If you have a power supply with an amp meter that will show you if not hook up your VOM and key the radio and it will show you the amp draw.

 

The manual for your radio should tell you that . My Icom 706 needs 2 amps receive and about 20 amps transmit at full power [100 watts]

 

Here is a screen shot of the page in my manual for my Kenwood TM-271A which is a 60 WATT radio and you can see it there in print, on Transmit 13 amps.

 

I had a Larsen thru the glass antenna on my 2000 Expo mounted on the rear window for several years. Never had a problem with the defroster wires even when I had it turned on. My only complaint was that the Larsen could really sing. That's what I don't want with the new truck. I thought about putting some foam inside the coils to keep it quiet. Noise was worse when it's cold out.

 

They make some with the coil sealed in plastic and they don't sing like the open coil.

 

I hope I don't annoy any of you with these series of question because I guess I can look them up. You all seem more than pretty knowledgeable about this kind of stuff so I think it makes more sense to go this route ha ha!
Don't kill me, but what exactly is a HAM radio, how does it differ from a normal CB radio? Longer range? I planned on getting a new CB once I get home from this deployment, but this HAM radio sorta has me thinking of change. Is anyone able to throw around some numbers for a good 'starter kit'?
Thanks for the insight, really looking forward to it.
Take care.

 

Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is a hobby enjoyed by several hundred thousand people in the United States and by over a million people worldwide. Amateur radio operators call themselves "radio hams" or simply "hams."

To become a radio ham, you must pass an examination. Wireless amateur communication is done on numerous bands (relatively narrow frequency segments) extending from 1.8 MHz (a wavelength of about 160 meters) upwards through several hundred gigahertz (wavelengths in the millimeter range). There are several license classes. The more privileges a class of license conveys, the more difficult is the examination that one must pass to obtain it.

Amateur radio operation is fun, and that is one of the main reasons hamsdo it. But ham radio can provide communication during states of emergency. Ham radio works when all other services fail. After Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida in 1992, the utility grid was destroyed over hundreds of square miles. All cellular towers and antennas were blown down. Only amateur radio, the Citizens Radio Service ("Citizens Band"), and a few isolated pay phones with underground lines provided communication between the outside world and the public in the affected area.

Differences between Ham and CB, CB you have 40 channels and 2 modes of operation AM and SSB, Ham radio with the correct license you can a HUGE spectrum of frequencies to talk on, in addition to the two modes CB has you have Packet, PSK, RTTY, FM use of repeaters. You aren't limited to 5 watts your can depending on the frequency use 1500 watts of power. CB is supposed to be for short range communications, where Ham isn't, I have talked all over the world.

You will also notice "Less" silliness and vulgar talk on the ham bands, it is there but not like you hear on ch 19. The first level of license is called technician which will get you 10 meter access and above, Most people utilize the 2 meter band (144 - 148 mhz) where it is mostly local talk on FM repeaters and what is called simplex. Simplex is a direct communication with another ham or group of hams. Repeaters greatly improve the range and is a system that is located on a tall building or hill that receives and repeater the signal over a much larger area. Most hams really enjoy this band, as it is FM, no sizzle of am and crystal clear.

If you want to get your license you can study online for free or get a study guide book for around $20 and take your test for about $14. A radio will be around $180 or less if you find a nice used one. A mobile antenna will run $35 up depending on what you get.

Hope this answers your question if you have more don't hesitate to ask.

 

bruuuuce: Thanks so much for all that info!!! I'm beyond interest now ha ha! Would you mind if I send you prices/ products of some stuff and see if it seems reasonable? Also how would you go about takign the test...where would someone like me go?

 

Sure you can send me stuff, I will give you my opinion.

Their are two organizations that can give you test W5YI or ARRL, go these two links and find the nearest testing group near you. It will give you an email or phone number to call and get testing dates and times.

http://www.w5yi.org/exam_locations_ama.php
or
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-...e-exam-session

You can also buy a study guide online and study at your own pace:
http://www.w5yi.org/catalog.php?sort=4

If you want to study online here are some resources:

http://www.qrz.com/exams
http://www.eham.net/exams/

If you feel like you need a more structured classroom type instruction to pass use this link to search for a class near you.

http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class

 

www.arrl.net is the organization that controls amateur radio.That website will give info on obtaining a license .Tests are given by the local radio club. An interesting forum about Hams is www.eham.net .Major radio dealers are companies like www.universal-radio.com and there you'll find equipment info.
There are many parts of amateur radio from emergency communcations to satellite comm .etc. Conversations can be about almost anything [not too much religion or politics]. My longest was with a fellow hunter I happened to contact in Sweden .Discussing USA white tail vs Swedish moose hunting !! The cyclic propagation conditions are improving again now so long range contacts are becomming more interesting.Give it a try.

 

I like dealing with www.hamradio.com and www.gigaparts.com I find they have a good supply and good to work with.

ARRL doesn't control Amateur Radio, they are an advocate, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) controls Amateur Radio.

 

All that info is awesome! Thanks so much for all of it...really feeling this!

 

I studied for my test for a couple hours (knowing NOTHING about radios) and went and passed my exam with an 94%. So far in the several weeks I've been in it, I have over $2,000 of used radio equipment. Kenwood TS-940S (HF rig, over 40 lbs!), two brand-new Kenwood TK-7180 VHF mobiles I use for public service but also 2m on our local repeater. Kenwood TK-3180, 5W Mobile VHF handheld, again for public service but also 2m. Realistic HTX-100 for the 10m (The only HF band Techs can operate), and several small CBs. This stuff is fantastic!

 

I'm glad to see some interest of others here on ham radios. While all the threads are interesting to me, this one is of special interest. I just like RF, and am a 3 generation ham.
I read something earlier today about using 1/2 wave antenna in situations where ground planes aren't great, or achievable. Maybe I'll just mount a yagi...lol... Seriously though, this has me thinking about putting a 1/2 wave on my back passenger corner somehow. My rugged bedliner may be a problem there, have to check that out tomorrow.
I'm still completely stuck on an elegant installation for HF bands. Specifically, I'd like to run 17, 20 and 40 meter. Even if it meant single band operation type setup (get out and change the stick to swap bands) The way they've jacked up the post mounts does not make for a convenient install.

 

2K?! ...I need to make more money haha!!!