USING HAM RADIO OFF-ROAD
Get the most out of your ham radio by following these simple yet important guidelines.
Ihad recently pulled into a gas station in Big Pine, CA. Tim and I were scouting for a trip and agreed to meet mid-morning. He arrived ahead of me and was chatting with a guy at the station. We learned that this individual, Dave, had suffered two flat tires the previous day while driving in an area of Death Valley National Park. He had walked an incredible 43 km (27 mi) into Big Pine for help.
Of course, we couldn’t leave him there. As I drove Dave back to his vehicle we chatted about many topics, including ham radio. Dave wondered about the ham radios I had installed in my vehicle, which were two Yaesu 8900s.
Plugging his tires was no big deal. Dave was anxious to rejoin his group, so we shook hands and parted ways. After he drove off, I realized he had left his backpack and laptop in my vehicle. I didn’t know his number, but there wasn't cell service out there anyway.
Dave got all the way to the Nevada border before realizing his loss. Remembering that I was a ham radio operator, he drove to Bishop, CA, and pulled into a Radio Shack. One of the clerks knew a ham radio operator, Jon, NW6C. He called Jon, who was chatting with a ham on the area repeater. Jon asked this ham operator to pass a message to me should he hear me on repeater anytime soon. I just happened to be monitoring the repeater, so I chimed right in.
Tim and I would return to Big Pine by 5 pm that day, I said, and could meet with Dave then. I asked if they could call Dave’s cell phone and let him know. We did connect later that afternoon and the (now-relieved) owner was reunited with his possessions.
That’s just one example of how ham radio plays a vital role in four-wheeling. Here are other ways to incorporate amateur radio into your 4WD trips.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications:
This is functional when vehicles are usually close to each other, even within visual range. Simplex operation is ideal in those situations and a flat out waste of a repeater. As for the frequency, try to keep conversations off 146.52 MHz, the national calling frequency (more on that in a bit). Check the band plan for your province, state or region. It will identify all the viable simplex frequencies in your area. There are sufficient frequencies for you and your buddies to find an open one.
The standard two metre (6 ft) antenna works well for most operating. You might consider packing a small directional antenna to hit a distant repeater. Various models are available or if you’re tech savvy, you can build one.
mode. To listen to the NOAA broadcast, simply hit the button that takes you to VFO mode. In essence, you toggle back and forth between memory mode and VFO mode.
Coordinate Communications with Vehicles Outside the Area:
Repeaters allow you to stay in touch with your buddies joining you along the way. Establish a call-in frequency, then chat periodically to monitor the other person’s progress. If and when they get close enough, you can switch to a simplex frequency.
Research Repeater Frequencies Before Leaving:
Repeaterbook.com, which covers Canada and the USA, is a great resource for all VHF and UHF bands. You start by selecting the province or state then choose the band you’ll be operating on. In addition, do a Google search for nearby repeater or ham radio clubs. Contact a club member for advice, especially if the city has more than one repeater.
It’s really important that you program the repeater frequencies and related information (CTCSS/PL tone and such) prior to leaving. You don’t want to be stuck trying to dial up a frequency if you need help. By programming those frequencies in advance, you simply click through the channels until you find the one you need. I also recommend printing out the list of channels. That makes for a quick reference when on the road.
While off-road, take a few minutes to scan for repeaters near your destination. Consult your user manual for this step, including how to determine the CTCSS tone.
Need Help?
If you need help, try 146.52 MHz (the national calling frequency) and any nearby repeater. If a conversation is in progress, wait for an opportunity to break in. Under normal circumstances, you would say “break” and give your call sign. In extreme emergencies, call Mayday. The amateur radio community encourages hams to help out by monitoring 146.52 MHz.
There are a lot of ways to make use of your ham radio ticket while off road. Load up your radio(s) the next time you go wheeling. You can enjoy two fun hobbies at once - ham radio and four-wheeling.