FJ Cruisers of Northern California

New HAMer

Well I set up a Element 2, Technician training class and exam for our EOC Comm Roster staff and our Incident Command Team Comm staff. 20 of 22 staff passed the exam and most of us are now looking into hand held multi-band radios. I also need to set up four EOC base stations and three comm trailers HAM gear. Lots of work but should be a good learning process. I should have my call sign by Tuesday.... Then I will start looking for gear and looking forward to my first call.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by manoweb on March 10, 2011 at 7:30pm

Good! I would personally suggest to look into something that supports APRS like some recent Yaesu and Kenwood rigs.

Permalink Reply by Boss73 on March 10, 2011 at 8:07pm

Welcome to the HAM !!!

Permalink Reply by potatomutato on March 10, 2011 at 8:34pm

congrats! and good job setting up a training class for your staff!

Permalink Reply by opg4759 on March 10, 2011 at 11:07pm

now you need to get your ticket Tater.

Permalink Reply by DWH on March 10, 2011 at 8:37pm

Congrats!

Let me know when you are up and running and we'll give the local repeater a shot.

Permalink Reply by opg4759 on March 10, 2011 at 11:07pm

Congrats on passing the test.

For a HT I recommend the Yeasu VX-8DR.

When you get closer to setting stuff up hit me up and I'll get you in touch with a couple of my friends that have setup up the emergency communications system at Burning Man. If your starting from scratch they would be good resources.

Permalink Reply by manoweb on March 11, 2011 at 9:52am

If you guys even plan to meet for this stuff, let me know, I'll be very glad to help, or at least meet other hams.

Permalink Reply by BigFish on April 5, 2011 at 10:16pm

Here an update!

Got Radio - Yeasu FTM-350

Working on the install. I am thinking of parking the black box in the side wall. So, I dove in and removed the left rear panels and see lot of unused space. Then looking at the need to program, input and output jack location and future connections I slowed up. I am thinking I want to mount the head just above the mirror.

The data cable is 40 smacks. Really! I slowed up more. Maybe parking the black box in the side wall is not that great of an Idea.

So looking for comments or pokes.

Downside to black box in the side wall (other than access)?

I could program before install or buck it up for the data cable and make it accessible...

Antenna install - I am running a CB antenna on the rear door. I am not sure able running a mag mount. So, I am thinking roof install center and in front of rack. I ordered up a Super-M multi-band antenna. A number of ER buddies are running them on work and home rigs.

Thanks for any comments or pokes in advance.

PS saving for a Yeasu VX-8DR to go with...

Permalink Reply by DWH on April 5, 2011 at 11:34pm

If you want to come by, I can show you how I mounted mine under my passenger seat.

I have the material to make another bracket as well if you are interested.

Permalink Reply by techie on April 27, 2011 at 12:34am

For EOC and comm trailer use, I would suggest the use of commercial radios, rather than ham rigs that sing, dance, and require an hour with the manual to figure out how to get out of the mode that you accidentally got into.

Most EOC use is going to be on predetermined channels, and programmed into memory in advance, so having a simple user interface is a good thing. Turn on the radio, switch to channel X, talk.

If all radios are the same type, so much the better. You might even be able to get surplus radios as your agency moves to narrowband, since the amateur service is not changing anytime in the near future.

Commercial radios are also going to perform better in a high RF environment, such as might be found in a EOC with multiple radios in operation.

You could always have a spare ham rig available for those rare occasions when you need to deviate from the channel plan, but I would suggest the simplest radio available. You would still want to provide a cheat sheet.

Permalink Reply by manoweb on April 27, 2011 at 1:35pm

This is the weirdest thing I've read in a while :)

Permalink Reply by opg4759 on April 27, 2011 at 2:36pm

I would agree when setting up a EOC to use commercial gear over off the shelf ham gear.