rusty_tlc
Explorer
I don't understand this, why is an HT your only option?
The new generation of SPOT units allow you to send a text message or "Call a friend"
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102
Is a handheld HAM worth it?
- Thread starter davidv
- Start date
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102
rambrush
Adventurer
That was my thought as well, maybe the camper overhangs the cab? I did or meant to suggest a front bumper or hood mount. Sure it would be pretty directional but sometimes ya gotta use what ya have. the problems up front of course are all of the electronic noise makers up front under the hood.
xtatik
Explorer
Ahhh, I understand. Thx, I didn't know this.
I'm pretty sure that message is limited to something that you pre-defined at your computer before you started your trip. It is not something that you can compose in the field.
rusty_tlc
Explorer
It depends on the product.
The Delorme Earthmate with allows on the fly messages.
It also has a $550 MSRP and you have to pay for the service. :Wow1:
Still cheaper than a sat phone.
rusty_tlc
Explorer
It's kind of a gray area in the FCC rules, I've heard different interpretations of the regs. BTW you can monitor all you want as long as you don't transmit.I've been on a few trips where I was given a HAM to listen in on the group's chatter. I don't have a license, but was "operating under the control of _____ ". Isn't that the proper way to operate without a license in these loaned radio situations? Still learning
I let my wife reply with the radio if I'm occupied driving, everyone pretty much agrees that qualifies as "under station control". Letting someone use my HT in a different vehicle would be a stretch, not something I would do under normal circumstances.
I've been on a few trips where I was given a HAM to listen in on the group's chatter. I don't have a license, but was "operating under the control of _____ ". Isn't that the proper way to operate without a license in these loaned radio situations? Still learning
I think the regs say that a licensed HAM must be present at the operating station when an unlicensed person transmits using a licensee's call sign.
So even if you were in two different cars, side by side, travelling down the highway, the licensee wouldn't be within immediate control of the radio and the radio use would be illegal.
gary in ohio
Explorer
The regs say the control op must me in control of the radio, That typically inplies immediate access to the radio to stop someone from operating in violation of a fcc rules. Most of the time that implies they are with the radio, but remote control can change that. In the case of 2 cars, you are clearly in violation of FCC rules.
gary in ohio
Explorer
Please note MOST mobile cross band repeaters are NOT legal, Yea I know,everyone uses them and manufactures sell them, but they have a
big flaw. In a true cross band mode you can only ID 1 of the transmitters where by law you need to ID both sides of the cross band channels.
If you use the radio as a "range extender" then it would be legal as there is only one transmitter active on the mobile.
7wt
Expedition Leader
To answer the OP's question, yes a hand held is worth it. Several reasons why but the biggest is flexibility. It may play second fiddle to a mobil instal as far as power goes but power isn't what makes range anyway. I like the HT for emergency back up and the fact that it doesn't take up any space. I can hike up a hill and fire off a 20 mile simplex conversation with ease, I have done it many times. This past summer I was on a good size hill in central CT and picked up some guy in LI on a 5wt handheld with an after market antenna. I am guessing but that's gotta be close to 50 miles away line of sight. He was scratch and in the noise but I got him. You can't do that with a mobil because you couldn't get the truck to where I was at.
Accrete
Explorer
i agree with others on the handheld being worth it. I've had some fun with mine. never needed it in an emergency though. One trip up to the visitor center on mount saint helens i hit the coast range repeater nearly 70 miles away with five watts. while in convo with a friend i stepped down to 2 watts...then 350 milliwatts... he could still hear me through the repeater : )
Next combination i get will be for our upcoming exp-build, mated mobile/handheld with repeater functionality.
testing is easy, though i've had mine for over a decade. but back then my young teenage daughter took and passed the test with me. my wife is soon to make the plunge.
Next combination i get will be for our upcoming exp-build, mated mobile/handheld with repeater functionality.
testing is easy, though i've had mine for over a decade. but back then my young teenage daughter took and passed the test with me. my wife is soon to make the plunge.
xtatik
Explorer
Gary, this is a great point. I don't understand why the mfr'r's continually push this feature when it actually can't be done legally with out of the box units. We had a guy get on our local repeater (WinSystem, Santiago Pk.) and was bragging about the fact he was crossbanding into the repeater (HT/Mob/Rptr). The repeater owner immediately came on and asked a couple of questions regarding his ability to ID at the mobile. It became embarassingly obvious he was fresh Ham and was sold the bill of goods. He had no clue what was being asked of him, so he was asked to stay off the repeater until he could comply.
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xtatik
Explorer
Most Hams view HT's as an "accessory" item and would never consider one as their primary means of communicating.
Sure, HT's offer a lot of flexibility but they also offer weaker signals. There are a lot of variables that need to be considered, terrain, distance, repeater or receiving station placement and elevations. But, all things being equal, the HT will be severely handicapped in comparison to an actual 50 watt radio. Giving random performance examples without a full description of the operating conditions can be misleading.
Sure, HT's offer a lot of flexibility but they also offer weaker signals. There are a lot of variables that need to be considered, terrain, distance, repeater or receiving station placement and elevations. But, all things being equal, the HT will be severely handicapped in comparison to an actual 50 watt radio. Giving random performance examples without a full description of the operating conditions can be misleading.