| Title: | Amateur Radio |
| Notice: | Classifieds in #8, please register in #3 |
| Moderator: | CVG::EDRY M |
| Created: | Wed Jun 15 1994 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 504 |
| Total number of notes: | 3678 |
Hi,
I am totally new to Ham Radio. I've just inherited 2 ICOM Transceivers
(IC-215 and IC-280E) both in the 2 meter FM band.
I was told this band is restricted to technical discussions
(electronics?).
Can someone tell me if these band are still used today for this kind of
chat in spite of the Web, Newsgroups,...?
Can anyone suggest interesting uses I can make of these sets if I get
tired of the technical chat one day (which may not happen since I am a
keen electronics amateur).
Thanks in advance
William
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 499.1 | depends | ASDG::ACITO | Bill Acito W1PA | Thu Apr 17 1997 15:11 | 10 |
Where are you located (US, Europe)?
Do you have an amateur radio license in the country you are
located?
b
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| 499.2 | Europe-France | EVTAI1::SAAD | Fri Apr 18 1997 08:10 | 21 | |
I am located in France (Toulouse and soon in Lyon).
I don't have a licence (yet) since I have just inherited this stuff,
but I would be more than willing, if it turns out to be interesting,
to get one. If there is a technical exam, I should be able to study for
it since Electronics has been one of my hobbies for more than 25 years
now - plus I studied EE Eng at University.
I know that VHF FM has a relatively local "reach". Are there any odd
"modes" which allow distant communications ?
Are there any Web pages for this particular band ?
Thanks in advance
Regards
William
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| 499.3 | Some comments on 2 meters | SUBSYS::DONADT | Fri Apr 18 1997 11:47 | 30 | |
William,
You will need to get an Amateur Radio license to transmit on 2 meters,
however, you will be able to listen with your new equipment without a
license. I'm not sure of the licensing requirements for a VHF license
in France, but I am sure there will be a technical exam and you will
also have to know the rules and regulations for operating a amateur
station in your country. There may also be a Morse code test, but I am
not sure if this is a requirement in France for a VHF license.
Yes, 2 meters is generally local communications, however, there are
many repeaters here in the US and in Europe that extend the range of
VHF communications.
There are also a number of ham satellites that use 2 meters either for
an uplink or a down link. This expands the range of communications by
thousands of kilometers, and in some cases makes world wide
communications possible. You will need some extra equipment for working
satellite since only one link is on 2 meters. The other link could be
on 10 meters, 1 1/4, 3/4 meters or higher frequencies.
Moonbounce (EME) is also possible on 2 meters but this requires much
higher power than you have with the equipment you inherited.
Try to find a local ham or local radio club to get more information on
a local bases. Also you could contact your national organization, I
believe it is called the REF but not sure what the initials stand for.
Hope this helps a little.
Ray KM1D
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| 499.4 | Thanks - Radio Amateur Handbook ? | EVTAI1::SAAD | Fri Apr 18 1997 12:15 | 9 | |
Reply to .1 and .3
Thank you for this information. It is indeed helpful. I was wodering
also if the Radio Amateur Handbook is still published in 1997 ?
(I gave away the only copy I had - the 1981 edition !!)
Thanks again
William
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| 499.5 | Handbook published yearly | SUBSYS::DONADT | Tue Apr 22 1997 11:44 | 4 | |
Yes, the ARRL Amateur Radio Handbook is published every year. The '97
edition is now being sold.
Ray
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