Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Deez Nuttz: I'd say you are generally correct about the local/DX question, although range is longer on 2m (and 70cm for that matter) using sideband rather than FM. But the real long distance is on HF, especially the upper bands. I got Gambia, Australia and Japan last weekend with my indoor antenna on 10m!
I think another hindrance to 1.25m is that we lost 40% of the band several years ago. However, Jetstream came out recently with a 50-watt mobile for the band.
Would it sound like the "Donald Duck" sound like when I used to run SSB CB radio?
Oh those where the days. We use to go SSB on the local CB channel pushing 500-1000 wts lol Weekends turned into a pirate radio station playing our own live music. Everyone had a phone patch for their 2m before cell phones where cool. Anyhow, it's nice to see Ham radio is still alive and doing well. I still have a hand held 2m rig that I'll sand bag on but I have keyed down on anything in years.
I really can't say how much SSB is used on 2 meters. There is some activity on it in TX, but it depends on where you live (yeah, I know, "Earth"). I know there is very little on 70 cm.
I'm having too much fun on 10m to worry much about it!
Hey Catman, I must ask how often is SSB used on 2 meters?
Should I look into a SSB for 2 meters?
Also if I have my basic Yaesu FT-7900 R/E (or even the FT-2800 M I just picked up Sat.) on, can I hear a SSB transmission?
Would it sound like the "Donald Duck" sound like when I used to run SSB CB radio?
SSB on 2 meters is not common usually, with the exception of contest weekends like CQ VHF and some special event weekends like Summits on the Air. The hams that do weak signal and EME/metor scatter all use SSB. Unfortunatly, the 7900 and 2800 both only do FM. To do SSB, your best bet would be an all band mobile like the Yaesu FT-857D or 897D or Icom IC-706M2 or IC-7000. There are also some base radios like the Kenwood TS-2000 and Icom 9100 and 746 series that do Vhf and Uhf in the case of the Kenwood. There are also some older all mode vhf/uhf radios that tend to go for a premium now a days.
Here's a list of VHF SSB nets. You may find one local to you.
Go here and take the practice tests: eHam.net Ham Radio Practice Exams If you're a new comer to the ham world, you only need to take the technician course.
Keep taking them until you start getting 90%'s. Then you're ready for the real test. You'll need to find a volunteer examiner that will administer you with your test. If you have a local amateur radio club, they often have a VE's who will do this for you.
Last but not least, understand the protocol on amateur radio is different than that is used on CB radio. I say this because often people come into the ham world and bring the CB world with them...there's no 10 codes, good buddies or anything like that, and you must identify yourself via call sign every 10 minutes.
I did it by buying the Now You're Talking! book frim the ARRL. It took longer that way since I wasn't simply memorizing question pools, but it was interesting and I learned a lot along the way.
good for you. i am a ham. i dont do long distance just local. belong to several nets and repeaters.
i also own a bearcat police scanner programmed to local police station. this provides a wealth of info about what is happening in my community that never shows up on the news.
baja transmissions are also very interesting as well to listen to. i regret very much that thus far i have been unable to get quebec transmissions here. i have not fully learned all there is available such as echo functions to make the jump to quebec.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
