Ham radio????

[M Rose]

If you're on Android (it may be on iOS too but I'm not sure), there's a decent app called Ham Logger that's worth checking out.

Thank you for this information. I have been thinking about an app based logger for when I start my SOTA and POTA activations next month.

 

[Jeffrey Dill]

Thank you for this information. I have been thinking about an app based logger for when I start my SOTA and POTA activations next month.

I bet that'd be super helpful to keep your gear load as light as possible. Particularly for SOTA.

It's very useful for me as I'm generally making contacts with a mobile unit in my car, so I just pull out my phone whenever I reach me destination and quickly make a log.

 

[CJ Aggy]

I have a Yaesu FT-2980R 80w FM 2M

 

[M Rose]

I have a Yaesu FT-2980R 80w FM 2M

Great radio... I had the 75 watt version of the same one...

 

[Jeremy M.]

Here is a great dual band rugged analog radio. For overland/trail use it’s perfect. There are plenty of radios with more features but this has everything you’ll need.

Icom 2730a

 

[M Rose]

Here is a great dual band rugged analog radio. For overland/trail use it’s perfect. There are plenty of radios with more features but this has everything you’ll need.

Icom 2730a

I would disagree... no APRS, no TNC, FM only, can’t cross band repeat, only 50 watts...
if I’m going to limit myself to 50 Watts the Kenwood 710g for the bill for Overlanding a lot better... Does APRS and packet radio right out of the box (an adapter cable is needed for packet) cross band repeats, and does SSB and AM... and it’s dual band as well with a remote head unit...
The Yaesu FT400XDR is also a 50 watt dual band radio that is all mode with APRS, but requires a TNC to work packet.

Why do you want SSB on VHF? To work satellites while you’re stuck in that deep canyon and send that email or text out to get help.

 

[Jeremy M.]

Here is a great dual band rugged analog radio. For overland/trail use it’s perfect. There are plenty of radios with more features but this has everything you’ll need.

Icom 2730a

I would disagree... no APRS, no TNC, FM only, can’t cross band repeat, only 50 watts...
if I’m going to limit myself to 50 Watts the Kenwood 710g for the bill for Overlanding a lot better... Does APRS and packet radio right out of the box (an adapter cable is needed for packet) cross band repeats, and does SSB and AM... and it’s dual band as well with a remote head unit...
The Yaesu FT400XDR is also a 50 watt dual band radio that is all mode with APRS, but requires a TNC to work packet.

Why do you want SSB on VHF? To work satellites while you’re stuck in that deep canyon and send that email or text out to get help.

I have owned a Kenwood D710ga it’s a great radio and does basically everything. Here’s the rub it’s nearly $600.

The Icom IC-2730 is $249 after the rebate.

Recommending a $600 radio to a new operator is a barrier to entry.

A vast majority of basic users will have one side set to a simplex and the other side on a local repeater. For trail use this is ideal.

It’s easy to upgrade later if one gets deeper into the hobby.

K2JTM

 

[Sparksalot]

I have owned a Kenwood D710ga it’s a great radio and does basically everything. Here’s the rub it’s nearly $600.

The Icom IC-2730 is $249 after the rebate.

Recommending a $600 radio to a new operator is a barrier to entry.

A vast majority of basic users will have one side set to a simplex and the other side on a local repeater. For trail use this is ideal.

It’s easy to upgrade later if one gets deeper into the hobby.

K2JTM

This!

ive been a ham for 30+ years. I have a 2730 in each car because of its flexibility. I also use it as repeater on one side and 52/46 on the other.

 

[Prerunner1982]

..the Kenwood 710g for the bill for Overlanding a lot better... Does APRS and packet radio right out of the box (an adapter cable is needed for packet) cross band repeats, and does SSB and AM...

Are you sure about that?

 

[M Rose]

Are you sure about that?

Not 100% I’m going off of what a guy in my club told me after he just purchased one.

 

[M Rose]

I have owned a Kenwood D710ga it’s a great radio and does basically everything. Here’s the rub it’s nearly $600.

The Icom IC-2730 is $249 after the rebate.

Recommending a $600 radio to a new operator is a barrier to entry.

A vast majority of basic users will have one side set to a simplex and the other side on a local repeater. For trail use this is ideal.

It’s easy to upgrade later if one gets deeper into the hobby.

K2JTM

Deals can be had... buy used.

 

[Prerunner1982]

Not 100% I’m going off of what a guy in my club told me after he just purchased one.

It may receive AM but transmit is FM only.

 

[Lost Viking]

If you're on Android (it may be on iOS too but I'm not sure), there's a decent app called Ham Logger that's worth checking out.

Thanks Jeffrey, I just registered for LoTW and now waiting for the postcard... I can't wait!!!

 

[Russel Robertson]

any advice on what ham radio to buy for my truck?
looking at kenwood tm-d710ga?

I use a kenwood tm-d710ga in my Jeep. APRS works like a dream on one band and I usually download all repeaters for my route that I use on the other band. I also download all mining/forestry/trucking frequencies to monitor for industrial traffic on resource roads. Best be safe in the back country. Good luck with your research. 73 VE7ZSA

 

[Boort]

I use a kenwood tm-d710ga in my Jeep. APRS works like a dream on one band and I usually download all repeaters for my route that I use on the other band. I also download all mining/forestry/trucking frequencies to monitor for industrial traffic on resource roads. Best be safe in the back country. Good luck with your research. 73 VE7ZSA

@Russel Robertson

What process do you use to find all of the stations along your route?
I used CHIRP to program my HT with the local repeaters and a handful of Simplex and Weather stations. In doing so I found it difficult find ones along a route. Is there a tool for this? Like where you enter your planned route and get a list of stations on your chosen bands that might be available?

Boort

 

[Russel Robertson]

@Russel Robertson

What process do you use to find all of the stations along your route?
I used CHIRP to program my HT with the local repeaters and a handful of Simplex and Weather stations. In doing so I found it difficult find ones along a route. Is there a tool for this? Like where you enter your planned route and get a list of stations on your chosen bands that might be available?

Boort

Here is a link for you RT Systems and RFinder Routing

 

[grubworm]

just applied for and got my gmrs callsign.

my avatar is 'grubworm' and the first 3 letters of the call sign are WRM
worm...wrm...thought it was kinda neat

(maybe Big Brother IS watching....)

 

[M Rose]

@Russel Robertson

What process do you use to find all of the stations along your route?
I used CHIRP to program my HT with the local repeaters and a handful of Simplex and Weather stations. In doing so I found it difficult find ones along a route. Is there a tool for this? Like where you enter your planned route and get a list of stations on your chosen bands that might be available?

Boort

Chirp has the option to enter in states, city/town to import repeaters.

 

[BullMoose1776]

For $399 you can get into an Icom-5100, which has so much more functionality, including digital, DPRS, nearby repeaters scan (that updates the scanned list via gps as you move), cross-band repeat, touchscreen, etc.

If all someone wants is simplex, get a cheap HT. If you're getting a mobile radio, consider one with digital. Otherwise you'll just be talking to yourself.

 

[Ubiety]

For $399 you can get into an Icom-5100, which has so much more functionality, including digital, DPRS, nearby repeaters scan (that updates the scanned list via gps as you move), cross-band repeat, touchscreen, etc.

If all someone wants is simplex, get a cheap HT. If you're getting a mobile radio, consider one with digital. Otherwise you'll just be talking to yourself.

If your desire is to take advantage of "location services" outside of population centers then APRS looks like a better choice than DPRS as it has a far greater "infrastructure" for repeating and gating your location. At least in the Western US.

Coverage maps in this order: D-STAR repeaters from dstarinfo.com, APRS digis and gates from aprsdirect.com and aprs.fi. APRS maps filtered for digi and igates only.