handheld ham radio

I was wondering if there was any possibility at all that i could get a directional antenna that would go on a handheld ham radio. I f there is nothing, then what would my other options be? Under $50 please.

It can be done, this is generally something people use for Foxhunting, or perhaps I should call it hidden transmitter hunting, since there are no members of the canine family involved, unless some of the operators bring their dogs along for an outing.

Depending on the frequency of your HT, the size may be a bit much, for a truly directional antenna like a yagi or a quad.

At 70 cm the half wavelength for the driven element would be comparatively short, while at 2 meters it might be a bit unwieldy. I was looking at an article in the August QST just now about a moxon built for 10 meters, which is a smaller directional antenna, reportedly with 11.3 dB gain over the theoretical isopole.

It was written by Allen Baker, KG4JJH, and appears on pages 33-36 of the magazine. He includes dimensions for bands down to 6 meters.

You can also use a delta antenna, or a regular circular loop, which would be smaller, and it would at least give you bidirectional lobes, rather than the omnidirectional radiation you have with the ducky antenna.

Check the ARRL sites, eham, QRZ.com, or google foxhunting or radio direction finding, and see what plans come up.

D'oh!!

I found a portable 2 meter yagi from MFJ at $55.00. The link is attached

AB9BD

2009-07-16 18:17:38 by Nancy W

Ham radio is a great hobby and can also help you stay in touch with other people during a crisis.

I work for search and rescue and they do not have a radio to supply for everyone. I was wondering if I could put there frequency into my handheld ham radio and use it to communicate with them.

even for "emergency" communications, it is illegal to use a device certified for use in Amateur Bands only on a frequency used for public safety. It has happened in the past and results in censure from the FCC to the person (amateur) that modifies the radio to do this. some amateur radio handhelds can be programmed to listen on public safety frequencies, but they are blocked at the factory from trasmit capability. It can be a real bummer to be a hero in an emergency only to given a stiff fine and criminal record.

2008-07-02 07:53:11 by derrickballa123

Price: $189.99 $99.99

PL DPL (ctcss/dcs), with tone scan, Multiple step rates, English Voice Prompts, 3 Color selectable Backlit LCD, Backlit keypad.
Includes Drop-in AC Desktop Quick charger, 1500mA LiOn HiCap BatteryPack, 12vdc charger cable, antenna, carry strap!
Receives 136-174Mhz 390-520Mhz. Transmits 144-148Mhz 430-450Mhz. 5W/4W output w/1W low setting.
128 AlphaNumeric memory channels, 87-108Mhz FM Broadcast Band receive too!
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ps i dont transmit, and have a license for ham radio
yaesu vx-7r

The Yaesu vx-7r handheld has general converge RX and TX on ham bands 50 , 220 , 144 and 440MHz.

As the RX coverage is an extra feature , but not a main purpose of the rig RX performance on these other bands will be compromised.

Add to that the low sunspot numbers we are experiencing now (which kills DX contacts on the higher bands) and the drop in active CBers means that there is little to hear on the 27Mhz band in most places.

2008-04-18 19:28:14 by pghpanthers2

Price: $79.99

Handheld scanner for monitoring police and fire signals, weather transmissions, ham radio bands, and more
Runs on 2 AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries (these can be be recharged while in the scanner)
Easily locate specific calls with 6 preprogrammed service searches, including public safety, railroad, and marine
Compact design fits comfortably in hand; easy-to-read backlit display, lockable keypad for saving settings
Comprehensive memory with 100 channels over 10 banks; Close Call RF technology identifies nearby signals

From outside of Puerto Rico? Only during a band opening and then I would expect Hispaniola if on the west coast or the Virgin Island toward the east coast of the island. Other than that, unless you are on a frequency linked to a linked repeater system or to the internet, you won't get off the island due to the distances involved.

2008-02-23 16:27:13 by Dan

What other suggestion do you have for a radio. I am new at this.
cheaper ones... about 60 more less

Best thing for you to do is go to a ham fest and you can check with ARRL to find one close to you. The HAM's there will help you. You can also listen to the radio and they have swap shops on some of them. Get on the radio and ask if someone "out there" knows of one and what the frequency is.

2008-02-21 16:40:14 by Dan