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Amateur Radio in Western Washington


Criminal

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Ham Radio for Geocachers\Hikers

 

Several years ago I decided to get my amateur radio license so that I could have a more reliable method of communications while I was out hiking. As I began to enjoy the peacefulness of solo hikes, the radio became even more valuable. The radio has proven itself essential during group hikes as well, as I’m sure TotemLake would agree. I thought I’d put a few of my thoughts down here in case anyone was considering ham radio for hikes or pretty much anything else, and to try to dispel some of the common myths around amateur radio. I’m not going to get into too much detail since it’s easy enough to use a search engine and find the information. Also, I’ll only discuss the Technician Class License, since that is all you’ll ever need for hiking or geocaching.

 

Getting the license is easy and inexpensive. You have to pass a 35 question multiple choice exam. The test questions are taken from a pool of 396 questions (current number of possible valid test questions). It’s really not terribly technical or difficult to pass this test! Just scroll down to the list and you’ll notice several chuckleheads (myself included) who have passed this exam on the first try. Trust me, you can do it. There are several websites that will randomly choose 35 questions and create a practice exam and automatically grade it for you, free of charge. You just keep practicing with the online tests until you’re confident that you can pass the real exam. There is no Morse code requirement anymore, so don’t sweat that. Taking the test will cost you around $20.

 

The radios are not terribly large, heavy, or expensive. In fact, there are several small handheld ham radios that are just as small as those (often useless) FRS radios. (The Yaesu VX3R comes to mind) Obviously a bigger radio will have more features and often more transmit power, but neither is absolutely necessary, especially if your hike includes summits. Both TL and I spoke to a ten year old girl on Mercer Island while we were climbing around on Big Hump! That’s over 40 miles away and without the use of a repeater. I’ve made a radio contact from every summit I’ve been on (when I brought the radio) over the past few years. People are out there and willing to talk, provide directions, or call aid for you if something bad should happen.

 

Don’t or cannot hike? If hiking doesn’t blow your kilt up, or you’ve suffered an injury/illness that has you sidelined, you can always keep tabs on the hikers from wherever you happen to be. We would welcome that! Just keep an eye on the forums and if you see a hike (or cache machine even) announced, just ask what the radio plan is. Then keep your radio with you during the day and listen for us calling. W7WT did that while we hiked Big Hump, and it was great to know he was there listening.

 

Other benefits of ham radio. During national emergencies, being a licensed amateur radio operator means you can communicate or monitor communications while everyone else is scratching their heads. Hurricane Katrina was the latest emergency that left large pockets of people without any way of calling for help or getting emergency information. Your earthquake/volcano kit will be more complete with a small radio and spare batteries.

 

Here’s a list of Washington geocachers (that I know of) that are licensed. If I’ve missed you please let me know!

W7WT “W7WT”

TotemLake “KE7MDT”

Ironman114 “KF7AWY”

LindaLu (She just sent me an email and I can’t find it!)

K7-Wave "K7WV"

JHolly "NK6L "

Criminal “K7XFE”

 

EDIT to add.

EDIT to add.

Edited by Criminal
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This sounds like a great idea!!

 

What hand-held ham radio do you recommend?

Where can I find recommendations on these?

 

I looked online and it is like looking for a GPS when you know nothing about them. Tons of them.

 

I would just need something very simple and inexpensive.

 

Thanks!!

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This sounds like a great idea!!

 

What hand-held ham radio do you recommend?

Where can I find recommendations on these?

 

I looked online and it is like looking for a GPS when you know nothing about them. Tons of them.

 

I would just need something very simple and inexpensive.

 

Thanks!!

Hoo boy. Let me begin by clearly stating that I’m no expert in this, there are others far more knowledgeable than me. You’re right in that choosing a radio is much like choosing a GPS receiver; either begs the question, for what do you intend to use it? Also like GPS, there are name brands that are established as makers of better products, so let’s start there. You cannot go wrong with Icom, Yaesu, or Kenwood for handheld radios. Alinco has some fans as well but I’m not familiar enough with their products to speak negatively or positively, but they do seem to cost less than the big 3.

 

Now, you indicate simple and inexpensive, which is the best way to start. Most people go with a small radio with limited features before they shell out the big bucks for a wonder radio. Many never upgrade and are perfectly content with the simple. As a side note, some hams have given me grief because I have no interest in working for the next higher radio ticket, General or Extra, and have no interest in learning Morse code. Likewise, if you’re happy with the radio you choose, don’t let anyone talk you into more than you need.

 

There are many ‘bands’ in the amateur radio world that you can use with your Tech ticket. Some are more popular than others so you want to choose a radio that will allow you to use the more popular bands since that’s where the action is. Nothing would be worse than to be sprawled out at the bottom of a ravine trying to call out for help and nobody is listening. The two most used bands for Tech license holders are VFH 2 meters (144 to 148MHz) and UHF 70 cm (420 to 450MHz). Miracle of miracles, those are also the two bands where you’ll have the most radio choices. In fact, there are many radios that include both of those bands. Hmmm, did you notice something interesting about the UHF band? It tops at 450MHz, right below the FRS/GMRS frequency band at ~462MHz. Most ham radios are easily modified to enable you to transmit on the FRS/GMRS band in case of emergency.

 

OK, so you’ve determined you want a simple radio that operates on the 2 meter and 70 cm bands so as to have the most possible coverage. The Yaesu VX-3R is a dual band radio with great reviews, and runs about $170. With this radio you could easily converse with other hams all over western WA through any of the numerous repeaters. I could stand on McChord AFB near Lakewood and easily talk to a guy in Mukilteo with just my handheld through a repeater. Remember, line-of-sight is far far more important than the radio’s watt rating. Most handhelds are going to claim 5 watts, but that’s with a fully charged battery; after the battery runs down a bit the actual output starts dropping off pretty fast. The VX-3R I mention is rated 1½ watts on the battery. That may not sound like much but I couldn’t tell the difference between ~4ish watts and 1 (the low setting on the radio) watt from the summit of Mt Townsend to the repeater at Northbend.

 

Another option is the Kenwood TH-F6A, about as small as the VX-3R and operates at the full five watts.

 

Where to buy? I just bought my new radio through Hamcity and I’m pretty happy with them so far. Gigaparts has good prices as does HRO (their site is harder to navigate though).

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This is good timing for this topic for me.

I dropped off a friend for a 4 day backpack and it turned out he got bad info about the trail from the ranger (who he got the permit from, trust no one).

On the trail he got even worse info, and decided to get off the trail early.

I tried to text him the good info, since he should have been able to get texts some of the time, but his new high tech phone died and would not charge on the solar charger.

So he didn't get the good info, and I couldn't find out he got off the trail early.

He ended up with a 90. hotel room waiting for me about an hour's drive from where we were supposed to meet.

 

What would be a really light weight radio?

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Oops, I forgot to mention the other VERY interesting and useful applications for ham radio; APRS.

 

I really have never tried to understand the nuts and bolts of how it works, but what it basically does is allow your radio to send out packets of information over the air, automatically at timed intervals. This information can include routine messages (like the SPOT unit) as well as almost real-time tracking of your movements. So someone sitting at home can follow your progress on a hike or caching trip via the internet right on a map.

 

I've been prodding a certain local hiker/moun10biker/cacher who is much more of an expert at mapping to get his ham ticket and then teach APRS to me, but he's so far been resistant. Oh yeah, like he has anything else to do. :P

 

Anyway, from what I do understand about the system, your spouse (and anyone else) can view a map that will show them where you are, how fast you’re moving (along with any other GPS info like elevation), and receive text style messages.

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Interesting post. I have thought about ham radios over the years and never got into them. However, it might be time to try it.

 

It will be at least another year before I will be able to take any kind of hike at all. I still have one more knee replacement and the physical therapy from that, before I could hit the trails.

 

However, I do drive many miles in on forest service roads, and have wondered what would happen if I had car trouble. Years ago I would have just walked out, but that is no longer possible. If I'm getting what your saying here, I would have a much better chance of getting a message out with ham radio, than with a cell phone.

 

Also, I have a scanner I haven't used in years. It might be fun to drag it out, dust it off and see if I could listen in when a group is taking a hike. I would not be able to answer you, but could call for help.

 

Thanks for this thread, it has given me some things to think about. :laughing:

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Interesting post. I have thought about ham radios over the years and never got into them. However, it might be time to try it.

 

It will be at least another year before I will be able to take any kind of hike at all. I still have one more knee replacement and the physical therapy from that, before I could hit the trails.

 

However, I do drive many miles in on forest service roads, and have wondered what would happen if I had car trouble. Years ago I would have just walked out, but that is no longer possible. If I'm getting what your saying here, I would have a much better chance of getting a message out with ham radio, than with a cell phone.

 

Also, I have a scanner I haven't used in years. It might be fun to drag it out, dust it off and see if I could listen in when a group is taking a hike. I would not be able to answer you, but could call for help.

 

Thanks for this thread, it has given me some things to think about. :laughing:

Correct assumptions, but it is still line of sight transmissions so it isn't a catch all be all but it is tons of distance better than the standard FRS/GPRS when you can relay by repeaters.

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To be redundant: N7RIJ

I've been running around with my wife as IAMWITHHER and just recently changed my tag to my ham call because it was easier.

I use a Yaseu VX-7R because I like the size and it's military grade water proof (good for the PNW). I just got my daughter an old KENWOOD TH-205AT brick hoping it would spur her to get her ticket so we could 'cache and ham together.

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I'm W7VYL. I think Linda is AB7YL.

 

(I'm curious how many worked the special event station W7G at GW8?)

 

W7WT here. I live in Bremerton and tried all day to work them. Should have been able to work them on 20m, 10 m or 2 meters. Tried to find out what frequencies they were using to no avail. Linda did say they had just a 20 meter dipole thrown up in a tree but did work several on 20 meter skip. I had my Pro-67B which is up about 55 feet aimed at them.

 

My thanks to Criminal for opening this topic. I have a excellent station. Just need to get on more.

 

Dick, W7WT

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I'm W7VYL. I think Linda is AB7YL.

 

(I'm curious how many worked the special event station W7G at GW8?)

 

I didn't get to work them but I did go over and have a chat with the ops. They had made some contacts into California on 20 meters. They also had some QSL cards scattered about for 2 meter QSOs by attendees to pick up! I would have worked them from home if I had known.

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This post piqued my interest, as getting my ham license has been an interest of mine for a long time. In all honesty, the Morse Code requirement was what kept me from pursuing it. (I know some long-time hams don't agree with the elimination of the Morse Code requirement). Now that that requirement is gone, I am again looking into it.

 

In my research on the internet, I found this Study Guide for the Technician Class License that appears to be really good...and FREE! It's been a big help in improving my scores on the online pratice tests. BTW, this study guide is updated to the new test questions effective July 1, 2010.

 

Hope it is helpful to others.

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I didn't feel like hiking in the rain this weekend, so I loaded up over 270 frequencies into the mobile radio in the Jeep and drove to the top of Mt Walker to test them.

 

I scoured several databases and googled until I could google no more. There's so much confusing, conflicting, and inaccurate data that I wanted to narrow it down to just the valid and working repeaters or simplex frequencies. There's 152 frequencies here! If you can't raise someone during an emergency, well, it's a real emergency.

 

They all have standard offsets, so your radio [or] software should fill in the same information I have here. Sorry about the way it renders here, I don't know how to generate a 152 row table in UBB code! I can email an Xcel file if you want it.

 

EDIT to add: There are also two GMRS repeaters in the area but I believe they are private or club operated. They'll likely get mad at you if you try to chat on them, more so if you don't have the proper GMRS license, but in an emergency I'm sure they wouldn't mind.

 

Receive Freq Transmit Freq Offset Offset Direction Mode Name Tone Mode CTCSS Comments

52.525 52.525 Simplex FM SIMPLEX None 100.0 Hz 6 Meter Simplex

53.17 51.47 1.70 MHz Minus FM KIRKLAND Tone 100.0 Hz

53.29 51.59 1.70 MHz Minus FM BUCK MTN Tone 100.0 Hz

145.11 144.51 600 kHz Minus FM NORTH BEND Tone 103.5 Hz

145.11 144.51 600 kHz Minus FM STEVENS PASS Tone 123.0 Hz

145.15 144.55 600 kHz Minus FM PORT TWNSD Tone 114.8 Hz

145.17 144.57 600 kHz Minus FM BREMERTON Tone 103.5 Hz

145.19 144.59 600 kHz Minus FM LTMAN HILL Tone 127.3 Hz

145.21 144.61 600 kHz Minus FM TACOMA CH28 Tone 141.3 Hz

145.23 144.63 600 kHz Minus FM SUMAS MTN Tone 103.5 Hz

145.25 144.65 600 kHz Minus FM ORCAS ISLAND Tone 131.8 Hz

145.27 144.67 600 kHz Minus FM SHELTON Tone 103.5 Hz

145.29 144.69 600 kHz Minus FM MAPLE VALLEY Tone 123.0 Hz

145.29 144.69 600 kHz Minus FM UNIVERSITY PL Tone 114.8 Hz

145.31 144.71 600 kHz Minus FM BREMERTON Tone 179.9 Hz

145.31 144.71 600 kHz Minus FM NORTH COVE Tone 118.8 Hz

145.31 144.71 600 kHz Minus FM REDMOND Tone 103.5 Hz

145.33 144.73 600 kHz Minus FM TIGER MTN W Tone 179.9 Hz

145.35 144.75 600 kHz Minus FM GIG HRBOR Tone 103.5 Hz

145.37 144.77 600 kHz Minus FM GRASS MTN Tone 136.5 Hz

145.39 144.79 600 kHz Minus FM COSMOP Tone 118.8 Hz

145.39 144.79 600 kHz Minus FM EVERETT Tone 123.0 Hz

145.41 144.81 600 kHz Minus FM TACOMA Tone 100.0 Hz

145.43 144.83 600 kHz Minus FM SILVERDALE Tone 179.9 Hz

145.43 144.83 600 kHz Minus FM TOLEDO Tone 110.9 Hz

145.45 144.85 600 kHz Minus FM EATONVILLE Tone 110.9 Hz

145.47 144.87 600 kHz Minus FM CAPITOL Tone 100.0 Hz

145.49 144.89 600 kHz Minus FM KIRKLAND Tone 103.5 Hz

145.78 145.78 Simplex FM SIMPLEX 07 None 100.0 Hz

146.46 146.46 Simplex FM SIMPLEX 01 None 100.0 Hz

146.48 146.48 Simplex FM SIMPLEX 02 None 100.0 Hz

146.5 146.5 Simplex FM SIMPLEX 03 None 100.0 Hz

146.52 146.52 Simplex FM VHF COMMON None 100.0 Hz AKA Wilderness Protocol

146.54 146.54 Simplex FM SIMPLEX 04 None 100.0 Hz

146.56 146.56 Simplex FM SIMPLEX 05 None 100.0 Hz

146.58 146.58 Simplex FM SIMPLEX 06 None 100.0 Hz

146.62 146.02 600 kHz Minus FM BREMERTON Tone 103.5 Hz

146.64 146.04 600 kHz Minus FM OCEAN SHORES Tone 103.5 Hz

146.64 146.04 600 kHz Minus FM TACOMA None 100.0 Hz

146.66 146.06 600 kHz Minus FM NORTH POINT Tone 100.0 Hz

146.66 146.06 600 kHz Minus FM SEATAC Tone 103.5 Hz

146.72 146.12 600 kHz Minus FM SHELTON Tone 103.5 Hz

146.74 146.14 600 kHz Minus FM LOOKKOUT MT Tone 127.3 Hz

146.74 146.14 600 kHz Minus FM MT CONSTIT Tone 103.5 Hz

146.76 146.16 600 kHz Minus FM FED WAY Tone 103.5 Hz

146.76 146.16 600 kHz Minus FM SEQUIM Tone 100.0 Hz

146.78 146.18 600 kHz Minus FM LYNWOOD Tone 103.5 Hz

146.8 146.2 600 kHz Minus FM OLYMPIA Tone 103.5 Hz

146.8 146.2 600 kHz Minus FM TUMWATER Tone 100.0 Hz

146.82 146.22 600 kHz Minus FM TIGER MTN Tone 103.5 Hz

146.86 146.26 600 kHz Minus FM OAK HRBOR Tone 127.3 Hz

146.9 146.3 600 kHz Minus FM FRD HRBOR Tone 131.8 Hz

146.9 146.3 600 kHz Minus FM OCEAN SHORES Tone 88.5 Hz

146.92 146.32 600 kHz Minus FM MT PLCHUK Tone 123.0 Hz

146.94 146.34 600 kHz Minus FM TACOMA Tone 103.5 Hz

146.96 146.36 600 kHz Minus FM NEILTON Tone 203.5 Hz

146.96 146.36 600 kHz Minus FM SEATTLE Tone 103.5 Hz

147.02 147.62 600 kHz Plus FM TACOMA Tone 103.5 Hz

147.04 147.64 600 kHz Plus FM FED WAY Tone 103.5 Hz

147.06 147.66 600 kHz Plus FM BAW FAW Tone 110.9 Hz

147.08 147.68 600 kHz Plus FM COUGAR MT Tone 103.5 Hz

147.14 147.74 600 kHz Plus FM GRAHAM Tone 103.5 Hz

147.16 147.76 600 kHz Plus FM KING MTN Tone 103.5 Hz

147.16 147.76 600 kHz Plus FM MERCER ISL Tone 146.2 Hz

147.18 147.78 600 kHz Plus FM EVERETT Tone 103.5 Hz

147.2 147.8 600 kHz Plus FM RAYMOND Tone 127.3 Hz

147.22 147.82 600 kHz Plus FM KTCM Tone 103.5 Hz McChord AFB - Nobody's listening

147.22 147.82 600 kHz Plus FM WHIDBEY Tone 127.3 Hz

147.24 147.84 600 kHz Plus FM RAYMOND Tone 103.5 Hz

147.26 147.86 600 kHz Plus FM LONGVIEW Tone 114.8 Hz

147.26 147.86 600 kHz Plus FM SUMNER Tone 100.0 Hz

147.28 147.88 600 kHz Plus FM TACOMA Tone 103.5 Hz

147.3 147.9 600 kHz Plus FM MT BRYNION Tone 114.8 Hz

147.32 147.92 600 kHz Plus FM BLNGHAM Tone 100.0 Hz

147.34 147.94 600 kHz Plus FM SOUTHBEND Tone 118.8 Hz

147.34 147.94 600 kHz Plus FM WOODNVILL Tone 100.0 Hz

147.36 147.96 600 kHz Plus FM CAMANO Tone 127.3 Hz

147.36 147.96 600 kHz Plus FM OLYMPIA Tone 103.5 Hz

147.38 147.98 600 kHz Plus FM CRAWFORD MTN Tone 103.5 Hz

147.4 147.4 Simplex FM SIMPLEX 08 None 100.0 Hz

147.42 147.42 Simplex FM SIMPLEX 09 None 100.0 Hz

147.44 147.44 Simplex FM SIMPLEX 10 None 100.0 Hz

223.86 222.26 1.60 MHz Minus FM KIRKLAND Tone 103.5 Hz

223.94 222.34 1.60 MHz Minus FM SULTAN Tone 110.9 Hz

223.98 222.38 1.60 MHz Minus FM TIGER MTN EAST Tone 103.5 Hz

224.1 222.5 1.60 MHz Minus FM KIRKLAND None 100.0 Hz

224.12 222.52 1.60 MHz Minus FM TIGER MTN EAST Tone 103.5 Hz

224.24 222.64 1.60 MHz Minus FM CAPITOL HILL Tone 103.5 Hz

224.28 222.68 1.60 MHz Minus FM OLYMPIA Tone 103.5 Hz

224.34 222.74 1.60 MHz Minus FM SEATTLE None 100.0 Hz

224.78 223.18 1.60 MHz Minus FM LYMAN HILL Tone 103.5 Hz

440.3 445.3 5.00 MHz Plus FM SHORELINE Tone 103.5 Hz

441.05 446.05 5.00 MHz Plus FM CAMANO Tone 103.5 Hz

441.075 446.075 5.00 MHz Plus FM KIRKLAND Tone 103.5 Hz

441.1 446.1 5.00 MHz Plus FM BELLEVUE Tone 156.7 Hz

441.4 446.4 5.00 MHz Plus FM OLYMPIA Tone 103.5 Hz

441.475 446.475 5.00 MHz Plus FM KIRKLAND Tone 100.0 Hz

441.775 446.775 5.00 MHz Plus FM NORTH BEND Tone 103.5 Hz

441.8 446.8 5.00 MHz Plus FM SEATTLE Tone 141.3 Hz

441.95 446.95 5.00 MHz Plus FM OLYMPIA Tone 103.5 Hz

442.1 447.1 5.00 MHz Plus FM SEQUIM None 100.0 Hz

442.15 447.15 5.00 MHz Plus FM NORTH BEND None 100.0 Hz

442.35 447.35 5.00 MHz Plus FM GRAHAM Tone 100.0 Hz

442.45 447.45 5.00 MHz Plus FM TACOMA Tone 103.5 Hz

442.475 447.475 5.00 MHz Plus FM OLYMPIA Tone 100.0 Hz

442.5 447.5 5.00 MHz Plus FM QUILCENE Tone 123.0 Hz

442.625 447.625 5.00 MHz Plus FM TACOMA Tone 103.5 Hz

442.65 447.65 5.00 MHz Plus FM BREMERTON Tone 103.5 Hz

442.925 447.925 5.00 MHz Plus FM DU PONT Tone 110.9 Hz

442.95 447.95 5.00 MHz Plus FM FED WAY Tone 103.5 Hz

442.975 447.975 5.00 MHz Plus FM SNOHOMISH Tone 103.5 Hz

443.1 443.1 Simplex FM UHF CALL None 100.0 Hz NATIONAL CALLING FREQ

443.1 448.1 5.00 MHz Plus FM SEATAC Tone 103.5 Hz

443.25 448.25 5.00 MHz Plus FM DUVAL Tone 123.0 Hz

443.425 448.425 5.00 MHz Plus FM QUILCENE Tone 103.5 Hz

443.45 448.45 5.00 MHz Plus FM SAN JUAN Tone 103.5 Hz

443.5 448.5 5.00 MHz Plus FM VASHON Tone 103.5 Hz

443.525 448.525 5.00 MHz Plus FM CAPITOL Tone 127.3 Hz

443.55 448.55 5.00 MHz Plus FM SEATTLE Tone 103.5 Hz

443.775 448.775 5.00 MHz Plus FM BELLEVUE Tone 103.5 Hz

443.875 448.875 5.00 MHz Plus FM EVERETT Tone 103.5 Hz

443.925 448.925 5.00 MHz Plus FM BOEING Tone 100.0 Hz

444 449 5.00 MHz Plus FM SEATTLE Tone 103.5 Hz

444.225 449.225 5.00 MHz Plus FM W SEATTLE Tone 123.0 Hz

444.375 449.375 5.00 MHz Plus FM SEATTLE Tone 203.5 Hz

444.5 449.5 5.00 MHz Plus FM RATTLESNAKE Tone 103.5 Hz

444.525 449.525 5.00 MHz Plus FM ISSAQUAH Tone 103.5 Hz

444.65 449.65 5.00 MHz Plus FM SEATTLE Tone 131.8 Hz

444.7 449.7 5.00 MHz Plus FM SEATTLE Tone 103.5 Hz

444.775 449.775 5.00 MHz Plus FM SEATTLE Tone 173.8 Hz

444.85 449.85 5.00 MHz Plus FM COUGAR MTN Tone 103.5 Hz

444.875 449.875 5.00 MHz Plus FM RANDLE Tone 100.0 Hz

444.95 449.95 5.00 MHz Plus FM ANACORTES Tone 100.0 Hz

444.95 449.95 5.00 MHz Plus FM McCLEARY Tone 118.8 Hz

446 446 Simplex FM 1 UHF COMM None 100.0 Hz AKA Wilderness Protocol

462.55 467.55 5.00 MHz Plus FM GMRS REPEATER Tone 103.5 Hz PRIVATE! Emergency Only

462.5625 462.5625 Simplex FM FRS 01/GMRS None

462.5875 462.5875 Simplex FM FRS 02/GMRS None

462.6125 462.6125 Simplex FM FRS 03/GMRS None

462.6375 462.6375 Simplex FM FRS 04/GMRS None

462.6625 462.6625 Simplex FM FRS 05/GMRS None

462.675 467.675 5.00 MHz Plus FM GMRS REPEATER Tone 141.3 Hz PRIVATE! Emergency Only

462.6875 462.6875 Simplex FM FRS 06/GMRS None

462.7125 462.7125 Simplex FM FRS 07/GMRS None

467.5625 467.5625 Simplex FM FRS 08 None

467.5875 467.5875 Simplex FM FRS 09 None

467.6125 467.6125 Simplex FM FRS 10 None

467.6375 467.6375 Simplex FM FRS 11 None

467.6625 467.6625 Simplex FM FRS 12 None

467.6875 467.6875 Simplex FM FRS 13 None

467.7125 467.7125 Simplex FM FRS 14 None

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Thanks Crim, I just now printed it out. Way back when 2 meter

repeaters started, I had a crystal controlled transaceiver. When I first got it, I also drove to Mt. Walker and worked several on simplex and a few repeaters. Great place. When I was younger (60s)

I did a lot of cross country skiing at Hurricane Ridge. This was before cell phones and I could hit the 62 repeater on Green Mountain and make a phone patch to the XYL. Dick

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Saw this on the news about the horrible tragedy at the ice caves:

In response to his daughter's death, John Tam would like to have emergency telephone service installed at the ice caves. When Grace was injured there was no way for the family to call for help.

 

Lack of communications was cited when the Kim family got lost in Oregon. Cell phones are great, when they work. But what do you do when they don't?

 

EDIT to add updated list:

 

W7WT “W7WT”

TotemLake “KE7MDT”

Ironman114 “KF7AWY”

LindaLu "AB7YL"

K7-Wave "K7WV"

JHolly "NK6L"

AndrewRJ "KC7RSR"

Douglas_Clan "KC7YUA"

N7RIJ "N7RIJ"

FluteFace "W7VYL"

fastford "KB7UTQ"

John_E_Cache "N0AAZ"

Criminal “K7XFE”

 

Sol seaker TBD

GeoDiver TBD

Moun10Bike TBD (K7MNT or W0MTB are available as a vanity call)

uxorious TBD

Edited by Criminal
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In my research on the internet, I found this Study Guide for the Technician Class License that appears to be really good...and FREE! It's been a big help in improving my scores on the online pratice tests. BTW, this study guide is updated to the new test questions effective July 1, 2010.

 

Hope it is helpful to others.

 

Thanks, GeoDiver! I've got that bookmarked now and look forward to getting my license soon.

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Thanks for this great intro and all the info folks have added in the thread. This interests me greatly so I'm researching now.

You rock! The link you sent me on twitter to the Vashon club gave me some more leads. So I loaded six new repeater freqs into the mobile and drove up to Ridgetop to try them out; four checked good and I had a great conversation with someone on one of them. We're up to 156 repeaters/frequencies so far.

 

146.980 / 146.380 BALDI PL=107.2

147.200 / 147.800 LYMAN PL=118.8

441.200 / 446.200 SEATTLE PL=123.0

443.400 / 448.400 GOLD MOUNTAIN PL=123.0

Edited by Criminal
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Here are some additional links if anyone is interested in preparing for the test(s).

 

For the "Study Guide" link I previously posted click here.

 

Practice Tests that include all possible questions and scores your tests, click here.

 

Radio Club of Tacoma "HamFest" will be held Saturday August 14, 2010 at Bethel Junior High School (south of Tacoma). The test will be administered to interested parties at 10:00AM. Further details about HamFest here.

 

I am planning to take the test at HamFest on Saturday. As Criminal said in his earlier post, the test is not that difficult. Using the above Study Guide and the Practice Tests for less than a week, I have been scoring above 90% every time on the practice tests. Passing score is 74%.

 

Again, I hope this is helpful to others.

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I found my way over to the HamFest at Bethel Jr. High in Spanaway yesterday. Took the test for my Technician class and passed easily, using just the resources posted in this forum for study.

 

Now I want to spend some time become more knowledgeable about the world of Amateur Radio and then take a look at the General class. (When I finished the Tech exam, the examiner asked if I wanted to take the General test while I was there). Not prepared for that.

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I found my way over to the HamFest at Bethel Jr. High in Spanaway yesterday. Took the test for my Technician class and passed easily, using just the resources posted in this forum for study.

 

Now I want to spend some time become more knowledgeable about the world of Amateur Radio and then take a look at the General class. (When I finished the Tech exam, the examiner asked if I wanted to take the General test while I was there). Not prepared for that.

The cool thing about these tests, is you can take as many as you want (providing you pass each one in succession) for the same fee you paid for the one. Failure to pass the next test does not fail you on the ones you passed.

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W7WT “W7WT”

TotemLake “KE7MDT”

Ironman114 “KF7AWY”

LindaLu "AB7YL"

K7-Wave "K7WV"

JHolly "NK6L"

AndrewRJ "KC7RSR"

Douglas_Clan "KC7YUA"

N7RIJ "N7RIJ"

FluteFace "W7VYL"

fastford "KB7UTQ"

John_E_Cache "N0AAZ"

thecatdaddy "WI7F"

Criminal “K7XFE”

 

Sol seaker TBD

GeoDiver TBD CONGRATS! Let us know when the call sign comes!

Moun10Bike TBD (K7MNT or W0MTB are available as a vanity call)

uxorious TBD

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Call Sign showed up on ULS this morning. It is KF7LQK. Now I have to start figuring out how I'm going to get on the air.

 

Awesome! Do you have any ideas about what radio yet?

 

W7WT “W7WT”

TotemLake “KE7MDT”

Ironman114 “KF7AWY”

LindaLu "AB7YL"

K7-Wave "K7WV"

JHolly "NK6L"

AndrewRJ "KC7RSR"

Douglas_Clan "KC7YUA"

N7RIJ "N7RIJ"

FluteFace "W7VYL"

fastford "KB7UTQ"

John_E_Cache "N0AAZ"

thecatdaddy "WI7F"

GeoDiver "KF7LQK"

Criminal “K7XFE”

 

Sol seaker TBD

Moun10Bike TBD (K7MNT or W0MTB are available as a vanity call)

uxorious TBD

Edited by Criminal
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When a ham gets a license, every one tries to come up with something using the letter's of the call. Only thing i could come up with was:

 

KING FISH 7 LOVES QUICK KISSES

 

I've got to quit messing around wasting my time with all of this geocaching and get back on the air. 73 Dick, W7WT

Edited by W7WT
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When a ham gets a license, every one tries to come up with something using the letter's of the call. Only thing i could come up with was:

 

KING FISH 7 LOVES QUICK KISSES

 

I've got to quit messing around wasting my time with all of this geocaching and get back on the air. 73 Dick, W7WT

 

Thanks, Dick...I kinda like that! It's better than the NATO Phonetics, which is what TotemLake was probably referring to. :)

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I dug out my little VX-1R handheld and charged up the battery. Seems to work. It is not very powerful. What frequency will people coming to the GeoLuau be using for simplex. It will also put out a few milliwatts on one AA. Dick W7WT

 

I was just checking out my FT 897 and just worked a N7TFP areonautical mobile over Lake Wenatchee flying Cessna 172 on 146.52. I have a four element yagi at about 65 feet. It is horizontal polarized but works well.

Edited by W7WT
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OK; I found out they were giving the test in Renton today, so I went down there and took it. Passed it with no problems. :huh: d

The study guide linked in an earlier post was a great help. Thanks for posting that.

Now I need to get a radio and really learn how to use one. :rolleyes:

As soon as I get my call sign I will post it here.

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OK; I found out they were giving the test in Renton today, so I went down there and took it. Passed it with no problems. :huh: d

The study guide linked in an earlier post was a great help. Thanks for posting that.

Now I need to get a radio and really learn how to use one. :rolleyes:

As soon as I get my call sign I will post it here.

Congrats!

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OK; I found out they were giving the test in Renton today, so I went down there and took it. Passed it with no problems. :D d

The study guide linked in an earlier post was a great help. Thanks for posting that.

Now I need to get a radio and really learn how to use one. :P

As soon as I get my call sign I will post it here.

Congrats!

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OK; I found out they were giving the test in Renton today, so I went down there and took it. Passed it with no problems. :D d

The study guide linked in an earlier post was a great help. Thanks for posting that.

Now I need to get a radio and really learn how to use one. :P

As soon as I get my call sign I will post it here.

My dad, W7SY, passes along his congrats!

Edited by Dgwphotos
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