Touring - Amateur Radio

I tried to do a search on this, so please forgive me if it's been discussed before:
Does anyone bring a HAM radio with them when touring?
I usually bring my Icom 2meter HT. It's small, light, and with an aftermarket antenna, has surprisingly long range under good conditions.
I've found it to be a fun time-killer in camp, and it could be a lifesaver should I be injured or stranded in the sticks.
Any other HAM nerds out there?

I could be wrong but it seems pretty heavy. What do you listen to? Do you just talk with anyone who's transmitting?

Yes, thats what they do, and if you're cycling in the mountains, you might be able to reach people quite some distance away.

I'm not a ham, but I really should get my license..as I have a lot of interests in that area, so maybe I will be one soon!

It's not too heavy. I like to be pretty self sufficient, so what's another 1/2 pound or so? :)
My whole setup, including radio, charger, extra batteries, two antennas, manual, and handset would fit in a medium sized seat bag.
I just scan around until I find a local repeater, then introduce myself. People are usually pretty interested in the idea of someone touring by bike. They can often provide tips on the local area: good restaurants, sight seeing, weather etc.
My radio also gets the weather service, so that by itself makes it worth carrying.

1/2 pound or so? :)...My whole setup, including radio, charger, extra batteries, two antennas, manual, and handset would fit in a medium sized seat bag.

WOW, 1/2 pound is smaller than I would have imagined. I think I still prefer my iPhone (6 ounces with charger) with which I can communicate with virtually anyone on earth. When I'm "in the sticks" its nice NOT to be connected.

WOW, 1/2 pound is smaller than I would have imagined. I think I still prefer my iPhone (6 ounces with charger) with which I can communicate with virtually anyone on earth. When I'm "in the sticks" its nice NOT to be connected.

Ham radio is a hobby, just like touring :)

Your comparison is like saying,"I don't know about you, but I'd rather ride a motorcycle on a tour, than bike. Why go only 20mph when I can do 65mph?"

To the OP, rather than the Icom, maybe something along this line: FT-817ND. It's not much heavier, it's self-contained, it can do DC-daylight, and when not in use, can be trickle charged on a solar panel.

You get HF too, which can be interesting for the times your elevation is low.

This might help:

http://www.bmha-hams.org/

- NM1E

No reason you couldn't or shouldn't if you want to. I can't say I have ever heard of or met anyone doing so though.

I do have to ask, do you really need a "time killer in camp"? I usually don't even find enough time to read to justify carrying a book when on tour. I do carry audio books on my phone, but on my last tour, in 25 days I didn't listen at all other than in airports and on trains, buses, and planes on the way to and from my tour.

Also to me saving a 1/2 pound is a big deal.

Crazy-Lazy-Bear, Thanks! That's awesome!
Ubergeek, I've considered the 817ND, but it's not really my thing.
BigAura, I really like the option of calling for help if I'm out of the cell network. That's the primary reason I bring it. I've used it once when I got lost hiking. Headed back to camp after dark, and had to be talked in.
Staehpj1, not all the time. I usually only do 60 or 70 miles a day when touring, and I usually camp. If I like a spot, I might stay there a day or two, so there are times when it's nice to kill an hour and talk to some folks. I don't use it every night, but occasionally it's fun.

Careful, man!

Combining one incredibly nerdy hobby (bicycle touring) with an even more incredibly nerdy hobby (ham radio) could cause some kind of feedback loop creating a mass of nerdiness so dense the universe might collapse in on itself! :lol:

That said, I'm in! :D

I like to unplug to a certain degree while out on tours. Ham radio seems to provide the right mix of local contacts, emergency preparedness, and disconnectivity that I crave when out on the bike.

I've certainly considered bringing along a 2m HT while on tour, but the FT-817 looks like it could be a fun addition, and of course- a homebrew QRP rig seems to be a great way to geek out by the campfire at night.

+1 to #11 Askel (no sign of the universe collapsing in this quadrant, but it is only lunchtime here.) I have not done much touring, but did bring my HT and an FT817 (HF) with me on a C&O Canal Tour. Wound up making only 1 or 2 contacts with the 817 on HF (lack of time, conditions, 1st time trying that set up), while the weather radio capability of the HT & montioring the local Skywarn net came in handy. Modern HTs make mobile-in-motion relatively straightforward; I've used voice, APRS, and (this year) even a 25W amplifier for a public service event (local century ride support). HF can be trickier - antennas in particular want to be bigger and a bike makes for a poor ground plane, but have had fun operating bike-mobile/portable for the Virginia QSO party. If you're operating HF from camp (or an extended rest stop), anything that will fit in your bags or panniers and set up easily enough can be used. I think the new battery chemistries (LiFePO4 in particular), tiny portable computers/smart phones/tablets, and renewed interest in low power (QRP) and portable and mobile ops is giving us new ways to combine cycling and ham radio. I am particularly interested in seeing how the Elecraft KX3 (http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/kx3.htm)(announced at Dayton last May) turns out.

Besides the BMHA group clb mentioned (and their mail list on yahoo groups), the HFPack (http://www.hfpack.com/)folks and the QRP-L list are also good sources of information on equipment and operating.

One point on evening operation in camp - CW and data modes are vastly superior in another respect - it's quieter! (You'd be surprised how well "CQ CQ this is..." carries).

Interesting topic. I know zero about ham radios, so hope one of you can answer this. Are there any locations where you are unable to receive/transmit? Like, for example, in a river canyon? Thinking about suggesting this to my buddy who is getting into backpacking in remote areas.

Interesting topic. I know zero about ham radios, so hope one of you can answer this. Are there any locations where you are unable to receive/transmit? Like, for example, in a river canyon? Thinking about suggesting this to my buddy who is getting into backpacking in remote areas.

Short answer: It depends.

Lots of different frequencies and modes of communications are accessible to amateurs that can get out of a canyon. The difficult part is knowing whether there's somebody within range that can hear you. Not necessarily a given.

I wouldn't depend on ham radio to get me out of jam, but it's better than nothing.

Interesting topic. I know zero about ham radios, so hope one of you can answer this. Are there any locations where you are unable to receive/transmit? Like, for example, in a river canyon? Thinking about suggesting this to my buddy who is getting into backpacking in remote areas.

He could also look at this GPS Messenger
(http://www.rei.com/product/784892/spot-ii-satellite-gps-messenger)

Ham radio is a hobby, just like touring :)
Your comparison is like saying,"I don't know about you, but I'd rather ride a motorcycle on a tour, than bike. Why go only 20mph when I can do 65mph

I hear you, and you're right, but I'd didn't mean any disrespect.

I don't see why not if that's your thing.Can't say I've seen anybody doing that in the last 30+ years.Go for it.

I carry a signal mirror,if that doesn't work,oh well.

I've never taken my HT with me, but I have considered it. My thought was to take 1/4 ground plane using a flat plate to drop over the flange instead of radiators. It would easily break down flat for packing. It could be pulled up in a tree with fishing line, with RG-58 downlead to the transceiver. Cheap, portable, packable, light.
Some guys have taken a small HF QRP rig and with a roll of wire for the antenna, and worked CW. If you want to do it, there is a way.

Ham radio is a hobby, just like touring :) .......
You get HF too, which can be interesting for the times your elevation is low.
Yes!! :):thumb:
73s. VE4ZD