Ham radio alternative to race radios
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:05 pm
Long post, but good info I hope.
Just bought a Yaesu FT-2900R radio and thought I'd throw it out there for anyone looking to get into 2 meter ham radio who may also want to operate in the business/racing band. 200 freq memory, rugged construction and 75 watts of power make this a nice radio especially for $160.
The 2 meter band is the most commonly used in mobile applications (offroading) and it is also conveniently right below the 134-174 mhz business/racing band. That's why with an easy soldering mod, (see attached) this radio can fully function in the 134-174 mhz band. Without the mod, you can only listen in the business band. Around 151 mhz is where you find most racing freqs. The beauty of these 2 meter radios is after modifying them, you can manually tune to any freq. in both 2 meter ham and the business/racing band. Most race radios have to be preprogrammed. No radios are sold that can operate both 2 meter ham and business band, which is why the mod is required. Be aware, this is illegal, but by using your head and not abusing the radio, there's not going to be a problem and many people are doing this.
http://www.hamradio.com/ is where I ordered it from. Large outfit with great service. Radio and extras below was $245 and free shipping. Call one of their stores on the website for fast easier ordering.
I ordered a MFJ 1728B mag mount 5/8 wave antenna. Racing crowd will want to tune the antenna to 151 mhz on an SWR meter for best performance. I also ordered a small ring bound durable manual for the radio and a small speaker. I like having enough wire on the speaker to put it out on the roof of my truck when I'm parked at the races.
Can be daunting trying to figure out what the hell to order for folks new to radios, so hope this helps someone who's wanted to get into Ham radio. These radios make CBs seem like two cans on a string by comparison.
Here's some additional description of the soldering mod attached above that you'll need to do for race freqs. The arrow on the third picture is hard to see, but the mod site is on the backside of the front faceplate when laid down to view. The zoomed in picture in the attachment shows the spot were desoldering is needed. Read the text above and below the pics.
There is a small row of black soldered connectors between two black square objects. Three of them have solder , but only one of them has a solder jumper completed. The other two have small gaps between the solder. "Desolder" the one that has complete solder so that it no longer is connected, like the other two. If above your ability, any electronics person could do it with the info provided here.
Ham license test is easy to study for and many are doing it and getting away from CB, so consider getting yours.
Hope to hear you on the radio,
Greg Weirick "Broncodawg"
KI6CYW
Just bought a Yaesu FT-2900R radio and thought I'd throw it out there for anyone looking to get into 2 meter ham radio who may also want to operate in the business/racing band. 200 freq memory, rugged construction and 75 watts of power make this a nice radio especially for $160.
The 2 meter band is the most commonly used in mobile applications (offroading) and it is also conveniently right below the 134-174 mhz business/racing band. That's why with an easy soldering mod, (see attached) this radio can fully function in the 134-174 mhz band. Without the mod, you can only listen in the business band. Around 151 mhz is where you find most racing freqs. The beauty of these 2 meter radios is after modifying them, you can manually tune to any freq. in both 2 meter ham and the business/racing band. Most race radios have to be preprogrammed. No radios are sold that can operate both 2 meter ham and business band, which is why the mod is required. Be aware, this is illegal, but by using your head and not abusing the radio, there's not going to be a problem and many people are doing this.
http://www.hamradio.com/ is where I ordered it from. Large outfit with great service. Radio and extras below was $245 and free shipping. Call one of their stores on the website for fast easier ordering.
I ordered a MFJ 1728B mag mount 5/8 wave antenna. Racing crowd will want to tune the antenna to 151 mhz on an SWR meter for best performance. I also ordered a small ring bound durable manual for the radio and a small speaker. I like having enough wire on the speaker to put it out on the roof of my truck when I'm parked at the races.
Can be daunting trying to figure out what the hell to order for folks new to radios, so hope this helps someone who's wanted to get into Ham radio. These radios make CBs seem like two cans on a string by comparison.
Here's some additional description of the soldering mod attached above that you'll need to do for race freqs. The arrow on the third picture is hard to see, but the mod site is on the backside of the front faceplate when laid down to view. The zoomed in picture in the attachment shows the spot were desoldering is needed. Read the text above and below the pics.
There is a small row of black soldered connectors between two black square objects. Three of them have solder , but only one of them has a solder jumper completed. The other two have small gaps between the solder. "Desolder" the one that has complete solder so that it no longer is connected, like the other two. If above your ability, any electronics person could do it with the info provided here.
Ham license test is easy to study for and many are doing it and getting away from CB, so consider getting yours.
Hope to hear you on the radio,
Greg Weirick "Broncodawg"
KI6CYW
