How do I use a Race Radio?

[mesquito_creek]

Is this the place to post this? Please redirect me if I am tresspassing.

I am a super newbie, but attend quite a few events as a spectator in B.C. Mx. I was reading some stories about radio conversations/monitoring of the weatherman at the Baja 1000. Is it possible for me to get some sort of Radio to monitor "radio stuff" at the SF 250 in feb?

Where can I read about how to get started? Where to get a radio? How can I research how to not use the radio improperly.

All I know about radios is I have a set of motorola handhelds, to keep track of the kids when they are running around the camp. I couldn't even tell you how to use a "CB" Radio.

Would I be able to monitor pre-running activity from my house about 100Km north of the boardwalk at San Felipe?

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[jdillon971]

Pm Me For Info

[btshannon]

I would recommend a scanner. You would be able to monitor all channels, but cannot talk on any of them. I'm sure that the people on this board could provide you with many team frequencies, but I would recommend tuning into Weatherman on 151.625 mhz. Save up for an FM tranceiver when you are more comfortable with how to behave when you are on the air.

[jdillon971]

Save up for an FM tranceiver when you are more comfortable with how to behave when you are on the air.

As a spectator there is no reason why he should be on the air inless its an emergency......Chase is another story.......

[klaus]

CODE and BITD uses a different frequency for their main channel.
Can someone share those with the rest of us.

[GeoffMilke]

A Scanner is a good idea, but most people want to be able to talk to others at some point, especially if you are driving in baja as a "tag team".

Basically you buy a good FM radio, with pre-set channels of your choosing, and you use it to LISTEN to whats going on in the race.

Usually you won't hear much if you are on one particular race teams channel, because they try to stay off the air as much as possible. But you can listen to BFG, or Weatherman, or Baja Pits, Mag 7, SCORE ops, and a whole bunch of others.

It's great fun during the big races. Just make sure you dont interfer with the teams

[SILAHUA]

bitd 151.490

code 158.550

[mattb]

Contact Ham Radio Outlet in Kearny Mesa. They have great radios that can be used as a scanner and then modified down the road to be used "two-way." You can get a real nice 50 watt radio for under $200. Don't waste your time with anything else. You won't be upset with your purchase.

[roach]

i agree with matt, if you just want to have some fun, buy a yaesu (spelling???) or icom. they are cheap, and easy to use. user friendly and can be made to transmit fairly easy. but, dont trespass on people's freq's. any racer here who has heard weatherman when he is not happy will know what i am talking about. here are two good ones for under $200......

Icom IC-V8000 75watt
Yaesu FT-2800m 60watt

the icom will put out 75 watts, but not in the freq's we use, so you will only realisticly get about 40 to 50 watts. from what i understand, the yaesu puts out a good 50 to 60 in our freq range.

[cgaddis15]

Has anyone tried the Kenwood 271's? Do they work in the 150. ranges? It's also under 200 bucks and seems to be a not so bad deal.