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vacaenbaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 640
Registered: 4-4-2006
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Radios that are "opened up" to transmit and or receive work
just as well if not better In most cases these radios are made
for a variety of "markets" and they are all designed to cover
the same overlap frequenies. The law enforcement , marine frequencies and the the 2 meter band are close together. Often times a 2 meter can be made
to tranceive
in all three. However I would not be transmiting on the sheriffs frequencies. You will be convicted even if it was an emergency. The only difference
is that the modified radio you use is not "type Accepted" for use on any other frequency other than what it was designed for.
The best setup would be to have a licensed 2 meter repeater set up along the high points of baja. It does not take a lot of wattage for large
coverage. Repeaters in the
LA basin area have consistent reliable coverage using sites
like Mount Wilson, even Catalina. 2 to 5 watts out on a handheld can cover many miles. One could put a repeater at
Meling Ranch, Santa Rosalia, or The Sierras above Loreto.
They could be battery run and recharged by solar power.
The more remote the better,keeps down the theft problem.
There are repeater chains in Baja run by Mexican ham radio operators,in both Ensenada and La Paz. they can be linked to repeaters in the US at
their choosing.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Communication Lawlessness
I don't know about anyone else, but I Worry a whole bunch when I'm violating all of those FCC rules in Mexico, considering how many DF mobile units
you see roaming through Baja looking for violators.
But then, I also get the shakes when I look at those FBI warnings on the pirate DVDs. Waiting for that knock on the door almost spoils the viewing,
though I do feel less threatened in Mexico.
However, the other day I ran into one that had an INTERPOL warning. Jeez. You're not safe anywhere.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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I was in Lucerne Valley CA a couple years ago and tuned my radio to what was supposed to be a racers frequency and I was listening to the Clark County
NV sheriff's office talking to units in both Laughlin and Las Vegas.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Jack Swords
Super Nomad
Posts: 1095
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Nipomo, CA/La Paz, BCS
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VHF/UHF unlicensed operation
Good discussion...as in all things in Mexico, one's ability to operate outside the law depends upon enforcement. SCT is the local equivalent of our
FCC and gives out permits and licenses to operate our radios. They also are responsible for enforcement. For a licensed ham operator to use his
radio in Mexico requires a reciprocal license issued by SCT. (I know, I know). By international agreement frequency allocations are stipulated to
avoid interference to valuable services. Here in the Central Coast of CA, near the 2 meter ham band, are the Forest Service, Cottage Hospital, the
airport, 5 search and rescue channels, to name a few. Sure wouldn't want to interfere with their radios. Unlicensed operation in the ham bands is
usually caught by some hams who live to catch "bootleggers". Getting a ham license has never been easier, now that the code requirement is eliminated.
There are classes where you earn the license in one day. We use ham radio to a great extent in Baja. HF radios work even in deep canyons, giving
world-wide communication. The VHF radios, like 2 meters, as mentioned by another poster, are line-of-sight, but with the repeaters on the hilltops
you have greatly extended range. These are found near populated areas. Here in the US, repeaters are linked nation-wide, many have phone patches,
other services. Computers are even linked through these systems. A legal license to operate opens communication possibilities in many modes (SSB,
FM, TV, etc.) and on a multitude of bands. It is a valuable asset even here in the USA. And...you don't have to look over your shoulder for FCC or
SCT.
Jack Swords, N1IY
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Gadget
Senior Nomad
Posts: 851
Registered: 9-10-2006
Location: Point Loma CA
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Mood: Blessed with another day
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Wow, look what you started Halboo! Now I got a headache. So much info. You guys are all so much smarter. I think I'll stick to posting on the
surfer and offroader threads.
Now I'm going to feel like I'm back in the 70s and just took a big hit off the bong every time I key my mic.
Ignorance is bliss sometimes 
Anyway guys, thanks for all the good info. I guess I know who to look up now if I have a radio issue. Course I'll have to take a class first and
fill out a bunch of Federal forms of some kind and get a plastic pocket protector but thats all good, I'm adaptable 
"Mankind will not be judged by their faults, but by the direction of their lives." Leo Giovinetti
See you in Baja
http://www.LocosMocos.com
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Halboo
Nomad
Posts: 193
Registered: 2-19-2006
Location: 33°26\'00.15\"N 117°37\'09.84W
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Mood: Bohemian
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Can you hear me now?
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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The problem with Mexico is they don't have bands of frequencies allocated to specific business interest, unless they've done so in the last few years.
The marine band may be one of a few that are because of international agreements. When I was working in San Diego at TV 39 several years ago we were
getting interference from Mexico on our two way radios (450/455 broadcast band). It turns out it was the governor of Baja's security force. The
problem was quickly resolved by them changing frequencies. However it was pointed out that it could just as easily been a taxi or other business.
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Elena La Loca
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Oceanside, CA
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Gadget~
Don't be afraid...if *I* can do it (I have been licensed since 1989 and have an Advanced class license), ANYBODY can! As said earlier, now it's easier
than ever to get your ham radio license now that there's no code requirement (darn it all - I took that 13wpm test 5 times before I finally got that
General code out of the way) and in a couple days of pouring over the possible test questions & multiple choice answers (get yourself one of
Gordon West's study course books ~ he really has a knack for making it all understancable and not just geek-speak) and you'll be hunting down a test
site, eager as ever to get on the bands.
I can't begin to tell you the fun I've had with ham radio (and it's all legal - we were told that as long as we're traveling in Baja all we have to do
is sign with our callsign and /XE2) but whenever we're on the road I can guarantee you we've got a radio on. We use HF to check in stateside daily on
a regular schedule, too.
If anybody's interested in finding out more information about getting your ham radio license, I hope you won't hesitate to U2U so I can point you in
the right direction (is that kinda like "telling you where to go"???!!!???)
Elena La Loca ~ N6UWW
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Want a PRACTICAL answer, Halboo?
If you are talking car-to-car communications, then the FRS radios work fine, especially if you have the single ear bud with the voice-activated mic
(cheap and included with some units).
But hand-held VHF works quite nicely for this purpose as well.
CBs are static prone, low range dinosaurs.
Cell phones are very limited for large distances on the peninsula.
2 meter radios are pricey but have great range and you have to have another with the radio for car to car.
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