Zombie Squad Amateur/CB Radio Network: pt 4 - networking

[Cwood]

I've been working in comms for about 5 years now and I am thinking of getting into hams. Currently i'm working in satellite communications so hams look like a lot of fun with a lot less radation. Once i get to where i'm moving to i'll see about getting my ham requirements out of the way.

[Cwood]

I've been working in comms for about 5 years now and I am thinking of getting into hams. Currently i'm working in satellite communications so hams look like a lot of fun with a lot less radation. Once i get to where i'm moving to i'll see about getting my ham requirements out of the way.

[Demonstrator]

!

[PoorImpulseControl]

Citizen Band is considered 11 meter bandwith and with a good 200 watt linear amplifier, and the right conditions (skip) you can pretty much talk all over the U.S.A. somtimes farther.

And is highly illegal.

[Hatch]

Citizen Band is considered 11 meter bandwith and with a good 200 watt linear amplifier, and the right conditions (skip) you can pretty much talk all over the U.S.A. somtimes farther.

And is highly illegal.

Pretty much his entire post is either about doing illegal shit, or it's just technically inaccurate.

For them that don't know, CB (in the U.S.) is limited to 4W AM or 12W PEP SSB on 40 designated channels in the 11m band ranging from 26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz. PLEASE don't follow Demonstrator's advice. What he is describing is exactly the kind of behavior that has caused many amateur radio operators to abandon the 10m band as ghetto airspace. That overdriving and outbanding crap just creates interference for other CB operators, as well as for licensed amateur operators in their allocated bands.

If you want to drive 250W on 10m and 12m, get your General class amateur license - it's not difficult or expensive. Then if you really want to reach out and talk long distance, you can operate at 20m or 40m and only have to push 100W (and sometimes much less). If you transmit under 200W PEP, you can even operate on the 10m band with just a Technician license.

Also, there are plenty of radios on the market that operate on the 10 and 12 meter bands. They are manufactured for and sold to, licensed amateur radio operators.

--Hatch

[Demonstrator]

Well I have to say that I'm never shocked by the ignorance demonstrated on the internet. I never said for anyone to take my advice, I just give advise. How and what people do with the information givin is up the individual. Yes, the type of radio and amplifier I have is illegal, as I'm sure most people have figured this out just by reading the paragraph! I was very much NOT lying when I said you WILL find the majority of people who use CB/HAM radios on a regular basis, on the 10 -12 (thats 10 through 12 not 10 and 12 btw) meter bandwith most of the time, because of the ease of use compaired to say, 4 or 6 or 20 meter radio's. Not to mention that frequencies in that length, more often rely on skip and not so much repeaters. REMEMBER if the powers out, repeaters don't work! EMERGENCY CASE SENARIO!!!! I did not find this out reading it in a book... I found it out by experience, somthing you apparently lack, or take TOO seriously! I also said I'm not condoning illicid use of illegal radio's, but for emergancy purposes ; and related to this website, as last time I checked this was a ZOMBIE BOARD.. Dont take things so personal ppl, as in the event of an emergency, 4 watts on an 11 meter radio just isnt going to cut it. Not enough frequencies, and definatly not enough power by todays standards set by society, not me alone. If sombody WAS really going to take my advice seriously, It would take a lot more then a quick stop at your local best buy, sorry to break it to you. It took me years to know what I know and be where I am now, and in that time, ESPECIALLY when operating out of the 11 meter band, I've always been courteous to others and have ALWAYS been welcome on the air. As far as getting a licence, well for some it is hard and why didn't you mention also, that when you do get your TECH lic., and operate on the 10 meter band, its CW ONLY (morris code)???? Wow thats what we need in an emergency situation, a bunch of unorganized people trying to CW over eachother!! Just because I didnt wast my time getting a licence, does not mean I don't know what im talking about. So when an emergency is applied, and it will be, and your wondering why your little microwave unit isn't reaching nobody, I'll be over here talking to my family 3000 miles away! For you people who don't know better, this is ILLEGAL!! Happy?




Demo

[Hatch]

Demonstrator:

1. Go read the forum rules.

1.) No discussion of illegal activities as a viable option.

2. The Technician class amateur license grants SSB phone privileges on 10m from 28.3MHz to 28.5MHz at 200W PEP max.

3. It's "Morse code" not "Morris code."

4. Troll elsewhere.

--Hatch

[American_Infidel]

I thought a Tech could do voice from 28.3 to 28.5 or have things changed in the last little bit?
Yep they still can do SSB voice from 28.3 to 28.5
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regula ... _color.pdf

And while I am no expert, from my observations, you could be pushing a million watts and no one will hear you with the shitty conditions right now.
Now 75m, 40m, and 20m are another story.

[tool133]

Let me give this a try...

1. I have been a licensed ham for almost as many years. The use on 10 and 12 meters only takes place when sunspots peak, around every 11 years or so. The last time it was even remotely popular was around 1999-2002. The band has been pretty dead since 2004 and will remain so until probably next summer, at the earliest. Rare occasions have happened where activity picked up, but that only occurs during contests when people try their luck.

2. 10 and 12 meters suck, because of people like you running garbage signals over the air. There's more to a good signal than flat SWR's.

3. Get your license if you want to talk DX. As a VE, I've seen a lot of people who know squat about radios get their license. Take practice tests at QRZ.com If you've been on the air for that long, you should have no problem. Then after you get your license and find out about the other, more magical bands than 10 meters, you may be able to put your hobby into good use, such as registering with your local civil defense/ emergency management and help others in need. Thats what we like to encourage around here when we're not whacking errant zombies. Then you can master how to communicate with minimum power just as far as you can running more heat than the sun.

4. Operating on an amateur band without a license is a felony. Is not spending a few weeks studying for a test worth a lifetime of difficulty finding work, being prohibited from one day participating with your kids cub scouts or little league or own a firearm

5. Al Gore cries every time a watt is wasted.

[Doctor Jest]

Demonstrator, there is no reason not to get a license. Four year-old kids can do it, so can you.

From the ARRL web site:

Fifty years later, in 1998, we reported that Samuel Lewis, KB9RYP, got his Tech Plus ticket (which he continues to hold), while Sarah Bruno, KB9SEG, got her Novice license (she's since upgraded to Technician). Both were just four years old. At the same time, Joshua Bruno, KB9RER, then five, upgraded to General (Joshua, who now hold an Extra ticket, said the written test was hard). All of the youngsters, from Indiana, come from families with lots of hams. Samuel's brother Gabriel, KB9REP, got his General at age nine, while his other brother John, KB9RRF, had his Tech ticket at seven. Both now are Amateur Extra licensees.

Rebeca Rich, KB0VVT, of Missouri--a very active amateur--got her Amateur Extra ticket in 1997 at the tender young age of eight. Her parents are David, KG0US, and Barbara, KG0UT.

In December 2001, six-year-old Jessica Dowding of Utah--who comes from a large family of hams that includes her dad, Clark, N7TDT, and mom, Melinda, KC7AWQ, passed her Technician ticket to become probably the youngest amateur in that state.

Last November, nine-year-old Elizabeth Harper, AK3H, of Alabama became one of the nation's youngest Amateur Extra-class licensees. Her parents are Anthony, NO2M, and Sondra Harper, KA4EIC.

This is Mattie. She got her Tech license when she was four. This picture was taken right after she got her General class license at the age of six - and she did so when Morse code was still a requirement (it no longer is required, by the way).

[Demonstrator]

Wow I used to like this board!! I'm not even gonna try anymore.. Some of you are cool!! Other's need to get a life. I really don't think the FCC would give a ratz azz, IN AN EMERGANCY SITUATION.. I didn't think you all would take such offence to my post as I was thinking emergancy only.. I could argue with you all day, but in the end it would be pointless!! I do argree with some but strongly diss with others.. Oh well case closed!!

[American_Infidel]

What's the point of waiting till an emergency to learn how to use it?

[Demonstrator]

My point exactaly.. But apparently to most all you have to do is read a book to learn how to operate a radio.. But instead of listening to me, they try and shoot me down with trivia!! I'm being the bigger man here so drop it. Subject change..

[Demonstrator]

http://www.police-scanner.info/live-police-scanners.htm

click on link
pretty cool


Demo

[American_Infidel]

No you're just being questioned on you idiotic, hairbrained "solution".
You're saying "ohh, get an illegal radio that can pumps out x amount of watts and then you can talk to anyone you want to in an emergency".
Screw that. Get a license (easy to do now) and learn the ins and outs of operating a radio.

[Demonstrator]

Apparently you got little dick syndrom.... Drop it KID!!!

[Doctor Jest]

Okay, folks, let's take it down a notch here.

I talked to Demonstrator via PM and I believe he is now 100% clear on the rule about no-illegal-stuff here. Let's all move on from here now.

Thank you.

As you were.

[Demonstrator]

Thanks Doc I removed my post,

[KyleYankan]

Section: Eastern Pennsylvania (Delaware County)
Location: Latitude = 39.8698, Longitude = -75.3393
Interests: I've got my Amatuer License, but it's been so long I forget which one. I'd like to do something digital.
Equipment: I've got a truck-mounted CB, Cobra generic brand, an old 2m with no PL codes in it, and a 1/3watt HT in 2m.

[nateted4]

I would suggest that we begin by gathering information. If you are interested in participating in the ZS Radio Network, leave a post or a PM. I will start gathering a list. Please include the following information:

The section you are in.

Oregon

Your latitude and longitude.

45 degrees 35 minutes 06.67 seconds North
122 degrees 45 minutes 52.56 seconds West
(That's the St Johns Bridge, but I live right in that neighborhood)

Your particular interest;

General Class License (PM me and I'll tell you my call sign). I am considering joining the local ARES unit.

Your equipment situation.

2 meter base station, a multi-band HT, 2 meter HT, portable HF-VHF-UHF rig. I am in the process of building a HF backpack setup.
I monitor the western reflector and my clubs local repeater.

Edit: HTML snafu

[Jinx]

IF this thread is still about putting your info out there (communication wise) [/b]




Lon/Lat +31.7 -097.0

I have had/operate a CB for years. Currently own a cobra 29 (chrome face) with 100w kicker, I also have a new model 19 in the closet just in case.

I know any extra wattage on CB is Illegal, I am a grown up, I know the risk.

I have wanted to get into ham for years. The local ham club has a very big problem with CBers and broke people, sadly I am mostly broke and I didnt know about ham till I got a CB.

Point being, I am out here.

[Doctor Jest]

This thread is only about legal communications capabilities. It is unwise, as well as a violation of forum rules, to post your illegal capabilities, as well as your specific location. If I posted in the Firearms section that I had an illegal silenced machine pistol but added that I was mentioning in only "IF this thread is still about weapons capabilities," it would also be unwise. Granted, the federal gov't places much less emphasis on violations of communications laws than firearms laws, but we do not make that distinction here.

[trixter]

I would like to make some comments, and given the quantity of pages this may have already been done, too lazy to check every page

Linking CB to ham would be a bad idea. In an emergency there are no rules for radio transmissions, per the FCC if you think that broadcasting on any frequency you desire, in any mode, with any power output will bring assistance to protect life or property, then you can. Other nations may not be as forgiving.

It is possible for a CB net to be conducted, which feeds into a HAM net, which relays the information. For a national, or even international net, you really have to have regional points of contact (with redundancy in geographically different areas!!) which relay to other people further away. This way you dont end up with 1000 people trying to deliver messages that are more local in nature.

CB is also 4w, and even if you get one that does SSB you are still somewhat limited for the nets. They could make for a good regional link up, especially if the antenna is *at least* 9 feet off the ground to mitigate ground wave propagation, this will lower the radiation angle and allow for longer range communication. 5/8 wave also transmit far more in the horizontal plane than the vertical, based on terrain they may be better for many people.

There are rules when you do US->* ham radio contacts, 3rd party communications (ie those not by a licensed operator for that band/mode/power) are more restricted. Additionally FCC part 97.117 states when you talk to a station "in a different country" you can only talk about amateur radio and things of "personal character". This can complicate the nets if you are relaying traffic.

I however specifically came to this forum today to find out if there was such a net and to participate if that is the case.

My location is roughly Sacramento, CA
Coord: 38.51, -120.75
Elevation: 2600 feet
Ham license KC2DWQ
Gear: various/multiple (most is duplicated) - all mode (cw,ssb,fm,am)
100w on HF/6m
NVIS antenna for 160-40m (shorter range, 500-1000 miles)
Low radiation angle above 40m (longer range)
50w 2m
Good overview of the Sacramento Valley can work stations in
Modesto, Lodi, Concord, Mt. Diablo, Sacramento, Tahoe, Eureka
maybe Bakersfield
40w 70cm
Good overview of the Sacramento Valley
4w CB (unless there is an emergency, then more
Both AM and SSB

I would not mind being a regional net coordinator and relaying traffic to other regions.

[trixter]

Citizen Band is considered 11 meter bandwith and with a good 200 watt linear amplifier, and the right conditions (skip) you can pretty much talk all over the U.S.A. somtimes farther.

And is highly illegal.

Not in an emergency

To the OP: If the antenna is higher above the ground, the radiation angle will be lower so the range will be MUCH further. 100w can get you around the world, when sun spots are high 15w can get you around the world. You want to be a *minimum* of 1/4 wavelength or at least 9 feet above the ground to reduce the ground wave propagation, which will dramatically increase your ability to work distant stations.

Also going to SSB you will see more range as well. For those that dont know, AM is composed of a carrier and two sidebands. The two sidebands contain exactly the same information. SSB removes the carrier (50% of the radiated energy) and 1 of the sidebands (25% of the radiated energy). This means that a 4w transmitter (assuming its 4w ssb and 4w am) will be far more efficient and able to work stations much further.

The antenna is the key though, without a properly installed antenna you are not going to have an effective radiator, and you wont be able to work much of anything. Car mounted CB antennas are usually too low to the ground and are only good for local traffic.

In *general* the bigger the antenna, the higher it is from the ground the better. Linear amps compensate for a lack of a good antenna, and do it very inefficiently. Sometimes they are required, but often you can do what you need without them.