Does anyone know where I can find some cheap/2nd hand amateur radio equipment? I live in the UK and am getting my license delivered soon for Amateur Radio Foundation Course (not allowed to run more than 10 watts), I wonder if anyone knows a English place (preferably in Nottingham shire or nearby) where I can pick up a Cheap/2nd hand decent VHF rig, because I'm a bit skint at the moment! |
Congratulations, it is always great to welcome a new Ham!
I learned about amateur radio in high school. It is the greatest hobby in the world! Don't worry about 10 watts, when the sunspot cycle gets going you will be able to work the world on 1 watt!
I suggest you join qrp clubs, which usually use 5 watts or less.
The most popular would be www.qrparci.org.
www.fists.org was founded in the UK 21 years ago.
www.st-andrews.ac.uk is another good site.
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What are the international regulations for taking amateur radio equipment on vacation outside the USA? To places like Europe, Asia, or Africa? |
This page explains it all.
www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulat… |
What is the equipment required for an amateur radio? Also, how is it different from a "normal" radio? Hi!
I'm working on a project on amateur radios. Please tell me about the equipment required(in very simple terms, nothing too technical, for I'm a novice). Please explain terms wherever necessary.
Also, how is an amateur radio different from a "normal" radio?
Thanks!
P.S. Thank you for not citing, or lifting info from Wikipedia. Nothing in there. |
Let's start with "Normal Radio". Broadcast radio is usually run to communicate with a large audience. It usually is one way only, i.e. it is "Broadcast". The AM radio broadcasts on a special part of the radio spectrum between 550 kHz and 1500 kHz. FM broadcasts on the FM band which is between 88 MHz to 108 MHz. Additional broadcast bands exist (called Short Wave, mainly AM) between 5.8 MHz to 26.1 MHz. Television is also Broadcast usually in the VHF bands.
Amateur Radio on the other hand is almost never Broadcast. It is designed for point to point Communication and is usually between two parties. It uses spectrum in several bands, such as:
HF. These bands have long distance capability due to ionospheric reflection.
10 meters – 28–29.7 MHz
12 meters – 24.89–24.99 MHz
15 meters – 21–21.45 MHz
17 meters – 18.068–18.168 MHz
20 meters – 14.0–14.35 MHz
30 meters – 10.1–10.15 MHz
40 meters – 7.0–7.3 MHz
60 meters – 5 MHz region
80 meters – 3500–4000 kHz
Medium frequency
160 meters – 1800–2000 kHz
Low frequency
136 kHz – 135 – 137 kHz
Also used are various VHF, UHF and SHF bands. These bands are useful but are limited by only being line of sight. They are used for various modes such as Television, EME (Earth, Moon, Earth), Satellite, etc.
In order to be able to use these bands, an operator needs various things. Top of the list is a License, provided after the prospective amateur satisfies the Government requirements, which usually consists of a test and paying money. He or she will also need the specialized equipment to be able to transmit and receive on those bands. |
Recommendation for amateur radio transciever? I'm a newbie to the amateur radio equipments... i know morse, and theory... thats all, now planning to buy a transciever. i see lot of frequencies, and power from 1W to 100W... someone plz give me a recommendation for an equipment... my budget rance is around $200
I am looking for long distance transmissions, and plan to use it when going to jungle and all. |
Sadly, you won't find very many modern transceivers in the $200 range, certainly not new ones, and probably not even used ones.
You can get used hybrid transceivers from the 1980's for that price, but you will be stuck with vacuum tube technology.
Long distance transmissions are much more a factor of frequency and antenna type than power. We are right at the bottom of the 11-year sunspot cycle at the moment, so about the only semi-reliable bands for DX work are 20 meters and 17 meters (14 MHz and 18 MHz respectively).
I'm not certain about your "jungle" reference. If you're planning on going to a remote place where commercial power is not available, you'll also be looking at buying a generator and fuel to operate it.
I don't want to dash your hopes, but you're going to need substantially more than $200 for reliable, long distance transmissions from jungles. I wish you well. |
Amateur Radio, Loaner equipment, for Elderly Amateurs that are home bound or in nursing home.? Would like to know if anyone has every set up loaner program of Ham radio equipment. For Hams in Nursing homes or living at home. Would be nice to see if we had a system set up to keep track of Hams we don't hear on the air. And to assist them to get back on the air. Or to help re locate their station and antennas if needed from let's say the basement to up stairs living area. |
this sounds like a great opportunity for someone to develop or expand a forum.
♂♂ |
How does the FCC find out and pinpoint the exact source of amateur radio violations? I was browsing the FCC amateur radio site, on a page that references warning notices sent to people for violations using ham and CB radio equipment.
The site is: www.fcc.gov/eb/AmateurActions/Wel…
How do they actually track down who's committing the violations, especially if they don't have an amateur license, therefore no address on record? How long does it take for them to find out who's responsible? |
Any radio transmission can easily be tracked simply by noting the strength of the signal from locations.
1900s technology. |
What kind of radio equipment do I need to hear the electromagnetic 'dawn chorus'? I am only an amateur astronomer/radio enthusiast, so I don't really have access to heavy-duty equipment. However I assume it's probably possible to build a receiver using electronics-store-bought parts that can pick up the sounds of the dawn chorus. If anyone can give me detailed info on what to buy, it would be appreciated. |
it's dead easy.
here's an example: www.qnet.com/~vlfradio/bbb4b.htm |
Amateur radio in the UK? I am in England for the next 3 years for military service and wanting to use my amateur radio equipment. I don't have anything fancy. Does anyone know exactly what I need to do to be able to legally broadcast? I did some research... I am a non-CEPT country; USA-PA. I am residing in East Anglia, Suffolk... |
Interesting!
A Google search for [Amateur radio clubs + UK]
www.google.com/search?hl=en&sourc…
From there to:
UK Amateur Radio Quick Links Oct 29, 1996 ... Clubs & Societies: Links to UK national organizations and regional societies. ... Miscellaneous: Links to various UK based amateur radio ...
www.users.zetnet.co.uk/kama/hamli…
Many links there, checkout some clubs, they should be able to answer all your questions.
Other places to look on the search result page, first link.
Enjoy.
Wingman |
Where can I find electronic or ham radio equipment near Buffalo, NY? I'm going to be spending a couple weeks in the southeast suburbs of Buffalo (near Orchard Park and East Aurora.) I plan to do some amateur radio operating, and there are some pieces I'd like to pick up there rather than lug; in particular a power supply ("12 volt" really 13.8, and about 25 amps.) What stores nearby should I look at (I can certainly drive all the way back to Buffalo, Amherst, etc. if that's needed.) |
try
East Coast Amateur Radio, Inc.
314 Schenck Street
North Tanawanda, NY 14120
Voice:
716/695-3929
they come up as dealers for several lines... |
Amateur radio activity within frequency range 30 to 76.000 MHz? Hia,
I'm interested in getting into amateur radio, and I'm not too up on civilian radio equipment, so I'd like to by PRC 351, which I know how to use, it has a frequency range of 30 to 76.000 MHz, but before I'd invest I'd like to know if there is much amateur radio activity within this frequency range?
I will be operating under a foundation or intermediate operter licence within the UK.
Thanks. |
Amateur radio has a couple frequencies in the 50 MHz area. See the link below for exact frequencies and uses.
However, I would recommend the 2 meter band, 144 - 146 MHz, as the most useful and interesting. All you need is the license and an inexpensive hand-held radio. |