In this video I discuss some basic information about HAM radio use, then I show you the radio, mount and antenna I installed on my Jeep Wrangler and then head over to a good friends house to show you the install. As a bonus, I'm going to show you 2 other HAM radio setups from some friends Jeeps.
Diamond K400S antenna mount: amzn.to/3na8Ihv
Diamond Antenna: amzn.to/3n8kkS6
Detachable Face Radio: amzn.to/3hcJzPn
* The Yaesu 7900 radios are no longer available.
ARRL Website for a class near you:
www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-r...
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Okay, so what is HAM radio? Well it’s basically just amateur radio frequencies for non-commercial use. It’s used for all sorts of general communication around the world and even space, it used during many race event, and has emergency use during disasters and so much more.
You need a license to operate a HAM radio as all the frequencies are reserved by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and I’ll leave a link where you can look up local classes and exam sites in your area.
I chose to attend a one day class and then challenged the test at the end. I did do a bit of reading ahead of time and there are a few sample HAM radio tests you can take online to help you prepare… those were pretty helpful.
I encourage you to get your license. No if you don’t have you license, you can still monitor on a HAM radio, you just can’t transmit unless in an emergency.
The range of a HAM radio depends on the frequency you are using, atmosphere, whether or not you are on a repeater (which is a radio station setup on mountains or building you can bounce your communication off of). And most importantly, what type of radio you are using.
I’ve been using this simple Baedfang handheld that I pick up for $35 for a while and it does the job when we are in a convoy, but it doesn’t’ even hold a candle to what we are installing now.
I’ve had friends in their Jeeps with the same system I have here talk from over 10 miles away without using a repeater and I have another friend that was talking to a guy in other countries from his Jeep by using a repeaters. (you can’t do that with a CB!)
There are a lot of rules about how you communicate on a HAM radio, most importantly you need to identify yourself via your call sign.
Disclaimer:
TrailRecon assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of TrailRecon, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not TrailRecon. This video is solely for entertainment purposes only.