New Ham checking in...

[Cammo]

I just passed my Technician test this AM, so don't have a call sign yet! Was kinda bummed 'cause I didn't read anywhere that code wasn't needed for General so didn't study for that one. Took the test, but some "remedial training " is required. Maybe next month. Anyway, I'm glad to finally get my ticket, I've wanted to do this since high school. I'm 50 something now, where has the time gone! I'm not exactly a newby here but haven't posted much. I figured this would be a great time & place for an introduction as Ollie has been a great motivating factor in getting this done (Thanks Ollie!).

Judy & I like to go offroading in our FJ Cruiser, take the SeaDoos to lake Havasu (yeah, the hated PWCs, I love 'em, they're like a motorcycle on the water!), and piddle with police scanners, computers, and now Amateur Radio. Just what I needed, something else to sink money into!

And now the quest begins...what to get for my first radio. I'm looking at a mobile dual band (2 meter & 70 cm). I like the Yaesu FT-8800R, but a 7900 would be great too.

[Willie H]

Congratulations on passing the test! I'm a new ham myself, and absolutely enjoy it, I'm sure you will too. I know there are a few guys here that endorse and/or use the 8800. I just put one in my Jeep (my first mobile rig) I love it.

Congrats again!

[BlueFJ]

Congrats! I have the 8800 in my rig. I highly recommend it!

[cruiserlarry]

Welcome aboard, and congrats on passing the tech test.

The Yaesu FT-8800 is a fantastic radio, and many folks here use 'em. If you might have interest in APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System), you might also look at the new Yaesu FTM-350R, or the Kenwood TM-D710A, as they both do everything the FT-8800 does, and they also have a built-in TNC and software to do APRS - very useful on the trail, IMO.

[salad_man]

Welcome, awesome group of people here and probably one of the best knowledge bases on radios, imo

[Cammo]

Thanks for the warm welcome, I look forward to doing some activities soon. Larry, I looked at both radios, they are awesome choices, if a little pricey! I thought the 8700 said it had APRS, but it was ARTS. Looks like a proprietary protocol. Gotta watch those acronyms. With the amount of power these things pull, I might need a dual battery setup after all 'eh?

[cruiserlarry]

Thanks for the warm welcome, I look forward to doing some activities soon. Larry, I looked at both radios, they are awesome choices, if a little pricey! I thought the 8700 said it had APRS, but it was ARTS. Looks like a proprietary protocol. Gotta watch those acronyms. With the amount of power these things pull, I might need a dual battery setup after all 'eh?

ARTS is a proprietary Yaesu protocol, unrelated to APRS (although it can be useful, too ).

While most of the mobile radios transmit 50 watts on 2 meters, relative to other accessories, it's not a big electrical draw. Most off-road lights draw 55-135 watts each, etc... While I think a dual battery system offers many advantages, it's not required to run a mobile ham radio - unless you are planning on operating for extended periods of time while parked.

[OLLIE]

Congratulations on getting your ticket. We hope to see you out on the trails more now too. Try to check out our weekly net once you get a radio.

[Cammo]

Thanks Ollie!

KJ6JLZ. Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue...Got it yesterday, probably the most efficient Gov't action I've ever seen!

What does you're -7 mean Ollie?

Looking forward to the net, prolly just listen for a while...

[cruiserlarry]

Congrats on getting your ticket...

If you pm your real name with your call sign, I'll add you to the official OAUSA Amateur Operator Roster