The Rover-Landers of BC

what is a HF SSB radio transreceiver ?
What is it mostly used for?

what category does it fall under? UHF, VHF, CB, HAM or other.

It is likely a HAM radio but might be a marine radio phone. It is a High Frequency Single Side Band

Used for long distance, over the horizon or out of line-of-sight communications. Can be used for closer coms too. Typically lots of voice distortion but that's what you give up for the long range coms. Depends too what frequencies or bands it transmits on. Feasible to talk to New Zealand or Europe or even Victoria (BC) depending on atmospheric conditions.

Greg, I am looking at getting a spilsbury SBX-11a
http://www.matthewkendall.com/electronics/sbx-11a

could this be used out in the bush mounted in my truck or am i looking at the wrong category of radios. what other types of radio can this communicate to?

thanks,
Reza

Spilsbury?

Collectors item isn't it?

Read Spilsbury's Coast; available in any library or book store. Pioneer radio man on the BC coast and made radio's ahead of their time that were the more common radio in BC and the Pacific Northwest. What year was it made?

Oh! Now I've read your attachment. I had no idea they were made so late. The thing with these radios is that they are tuned to a specific frequency (four actually) represented by channel 1, 2, 3 & 4. You have to find some one that can receive on those channels too. Used to be VERY common on commercial boats. Not so common now. Also used to be land communications for remote camps or villages. The Spilsbury is used between 1.6 and 8 mhz, a 2 metre HAM radio VHF, is 142 to 146 Mhz or UHF at 440 mhz.

To change frequencies for the different channels you have to take it to a shop where they will change crystals and tune it to your chosen frequencies, then you are stuck on that set of four channels.

Any way of finding out what the four channels are now?

I bet some one in our radio club would love to have one like that for a collection.

The radio you should be going for is to write for a HAM license and get a 2 metre ham mobile. Or just about any other HAM from HF to UHF. It is common now to have from 6 metre to 70 centemetre radios mounted in vehicles but most are dual band, 2 metre and 70 centemetre. (VHF 144 mhz and UHF 440 mhz). Without a HAM license, you can only legally get a CB.

Greg,
thanks for all the info,

I have no idea what channel it would be on now but it looks to be new condition. you are right it would be a good collectors item, i was not sure how the channels would work until you explained they have to be preset. so then it would be not so functional in the truck, could be a good armageddon item for the house.

Reza, I edited my post between the time you read it and posted your reply.

I have been looking at getting the HAM licence for so long, just no time. that is a great idea. I will be on the lookout for a HAM radio. I have to do some good reading and research to see what is the best deal and what to look for. purchasing radios is new to me at the moment. most of my radio experience is VHF, CB and good old military

thanks,
Reza

Reza,

Don't waste your time or money on this.

It is very low powered, very ancient by radio standards and would be a pain to install.

Install a Cobra CB radio. They are cheap, effective and can be fun. CB is HF too and some impressive distances can be obtained with the right antennas.

To use HF you will need a Basic Plus or advanced licence to operate on those frequencies. A Basic licence only will allow you to operate in the VHF/UHF range only.

Some great radios to consider: Yaesu 857D 897D 817 or the Icom 706GII. I use the Yeasu 857D in my truck. Small and easy to install.

I talked to Texas on my way back from one of our Van Isle group's outings last summer.

'73
JD

Thanks for the pointers JD,
I was looking at getting it for the simplicity of it but after looking up the models you suggested i am getting excited about getting a modern model. but the price difference is crazy. i could probably pickup the spilsbury for under 200. although an antique maybe it would be cool just to have it for a musieum conversation piece

Hey Rez

That radio you are looking at sounds very much like the units often referred to as a "bush" or "trap-line" radio. I saw lots of them when I lived on a fly-in reserve in northern Ontario in the mid 90’s. They were very popular for trap-line and outpost operators but even by that time they were getting to be old technology. They are old school for sure and commonly they would be found in trapper's cabins as well as in sleds towed by Skidoos with some spare batteries and an antenna. Operators often string long wire antennas between trees for better reception and ranges of 50 to 100 miles were common. They were popular because of their range and, at the time, portability, but were getting replaced by CB radios and GRS hand-helds for short-range use and Sat-phones for longer range work. From what I know They are still used but have limited frequencies and are big and heavy compared to today's standards... would make for an interesting conversation piece though!

Regards, Rob

Reza,

if the radio is for sale for 20.00 then buy it. If over that amount save your money for a CB. Dollar for feature the Yeasu 817D is the best priced. There's lots of the radios I listed available NA wide second hand.
"hamswapmeet" is an on line thing where EVERYTHING is available.

'73
JD

thanks Rob,

JD,
I was looking at it in an auction, unfortunately the price just jumped to 380 dollars and still going.
way too much for me.
they must be a real collector item at that price, wow

what kind of price range should i be expecting to pay for the 817D? do they come up used?

any other reccomendations?

is there any issues with buying a used radio that i should be aware of?

Where on the island is the course or book and test offered? anything in the comox valley?

now you have got me going, i am going to blame you if the wife asks me why i am not working on the house and why is there another shiny toy in my truck....

Reza,

Contact WARA for education up Island.

http://www.ve7vic.ca/departments/education

They will know who is teaching in your area.

I'll email you off list.

'73
JD
va7btl