Ham radios are a great resource for communication and emergency response on the trail. They are a major resource on the Rubicon thanks to some very dedicated people who teach the classes (for free on their own time) that help users get their licenses.

I am one who is grateful to the FOTR as I just passed my Technician class exam and will be getting my call sign shortly.

This thread has two purposes. First is to see if there is enough interest and response to create a resource here where users can go to find call signs and repeater information. I'll be posting my call sign as soon as it's been assigned and I'll include it in my sig line as most people do. If you want to post your name and call sign please do so. We'll put the information in a chart and stick this thread if we get enough response. We'll include repeater information and other general information that is important to using ham radios on Fordyce.

Second is to provide a forum for general ham radio talk to get the idea out there and for people to ask questions they might have about getting started in Amateur Radio.

FOTR teaches a couple classes a year and all are welcome but if we have enough interest we may see if we can get a dedicated class set up for FOF volunteers and Fordyce trail users.

I found the class FOTR put on very easy. A Technician class license gives you the basic knowledge to get started in Amateur Radio. As you step up in class (if you want to) more frequencies become available to you. The study book is reasonably priced and the cost of a portable hand held radio through their group buy was affordable as well. As a bonus they also teach you the basics of programming the radio provided you purchase the hand held they recommend. There is no cost for their class and you are not required to purchase the book or a radio through them. The only fee is a $15 test fee that the FCC charges.

A couple of cool things you can do is use your radio to access cell phone services so when your cell phone does not work you can still make that important contact at home providing you can hit a repeater in the area.

Also there is a smart phone app available on several phones that allow you to log in to repeaters all over the world and use your cell phone as your radio. Of course you must have an amateur license to use this app.

Also there is a smart phone app available on several phones that allow you to log in to repeaters all over the world and use your cell phone as your radio. Of course you must have an amateur license to use this app.

That is cool. :smokin:

Also there is a smart phone app available on several phones that allow you to log in to repeaters all over the world and use your cell phone as your radio. Of course you must have an amateur license to use this app.

What's the app, I'm sure the FIL would be very interested in that as he's Mr. Ham radio, you should see their basement and back yard. I think NASA uses them as a repeater.

What's the app, I'm sure the FIL would be very interested in that as he's Mr. Ham radio, you should see their basement and back yard. I think NASA uses them as a repeater.
Google: Echolink... I have it for Android.

Randii

This thread has two purposes. First is to see if there is enough interest and response to create a resource here where users can go to find call signs and repeater information. I'll be posting my call sign as soon as it's been assigned and I'll include it in my sig line as most people do. If you want to post your name and call sign please do so. We'll put the information in a chart and stick this thread if we get enough response. We'll include repeater information and other general information that is important to using ham radios on Fordyce.

search pirate I think in the rubi section their was a list compiled of a bunch of us that ran threw the class KJ6CXL monitoring

There is a C.A.R.L.A. repeater above Cisco Grove (I think at signal peak). I don't know if it can be reached on Fordyce, but I would imagine so.

443.475 + Offset
Linked PL- 156.7hz
Local PL - 100.0 Hz


-Phill
W6FTW

I wish you could use Echo-link with the iphone!!! Good thread, I wish more people would get into Amateur Radio. They work far better then CB

I wish you could use Echo-link with the iphone!!! Good thread, I wish more people would get into Amateur Radio. They work far better then CB

works good for me
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/echolink/id350688562?mt=8
http://www.echolink.org/faq_iphone.htm
:D

search pirate I think in the rubi section their was a list compiled of a bunch of us that ran threw the class KJ6CXL monitoring

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=724559

This link lists a lot of PBB HAMs

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=724559

This link lists a lot of PBB HAMs

thanks Kurt

Tinman not many aced there exams. congrats :smokin:

AF60D

Tinman not many aced there exams. congrats :smokin:

AF60D

Thanks! I'm not sure I aced it as they didn't have time to tell us our score but I feel I did pretty well. It takes 26 questions right out of 35 to pass and I was getting anywhere from 2 to none wrong on the practice tests.

search pirate I think in the rubi section their was a list compiled of a bunch of us that ran threw the class KJ6CXL monitoring

I am getting a list like that from one of the PB members. I'll use it to start from. My aim is to make it a more Fordyce specific Ham list. A lot of the Rubicon guys don't use Fordyce and I don't see a need to distribute thier call signs to our trail users. Maybe the whole list but with the Fordyce trail users highlighted.

I took the class a couple years ago. Great class!

The app sounds cool, I'll have to check it out.

JDunn - KI6TLZ

Thanks! I'm not sure I aced it as they didn't have time to tell us our score but I feel I did pretty well. It takes 26 questions right out of 35 to pass and I was getting anywhere from 2 to none wrong on the practice tests.

Look close at your 609, I graded it :) We only tell you pass or fail.
It was a busy day with so many taking the test, I normally don't read the names as were going as fast as we can to get all the paper work filled out and tests graded. But I had to look when you did not miss any.

Thanks! I'm not sure I aced it as they didn't have time to tell us our score but I feel I did pretty well.

cheater :flipoff2:

cheater :flipoff2:

Your turn Jeff. I expect you to be signing up for the test soon!

Got our call signs. Thanks Barb and John for the e-mail letting us know there were out.

I am KJ6NQN.

works good for me
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/echolink/id350688562?mt=8
http://www.echolink.org/faq_iphone.htm
:D

I will try this out. A couple buddies said there was not a good app for the iphone. :) Will try it and hope for the best. thanks

I will try this out. A couple buddies said there was not a good app for the iphone. :) Will try it and hope for the best. thanks

Several people I hang with and myself use it without issues here is the iphone apps I have
#1 Echolink - it is what it is ;-P
#2 Repeaters - easy to find repeater info and distance from location
#3 aprs - GPS for hams
#4 ham i am - good source for info

Testing
#1 Exam Prep Tech - used to practice before test
#2 Exam Prep Gen - "
#3 Exam Prep Extra - "
#4 A+ Ham Free Tech - same as Exam prep just found after passed test
#5 A+ Ham Free Gen - "
#6 A+ Ham Free Extra - "
give me some time and I could find the links to them on the appstore

Several people I hang with and myself use it without issues here is the iphone apps I have
#1 Echolink - it is what it is ;-P
#2 Repeaters - easy to find repeater info and distance from location
#3 aprs - GPS for hams
#4 ham i am - good source for info

Testing
#1 Exam Prep Tech - used to practice before test
#2 Exam Prep Gen - "
#3 Exam Prep Extra - "
#4 A+ Ham Free Tech - same as Exam prep just found after passed test
#5 A+ Ham Free Gen - "
#6 A+ Ham Free Extra - "
give me some time and I could find the links to them on the appstore

I used hamtestonline to help me knock thru the tech and general, Extra Flash cards to take the last test. Found the apps after I tested thru general, so never got to use them. Is repeaters app worth the $5?

I used hamtestonline to help me knock thru the tech and general, Extra Flash cards to take the last test. Found the apps after I tested thru general, so never got to use them. Is repeaters app worth the $5?

i also was taking the practice tests online t at work it was anoying to take on the Phone so I used the practice tests at work and they were useful, on the cost vs. usefulness of the repeater app I have to say yes their has been several times I was on the road without internet for the laptop and being able to get the correct info so easily so the was worth the price

Good stuff. Will make the investment then. (Nice too see you are close in San Leandro :))

Good stuff. Will make the investment then. (Nice too see you are close in San Leandro :))

were you located the Ive been hitting several SL repeaters talking to a friend in Hayward we he allot of 7cm repeaters and a few 2m and there not busy so easy to jump on and not tie up things

were you located the Ive been hitting several SL repeaters talking to a friend in Hayward we he allot of 7cm repeaters and a few 2m and there not busy so easy to jump on and not tie up things

I am in oakland, drive to San Jose daily but do not have the radio in my rig. Been thinking about picking up a hand held 2m to keep with me so I can chat on the journeys.

I am in oakland, drive to San Jose daily but do not have the radio in my rig. Been thinking about picking up a hand held 2m to keep with me so I can chat on the journeys.

I was running my ft-60 with a mag-mount for a while to boost the range or you could just run the ft-60 w/o an external an stay with the rubber ducky or upgrade to a better antenna the friend of mine that I chat with down here has chatted with me while coming across the bridge from SF without hitting a repeater and no mag mount

link
http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-007323

That is actually funny you say that radio, it is one of the ones i have looked at :)

That is actually funny you say that radio, it is one of the ones i have looked at :)

that radio is the one that most of us are running so you would have allot of people that would be able to help you figure yours out or un mess it up, besides that it's a nice radio mines fallen out of buggies dropped in a puddle and works great had it with me for trips to the hammers, Hollister, Fordice and mostly the Rubicon

Congrats again Bret,

if your making a list Ki6pzz

Hi Bret.
Add me to the list
KE2CE
Cheers.
Corax (Jeff Hill)

Echo link functioning on my Mac,iPad, and iPhone. Peligroso if u want to a test some weekday night lmk


Pretty cool app for those thinking of trying it

Echo link functioning on my Mac,iPad, and iPhone. Peligroso if u want to a test some weekday night lmk


Pretty cool app for those thinking of trying it

Sludge Coo I'm kickin it most nights on the not having a mobile in your rig comment for a good min I was running a mag mount antenna with an adapter to my FT60 that made it into a mobile and I could transfer it to whatever rig I was going to be in