HAM Radio’s

Do you have your HAM License?

The Rubicon Trail Foundation partnered with Rugged Radios to give each child at Camp Rubicon a hand held radio to use and understand the importance of having communication devices available  when in out of cell service areas.  You never know when you will need to make an emergency call out for help.

The radios were programmed for frequencies that could be used during Camp Rubicon with the hope that each child or family will become interested and get licensed so that they can use while camping and recreating.

What is a HAM Radio?

Ham Radio is the very best way to communicate on the Rubicon and other trails. It is literally a lifesaver!!!  People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It’s fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.

Why is having a HAM Radio license important?
There is little to NO Cell Service one the Rubicon Trail.  HAM Radios are great because you can communicate with people all over the world if licensed and get help if needed in an emergency situation.

Other benefits—learn electronic and radio propagation, learn geography, and enhance personal communication skills.

How to get a HAM Radio License:

You will need a License to Operate A Ham Radio, you can contact any local amateur radio club for more info, or take Advantage of the classes that RTF sponsors. This class is designed to take you from zero to HAM radio operator in no time at all. Its typically held in the Sacramento Valley area, in El Dorado Hills. For more info on classes you can email John Arenz [email protected]    or http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class

If you already have a Ham Radio License here the frequencies used on the Rubicon-

146.805 -.600 PL123.0
The KA6GWY repeater, covers the west slope of El Dorado County and the Sacramento area.

145.350 (repeater transmitter), odd split to 146.205 (repeater receiver), PL123.0 
The Tahoe Basin KA6GWY repeater, linked 24/7 to the 805 ELD     repeater, coverage in the Tahoe Basin.

146.805 simplex, no PL
This is the repeater output frequency of the KA6GWY repeater. Nice to have so that you can talk to  your friends right in front of you, still listen to the repeater, but not tie it up when simplex will work just fine.

444.9875 +5.00 PL156.7 
The Rubicon repeater located near Spider Lake, coverage on all of the Rubicon Trail except east of Barker Meadows OHV trail.

444.9875 +5.00 PL 107.2
Same as RUBI except that when using this PL it links to 805ELD and 805 TAH.

444.9875 simplex, PL107.2 
This is the repeater output frequency of the Spider repeater. Nice to have so that you can talk to your friends right in front of you, still listen to the repeater, but not tie it up when simplex will work just fine.

Note, PL is used because some users decode PL on their handheld radios.

 

If you do not have a HAM Radio you should consider getting one.

The Rubicon Trail Foundation holds 1 to 2 classes per year to get you your HAM License.  Contact us today!

 

Ham

By Chris Cowan Uncategorized 0 Comments

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