How many chasers are ham radio operators??

[Tim Stoecklein]

I know that a number of chasers are licensed amateur radio operators. I am curious how many of the members of this forum are licensed, and if any of you participate in the hobby outside of storm chasing?

I, for one, have been a part of the hobby for two years now. I am a general class ham who is quite active in the hobby. I am also the president of our local amateur radio club, which is kind of humorous since the ave. age of our club members is about 25 years older than I am :)

[Chris Sokol]

Best thing that I ever did was to get my license. I have made alot of friends on Skywarn nets all across the Plains.

Chris Sokol/KD5ILI
Mobile Weather Concepts
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

[Dan Cook]

I hope to be in March.

[Tim Stoecklein]

Dan, if that means you are getting ready to take the test, let me know if you'd like some links to some great study aides.

[Amos Magliocco]

Getting my license helped me become a better chaser and makes the experience more fun. I expect people who use CB radio have a similar experience--it's a way to chase 'with' others, but retain autonomy and independence in terms of decisions and strategy. I have good friends I've chased with for a long time, but only in the same vehicle once or twice, yet their voices are all over my videotapes, coming over the radio. It's one of the coolest aspects of the chase for me, and I can't imagine not having it.

You can have long storm-related chats on the way to target, and on the way home, and even while in chase mode to a lesser extent. If you're on the storm and don't want to talk anymore, you can turn it off. A few of your friends might be several miles north of your location, and, if you're also communicating with people to the south, you might have long sections of the dryline under surveillance with eyes you trust. Cell phones work for this, too, but radio is easier and free of charge. On a long drive home, a radio talk can keep a chaser who has to get home for work the next day awake on the road.

Another important point is spotting. If you have a radio, you can report what you see. This is a nice option to have. Similarly, you can ask for help from fellow chasers or locals if you have a problem. On May 8, 2003, Scott Eubanks' van got stuck in the mud. We were in a poor cell area, and if he hadn't told me over the radio, I would not have been able to get help for him. Considering that there were tornadic supercells buzzing around at fifty knots, it was sort of time-sensitive.

I've learned a lot about the weather on the radio, asking questions and comparing notes with others. Storm structure, strategy--once, many moons ago, Gene Rhoden popped into our little QSO and gave us some great motel tips in deep west Texas. 2 meter radio allowed me to listen in as Al Moller and Sam Barricklow compared approach strategies as we convoyed May 5, 2002. I didn't have much to tell these two, of course, and was all about listening, but my partner Jeff Lawson found a road option they hadn't considered, which helped all of us arrive in time.

The ham test is easy, the radios are relatively inexpensive and chasers are always selling old models for pennies on the dollar. Can't go wrong with amateur radio.

I have a question for those chasers with higher grade licenses. Do you use much outside the 2 meter band while chasing? I know some Skywarns have moved to 70, but was wondering if other chasers are chatting with HF or other long-distance rigs.

Amos Magliocco KC5VPD

[mikegeukes]

ARRL study guide book.

[Dan Cook]

Originally posted by Tim Stoecklein
Dan, if that means you are getting ready to take the test, let me know if you'd like some links to some great study aides.

Sure pass them on. I'd be happy for any help.

[mrobinson]

me too me too..I am taking my test this spring as well :D

[Jeff Gammons]

Having your license I think helps alot when being on the road 12-14 hrs a day. A great way to discuss topics along the way and chat with new friends on the open road.

Great to pass on some storm information and call for help if need be when chasing in a group. I find myself chatting on the air alot when chasing....

Jeff Gammons - KG4PGA

[Tim Stoecklein]

For those interested in study materials check out these two websites, they offer practice tests which are similar in nature to the ones you will be taking. The questions are taken from the exact same question pool as the one you will take, and they are placed in random order each time you start a new practice test.

I suggest you get the technician study book first though, or some of the questions might start to discourage you. I studied off and on for about two weeks, took these practice tests, and aced the entry-level exam.

http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl


http://www.eham.net/exams/

Hope these help you. If you have any other questions feel free to e-mail me.

[Dan Cook]

lol I just took the practice test and got a 28. :)

[Bill Hark]

I have ordered my study guide. As soon as a receive the book, I'll start studying and take one of the local tech license tests.

[Dan Cook]

Originally posted by Bill Hark
I have ordered my study guide. As soon as a receive the book, I'll start studying and take one of the local tech license tests.

Campus Library has the review book. :D

[Scott A. Kampas]

I would like to echo everything Amos said. Ham radio can greatly increase your chase experience (enjoyment, ease, and plain success).

Scott KB9VVP

[Ryan Trullinger]

I knew that there were some of us here,
Dan why wait til march, I had a friend that took his test last thursday, to be honest I had my doubts, it takes him a long time to catch on to new concepts but he did it.

Melissa contact the Aksarben radio club at http://www.aksarbenarc.org/
talk top them they will help you out!.

If you want help getting ready to take your test, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HamRadioHelp...yguid=155593470 (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HamRadioHelpGroup/?yguid=155593470)
and sign up if the link does not work go to groups.yahoo.com and type in ham radio help group. I pop in there from time to time.

73 KCØQNB, Ryan licensed since Agust 2003

[Dan Cook]

Originally posted by Earthshaker
I knew that there were some of us here,
Dan why wait til march, I had a friend that took his test last thursday, to be honest I had my doubts, it takes him a long time to catch on to new concepts but he did it.



First opportunity to be home. there isn't any offerings of the test anywhere near where I am now.

[Ryan Trullinger]

Well Dan that score of 28 isn't too bad for the uninitiated, I had an advantage over most of the folks testing around here , I had been involved in communications for 30 years in some form or another.

Those of you that want to study I have 2 ARRL Now You're Talking guides here now these are the 5th edition (current version) guides I would be willing to part with one of them provided that whoever I send it to, will pass it on to another chaser that wants to study for their license, after the person I send it to passes the exam and gets their callsign, and this tradition will continue until the next edition comes out.

If anyone is willing agree to these terms email me or PM me to work out the details.

[Tim Stoecklein]

"Those of you that want to study I have 2 ARRL Now You're Talking guides here now these are the 5th edition (current version) guides I would be willing to part with one of them provided that whoever I send it to, will pass it on to another chaser that wants to study for their license, after the person I send it to passes the exam and gets their callsign, and this tradition will continue until the next edition comes out. "

This is what I really like about amateur radio as a hobby :D Maybe some of this type of attitude will rub off on some people in the stormchasing community :wink:

[Dan Cook]

Originally posted by Earthshaker
Well Dan that score of 28 isn't too bad for the uninitiated, I had an advantage over most of the folks testing around here , I had been involved in communications for 30 years in some form or another.

Those of you that want to study I have 2 ARRL Now You're Talking guides here now these are the 5th edition (current version) guides I would be willing to part with one of them provided that whoever I send it to, will pass it on to another chaser that wants to study for their license, after the person I send it to passes the exam and gets their callsign, and this tradition will continue until the next edition comes out.

If anyone is willing agree to these terms email me or PM me to work out the details.

If mrobinson agrees, you might want to send it to her first since you guys are in close proximity.

and I'm gonna dig around in my library to find a copy hopefully too.

[David Sallee]

Hello all,

My son (age 20) and I (age 40) are just getting into the storm chase field. We have just signed up for the local storm spotters class locally along with something called "CERTA" I believe? CERTA = Certified Emergancy Response Team ?? Once we pass it, we will be allowed to respond to any tragic situation and help the local Fire, Ambulance, Civil Defense... ect..

I have been a Vol. Firefighter / First Responder for the last 2 1/2 years, My son for the last year. We are also getting involved with the local Civil Defense Group (which all are Ham Operators) so we will be getting ham lic. also.

Last years Tornado outbreak in this area (SW Missouri) inspired us to continue with what we have been wanting to do the last 10 years but never really had the opertunity till now. I own my own business (Mobile DJ Service) so my weekdays are generally free now.

My question on Ham useage is, with a 2m setup, what kind of talking distance is there? What setup would be best for chasing?

I know "some" vetran chasers don't like "newbies/wanna be's" but Hopefully, most of you on this forum & in the field will give us a chance to prove our intensions are real and not a "wanna be"

Hope to meet some of you on the chase this spring :)
David Sallee & Buddy Sallee

[Jay McCoy]

The range on a 2m depends on the repeater system you use (height of the tower etc..). Topography (hills, trees etc...). Now if your not on a repeater then its line of sight (about 3 miles). In the Texas Panhandle we have no trees and its pretty flat so We have a good range on 2m. I can talk to the NWS from 60 miles on 1 tower. And when we link the network together for severe wx operations we can go anywhere in the panhandle and still make contact.

As for the "newbie" thing. we were all newbies at one time. Dont worry. just join in and have fun. welcome.

[Ryan Trullinger]

Repeaters are wonderful machines arent they., From my Jeep in front of my house on 5 watts, I can easily hit 7 repeaters, one of those is linked permanently linked to two and sometimes more machines, as it is right now, I can talk into Grand Island NE from my location in Gothenburg, about 100 miles, some ot the other repeaters have a range of up to 60 miles by themselves.

[Leesa Terry]

Actually it has been about a year now. One of my buddies and I went to take the test the same day. They storm chase too. It was actually easy if you take time to study, the Technician test anyway.

Oh BTW I am KC8VRF

[Kevin Scharfenberg]

KC5NPX here.

I mostly use my handheld to talk to other chasers in my immediate area. I haven't bothered in a long time trying to use Skywarn nets. I don't have a rig, just a handheld, and I've found it hard to cleanly hit many repeaters unless I'm close to the tower. Also, too many Skywarn nets tend to blow off calls from people they don't know. I've always had much better luck contacting the NWS through my cell phone.

[Laura Duchesne]

I don't have my license just yet, but my chase buds keep pestering me to get my license LOL. I got the book to study and all, but I've been lazy to study :lol:

[jfeigles]

Callsign: KB3GNR.

Yup, I've got my license, I can talk on a HAM radio now. Although my car payments are not allowing me to be able to afford a radio yet :( Oh cruel fate!

[Ryan Trullinger]

Well J my rig cost $134 and change and was shipped with no freight charge., Go E-shopping and look around a bit don't forget to go the mfgr sites and check out the specs and in most cases you can download a manual for the rig you are interested in.

[Doug Lee]

Storm spotting/chasing helped me get into ham radio. Went to community college with the idea of going to OU School of Meteorology. After that I went to a spotter class sponsored by a ham club. One of the club officers there recommended the "Now You're Talking" book. The class was held at a library, so I went to see if they had the book. They did have an older edition. Later I bought my own copy at Radio Shack, then passed my test at the Green Country Hamfest in Tulsa in 1997.

I generally carry a handheld with me and have it on most of the time. I also participate in public service events and try to be prepared for emergency comms. I have recently become the activities chairperson for a local ham club, and have started to put together a team of hams to help the local Red Cross chapter.

I also enjoy hidden transmitter hunting (foxhunting). Right after my first foxhunt win, I went up to the Tulsa NWS office to log reports for the April 19, 2003 Skywarn net. That's the day Dewey OK got hit. Sad, but also educational.

Hamfests are a good place to find used radios, and you can meet other hams face to face to get questions answered.

[Ben Pinette]

Amos,

In regards to using 70, there's not much activity that I've come across. This past year however I did start using the 70cm calling freq of 446.000 when on the road with other friends in the group.

I found it very useful with a dual-band rig, as you can monitor the local Skywarn net (or simplex, NOAA, whatever..) on VHF, while conversing on UHF at the same time. My friends agreed and we will continue with it this year as well.

I know, not that we don't already have enough to do! Now you want to monitor and talk at the same time! Hey, it worked for us. And with that, I also propose that 446.000 be the national UHF chaser calling frequency!

-Ben
KC8NIY

[Jon Miller]

I'm a licensed ham since 1998 - although I'm just now trying to get into the hobby. Due to financial constraints of buying a house and car in the last several years kind of put ham radio on the back burner for awhile and I never got active. Finally got a dual band 2 m/440 rig and am trying to put up an antenna at my house- hopefully completed sometime this spring when the weather breaks and when I can learn how to use the radio (Alinco DR 610TQ).
I would like to get active in local SKYWARN here in western Ohio after getting some 'on air' experience + use it on ' chase' vacations.

Does anybody have recomendations for a good 2m/440 mobile antenna ?

Jon Miller - WT0RNA

[Amos Magliocco]

Originally posted by Ben Pinette
Amos,In regards to using 70, there's not much activity that I've come across. This past year however I did start using the 70cm calling freq of 446.000 when on the road with other friends in the group.-Ben
KC8NIY

That's pretty smart. I don't know how many of my group have dual-banders yet, but for days when everyone has one, that may be the way to go. It's also worth mentioning that on big events, some of the popular 2 meter frequencies get very crowded with chasers.

This could also eliminate another concern/question of mine. When I'm monitoring with one radio and talking on the second, I'm always concerned about the effect of transmitting has on the passive rig. What I mean is I wonder if I'm blasting the brains out of the rig that's monitoring 162.550 (or whatever) when I transmit on 146.550 with the other radio.

Amos

[melaniemetz]

KC0MXQ here! And I agree with a previous post that QRZ.com practice tests are a great way to study.

I primarily use the license for communicating with other chasers and reporting on skywarn nets. Dual band HAM radio is the way to go!

[Chris Hayes]

My grandpa and I, who chase together are both amateur radio operators. Mine is KC8OFK, his is KC8OJO. I try to use it outside of chasing, just never think about it.

[Evan Bookbinder]

We're trying to become the first NWS office to have the entire staff licensed. It definitely has its benefits outside of spotting. I had originally taken mine with me to Denver in case of an emergency. Unfortunately, my Yaesu did not survive what I may have inevitably needed it for.

Good luck to all those taking the test. Please, for the sake of the science, do not memorize the answers to the questions but rather take the time to understand the physics about radio operations, safety, and the like. It really can open up a whole new world about how your chase equipment actually works!

73s,
Evan

WX2CHS <-- thanks to you all for not snagging that one :) Now I just need a new vehicle to put the tags on :(

[Ben Pinette]

Evan - Glad to hear that you're OK! I really hope your story hits home with all of us this year. I really don't like to think of the consequences of what could have happened to you (or anyone else) not wearing a seatbelt.

Amos - Your concerns about front-end overload and desense are justified, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Any decent receiver nowadays is designed to withstand such conditions without any problem. I've run scanners while transmitting on 2m for years with no problems. Never even noticed a slight decrease in performance over time. Just throw a meter on the radio every once-in-awhile to make sure you haven't acquired any silly standing waves.


Take it easy everyone

[Iain Sloan]

Originally posted by ScottK
I would like to echo everything Amos said. Ham radio can greatly increase your chase experience (enjoyment, ease, and plain success).

Scott KB9VVP

I agree totally also... we've got a pretty good bunch of guys who run the skywarn net here in West Texas... they can be beyond worth for getting you into just the right position.

Iain ( KD5YOW )

[Bill Hark]

I just took the technician license on Feb 15 and passed. I am waiting for my license. The test does require some study but it is not that bad. I used a combination of "Now You're Talking All you need for your first amateur radio license" 5th edition and ARRL's Tech Q and A. You can pass the test with just studying the Q and A but I also recommend getting the Now You're Talking as a reference guide. I am now shopping for a hand held radio and will be on the air this chase season.

Bill Hark
http://www.harkphoto.com

[Ryan Trullinger]

Good Job Bill! here is a link to use to check your ticket just click and.

click here (http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchAmateur.jsp;JSESSIONID_ULSSEARCH=1nnSEU8efhc n7BW783FvX4qWqdZJpMBp7scObPFNRxcOopWd6SIv!21052606 75!-954390709url)

[PatrickHedges]

Hmmm.
Now that I see the benefits, i think I might have to check it out. I hope our local library has the Technician book. Going to make a note.

[Doug Lee]

Radio recommendation if you want to send in reports to NWS - dual-band mobile with plenty of memories.

Mobiles generally have a higher power output than handhelds, and that can make a difference if you're on the edge of a repaeter's range.

The NWS in Tulsa uses a linked repeater system on 440 MHz that covers their CWA. I suspect that more NWSFO's may do the same.

I've used handhelds in a mobile configuartion (cigarette-lighter power cord, speaker-mic), and found them lacking a bit. They may work for some, but not me. I currently have a 2-meter mobile and wish I had a dual-bander.

[Morgan Palmer]

Most chasers in the NTX area usually are on a common simplex frequency. It is a great tool for coordination, as everyone has the same goal.

I was originally KC5GPG, licensed about 10 years ago. I'm now K5TVT. Vanity calls are a great way to make you stand out in a crowd, though a lot of people are quite content with what they have.

73
Morgan

[Ryan Trullinger]

Another Stormtrack member gets a ham license!
I sent him an email to let him know that his callsign has been posted on the FCC site. BTW if you pass your test, and check the FCC site for your license and it has been posted, you can legally operate, until the "hard copy" arrives in the mail.

[Kevin Askew]

Ive been thinking on the idea of getting ham license myself. I have a cobra cb & its only useful for 7 NOAA frequencies. My cell phone becomes very unreliable near severe wx. I took online practice test with no study time. I scored 38% hehehe. If I study I guess I can pass. I chase/spot in SEMO, SO Il. , cent IL. WKY etc. I guess Ham is the way to go fo reporting to nws, talkin to other chasers, & receiving NOAA broadcasts. Seems to cool to talk to someone miles & miles away! 8) . So now after I do get ham license. Anyone have any recommendations on somewhat inexpensive dual band rigs?
Thanx Kevin

[Ryan Trullinger]

Kevin, here is an idea for you, check the major amateur, mfr sites find the radio you want, and look for it elswhere used. "Inexpensive and dual-band" are mutually exclusive otherwise.

[Jeff Snyder]

Kevin, here is an idea for you, check the major amateur, mfr sites find the radio you want, and look for it elswhere used. "Inexpensive and dual-band" are mutually exclusive otherwise.

I currently use several ham radios -- Yaesu FT-8900R (quadbander which I just got), a Yaesu FT-8000R (dualbander), and a Yaeus FT-530 (handheld dualband). I strongly suggest a mobile dualbander over an HT (handheld transceiver), seeing how the power output is usually around 50W (on 2m) with a mobile, while only around 5W with a handheld. Whatever the case, make sure you get a good external antenna...

If you are looking for ham equipment, I've compiled a short list below of online retailers. When you know what you want, search around, as I've found price differences over $40 between these sites. Also, most of them have a 'used equipment' section...
Ham Radio Outlet (http://www.hamradio.com)
Universal Radio (http://www.universal-radio.com)
Gigaparts (http://www.gigaparts.com)
Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) (http://www.aesham.com)
Burghardt Amateur Center (http://www.burghardt-amateur.com/)
Texas Towers (http://htp://www.texastowers.com)
Radio City (http://www.radioinc.com/)
RF Parts (http://www.rfparts.com)

Of course, there are more, but these are the ones I've used a lot when price-hunting. In particular, the first five there seem to have the lowest prices, in my experience... If you have question, or want to read product reviews, I strongly suggets checking out Eham.Net (http://www.eham.net), which is an excellent source for ham radio in general...

Jeff Snyder
KC0HJX
www.TornadoCentral.com

[Andrew Geil]

One thing I've noticed about eham is a lot of the reviews are somewhat negative. Obviously not all, but a lot of them appear to be (in my opinion).

If you base everything off eham, it sounds like all HAM rigs suck. :>

Personally, I'm debating between a IC-208 or G707A.

[Ryan Trullinger]

Important note for soon to be hams, or new hams looking for gear.
Although the handhelds are appealing because of their size and price, they are not reccommended for a beginner, I have read time and again on the ham radio forums, about people getting one of these, bragging about it then the next message they post is, How do I make it work?
the best first radio is a 2 meter mobile, Like the Icom IC-2100h, at 130 dollars or there about, it is simple to set up and use, there are "entry level" Kenwoods and Yaesus also. look around a lot, and read all the info you can find also try QRZ.com and look at the reviews there.
73 KCØQNB

[Kevin Askew]

Thanx alot ya all. I was looking at the Icom V-8000 but its not dual band which I see now is important. The 208-H seems to be more what I want with weather alert as well. Thanx Jeff for all the recommendations. Now all I have to do is get my study material ordered & finally have a nice radio lol. Thanx again for your help
Kevin

[Jeff Snyder]

One more not as long as used equipment was brought up... BE VERY CAREFUL! It is very easy to burn out a ham radio (e.g. transmit full power while using a very high SWR setup)... In that case, you can easily burn out the finals due to the high reflected energy. I would pretty much suggest against buying any used ham radios off of Ebay, unless you are confident that the dealer is legit. And in this case, that doesn't just means they have a 5000 rating and 99.9% positives... If you want to buy used, I strongly suggest going to a local Hamfest and looking at the radio in person before buying... Most of the time you'd be okay buying used online, but it just seems more risky than I'm willing to bet (for a $300-$500 radio, etc)...


Jeff
P.S. -- I got my dualband HT (Yaesu FT-530) used from a local ham shop, and it works just fine. So, I'm definately all up for buying used what you can, but just be careful about it or else you'll get burned....

[John Cameron]

KD5DYT here!

great bunch of hams here in SW Oklahoma and Western North Texas.
The SWIRA repeater system got lots of recognition for May 3rd, 1999 traffic.

[Ryan Trullinger]

The IC-208H looks interesting, but does it have cross-band repeat capability? If you are going to get dual-band you might as well get all the capability you can. With crossband repeat capability you can also buy a UHF handheld, and take full advantage of this capability. Take your handheld into rest stops with you and keep in touch via the higher power longer range radio in the car.

[Bill Hark]

Great discussions on ham radios. I am also looking for a first radio. I would buy a mobile but I chase using rental cars. I can't install a mobile therefore I'm stuck using a hand-held. Anybody rigged a portable set-up using a mobile radio?

Besides dual band which other features are important?

Bill Hark
http://www.harkphoto.com

[Blake W. Naftel]

I've been using a Yeasu FT-1500 mobile rig for about a year now; and while it does take some time to learn the bells and whistles... it's a valuable piece of communications equipment (second to the cell phone); ecspecially while caravaning with another vehicle.

..Blake..

KC8VPG

[Ryan Trullinger]

Yes you can set up a portable mobile, when you check your rental car out look at the owners/users manual. and see what you have available for a power source, try not to use the "cigar lighter) instead try to use accessory outlets, most newer cars have them. Check the manual for the maximun amp load that is available from them. For most modern radios you will need between 15-20 amps available. Alternatively you can buy/build a portable power supply using gel cells or VRLAs. with the appropriate power side connector as a standard most hams use power poles it is a ARES RACES standard available here:
http://www.powerwerx.com/category.asp?CtgID=1001
and many other sources. Then you need to get a good magnetic antenna,
for 2 meters alone about $50-$70 dual band may be higher.
check http://www.hamradio.com
for the best pricing I have found so far.

Edited to add new finds.
http://www.powerportstore.com/radsafe-emerg.htm
this "case" looks interesting for a rental car chaser and this also:
http://www.powerportstore.com/power.htm
I would look closely at the Power Port 312. for ental car needs.

[S.P. McCool]

No ham license here yet, but it's #1 on the To-Do list when oppertunity meets financing.

[carey libby]

i have been a ham since 2001 and in the E.TX Skywarn program for the last ten years.Since my car has an Davis weather station hooked up to my car,i can relay critical info via ham an help with the warnings quicker and confirm what Noaa is seeing on radar in Shreveport.

[Shoen Tripp]

KG4YMB here.
I became a licenced ham operator on Feburary 14, 2003 and loved the hobby. I was interested in Ham radio in late 1997 and decided that I wanted to be tested in december 2002. I finally took the test on Feburary 10, 2003 after weeks after passing the advanced skywarn class.

I took the qrz practice tests for my studies along with the FCC book. I recommend that if you become a ham or upgrading, get the gordon west series. I was recommended by a fellow ham in my area. The book shows you the answer and the reason why it was the right answers.

If you need more info or questions about the books, please IM me either AIM or Yahoo: wxshoen

[David Mikulec]

Originally posted by Tim Stoecklein
For those interested in study materials check out these two websites ...

http://www.eham.net/exams/

Thanks for the links Tim. Just took the test at eham for the first time and got a 68.6%. Almost ready. 8)

[Pat Palmer]

Hey all,
I got my Ham Ticket in 2001 just for chasing, but got so bitten by the bug that I have an HF/VHF/UHF rig in the pickup, and a rig in the house. I love both hobbies!

(Sorry I don't remember who) If your looking for a really good, but kind of expensive dual-band antenna, look at the Diamond SG-7900A. It costs about $115, but has the highest gain of any mobile dual-bander I've seen. Just don't be too impressed by the gain figures, most manufacturers base gain on an "isotropic radiator" which is essentially fantsy. But it blows away any 1/4 wave antenna. It's a brute at 62.5 inches, and heavy, so you'll want to make sure it's mounted solidly, no mag mount for this baby. What the long length gives you is not only gain (more of your signal directed at the horizon instead of up to the sky), but the additional "capture area" over a 1/4 wave means you'll hear weak signals more intelligibly, which will make all the difference out in the field.