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Anyone?
It might sound nuts, but I'm looking for info on setting up a shortwave transceiver for when the **** hits the fan. Wondering what I need to do to get certified and what I need, equipment-wise to hit peeps a couple states away with my transmissions.
I have been a no code technician for many years. I used to do alot of 2m and 440 but that's it. I still have an ICOM dual bander that is collecting dust. Anyhow I would go here for any of your HAM needs:
Ham Radio Outlet
Their prices seems to run on the high side so you can go look at the stuff there and order from here:
AES
Let me know if you need anymore help.
Mo
What would you suggest? 2m SSB? Would that be good to get me a few states away without repeaters? What kind of antenna and output power would I need?
Join your local Amature Radio Club. They can help you prepare for, and give the tests. Lots of stuff is being done over the computer too. My pop is all over this stuff.I'm not sure, but I think you'll need a more advanced lic. to be able to talk several states away without repeaters.
I plan to get one, but in a SHTF scenario, I'm not especially concerned about licenses.
Randy, do you have a setup? Because you were actually one of the people I thought it might be nice to be in touch with should a protracted period of civil unrest occur here.
What I'm thinking of is two things: a base station that can be operated on AC or DC and has a fairly mobile antenna rig that is easy and quick to set up and take down, and a hand-held transceiver.
yeah, but I just have a no code tech lic. to do what you want to do, I believe you need an General class. maybe advanced. mine is from my search and rescue days. I've been thinking on the same lines Glenn. Seriously, join your local Am. Radio Club. they can hook you up. you don't have to hang with them, but they are a wealth of info. the wife and I talk on the 2meter band all the time, but it is just entry level, and there is a great repeater system around here. The other advantage of joining a club is, many have their own repeaters with PL so non members can't talk crap and use them.. Its not expensive, and truly, they can get the info/lic you need. Get your tech, and glean the info you want from the Ham nerds in the club for when the SHTF
I'm a no code operator as well. I hold a General class.. If you're really looking for a setup for when SHTF then you're going to want to get a mobile HF setup. I love my 2m/440/6m/10m setup in my truck. On 2 meters I can get pretty far away.. I was able to hit a repeater in Chatsworth from Riverside and that's with 50 watts. the 2m/440 is great but without a repeater you're kind of "limited" on range. With an HF you can go a lot farther. I only have experience with a base station setup with an inverted V wire antenna and a Kenwood TS930 with about 100W output. I've talk all over the world with it, but if I had to up and leave it wouldn't be practical for me to try and take it with me, so that's why I'd recommend a mobile HF unit. They have good antennas and you could always get a telescoping setup so if you have to operate it up in the mountains and want to get it up higher if you're going to be camping a few days.
I dunno.. my .02 cents, take it for what it's worth. Which reminds me, the rope holding my wire antenna up broke.. I really need to fix it.. I kind of miss talking on the radio and I'm only in the truck for maybe 10 minutes at a time so it's kind of useless to even turn the radio on anymore. =(
