What is Ham Radio RVing?

[shanna1]

We received a member request for this forum, but had no idea what Ham Radio RVing was. I did a little research and found some information, but I decided I would post this question to help out everyone else who doesn't know about it. So...

What is Ham Radio RVing?

[afchap]

What is HAM Radio RVing?? ...I presume it is using a HAM (aka amateur radio) from an RV. I am a fulltimer RVer, and have a HAM license. I have a HAM mobile radio in my motorhome, and also have a HAM handheld radio. My radios work on the 2 meter and 23 cm bands. I know other HAM RVers who have HF rigs in their RVs, and who raise larger HF antennas wherever they are parked. I normally monitor one of the local 2m repeaters where I can talk with local HAM operators, and more importantly where I can listen in when local HAMs are serving as storm watchers for local emergency management.

[kroving]

Hi Shanna & afchap
My name is Dave and ham call is KJ4OR. I was one of those that requested this forum. Glad to see that we have already caught one ham. As afchap said it is lisenced ham radio (amateur radio) operators who RV. Most membership campgrounds have from one to several in them most of the time. We use our radios and the communication capabilities that they provide, as toys (most of the time) but in times of emergency, we are ready, equiped and happy to help with communications of all types. For those, that are not licensed, that should happen by this forum, it is easy to get a license. The FCC has changed the requirements and no longer require a morse code test for ANY ham ticvke. It will take a little study and a test but it is EASY. Just inquire here and I will give you more info. You can go to www.arrl.org (the American Radio Relay League) for mor info.
You all will have to excuse me but I am new to forums. I would like to start a thred(I don't know how) and aks for advise on mobile HF antennas. I NEED to improve mine. I have been thinking about a screw driver. Any thoughts anyone???

Dave KJ4OR

[mdock2]

Greetings,
Just wanted to check-in

73's
KI4NAI

[hamrad]

If you really want to know what Ham Radio and RVing is all about you need to visit Quartzsite, AZ. Each year there are hundreds of Ham Radio operators in attendance. You will see every kind of set up possible.

To visit this group of folks go south on AZ 95 about 6 miles. They are located at MILE 99 road marker. It is an education!

Enjoy.

HamRad
KA6TZP

[mdock2]

Anyone check into these nets, I keep meaining to, but am not fmca yet, and the nets are in the afternoon, i'm either in the yard or in the chair when they come on...

ki4nai

[kroving]

I have a 5th wheel so the motor home community shunns me. I was very active on the Airstream net on 7230 8:am untill I traded trailers and lost my good antenna set-up. I hope to get back with them when I get the new screwdriver running. That net now is open to any ham RV'er, not just Airstream.

Dave KJ4OR
P.S. Check out DiscoveryOwners.com Look for map data. They have data files, that work with most maping programs, and have POI for most of the membership campgrounds plus Wal-Marts and many many others.

[leeman]

W5OLM checking in from Louisiana. Mostly run 2-meter when traveling.
leeman

[borden]

i CAN NOT PUT A LADDER ON MY MOTORHOME. ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR INSTALLING A SCREWDRIVER ANTENNA?
K7DXF

[kroving]

Hi Borden
Most of them have a 3/8 24 threded stud on the bottom and will screw into almost any mobile mount. Perhaps you could put a "truckers mirror " mount on your mirror. Or use the angled "mount" half of one ot these mounts to mount right to the side of the coach. How the heck do you get up to the roof???

Dave KJ4OR

[svhs71]

GM OM and YL....K3MP, Mark, here....I HF in my TV and 5th wheel...I use an Icom 706 (original) with a LDG Z-100 tuner into a Comet UHV-6, triband antenna...HF/VHF/UHF...love it...when I travel with the 5th wheel I take a Comet/Maldol HVU-8 with me and put it on a tripod...I like the idea of the screwdriver antenna, but it is really costly and i get just as good bang with the UHV-6...good luck on your choice of antennas and to the people inquiring about Ham Radio...there no way better to meet great people than Ham Radio and camping.

[svhs71]

Also, I have been listening to 7.253 LSB...there is a RV net for hams there...not sure of the time....many great modes to get into..PSK is a favorite one and just takes an interface to the radio and your soundcard in the computer and your on the air...I like doing that, along with CW, SSB and SSTV...fun for all...wife is also a ham, N3VAI, Dot...hope to CUL sometime...I hang out on 7.255 and 7.272 when driving, along with running simplex on 2 mtrs, 146.520.... di di di dah di dah 73 de K3MP Mark Catasauqua, Pa.

[beliveauj]

N0MSU Checking in from southern Minnesota at the Beaver Trails campground where we are workamping for the summer.In the fifthwheel I have a Icom718,AH4 Tunner and 40Mtr.dipole.I have 2Mtr.rig in the truck and mostly just listen as we travel.Hello to all the hams.Jim

[revjimbilly]

Using an old hustler, dont even remember the model number with interchangeable coils for 10, 15, 20, 40 mts...as well as a 5/8 wave for 2 mtrs....we have hammed and camped right after they invented dirt. *S* the latest and probably last call I will ever have is WA6GMB...( Wobbly After 6 Good Mellow Beers) home QTH is now Riverton, UT....a suburb of SLC...so ifn you get this way give a holler on .94 or .62 and if we are around can chew the rag for a while.....73...Jim

[chsyhall]

WB7E checking in. I have a 5th wheel and use an ICOM 706 with an Outbacker antenna. Also have 2M in the truck and a handheld. Not very active in talking, but listen a lot. Still like 40M. 73's

[gtexas]

W5KJ here with 5th wheel. Don't do nearly enough traveling (yet), weekends mostly some longer trips tending to state parks where I'll throw up a wire antenna for Ten Tec Argosy running almost all cw qrp. 2m also but it seems not many locals are interested in talking to travelers.

[kroving]

Hi gtexas
We all have our own RVing style and that determins the way that we practice our haming. Several entries, on the forum, have said that they use wire antennas. We are full timers and stay in membership facilities (can't afford to stay in public or gov. parks) so wire antennas are not practical for us. Glad to have you on the forum. Please throw your thoughts and info in. We all learn from each other .- .-. % --... ...--

Dave
KJ4OR

[k3cfj]

We are Snowbirds who leave our PA home for FL in December and return just in time to sign the check for our good friends at IRS.
Carol and I travel in a 35' Montana fifth wheel which gives both of us some breathing room.
I use a good ol' Hamstick on the roof of my trusty Ford PU for hf with an Icom 706. That setup has served me pretty well, and allows me to touch base with friends and even some DX as location and the cycle permits.
Happy Trails.
73, Chuck

[wa6dxi]

Hi everyone:

I'm a newbie and Full Timer, Don WA6DXI.

You can check out my setup at "eham.net" put my call in the call search and be sure to click on the picture. My radial system is 2-13' & 2-6.5' radials wich is a 0.1 wave lenght on 40 & 20.

I try to check in on the RV Service net @ 7.230 (7am - 9am Eastern) &/or the noon eastern on 14,307.5 a couple a times a week.

I'll be at Escapee Rally @ Gillette, WY, hope to see some of you there.

73, Don

[n9uom]

Just want to pop in to say HI

73's:)

[whodo]

n9uom
Welcome to the forum and the Ham Radio section, we are slowly getting more hams checking in.

[rkramseb]

Hi Shanna & afchap
My name is Dave and ham call is KJ4OR. I was one of those that requested this forum. Glad to see that we have already caught one ham. As afchap said it is lisenced ham radio (amateur radio) operators who RV. Most membership campgrounds have from one to several in them most of the time. We use our radios and the communication capabilities that they provide, as toys (most of the time) but in times of emergency, we are ready, equiped and happy to help with communications of all types. For those, that are not licensed, that should happen by this forum, it is easy to get a license. The FCC has changed the requirements and no longer require a morse code test for ANY ham ticvke. It will take a little study and a test but it is EASY. Just inquire here and I will give you more info. You can go to www.arrl.org (the American Radio Relay League) for mor info.
You all will have to excuse me but I am new to forums. I would like to start a thred(I don't know how) and aks for advise on mobile HF antennas. I NEED to improve mine. I have been thinking about a screw driver. Any thoughts anyone???

Dave KJ4OR



What Dave said AND....although I'm still Fulltime LEO, I plan on retiring in Jan 09 and buying a toyhauler 5th wheel...told my wife she could have the entire interior other than the "garage"...setting up my radios there....

Amateur is definatley an asset when traveling...you can usually find someone there to talk to and most repeaters are published on club websites or thru ARRL repeater book.

If I can pass the test anyone can...trying to upgrade now...
BE SAFE Happy Travels & 73's

Ron KI4YQI

[kroving]

Hi Ron
That "Garadge"will make a heck of a ham shack. I suggest that you get the trailer now becaue it is going to take quite a while to get all the bugs out and everything set up the way you want it. Also, January would be a great time to take off and go south!!!:D
Welcome to RV'ing
Dave
KJ4OR

[harryditt]

Just thought I would bring you up to date on the net on 7.253MHz at 7:00PM Central Time.

This is the RV Radio Network. We have about 225 registered RVs which brings the membership to nearly 450. We have two rallies a year. This year the first was in Thomasville, GA and the next one (Sept 15, 2008) will be in Superior, WI.

Everyone is welcome to check into the net or attend the rallies, if you would like more information, send me a pm, or post something here.

73s,

Neil, W0PML

[kb7cmb]

Hi there everyone, Dan here KB7CMB, Roseburg Oregon. I was on a trip two weeks ago and in the wilderness where ham radio was the only communtion we had. Lots of smoke was coming in so didn`t know if we should pack up and leave so made a genreal call on a local repeater 60 miles away and the person had me stand by while he contacted the local Fire emg. co-ordinator. He came on Frz. after 4 min. and let me know the fire was 20 miles away so nothing to worry about... I have been in to ham radio since 1986. Its things like this that make it a great hobbie and always wonderful people willing to help out.
I myself have helped many people over the years, its a great feeling. Thanks to all you "Ham`s"

[whodo]

Dan "KB7CMB"
Welcome to MyRvSpace and the ham radio forum. The number of hams logging in here is slowly increasing, as time goes along we should be able to have some steady chatter here in the ham radio section.

[kb7cmb]

Dan "KB7CMB"
Welcome to MyRvSpace and the ham radio forum. The number of hams logging in here is slowly increasing, as time goes along we should be able to have some steady chatter here in the ham radio section.
Thank you whodo. Hope to see you n here more often also