Ham radio -anyone interested in free training?

[Zai]

It's interesting, and I can certainly see the appeal.

...But what happens in a SHTF where there's no electricity? Are there off-grid or battery options?

I run my radios off a solar-charged 12v sealed gel battery. Free electricity, not dependent on the grid for when the SHTF...

[Arzosah]

Zai, thanks for your answer to my question (both on page 1) and thank you for this sentence:

I run my radios off a solar-charged 12v sealed gel battery. Free electricity, not dependent on the grid for when the SHTF..

The Holy Grail I've never heard the phrase "sealed gel" before **rushes off to google**

[Zai]

Arzosah, it's my pleasure.

<Bows, puts on Stetson, climbs aboard ol' Chestnut and rides off into the sunset>

(BTW, I use a briefcase solar charger from maplins to charge my gel SLAs. The little radio pictured will receive for about two hundred hours between charges on one of my 8aH battery, transmit is a different story however)

[Arzosah]

<waves hanky fondly in classic Wild West fashion>

Excellent - it doesn't get much more accessible than a piece of kit from Maplins

[Stray]

Thanks for this, very interesting, what sort of cost would basic kit be do you know? Many thanks

[Zai]

Thanks for this, very interesting, what sort of cost would basic kit be do you know? Many thanks

Depends - you can get a VHF handheld radio for less than fifty quid. To use HF (worldwide comms)you are looking at a couple of hundred quid second hand.

Look up Wouxun handheld and the IC-718 or FT-857D HF radios for a start.

[Attack Warning Red]

Scoobie / Zai - Oh cool, that's good to know. So you can completely run them off-grid. Nice!

[Stray]

Thanks for this, very interesting, what sort of cost would basic kit be do you know? Many thanks

Depends - you can get a VHF handheld radio for less than fifty quid. To use HF (worldwide comms)you are looking at a couple of hundred quid second hand.

Look up Wouxun handheld and the IC-718 or FT-857D HF radios for a start.

Many thanks, will be looking into this for sure. (When cash allows)

[kentnewts]

Hi Zai, i am interested in getting my ham licence, what is your opinion on the Baofeng uv-5r+? i ask as my missus has one ordered to have a play with!?

Thanks in advance

[Zai]

Hi Zai, i am interested in getting my ham licence, what is your opinion on the Baofeng uv-5r+? i ask as my missus has one ordered to have a play with!?

Thanks in advance

Hi Newts,

I don't have one myself but a friend of mine does and he loves it. He's dropped it, got it wet, transmitted into horrible antennas that should have fried it but it's still going.

I went for the Wouxun KG-UVD1P which is essentially the same beast. I replaced the antenna with a much bigger rubber duck (a diamond I think) which really improves the range.

If you want to be amazed at how far your handle will work, make a Slim Jim antenna and hang it somewhere. I've had fifty odd miles with one hanging in a hotel window!