2m or do I need a dual band

[travel dodge]

so about the mexico thing, If you are just using car to car or bike to bike who will know if you have a permit or not. I know that this is a subject that no one wants to talk about but you will find you driving across the desert and check for a permit?
Also got my radio today, I can put a cigarette lighter plug on the end of the wire for power right? I would hard wire it but for this radio being able to switch cars quickly and easily is very important.
thanks

 

[gary in ohio]

so about the mexico thing, If you are just using car to car or bike to bike who will know if you have a permit or not. I know that this is a subject that no one wants to talk about but you will find you driving across the desert and check for a permit?
Also got my radio today, I can put a cigarette lighter plug on the end of the wire for power right? I would hard wire it but for this radio being able to switch cars quickly and easily is very important.
thanks

If your referring to the license in Mexico, check with the ARRL, there is a reciprocal agreement with Mexico, but not sure of the type. As far as using the cigarette lighter, NO! NO! NO!. Most of the new 2m and dual band radio's are pulling 15amps or more. You cigarette light is rated at 15amps. "power/aug" plugs are sometimes rated at 20amps, but your going to be close on your power needs if you go to these plugs. Power should be taken directly from the battery with fuses on both leads.

 

[ntsqd]

Seconding Gary's reply, you really want to pull power AND ground directly off the battery. Some units come with a QD in their power wiring, so sourcing another set of leads would allow movement btwn vehicles.
If they don't have a QD I'd suggest using the Dean's QD's sold for electric RC cars. Simple, Robust, & up to that kind of power.

 

[travel dodge]

the cig lighter is run right off the battery to a heavy duty fuse box (quality stero amp type) under the passenger seat of my suby. Doing this will alow me to switch to my truck if I have car problems or need to run heavy sweep for a stage.
I will find the best cig lighter I can and the wiring getting to the plugs can handle many more amps.

 

[gary in ohio]

cig lighter PLUGS regardless of what wires feed it are not designed for much more than 10amps. If you already have the wire from the battery skip the plug aand go direct to the radio. If you need a quick disconnect then get some power pole connectors.

 

[Ursidae69]

If your referring to the license in Mexico, check with the ARRL, there is a reciprocal agreement with Mexico, but not sure of the type.

I'm doing a little research on ham radio operation in Mexico. There is a reciprocal agreement with Mexico. There are 3 types of reciprocal operating authority, they are 1) a CEPT license; 2) an IARP; and 3) a reciprocal permit. The Mexico reciprocal agreement is type #3. This means we must apply for and get a permit from Mexico to legally transmit there like Socalfj said earlier in this thread.

The ARRL website has a lot of useful info for getting the permit.

Licensing Information for Mexico

Application for US citizen (pfd)

List of repeaters in Mexico

 

[benedmonson]

I'm doing a little research on ham radio operation in Mexico. There is a reciprocal agreement with Mexico. There are 3 types of reciprocal operating authority, they are 1) a CEPT license; 2) an IARP; and 3) a reciprocal permit. The Mexico reciprocal agreement is type #3. This means we must apply for and get a permit from Mexico to legally transmit there like Socalfj said earlier in this thread.

The ARRL website has a lot of useful info for getting the permit.

Licensing Information for Mexico

Application for US citizen (pfd)

List of repeaters in Mexico

This is great to know as I just p***ed my tech test saturday and will leave for 6 weeks in Mexico the 22nd of December.

 

[benedmonson]

Ughhhhh, just checked out the information for getting your permit to transmit in mexico and it now cost $1052 pesos or about $96.00 USD!!!!! No freaking thank you. What are they thinking, we don't spend that for a 10 year lic. here in america??? Surely most americans go ahead and transmit mostly on simplex and don't worry about the permit, am I right???

 

[Ursidae69]

Ughhhhh, just checked out the information for getting your permit to transmit in mexico and it now cost $1052 pesos or about $96.00 USD!!!!! No freaking thank you. What are they thinking, we don't spend that for a 10 year lic. here in america??? Surely most americans go ahead and transmit mostly on simplex and don't worry about the permit, am I right???

Well, I do not plan to get the permit. I'm just posting what I found. eepwall: Officially, in Mexico I won't transmit. In the past, when I have gone through checkpoints I turned my radio off. I was asked about it one time at a checkpoint and I told them that I do not transmit in Mexico and they were fine with that answer.

I wonder if all the race teams have permits? I doubt it...