Recommendations: Hand Held Ham Radio
10 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Wondering if any of you keep a Ham radio in your vehicle and have recommendations on a hand held unit for emergencies. Mostly thinking, grid down communications or I'm 1000 miles in the middle of nowhere Utah and well outside the CB range of help.
Once lifted 03 Trailblazer on 35's, gave it up to travel the USA with my family.
-
mikekey - Lifer
- Posts: 2585
- Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 4:08 am
- Location: North America
- Name: Mike
- Vehicle Year: 2003
- Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
- Rank: Expedition Rated
I was going to say get prepaid SAT phone until I looked at the $$. Quick google came up with 1,300 on amazon just for minutes. My thinks you could get good ham radio for 1/3 or 1/4 of that.
2008 TB Radflo coil overs, Z71 rear springs, 2" spacer, skyjacker N8030 shocks, LT285/75R16E Goodyear MTR
My Build ----- MY Youtube Channel
My Build ----- MY Youtube Channel
-
TBYODA - Moderator
- Posts: 1762
- Joined: Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:07 pm
- Location: NY, Rochester
- Name: Robert Sengillo
- Vehicle Year: 2008
- Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Limited Slip
- Rank: Offroad Rated
Yeah, SAT phone would work for problem #2 but not for TEOTWAWKI
Once lifted 03 Trailblazer on 35's, gave it up to travel the USA with my family.
-
mikekey - Lifer
- Posts: 2585
- Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 4:08 am
- Location: North America
- Name: Mike
- Vehicle Year: 2003
- Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
- Rank: Expedition Rated
Chevy Power!
Long live the Republic
"Violence is not always evil. The judicious use of violence and those willing to use it without hesitation is often all that stands between wolves and sheep."
Build Thread
Long live the Republic
"Violence is not always evil. The judicious use of violence and those willing to use it without hesitation is often all that stands between wolves and sheep."
Build Thread
-
dvanbramer88 - Lifer
- Posts: 2283
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:12 pm
- Location: PA, Bristol
- Name: Dave
- Vehicle Year: 2002
- Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- DriveTrain: 4WD
- Rank: Trail Ready
Of course James has a video on this. Have you seen his Bug out trailer videos, it's awesome, but also looks like a fire hazzard nightmare scenario.
Once lifted 03 Trailblazer on 35's, gave it up to travel the USA with my family.
-
mikekey - Lifer
- Posts: 2585
- Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 4:08 am
- Location: North America
- Name: Mike
- Vehicle Year: 2003
- Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
- Rank: Expedition Rated
Yes, I did see those videos. Impressive trailer, but A LOT of combustibles.
100 pounds of propane, 100 something gallons of gas, like 50 gallons of kerosine. Its crazy.
100 pounds of propane, 100 something gallons of gas, like 50 gallons of kerosine. Its crazy.
Chevy Power!
Long live the Republic
"Violence is not always evil. The judicious use of violence and those willing to use it without hesitation is often all that stands between wolves and sheep."
Build Thread
Long live the Republic
"Violence is not always evil. The judicious use of violence and those willing to use it without hesitation is often all that stands between wolves and sheep."
Build Thread
-
dvanbramer88 - Lifer
- Posts: 2283
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:12 pm
- Location: PA, Bristol
- Name: Dave
- Vehicle Year: 2002
- Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- DriveTrain: 4WD
- Rank: Trail Ready
Are you planning on getting your ham radio license? Because a ham radio out of the box is not any good if you don't have a license, legally. There are several recommendations for radios depending on your plan and mission. But a handheld is not going to do you much good if you don't know what is around you to get out and talk to someone. Just like a CB someone has to be there to hear you.
If you are in the middle of no where and can't hit a repeater to extend your range a handheld will not do you much good. You would want a mobile unit and better yet an HF radio to reach a distance if there is no VHF or UHF repeaters within contact distance.
If you are in the middle of no where and can't hit a repeater to extend your range a handheld will not do you much good. You would want a mobile unit and better yet an HF radio to reach a distance if there is no VHF or UHF repeaters within contact distance.
-
djthumper - Moderator
- Posts: 2702
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:04 pm
- Location: NV, Las Vegas
- Name: Larry
- Vehicle Year: 2006
- Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- DriveTrain: 4WD
- Rank: Offroad Rated
That is actually on the list of things to do within a group I'm a part of. But it won't be till next year. I'm just note taking, researching right now.
Once lifted 03 Trailblazer on 35's, gave it up to travel the USA with my family.
-
mikekey - Lifer
- Posts: 2585
- Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 4:08 am
- Location: North America
- Name: Mike
- Vehicle Year: 2003
- Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
- Rank: Expedition Rated
You can always start taking the practice tests. http://www.qrz.com/hamtest/ I'm interested in the setups that can utilize satellites. I will watch this thread with interest to see what setups you find. 
The problem with the Trailblazer is, people think you know what you're doing.
-
RyansTBLS - Addict
- Posts: 623
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:00 pm
- Location: OR, La Grande
- Name: Ryan
- Vehicle Year: 2006
- Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- DriveTrain: 4WD
- Rank: Trail Ready
Well There is a large list of things that can be done on the ham radios. I do quite a bit of different things with my ham radios. I use them for events and run APRS. We also use ham on my SAR team. I actually teach classes 3 times a year for my team with a few other instructors.
I know there are a few of us here that have our license. I have had mine for about 17 years now.
I know there are a few of us here that have our license. I have had mine for about 17 years now.
-
djthumper - Moderator
- Posts: 2702
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:04 pm
- Location: NV, Las Vegas
- Name: Larry
- Vehicle Year: 2006
- Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- DriveTrain: 4WD
- Rank: Offroad Rated
10 posts
• Page 1 of 1