Amateur Radio

[Drang]

I know there are other hams here. Just got back from the monthly club meeting, where Field Day plans were discussed, and was wondering how many of us are here, and how active folks are. Plans for field day? What other activities do your clubs do?

[Duelist]

The clubs do all kinds of things. We have a pretty awesome repeater system. They have a couple of weekly emergency communication nets, message traffic nets, and so forth. I got mine for back country coms, and that’s usually all I do with it.

[mtnbkr]

I've been a licensed amateur since 2008. Unfortunately, I'm not very active these days. I'm not much of a ragchewer, so I don't just get on the air and talk to random folks. Also, living in a townhome community in NoVA, having a fixed HF base station is challenging. I did it for a few years, but decided to take my station down due to me not using it much. I lost interest in my local club when D-Star came out and that was just about all the club was interested in. My personal interest was ad hoc communication over distance with no supporting infrastructure (QRP, HF, etc). I have little interest in repeater-based comms.

That all sounded very negative, which isn't my intention. I still use my VHF/UHF HT for hunting, offroading, etc with fellow hams. I LOVE field day, though I doubt I'll set anything up this year. When I was active in my club, I would run a solar-charged battery-powered QRP station. I didn't make as many contacts as the high power HF stations, but I geeked out over making contacts hundreds or thousands of miles away with a station that would fit in a shoe box (not including the very long wire dipole antenna and ladder line) and didn't need mains power. I still have that station and will sometimes take it camping.

I should get involved with my club again. Sheesh, I think it's been 5-6 years since I last attended a meeting. I don't even know who the officers are these days or what sort of activities they engage in aside from the yearly hamfest and Field Day.

Chris

[RoyGBiv]

We've integrated amateur radio into our local CERT, help the city with support for weather watch (RACES/ARES), event management (parades, large outdoor events) and are integrated into the local disaster planning.

[DamonL]

I have not been active in a long time. My HF rig is not working from my last move. I have held a license in each license class, Novice, Technician, General, Advanced and Extra. I upgraded to Extra a few years ago when my license was about to expire.

[mtnbkr]

We've integrated amateur radio into our local CERT, help the city with support for weather watch (RACES/ARES), event management (parades, large outdoor events) and are integrated into the local disaster planning.

I was involved with our local RACES group as well and did training exercises at Dulles (was really cool! involved explosions and mass casualties!), in support of regional sporting events (Marine Marathon, triathlons, MS150s, etc) as well as parades, Civil War reenactments (specifically the big Bull Run anniversary a few years ago) and such. That sort of thing could be interesting and rewarding, but it attracted the radio comms equiv of the Tactical Timmy. I took a lot of FEMA's online coursework in support of that, which actually integrated reasonably well with my work in IT Security Management a few years later.

Chris

[JohnO]

Got my ticket when I was in college. A friend pulled a HT out from under his car seat and made a phone call through his club's 2 Meter Repeater via Auto-Patch. This was well before cell phones or even bag phones and I thought what he did was very cool. I said, "How can I get one of those and do that"? Then I got the lecture about learning Morse Code, Theory and taking the test. He loaned me a Morse training LP (yup vinyl record 33 RPM). Approximately 2 weeks later I took the commuter train into NYC and tested for my license at the FCC building in lower Manhattan.

I was active in a small circle of friends who controlled a club and 2 meter repeater. My first radio was an Icom 2AT HT that I had to modify it to work on the club's 1 MHz repeater split. We only had a 4 cavity duplexer and not the typical 6 cavity found in the 600 MHz split repeaters. That radio years later was stolen from my car's glove box when I was out with friends on a weekend night in New Haven, CT. I lost the in-dash car radio and a Gerber boot knife that was also in the glove box too. I never operated on anything but 2 meters. I can't remember how long I went without a radio back then but I replaced the Icom 2AT with a Icom 02AT that was programmable for the 1 MHz split.

The guys in the club started taking jobs in different parts of the country. My interest fell off and I let my license lapse without realizing it. A bunch of years later I got the bug again and then realized I needed to re-test. My previous license covered the Morse Code requirement and I sat for the Extra exam at a Club through the VE program. I was quite surprised at how much the exam process was watered down. The Extra exam I passed was no more difficult that the Technician exam I had passed many years earlier. Back in the day the Extra exam included copying Morse at 20 WPM and theory that was a significant step up from the Technician/General theory.

After getting my privileges reinstated I installed a Kenwood Tri-Band mobile (2M/220/440), a Tri-Plexer and an Austin Metropolitan tri-band antenna in my car. That lasted a few years and when I got my next car the radio never got installed and it has been in a shoe box in my garage with the old Icom for many years. Maybe some day in the future I will get the bug again and this time set up a HF station.

[RoyGBiv]

I was involved with our local RACES group as well and did training exercises at Dulles (was really cool! involved explosions and mass casualties!), in support of regional sporting events (Marine Marathon, triathlons, MS150s, etc) as well as parades, Civil War reenactments (specifically the big Bull Run anniversary a few years ago) and such. That sort of thing could be interesting and rewarding, but it attracted the radio comms equiv of the Tactical Timmy. I took a lot of FEMA's online coursework in support of that, which actually integrated reasonably well with my work in IT Security Management a few years later.

Chris

My local municipality is quite a bit smaller than your AO. Most of what we prepare for here is weather related. I've been out several times doing damage assessments post-tornado, for example. We train for "suburban S&R", which is again focused on tornado damaged houses/subdivisions, lost kids, lost seniors, etc. We join in regional exercises 1x/2x per year. We see a few Tactical Timmys in those, but, most of the burden comes from the many well-meaning folks that are not part of an active local group. Since their only training is these regional events, the region events usually wind up being mostly remedial.

With all the severe weather here, RACES is an active organization... Very well organized and closely integrated with NWS in Fort Worth.

Radio has been fun and I'm happy to put it to use in some small ways that contribute to the community. The groups I'm involved with are, thankfully, fairly low on a-holes. As a bonus, TX Legislature amended the concealed carry law last year to give Emergency Service Volunteers a defense to prosecution for carrying past our no-guns signs. If I'm participating in support of an active emergency, I can carry into a school, for example. A few years ago we were called out to a tornado damaged area and they set up CP inside the local elementary school. That was dicey. After the floods last year we supported shelters that were set up in schools. The defense to prosecution applies at all times to other less-sensitive places (businesses) that post valid no-guns signs, even when not on an active emergency.

[Clusterfrack]

I’ve got a General, but have been too busy with other activities to do much with it. All I have is a few handhelds for backcountry use.

[Drang]

...living in a townhome community in NoVA, having a fixed HF base station is challenging. I did it for a few years, but decided to take my station down due to me not using it much.

ARRL is making a big deal about the Amateur Radio Parity Act.
What they don't tell you is that in order to get it passed they watered it down so that you can put up an antenna IF the HOA says you can, and if the HOA says you're good with a mag mount 440 antenna on your fridge, then that's it.


I lost interest in my local club when D-Star came out and that was just about all the club was interested in. My personal interest was ad hoc communication over distance with no supporting infrastructure (QRP, HF, etc). I have little interest in repeater-based comms.
DSTAR is moribund, to say they least.

My club was HUGE into DSTAR, and still runs a DSTAR repeater, and net. It helps that ICOM is a half hour or so from here. (well, 45 minutes. On a good day...)

The issues you cite are common: Lots of folks getting licensed because they want to operate 2m/1.25m/70cm handheld, as part of CERT/S&R, etc. So they get a technician license and don't even think of going further.

Which is fine, as far as it goes, and some of them will discover contesting, CW, DX, etc. I myself got into amateur radio for EmCom, and that remains my primary interest. I have an HF rig, but have not set it up, and it will probably be a while before I do, to say the least. But after last nights meeting we were discussing the possibility club events besides Field Day, meetings, EmComm, and the occasional Public Service event. Can we run a contest as a club?Or have one of the DXers with a decent shack host a DX party? We're in Western Washington for pete's sake, maybe we could do a club Summits On The Air excursion. (Pacific Northwest Summits On The Air.org (http://www.pnwsota.org/))



Those interested in improving the state of amateur radio in the US may be interested in this site: myARRLvoice (https://www.myarrlvoice.org/)

[mtnbkr]

ARRL is making a big deal about the Amateur Radio Parity Act.
What they don't tell you is that in order to get it passed they watered it down so that you can put up an antenna IF the HOA says you can, and if the HOA says you're good with a mag mount 440 antenna on your fridge, then that's it.

Actually, the HOA wasn't an issue at all. As long as the antenna wasn't visible from the street, they didn't care. I had a nice HF 4-band vertical in my backyard with a proper array of ground radials (a bit lopsided due to property lines, but still good) and fed with better coax than I needed for those frequencies (wanted minimal loss for QRP ops). I got out and was heard when I bothered to get on the air. However, being in an "aluminum siding canyon" limited the directions in which I was effective. Also, the layout of my house limited where I could run the feed line without running it up the side of the house and in through a window. Therefore, I either had to be uncomfortable (operating from the basement) or in a noisy environment (in the family room). I did more listening than transmitting and after a few years barely touched the rig at all.



DSTAR is moribund, to say they least.

My club was HUGE into DSTAR, and still runs a DSTAR repeater, and net. It helps that ICOM is a half hour or so from here. (well, 45 minutes. On a good day...)

The issues you cite are common: Lots of folks getting licensed because they want to operate 2m/1.25m/70cm handheld, as part of CERT/S&R, etc. So they get a technician license and don't even think of going further.

Which is fine, as far as it goes, and some of them will discover contesting, CW, DX, etc. I myself got into amateur radio for EmCom, and that remains my primary interest. I have an HF rig, but have not set it up, and it will probably be a while before I do, to say the least. But after last nights meeting we were discussing the possibility club events besides Field Day, meetings, EmComm, and the occasional Public Service event. Can we run a contest as a club?Or have one of the DXers with a decent shack host a DX party? We're in Western Washington for pete's sake, maybe we could do a club Summits On The Air excursion. (Pacific Northwest Summits On The Air.org (http://www.pnwsota.org/))


Those interested in improving the state of amateur radio in the US may be interested in this site: myARRLvoice (https://www.myarrlvoice.org/)

I got into radio for the tech and science of it (low power, high power, satellite, moon bounce, etc). Then, I discovered QRP and got all hot and bothered about "doing more with less". The idea of having a portable station that could run off available power (battery, solar, AC mains, etc) was fascinating. I have a modified Yaesu FT-817nd and love it. I built a tuner from a kit years ago and have used it to tune all sorts of things in order to get on the air. Summits on the Air sounds interesting. I always found Mountaintopping interesting as well. My club was fairly active with local region service comms, hamfest and field day activities, and group participation in contesting. I just too busy with life and a bit burned out with the constant DSTAR talk.

But I don't like ragchewing, which means I have limited utility for my radios when I'm not building or experimenting. :(

Chris

[FOG]

Actually, the HOA wasn't an issue at all. As long as the antenna wasn't visible from the street, they didn't care. I had a nice HF 4-band vertical in my backyard with a proper array of ground radials (a bit lopsided due to property lines, but still good) and fed with better coax than I needed for those frequencies (wanted minimal loss for QRP ops). I got out and was heard when I bothered to get on the air. However, being in an "aluminum siding canyon" limited the directions in which I was effective. Also, the layout of my house limited where I could run the feed line without running it up the side of the house and in through a window. Therefore, I either had to be uncomfortable (operating from the basement) or in a noisy environment (in the family room). I did more listening than transmitting and after a few years barely touched the rig at all.




I got into radio for the tech and science of it (low power, high power, satellite, moon bounce, etc). Then, I discovered QRP and got all hot and bothered about "doing more with less". The idea of having a portable station that could run off available power (battery, solar, AC mains, etc) was fascinating. I have a modified Yaesu FT-817nd and love it. I built a tuner from a kit years ago and have used it to tune all sorts of things in order to get on the air. Summits on the Air sounds interesting. I always found Mountaintopping interesting as well. My club was fairly active with local region service comms, hamfest and field day activities, and group participation in contesting. I just too busy with life and a bit burned out with the constant DSTAR talk.

But I don't like ragchewing, which means I have limited utility for my radios when I'm not building or experimenting. :(

ChrisI got my license a year ago. So far I haven't used it a whole lot but as easy and cheap as it was to obtain, why not?

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

[hufnagel]

If anyone bumps into W2OR any time, tell him the former owner's grandson says "HI!" :D
Dude apparently met my grandfather WAY back in the day.

[MEH]

Got my extra almost 20 years ago. First contact was HTxHT in my office with a co-worker. That was my last phone contact. Since then it's been all qrp CW. Since my wire broke out of the trees a few years ago I haven't been very active. Perhaps it's time to get a new wire up and get back on...

[Drang]

Excerpt from this morning' blogpost (The Cluemeter: In Ham Radio News (https://thecluemeter.blogspot.com/2018/06/in-ham-radio-news.html):
From the "Be careful What You Wish For" Department, several years ago we entered a period of reduced solar activity. Hams have been kvetching about how reduced solar activity means reduced (or utterly crappy) propagation. So the news of a new solar storm should have them dancing in their shacks, right?

Not so much. eHam.net reports: Solar Storm Hits Earth: Four Times Size of Earth Disables Radio Technology:


Solar storm hits Earth - storm FOUR times size of Earth disables radio technology | Science | News | Express.co.uk (https://www.eham.net/articles/41527)

A HUGE solar flare which was released from a hole in the Sun’s atmosphere temporarily left some radio frequencies disabled, scientists have revealed, and the storm is only getting bigger....

According to the website Space Weather: “During the past 24 hours, sunspot AR2715 has almost quadrupled in size, growing two dark cores larger than Earth.

“The active region is now crackling with low-level solar flares.

“A pulse of extreme ultraviolet radiation from the flare briefly ionised the top of Earth's atmosphere above the Pacific Ocean, causing a shortwave radio brownout at frequencies below 10 MHz.

“People who might have noticed the disturbance include mariners and ham radio operators.”

eHam serves as a news aggregator for Amateur radio-related news items; it also links to this ARRL news release (https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.arrl.org/news/ares-continues-move-toward-enhanced-training-paperless-reporting%22%3EARES%C2%AE%20Continues%20Move%20Tow ard%20Enhanced%20Training,%20Paperless%20Reporting %3C/a%3E) about coming updates to ARES:


06/21/2018
As part of upgrades to the ARES® program, ARRL will phase out traditional hard-copy report forms later this year in favor of an online system, ARES® Connect — a new volunteer management, communication, and reporting system. The system, in beta testing since March in four ARRL sections with large ARES organizations, will allow ARES members to log information for ARRL Field Organization handling but does not change how ARES serves partner organizations. ARES training also is due for enhancement.

Paperless reporting is good, assuming the system works. You know, like in a disaster where the Internet may be down...

About that "enhanced training..."


Changes would encompass additional mandatory training to include ARRL Emergency Communications courses and the now-standard FEMA NIMS/ICS courses IS-100, 200, 700, 800, with IS-300 and 400 for higher levels. Other specialty training could include SKYWARN and agency-specific programs.

Training levels attained would dovetail with three new levels of ARES participation: Level One would be comprised of all entering the program with no training, while progressing through the ARRL emergency communications training and the FEMA Independent Study courses 100, 200, 700, and 800. Level Two would be attained upon successful completion of these courses, and would be considered the “Standard” level for ARES participants. Level Three would be attained upon completion of the advanced FEMA courses IS 300 and 400, which would qualify candidates for ARES leadership positions.

Level One participants would be able to fulfill most ARES duties, with a target of attaining Level Two in 1 year. Level Two, the standard participant level, would permit participant access to most incident sites and emergency operations centers (EOCs). Level Three would convey full access as granted by the authority having jurisdiction, plus qualification for ARES leadership.

Okay, fine.

But.

The "ARRL Emergency Communications courses" as they currently exist are a joke. They are online-only. As are the FEMA ICS classes required, and these are commonly acknowledged to be less than ideal as far as actually inculcating the knowledge. (Online training generally doesn't. Train, I mean, although it is handy for checking a block.)

As for the ARRL classes, you have to request to access them. (Fine.) Then they assign you a mentor -- and this is, notoriously, where the wheels come off. I have heard so many complaints about mentors being unavailable, unresponsive, or dismissive of attempts by their "mentees"* that I have concluded that, in this case at least, there's enough smoke to indicate that there's a three alarm dumpster fire and I won't bother.


*Really a word: "Mentee." Merriam-Webster.com. Accessed June 22, 2018. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mentee.
(https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.arrl.org/news/ares-continues-move-toward-enhanced-training-paperless-reporting%22%3EARES%C2%AE%20Continues%20Move%20Tow ard%20Enhanced%20Training,%20Paperless%20Reporting %3C/a%3E)

[Drang]

ARRL is making a big deal about the Amateur Radio Parity Act.
What they don't tell you is that in order to get it passed they watered it down so that you can put up an antenna IF the HOA says you can, and if the HOA says you're good with a mag mount 440 antenna on your fridge, then that's it.

This bit of info, which I got from a person running for Section Coordinator, may be less than accurate.

Text - H.R.555 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress (https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/555/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr+555%22%5D%7D&r=1)

(4) Federal Communications Commission regulations have for three decades prohibited the application to stations in the amateur service of State and local regulations that preclude or fail to reasonably accommodate amateur service communications, or that do not constitute the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish a legitimate State or local purpose. Commission policy has been and is to require States and localities to permit erection of a station antenna structure at heights and dimensions sufficient to accommodate amateur service communications.

(5) The Commission has sought guidance and direction from Congress with respect to the application of the Commission’s limited preemption policy regarding amateur service communications to private land use restrictions, including restrictive covenants.

(6) There are aesthetic and common property considerations that are uniquely applicable to private land use regulations and the community associations obligated to enforce covenants, conditions, and restrictions in deed-restricted communities. These considerations are dissimilar to those applicable to State law and local ordinances regulating the same residential amateur radio facilities.

(7) In recognition of these considerations, a separate Federal policy than exists at section 97.15(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, is warranted concerning amateur service communications in deed-restricted communities.

(8) Community associations should fairly administer private land use regulations in the interest of their communities, while nevertheless permitting the installation and maintenance of effective outdoor amateur radio antennas. There exist antenna designs and installations that can be consistent with the aesthetics and physical characteristics of land and structures in community associations while accommodating communications in the amateur radio services.

According to congress.Gov, HR555 was amended so that (summarized) it says that

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to amend station antenna structure regulations to prohibit a private land use restriction from applying to amateur radio stations if the restriction:

precludes communications in an amateur radio service,
fails to permit a licensee of amateur radio service to install and maintain an effective outdoor antenna on property under its exclusive use or control, or
is not the minimum practicable restriction to accomplish the lawful purposes of a community association seeking to enforce the restriction.

Before installing an outdoor antenna, however, an amateur radio licensee must obtain a community association's prior approval. A community association may: (1) prohibit installations on common property not under the exclusive control of the licensee, and (2) establish installation rules for amateur radio antennas and support structures.
A detailed reading of the bill suggests that the "installation rules for amateur radio antennas and support structures" must not prohibit outside antennas.

[Drang]

Field Day, of course, falls on the 4th Saturday in June. By coincidence (or design, I don't know) the club meets at the local buffet on the 4th Saturday of the month for breakfast: "Hams and Eggs." As long as I've been with the club - about 10 years now -- we met for breakfast, went to the FD site, set up, logged contacts for a few hours, and then shut down for the BBQ/Potluck, after which, like I mentioned before, it was usually time to start tear-down, since previously we were unable to run 24 hours.

Ironically, this year, our first for a planned 24 hour operation, hardly anyone showed up for Hams and Eggs, and when We Few made it to the site, set up was already well underway. These eager beaver newbies... :rolleyes:
"It's almost 11, we should be on the air!"
"Well, you might want to relocate your antenna a little farther from the power lines there, high sped."
"It's safe!"
"QRM is not your friend."
He learned... I think.

We logged a whole 240+/- contacts, which, for a 2A station in the extreme northleft section of the country, is not bad. We worked all of Sections 6 and 7 (not surprising, although our antennas were not oriented to take best advantage of Alaska or Hawaii), all of Section 9 somehow -- but none of 8 -- and parts of 3, 4, and 5. (In 5 we worked Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and all of Texas; missed Louisiana and Mississippi.) We worked most or all of Section 0. ("Hey, we logged both hams in North Dakota!")
We also logged all of Canada west of Manitoba.
(ARRL Field Day Section List and Abbreviations (http://www.arrl.org/section-abbreviations))

We logged a couple of clubs running 10 stations, and at least one 20A!

The bands pretty much shut down at about 0300; after that, the only people we heard and that could hear us, we had already logged. That sad condition continued after sunup, and consensus agreed to call it a Field Day and break down.

[RoyGBiv]

"Hams and Eggs."
Did you hear me groan reading that? It was a loud one.

I dropped by our local Field Day around 3:PM. They were struggling to hit OK to close out section 5 bingo.
I guess OK is too close for HF? Apparently it's a dilemma every year.

One guy had a man-portable satellite antenna and had successfully hit a satellite repeater... not sure which.
I bailed by 3:30 and was back in the pool by 3:45... Too hot to be Hammy this weekend.

[Drang]

Did you hear me groan reading that? It was a loud one. .
I admit to doing a double take when they told me what it was called...


I dropped by our local Field Day around 3:PM. They were struggling to hit OK to close out section 5 bingo.
I guess OK is too close for HF? Apparently it's a dilemma every year..
It probably is with a standard antenna. If they haven't, they should try an NVIS (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_vertical_incidence_skywave) antenna.


One guy had a man-portable satellite antenna and had successfully hit a satellite repeater... not sure which.
I bailed by 3:30 and was back in the pool by 3:45... Too hot to be Hammy this weekend.
It was pretty warm for Western Washington. Turned into "June-uary" Sunday, though.

Lot of fresh blood in the club, and increased interest in club activities. I hope to see more from them. I'm debating dropping a total of $500 or so and putting together a "pedestrian mobile" HF rig...

[mtnbkr]

I admit to doing a double take when they told me what it was called...

Such jokes are unfortunately commonplace in Amateur Radio.



It probably is with a standard antenna. If they haven't, they should try an NVIS (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_vertical_incidence_skywave) antenna.
NVIS is a good idea. Wouldn't take much.



I'm debating dropping a total of $500 or so and putting together a "pedestrian mobile" HF rig...
What are you thinking of using? Most of the commercial HF rigs that would be pedestrian-mobile-capable are well over $500 unless you go with one of the Chinese imports (some of which seem to be pretty decent).

Chris

[RoyGBiv]

I'm debating dropping a total of $500 or so and putting together a "pedestrian mobile" HF rig...
I put my Yaesu FTM-100D into a Pelican case as a bug-out option. It'll run from a wall outlet, 12V socket or the LiFePo battery. Not really something I'd want to walk around with, but it'll run from the car seat or park bench easily enough.

Thanks for the tip on the HF antenna... I'll pass that along.
Looked like they were using a T-shape antenna for one of the rigs, strung up between two trees.
The other rig was using the 1/2-wave antenna on top of the building.

[mtnbkr]

Looked like they were using a T-shape antenna for one of the rigs, strung up between two trees.

T-Shaped? Do you mean a center-fed dipole (has a "T" profile if high enough for the feedline to be vertical)?

FWIW, the best field-day set up I had for my solar-powered QRP station was with a 120ft dipole up as high as I could get it into the trees, fed with ladderline, and tuned with an Emtech ZM-2 (http://www.n5ese.com/zm2.htm) (wow, they've gone way up in price! I think I paid $40-$50 for my kit 10 years ago). (https://steadynet.com/emtech/)

I never got so far on 5watts and was able to cover all of the HF band up to 80m, though 80 was challenging to tune.

Pics of my station:
27492

Antenna:
27491

Solar Panel
27493

Chris

[RoyGBiv]

T-Shaped? Do you mean a center-fed dipole (has a "T" profile if high enough for the feedline to be vertical)?
Yes...

I'm just a Tech, with little interest beyond local EmCom. Please forgive the lack of proper terminology.. :D

The local "radio guys" are primarily retired military (mostly AF). Lots of experience from tube-days to digital.

[mtnbkr]

Yes...

I'm just a Tech, with little interest beyond local EmCom. Please forgive the lack of proper terminology.. :D

The local "radio guys" are primarily retired military (mostly AF). Lots of experience from tube-days to digital.

No worries. There are so many different antenna designs, I thought maybe you were talking about one I hadn't heard of before. One could make a hobby out of building and testing all the various designs out there.

Chris

[Drang]

What are you thinking of using? Most of the commercial HF rigs that would be pedestrian-mobile-capable are well over $500 unless you go with one of the Chinese imports (some of which seem to be pretty decent).Chris
I've got an FT857 ("non-D"), and am thinking this setup: (857-SEB) 857 sprint / escort black texture (https://portablezerostore.ecwid.com/#!/857-SEB-857-sprint-escort-black-texture/p/67821999/category=21722031) with the appropriate battery, and either a PackTenna Antenna System (http://www.packtenna.com/) or a Super Antenna (http://newsuperantenna.com/).


No worries. There are so many different antenna designs, I thought maybe you were talking about one I hadn't heard of before. One could make a hobby out of building and testing all the various designs out there.
Chris

Fascinating topic, really. Guy in the club a few years ago made a dipole out of electric fence "tape"; quite good strength against strain, but it turns out if you roll it up the wires break.
27508
In the Army we once built an LPA out of a bunch of unservicable elements for OE254 or 292 antennas; the threaded ends were crushed or broken, but they would still radiate...

[Stephanie B]

I don’t know very much about amateur radio, but I have a friend whose pick up truck has only a few less antennas than a Soviet AGI


Damn the iPhone Typos!

[Drang]

I don’t know very much about amateur radio, but I have a friend whose pick up truck has only a few less antennas than a Soviet AGI
The technical term is "whacker."*

Why I don't know, but I'm still trying to find out just what a "lid" is, and why I don't want to be one, and the derivation of the term "DC to daylight".



*(Probably. Said friend may well have a use for all those transmitters and/or receivers, and make good use of them.)

[Drang]

I'm just a Tech, with little interest beyond local EmCom. Please forgive the lack of proper terminology.. :D
Apologies in advance if I come off like a scold or a "lid" or something, but in a Hurricane Maria-level event you may find yourself wishing you'd learned more...

A roll-up J-Pole antenna (http://harriscountyares.org/training/KNW/KNW-123.pdf) will significantly increase your ability to "get out" on 2m/1,25m/.75cm -- you can buy or make one, cheap. (I purchased one of his, but you can easily make your own.)

ARRL: Building Simple Antennas (http://www.arrl.org/building-simple-antennas)

Wikihow: How to Build Several Easy Antennas for Amateur Radio (https://www.wikihow.com/Build-Several-Easy-Antennas-for-Amateur-Radio)

DX Zone: Amateur Radio Antenna Projects : Ham radio antennas, home made ham radio antenna projects kits and drawings (https://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Antennas/)

AC6V: Amateur Radio Antenna Projects (http://www.ac6v.com/antprojects.htm/)

Here are some other resources for all, for all kinds of reference documents: Ham Radio Programming Cheat Sheets (https://www.ke4rx.org/cheatsheet/)

Harris County, TX, has some awesome information on this site: Harris County ARES (http://harriscountyares.org/index.html)
(Click on the Training" link.)

RACES Resource Library (http://www.w4ava.org/races/AAauxcomm.htm)

[schüler]

I'm mostly into practical VHF simplex, HF NVIS, P25 and SDR receivers for mil air and Utility DX. SDR receivers and wideband waterfall displays are the heat. I'd like to get into VHF and HF data modes.

At this point in life I have no interest in ragchew, contests or delicate wunder rigs.

[Drang]

Zero interest in ragchewing.
Contests are mostly of interest to me as practice for EmComm. Which is why I also have zero interest in "delicate" rigs of any sort.

[Drang]

... tuned with an Emtech ZM-2 (http://www.n5ese.com/zm2.htm) (wow, they've gone way up in price! I think I paid $40-$50 for my kit 10 years ago). (https://steadynet.com/emtech/)
Hmmm, out on the Kitsap Peninsula... Wonder if I may have met him at a Communications Academy...?

[bossfrog]

We have a group of college buddies that go out for Field every year on the eastern shore. We are a pretty die hard group and take a crank up, tiltover 50' tower on a trailer and then have a tri-band beam at the top. We also have 40 and 80 dipoles.

[Drang]

So more of a nArco(leptic) thread than a nEcrothread...

...The club has it's weekly net on Sunday evenings at 1930. For years I have not participated because I was either at work, on my way to work, or asleep because I have to get up way to early to go to work. Do to a change in the way scheduling works in my section of The Salt Mines, though,I not have some leeway and can show up half an hour or a full hour later, and work later (or earlier) another day. (It's not a full flex time sked, but some flexibility is there.)

So I;ve ben going in half an hour or so later, but check in has been spotty, largely because I'm using a handheld with a mag mount on the POV. I have received credit for checking in once in 5 weeks.

SO I bit the bullet and purchased a BTech UV-25X2. (https://baofengtech.com/uv-25x2) Yes, it's a BaoFeng -- sort of. Designed in the US, assembled by slave labor in PLA Factory #4 in China, and sold by "BTech", AKA BaoFeng Technology, of SoDak. BTech flashes their own firmware on it before shipping it out.
$114 on Amazon, $115 at local fun shows.

Ordered Sunday, received Monday. Also got the programming cable; I didn't get to programming it until this morning. Downloaded the latest CHIRP (https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home) build, flashed memory in radio to CHIRP.

Then I downloaded the Western Washington Amateur Relay Association's (https://www.wwara.org/) repeater listings as a CSV, and imported them to CHIRP. Edited a bit (moved my clubs repeated into positions 0-6, replacing BTech's "blank" generics) and then uploaded to the radio.

Took the radio out to the car and fired it up and logged a QSL with the club president.

Bonus -- this thing is tiny, easily fits in the little cubby hole on the dash of the Journey. The triband 25 and 50 watt models are larger, and I'm not sure the 50 W would fit in there, but I have no plans along those lines for now...

Last night I learned that BTech has a cable for APRS that is dirt cheap, so now I'm thinking about getting one of those... I have an old Android phone that is deactivated (I call it my "Android Touch", since an iPod Touch is essentially an iPhone without radios) and I'm thinking, since the GPS still works, I can use that...

[MistWolf]

I was looking at Baofeng handhelds on Amazon two or three days ago. $70

[mtnbkr]

That mobile looks interesting (might fit in my little Focus), but the handhelds have been garbage in my experience. I bought one through Amazon and returned it after I discovered it couldn't pull a strong signal as cleanly as my Yaesu (one radio in one hand, one in my other hand). Some of my hunting buddies use them and they get random static bursts when me and my other buddy hear nothing on the same frequency with our Icom and Yaesu radios.

Chris

[Drang]

I was looking at Baofeng handhelds on Amazon two or three days ago. $70

Yeah, they discontinued the ones you could get in a six-pack for $100...

Still, and for all the way we turned up our noses at these Chinese HTs when they first showed up, they have really made it easy for the CERT or S&R volunteer to "get on the air"...

...although many of these folks tend to be the quintessential "appliance operator."

Had one in our club. Two other members had gone to a great deal of trouble to create a spreadsheet that could be used to program your radio, and this woman (I'm sure it was a coincidence that she showed up wearing an "Obama 2012" sweatshirt) was seriously upset with them that they hadn't written the software to actually program this cheap chicom radio she had, that no one had ever heard of.

[Drang]

So, today was the Fifth Saturday.

Approximately one month a quarter has five Saturdays. Here in WA, at least, that calls for an EOC-to-EOC exercise. Lots of times that's just the EOC checks in with the other EOCs, maybe the club/RACES team does a net check-in.

Now, don't ask me why WA still has a Fifth Saturday when next weekend is the Simulated Emergency Test, or why they didn't reschedule the SET to today and call it good (you have the option), but there you are.

In addition to staffing the EOC (two, actually, one at City Hall and one in one of the fire stations) we decided to have an actual activity! You show up at the designated location, you are handed a sheet with a series of Lat/Long coordinates on it, put your cell phone into Airplane Mode, and then navigate using your offline map program of choice.
Comms were simplex. (The actual net check in for the EOC drill was on our usual repeater pair.)

Several of us were also trying out APRS.

Glitch: Airplane mode deactivates (some) cell phone GPS.

Glitch: If you are running APRS using the BTech cable and an HT, is the HT shielded? (Or, in may case, did it go to sleep...?)

Conclusions: Lat/Long is not as precise as UTM grids (duh), and neither is your cell phone GPS.
Also, your cell phone nav' program can be picky about how you format a Lat/Long coordinate. (Remember the "-" in front of a "West" longitude, for one thing.)

Some guys had a hard time understanding the point behind the Lat/Long and "no internet" aspect.

Yes, we all know where the Safeway on 320th is, and if they need a radio team there for the Point of Distribution, we can just say "Go to the Safeway on 320th." But what if you're supporting an operation in Enumclaw, Ellensberg or Omak, or Unnamed Logging Road Number 532 in the middle of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest?

Consensus is that we'll start looking more at APRS at our ARES meeting, and some higher level navigation/map reading too.
I'm dropping Real Subtle Hints about the member who's a certified instructor for North American Rescue doing some classes, too...



Edit to add: I had never seen this thread, from a bit before I joined: Amateur Radio (https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?523-Amateur-Radio)

[RoyGBiv]

^^^ After a big tornado what if most of the local landmarks are gone? What if there is no Safeway?

Good skill building. Thanks for the reminder.

[Maple Syrup Actual]

Amateur radio is something I've always meant to investigate. I don't care about contacting stuff a long way away; what interests me is being able to radio from my boat back to my island place. It happens that my place is on about the highest point on the whole island so there are a few trees from which I could probably reach a pretty long way. I use a Horizon hx870 handheld for boat stuff and although it's technically illegal, using marine radios on shore here is really common in the islands so conceivably I could just stick with that, but I'd sort of rather have a rig on the boat and on the island that would give me more flexibility with communications, like repeater access. We're completely off-grid so I'd have to set up a solar array but in the long term I'd kind of like to have a repeater running on my island. Cell phones work in some places on the island but they're not very reliable so good emergency comms would sure be nice, and while not everyone on the island would benefit, there are probably ways to make it a community asset.

Unfortunately the local amateur radio groups have pretty inconvenient schedules, or did the last time I looked into it, so I have never really pursued it.

Anyway I'm not really sure what I'm asking here. Is there a really straightforward primer to read somewhere? Every time I look into this I get bogged down in giant lists of technical information clearly assembled by guys who like to rock, literally.

[Drang]

Anyway I'm not really sure what I'm asking here. Is there a really straightforward primer to read somewhere? Every time I look into this I get bogged down in giant lists of technical information clearly assembled by guys who like to rock, literally.

I know several Canadian hams, but know nothing about their licensing process.

These guys can probably help:
Radio Amateurs of Canada – Welcome to the Radio Amateurs of Canada website! (https://wp.rac.ca/)

Canadian Amateur Radio Clubs List (https://wp.rac.ca/clubs-3/)

Amateur Radio Courses (https://wp.rac.ca/amateur-radio-courses/)

[Maple Syrup Actual]

The very first entry on the list of amateur radio courses is pretty close to me. I'll chat them up and see how that goes. Thanks!

[Drang]

The very first entry on the list of amateur radio courses is pretty close to me. I'll chat them up and see how that goes. Thanks!

I noticed that. As though it were meant to be!

Come on down to Communications Academy (http://commacademy.org/) in April and we can get together. There's always a large Canadian contingent, and at least one (Tom Cox, VE6TOX) always has a presentation or two.

[Dan_S]

Another HAM here.

I’ve been out of the game for a long time now. My Yeasu FT60R battery is dead, and I’m kinda over feeding it batteries that die after a few months. Thinking about setting up a mobile unit here to use as a base station and start being a little more active again...

[Maple Syrup Actual]

I noticed that. As though it were meant to be!

Come on down to Communications Academy (http://commacademy.org/) in April and we can get together. There's always a large Canadian contingent, and at least one (Tom Cox, VE6TOX) always has a presentation or two.

I've been staring at this site for a while and I can't figure out...do I need to register for this and if so, where? I would definitely like to attend.

[Drang]

Come on down to Communications Academy (http://commacademy.org/) in April and we can get together. There's always a large Canadian contingent, and at least one (Tom Cox, VE6TOX) always has a presentation or two.


I've been staring at this site for a while and I can't figure out...do I need to register for this and if so, where? I would definitely like to attend.

Registration for Comm Academy usually opens up a month or two before the event. There will be an announcement on that page, and I'll probably post something here.

[Drang]

Another HAM here.

I’ve been out of the game for a long time now. My Yeasu FT60R battery is dead, and I’m kinda over feeding it batteries that die after a few months. Thinking about setting up a mobile unit here to use as a base station and start being a little more active again...

Haven't had that problem with my FT60R, but I haven't used it constantly. One of the advantages of that model is that the AA Adapter Pack holds 8 batteries.

I just upgraded, if you can call it that :rolleyes:, to a BTech (Baofeng) mobile, the dual band 25 watt model. Has served me well, so far, but it's only bene a month or so. It costs all of $114 on Amazon, just add antenna...

[RoyGBiv]

Another HAM here.

I’ve been out of the game for a long time now. My Yeasu FT60R battery is dead, and I’m kinda over feeding it batteries that die after a few months. Thinking about setting up a mobile unit here to use as a base station and start being a little more active again...
My Alinco handheld battery lasts a few days in the "off" position. A replacement is $50. Not.
My $30 Baofeng lasts months in my go bag with just the standard battery. And I find the Baofeng easier to program on the fly.

[Drang]

So I'll be testing to upgrade to Amateur Extra this Saturday. Electrical components and theory are kicking my ass on the hamstudy.org flash cards and practice tests.

But. Yesterday I had to switch my shift from graveyard to days, to attend an emergency planning tabletop exercise, and when first shift saw me walk in hours after they usually see me leave, they asked why I was here. and I said "I had to reverse my polarity for this tabletop..." So maybe I'll be OK after all...

[Clusterfrack]

So I'll be testing to upgrade to Amateur Extra this Saturday. Electrical components and theory are kicking my ass on the hamstudy.org flash cards and practice tests.

But. Yesterday I had to switch my shift from graveyard to days, to attend an emergency planning tabletop exercise, and when first shift saw me walk in hours after they usually see me leave, they asked why I was here. and I said "I had to reverse my polarity for this tabletop..." So maybe I'll be OK after all...

Good luck, Drang! I found the General fairly straightforward to pass, just by studying for Tech. So I tried the Extra exam in the same sitting and got a solid F. I think I scored around 55%. It was all the antenna voodoo that I couldn't figure out.

[mtnbkr]

Good luck, Drang! I found the General fairly straightforward to pass, just by studying for Tech. So I tried the Extra exam in the same sitting and got a solid F. I think I scored around 55%. It was all the antenna voodoo that I couldn't figure out.

That was my experience as well. I actually scored 100% on the General (high 90s on Tech). I took them over a year apart and spent a few weeks studying for General, but noticed the content was largely the same. When I tried the Extra practice exams, I was a solid F. After looking at what Extra gave me over General, I decided it was not worth the effort for a hobbyist like myself.

Chris

[Dan_S]

-edit-

[Drang]

After looking at what Extra gave me over General, I decided it was not worth the effort for a hobbyist like myself.
I can't say you're wrong. Mostly doing it so I can VE at any level, and for what geek cred it might gain me in the emergency management/EmComm community.

Although one guy in the class mentioned that he was tired of checking the band charts at Field Day to make sure he was legal, I'm not sure that's a common enough issue to make it worthwhile.

[Drang]

Trying to track down someone to open my Yeasu FT60R radios to transmit on civil aviation bands.

Any suggestions?

Want to carry them as backup comms when flying.

A good starting point would be to check with the FCC to make sure it's legal.
(EDIT: Pretty sure they're not type-certified to operate on aviation bands.)

[Dan_S]

A good starting point would be to check with the FCC to make sure it's legal.
(EDIT: Pretty sure they're not type-certified to operate on aviation bands.)

That’s simply spectacular. Absurd, actually.

So now I’ve got two radios that are essentially junk. Great.

[MEH]

Trying to track down someone to open my Yeasu FT60R radios to transmit on civil aviation bands.

Any suggestions?

Want to carry them as backup comms when flying.

In addition to the legalities, even if you opened the transmitting on the FT60R you'll be transmitting in FM not AM like the rest of the aviation band. Basically, incompatible.

Just buy a proper backup aviation rig if you need it.

[mtnbkr]

Although one guy in the class mentioned that he was tired of checking the band charts at Field Day to make sure he was legal, I'm not sure that's a common enough issue to make it worthwhile.

As a non-EE and non-RF-Engineer, I consider the effort to earn my Extra class ticket greater than the effort to read a band plan. :D

Chris

[Dan_S]

In addition to the legalities, even if you opened the transmitting on the FT60R you'll be transmitting in FM not AM like the rest of the aviation band. Basically, incompatible.

Just buy a proper backup aviation rig if you need it.

I wasn’t aware of the issues in opening it. Just assumed that it was a programming issue that could be easily resolved.

Don’t want to have redundant riga, and don’t want to have to go drop the coin on two dedicated radios, but...it is what it is.

[Drang]

So, anyone want a slightly used ARRL Amateur Extra license manual?
:D:cool:
Slightly marked up, only good for another year and a half or so.

[peterb]

I wasn’t aware of the issues in opening it. Just assumed that it was a programming issue that could be easily resolved.

Don’t want to have redundant riga, and don’t want to have to go drop the coin on two dedicated radios, but...it is what it is.

The hardware band limitations still drive me nuts. The fact that it’s illegal to mod my 2m stuff to transmit out of band — even if the radio was designed to do that in other countries, and I am properly licensed — makes no sense. Why should I have to carry multiple radios when one could work? 2m amateur, business band, marine VHF, public service VHF — all could easily be handled by one radio, but under the rules you need a separate physical unit for each.

[Dan_S]

The hardware band limitations still drive me nuts. The fact that it’s illegal to mod my 2m stuff to transmit out of band — even if the radio was designed to do that in other countries, and I am properly licensed — makes no sense. Why should I have to carry multiple radios when one could work? 2m amateur, business band, marine VHF, public service VHF — all could easily be handled by one radio, but under the rules you need a separate physical unit for each.

Pretty ridiculous, at best.

[MistWolf]

It's been more than a few years, but as I recall, it's not illegal to modify you're radio to operate out of band, it's illegal to transmit on bands your station is not licensed for.

[Dan_S]

It's been more than a few years, but as I recall, it's not illegal to modify you're radio to operate out of band, it's illegal to transmit on bands your station is not licensed for.

Based on what Drang posted, and some internet searches, it looks like they’re (FCC) saying that it’s illegal to modify the radio to transmit outside its capabilities as-sold.

That’s stupid, if I’m understanding it correctly.

[Drang]

Based on what Drang posted, and some internet searches, it looks like they’re (FCC) saying that it’s illegal to modify the radio to transmit outside its capabilities as-sold.

That’s stupid, if I’m understanding it correctly.

As mentioned, you can't mod an FM radio to operate AM, and government regs have nothing to do with that.

In the past, licensed amateurs have had a great deal of freedom as far as modifying radios, and experimenting. The hobby is largely self-policing.

That was before you could buy a radio that would operate on business and government freqs for $25 on Amazon, without a license...


It's been more than a few years, but as I recall, it's not illegal to modify you're radio to operate out of band, it's illegal to transmit on bands your station is not licensed for.

A licensed amateur can mod a radio to, for example, operate on MARS/CAP bands, but cannot operate there unless licensed to do so. Most services will only do the mod for you if you are licensed. (HRO, etc., will actually sell you the radio with the mod, but you have to send them your license.)

Before the BaoFeng fiasco, I'd've said making the mod was legal, using it wasn't, but now I'm wondering if the FCC isn't getting to be more ATF-like. (Although the BaoFeng thing could be because China...)

[Dan_S]

Yeah. I get that. I stupidly assumed that since the radio in question can receive on AM, it was a software issue that prevented it from transmitting in AM.

[TQP]

It's OK to plug ham frequencies into your type-accepted commercial radio, just not the other way around. The type acceptance rules for ham equipment are a bit looser than for commercial bands. Commercial band radios are not allowed to be field programmable, for example.

Back in the day, in the pre trunked 800 system era, there were a lot of surplussed public safety radios that would do very well on 2m or on 70cm. An ex-fire or PD motorola was a sign of the true EmComm nerds, back in the day.

[Drang]

Some War Stories, and Amateur Radio: “I Am An Adverb!” (https://thecluemeter.blogspot.com/2018/12/i-am-adverb.html)

[Chemsoldier]

I am a ham. I am relatively unskilled, mostly line of sight and repeater ops. I dont own an HF rig yet, though I do operate them once a year on field day or the occasional special events station. I got my license during the great ammo drought and have since gotten my General and Extra. To be honest I dont ham enough to take advantage of the Extra privileges. I just did it because my club was trying to get more VEs. I got my VE less than a year ago. Since moving over the summer I have not gotten with the new town's club.

I operate a little in the car and run national simplex calling while cross country trips. This town had a pretty good weather spotter net back a while ago. I need to start monitoring more.

[Drang]

Come on down to Communications Academy (http://commacademy.org/) in April and we can get together. There's always a large Canadian contingent, and at least one (Tom Cox, VE6TOX) always has a presentation or two.


I've been staring at this site for a while and I can't figure out...do I need to register for this and if so, where? I would definitely like to attend.

misanthropist (and anyone else interested) the Comm Academy web site (http://commacademy.org/index.php?page=registration)says registration opens on February 24th.

[Maple Syrup Actual]

Thanks!

Sent from my BND-L24 using Tapatalk

[Drang]

misanthropist (and anyone else interested) the Comm Academy web site (http://commacademy.org/index.php?page=registration)says registration opens on February 24th.

misanthropist, registration is now open.

[Maple Syrup Actual]

Okay awesome, I will check my schedule and see if I can get down there!

Sent from my BND-L24 using Tapatalk

[Drang]

1106320585657741313
1106321533071314944

[Hambo]

So I'm a technician now and looking at handhelds. Baofeng UV-5R 3rd gen or more $ for Yaesu FT-60 or 70. I read somewhere that the Baofengs are more confusing to program. The main idea for one of these is to use when I'm hiking in the boonies, with a roll up J pole if needed.

[Drang]

So I'm a technician now and looking at handhelds. Baofeng UV-5R 3rd gen or more $ for Yaesu FT-60 or 70. I read somewhere that the Baofengs are more confusing to program. The main idea for one of these is to use when I'm hiking in the boonies, with a roll up J pole if needed.

Baofengs are dirt cheap, and you get what you pay for. Easy enough to program using chirp (https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home). The signal is "dirty", with lots of spurious transmissions. Of dubious legality, since they will operate on frequencies not authorized for use; this did not used to be a problem for a licensed ham, until you could get these things for a Jackson Tubman and a fin on Amazon. One of the manufacturers of ancillery equipment (TNCs, to be precise) ran tests and a variety of handhelds, and aid the cleanest, most consistent signal were found on the Kenwood TH-K20, which is their direct competitor to the FT60.

They said the Baofeng units were incredibly inconsistent.

OTOH, for a Tubman and a fin I see no reason not to keep a couple around. As en emergency backup HT it should serve well enough, although for a true emergency unit in the backwoods, an HF rig is more likely to be successful at calling for help.

The Yaesu FT-60 is the Toyota Corolla of the amateur radio world. Good quality, highly reliable, nothing fancy. Good battery life, the AA backup unit uses 8 cells, unlike many competitors' units, which only hold 4.

[Clusterfrack]

The Yaesu VX8-DR is the best HT I’ve found, but it is unfortunately discontinued.

[mtnbkr]

As an only HT, I would steer clear of the Baofengs and their ilk. They're cheap for a reason. I've tested one side-by-side with my Yaesu VX7r and the results would be obvious even to non-ham. Friends of mine who have them for hunting-comms devices have lots of problems with noise, random static bursts, ability to read weak signals, etc, while those of us with better radios have no problem at all.

Hams like to argue who is better between Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood, but none of the three brands are bad picks. My VX7r was Yaesu's top-of-the line HT when I bought it in 2008, but it still works great and has stood the test of time for 11 years and counting.

Chris

[RoyGBiv]

I've had good results with the several Baofeng HT's I own. If they were rain resistant, they'd be perfect. Easier to program in the field than either of my Yaesu units.

+1 for CHIRP.

That said, most of my comms needs are in-town to local repeaters. For back-country use, I'd buy the 8 watt Baofeng and give it a try. If it doesn't work, you still have a decent radio for around town and haven't invested much.

[ST911]

The Baofeng UV5R and F8HPs may not be quality radios, but they can be remarkably capable.
Several modifications help, esp an antenna upgrade and mic modification.
Every few dozen, expect 1-3 versions of firmware depending on your vendor and about one bad radio right out of the box.

[Drang]

Wife just called: She scored 100% on the technician test. :cool:

[TQP]

So does that make you an XYM now?

Congrats to her!

[Drang]

So does that make you an XYM now?

In the immortal word of Instapundit, "Heh."

Pacific Northwest Amateur Radio convention next weekend, she was going along to get away, I bought her membership anyway, 'cuz it's cheap and another shot at door prizes. Now we can go shopping together for something I'm interested in!:p

[Drang]

So does that make you an XYM now?

Congrats to her!

I told her about this, she said "I don't mind being your XYL, as long as I'm not the Ball And Chain."


In the immortal word of Instapundit, "Heh."

Pacific Northwest Amateur Radio convention next weekend, she was going along to get away, I bought her membership anyway, 'cuz it's cheap and another shot at door prizes. Now we can go shopping together for something I'm interested in!:p

So we get down here and she says "I need to buy the General Exam Study Guide..." And has already made reservations for next year.

[Drang]

I told her about this, she said "I don't mind being your XYL, as long as I'm not the Ball And Chain."
The ladies at the Young Ladies' Radio League (https://ylrl.org/wp/) booth informed us that XYLs are, by definition, un-licensed; since Mrs. Drang has her license, she is a YL.

I had no idea.

[Hambo]

Last weekend I upgraded to general. I'm torn on whether or not to study for extra. On one hand I've been in study mode for a month, on the other I could be learning something that will be of immediate use.

[mtnbkr]

Last weekend I upgraded to general. I'm torn on whether or not to study for extra. On one hand I've been in study mode for a month, on the other I could be learning something that will be of immediate use.

I looked at going to Extra after getting my General. What I decided was that it was a greater leap going from General to Extra than it was to go from Tech to General. Additionally, it didn't give me much in terms of additional access.

I've been a General class Ham for a decade and can't say I feel compelled to upgrade even now.

Chris

[JohnO]

Last weekend I upgraded to general. I'm torn on whether or not to study for extra. On one hand I've been in study mode for a month, on the other I could be learning something that will be of immediate use.

Whether you test for Extra or not, one can never find fault with acquiring knowledge.

[Clusterfrack]

After I took my Tech exam, they asked if I wanted to try the General. I said WTF, why not? I passed that too. It wasn’t that difficult. Then they gave me the Extra exam. Solid F. I got about 50%.

[Hambo]

Whether you test for Extra or not, one can never find fault with acquiring knowledge.

Absolutely.


After I took my Tech exam, they asked if I wanted to try the General. I said WTF, why not? I passed that too. It wasn’t that difficult. Then they gave me the Extra exam. Solid F. I got about 50%.

I'd say that was a pretty good score. The examiners said only about 10% pass General when testing for Tech. I have no background in radio or electronics, and I suck at math. I passed Technician and General by memorizing the questions and answers to the point where I could have answered Jeopardy style. From my glimpses at Extra, that is not going to work.

There is a lot I want/need to understand at my current level, and I have time in the summer to study. If I make it by August, great. If not, I'll improve my knowledge base.

[Clusterfrack]

I'd say that was a pretty good score. The examiners said only about 10% pass General when testing for Tech. I have no background in radio or electronics, and I suck at math. I passed Technician and General by memorizing the questions and answers to the point where I could have answered Jeopardy style. From my glimpses at Extra, that is not going to work.


Yeah, I gave it a good try, and actually scored higher than another dude who had studied and taken it once already. My math degree and STEM PhD helped. I was able to figure out the right answers to dB and wavelength questions without studying. But all the antenna stuff is forking voodoo magic. The Extra exam is no joke. I hope it goes well for you, and you get that nice 4 letter call sign!

[Drang]

Last weekend I upgraded to general. I'm torn on whether or not to study for extra. On one hand I've been in study mode for a month, on the other I could be learning something that will be of immediate use.


I looked at going to Extra after getting my General. What I decided was that it was a greater leap going from General to Extra than it was to go from Tech to General. Additionally, it didn't give me much in terms of additional access.

I've been a General class Ham for a decade and can't say I feel compelled to upgrade even now.

Chris

Made Amateur Extra last December, and the biggest advantage it it is being able to VE any level of license exam. The extra (npi) operating privileges are just not that extensive.

But I'm glad I did it.

[DamonL]

I used this for exam prep and it worked.

https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com

[Drang]

Well, that was disappointing.
Thought we had a guaranteed site.
Fell through at the last moment.
There was a backup plan, but that fell through, too.
Well, crap.

Now, Washington State conducts an emergency communications drill on the fifth Saturday of the month, which, if you check a calendar, happens quarterly. Fifth Saturday is next week. Well, experience shows that doing Fifth Saturday the weekend after something like Field Day is a waste of time, so they decoded to move it to the 4th Saturday.
And I volunteered to be Net Control for the Voice Net.
Christ, what a waste of time.
A total of 6 or 7 check ins, the (out going) club president was the only officer to check in, a handful of other members, all of whom are "regular" check ins on the weekly net, and NO other members, or visitors...
Either no one GAF, or they were all looking for an active Field Day site.
OTOH...
The club's EmCom Lead was helping staff the county EmCom trailer at Ft. Flagler, 56 straight line miles from here in the 98 double-ought 3, and we talked like we were next door...

Got skunked checking in with other EOCs. Possibly they were operating simplex, to comply with Field Day rules, which I wasn't. (Which, I suppose, could explain the lack of check-ins, others were operating HF or simplex.)

Gave the YL some crap because she headed out to the Farmer's Market without grabbing an HT and checking into the net. :(

[DacoRoman]

Hello all.

I found this thread when I searched for Ham on this site.

I want to get into it. I found the link to the study site here, and I want to get my Technician's license.

Any recommendations on an a handheld unit and on a mobile unit?

I would like a handheld, like a Yaesu FT60R for backpacking/bug out etc., but a mobile unit for my 4Runner would also be intriguing..but then I'd have to stick an antenna somewhere I guess.

I've thought about starting off cheaper with a Baofent BF-F8HP, or UV5R, but my budget is about $400-450, and for this I was thinking of getting two handheld units, extra battery, AA battery pack, programming cable, from a reputable company that has reliable equipment. I am a bit weary to get Baofengs, although I understand that they are very popular.

What are your thoughts? Hep' a Brother out :D.

[mtnbkr]

Hello all.

I found this thread when I searched for Ham on this site.

I want to get into it. I found the link to the study site here, and I want to get my Technician's license.

Any recommendations on an a handheld unit and on a mobile unit?

I would like a handheld, like a Yaesu FT60R for backpacking/bug out etc., but a mobile unit for my 4Runner would also be intriguing..but then I'd have to stick an antenna somewhere I guess.

I've thought about starting off cheaper with a Baofent BF-F8HP, or UV5R, but my budget is about $400-450, and for this I was thinking of getting two handheld units, extra battery, AA battery pack, programming cable, from a reputable company that has reliable equipment. I am a bit weary to get Baofengs, although I understand that they are very popular.

What are your thoughts? Hep' a Brother out :D.

Get a good Yaesu or Icom radio (for HT and mobile) and avoid the non-compliant Chinese junk.

The FT60R is probably a fine radio, though I haven't used it. I have owned and used the Yaesu VX7r for about 12 years now. The original battery is even going strong. I have an aftermarket spare and the AA adapter.

For mobile, I have a Yaesu FT-2900 (the current version is 2900R) in my 4Runner. I selected that because I only wanted 2m capability and the lack of any moving fans seemed to be a benefit in an offroad vehicle. It is fairly large with it's heat-sink enclosure, but it has been reliable in a relatively harsh environment.

For the antenna, I use an external mount and Larson NMO antenna mounted to the hood on the driver's side.

Chris

[ST911]

Hello all.

I found this thread when I searched for Ham on this site.

I want to get into it. I found the link to the study site here, and I want to get my Technician's license.

Any recommendations on an a handheld unit and on a mobile unit?

I would like a handheld, like a Yaesu FT60R for backpacking/bug out etc., but a mobile unit for my 4Runner would also be intriguing..but then I'd have to stick an antenna somewhere I guess.

I've thought about starting off cheaper with a Baofent BF-F8HP, or UV5R, but my budget is about $400-450, and for this I was thinking of getting two handheld units, extra battery, AA battery pack, programming cable, from a reputable company that has reliable equipment. I am a bit weary to get Baofengs, although I understand that they are very popular.

What are your thoughts? Hep' a Brother out :D.

I posted earlier in the the thread about the Baofengs, and would echo that again.

A little more than you're asking about licensing, but for the benefit of all:

Getting licensed is easy. There's no reason not to do it if you have a few hours to study. The entire entry-level test bank is published online and there are several free websites for practice tests and study sessions.

Technician class license privileges: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Tech%20Band%20Chart/US%20Amateur%20Radio%20Technician%20Privileges.pdf
Test bank, 428 questions: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/VEs/2018-2022%20Tech%20Class%20Pool%20Final%20with%20errata .pdf
Study guide: https://www.kb6nu.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018-no-nonsense-tech-study-guide-v1-1.pdf

I really liked this website for test prep. It will walk you through all of the questions and as it identifies your strengths and weaknesses it will target particular content areas. If you take the test enough, you can simply learn every question and answer: https://hamstudy.org/tech2018

The proctored test you ultimately take for Technician level is only 35 questions and you can miss 9 of those. I think it was about $20.00. It took me longer to sign in and walk to the room than to take the test. I'm currently working on my General class using the same methods. I may do the Extra class, just because.

[schüler]

I would like a handheld, like a Yaesu FT60R for backpacking/bug out etc., but a mobile unit for my 4Runner would also be intriguing..but then I'd have to stick an antenna somewhere I guess.



Yeah, I'm not a Baofeng fan but they I have their place. The FT-60 is a solid classic but the FT-65 bridges the FT-60/Baofeng price and quality gap.

I like your plan for two handhelds if you keep both handy everywhere except the trail. The national simplex calling frequency is on 2 meters of course, good if you think rhe "Wilderness Protocol" has any viability.

If you are fine with 2m only mobile look at two FT-65s (has 440, weather radio and FM radio) and an FT-2980. That might leave enough money for an SWR meter, mag mount antenna. I'd add $ for a roll-up J-pole for your hiking HT and a few SMA->SO-239 adapter cables (N9TAX Labs has done some nice custom jumpers for me out of LMR 195, since I really like his Slim Jim roll up Jpole).

If you want serious weatherproofing on a handheld... I'm not sure who still builds a suitable budget ham radio and accessories like a speaker mic.

I have HX400s for serious/weather use (marine, LMR, ham) but they're VHF only, no VFO keypad.

[DacoRoman]

Many thanks for the input fellers. I'll have to study your answers and mull this over, but I'm excited to get into this thing.

Any thoughts about spending a bit more and getting a DMR capable radio such as the AnyTone 878 (https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/products/anytone-at-d878uv-dual-band-dmr-handheld-radio-w-gps-programming-cable)? It is supposed to be a quality radio and have a great battery life, speaker, and be very easy to navigate and use, so it has me intrigued even though I may not use the DMR feature too much, at least at first.

[Clusterfrack]

Late to this set of posts... and not much to add. With a bit of studying you’ll have no problem with the Tech exam. If your math skills are strong, it will be easy. I ended up passing the General in the same session without additional study.

I have a Yaesu VX-8 handheld. It’s about as good as a HT gets,’and is very rugged. Unfortunately, it’s no longer in production.

I like BaoFeng F8HPs for a lot of uses. Signal quality isn’t as good as a Yaesu, but it’s fine for simplex and most close in repeater use. They’re cheap, easy to program, and pretty tough. There’s no excuse for not having a few around just in case.

I have no use for digital at this point.

[Duelist]

I have an FT-60, and like it quite well. I can hit any repeater in my area, and our repeater system has me talking to, or at least monitoring traffic, all over Arizona.

I got into it for back country comms, and it works for that, as well as local chat nets and emergency preparedness nets. I’ve used it for back country comms once - got into a place chasing a deer I couldn’t call out from with my cell to let anybody know I was okay but going to be late getting back b/c dead deer.

Radio picked up an active net as soon as I turned it on, one of the fellows on the net called my wife to relay the message.

Got an Extra ticket for some dumb reason. Technician level equipment and bands is all I ever use.

[Boxy]

For all looking to get into Ham Radio I offer a few key points as a HAM Extra ticket holder.

The test for each ticket have a limited number of test questions. If you locate one of the many websites with online practice test you can take test over and over to learn the test bank. This will help you obtain the license but you may need extra study to learn the various modes in how you wish to operate. I used ARRL Test Pools here http://arrlexamreview.appspot.com.

If you choose a 2M or dual band hand held be sure to upgrade the antenna from the rubber ducky supplied. I have a recently obtained a Yaesu FT3D which I very much endorse for ease of use and features. There are many reviews of this and other HT's online.

For a new Tech license ham a dual band mobile radio would be a good home setup with a DC power supply and short run of coax to an antenna that may be propped up in a room corner. No need of external mounting etc particularly when operating on repeaters. I have HOA restrictions that limit how I can use antennas.

If venturing into the HF bands there are several 100W radios available to enter into this area. If you are limited like I am in antenna infrastructure consider magnetic loop antennas as an option. There are limits to power and lower bands but the are great for apartments or attics. Right now the HF propagation conditions are poor as you may learn or know.

What is great about HAM radio is that you can dig as deep into electronics and antenna design as you wish and time demands are dictated on how you wish to operate and what you wish to learn.

One other item is to find what is termed as an Elmer which is a coach or mentor who has some level of experience to pass along lessons learned or knowledge regarding the art of radio operations.

I hope this general thumb nail helps new folks entering HAM.

[mtnbkr]

I have an FT-60, and like it quite well. I can hit any repeater in my area, and our repeater system has me talking to, or at least monitoring traffic, all over Arizona.

I got into it for back country comms, and it works for that, as well as local chat nets and emergency preparedness nets. I’ve used it for back country comms once - got into a place chasing a deer I couldn’t call out from with my cell to let anybody know I was okay but going to be late getting back b/c dead deer.

Radio picked up an active net as soon as I turned it on, one of the fellows on the net called my wife to relay the message.

Got an Extra ticket for some dumb reason. Technician level equipment and bands is all I ever use.

I got into radio because I like the science and engineering of it. I live in an aluminum-siding-clad townhome in a sea of aluminum-siding-clad townhomes. Radio doesn't work well at the house as a result. So, I go in the QRP direction, allowing me to work with more portable gear. It also adds an element of engineering creativity. Unfortunately, I don't much enjoy ragchewing with random Hams and don't really get into contesting, so I seldom do anything on HF. I use my VHF FM gear for comms with my hunting buddies and that's about it. :rolleyes:

I only went as far as General. Tech and General were easy, but when I started studying for Extra, I realized I was putting in a lot more effort for just a small slice of extra spectrum. I decided it wasn't worth my time.

I dragged my Yaesu FT-817nd out this weekend and set up a random sloping wire from my 3rd story bedroom window down to the far corner of the backyard and let the counterpoise wire dangle straight down. I tuned the wire with my Emtech ZM-2 tuner (built it myself a decade ago) for 20m and gave the dial a spin. There were lots of strong signals coming in from out west. I heard a number of stations in Colorado and North Dakota. Makes sense as my wire was sloping westward. It sounded like a contest was going on.

Chris

[JR1572]

For all looking to get into Ham Radio I offer a few key points as a HAM Extra ticket holder.

The test for each ticket have a limited number of test questions. If you locate one of the many websites with online practice test you can take test over and over to learn the test bank. This will help you obtain the license but you may need extra study to learn the various modes in how you wish to operate. I used ARRL Test Pools here http://arrlexamreview.appspot.com.

If you choose a 2M or dual band hand held be sure to upgrade the antenna from the rubber ducky supplied. I have a recently obtained a Yaesu FT3D which I very much endorse for ease of use and features. There are many reviews of this and other HT's online.

For a new Tech license ham a dual band mobile radio would be a good home setup with a DC power supply and short run of coax to an antenna that may be propped up in a room corner. No need of external mounting etc particularly when operating on repeaters. I have HOA restrictions that limit how I can use antennas.

If venturing into the HF bands there are several 100W radios available to enter into this area. If you are limited like I am in antenna infrastructure consider magnetic loop antennas as an option. There are limits to power and lower bands but the are great for apartments or attics. Right now the HF propagation conditions are poor as you may learn or know.

What is great about HAM radio is that you can dig as deep into electronics and antenna design as you wish and time demands are dictated on how you wish to operate and what you wish to learn.

One other item is to find what is termed as an Elmer which is a coach or mentor who has some level of experience to pass along lessons learned or knowledge regarding the art of radio operations.

I hope this general thumb nail helps new folks entering HAM.

I just got a FT3 to complement my FT70 and I’m very happy. I recently picked up an openspot 1 and it’s great. I have access to a lot more and I can cross mode into DMR. I’m seriously considering ordering a openspot 3.

I made Technician in November and General in February. I’m almost there on Amateur Extra but I’m a few weeks out studying. I use the Ham Study app to go over the questions then use the Ham Test Prep app to take my practice tests. I hope I’ll be able to test for AR before the question pool changes on 7/1/20.

[mtnbkr]

If you choose a 2M or dual band hand held be sure to upgrade the antenna from the rubber ducky supplied.
I've yet to see a 3rd party rubber ducky antenna that worked noticeably better than the factory ones, at least for those that come with the Yaesu radios I've used. It might be different for others. However, I recently became aware of the SignalStuff Super-Elastic Signal Stick antenna. Every review has been excellent and the one testing video I watched showed significant performance increases. For $20, I think I'll give it a try. The biggest downside is its length. However, you can coil it up to pack it away smaller.


For a new Tech license ham a dual band mobile radio would be a good home setup with a DC power supply and short run of coax to an antenna that may be propped up in a room corner. No need of external mounting etc particularly when operating on repeaters. I have HOA restrictions that limit how I can use antennas.
Yup, I agree. HTs are very limiting. I got the fanciest one on the market at the time and barely use the more advanced features (it supports 6m, I've only used 6m once in the 12 or so years I've owned it). Except for portability a Mobile rig used as a base station will be far better. Or, if you think you'll eventually get your General or Extra, get a base station radio that supports HF-70cm and only use the Tech-allowed bands and modes to start with (IIRC, there is a small portion of the 10m band open to Techs now, giving Techs access to HF). That way, when you upgrade later, you'll have a radio that matches your new license. Most HTs and Mobiles only support FM ops, but even in the Tech bands you have other modes that are just as compelling, such as SSB, AM, Packet, etc. You can't do those with a standard FM mobile rig.

It's a low power device, but a Yaesu FT-817nd (old version) or FT-818 (new version) gives you a battery-capable device that supports "DC to Daylight" on all modes. However, you're limited to 5-6 watts depending on the version. That's enough for local repeaters on FM, but will be limiting on everything else.


If venturing into the HF bands there are several 100W radios available to enter into this area. If you are limited like I am in antenna infrastructure consider magnetic loop antennas as an option.
There are a number of entry level HF rigs that cost well under a grand (I think Yaesu's latest can be had for under $600). Used radios from trusted sources could be a good way forward too.

Have you spoken with your HOA? When I got my General and wanted to set up an antenna in my yard I spoke with my HOA and found out they were ok with a vertical in my backyard as long as it couldn't be seen from the street. I had a Hustler vertical installed for several years before I took it down due to not using it.


What is great about HAM radio is that you can dig as deep into electronics and antenna design as you wish and time demands are dictated on how you wish to operate and what you wish to learn.

One other item is to find what is termed as an Elmer which is a coach or mentor who has some level of experience to pass along lessons learned or knowledge regarding the art of radio operations.
Yup and yup.

Chris

[schüler]

Any thoughts about spending a bit more and getting a DMR capable radio such as the AnyTone 878 (https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/products/anytone-at-d878uv-dual-band-dmr-handheld-radio-w-gps-programming-cable)? It is supposed to be a quality radio and have a great battery life, speaker, and be very easy to navigate and use, so it has me intrigued even though I may not use the DMR feature too much, at least at first.

It depends on your existing users and infrastructure.

I used duty P25 radios for years and I'm sold on digital advantages.

If analog/DMR radios were available and affordable back then, yes I would have gone with DMR-capable radios. I would never choose DMR-only radios.

My application:
Almost no one in my crew knows what DMR is and isn't willing to shell out 5x Baofeng money for one radio. We already have a good number of analog radios the non-techies (most of us) are familiar with.

One major decision point for going with HX400s is dummyproofing - lockable simple keypad, channelized operation, submersible design/accessories and few buttons to futz with.

I hope that real world illustration helps flesh out your own points of consideration.

[DacoRoman]

I have an FT-60, and like it quite well. I can hit any repeater in my area, and our repeater system has me talking to, or at least monitoring traffic, all over Arizona.

I got into it for back country comms, and it works for that, as well as local chat nets and emergency preparedness nets. I’ve used it for back country comms once - got into a place chasing a deer I couldn’t call out from with my cell to let anybody know I was okay but going to be late getting back b/c dead deer.

Radio picked up an active net as soon as I turned it on, one of the fellows on the net called my wife to relay the message.

Got an Extra ticket for some dumb reason. Technician level equipment and bands is all I ever use.

That's way cool.

I'm still strongly considering the FT-60. It will either be that or that Anytone 878UV.

I'm learning as we go here, and I've just found out that there are no DMR repeaters in North Az. In fact, I can't find any digital repeaters period, so no Fusion or D-Star either. So especially for my first radio, any digital capability would seem totally superfluous, please correct me if I'm wrong.

That Anytone 878 looks attractive due to the interface, battery life, good speaker, and good analog capabilities but it is $209 instead of around $150 for the FT60.

OK, I'm still in analysis mode, hopefully not to reach paralysis by analysis mode :D

[DacoRoman]

For all looking to get into Ham Radio I offer a few key points as a HAM Extra ticket holder.

The test for each ticket have a limited number of test questions. If you locate one of the many websites with online practice test you can take test over and over to learn the test bank. This will help you obtain the license but you may need extra study to learn the various modes in how you wish to operate. I used ARRL Test Pools here http://arrlexamreview.appspot.com.

If you choose a 2M or dual band hand held be sure to upgrade the antenna from the rubber ducky supplied. I have a recently obtained a Yaesu FT3D which I very much endorse for ease of use and features. There are many reviews of this and other HT's online.

For a new Tech license ham a dual band mobile radio would be a good home setup with a DC power supply and short run of coax to an antenna that may be propped up in a room corner. No need of external mounting etc particularly when operating on repeaters. I have HOA restrictions that limit how I can use antennas.

If venturing into the HF bands there are several 100W radios available to enter into this area. If you are limited like I am in antenna infrastructure consider magnetic loop antennas as an option. There are limits to power and lower bands but the are great for apartments or attics. Right now the HF propagation conditions are poor as you may learn or know.

What is great about HAM radio is that you can dig as deep into electronics and antenna design as you wish and time demands are dictated on how you wish to operate and what you wish to learn.

One other item is to find what is termed as an Elmer which is a coach or mentor who has some level of experience to pass along lessons learned or knowledge regarding the art of radio operations.

I hope this general thumb nail helps new folks entering HAM.


Super, thanks for that info! I'll be sure to get a better antenna when I get my unit. What's a good outboard antenna one can put on one's truck to use with an HT?

[DacoRoman]

I just got a FT3 to complement my FT70 and I’m very happy. I recently picked up an openspot 1 and it’s great. I have access to a lot more and I can cross mode into DMR. I’m seriously considering ordering a openspot 3.

I made Technician in November and General in February. I’m almost there on Amateur Extra but I’m a few weeks out studying. I use the Ham Study app to go over the questions then use the Ham Test Prep app to take my practice tests. I hope I’ll be able to test for AR before the question pool changes on 7/1/20.

How is your battery life on the FT70? I'm looking at the FT70 as well but I was edging to the FT60R due to my ability to get a AA battery pack adapter and the supposed better battery life, and the fact that there are no digital repeaters in my area insofar as I can tell.

Is there a reason you don't use Fusion itself, no repeaters in the area, just DMR?

[JR1572]

How is your battery life on the FT70? I'm looking at the FT70 as well but I was edging to the FT60R due to my ability to get a AA battery pack adapter and the supposed better battery life, and the fact that there are no digital repeaters in my area insofar as I can tell.

Is there a reason you don't use Fusion itself, no repeaters in the area, just DMR?

The battery life on the FT70 isn’t as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I have a drop in charger, spare battery and car charger so I always have lots of juice. The battery light comes on prematurely.

I use the openspot to access Fusion and DMR repeaters because I cannot hit any of the local Fusion repeaters from my house.

I have a small magnet mount antenna on my vehicle and it helps out a good bit.

When I’m at work in the NOLA area we have a bunch of repeaters that I get on all the time. Up at my house I’m limited because I’m far away from the local repeaters and the HOA is very strict with all the Karen’s in the neighborhood minded everyone else’s business.

[RoyGBiv]

FWIW, My slightly spendy Alinco HT worked great until the battery stopped holding a charge, after about 6 months. Bought 2 Baofeng UV5-R's with extended batteries for less than one Alinco. They last forever on a charge. Been going with them for 3? years.. 2 at least.

The local weather spotter/EOC group has 10 UV5R's and 1-2 of them gets hinkey on the external mic Tx, but it's a known issue with the connector that can be fixed with a pocket knife, so, we do that when it comes up. Those are kept in reserve for when we call out the whole team to man parades and such and not everyone has a properly programmed HT. You know how that goes. :rolleyes:

The new hotness here are the Yaesu digital HT's. I like my FTM-100DR, but rarely use digital. I have it built into a pelican case that can tap into battery (LiFePo), 12v car or wall power by switching a cable (battery can be attached so it hot-swaps via power gate). We have -400DR's at the weather EOC and the weather guys (but not me) are all migrating to the FT-3DR HT's. I can buy a dozen Baofengs for the price of the 3DR, so, I'm sticking with Baofeng. YMMV.

The only thing the Baofeng doesn't do well is get wet. I keep a sandwich bag handy, and use an external mic. $8.00 from Amazon.

Caveat: I have little need for back-country comms. Our repeaters are all pretty well placed and relatively local. I can hit our primary repeater from >8 miles as the crow flies, as long as I'm not in a dell. The antenna is a hundred feet up on a tower. We also can deploy a portable repeater if needed in more remote areas. That said, my Alinco HT and Baofengs all performed similarly. YMMV

[mtnbkr]

Super, thanks for that info! I'll be sure to get a better antenna when I get my unit. What's a good outboard antenna one can put on one's truck to use with an HT?

There are a wide variety, but you'll need a cable that adapts whatever your HT's antenna interface is to the one on the antenna/mount. You're looking for something like SMA-to-UHF or BNC-to-UHF. If you get the PL-259 connector (UHF plug rather than socket) you can use a standard jumper between that and your antenna or any antenna for that matter.

Something around a half wave on 2m will do fine as long as you have it installed properly.

I use this the Larsen NMO 2/70B on a hood-lip mount. I've further bonded the hood to the body with braided ground strap. It has lived there for 10 years without incident.

Chris

[schüler]

I'm learning as we go here, and I've just found out that there are no DMR repeaters in North Az. In fact, I can't find any digital repeaters period, so no Fusion or D-Star either. So especially for my first radio, any digital capability would seem totally superfluous, please correct me if I'm wrong.


Analog gets noisy (EMI) and faint as it gets to the edge of simplex operating range. Not always easy to discern what someone is saying.

If you were still getting a pair of HTs... DMR simplex offers crystal clear audible communication over your full reception range. Also, the only persons to hear you must be operating in the same DMR mode capability.* Some of the DMR radios feature remote stun/kill function w/verification.

*Analog radios, if so equipped, can have a semblance of privacy with speech inversion modes. The better implementations of inversion will festure more than one inversion pattern, even if it is a minor tweak between options.

[DacoRoman]

The battery life on the FT70 isn’t as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I have a drop in charger, spare battery and car charger so I always have lots of juice. The battery light comes on prematurely.

I use the openspot to access Fusion and DMR repeaters because I cannot hit any of the local Fusion repeaters from my house.

I have a small magnet mount antenna on my vehicle and it helps out a good bit.

When I’m at work in the NOLA area we have a bunch of repeaters that I get on all the time. Up at my house I’m limited because I’m far away from the local repeaters and the HOA is very strict with all the Karen’s in the neighborhood minded everyone else’s business.

Good to know the battery life isn’t a big issue for you.

Can you do Fusion and DMR with the FT70?! I thought it was just Yaesu Fusion.

[DacoRoman]

Analog gets noisy (EMI) and faint as it gets to the edge of simplex operating range. Not always easy to discern what someone is saying.

If you were still getting a pair of HTs... DMR simplex offers crystal clear audible communication over your full reception range. Also, the only persons to hear you must be operating in the same DMR mode capability.* Some of the DMR radios feature remote stun/kill function w/verification.

*Analog radios, if so equipped, can have a semblance of privacy with speech inversion modes. The better implementations of inversion will festure more than one inversion pattern, even if it is a minor tweak between options.

Ahh, I didn’t realize that DMR capable radios will do digital talkie to talkie simplex communication.

Do Yaesu digital radios do digital simplex with each other as well?

[JR1572]

Good to know the battery life isn’t a big issue for you.

Can you do Fusion and DMR with the FT70?! I thought it was just Yaesu Fusion.

The radio is just Fusion, but the software on the Shark Openspot allows cross mode operation. I have an openspot 1 which is no longer made. The openspot 3 is the newest model and I believe it allows cross mode capability across all digital platforms.

[schüler]

Ahh, I didn’t realize that DMR capable radios will do digital talkie to talkie simplex communication.

Do Yaesu digital radios do digital simplex with each other as well?Yes, DMR is a protocol that can be simplex, duplex, repeated, trunked, etc. Radio range is same as analog but with clear/"full quieting" throughout the entire reception range.

DMR is also "quiet" in that there is no squelch broken unless it receives the designed DMR protocol. It is like infinite tone squelch. Also, DMR radios often have a programmable feature that prevents simultaneous talking if more than one person attemots to transmit at the same time (it eliminates "doubling").

Conversely, with digital squelch there is no way to listen to the noise floor for weak signals like you can with analog.

That said, someone at the extreme end of DMR reception range may hear digital noise when there's enough signal strength but not enough signal integrity to provide intact data stream.

A radio with both analog/digital capability may give up some weak signal performance on analog/digital ranges. Yet if you can really use or appreciate the quieting... man, a radio with both modes it's the best of both worlds.

Even our police car and side P25 radios had an 800MHz analog simplex channel in case the Wizard Of Oz public safety radio system was down. Until I saw it in our new programming channels list no one even knew we had it. It came in handy for team comm in underground tunnels or rural coversge holes. Yelling is pretty limited range.

Now, for the individual user application: Digital simplex is only a win when two or more people *regularly* use the radio in a short range geographical location. Farm, crowd management, small jobsite/plant or any other regular team comm need.

Given the multiple modes of digital (Dstar, P25, Trbo, C4FM, etc) and the unlikelihood of meeting a random stranger with the same protocol, and in absence of any repeater, it's a question of your own affordability OR or team future-proofing if 1) if your group is likely to grow at some point in the future and they plan to budget for it or 2) you are willing to invest in multiple radios yourself so everyone can communicate well in the future. Because sometimes you are preparing for others...

As an aside, I am a huge fan of Comet, Diamond or Nagoya brand 15" or so aftermarket antennas for HTs. Obvious signal improvement. Pay close attention to the antenna connector gender - brands and even models sometimes use the opposite gender antenna connectors, e.g. SMA male vs SMA female.

[mtnbkr]

Do any of you do any amateur satellite work? I'm considering purchasing an Arrow handheld satellite antenna to go with my VX-7r HT.

I'm getting kind of "meh" about HF SSB. I'm not really a rag chewer and HF ops in my immediate location is challenging due to the home density and construction.

Chris

[DacoRoman]

Yes, DMR is a protocol that can be simplex, duplex, repeated, trunked, etc. Radio range is same as analog but with clear/"full quieting" throughout the entire reception range.

DMR is also "quiet" in that there is no squelch broken unless it receives the designed DMR protocol. It is like infinite tone squelch. Also, DMR radios often have a programmable feature that prevents simultaneous talking if more than one person attemots to transmit at the same time (it eliminates "doubling").

Conversely, with digital squelch there is no way to listen to the noise floor for weak signals like you can with analog.

That said, someone at the extreme end of DMR reception range may hear digital noise when there's enough signal strength but not enough signal integrity to provide intact data stream.

A radio with both analog/digital capability may give up some weak signal performance on analog/digital ranges. Yet if you can really use or appreciate the quieting... man, a radio with both modes it's the best of both worlds.

Even our police car and side P25 radios had an 800MHz analog simplex channel in case the Wizard Of Oz public safety radio system was down. Until I saw it in our new programming channels list no one even knew we had it. It came in handy for team comm in underground tunnels or rural coversge holes. Yelling is pretty limited range.

Now, for the individual user application: Digital simplex is only a win when two or more people *regularly* use the radio in a short range geographical location. Farm, crowd management, small jobsite/plant or any other regular team comm need.

Given the multiple modes of digital (Dstar, P25, Trbo, C4FM, etc) and the unlikelihood of meeting a random stranger with the same protocol, and in absence of any repeater, it's a question of your own affordability OR or team future-proofing if 1) if your group is likely to grow at some point in the future and they plan to budget for it or 2) you are willing to invest in multiple radios yourself so everyone can communicate well in the future. Because sometimes you are preparing for others...

As an aside, I am a huge fan of Comet, Diamond or Nagoya brand 15" or so aftermarket antennas for HTs. Obvious signal improvement. Pay close attention to the antenna connector gender - brands and even models sometimes use the opposite gender antenna connectors, e.g. SMA male vs SMA female.


Many thanks for your very detailed and most excellent answer. Gives me a lot to think about. I have to say now I want that Anytone 878 since it is dual band/analog/DMR. But it's about $60 bucks outside my budget per radio meaning that I would not be able to get two, like I would with an FT60R, or even FT70. Also, possibly the worst part is that with the Anytone I need to get a virtual PC on my Mac so I can program it, I've found out..which also means getting a Windows 10 license. With the Yaesu's I can get Mac programming software easily.

...So at this point I'm thinking 2 FT60R's for old school analog only (with longer battery life and the availability of AA battery adapter pack), or possibly 2 FT70s (supposed shorter battery life be damned) to also have digital capability....or shucks... one Anytone 878, and bite the bullet and get Virtual PC with a Windows 10 license, since it would be nice to be able to run the odd Windows software that comes along...decisions decisions!

[DacoRoman]

Do any of you do any amateur satellite work? I'm considering purchasing an Arrow handheld satellite antenna to go with my VX-7r HT.

I'm getting kind of "meh" about HF SSB. I'm not really a rag chewer and HF ops in my immediate location is challenging due to the home density and construction.

Chris

Can you disabuse a clueless ham radio wannabe of his ignorance, and tell me what amateur satellite work is please?

[mtnbkr]

Can you disabuse a clueless ham radio wannabe of his ignorance, and tell me what amateur satellite work is please?

Using the amateur-radio-dedicated satellites in orbit as repeaters. There are others available for other tasks, but most hams tend to target the repeater variants.

You can also talk to the ISS from time to time.

A dual-band HT or two HTs is all that's necessary. You can go full retard with special gear, but it's not required.

www.amsat.org.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

Can you disabuse a clueless ham radio wannabe of his ignorance, and tell me what amateur satellite work is please?

I couldn't edit my post, so I am quoting a 2nd time to add a couple videos.
Low-cost-of-entry method: https (standard HT and rubber duck antenna): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGotH56scFI
Slightly more expensive method (purpose designed Arrow antenna with mobile rig, but can be used with an HT): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Ukh_nT2Tg

The Arrow antenna runs about $150 but makes things a lot easier (even if you look a bit dorky).

Chris

[DacoRoman]

I couldn't edit my post, so I am quoting a 2nd time to add a couple videos.
Low-cost-of-entry method: https (standard HT and rubber duck antenna): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGotH56scFI
Slightly more expensive method (purpose designed Arrow antenna with mobile rig, but can be used with an HT): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Ukh_nT2Tg

The Arrow antenna runs about $150 but makes things a lot easier (even if you look a bit dorky).

Chris

Wow mind blown. I had no idea that you can actually use a satellite as a repeater. Can you use a dual band analog HT, or do you have to have a digital capable unit?

Thank you very much for the info and links. I'll be checking them out!

[mtnbkr]

Wow mind blown. I had no idea that you can actually use a satellite as a repeater. Can you use a dual band analog HT, or do you have to have a digital capable unit?

Thank you very much for the info and links. I'll be checking them out!

Just a plain old dual-band HT. Or two single band HTs (2m and 70cm). Having dual-watch is helpful, but not required. Analog, not digital.

But wait, there's more...

Moon bounce. No, not the inflatable trampoline you rent for kids' parties, but bouncing signals off the frickin' moon.
Meteor scatter. Same as moon bounce, but using swarms of meteors.
VHF/UHF "weak signal".
QRP
Mountaintopping.
SSTV

Lots of nifty stuff out there...

Chris

[DacoRoman]

Just a plain old dual-band HT. Or two single band HTs (2m and 70cm). Having dual-watch is helpful, but not required. Analog, not digital.

But wait, there's more...

Moon bounce. No, not the inflatable trampoline you rent for kids' parties, but bouncing signals off the frickin' moon.
Meteor scatter. Same as moon bounce, but using swarms of meteors.
VHF/UHF "weak signal".
QRP
Mountaintopping.
SSTV

Lots of nifty stuff out there...

Chris

Mind blown again! Cool technical hobby for sure. I am caught in a quandary deciding which radio to start with but I think I’ll side step that and just start studying for the test and start learning as much as I can for now. I’ll then be in a position hopefully to make a better decision.

[Boxy]

Mind blown again! Cool technical hobby for sure. I am caught in a quandary deciding which radio to start with but I think I’ll side step that and just start studying for the test and start learning as much as I can for now. I’ll then be in a position hopefully to make a better decision.


Just wait until you are certain about the radio to acquire. Read reviews on YouTube and forums etc. One funny guy is K6UDA on YouTube. Take it easy with gear purchases as you can accumulate a pile kind of like the bin of pistol holsters and such that we accumulate with handgun stuff.

Best,

Satch

[mtnbkr]

Mind blown again! Cool technical hobby for sure. I am caught in a quandary deciding which radio to start with but I think I’ll side step that and just start studying for the test and start learning as much as I can for now. I’ll then be in a position hopefully to make a better decision.

Yup, all kinds of cool stuff to explore. Get your test behind you, honestly evaluate your interests, budget, and operating environment(s), and then decide what to get into.

For example, living in a sea of aluminum-siding-clad townhomes means HF operations at home just isn't in the cards for me. I mean, I could, but it would be full of un-fun compromises. So, I have a multi-band FM HT, a 2m FM mobile radio for my 4x4, and an HF-70cm battery-powered QRP rig for everything else. With a resonant antenna or my tuner I can set up in a variety of ways and operate just about any band or mode I want, powered by a variety of methods (including solar, which I've done).

BTW, SOTA has become my latest obsession. It fits in nicely with my love of the outdoors. I can "activate" a summit via 2m FM with my HT or go with the QRP rig and an HF frequency. The Brits, who "invented" SOTA, do it quite often with 2m FM HTs.

Chris

[DacoRoman]

Just wait until you are certain about the radio to acquire. Read reviews on YouTube and forums etc. One funny guy is K6UDA on YouTube. Take it easy with gear purchases as you can accumulate a pile kind of like the bin of pistol holsters and such that we accumulate with handgun stuff.

Best,

Satch

Will look him up thanks !

[DacoRoman]

Yup, all kinds of cool stuff to explore. Get your test behind you, honestly evaluate your interests, budget, and operating environment(s), and then decide what to get into.

For example, living in a sea of aluminum-siding-clad townhomes means HF operations at home just isn't in the cards for me. I mean, I could, but it would be full of un-fun compromises. So, I have a multi-band FM HT, a 2m FM mobile radio for my 4x4, and an HF-70cm battery-powered QRP rig for everything else. With a resonant antenna or my tuner I can set up in a variety of ways and operate just about any band or mode I want, powered by a variety of methods (including solar, which I've done).

BTW, SOTA has become my latest obsession. It fits in nicely with my love of the outdoors. I can "activate" a summit via 2m FM with my HT or go with the QRP rig and an HF frequency. The Brits, who "invented" SOTA, do it quite often with 2m FM HTs.

Chris

I‘m starting to realize that multiple types of units is the way to go. I was starting to mission creep into the thought that I could get a more full featured dual band digital capable HT right off the get go, but I’m starting to think that I should first consider
1. A basic “backup” analog dual band HT, like the Yaesu FT65, preferably two...or pay double and go FT60R, and work on getting upgraded antennas for the HTs, esp if I go FT65
2. A mobile for my truck
3. A fancier digital capable HT..with a hotspot maybe ..if I really get into it
4. Maybe start working on a home base unit ...honestly I may not get this far, but who knows

I’ll be checking out this SOTA you speak of!
!

[mtnbkr]

Today I attempted to activate Blue Mountain, aka W4V/SH-030, on 2mFM via an HT. I didn't have high hopes even though I listed the activation on the sota-watch board. Not one contact. To be fair, I couldn't have hamstrung myself more with the choice of radio and operating mode, but I didn't feel like taking a bunch of gear and decided to make this a dry run to get my procedures in place.

Next time I'll take the FT-817nd, a wire antenna to hang from the trees, and operate in the HF bands where I'll have more reach.

Chris

[peterb]

I've yet to see a 3rd party rubber ducky antenna that worked noticeably better than the factory ones, at least for those that come with the Yaesu radios I've used. It might be different for others. However, I recently became aware of the SignalStuff Super-Elastic Signal Stick antenna. Every review has been excellent and the one testing video I watched showed significant performance increases. For $20, I think I'll give it a try. The biggest downside is its length. However, you can coil it up to pack it away smaller.

Thanks for the tip! Mine just arrived. It was coiled in a 5x8 envelope and straightened right out. Haven't had time to compare to the factory duck but the local repeater sounds fine.

[mtnbkr]

Thanks for the tip! Mine just arrived. It was coiled in a 5x8 envelope and straightened right out. Haven't had time to compare to the factory duck but the local repeater sounds fine.

I got mine late last week.

As you said, it'll straighten right out. It's a long one though (phrasing?).

Receive seems about 1 S unit better, but I've yet to do a good transmit test. So far, any place I can reach with one, I can reach with the other. I did use it for my attempted SOTA activation, but I won't put my failure down to the antenna.

Chris

[JR1572]

Today I attempted to activate Blue Mountain, aka W4V/SH-030, on 2mFM via an HT. I didn't have high hopes even though I listed the activation on the sota-watch board. Not one contact. To be fair, I couldn't have hamstrung myself more with the choice of radio and operating mode, but I didn't feel like taking a bunch of gear and decided to make this a dry run to get my procedures in place.

Next time I'll take the FT-817nd, a wire antenna to hang from the trees, and operate in the HF bands where I'll have more reach.

Chris

I really want a 817/818 (https://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-FT-818ND-FT-818-Mobile-Transceiver/dp/B07C2CRSZ8/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=ft-817&qid=1612117942&sr=8-2) for a shack/portable rig but I’m not 100% sure how I would hide the antenna(s) in HOA hell.

[mtnbkr]

I really want a 817/818 for a shack/portable rig but I’m not 100% sure how I would hide the antenna(s) in HOA hell.

Have you checked with the HOA? I live in an HOA-afflicted townhouse in NoVA. When I got into radio and decided I wanted to put up an antenna, I contacted the HOA and said I wanted to put up a vertical antenna in my backyard (25x30 space with my neighbors close in around me) for "shortwave listening". The told me as long as it couldn't be seen from the street, it was ok. I had a Hustler 4BTV for a few years before removing it because I wasn't using it much and wanted to re-landscape the back yard. BTW, I used that antenna with the FT-817. I ran LMR400 cable from the rig to the antenna to conserve what little power I was putting out. :)

There are a lot of other options if you're creative. For a while, I ran a wire dipole around the top of my backyard fence. It was 6' off the ground and each leg was about 25' long. It worked with a tuner and I could tune the HF bands I wanted to use. You could do the same thing around the perimeter of the roof and thin gauge wire. I have a book on stealth radio if you want to borrow it.

As for the radio, when I got mine it was the only game in town for portable HF ops. Sure, you could make an 857 work, but you needed a helluva battery (that has improved with the current crop of Lithium-based batteries). However, for pure portable work these days, I'd have to give the Elecraft KX2 a close look. It's expensive, but comes with a lot of features I'd consider necessary. It's also smaller and lighter, though probably not as tough. However, the 817/818 (https://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-FT-818ND-FT-818-Mobile-Transceiver/dp/B07C2CRSZ8/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=ft-817&qid=1612117942&sr=8-2) covers more bands and modes.

Chris

[JR1572]

Have you checked with the HOA? I live in an HOA-afflicted townhouse in NoVA. When I got into radio and decided I wanted to put up an antenna, I contacted the HOA and said I wanted to put up a vertical antenna in my backyard (25x30 space with my neighbors close in around me) for "shortwave listening". The told me as long as it couldn't be seen from the street, it was ok. I had a Hustler 4BTV for a few years before removing it because I wasn't using it much and wanted to re-landscape the back yard. BTW, I used that antenna with the FT-817. I ran LMR400 cable from the rig to the antenna to conserve what little power I was putting out. :)

There are a lot of other options if you're creative. For a while, I ran a wire dipole around the top of my backyard fence. It was 6' off the ground and each leg was about 25' long. It worked with a tuner and I could tune the HF bands I wanted to use. You could do the same thing around the perimeter of the roof and thin gauge wire. I have a book on stealth radio if you want to borrow it.

As for the radio, when I got mine it was the only game in town for portable HF ops. Sure, you could make an 857 work, but you needed a helluva battery (that has improved with the current crop of Lithium-based batteries). However, for pure portable work these days, I'd have to give the Elecraft KX2 a close look. It's expensive, but comes with a lot of features I'd consider necessary. It's also smaller and lighter, though probably not as tough. However, the 817/818 covers more bands and modes.

Chris

I don’t want to ask the HOA because the rules specifically state the only antennas allowed are for satellite tv service. I think a hidden antenna may be what I need.

I really want to try my hand at QRP because of the low power and portability, but I also want to be able to hit the VHF/UHF repeaters and I don’t know if I can do it with 5 watts. But then again this past winter I hit a UHF repeater 35 miles away with a Baofeng handheld. I’m sure atmospheric conditions had something to do with it.

Thanks.

[mtnbkr]

I don’t want to ask the HOA because the rules specifically state the only antennas allowed are for satellite tv service. I think a hidden antenna may be what I need.
Gotcha. I don't think ours was as restrictive. I don't recall if I checked the regs or not.


I really want to try my hand at QRP because of the low power and portability, but I also want to be able to hit the VHF/UHF repeaters and I don’t know if I can do it with 5 watts. But then again this past winter I hit a UHF repeater 35 miles away with a Baofeng handheld. I’m sure atmospheric conditions had something to do with it.

Thanks.

QRP can be tough with hidden antennas because you need more/better antennas to offset the lack of power. FWIW, very thin wire, such as 26 gauge copper coated steel wire (https://thewireman.com/product/antenna-wire-26-awg-copper-clad-steel-stranded-jacketed/) can be strung as a vertical up a tree, between your house and a tree, etc and not stand out. You could also run it as a loop on top of your roof.

How far are the repeaters you want to hit? Are they all 35miles away? A VHF or UHF base antenna isn't very large and would significantly increase the reach of that HT. A homemade J-pole (or a semi-commercial one such as those by Ed's Antennas (https://edsantennas.weebly.com/) can be mounted on the roof (clamped to a vent) or on a fence. There are a lot of commercial options that run the gamut in price and cosmetics as well.

There are lots of options if you get creative. Let me know if you want to borrow that book on low profile radio. It's mainly focused on HF, but much of that info applies to VHF/UHF, it's just smaller. :)

Chris

[Clay1]

Does the HOA allow flag poles? Flag pole with antenna inside. This HOA vs ham radio operators is nothing new.

They don't need to know.

[mtnbkr]

I've said multiple times on this site that I don't like Baofeng radios based on the ones (all UV-5 models) I've been exposed to. However, I recently learned of the BF-T1 (https://www.amazon.com/Original-BAOFENG-Walkie-400-470mhz-Portable/dp/B07HBRTBDQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Bf-t1&qid=1612118069&sr=8-1). It's a very limited device, 70cm only, no wideband receive, programming strictly through a PC, and low power. However, it's tiny and there are some hardware hacking options that could be interesting. It was a whopping $19 with programming cable through Amazon, so I bought one to play with. There are a number of 70cm repeaters in the area, so it won't be entirely useless. I'm led to believe it can be opened up to transmit on 2m, but it won't perform well due to the antenna design.

Hmm...Maybe this should have gone under the Retail Therapy thread... :)

Chris

[mtnbkr]

And back to Amazon it goes. The T1 was hot garbage. No apparent front end filtering, it picked up noise from any electrical device nearby (apparently my FIOS box and every monitor in the house puts out a lot of noise on the 70cm band that my other radios filter out). It overloads easily and goes deaf as a result.

It's obvious this is just an FRS radio that Baofeng opened up to the full 70cm band via firmware. It lacks the features and mechanisms you would expect in a proper amateur kit.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

Any of you guys participating?

I hiked into the woods and set up my portable station on a bluff overlooking a regional creek. Operating as a 1B-Battery station, I essentially got blown off the air by all the D-stations allowed by the COVID-related rule changes this year. It was a nice day though.

Everything in the pic fit into the pack. I also had my HT with a Signal Stick antenna and a speaker mic so I could monitor 146.52 FM on the way to my spot just in case anyone wanted to call "CQ" on that band and mode. The HT was in a small side pocket and the antenna was fished up through some molle loops on the side of the pack, keeping it all neat and tidy.

Yeah, I'm a geek. :cool:

56467

Chris

[2xAGM114]

Newer ham; "internet General" with little practical experience. Elecraft KX2 for SOTA; FT-60 and FT-3D (https://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-FT-3DR-Digital-Transceiver-Display/dp/B07WVF9NM1/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1SM9PAA85J9VA&dchild=1&keywords=ft-3d&qid=1612118146&sprefix=Ft-3%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-4) for APRS and SOTA ascents. I still have not found a club to join. There are several locally but listening to the OMs on the repeaters bores me to tears. I have an interest in ARES but not the time currently.

I'd like to eventually purchase a base station and put up a permanent antenna. The garage seems like an ideal place to build a shack, but have concerns about the distance to the backyard and potential loss with RG-316 or RG-174 coax. I'm also in the last few lessons of learning CW, looking forward to my first CW QSO.

[mtnbkr]

Newer ham; "internet General" with little practical experience. Elecraft KX2 for SOTA; FT-60 and FT-3D for APRS and SOTA ascents. I still have not found a club to join. There are several locally but listening to the OMs on the repeaters bores me to tears. I have an interest in ARES but not the time currently.
Awesome! Congrats on getting your license.

Since the time I posted that pic above, I've acquired a KX2. Most of my activity is with SOTA, but I do a little POTA as well. The KX2 has been brilliant for that. BTW, your FT-60 is probably one of the best basic FM handhelds on the market right now.

Repeaters can be boring. I generally don't use them myself. In the age of the cell phone and ubiquitous internet, they're not that useful to me. I also did ARES for a while, but found it boring as well. Outside of "utility radio" (staying connected while hiking, hunting, four wheeling, etc), I'm strictly a SOTA/POTA operator. I enjoy the challenge of getting a station on the air in random field conditions.


I'd like to eventually purchase a base station and put up a permanent antenna. The garage seems like an ideal place to build a shack, but have concerns about the distance to the backyard and potential loss with RG-316 or RG-174 coax. I'm also in the last few lessons of learning CW, looking forward to my first CW QSO.
Don't use those types of coax for home stations. They're too lossy, especially at VHF and UHF frequencies. For HF, RG-8x would be my minimum. LMR-400 is good, but more difficult to terminate, stiff, and harder to route. There are even better choices, but the challenges with routing and termination increase yet again. How far is your coax run and what sort of power will you be running?

I'm not yet a CW op myself, but my buddy is. It's truly impressive what one can do with CW when SSB isn't cutting it.

Chris

[schüler]

Boy I know what you mean by the OM stuff. Going to attend my first Winter Field Day with them. Good thing I have other plans and people for the time and place.

Find a cable/frequency attenuation chart and choose the right feedline for your distance and environment. HF is relatively forgiving, UHF is revealing on cable attenuation.

I normally use Times Microwave LMR-400 (https://www.amazon.com/Times-Microwave-LMR-400-PL259-Coaxial/dp/B00HVJET3W/) (stationary/permanent) or LMR-400 UltraFlex (portable) cable (https://www.amazon.com/LMR-400-UltraFlex-LMR400UF-coaxial-Cable/dp/B073TR41XB/) for every serious operation run outdoor, above ground. Interesting to see hams spend a chunk of change on gear but skimp on $100 more for the right feedline for the job. Remember that attenuation works both ways - lossy on both transmit and received signals.

BuryFlex is also an option, better for harsh use or wet locations.

Sent from my VS835 using Tapatalk

[2xAGM114]

This is part of the reason I enjoy HRCC, K6ARK and HR 2.0 shows so much. It's ham radio for guys my age and not my grandparents. There seems to be an element of that OM group that believes if you didn't pass the 5 WPM novice code in the 70s and build a Heathkit crystal when you were 10, you're not worth their time or help. It's also part of the reason I believe ARRL is flailing trying to redefine itself for this generation of hams. Radios are flying off the shelves in the wake of COVID, Amazon and the like can't keep them in stock, and yet ARRL's membership per capita is the lowest it's ever been.

Chris, to answer your question it's about 30 feet from the back for the garage out to the lawn area where I would put an antenna. I'm looking seriously at a IC-7300 and a DX Commander classic vertical. I don't think a permanent dipole will fly with the neighbors.

BuryFlex sounds interesting. We're in a wet/icy environment for most of the winter.

[mtnbkr]

This is part of the reason I enjoy HRCC, K6ARK and HR 2.0 shows so much. It's ham radio for guys my age and not my grandparents. There seems to be an element of that OM group that believes if you didn't pass the 5 WPM novice code in the 70s and build a Heathkit crystal when you were 10, you're not worth their time or help. It's also part of the reason I believe ARRL is flailing trying to redefine itself for this generation of hams. Radios are flying off the shelves in the wake of COVID, Amazon and the like can't keep them in stock, and yet ARRL's membership per capita is the lowest it's ever been.
I like those shows too, though HR2.0's "reviews" can be a bit lacking. I prefer K6ARK's build and operation videos. BTW, I have attempted his micro 9:1 unun antenna (the entire unun being built onto a BNC-female connector for use with a radio like the KX2). I got almost to the end and developed a fatal flaw. I need to try it again some day. :)

To be honest, amateur radio and OMs on the Internet are not what they are "in real life". I got my Tech when code was still a requirement to upgrade beyond that, then upgraded to General right after the code requirement was dropped. Ergo I'm the worst of the no-code hams. No OM I've met in person gave two shits about that, only that I was interested in radio and used good operating and technical practices.

The biggest problem with the ARRL is that they bet everything on the emcomm aspect of the hobby and keep beating the "when all else fails" drum. Both are outdated in today's communication reality. The focus should shift to the science, technology, and engineering elements of the hobby and why RF is so damn magical and cool. :cool:


Chris, to answer your question it's about 30 feet from the back for the garage out to the lawn area where I would put an antenna. I'm looking seriously at a IC-7300 and a DX Commander classic vertical. I don't think a permanent dipole will fly with the neighbors.

BuryFlex sounds interesting. We're in a wet/icy environment for most of the winter.

For the couple years I had a station at home (station was a Yaesu FT-817nd, Hustler 4BTV vertical for HF, and a homebrew groundplane antenna for local 2m repeater), I had a single 50' run of LMR-400 that ran from my station down to my basement, out of the house to the far corner of the back yard (townhouse, small yard). The coax was run inside the privacy fence between us and our neighbor, so no need to bury it. On HF, that was overkill. For VHF/UHF the losses were acceptable for that length run and what I intended to do on those bands from home, about 1.5dB.

The 7300 is a good radio. There's a reason Icom sold a ton of them. If I ever have another home station and wanted to run QRO, I would probably get one of those and never look back.

I don't have any hands-on with that antenna, but it seems to get good reviews. Callum is engaged and provides good support.

Chris

[JohnO]

I'm looking for some advice on what's good/new in the HT market. I haven't been on the air for years now. Last HT was an ICOM 02AT I have somewhere but the batteries are shot. Recently renewed my ticket. The talk on forums and podcasts about emergency communications and SHTF talk got me thinking it might be good to have a Xmitter. I have an older Kenwood Tri-Band (2M, 220 & 440) mobile rig in a shoe box in my garage. I've had a few vehicles since I had it installed and am not planning on installing now.

Are there any Handhelds (2M or multi-band) that offer any interesting features that might peak my interest beyond just the ability of conversing with a bunch of stodgy rag chewers? I have a few buddies who got their tickets recently but if I wanted to talk to them I could just call them on their phones. See my dilemma? Another thing that got me interested is my frequent hiking and some areas I've been in with poor to no cell coverage. I see things offered like APRS, D-Star, GPS ... I'm trying to determine if there is a decent reason to get a HT where I won't just stick it in a drawer somewhere. BTW I have no interest in buying a cheap spurious emission machine like a Baofang.

[mtnbkr]

I'm looking for some advice on what's good/new in the HT market. I haven't been on the air for years now. Last HT was an ICOM 02AT I have somewhere but the batteries are shot. Recently renewed my ticket. The talk on forums and podcasts about emergency communications and SHTF talk got me thinking it might be good to have a Xmitter. I have an older Kenwood Tri-Band (2M, 220 & 440) mobile rig in a shoe box in my garage. I've had a few vehicles since I had it installed and am not planning on installing now.

Are there any Handhelds (2M or multi-band) that offer any interesting features that might peak my interest beyond just the ability of conversing with a bunch of stodgy rag chewers? I have a few buddies who got their tickets recently but if I wanted to talk to them I could just call them on their phones. See my dilemma? Another thing that got me interested is my frequent hiking and some areas I've been in with poor to no cell coverage. I see things offered like APRS, D-Star, GPS ... I'm trying to determine if there is a decent reason to get a HT where I won't just stick it in a drawer somewhere. BTW I have no interest in buying a cheap spurious emission machine like a Baofang.

Do you want to get into digital modes (DMR, CFM, or DStar)? If not, then a good basic dual-bander like the Yaesu FT-60 is your best bet. It has what is probably the best analog receiver of any HT currently available and is pretty inexpensive ($160 or so). The lower-priced Yaesus that use the same chip as the Boafengs, but with better QC, perform well, but I'd just get an FT-60 and AA battery pack and never look back.

If you're interested in digital modes, what's being used in your area or by friends? That will probably dictate which one you should try. Regardless of which one you choose, you can always get a hotspot to run at home and connect you to the world, but once the RF hits the hotspot, you're essentially using VOIP. :)

The recently discontinued Kenwood TH-D74A (https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/4074.html) has some interesting features and the ability to receive SSB if you want to listen in on HF SSB transmissions. It's pretty expensive if you can find it though ($800ish I think).

Some radios have TNCs (the kenwood mentioned above, some Yaesus, etc) which would allow you to muck about with APRS and such. Rather than getting a new radio, I have a Mobilinkd TNC3 on the way that will let me do the same thing.

There are also amateur satellites and the ISS (both voice and packet/APRS), which can be fun.

For me, SOTA has been a major invigoration of amateur radio. For that, a good 2m HT and improved antenna (roll-up j-pole in a tree, half-wave whip on the radio, etc) let you reach far from a summit and do something other than ragchew with old farts. It would combine your hiking and radio hobbies (as it does with mine). The nice thing about SOTA is that it allows you to hone your emergency comms and station set up as you'd have to do in the field if you were on the move. There are SOTA summits in CT.

ETA: Have you considered something like Yaesu's FT-818? It's not too large for backpack carry and gives you access to 160m-70cm. If you're just a Tech, you can use 6m-70cm, but gain SSB, AM, as well as the FM you'd have with an HT. I think Techs have some rights on 10m as well. Then, if you upgrade to general, you're set for HF privs. It'll run on AA batteries, an internal rechargeable, or external power. Lots of flexibility there.

Chris

[peterb]

Do you want to get into digital modes (DMR, CFM, or DStar)? If not, then a good basic dual-bander like the Yaesu FT-60 is your best bet. It has what is probably the best analog receiver of any HT currently available and is pretty inexpensive ($160 or so). The lower-priced Yaesus that use the same chip as the Boafengs, but with better QC, perform well, but I'd just get an FT-60 and AA battery pack and never look back.

For me, SOTA has been a major invigoration of amateur radio. For that, a good 2m HT and improved antenna (roll-up j-pole in a tree, half-wave whip on the radio, etc) let you reach far from a summit and do something other than ragchew with old farts. It would combine your hiking and radio hobbies (as it does with mine). The nice thing about SOTA is that it allows you to hone your emergency comms and station set up as you'd have to do in the field if you were on the move. There are SOTA summits in CT.

Yup. I just learned about SOTA(might have been here) and ordered an FT-60 and one of these: https://n9taxlabs.com/shop/ols/products/dual-band-slim-jim-antenna-with-10-or-16-foot-cable

I got my Tech roughly 30 years ago when we were using 2m HTs for hang gliding communications. Dabbled on and off over the years but nothing for a while. SOTA seems like a fun way to add radio to something I already enjoy.

[mtnbkr]

Yup. I just learned about SOTA(might have been here) and ordered an FT-60 and one of these: https://n9taxlabs.com/shop/ols/products/dual-band-slim-jim-antenna-with-10-or-16-foot-cable

I got my Tech roughly 30 years ago when we were using 2m HTs for hang gliding communications. Dabbled on and off over the years but nothing for a while. SOTA seems like a fun way to add radio to something I already enjoy.

I've been licensed for 15 years but only learned about SOTA in 2020 (pandemic lockdowns and bad weather at the start got me back into radio after not doing much for several years). I wish I had known about SOTA sooner because a lot of my mountain haunts are recognized summits!

BTW, find a way to get that antenna up as high as you can, it makes a huge difference. I use a fishing sinker on the end of a 30' length of fly fishing line (left over from when I replaced mine). I used to use a slingshot to get it up and over a high branch, but I found I can normally get it high enough without the slingshot by using the same techniques arborists use to get their lines over high branches. When I'm working SOTA on 5w 2m FM, not only do I get out as far as 60-odd miles, I get excellent signal reports. I've had a few folks think I'm using a high powered mobile rig.

FWIW, side-by-side testing shows a roll-up antenna way up in a tree will outperform a handheld yagi at ground level even though the latter is more directional.

Also, this antenna works great (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753G6P29/) if you don't have a tree to hang your antenna from. I found out about it at Bob Witte's site (http://www.k0nr.com/wordpress). He learned about it from other SOTA activators.

Chris

[JohnO]

Thanks for the replies. I got into Ham Radio in college when I saw a friend make a phone call with his HT. This was before bag phones and I thought it was ultra-cool. Two weeks later I was at the FCC building in NYC sitting for the Technicians Test (5 WPM Morse at the time too.).

My on the air time was 99.9% with my buddies from school in our local club. After college we all went our separate ways and my interest dwindled. Eventually my license lapsed. I later retested and came back as an Extra. I ran the Tri -Band Kenwood mobile rig in the car for a couple years. I had a Austin Metropolitan tri-band antenna mounted right in the center of the roof. Radio was mounted under the driver's seat, control head in the dash. I had a tri-plexer and a external speaker mounted behind my head. It all sits in a Merrell boot box in the garage.

[Guerrero]

JohnO I just picked up a Yaesu FT-70, because I too wanted something better than a BaoFeng, and the -70 allows me to try out some of the digital stuff.

[peterb]

Inspired by this thread, I went for a quick hike this afternoon up to a local viewing spot that's on the SOTA list. No response on 146.520 simplex, which didn't surprise me -- I hadn't told anyone I was going. So I tried the 2m repeater on the peak shown -- 11 miles away -- and had a brief conversation with a gentleman who said I was clean and clear. Good to know! I was using a 5w handheld with one of these: https://signalstuff.com/product/super-elastic-signal-stick-sma-male/

66896

It would've been fun to see what other repeaters I could hit, but it was in the teens with a breeze and I wasn't dressed to be still. I'll be more organized next time.

[mtnbkr]

Inspired by this thread, I went for a quick hike this afternoon up to a local viewing spot that's on the SOTA list. No response on 146.520 simplex, which didn't surprise me -- I hadn't told anyone I was going. So I tried the 2m repeater on the peak shown -- 11 miles away -- and had a brief conversation with a gentleman who said I was clean and clear. Good to know! I was using a 5w handheld with one of these: https://signalstuff.com/product/super-elastic-signal-stick-sma-male/

66896

It would've been fun to see what other repeaters I could hit, but it was in the teens with a breeze and I wasn't dressed to be still. I'll be more organized next time.

Sign up for SOTA and put in a spot while you're out there or ask someone who you contact to spot you (if they participate). Also, it's valid to get a contact through the repeater to QSY to 146.52 and get your official contact that way.

The Signal Stick is a quarter wave whip and would benefit somewhat from a counterpoise wire. That said, I use a Signal Stick on my VX-7 for SOTA too. I set the radio and antenna up as an integrated unit into my pack, then pull a speakermic around to my chest strap. I tend to call CQ right as I hit the summit to kind of prime things, so it certainly works.

Chris

[Guerrero]

You guys are going to start costing me a lot of money. Just sayin'.

[JohnO]

You guys are going to start costing me a lot of money. Just sayin'.

Yah think?

Here I am wondering why I'm thinking about a radio at all. Earlier you suggested the FT-70. I've already graduated to video reviews of the FT-3DR. :cool:

[Wheeler]

You guys are going to start costing me a lot of money. Just sayin'.

Just wait until you start looking at HF... :)

[Guerrero]

Yah think?

Here I am wondering why I'm thinking about a radio at all. Earlier you suggested the FT-70. I've already graduated to video reviews of the FT-3DR. :cool:

I have *some* restraint. I don't even have my license yet.

[mtnbkr]

Just wait until you start looking at HF... :)

IKR.

Though, if you learn CW the cost of HF *can* take a nosedive.

Chris

[JohnO]

I have *some* restraint. I don't even have my license yet.

Back when I first passed the test I ordered and received an Icom -2AT. I had that radio for a couple of weeks before I got my license in the mail. As I remember it it was a long and agonizing wait. I was chomping at the bit to get on the air. I had a radio but no Call Sign.

[Guerrero]

Back when I first passed the test I ordered and received an Icom -2AT. I had that radio for a couple of weeks before I got my license in the mail. As I remember it it was a long and agonizing wait. I was chomping at the bit to get on the air. I had a radio but no Call Sign.

Why should that stop you? :rolleyes:

[2xAGM114]

Yah think?

Here I am wondering why I'm thinking about a radio at all. Earlier you suggested the FT-70. I've already graduated to video reviews of the FT-3DR. :cool:

Chris recommended the FT-60, which I got and is the perfect radio for a new technician. It does everything you want, very well. With a "signal stick" antenna I'm regularly talking to people five miles out on simplex.

Then I got interested in APRS and got a FT-3DR. It's a rich feature set for APRS and touchscreen, but I miss the simplicity and very long battery life of the FT-60. The FT3-DR with all the APRS features turned on will drain its battery in a day, easy. Recommend keeping the GPS and modem turned off unless you need them.

[Wheeler]

IKR.

Though, if you learn CW the cost of HF *can* take a nosedive.

Chris

As I understand it there are computer programs that will translate typed messages to Morse and then interface with the transceiver to transmit in code. Is that the way to go or is it really beneficial to learn to send and receive Morse by hand and ear?

[peterb]

You guys are going to start costing me a lot of money. Just sayin'.

In addition to radios, there's the quest for the "best" antenna, which ends up being like the big box o' holsters..... :)

[mtnbkr]

As I understand it there are computer programs that will translate typed messages to Morse and then interface with the transceiver to transmit in code. Is that the way to go or is it really beneficial to learn to send and receive Morse by hand and ear?

Those programs aren't 100% accurate. My KX2 can translate code and display it on the screen, but it doesn't always get it right.

I'm still learning and am far from getting on the air with it, but my feeling is that you're better to learn to "hear" the characters than to rely on a computer.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

In addition to radios, there's the quest for the "best" antenna, which ends up being like the big box o' holsters..... :)

You're not kidding. I have four HF antennas and 3 VHF antennas (not including the factory ones for those radios). I'm in the process of shopping for a new HF antenna (Wolf River Coils TIA Mini is in the lead at the moment).

Chris

[ST911]

@JohnO (https://pistol-forum.com/member.php?u=1600) I just picked up a Yaesu FT-70, because I too wanted something better than a BaoFeng, and the -70 allows me to try out some of the digital stuff.


Yah think? Here I am wondering why I'm thinking about a radio at all. Earlier you suggested the FT-70. I've already graduated to video reviews of the FT-3DR. :cool:

Playing with a FT-70DR now. Handy, performance good so far, UI is decent.

Anyone done this mod yet? https://radioaficion.com/cms/yaesu-ft-70dr-modification/

[Guerrero]

Playing with a FT-70DR now. Handy, performance good so far, UI is decent.

Anyone done this mod yet? https://radioaficion.com/cms/yaesu-ft-70dr-modification/

What will that do? Back when my eyesight was a little better and my hands a little steadier, that mod would be no sweat.

[ST911]

What will that do? Back when my eyesight was a little better and my hands a little steadier, that mod would be no sweat.

Opens TX options that are otherwise hardware limited to RX only.

[mtnbkr]

Opens TX options that are otherwise hardware limited to RX only.

I'm familiar with the mod as it's been around for ages (also accessible via software in many radios if you use certain programming apps other than Chirp).

Unless you are licensed for those frequencies, why would you do that? There's no lack of space within the amateur-accessible 2m band and you're more likely to be heard there than the non-amateur space above it.

Chris

[JohnO]

I ordered a FT-70DR from HRO. It arrived the next day. Can't bet that with a stick!

I've had the radio for 4 days and have played with it a little. Best thing I did was download the programing software from the Yeasu's FT-70 downloads page. Much easier to populate memory locations rather that all the convoluted key strokes and knob twists.

Things have come a long way since my first HT a Icom-2AT. You set the single frequency via thumb wheels, no memory locations. Plus I had to add a tone board set for our club repeater's PL tone and solder in a diode to get a 1 Meg split for our repeater.

[Wheeler]

So in the past month I did a couple of things.

I bought one of these:
68835

I then studied for and got one of these:
68836

I then installed a separate grounding system in the basement and a 40m dipole in the attic. I’m planning on building a j pole today to get on the local repeaters and do some experimenting with the BF-FT8-HP, (that’s an 8 watt, VHF/UHF transceiver for those that don’t follow chinesium radios.)

Finally, part 6 of my nefarious plan is to start reading this:
68837

I have very specific goals for being able to use HF radio. Most of those goals require a general license which is why I went with a 40m dipole based on advice given by others. As of right now I’m trying to keep the antennas as stealthy as possible which is why things are going in the attic.

[Welder]

I'm going to throw this question out there and then go to work. If a person lived behind a ridge that separated them from civilization by about 300' of altitude, would there be any point to trying to have a base station at their location? Let's say the ridge was nearly vertical and the base of it was about 200 yards from their house, traveling in one direction without end and the other direction about 1/4 mile before abruptly ending in a narrow notch which allowed traffic in and out of the area before another mountain rose and continued on.

Hopefully that made sense.

[Wheeler]

I'm going to throw this question out there and then go to work. If a person lived behind a ridge that separated them from civilization by about 300' of altitude, would there be any point to trying to have a base station at their location? Let's say the ridge was nearly vertical and the base of it was about 200 yards from their house, traveling in one direction without end and the other direction about 1/4 mile before abruptly ending in a narrow notch which allowed traffic in and out of the area before another mountain rose and continued on.

Hopefully that made sense.
Yes. Using HF and a NVIS, Near Vertical Incidence Skywave antenna you can reach out to 400 miles max and 200 miles typically. The only downside is the first bounce off the ionosphere is around 20 miles from your station.

You could cover that gap with a VHF repeater on the ridge or look to see if there are already repeaters in your area, but that will make you dependent on someone else’s gear.

[mtnbkr]

It wouldn't even need to be NVIS unless you are primarily concerned with talking to locals. I've worked DX from within a valley on 40m and made long-haul contacts within the US on 40, 20, and 15 from similar conditions. BTW, coast-to-coast contacts in the US are much longer than contacts considered "DX" in Europe. Their DX is like our state-to-state work. From a summit in VA, I worked France in one direction and California in the other. France was about 3000ish miles, while California was 2000ish.

But, if you want to do VHF work, especially on repeaters, you're going to have a tough time in the direction of that summit.

You *might* use a directional antenna pointed at that notch in the mountain. With enough power, you could get enough RF through the notch to hit users on the other side (users being simplex Ops or repeaters), but their signals may not make it back to you unless they're doing something similar.

What exactly are your goals?

Chris

[mtnbkr]

Speaking of radio plans, A buddy gave me an open-ended loan of his spare Icom 746Pro. I've been gathering parts so I can build an EFHW autotransformer for 20m/10m (and later 40m once I build a coil for that band since I don't have enough linear space for a 65' wire). I'm going with something in the range of 1:64 using an FT240-43 toroid and solid copper wire for the windings. The transformer will be at the top of the mast just behind my townhouse and slope down to the opposite corner of the yard. That's a 40' shot, but the radiator will only be about 32'-35' until I add the coil later on.

Chris

[rkittine]

6m and 10m might make it using ground wave. You would have to test higher frequencies (unless you can put a remote base on the ridge top, which I do in Sag Harbor as I am on the water at Sea level My Yaesu FT8900 has cross band mode.

With much of HF, you might not even get over the ridge. Have seen plenty of times when HF through Bounce may allow communications thousands of miles away, but not a few miles due to lack of adequate ground wave performance.

Find a local ham club, have come people come to your location and try some things.

Bob WA2YDV

[mtnbkr]

6m and 10m might make it using ground wave. You would have to test higher frequencies (unless you can put a remote base on the ridge top, which I do in Sag Harbor as I am on the water at Sea level My Yaesu FT8900 has cross band mode.

With much of HF, you might not even get over the ridge. Have seen plenty of times when HF through Bounce may allow communications thousands of miles away, but not a few miles due to lack of adequate ground wave performance.

Find a local ham club, have come people come to your location and try some things.

Bob WA2YDV

The problem with 6m and 10m is that nobody may be listening. I've been playing with 6m a lot this year (I have an HT that does 6m FM and AM). Except during the VHF contest back in January, I've not heard a peep on 6m. Even then, I had to coordinate on 2m, then move to 6m. I went camping back in Febuary and had a 6m j-pole up in a tree the entire time (the base of the antenna was at 10'). I called CQ periodically the entire trip and heard nothing in response.

It all comes back to what Welder wants to do. If he's looking to communicate with folks on the other side of that mountain, he has his work cut out for him. If he just wants to get on the air and make contacts with *anyone*, then HF will do just fine.

Actually, just had a thought...
Depending on paths and such, amateur satellite comms may be an option. It's not a 24x7 mode of operation, but it would get you over that hump. A person could get started in that with a relatively minor outlay of cash. But, the operator would be at the mercy of the satellite schedules.

Chris

[rkittine]

Set up your 6 meter and 10 meter receivers on the Beacon Frequencies. CW is best followed by SSB, but FM can work. As soon as you hear a beacon get on. I have worked a lot oof DX on 6 and 10, just monitoring for the bands being open and skip being in. Ground wave is for sure more problematic, but worth looking into.

I have worked Europe many times on a converted SSB CB Radio. In the old days, we used to watch Channel 2 on TV for band openings based on reception, but how many people are using TV antennas these days?

Bob

[Welder]

As far as what I want to do, heck I don't know! :D But I think it'd be nice to talk locally. The closest I've had to ham radios have been CB's in various trucks over the years, and a scanner I used to keep in my Mustang in my college days, thinking it made me cool.

It's pretty much just a thought exercise at the moment.

[rkittine]

Find a local HAM Radio club and make some local friends that will for sure help you out.

Bob WA2YDV

[Clusterfrack]

I get that the amateur radio market is small, but ham radio technology seems like it's at least 10 years behind modern standards. I don't think it's too much to ask for:

-Bluetooth interface with an iPhone/Android app that gives full control of the device
-Cloud service for storing device information
-High quality displays appropriate for the cost of the devices
-Standard user interface across the entire product line
-Regular and easy firmware updates
-Ability to search for and automatically enter info for nearby repeaters using GPS (using the app).
-Automatic RepeaterBook frequency entry, with automatic offset & code

And that's just what I though up in 5 minutes after a cup of coffee. What other modern features would you like in your transceivers?

[Wheeler]

I get that the amateur radio market is small, but ham radio technology seems like it's at least 10 years behind modern standards. I don't think it's too much to ask for:

-Bluetooth interface with an iPhone/Android app that gives full control of the device
-Cloud service for storing device information
-High quality displays appropriate for the cost of the devices
-Standard user interface across the entire product line
-Regular and easy firmware updates
-Ability to search for and automatically enter info for nearby repeaters using GPS (using the app).
-Automatic RepeaterBook frequency entry, with automatic offset & code

And that's just what I though up in 5 minutes after a cup of coffee. What other modern features would you like in your transceivers?

There’s a couple of videos floating around about completely wireless control of an Icom 705. There’s also dongles you can buy for the CAT ports that allow Bluetooth interface with radios. I mention those only because the industry is slowly turning in that direction.

There are more curmudgeons in amateur radio bragging about their ability to code and make contacts using a bent coat hanger and an antenna than 1911 toting advocates of the Weaver stance at a Gunsite convention.

None of the companies are willing to acknowledge a standard that has been branded by a competitor. It’s worse than the ammo names between S&W, Colt, Remington, Winchester, and Savage 115 years ago. Products are made for a very short time and then disappear from the market. Finding any support for my Yaesu FT-897 is either extremely expensive or non existent.

Most of the products seem to be geared towards the various forms of congestion or separating dollars from new hams that don’t know any better. Finding gear that is actually capable of sustained field use without some form of climate control is very expensive or there’s a a robust marketing campaign with no product.

I’m almost positive KelTec based their business model off of the amateur radio industry. :)

[mtnbkr]

I get that the amateur radio market is small, but ham radio technology seems like it's at least 10 years behind modern standards. I don't think it's too much to ask for:

-Bluetooth interface with an iPhone/Android app that gives full control of the device
-Cloud service for storing device information
-High quality displays appropriate for the cost of the devices
-Standard user interface across the entire product line
-Regular and easy firmware updates
-Ability to search for and automatically enter info for nearby repeaters using GPS (using the app).
-Automatic RepeaterBook frequency entry, with automatic offset & code

And that's just what I though up in 5 minutes after a cup of coffee. What other modern features would you like in your transceivers?

What Wheeler said.

What's your use case for having your radio integrated with your phone? I'm assuming you mean your HT, so I'm not seeing how that would be useful.
Same for cloud storage. Unless you're going to build network (wifi or cell) access into the radio, you're going to need a computer, so why not just store the config file there. They're pretty small, it's not like backing up your phone.

The problem with being automatically able to search for and enter repeaters based on GPS is that with repeaters being mostly privately owned, their existence is not always a sure thing. Someone would have to maintain that database. One can use Chirp to access RepeaterBook and essentially copy/paste repeater configs into your radio's config, so no need to manually enter them. You do have to do that before going to the field though.

For myself and my specific use cases specific to HTs...
-Consistent interfaces. I don't care about menus, but can we use some basic conventions? Can we at least get consistency within a manufacturer? The menu on my buddy's FT-60 is completely different than that on my VX-7r. They're both from the same manufacturer!
-A single-band HT with a GOOD receiver (sensitivity, ability to reject adjacent signals or out-of-band signals). None of the current FM HTs have a good receiver aside from the Yaesu FT-60. Because they all have to receive broadcast FM and every discarded public service band known to man, every damn one suffers from overload in metro areas or near rural broadcast towers.
-Standardization of charging ports and do away with requirements to use charging bases. Either 12v standard input or even USB-C PD if I'm able to dream.

In the portable HF arena, I've got everything I want in an Elecraft KX2. Damn thing makes portable operation feel like cheating.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

None of the companies are willing to acknowledge a standard that has been branded by a competitor.
That's why we have DMR, DSTar, and Fusion instead of a single standard.



Finding any support for my Yaesu FT-897 is either extremely expensive or non existent.
What are you looking for? There are several independent shops that could work on your radio. One thing hams are good at is keeping older radios running.



Finding gear that is actually capable of sustained field use without some form of climate control is very expensive or there’s a a robust marketing campaign with no product.
What does "sustained field use" mean? People like to claim the Elecraft KX2 is too delicate and not good for that sort of thing, but I still manage to take it camping, hiking, and biking.
There have been a few good entrances into the portable market this year, but COVID has delayed widespread rollout (Lab599 for example). I saw the Icom 705 at HRO the other day. It's a nice radio, but too chunky for my needs.

Chris

[Clusterfrack]

A few more thoughts. It's interesting that so many Hams don't find current radios wanting in features. I feel like I'm using the radio equivalent of an 8-track tape player. Here are a few of my needs:

I want to be able to travel and have local repeaters appear in my HT and mobile.

When I buy a new radio, I want it to be easy to update my frequencies. RepeaterBook is updated reasonably often, and is a good starting point.

Each frequency should be easy to find, based on its location and other parameters.

A good example of device-app integration are the Garmin InReach devices.

Chirp is an awful piece of software that would have been awful in 1990, let alone 2021. RT works better but is hardly a modern application. And what is up with all the proprietary cables?

I want to be able to program my radios in the field (and while traveling).

Agree about consistent interfaces. An app would make it easy to access every feature on a radio.


What Wheeler said.

What's your use case for having your radio integrated with your phone? I'm assuming you mean your HT, so I'm not seeing how that would be useful.
Same for cloud storage. Unless you're going to build network (wifi or cell) access into the radio, you're going to need a computer, so why not just store the config file there. They're pretty small, it's not like backing up your phone.

The problem with being automatically able to search for and enter repeaters based on GPS is that with repeaters being mostly privately owned, their existence is not always a sure thing. Someone would have to maintain that database. One can use Chirp to access RepeaterBook and essentially copy/paste repeater configs into your radio's config, so no need to manually enter them. You do have to do that before going to the field though.

For myself and my specific use cases specific to HTs...
-Consistent interfaces. I don't care about menus, but can we use some basic conventions? Can we at least get consistency within a manufacturer? The menu on my buddy's FT-60 is completely different than that on my VX-7r. They're both from the same manufacturer!
-A single-band HT with a GOOD receiver (sensitivity, ability to reject adjacent signals or out-of-band signals). None of the current FM HTs have a good receiver aside from the Yaesu FT-60. Because they all have to receive broadcast FM and every discarded public service band known to man, every damn one suffers from overload in metro areas or near rural broadcast towers.
-Standardization of charging ports and do away with requirements to use charging bases. Either 12v standard input or even USB-C PD if I'm able to dream.

In the portable HF arena, I've got everything I want in an Elecraft KX2. Damn thing makes portable operation feel like cheating.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

It's interesting that so many Hams don't find current radios wanting in features.
For me, it's about having a better radio. I want fewer features and better performance in the core device. I do silly things like stand on mountain tops and talk to people 30-60 miles away. A radio that sings and dances but can't manage that is of no use to *me*.


I want to be able to travel and have local repeaters appear in my HT and mobile.
When I buy a new radio, I want it to be easy to update my frequencies. RepeaterBook is updated reasonably often, and is a good starting point.
Each frequency should be easy to find, based on its location and other parameters.[/quote]
As in magically appear as you move into range of a new repeater? Would it retain the old repeaters or remove them as you moved out of range? What dictated that range? There are repeaters I can reach from close to 100 miles away, especially if I'm on a mountain top, and others I can't touch more than 20 miles away.


Chirp is an awful piece of software that would have been awful in 1990, let alone 2021. RT works better but is hardly a modern application. And what is up with all the proprietary cables?
I agree it's awful, but it's so much better than what came before. Agree completely on the cables. I have 4 radios and 3 cables. I don't have 4 cables because one of those radios is dead simple and used for simplex only, so don't need to program anything.


I want to be able to program my radios in the field (and while traveling).
I'm not really a repeater user, how often do you need to reprogram while on the go? I can add a single repeater to my two HTs pretty easily, but if I were doing a bunch, I'd want to use a computer. But, I could do it in a pinch.


Agree about consistent interfaces. An app would make it easy to access every feature on a radio.
It may be down to differences in how we use our radios, but I can't imagine a feature on an HT that would be easier to use by pulling out a 2nd radio (phone) to use it. I kind of have that now when I use APRS because I run the control software on my phone and it's tedious. Also, I use my radio a lot where phones don't have service, so it's not unusual to leave it behind.

Chris

[Clusterfrack]

For me, it's about having a better radio. I want fewer features and better performance in the core device. I do silly things like stand on mountain tops and talk to people 30-60 miles away. A radio that sings and dances but can't manage that is of no use to *me*.


Agree. But can't we have both a quality transceiver and a modern UX?



When I buy a new radio, I want it to be easy to update my frequencies. RepeaterBook is updated reasonably often, and is a good starting point.
Each frequency should be easy to find, based on its location and other parameters.
As in magically appear as you move into range of a new repeater? Would it retain the old repeaters or remove them as you moved out of range? What dictated that range? There are repeaters I can reach from close to 100 miles away, especially if I'm on a mountain top, and others I can't touch more than 20 miles away.
[/QUOTE]

I would want my iPhone app to be able to search for repeaters in the area, and then populate a set of channels in my radio.

Given how little memory it requires to store frequency and repeater settings, I don't see any reason to erase old settings. Just flag them by date, location, group, and make it easy to find them while driving or hiking. As well, I'd like to be able to share settings with other users to make it easy to use the same stations.

As it is, I use a system that codes stations by geographic location and link group--all in 16 characters. Some radios can't even store 16 characters.



I agree it's awful, but it's so much better than what came before. Agree completely on the cables. I have 4 radios and 3 cables. I don't have 4 cables because one of those radios is dead simple and used for simplex only, so don't need to program anything.

Yep. There should be zero cables. It's 2021. We have ways to interface with devices that don't require cables.



I'm not really a repeater user, how often do you need to reprogram while on the go? I can add a single repeater to my two HTs pretty easily, but if I were doing a bunch, I'd want to use a computer. But, I could do it in a pinch.

It may be down to differences in how we use our radios, but I can't imagine a feature on an HT that would be easier to use by pulling out a 2nd radio (phone) to use it. I kind of have that now when I use APRS because I run the control software on my phone and it's tedious. Also, I use my radio a lot where phones don't have service, so it's not unusual to leave it behind.


Yes, I think we use our radios very differently. I almost always use repeaters, and when available, linked repeaters. I do not participate in Ham group events or competitions. I would use APRS, except it's hard to set up and occupies one of my VX-8's 2 transceivers. If I had an app that made it easy to set up and turn APRS on and off, I would use it more.

And no matter how far out I am, I'm never without my iPhone--especially because it makes using my InReach satellite device so much easier.

[mtnbkr]

Agree. But can't we have both a quality transceiver and a modern UX?
I'd be happy to have both, but I put the priority for me on receiver performance, reliability, and durability. I already deal with a miniature computer (phone) in my pocket daily and sit in front of one at work. I kind of like going out into the field and not having that aspect of my life follow me there. :)

[QUOTE=Clusterfrack;1197223]I would want my iPhone app to be able to search for repeaters in the area, and then populate a set of channels in my radio.

Given how little memory it requires to store frequency and repeater settings, I don't see any reason to erase old settings. Just flag them by date, location, group, and make it easy to find them while driving or hiking. As well, I'd like to be able to share settings with other users to make it easy to use the same stations.
Gotcha! I thought you were doing that searching and repeater management via the radio itself.


As it is, I use a system that codes stations by geographic location and link group--all in 16 characters. Some radios can't even store 16 characters.
I know. There are a few clubs in the region that have multiple repeaters for different bands. I try to store them by club call sign and the band, but don't always have enough space. :rolleyes:


Yep. There should be zero cables. It's 2021. We have ways to interface with devices that don't require cables.
Baby steps. Let's get a standardized physical interface first. :)


Yes, I think we use our radios very differently. I almost always use repeaters, and when available, linked repeaters. I do not participate in Ham group events or competitions. I would use APRS, except it's hard to set up and occupies one of my VX-8's 2 transceivers. If I had an app that made it easy to set up and turn APRS on and off, I would use it more.
I seldom use repeaters. I think I have about 5, maybe 10 minutes of time on repeaters since getting my license 15 years ago. I keep a few plugged into my VX-7 because that's kind of my outdoor-adventure-multipurpose HT (waterproof, quad-band, etc). My SOTA-specific 2m one doesn't have any repeaters programmed.

I mainly use APRS for two purposes: to self-spot for SOTA when I don't have a cell signal and to send my wife text messages also when I'm out of range.

Semi-related: https://www.outsideonline.com/2421479/ham-radio-hobby-summit

Chris

[Wheeler]

What are you looking for? There are several independent shops that could work on your radio. One thing hams are good at is keeping older radios running.

I'm looking for a replacement LCD screen. Yaesu will sell me the entire front panel assembly for just under $200. If you have a source for the LCD only I'd appreciate it.



What does "sustained field use" mean? People like to claim the Elecraft KX2 is too delicate and not good for that sort of thing, but I still manage to take it camping, hiking, and biking.
There have been a few good entrances into the portable market this year, but COVID has delayed widespread rollout (Lab599 for example). I saw the Icom 705 at HRO the other day. It's a nice radio, but too chunky for my needs.

Chris

I may be LARPing a bit here, if so please bear with me.

I got into this for the specific purpose of having non-infrastructure dependent communications with family members in other states. To me that means not having the benefit of climate controlled facilities such as what recently happened to the folks in Texas. I spent a lot of time looking at the various QRP radios with the idea of having something packable in mind. I've spent a fair amount of time drooling over the Lab599 as well as the LNR LT11. I think the Lab599 is an excellent attempt at something that would somewhat ruggedized as well. I'm not looking for a green radio like a SINCGARS, just something that is not so susceptible to condensation and being bumped around in a pack.

[mtnbkr]

I'm looking for a replacement LCD screen. Yaesu will sell me the entire front panel assembly for just under $200. If you have a source for the LCD only I'd appreciate it.
Just under $200 for a major component in an out-of-production radio doesn't seem too bad. It should be more or less drop-in.

A quick google search turned up this: https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/ft897-screen.728231/
which led to this source for a non-Yaesu replacement for $75: http://vk5kbb.com/vk5kbb2_003.htm

I'd be inclined to get the factory replacement while they're still available to ensure fully compatibility and a refresh of other components.



I may be LARPing a bit here, if so please bear with me.

I got into this for the specific purpose of having non-infrastructure dependent communications with family members in other states. To me that means not having the benefit of climate controlled facilities such as what recently happened to the folks in Texas. I spent a lot of time looking at the various QRP radios with the idea of having something packable in mind. I've spent a fair amount of time drooling over the Lab599 as well as the LNR LT11. I think the Lab599 is an excellent attempt at something that would somewhat ruggedized as well. I'm not looking for a green radio like a SINCGARS, just something that is not so susceptible to condensation and being bumped around in a pack.

Virtually all of my operating is portable outdoors. The link I provided in my previous post about SOTA is what I'm into. I also do Parks On The Air (POTA), but typically do parks I can either bike to or involve some hiking ("parks" include WMAs, National Parks, and State or National forests). My radio, an Elecraft KX2 (there's a picture of one being used in that SOTA article), spends a lot of time in packs and being operated in less than ideal conditions. While I wouldn't pull it out in driving rain, I have used it while being snowed on and in temps ranging from the 20s on up to the 80s (only got it this past Fall). Prior to getting the KX2, I had an FT-817nd for about 12 years. It too held up well, but I wanted the KX2 for the size and for some features not found in the 817. I've heard stories of people doing SOTA activation dropping the 817 or having heavy rocks falling on it, so I'd class it as "durable". The KX2 is not as durable, but I haven't run into problems as a result. Are either susceptible to moisture? Probably after a fashion, but nothing that has been an issue for me.

The Lab599 looks really good, but I haven't seen one in the flesh yet. I have a local HMO, so once they have them in stock, I may go check one out in person. Do you mean LNR LD-11? I can't find an LT11. The LD-11 looks interesting, but I haven't heard anything yet. Their Mountain Topper CW rigs are popular and strong performers.

Chris

[Wheeler]

Just under $200 for a major component in an out-of-production radio doesn't seem too bad. It should be more or less drop-in.

A quick google search turned up this: https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/ft897-screen.728231/
which led to this source for a non-Yaesu replacement for $75: http://vk5kbb.com/vk5kbb2_003.htm

I'd be inclined to get the factory replacement while they're still available to ensure fully compatibility and a refresh of other components.




Virtually all of my operating is portable outdoors. The link I provided in my previous post about SOTA is what I'm into. I also do Parks On The Air (POTA), but typically do parks I can either bike to or involve some hiking ("parks" include WMAs, National Parks, and State or National forests). My radio, an Elecraft KX2 (there's a picture of one being used in that SOTA article), spends a lot of time in packs and being operated in less than ideal conditions. While I wouldn't pull it out in driving rain, I have used it while being snowed on and in temps ranging from the 20s on up to the 80s (only got it this past Fall). Prior to getting the KX2, I had an FT-817nd for about 12 years. It too held up well, but I wanted the KX2 for the size and for some features not found in the 817. I've heard stories of people doing SOTA activation dropping the 817 or having heavy rocks falling on it, so I'd class it as "durable". The KX2 is not as durable, but I haven't run into problems as a result. Are either susceptible to moisture? Probably after a fashion, but nothing that has been an issue for me.

The Lab599 looks really good, but I haven't seen one in the flesh yet. I have a local HMO, so once they have them in stock, I may go check one out in person. Do you mean LNR LD-11? I can't find an LT11. The LD-11 looks interesting, but I haven't heard anything yet. Their Mountain Topper CW rigs are popular and strong performers.

Chris

I have been to that guy’s page several times and never saw that link for the screens. Go figure...Thanks for the link.

I fully intend to start getting involved in the SOTA, POTA activations. I figure it will be good practice and experience.

You are correct. The LD-11. It has already been discontinued. There’s an updated version that’s an SDR but is only being marketed in Europe as best I can figure.

I’m glad to hear the radios are tougher than I’d been led to believe. I also looked long and hard at the FT-817/818s. Finding the FT-897 at a local-ish Hamfest for $400 was one of the major deciding factors in buying it, even knowing about the faulty display up front. Another $200 is blowing the budget I set, as I was trying to stay under $1000 for an HF/VHF/UHF ‘base station’ with antennas that is capable of FT8, Winlink, or one of the other digital “texting” options. That might be unrealistic budget but I’m going to try to stick to it.

Thanks for the advice and feedback.

[mtnbkr]

I fully intend to start getting involved in the SOTA, POTA activations. I figure it will be good practice and experience.

It's just plain fun and is good justification for new radios. :)

BTW, depending on how active SOTA is your area, 2m FM with an HT and good antenna (j-pole, Arrow II yagi, etc) can be very productive. I've done all but two of my activations this calendar year on 2m. I could have done those two on 2m, but I wanted to play on HF.

POTA is typically HF-oriented, though I did "chase" an local activator on 2m. No reason not to try...

Chris

[mtnbkr]

I did an "interesting" SOTA/POTA activation on W4V/SH-021, aka Johnnie's Knob and K-4526, The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. This summit hasn't been activated since 2016, but the national forest has been activated several times recently (probably elsewhere). There was no trail to the summit, the entire climb was bushwacking while following a GPS to a coordinate. The activations themselves went smoothly, and I managed to make two contacts on 6m FM. There was other traffic on 6m, but it didn't seem they could hear me.

After making a couple contacts on 6m, I moved to 40m and made 8 more. Satisfied I had what I needed for the activations, I decided to pack away the HF gear and play on 6m FM for a while. I got my j-pole antenna back up in a tree and started to call CQ when I noticed a roaring sound off in the distance (maybe 100-150ys). I couldn't see anything, but my buddy, who was also doing a SOTA activation there heard it as well. Having hunted this valley for over 20 years, I'm pretty familiar with the animals that live there and there was only one thing that would make that sound, a black bear. I've come across black bears many times in that valley and elsewhere in the Blue Ridge Mtns, but they've never made a peep, just turned tail and run. This was the first time I've heard them make any vocalizations. Needless to say, we decided we should pack up and head out. We each stood watch for the other while packing up, then hiked down the ridge a bit in the opposite direction of "the sound" before heading down the mountain. The rest of the hike was non-existent, but this activation was certain memorable. :)

It sounded exactly like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4yEIbZY08A

Operating position and view of direction our "bear" was hailing us from (those are 15' tall rock plateaus we're on):
69140

Chris

[mtnbkr]

I checked the location of my other 6m contact. Georgia! From the northern border of VA! With me using an HT! Must have been a helluva opening on the 6m band yesterday. :cool:

Chris

[2xAGM114]

I've got the KX2 but don't really have a 6m resonant-ish antenna and have not ever made a contact there. Are you using a random length and the KX2's ATU to get decent SWRs for 6m?

Last summer I activated a summit in southern WA, Chase Mountain W7W/WE-007 which required an overland drive in the truck and then about a mile of bushwhacking in heavy woods. Once at the top I set up my tent, built a fire and got on 2m to start my activation while intending the spend the night solo. Some time after dark I heard a sizeable pack of coyotes move through the area down the hill, maybe a hundred yards out. Not wanting to meet them face-to-face I started making the most gawd awful human howls loudly in their direction to make my presence known. I also made that fire as big as I safely could and woke up several times to repeat the process through the night. I was never so grateful to have the OMs ragchewing on the repeater down in the valley below as I fell asleep with the radio on.

Really cool experience I never want to repeat.

[mtnbkr]

I've got the KX2 but don't really have a 6m resonant-ish antenna and have not ever made a contact there. Are you using a random length and the KX2's ATU to get decent SWRs for 6m?

Last summer I activated a summit in southern WA, Chase Mountain W7W/WE-007 which required an overland drive in the truck and then about a mile of bushwhacking in heavy woods. Once at the top I set up my tent, built a fire and got on 2m to start my activation while intending the spend the night solo. Some time after dark I heard a sizeable pack of coyotes move through the area down the hill, maybe a hundred yards out. Not wanting to meet them face-to-face I started making the most gawd awful human howls loudly in their direction to make my presence known. I also made that fire as big as I safely could and woke up several times to repeat the process through the night. I was never so grateful to have the OMs ragchewing on the repeater down in the valley below as I fell asleep with the radio on.

Really cool experience I never want to repeat.

Apologies, I neglected to mention I used my Yaesu VX-7r (https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=8D3254BFC69FB172D78647DC56EFB0E9) for the 6m operations. It's a quad-band (usually listed as tri-band because the 220mhz capability frequently isn't mentioned) handheld that does 6m. It's quite a versatile little radio, but some of those capabilities aren't very useful in an HT context (such as 6m AM!)

Coyotes are common around here and I've had them around our campsites in the same valley I was in yesterday. They never mess with us and always stay just out of sight.

Chris

[2xAGM114]

Apologies, I neglected to mention I used my Yaesu VX-7r (https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=8D3254BFC69FB172D78647DC56EFB0E9) for the 6m operations. It's a quad-band (usually listed as tri-band because the 220mhz capability frequently isn't mentioned) handheld that does 6m. It's quite a versatile little radio, but some of those capabilities aren't very useful in an HT context (such as 6m AM!)


I looked at the VX-7 (and looked for) only to find it was discontinued / unobtainium. I ended up with the FT-3DR which I like for SOTA with the APRS functionality. 6m in a HT would have been cool.

[ccmdfd]

I looked at the VX-7 (and looked for) only to find it was discontinued / unobtainium. I ended up with the FT-3DR which I like for SOTA with the APRS functionality. 6m in a HT would have been cool.

Yeah, I'm brand new to the Hobby myself. Got my technician license the very first part of this month and just did General this last week.

It's funny, go on YouTube and look up Best radio for 2020. A significant number of them are no longer in production.

I'm also a happy FT3Dr owner.

[mtnbkr]

I looked at the VX-7 (and looked for) only to find it was discontinued / unobtainium. I ended up with the FT-3DR which I like for SOTA with the APRS functionality. 6m in a HT would have been cool.

I bought mine back in 2006 when I got licensed as a Tech (this was when CW was still a requirement for General and Extra). At the time I didn't want a mobile or fixed station and did (and still do) a lot of backcountry stuff, so an HT made the most since despite what folks say. I got the VX-7 because it gave me the most options for experimentation and such.

I still need to make a contact on 220mhz with it and an unscheduled contact on 6m AM (only 1w carrier, more of a stunt than something useful). I did coordinate with a buddy to do 6m AM, but I want to string up a dipole, call CQ, and get a response without prior planning. :)

The FT-3DR looks nice. I've only recently started messing about with APRS myself via a Mobilinked device.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

It's funny, go on YouTube and look up Best radio for 2020. A significant number of them are no longer in production.

Hams be like that. There are still those, when asked for an HT recommendation, trot out some antique from the 90s that only uses an unobtanium nicad pack. Thanks grandpa, how about a useful recommendation. :rolleyes:

That said, I have some fairly specific requirements and think some of the older radios are better than current models for those specific use cases, but if someone was looking for a general purpose HT, there are plenty of new models to choose from (ie you want a basic dual-band FM HT, get a Yaesu FT-60).

ETA: While doing my SOTA/POTA activation yesterday, I worked a guy on 40m in Camp Lejeune, your neck of the woods. :)

Chris

[Duelist]

Hams be like that. There are still those, when asked for an HT recommendation, trot out some antique from the 90s that only uses an unobtanium nicad pack. Thanks grandpa, how about a useful recommendation. :rolleyes:

That said, I have some fairly specific requirements and think some of the older radios are better than current models for those specific use cases, but if someone was looking for a general purpose HT, there are plenty of new models to choose from (ie you want a basic dual-band FM HT, get a Yaesu FT-60).

ETA: While doing my SOTA/POTA activation yesterday, I worked a guy on 40m in Camp Lejeune, your neck of the woods. :)

Chris

An FT-60 is still my only radio.

[Wheeler]

So as a mini update, I've managed to get a dual band, VHF/UHF antenna installed and am now able to hit local repeaters. There was a rather steep learning curve figuring out how to program the FT-897 not only for offset but, for tone activation, then get it stored into the memory. I bought a CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) cable and and data cable and not only got computer control via a Raspberry Pi and Fldigi, but also used the data cable to build a audio on and out via a sound card to transmit and receive. I was able to pick up a couple of test messages from a cohort in NC but was not able to transmit to him. As it turns out there are a bunch of fiddly bits in the settings that have to be just right.

I head a boatload of folks up in VA today working a contest on 40M LSB. That was fun to listen to.

I'll eventually need to get a better HT but the Baofeng BF-F8HP does what i need it to for now.

No black bears to be see nor heard! :)

[2xAGM114]

Yeah, I'm brand new to the Hobby myself. Got my technician license the very first part of this month and just did General this last week.

It's funny, go on YouTube and look up Best radio for 2020. A significant number of them are no longer in production.

I'm also a happy FT3Dr owner.

Congrats on Tech and General! That's a feat in itself.
The FT3-DR has been great but learning APRS the Yaesu way is a process of 13 consecutive miracles. Love the radio.

[ViniVidivici]

Okay, just had to say......this is wild! I've been a member of this board for over 3 years......and been a ham since June of last year...and have never once seen this thread.

This is very cool. We should have a communications section here.

Glad to see other hams here. I'm General class. Am mostly on local repeaters, and am really liking the versatility of DMR. Have DMR repeaters in my AO, pretty cool stuff.

Lot of fun, and I've found the skills and equipment to be of very practical use in many areas.

[ccmdfd]

Hams be like that. There are still those, when asked for an HT recommendation, trot out some antique from the 90s that only uses an unobtanium nicad pack. Thanks grandpa, how about a useful recommendation. :rolleyes:

That said, I have some fairly specific requirements and think some of the older radios are better than current models for those specific use cases, but if someone was looking for a general purpose HT, there are plenty of new models to choose from (ie you want a basic dual-band FM HT, get a Yaesu FT-60).

ETA: While doing my SOTA/POTA activation yesterday, I worked a guy on 40m in Camp Lejeune, your neck of the woods. :)

Chris

Yeah, not too far from me!

Heard several Virginians on the airwaves over the weekend myself.

Then last night someone must have connected one of our local repeaters to Wires X, and went to a node in VA. The FT3 was picking that up. Don't have any Wires X experience myself.

cc

[mtnbkr]

So as a mini update, I've managed to get a dual band, VHF/UHF antenna installed and am now able to hit local repeaters. There was a rather steep learning curve figuring out how to program the FT-897 not only for offset but, for tone activation, then get it stored into the memory. I bought a CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) cable and and data cable and not only got computer control via a Raspberry Pi and Fldigi, but also used the data cable to build a audio on and out via a sound card to transmit and receive. I was able to pick up a couple of test messages from a cohort in NC but was not able to transmit to him. As it turns out there are a bunch of fiddly bits in the settings that have to be just right.

I head a boatload of folks up in VA today working a contest on 40M LSB. That was fun to listen to.

I'll eventually need to get a better HT but the Baofeng BF-F8HP does what i need it to for now.

No black bears to be see nor heard! :)



Yeah, not too far from me!

Heard several Virginians on the airwaves over the weekend myself.

Then last night someone must have connected one of our local repeaters to Wires X, and went to a node in VA. The FT3 was picking that up. Don't have any Wires X experience myself.

cc

Both of you were hearing the VA QSO Party contest. I didn't officially work it myself, but did "hand out points" here and there. I worked some on Saturday via 6m and HF while doing my SOTA & POTA activations, Sunday while on a bike ride via an FM HT (bicycle mobile, yo), and again on Sunday while on the deck having a beer and grilling burgers.

Wheeler, keep an eye on POTA activations. I typically do those on 40m, maybe you can work me with your new radio. Look for ki4pot activating parks in the NoVA region. If I remember, I'll post my plans here.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

Okay, just had to say......this is wild! I've been a member of this board for over 3 years......and been a ham since June of last year...and have never once seen this thread.

This is very cool. We should have a communications section here.

Glad to see other hams here. I'm General class. Am mostly on local repeaters, and am really liking the versatility of DMR. Have DMR repeaters in my AO, pretty cool stuff.

Lot of fun, and I've found the skills and equipment to be of very practical use in many areas.

Give VHF simplex a try too. Most of my non-HF work is VHF simple on 6m and 2m. I like seeing how far I can reach with both. My record on 2m so far is 65 miles from a summit. One day I'll invest in a yagi and see if I can stretch that a bit. I had my first long distance contact on 6m this weekend using nothing but an HT and ladderline j-pole up on a summit.

Of course, being a General, you can get on HF too. :)

Chris

[ViniVidivici]

Yeah I saw your post on the 6m contact. Damn fine!

Yeah, done alot of simplex 2m and 70cm locally with other hams. 70cm gets us best results in many areas. Were able to talk just shy of 5 miles between hts the other day.

Got an N9TAX dual band I like to run up poles and trees to see how far I can get out with hts. 47 miles, out of a valley, so far, with very good signal reports.

It's also fun when in town to cast out the line on the national calling frequencies. Made a few contacts that way.

Anyone else here doing DMR? There are at least 4 TGs I access on local repeaters that're nationwide. Been talking to folks all over.

[mtnbkr]

Yeah I saw your post on the 6m contact. Damn fine!

Yeah, done alot of simplex 2m and 70cm locally with other hams. 70cm gets us best results in many areas. Were able to talk just shy of 5 miles between hts the other day.

Got an N9TAX dual band I like to run up poles and trees to see how far I can get out with hts. 47 miles, out of a valley, so far, with very good signal reports.

It's also fun when in town to cast out the line on the national calling frequencies. Made a few contacts that way.

Anyone else here doing DMR? There are at least 4 TGs I access on local repeaters that're nationwide. Been talking to folks all over.

Thanks! I haven't done much with 70cm until this weekend when I used it to make a couple contacts in the VA QSO Party. The N9TAX antennas look good. I made my own for 2m, but bought the 6m version because it's a bit tough to find a place to hang up 12' of ladderline in the clear so you can make an antenna.

I need to get a yagi so I can get a bit more reach and directivity. I know a few guys who use those to great effect.

There are some folks here who do DMR, but not me.

Chris

[ViniVidivici]

Yeah, been meaning to build a yagi to get into the sattelites. I can hear folks talking on them just fine when they're overhead. That is fun stuff. Got into the repeater on the ISS one time, 8 watts out of that N9TAX. Fluke, I guess.

I use a fishing pole to deploy the slim jim in the open, out of an assault pack, obviously it's a 5', but bamboo poles, PVC sections, painter's poles, might be options. Have used those in more stationary locales.

[wrmettler]

MTNBKR,

I was wondering if you bought the Wolf River Coil and how it works. Speaking of antennas, what others are you using ?

Thanks for the information. Thinking about heading to the Mogollon Rim and parking under a tree. No hiking.

[mtnbkr]

MTNBKR,

I was wondering if you bought the Wolf River Coil and how it works. Speaking of antennas, what others are you using ?

Thanks for the information. Thinking about heading to the Mogollon Rim and parking under a tree. No hiking.

I borrowed my buddy's but ended up not buying one of my own. It works great, but having to adjust the coil in order to change bands was tedious considering I have an antenna tuner in my radio. I feel like the WRC would be a great antenna for a radio without a tuner like the Yaesu 818 or the new Icom 705 though. That said, when I borrowed his, I made contacts and got good signal reports, so it definitely works.

My main antenna for portable use is a 54' wire for the radiator and a 17' counterpoise. Both connect to a BNC binding post adapter that connects directly to the radio. The internal ATU does the rest. I typically set it up as a sloper or inverted V using whatever support is handy. I can get 40m through 10m with that combo. I also have a pair of MFJ coil-loaded whip antennas, the MFJ-1820t and MFJ-1815t, 20m and 15m respectively. I've made contacts with both, but have done incredible things with the 1820t version. From a mountain top in VA, I made two contacts into California, one into Oregon, and one into France in the space of about 20 minutes. All four were SSB. I've used the same antenna numerous times to make contacts around the US at shorter distances (a few weeks ago I got two contacts in Texas from a field here in VA). I connect the antenna directly to the radio and use the ATU to touch up the tuning. Because the radio has an internal mic and speaker, I can use it like a big HT with those antennas.

Not portable, but here at the house I use a homebrewed 1:64 autotransformer (FT240-43 toroid for the core) with 32' of wire for 20m and above, and a loading coil and 6.5' of additional wire (39' total with the coil) to get me 40m and below. The transformer is 27' in the air and the radiator slopes downward, stopping roughly 5' above the ground. I've used it on 80m, 40m, and 20m. It'll tune up on everything above 20m, but I haven't tried making contacts there yet.

Chris

[rkittine]

I have worked about 10 countries on 6meter Simplex, done Moon Bounce on VHF/UHF simplex, worked the Space Shuttle a number of times and worked just over 1,200 miles once on 220 FM Simplex. I like 2meter SSB and CW also.

There are a number of OEM battery makers out there that will provide newer type batteries for the older HTs that used to use NiCads. W&W Manufacturing is one that I use and since it is located on Long Island, I can drop in to get replacements.

Bob - WA2YDV

[mtnbkr]

I have worked about 10 countries on 6meter Simplex, done Moon Bounce on VHF/UHF simplex, worked the Space Shuttle a number of times and worked just over 1,200 miles once on 220 FM Simplex. I like 2meter SSB and CW also.

There are a number of OEM battery makers out there that will provide newer type batteries for the older HTs that used to use NiCads. W&W Manufacturing is one that I use and since it is located on Long Island, I can drop in to get replacements.

Bob - WA2YDV

6m: I've heard crazy stories about working far DX on 6m when there's an opening. Best I've done so far is VA to GA using a 5w HT and j-pole antenna. I'm looking forward to when 6m DX is a regular thing again.

What are you using for Moon Bounce? The dedicated stations I've seen were impressive, more than most folks can achieve.

Was the 1200 mile 220mhz contact via a satellite or point-to-point? I'd be interested in more details.

I just ordered an Arrow 2m Yagi for handheld use. I'm very interested in stretching my range on portable ops. So far my best, the 6m VA-to-GA contact not included, has been about 65 miles with a vertical antenna. The gain and directivity of the Yagi will extend that...hopefully. :)

I just started CWOps' Beginner class. My goal is to do SOTA/POTA activations on CW by the end of the year.

Chris

[rkittine]

I have owned a number of 6 meter rigs going back to a Heathkit 6er, which was 2,5 watts out and AM only, then a Swan 250C, and ICOM 551D and now my ICOM HF rigs as wel as one HT covering 6, 2 and 440. 100 watts and a three element or bigger beam will work the best, but you can do well with almost anything if the band is open. In the old days (pre-Cable) you would monitor channel 2 on the TV and if you started getting distant stations you knew that 6 meters was OPEN.

Today the best is to leave a radio tuned to one of the distant 6 meter beacons. If you start to hear the beacon, you know that the band is open in that direction.

On 220, I work simplex with 100 watts and a 10X 15 element beam. Worked the 1,200 miles, simplex with that rig. Have worked Chicago 220 Repeaters from New York City when the band has great skip.

Moon Bounce station was mostly dependent on the circular polarized beams for 2meters and 440. 100 watts on each band was more than enough.

Space Shuttle was always with just a 5 watt HT and a hand held 3 element beam.

Today I run 160 meters through 1296. I still love CW and RTTY though I have Digital Equipment as well as old analog.

We run a Modulated CW Practice Net on one 220 repeater (my favorite VHF band since the 70s).

73 - Bob - WA2YDV

[2xAGM114]

Chris:

Interested to know which Arrow Yagi you got. I've read they have collapsible versions.

Good on you for starting CW class. It makes SOTA a richer experience. Made my first 100% CW SOTA outings in the past week. On a weekday, the pile-ups for CW chasers is unlike anything on SSB. Most chasers would slow down and match my speed, and it still took me several tries to get their callsigns correct. 2x S2S on the second trip.

[mtnbkr]

I have owned a number of 6 meter rigs going back to a Heathkit 6er, which was 2,5 watts out and AM only, then a Swan 250C, and ICOM 551D and now my ICOM HF rigs as wel as one HT covering 6, 2 and 440. 100 watts and a three element or bigger beam will work the best, but you can do well with almost anything if the band is open. In the old days (pre-Cable) you would monitor channel 2 on the TV and if you started getting distant stations you knew that 6 meters was OPEN.

Today the best is to leave a radio tuned to one of the distant 6 meter beacons. If you start to hear the beacon, you know that the band is open in that direction.

I only have two radios at the moment that do 6m, my HT and my home station. However, I don't have an 6m-capable antenna at home, so I only do 6m with the HT. That limits me to FM and AM. I caught the opening that let me hit GA by accident, it certainly wasn't a planned thing. I didn't even know the guy was in GA until I looked up his callsign.


On 220, I work simplex with 100 watts and a 10X 15 element beam. Worked the 1,200 miles, simplex with that rig. Have worked Chicago 220 Repeaters from New York City when the band has great skip.
That's pretty impressive. SSB I assume? That would be some impressive tropospheric ducting to get that far. I've seen guys do weak signal work on 2m just past the horizon, but never anything that distant.


Moon Bounce station was mostly dependent on the circular polarized beams for 2meters and 440. 100 watts on each band was more than enough.
I might have to look into that more. What I kept reading was a need for insane stations with massive arrays. If I can do it with 100w and a modest antenna, I may drag my 746Pro outdoors for that.


Space Shuttle was always with just a 5 watt HT and a hand held 3 element beam.
People routinely work the ISS these days with HTs and various handheld antennas. I've been mildly interesting, but not enough to dig into it. I may try using their digipeater for APRS at some point though.


Today I run 160 meters through 1296. I still love CW and RTTY though I have Digital Equipment as well as old analog.
I'm only 10-80 and 2m here at the house. I can do 80-70cm in the field, though VHF and UHF are limited to FM (and AM on 6m) .


We run a Modulated CW Practice Net on one 220 repeater (my favorite VHF band since the 70s).

73 - Bob - WA2YDV
Once I'm able to do CW, I may try it on 2m just to see who is listening. :)

Chris

[2xAGM114]

National Light Up 2m this Sunday, 1800-2000 local time. Anyone else planning to take part? I'm going to make it a SOTA activation with the J-Pole on one of our local peaks.

[mtnbkr]

National Light Up 2m this Sunday, 1800-2000 local time. Anyone else planning to take part? I'm going to make it a SOTA activation with the J-Pole on one of our local peaks.

I'm definitely taking part, but haven't decided if I'm going to do a SOTA activation or not. The nearest peaks are not VHF friendly (lots of RFI) and with the time of day the event takes place, and the time of day I have to get up on Monday, I don't think I'll want to travel to a more distant summit.

Instead, I might do a POTA activation on 2m. Most POTA is on HF, but with the increased traffic (hopefully!) on 2m, a POTA activation might work too.

Chris

[Wheeler]

So it would appear that if you just show up and color between the lines, they will just give those licenses away...:)70593

[Clusterfrack]

Congrats Wheeler!

[ViniVidivici]

National Light Up 2m this Sunday, 1800-2000 local time. Anyone else planning to take part? I'm going to make it a SOTA activation with the J-Pole on one of our local peaks.

What, is everybody gonna be monitoring 146.52 or something?

Yes, good job wheeler!

[mtnbkr]

What, is everybody gonna be monitoring 146.52 or something?

Yes, good job wheeler!

Something like that. The idea is to encourage simplex usage of the 2m band. Most folks view it as a repeater frequency only.

Chris

[ViniVidivici]

Indeed. I meant what freq in the band.

Hell, I call out regularly on 146.52, sometimes get answers. Was up on some (relatively) high ground the other day, called, ended up having a great QSO with an operator 20 miles away, on my 5 watt ht. Cool stuff.

Yeah, I don't ever neglect the simplex usefulness of my radios. I'll take the radio with me that day, and do some calling and listening.

So, local time in all respective areas?

[Wheeler]

Something like that. The idea is to encourage simplex usage of the 2m band. Most folks view it as a repeater frequency only.

Chris

You mean it's not? ;)

[mtnbkr]

So, local time in all respective areas?

Yes.

Chris

[2xAGM114]

So it would appear that if you just show up and color between the lines, they will just give those licenses away...:)

Awesome man, congrats on General.

[2xAGM114]

What, is everybody gonna be monitoring 146.52 or something?

Yes, good job wheeler!

That checks. My SOTA Alert is on .58 specifically so I get chasers and not every licensed Ham within 40 miles. After the pile-up, I'll swap over to .52 and start cold-calling CQ.

[ccmdfd]

You mean it's not? ;)

Yeah, I remember thinking that when I got my first handheld and was programming in channels, it automatically assumed that everything is a repeater and puts an offset in. In order to do Simplex you have to go into the programming and change something.

[mtnbkr]

I get that the amateur radio market is small, but ham radio technology seems like it's at least 10 years behind modern standards. I don't think it's too much to ask for:

-Bluetooth interface with an iPhone/Android app that gives full control of the device
-Cloud service for storing device information
-High quality displays appropriate for the cost of the devices
-Standard user interface across the entire product line
-Regular and easy firmware updates
-Ability to search for and automatically enter info for nearby repeaters using GPS (using the app).
-Automatic RepeaterBook frequency entry, with automatic offset & code

And that's just what I though up in 5 minutes after a cup of coffee. What other modern features would you like in your transceivers?

Bumping this because I just got a new HT, the Kenwood TH-D74a.

One of the less talked about features is that it contains an internal list of global repeaters. It's missing some notable ones in my region, but does have some of them. I need to see if I can update the list. I also need to understand how to actually *use* the list. :D

It also has Bluetooth, but doesn't appear to connect to other devices, strictly audio only (ie headsets and such). If that's the case, I'll be a bit bummed as it will not allow me to use APRSDroid.

The display is color and pretty crisp for an HT.

Firmware updates are available (not sure how easy to apply, but Kenwood has multiple companion apps for this radio).

It appears to be close to your list above. Unfortunately, it was recently discontinued. I got very lucky and found a guy selling a pristine model (truly LNIB) with the drop in quick-charger and a spare battery for hundreds less than what the radio typically goes for bare.

Chris

[Wheeler]

Bumping this because I just got a new HT, the Kenwood TH-D74a.

One of the less talked about features is that it contains an internal list of global repeaters. It's missing some notable ones in my region, but does have some of them. I need to see if I can update the list. I also need to understand how to actually *use* the list. :D

It also has Bluetooth, but doesn't appear to connect to other devices, strictly audio only (ie headsets and such). If that's the case, I'll be a bit bummed as it will not allow me to use APRSDroid.

The display is color and pretty crisp for an HT.

Firmware updates are available (not sure how easy to apply, but Kenwood has multiple companion apps for this radio).

It appears to be close to your list above. Unfortunately, it was recently discontinued. I got very lucky and found a guy selling a pristine model (truly LNIB) with the drop in quick-charger and a spare battery for hundreds less than what the radio typically goes for bare.

Chris

I used CHIRP and a Raspberry Pi to program the local repeaters in my Baofeng and my FT-897. I’ve also used the menu system of both to program for repeaters. Neither menu system is very intuitive but once I did a few it wasn’t as onerous as folks make it out to be. I used the RepeaterBook app on my iPhone which has a location/gps function to locate repeaters in my most traveled areas and then referenced them through CHIRP to upload to the radios.

You can download CHIRP for free. It’s open source and it will access both Repeater Book and Radio Reference. It will also access GMRS, MURS, FRS, and the various WX channels.

[mtnbkr]

I used CHIRP and a Raspberry Pi to program the local repeaters in my Baofeng and my FT-897. I’ve also used the menu system of both to program for repeaters. Neither menu system is very intuitive but once I did a few it wasn’t as onerous as folks make it out to be. I used the RepeaterBook app on my iPhone which has a location/gps function to locate repeaters in my most traveled areas and then referenced them through CHIRP to upload to the radios.

You can download CHIRP for free. It’s open source and it will access both Repeater Book and Radio Reference. It will also access GMRS, MURS, FRS, and the various WX channels.

Yup. Been a long time user of Chirp. I was responding to Clusterfrack's desire to have a radio that didn't require Chirp.

That said, while I'm very comfortable programming my other two HTs via the front key pad, I'm not there yet with the new one. It's a bit too different...

Chris

[Wheeler]

Yup. Been a long time user of Chirp. I was responding to Clusterfrack's desire to have a radio that didn't require Chirp.

That said, while I'm very comfortable programming my other two HTs via the front key pad, I'm not there yet with the new one. It's a bit too different...

Chris

My bad. I missed that part of the conversation. Yet another reason why I probably shouldn't respond to things when I read them on my phone...

[mtnbkr]

My bad. I missed that part of the conversation. Yet another reason why I probably shouldn't respond to things when I read them on my phone...

NP, it was lost in the noise.

I am getting sorted out on the new radio. I finally figured out APRS and GPS and even got a weather alert via APRS 5 minutes before a microcell blew through the area (hail and such).

Chris

[Wheeler]

NP, it was lost in the noise.

I am getting sorted out on the new radio. I finally figured out APRS and GPS and even got a weather alert via APRS 5 minutes before a microcell blew through the area (hail and such).

Chris

So what benefit does APRS provide?

[2xAGM114]

I used my APRS HT last weekend for two SOTA hikes, solo, way out in the sticks. My YL was able to see my location and watch it update regularly.

As an added benefit, I crank that annoying APRS data burst noise up when I'm trying to make my presence known.

2x previously unactivated 6 pointers - complete!

[mtnbkr]

So what benefit does APRS provide?

Besides what 2xAGM114 mentioned, I also intend to use it for sending/receiving text messages between my wife's phone and my radio when I'm out of cell coverage and to submit SOTA spots when I'm again out of cell coverage.

There are a lot more things you can do with it, but those are the specific uses I want it for.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Packet_Reporting_System

ETA: Before I got this radio, I had to connect an APRS TNC to my other radio and connect that device to my phone via bluetooth in order to use APRS. Doing so rendered my radio useless for voice comms. This new radio does it all internally and allows me to continue using the radio for voice at the same time.

Chris

[Outpost75]

...The "ARRL Emergency Communications courses" as they currently exist are a joke. They are online-only. As are the FEMA ICS classes required, and these are commonly acknowledged to be less than ideal as far as actually inculcating the knowledge. (Online training generally doesn't. Train, I mean, although it is handy for checking a block.)

As for the ARRL classes, you have to request to access them. (Fine.) Then they assign you a mentor -- and this is, notoriously, where the wheels come off. I have heard so many complaints about mentors being unavailable, unresponsive, or dismissive of attempts by their "mentees"* that I have concluded that, in this case at least, there's enough smoke to indicate that there's a three alarm dumpster fire and I won't bother.

[/URL]

There are better free resources out there. The Arlington (VA) Radio Public Service Club http://www.w4ava.org
developed its own RACES training materials years before the ARRL got the idea a day late and dollar short. When I was training officer we conducted live sessions throughout the State as well as in Maryland and West Virginia. http://w4ava.org/training.htm

RADIO AMATEUR CIVIL EMERGENCY SERVICE (RACES) TRAINING

Arlington Radio Public Service Club, in cooperation with Arlington County RACES, Fairfax County RACES and Virginia RACES, Inc. has conducted weekly one-hour RACES interactive training classes via the Internet and toll-free voice conference bridge for participants.

The RACES training materials allow participants to obtain training from the comfort of their homes. RACES candidates must successfully complete an examination and receive background check clearance. After RACES certification is earned, additional FEMA NIMS training must be completed to maintain certification.

The training materials are available without charge to those who would like to use them for training purposes provided that (1) prior permission is obtained, and (2) the user places the appropriate copyright notice, "Copyright © 2006, Virginia RACES, Inc." and acknowledgments of Virginia RACES and Arlington County RACES on the materials. Contact: racesclass@w4ava.org

NOTICE: Pursuant to Arlington County OEM, RACES applicants are subject to background checks conducted by the Arlington Sheriff's Department.

RACES Class Training Materials:

• Class 1 - Introduction to Emergency Communications / RACES. Class 1 Materials: PDF -- PowerPoint® -- MP3
• Class 2 - Operating Procedures for Voice Nets. Class 2 Materials: PDF -- PowerPoint®
• Class 3 - Message Handling. Class 3 Materials: PDF -- PowerPoint® -- WAV
• Class 4 - Personal Preparedness and Equipment Recommendations. Class 4 Materials: PDF -- PowerPoint®
• Class 5 - RACES Functions in the EOC. Class 5 Materials: PDF -- PowerPoint®

Additional Training Materials:

Log (MS Word)-- Op Brief (MS Word)-- Message Form (PDF)-- Comm Plan (PDF)-- Vehicle Equipment Checklist (MS Word)--

http://www.w4ava.org/races-documents/

Here are a number of files for RACES/CERT training

AUX POWER

Cold Weather Safety Awareness for CERT

EDC Emergency Cash

FIND_YOUR_FIRE_STATION_1Dec09

Go Light List

Handheld Rigs

KeyringEDC

Recommendations for Preparedness

Simplex Exercise

Simplex OPS

[Outpost75]

I'm going to throw this question out there and then go to work. If a person lived behind a ridge that separated them from civilization by about 300' of altitude, would there be any point to trying to have a base station at their location? Let's say the ridge was nearly vertical and the base of it was about 200 yards from their house, traveling in one direction without end and the other direction about 1/4 mile before abruptly ending in a narrow notch which allowed traffic in and out of the area before another mountain rose and continued on.

Hopefully that made sense.

I live at FM09jt on the west slope of Great North Mountain in Berkeley County, WV at 680 ft. AMSL below Mills Gap which is 1083 ft. about a mile uphill from me. I use a Sinclair commercial grade repeater half-wave vertical fed with Time Microwave LMR400 elevated 30 feet above ground on the roof cap, and with 50w on FM routinely work 2m repeaters north into Chambersburg and Bedford, PA, south into Spruce Knob, WV and New Market, va, west into Cumberland, MD, Berkeley Springs and Moorefield, WV and east into Charlestown, WV, Rockville and Mount Airy, MD, Leesburg, Bluemont and Linden VA.

On 2m simplex using a Sinclair 6-element yagi with full wavelength boom, I readily make contacts exploiting edge effect, directing the antenna at Mills Gap, getting traffic-quality copy into Washington, DC, Arlington and McLean, VA, and off its side lobes can work most of my local repeaters without going to the vertical. The commercial yagi has double-driven elements and is wide-banded to cover 139-162 Mhz at 1.5 to 1 or less VWSR without adjustment. VERY sturdy, all welded construction you could use for a ladder and rated for 90 mph winds with one inch of ice. Not as "sharp" in front-to-back ratio as a ham antenna, but just dandy if you also want to use MURS or the old 154Mhz fire band.

[mtnbkr]

I live at FM09jt on the west slope of Great North Mountain in Berkeley County, WV at 680 ft. AMSL below Mills Gap which is 1083 ft. about a mile uphill from me. I use a Sinclair commercial grade repeater half-wave vertical fed with Time Microwave LMR400 elevated 30 feet above ground on the roof cap, and with 50w on FM routinely work 2m repeaters north into Chambersburg and Bedford, PA, south into Spruce Knob, WV and New Market, va, west into Cumberland, MD, Berkeley Springs and Moorefield, WV and east into Charlestown, WV, Rockville and Mount Airy, MD, Leesburg, Bluemont and Linden VA.

On 2m simplex using a Sinclair 6-element yagi with full wavelength boom, I readily make contacts exploiting edge effect, directing the antenna at Mills Gap, getting traffic-quality copy into Washington, DC, Arlington and McLean, VA, and off its side lobes can work most of my local repeaters without going to the vertical. The commercial yagi has double-driven elements and is wide-banded to cover 139-162 Mhz at 1.5 to 1 or less VWSR without adjustment. VERY sturdy, all welded construction you could use for a ladder and rated for 90 mph winds with one inch of ice. Not as "sharp" in front-to-back ratio as a ham antenna, but just dandy if you also want to use MURS or the old 154Mhz fire band.

What's your call sign? I do a lot of sota/pota activations in that region, you may have worked me. I also hunt up in Linden and across the mountain from you in Vance's Cove.

My buddy and I will be up on The Pinnacle for the VHF contest and for a sota activation.

Chris
Ki4pot

[Outpost75]

What's your call sign? I do a lot of sota/pota activations in that region, you may have worked me. I also hunt up in Linden and across the mountain from you in Vance's Cove.

My buddy and I will be up on The Pinnacle for the VHF contest and for a sota activation.

Chris
Ki4pot

PM sent.

[ViniVidivici]

I just the other day made my longest distance simplex contact on 2m, was just driving, I monitor the .52 on one slot usually.

Dude on a nearby peak calling out, ended up he was 25 miles away, at about 1500ft.

[Whiskey]

I'm studying for my General right now, utilizing QRZ.com and the "memorize all the answers" strategy. I'm not really much of a radio guy, but do want to get into HF, maybe I'll pick more stuff up on the way.

[mtnbkr]

I'm studying for my General right now, utilizing QRZ.com and the "memorize all the answers" strategy. I'm not really much of a radio guy, but do want to get into HF, maybe I'll pick more stuff up on the way.

While old timers decry that strategy, the license is really a license to learn and as long as you learn enough in the course of your study to not hurt yourself, cause interference, and be a good on-air operator, you'll be fine. Just go in with the attitude you never stop learning

I've been a licensed amateur for 15 years and I'm still learning new things. Most recently I learned how to calculate the loss of different size and mix toroids used to make antenna transformers.

BTW, hamstudy.org is another good resource.

Chris

[Whiskey]

I know I'm the bane of old radio dude's existence, I'm a millennial ;) I've got very good friends that are Extras, they will most likely be setting up my kit. I'm mostly interested in communications in emergency situations, and want to get past repeater based use. Trying to specifically learn NVIS and what involves that, so I don't feel bad memorizing the answers to stuff like wiring diagrams. If I have to open up a radio to get to the boards, my commo situation has just been reduced to smoke and hand and arm signals.

[mtnbkr]

I know I'm the bane of old radio dude's existence, I'm a millennial ;) I've got very good friends that are Extras, they will most likely be setting up my kit. I'm mostly interested in communications in emergency situations, and want to get past repeater based use. Trying to specifically learn NVIS and what involves that, so I don't feel bad memorizing the answers to stuff like wiring diagrams. If I have to open up a radio to get to the boards, my commo situation has just been reduced to smoke and hand and arm signals.

First, don't worry about amateur radio BOCs. Most hams are quite friendly and helpful people, but you run into ones who are just miserable human beings who can't fathom why someone would do radio differently than them. There are also those who can't accept that the hobby has changed, CW, is no longer a requirement, etc. Also, don't assume that just because someone has a higher license class they must know more than you. T'ain't always true. On the other side of the coin, don't assume just because you passed a given license exam that you know anything at all. As I said, the exams are just basic levels of knowledge to ensure you aren't a danger to yourself and others and don't interfere with others on the air.

As for working on radios, with modern radios, the days of opening the radio and fixing it yourself are long gone for all but the most hardcore folks. Very few hams have the tools and knowledge to repair SMT technology. That's not to say it isn't done, but it's not nearly as common as fixing the old radios consisting of tubes and/or discrete components. That said, there are lots of opportunities to build and/or repair stuff. There are lots of antenna tuner and transceiver kits that use basic electrical components (capacitors, diodes, resisters, coils, etc). I have an old Rockmite 20m CW transceiver on my bench right now that is I intend to repair and get back on the air this winter. There's nothing in there a beginner can't troubleshoot and replace, but it'll still let you communicate across the globe...if you know CW. ;)

BTW, you mentioned getting past repeater use...You don't need to use a repeater with your VHF rigs. I have *maybe* 5-10 minutes of time on a repeater in 16 years as a ham, but I do a lot on simplex with VHF FM. My longest distance contact on 2m FM has been over 100 miles. I routinely make contacts 30-60 miles. I do most of this in context of Summits On The Air (SOTA), so elevation plays a part, but the point is your typical 2m FM HT has a lot of reach with an improved antenna and some elevation. Give it a try.

Chris

[2xAGM114]

I'll second the CW reach through efficiency of the signal. I'm currently using a MTR4b for SOTA, and multiband EFHW antenna. Either hiking or on the MTB, I can deploy everything out of a 15-ish lb backpack including water and repair stuff for the bike. Usually start on 30m to get warmed up, then 40m and last 20m. Typical keying speed for me is around 17 wpm with extra Farnsworth spacing to get guys to slow down.

It's pretty cool to be able to bring in Japan, France and the entire U.S. using a little kit from a summit.

[Wheeler]

NVIS is interesting. My 40m dipole in the attic is basically a NVIS setup. The skip isn't consistent. Using CW I can hit my bro-in-law about 400 miles away roughly 50% of the time if band conditions are good. I'm constantly picking up stations from as far west as CA and as far north as Nova Scotia. I will occasionally get stations for Costa Rica and Spain. That isn't what NVIS is good for though, it's supposed to be good from roughly 20 miles to 200 miles, give or take. So I'll get a lot of stations within that range talking to larger nets sometimes.

I can hit some pretty good DX stations if I hook up the tuner and swap over to 20m, but I'm really trying to work it out on 40m first as that and 80m seem to be the bands used for EmComm. It's hard to develop a network of folks within those areas that are interested in that particular type of HF comms. Lots of folks can log stations all over the world but not many can consistently hit the same station at any given moment. That's what I'd like to be able to do.

In regards to the curmudgeons, screw them. They have a lot to offer the hobby but are too busy taking cheap shots about knowing how to send code and how superior the older boat anchors and HTs are to anything made in the last thirty years. I have a technical certificate in electronics, used to do component level troubleshooting and repair, and still don't mess with the internals of my radios. :)

[2xAGM114]

Amateur Extra done! HamStudy.org once again.

Took the test with GLAARG via Zoom. They were great as well, worked with me for quite a while to get Zoom set up so they could see the desktop.

It doesn't get any easier.

[HeavyDuty]

After quite a few years of minimal activity and interest, I can feel the urges to radiate. I think I’ll set it one of my HF rigs with a portable antenna on a tripod that I can put outside when I want to play.

[Clusterfrack]

Amateur Extra done!

Congrats!

[JohnO]

I started carrying my HT with me on hikes with the dogs. My iPhone battery can not handle the cold. I went into the woods with 100% charge and came out 2 hours later with 1% charge. I tried to make a call and the phone shut down. I think my phone battery has reached the end of it's road.

I heard a couple guys calling CQ contest on 146.52 yesterday and today. I tried going back to them once but they didn't hear me. I'm fairly certain they were transmitting with more power than my Yeasu HT. I wanted to keep my HT battery fresh enough to hit a repeater or two if I needed to call for assistance and the phone was dead.