New (and first) Radio!

[Cammo]

You need to bring this to BorregoFest. I want to check it out. Do me a favor and dial your radio to frequency 155.085 and see if it transmits or gives you an error message or tone.

No problem, it's on the list of essentials! Esyay ithay usday ransmitay onhay uhthay equencyfay entionedmay. Is that good or bad? Am I in trouble?

[OLLIE]

You need to bring this to BorregoFest. I want to check it out. Do me a favor and dial your radio to frequency 155.085 and see if it transmits or gives you an error message or tone.

No problem, it's on the list of essentials! Esyay ithay usday ransmitay onhay uhthay equencyfay entionedmay. Is that good or bad? Am I in trouble?

That this radio and accessories are not explicitly certified by anyone. But the manual states that spurious emissions are under 7uW. The radio also allows you to transmit in frequency ranges outside of the band plan. Since licenses allows homebrew, then it's up to you to ensure you adhere to the emission rules and only transmit on frequencies within the band plan. Here's the frequency range of the radio as per it advertised specs.

FM: 88-108MHz (RX)
VHF: 136-174MHz (RX/TX)
UHF1: 350-390MHz (RX/TX)
UHF2: 400-470MHz (RX/TX)
UHF3: 470-520MHz (RX)

Your FT-8800 specs are as follows.
RX frequency range:
VHF: 108.000 - 520.000 MHz
UHF: 700.000 - 999.995 MHz (Cellular Blocked)

RX/TX frequency range.
VHF: 144.000 - 148.000 MHz
UHF: 430.000 - 440.000 MHz

So although your 8800 will monitor frequencies out of the band plan, it will not transmit on them unless you modify it. The HT you have is essentially made and sold already modified. So you just need to ensure you only transmit on frequencies allowed by the band plan to stay FCC compliant.

A lot of people who aren't HAMS by 2M radios and have them modified so they can transmit on the 152 MHz race frequencies in their race trucks and prerunners. This is technically only legal during a sanctioned event when the event commision has made arrangements with the FCC for the temporary use of the race frequencies. These frequencies usually remain the same from race to race. Some racers are moving to the 800 MHz frequency ranges now, especially the pro trucks. The 152 MHz range is also where you can find a lot of emergency frequencies, air traffic control, airplanes, etc. It's not wise to transmit on those frequenicies for obvious reasons.

We can chat more about it at BorregoFest.

[WA4DQS]

A lot of people who aren't HAMS by 2M radios and have them modified so they can transmit on the 152 MHz race frequencies in their race trucks and prerunners

I knew of a certain company that would buy Icom 2m HT's and modify them for their simplex 150mhz employee field HTs. The mechanic, also a ham, told me it was far cheaper than buying the motorola 150mhz biz band units.

In the 1990s, I also encountered a custom motorcycle shop that sold high power Icom 2m mobile ham rigs, and advertised them specifically as "race radios" for use on the ham 2m freq's!!

[xtatik]

A lot of people who aren't HAMS by 2M radios and have them modified so they can transmit on the 152 MHz race frequencies in their race trucks and prerunners. This is technically only legal during a sanctioned event when the event commision has made arrangements with the FCC for the temporary use of the race frequencies.

Actually, this would not be legal under any circumstance. The units are Type Certified by the FCC for operation only within the Amateur bands. Any modification for use by licensed or non-licensed individuals would be illegal at that frequency. It's unlikely the FCC would contradict themselves on this point.

[DaveK]

A lot of people who aren't HAMS by 2M radios and have them modified so they can transmit on the 152 MHz race frequencies in their race trucks and prerunners. This is technically only legal during a sanctioned event when the event commision has made arrangements with the FCC for the temporary use of the race frequencies.

Actually, this would not be legal under any circumstance. The units are Type Certified by the FCC for operation only within the Amateur bands. Any modification for use by licensed or non-licensed individuals would be illegal at that frequency. It's unlikely the FCC would contradict themselves on this point.

I concur. Given that some of these frequencies are authorized for, and in use by, law enforcement, fire or other emergency governmental entities, it would be quite illegal to transmit, not to mention, potentially dangerous by interfering with their communications.

[cruiserlarry]

I know what you mean about the faceplate... been there. I like the 8800, and have one also. Get a nice dual band hand held and you've got a very powerful combo, thanks to the 8800's repeater function that will re-broadcast the hand-held's signal far and wide. Read up on that. Nice feature to have when off-road and hiking away from the vehicle.

Well, I got a HT, I don't know if I'd call it "nice" as no one has probably heard of it...it's a Quansheng Dual bander. It's an el cheapo ($96.00 delivered). I don't have anything to compare it to so don't know how it rates. The manual is an interesting read to say the least...

I was considering purchasing one of those (Quansheng TV-UV2) as a spare...Reviews on eHam.com are very good for that radio; the biggest criticism is the lack of DTMF tones from the keypad (strange not to have them, IMO). There is another Chinese brand (Wouxun) that offers a 2M/440 or 2M/220 handheld with tones for about $110. delivered - it also gets good reviews.

Basically, some of these import radios, while capable of the ham frequencies, were designed for commercial use - so they lack built-in features we take for granted on radios sold in the US - repeater offsets, DTMF tones, etc. So, you might have a longer learning curve programming the radio, but audio . signal quality reviews look very good for the money.

An issue of greater concern is the legality of the radio to transmit on the ham bands. If the radio is not FCC-type accepted to use on the hams bands here, it would be illegal to transmit on them. (I don't know the status of the Quansheng, Wouxun, Puxing, Linton, or Feidaxin radios). Many radios are designed for specific bands in a specific country; and while they might work on the service or frequency range you are looking for, they are still not legal to use on them...

I think this is the radio you are referring to:

[xtatik]

IIRC.....
Part 15 for all consumer electronics.
Part 60 for Marine
Part 90 for Commercial/Public Service.
Part 95 for FRS/GMRS
Part 97 for Ham.

[OLLIE]

At no time did I say that it was OK to transmit out of your legal band plan frequencies. I know for a fact that the SCORE Racing frequencies are in the 150.000+ MHz range. I also know for a fact that NASCAR Race frequencies are in the 450.000+ MHz range and these organizations are authorized to use these ranges by the FCC under a special event license of some sort. If you have a radio that can broadcast on these frequencies outside of the band plan then it is your responsibility not to broadcast on these frequencies. Below are some examples of race frequencies.

NASCAR:
Robby Gordon
Pri 469.4500
Sec 463.6500
Alt 1 466.340
Alt 2 461.8500
-These frequencies are in the business band ranges.

SCORE FREQUENCIES:
1) 151.625 Weatherman/SCORE
2) 151.715 BFG RELAY
3) 151.985 RHI/TG Racing I
4) 153.395 BFG PITS
5) 151.925 CHECKERS PITS
6) 150.860 FAIR PITS
7) 151.685 NETWORK
8) 154.555 Floyd/GRIFFIN I *
9) 151.505 CHECKERS II
10) 153.185 TG Racing II
11) 153.380 MAG 7
12) 154.615 Floyd/GRIFFIN II
13) 153.215 RHI II/BFG Pvt.
14) 151.490 BITD/SCORE III
15) 150.875 SCORE II
16) 154.515 PCI RELAY
17) 151.070 DECO Steve/Derek 16
18) 150.800 Canada Hummer
19) 151.950 Henns/RHI III
20) 154.555 Floyd Hummer
21) 150.935 Marc Stein/Sykes #1
22) 150.950 Andataco/D. Sykes#2
23) 153.170 Craig Turner 7
24) 151.725 Baker 7s/Penhall 10
25) 152.330 Gary Mecham 7S
26) 151.220 Jarad/Eric Hardin 7S
27) 151.835 Joe Custer 7S
28) 153.080 Jeff Lewis #1
29) 154.550 Jeff Lewis #2
30) 147.825 Scott Sells 7
31) 153.365 Duralast/Landfield 7S
32) 151.520 Robby Gordon
33) 151.000 Bob Gordon
34) 151.040 Mark Post
35) 153.560 TEAM GREEN
36) 154.980 BAJA PITS I
37) 153.455 BAJA PITS II
38) 153.065 J. Spirkoff/Spirit
39) 151.655 I. Stewart/Mecham
40) 153.320 Ivan Stewart #1
41) 153.305 Ivan Stewart #2
42) 150.965 Trackside Photo
43) 152.780 Off-road.com
44) 151.600 Herbst #1
45) 152.045 Larry Ragland
46) 153.725 Baldwin #1
47) 153.245 Goodyear Main Pit
48) 155.970 Barstow Sheriff
49) 166.375 Barstow BLM EMER.
50) 157.620 SCORE 5

[xtatik]

At no time did I say that it was OK to transmit out of your legal band plan frequencies. I know for a fact that the SCORE Racing frequencies are in the 150.000+ MHz range. I also know for a fact that NASCAR Race frequencies are in the 450.000+ MHz range and these organizations are authorized to use these ranges by the FCC under a special event license of some sort. If you have a radio that can broadcast on these frequencies outside of the band plan then it is your responsibility not to broadcast on these frequencies. Below are some examples of race frequencies.

I'm glad you clarified, but I think think you're missing the point behind my earlier post.
It's not so much about "band plans" as it is about "type acceptance". A Part 97 Ham radio cannot transmit into the other radio service spectral segments under any circumstance other than an emergency.
I was addressing your mention that non-hams were modding radios that were FCC type accepted as Part 97 Ham radios for transmission in the Part 90 (152 mhz) Commercial spectrum....big No-No!
SCORE and NASCAR are both commercial enterprises and wouldn't require special permits or licensing outside the normal protocols. If they are issued commercial licenses for use in commercial spectral segments and use the appropriately Part 90 accepted Commercial radios....they're good to go. If they were to use inappropriately type accepted radios (like, non-channelised Part 97 Ham radios)... they would be breaking the law.

[Cammo]

So with my usual sense of urgency, I finally completed (99% anyway) my mobile installation. Up 'till now I had been running with the radio shoved unsecured under the drivers seat with power & antenna running under the running board. The power was basically how I wanted it (except for exiting on the side of the running board very visibly going to the radio) and the mag mount antenna running up the door & out the weather seals. VERY tacky!

Saturday I picked up a Diamond SG7500NMO antenna & a Larsen through-the-roof NMO mount from HRO. I liked the SG7900 better, but the 7500 is shorter & with the thinness of the roof I think it'll work better...probably better with obstacles on the trail too...And, it folds without removing the base!

I didn't know if I'd actually have the cajones to drill it or not. Woke up Sunday, piddled around, watched some football & finally decided to go for it. Partially dropped the headliner enough to stick a pan under the hole location to protect the liner. I had tried to get one of the expensive shouldered bits but HRO didn't have one so got a standard metal hole saw from Dixieline. When I got up on the top (figuratively speaking) to drill the hole I was dismayed to see the condition of the roof. The mag mount and a previously wayward Sirius antenna had taken its toll on my white roof. Oh well, goes with the pinstripping I guess. I marked & drilled the hole, good thing I put the pan in, I wouldn't have caught it quick enough if it wasn't there. When I read the mount instructions I was bummed to read that "No NMO mount is waterproof without the antenna attached" (I thought this was a benefit of NMO). Oh well, too late now. So I proceeded with the install & everything went swimmingly well. All the wires are tucked away nice & neat. The only thing left is to secure the radio under the seat. I'll probably just velcro it down. Drove to West LA in the rain this morning & it sat all day in the rain...no apparent leaks so far!