving. I'll do that at home.

 

[N8IAA]

Is there really Hams on here???

Exactly what are you infering??
Larry

 

[af5rn]

Is there really Hams on here???

Exactly what are you infering??

That grammar isn't his strong suit. :lol:

 

[N8IAA]

that Grammar Isn't His Strong Suit. :lol:

Lol!!

 

[CCHLLM]

His Grammar is in the kitchen bakin' cookies....

 

[N1SQB]

His Grammar is in the kitchen bakin' cookies....

NICE! LMAO!

Manny N1SQB

 

[kg4ekc]

I run HF, VHF, UHF, and Low band VHF in my truck. I love it and talk across the pond, South America and in the states all the time. It does not help with traffic information like the CB but you for the most part don't have to put up with the crap that comes with CB. I can get my radio to receive Channel 19 if I need it to. Who needs to talk on CB. My setup in my truck is my shack. I really have not set up a base shack because I only work my radio's between the house, offices, and hospital. Field day did it for me also. Go to your local Field day today and see what can be done with a wire antenna. ARRL has a thing on their website that will tell you where to go and sometimes even give directions ect.

 

[trace1]

Field day did it for me also. Go to your local Field day today and see what can be done with a wire antenna. ARRL has a thing on their website that will tell you where to go and sometimes even give directions ect.

Here is where we'll be...

WB4GNA
Calhoun County Amateur Radio Association
Mike Tucker Park-Saturday only 1-7 PM
Anniston, AL
GOTA: no
Talk-in: 147.090+ PL 131.8

I'll be going out later today with my oldest son, who is 9 years-old, to our club's Field Day location and have a little fun. Last year he made 2 contacts and thought that was just about one of the coolest things he'd ever done. Can't wait to see what he may do or think of it this year.

 

[TheZach]

Probably intermod. Unless you heard a constant discussion pretty regularly.

I hear stuff on 440 from other radio services that jump on to 440 within Dallas quite frequently. There is so much RF in the air in this city that two frequencies collide, make a new frequency that is the sum of the two. Therefore illegal transmissions on 440 appear.

When I do hear this, it's not consistent. I may hear the guys and they may drop out quite a bit. They may drop out for 2-3 minutes then come back in. It's possible they're just nearly out of my range... but I'm thinking more of intermod.

The amateur community really tries hard to protect their bands, that way the FCC won't open it up.

440mhz in my opinion seems to reach further distance with less power. As a result, I wonder why more repeaters aren't coordinated on the 70cm band. I actually think in part it's because up until a few years ago not many radios supported 440mhz, so repeater owners want to get the largest group of people available and always coordinate on 2 meters. I'm hoping in the coming years more repeaters get coordinated on 440.



Amateur radio is not for everyone. If you enjoy stamp collecting, or watching sports -- I'd have to say no disrespect but it's not for me.

I didn't get into amateur radio to chat with old men. It just became part of the experience. My primary interests are with studying the technology and playing with digital modes. I plan to design devices that are internet capable using radio as a medium for fun. (Some people like storm spotting, others like APRS.) It's not all just old men talking. That's just mostly what you hear on repeaters. There's so much more in there I couldn't write it all here.

You hear a lot of CBers floating onto 10 M band as well.