View Full Version : HAM Radio Discussion
Singlestack
04-06-2014, 07:11
Yes - I thought the ARF net was pretty good too. Haven't been on in the past month, but hope to soon. Friday nights are me and the wifesters night out, generally.
kawiracer14
06-18-2014, 10:51
Bump for this thread and anyone thinking about HAM.
I just bought a new rig for the truck - does way more than I understand or will probably understand in the next year or so but I didn't want to spend a few hundred and then want to upgrade again next year.
So I got a Kenwood TM-D710G which has the built in GPS for APRS.
Will be hooked up to a Rigrunner 4004 which has 4 ports for power plus 2 USB ports for charging devices.
Also got a Cobra 75 WXST for off roading comms with non-hams
Will eventually be picking up a Dell Venue 8 Pro to do more APRS stuff as well as off roading GPS mapping.
Install is getting done Monday - I'll post some photos in the Photo area.
So... if anyone has the equipment to help me tune my antennas for CB and HAM I will happily reward them with beer or some 9 or 5.56 ammo for their time.
gnihcraes
06-18-2014, 19:28
Bump for this thread and anyone thinking about HAM.
I just bought a new rig for the truck - does way more than I understand or will probably understand in the next year or so but I didn't want to spend a few hundred and then want to upgrade again next year.
So I got a Kenwood TM-D710G which has the built in GPS for APRS.
Will be hooked up to a Rigrunner 4004 which has 4 ports for power plus 2 USB ports for charging devices.
Also got a Cobra 75 WXST for off roading comms with non-hams
Will eventually be picking up a Dell Venue 8 Pro to do more APRS stuff as well as off roading GPS mapping.
Install is getting done Monday - I'll post some photos in the Photo area.
So... if anyone has the equipment to help me tune my antennas for CB and HAM I will happily reward them with beer or some 9 or 5.56 ammo for their time.
c'mon over... no more than a mile apart. 9th/Sheridan area.
ChadAmberg
06-19-2014, 09:48
Bump for this thread and anyone thinking about HAM.
I just bought a new rig for the truck - does way more than I understand or will probably understand in the next year or so but I didn't want to spend a few hundred and then want to upgrade again next year.
So I got a Kenwood TM-D710G which has the built in GPS for APRS.
Will be hooked up to a Rigrunner 4004 which has 4 ports for power plus 2 USB ports for charging devices.
Also got a Cobra 75 WXST for off roading comms with non-hams
Will eventually be picking up a Dell Venue 8 Pro to do more APRS stuff as well as off roading GPS mapping.
Install is getting done Monday - I'll post some photos in the Photo area.
So... if anyone has the equipment to help me tune my antennas for CB and HAM I will happily reward them with beer or some 9 or 5.56 ammo for their time.
That's a great rig, the APRS stuff is pretty cool when you see how close other HAMs are to you and where they're going. It's also nice because my wife could watch one of the reporting websites to see where I was when I was traveling. I ended up selling my rig to rbeau30 after someone t-boned my car, and my new one didn't have any good way to mount it.
That's a great rig, the APRS stuff is pretty cool when you see how close other HAMs are to you and where they're going. It's also nice because my wife could watch one of the reporting websites to see where I was when I was traveling. I ended up selling my rig to rbeau30 after someone t-boned my car, and my new one didn't have any good way to mount it.
Still running strong! I use it daily! Had to get a new antenna after I drove my vehicle into the garage to work on something.
I am going to get a TM-71 for my other car(s) because you can switch out the head units. So I can take this one with me if I drive one of the other cars.
kawiracer14
06-19-2014, 10:08
That's a great rig, the APRS stuff is pretty cool when you see how close other HAMs are to you and where they're going. It's also nice because my wife could watch one of the reporting websites to see where I was when I was traveling. I ended up selling my rig to rbeau30 after someone t-boned my car, and my new one didn't have any good way to mount it.
Yeah, APRS was one of the big things that got me interested in this rig and one of the things I have been investigating a lot since I got my license. I will eventually add a small windows tablet to the truck to do some more APRS mapping along with 4x4 mapping but I have to pay for the lift on my truck first.
Bump for this thread and anyone thinking about HAM.
I just bought a new rig for the truck - does way more than I understand or will probably understand in the next year or so but I didn't want to spend a few hundred and then want to upgrade again next year.
So I got a Kenwood TM-D710G which has the built in GPS for APRS.
Will be hooked up to a Rigrunner 4004 which has 4 ports for power plus 2 USB ports for charging devices.
Also got a Cobra 75 WXST for off roading comms with non-hams
Will eventually be picking up a Dell Venue 8 Pro to do more APRS stuff as well as off roading GPS mapping.
Install is getting done Monday - I'll post some photos in the Photo area.
So... if anyone has the equipment to help me tune my antennas for CB and HAM I will happily reward them with beer or some 9 or 5.56 ammo for their time.
So how does that Kenwood work? Does it mostly broadcast your GPS coords so that people can see where you are at, or will it show you some sort of map as well with people around you...? I did a bit of poking online but am still too much of a newbie to sort it all out I guess.
So how does that Kenwood work? Does it mostly broadcast your GPS coords so that people can see where you are at, or will it show you some sort of map as well with people around you...? I did a bit of poking online but am still too much of a newbie to sort it all out I guess.
It sends out packets with your info. In order to see other hams you need to attach a computer or I think it supports several GPS units. On the radio (TM710) you can also do messaging, and it lists out other hams and distance from you and direction travelling etc.
I don't think I have mine set up right yet, because I cannot see myself on the website when I have the radio on. After my issue on the DRC repeater I haven't tried anything new in the HAM world.
kawiracer14
06-19-2014, 15:34
Has anyone used the RT Systems radio programming software? Is it worth the cost over the free CHIRP software?
gnihcraes
06-19-2014, 20:17
Has anyone used the RT Systems radio programming software? Is it worth the cost over the free CHIRP software?
The software for my ICOMS is the older version of RT systems, it's ok. I've not used the CHIRP to give a comparison though. I can show you the icom stuff if you visit to check your antenna.
kawiracer14
06-19-2014, 20:22
The software for my ICOMS is the older version of RT systems, it's ok. I've not used the CHIRP to give a comparison though. I can show you the icom stuff if you visit to check your antenna.
Another forum said that the Kenwood software is pretty good so I'm going to check that out before I spend any $$ on the RT stuff.
Got all my stuff in the mail today besides the antenna which I'm going to grab from HRO tomorrow. Looks like I'll need an extension cable for the microphone and the data to the head as it isn't long enough to reach the back seat - so I'll be grabbing that tomorrow as well.
Another forum said that the Kenwood software is pretty good so I'm going to check that out before I spend any $$ on the RT stuff.
Got all my stuff in the mail today besides the antenna which I'm going to grab from HRO tomorrow. Looks like I'll need an extension cable for the microphone and the data to the head as it isn't long enough to reach the back seat - so I'll be grabbing that tomorrow as well.
I have heard CAT5 straight through works.
kawiracer14
06-19-2014, 21:47
I have heard CAT5 straight through works.
That's much cheaper. I'll try that.
Sent from my pocket
Singlestack
06-20-2014, 06:50
Well done on the Kenwoods and APRS guys - a great combination!
I use CHIRP for my Baofeng UV-5R and RT systems for my Icom ID-51A. From my POV, they are more or less the same. A lot of folks brag on RT systems, but I have found the organization of radio-specific features and settings to be somewhat halfhazard and arbitrary. In actual use, they work the same for me.
Getting a diamond X-50AN this weekend for 2M/70cm. Bought a cheap weather station to put on top of it for stealth reasons. I'll post a pic when done. Hopefully, that should help my xmit and reception from the basement command post.
ChadAmberg
06-20-2014, 13:53
Another forum said that the Kenwood software is pretty good so I'm going to check that out before I spend any $$ on the RT stuff.
Got all my stuff in the mail today besides the antenna which I'm going to grab from HRO tomorrow. Looks like I'll need an extension cable for the microphone and the data to the head as it isn't long enough to reach the back seat - so I'll be grabbing that tomorrow as well.
I always used the Kenwood software that comes free and never had anything it didn't do.
ChadAmberg
06-20-2014, 13:56
I have heard CAT5 straight through works.
CAT5 straight through does work, but you must check the pinouts to make sure it's a passthrough, pin 1 goes to pin 1, 2 to 2, etc. So you'll most likely want to crimp it yourself.
CAT5 straight through does work, but you must check the pinouts to make sure it's a passthrough, pin 1 goes to pin 1, 2 to 2, etc. So you'll most likely want to crimp it yourself.
Plus you can get all the hip new designer CAT5 colors and color coordinate for the occasion!
I gotta crimper and tester if anyone needs to borrow. I used to do that for a living.
kawiracer14
06-20-2014, 14:35
Plus you can get all the hip new designer CAT5 colors and color coordinate for the occasion!
I gotta crimper and tester if anyone needs to borrow. I used to do that for a living.
Ohhh red to match my truck! Ha.
Its all going to be run where it can't be seen. The only things visible will be the head unit, the mic, and my CB.
Ohhh red to match my truck! Ha.
Its all going to be run where it can't be seen. The only things visible will be the head unit, the mic, and my CB.
That is how I attempted. I tried to use some "SAFCord" but my carpet wasn't loopy so it won't stick. and I am too lazy to fish the wires under the carpet. I might just put all the cords through the plastic conduit stuff.
Tactical Joke
06-23-2014, 21:52
Just dropping in to say "Hey." I'm an Extra, but haven't done a lot with it, and I tend to listen a lot more than talk. I'm glad to see so many new amateurs... keep 'em comin'.
Just dropping in to say "Hey." I'm an Extra, but haven't done a lot with it, and I tend to listen a lot more than talk. I'm glad to see so many new amateurs... keep 'em comin'.
This month I've been a year old lol...
Won't get more into it... mostly due to only interested in Monitoring and local stuff. I don't talk because if my issues with echolink and DRC.
Singlestack
07-06-2014, 21:11
A good radio day for me today! Had problems getting a 30' mast built out of PVC pipe, so bailed on that. Installed a new Diamond X-50NA in the attic, and hearing a lot more than b4. Very cool!
Amazing what you can hear with a HT and a decent antenna in a good location...
Singlestack
07-06-2014, 21:12
This month I've been a year old lol...
Won't get more into it... mostly due to only interested in Monitoring and local stuff. I don't talk because if my issues with echolink and DRC.
What issues with DRC? I'm listening to their net right now...
Amazing what you can hear with a HT
I've been quite surprised myself. I have no intention of following in my dad's footsteps and collecting QSL cards from all over the world but it is rather amazing what I can hear just sitting at my fly tying table with an FT60R connected to a Diamond antenna in the window.
What issues with DRC? I'm listening to their net right now...
A while back I was playing with echolink. I connected to their repeater without doing an echotest and my mic was having issues. One of their officers took exception to me connecting and not replying to his calls, he proceeded to somewhat berate me for not replying and recited my physical address over the air.
meh... I sent him an e-mail apologizing for my deviation from "protocol" of connecting to a repeater and not identifying myself.
It is what it is... ever since I just listen and really haven't tried much new in the ham world. I use it for situational awareness anyways, I like listening to the storm chasers.
Thanks for bumping this thread. I will probably join DRC. I hope to make the July meeting and have begun studying for my Extra, which I intend to take at the DRC Hamfest in August. http://www.w0tx.org/
No hobby is immune from people who insist on punishing others for not living up to their own high standards. [facepalm]Please don't let one or two or twenty range nazis take the fun out of your hobby. If you aren't learning...you are dumb or dead.
No hobby is immune from people who insist on punishing others for not living up to their own high standards. [facepalm]Please don't let one or two or twenty range nazis take the fun out of your hobby. If you aren't learning...you are dumb or dead.
I hear ya. The hobby is a bunch of amateurs who try to act professional whenever possible, that is why I like the hobby. If I was just called onto the carpet that is one thing, and I realize that if you don't use a PO box with the FCC your info is out there, but I consider a transmission of, " Mr, R_____ B_____ at 1234 R_____ Place in Aurora, do you know it is improper to connect to a repeater via echolink and not identify yourself?" to be borderline a personal attack. Keep in mind this took place over about 5 minutes, and not during any nets.
You don't know who is connecting! I may be having legitimate trouble, and this is the only way I can connect. PLUS this is a hobby of hobbyists. we are constantly tinkering and updating and trying things new.
I continue to learn, but I don't even transmit anymore, I'm currently planning/building a Bug out radio box in a pelican case for my Bug out trailer. If I do ever test my rig out that I am building it won't be with strangers, i'll ask someone from here now that we have a bunch of new hams.
I am in no way trying to sway anyone from joining any club or whatnot, the above is just my experiences, and I would like to pass the knowledge onto anyone who cares, and this is why you don't hear my out there on the airwaves.
PS. Moral of the story, anyone connecting to echolink use the ECHOTEST server first to make sure your shit works first.
gnihcraes
07-07-2014, 21:46
This video explains it all I believe. I know several people in this video, good people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dm_tDeMoxc
New forum member here and just saw this thread. I've been an HAM since 2000. I have spent a lot of time working in ARES groups and SKYWARN in Texas and Memphis.
I have put off testing for Extra for many years but may go for the August Hamfest date. I am listed with ARRL as an Elmer and currently setting up a Radio Club at the School I work at.
If anyone needs help on study info, mobil mounting, or any other items I'm available to help. I teach auto mechanics so I can explain most theories in a very basic manner.
Ken
I am listed with ARRL as an Elmer
Wish you were closer...
New forum member here and just saw this thread. I've been an HAM since 2000. I have spent a lot of time working in ARES groups and SKYWARN in Texas and Memphis.
I have put off testing for Extra for many years but may go for the August Hamfest date. I am listed with ARRL as an Elmer and currently setting up a Radio Club at the School I work at.
If anyone needs help on study info, mobil mounting, or any other items I'm available to help. I teach auto mechanics so I can explain most theories in a very basic manner.
Ken
Welcome Ken CO and what a heckuva first post! I am building a pelican go-box and will probably be picking your brain if I run into a brick wall!
I teach auto mechanics so I can explain most theories in a very basic manner.
Ken
Anyone else laugh at the way this was phrased? LOL, welcome to the board.
Ranger353
07-09-2014, 21:24
Hello, I just discovered this thread and was surprised that there are so many Hams here. I have been a Ham since 1997 and hold a General class license. I have seen so many changes to the hobby and am really glad that it is still around today, I still enjoy it. The biggest changes have been in the digital modes, it seems like a new digital protocol was being invented or released every 6 months to a year since 2000. Some of the modes are better then others and some are fantastic at compressing data and using spectrum very efficiently.
If you have questions please ask me and I will tell you what I know about it.
Okay, I'm not sure if we should start a new thread about this, but ... I hang out on these two repeaters:
145.400- 100.0 PL and
145.145- 107.2 PL
I do not transmit at all usually.. but if you want to know my call, PM me
Morning commute around 0800-0830
Evening commute around 1700-1800
PS:
I GOT A VANITY CALL SIGN! LOL
I looked up my own call sign today and saw it was CANCELLED! Then I looked up one of the vanities that I requested... awesome!
Singlestack
07-11-2014, 06:35
Finally got a real 2m/70cm antenna installed at my house this weekend. Big improvement from the 19" HT antenna or a borrowed 5/8 wave mag mount 2m antenna I use from my place in the basement. I had planned to put it on a mast 28 feet up on the side of the roof. Bought 10' PVC pipe sections for this, glued them solidly, but the pipe was way too whippy to get vertical and clear the eave of the roof. So plan B was putting it in the attic - which would actually be about 3 feet higher than with the mast. Bought 60 feet of LMR-400 good cable - which was the perfect length. Had to get on the roof to feed the coax to the side of the house (a bit scary since the roof is really narrow where I had to go). Both rcv and xmit much better than before. I can pick up 4 of the 10 NOAA weather channels now and hear much more than before. FYI the antenna is a Diamond X-50NA, which was highly recommended and I would recommend as well. Installation was a breeze!
That is awesome!
I have some stuff I need to install in the attic, but the last week was way to hot to go up there. I was up there for a little while wondering how the heck I was going to run some wires (the ceiling is pretty low, and half of the house has vaulted ceilings.) So I chickened out. I might attempt it again this weekend, but my motivation is nil.
I already have coax running to the attic, so It should be pretty easy to get an antenna up there, I just don't have room for a dedicated ham shack.
Finally got a real 2m/70cm antenna installed at my house this weekend. Big improvement from the 19" HT antenna or a borrowed 5/8 wave mag mount 2m antenna I use from my place in the basement. I had planned to put it on a mast 28 feet up on the side of the roof. Bought 10' PVC pipe sections for this, glued them solidly, but the pipe was way too whippy to get vertical and clear the eave of the roof. So plan B was putting it in the attic - which would actually be about 3 feet higher than with the mast. Bought 60 feet of LMR-400 good cable - which was the perfect length. Had to get on the roof to feed the coax to the side of the house (a bit scary since the roof is really narrow where I had to go). Both rcv and xmit much better than before. I can pick up 4 of the 10 NOAA weather channels now and hear much more than before. FYI the antenna is a Diamond X-50NA, which was highly recommended and I would recommend as well. Installation was a breeze!
Singlestack
07-13-2014, 21:44
I hear ya on the heat. In the 1 hr I was up there last weekend I downed 2 bottles of H2o. Most of the time was laying the boards to get to end the end of the attic.
Today I drilled thru about 12.5" of stone, concrete, plastic, particle board and wood to get the cable into the room. Very slow going thru the concrete, and couldn't have done it without a 12" 5/8" concrete bit from home depot. Backfilled the holes with backer rod and weatherproofed with external Silicone RTV.
I love Silicone - my dad worked out of the GE Silicone plant in Waterford NY and sold the industrial glues for them. One of his biggest customers many years ago was Rockwell. They had this new space contraption they called the space shuttle. Rockwell bought a 5-part silicone glue from GE to put the tiles on. Remember the problems they were having with the tiles falling off? The first time it was not following the directions to cure each layer of glue in-place. The second time it was a bad batch of the binder (layer 2, I think). Man was it crazy at our house for a month or two. My dad was practically living in Palmdale CA until they got it right. That glue at the time cost about $1500/oz., but could withstand extreme heat, cold, and pressure.
RBeau - great that you already have coax to the attic - that was one of the headaches for me.
RBeau - great that you already have coax to the attic - that was one of the headaches for me.
Unfortunately I think it is just the TV cable coax. the HoA frowns on aerial TV antennas and I think this was pre-positioned (with a run of Cat 5 as well.... weird) to mount an antenna in the attic. Not sure if I can put a HAM stick or something in the attic, but I suppose it is a possibility.
I need to run some A/V cable back down, and the chase I want to use is little bit inaccesible along with the ret of the ttic, Like you I think I am going to run some boards up there so I can crawl around easier.
Just started studing for the Tech & General, figured I would get them both out of the way at the same time. Using the Books from W0STU (Hamradioschool.com), so far they seem pretty strat forward and pretty easy to read.
Anyone have a decent format for a log book, maybe a spreadsheet?
I have Technician flashcards from the old version test. I would be happy to donate.
I appriciate it but I have the flashcards covered. I was looking for an idea on a decent transmission log book maybe in a spreadsheet format.
ahhh okay.. I don't do any long distance stuff, and the short distance stuff became monotonous to keep up with contacts so I gave up.
Well I'm just getting through the Tech Book about ready to start the General. I'm thinking I might go ahead and get the extra book and see if I can get all 3 done in the same testing session. I'm planing on the 10th of next m onth so I might run out of time after I get through the general book but we will see.
I didn't take the General right after my Tech exam, which I should have. I got so much going on right now I have no time to study, but I should. my divorce 6 years ago, just got super ugly and I got so much on my plate. I would really like to see what the other bands are like, and get into HF a little.
I got my mount installed for a 10Meter antenna on my truck, just have to tune it and get a radio, I heard on the radio this mornign that 10 meter and 20 meter were good this past week.
I just put a comet SMA24 on my FT-60R giving me full strength receive from most of the front range repeaters. I was typically getting about a 4 or 5 signal with the stock antenna. I don't really transmit so I'm not sure how much that has improved. It would be cool to jump in on a net with you folks. Anymore progress towards this?
I just put a comet SMA24 on my FT-60R giving me full strength receive from most of the front range repeaters. I was typically getting about a 4 or 5 signal with the stock antenna. I don't really transmit so I'm not sure how much that has improved. It would be cool to jump in on a net with you folks. Anymore progress towards this?
I don't think this ever got off the ground. We would have to find a repeater that most of us can get to that would host us.
I listen to the 145.400- 100.00 tone and the 145.145 and 107.2 tone on both of my commutes. In the morning between 0645 and 0830 and then evening from 1700 to 1745 ish if you want to test.
Sounds like your To work commute time is twice as long as your From work commute time. Similar to mine.
gnihcraes
09-29-2014, 19:46
I can be on the air to test about any evening. Just let me know via pm and which repeater, I have most programmed on multiple radios.
Sounds like your To work commute time is twice as long as your From work commute time. Similar to mine.
Well. My commute is really only 15 minutes, but I go to work on a as needed basis. If I want to get anything done before folks show up I leave early. I have a P-8 school just to the north of me and an elementary school just southwest of me. Mornings can be very dangerous dodging the minivans full of soccer mom's who have more concern over texting/cellphone conversations and dropping kids off at the school than actual traffic laws.
Perhaps we should start by polling the folks who live in harder to reach areas, what repeaters they can get to. Then we know what repeater would work best for most of us.
Then we can informally meet there at certain times, and get a feel for when the most of us might be free.
Then we can ask the repeater owner/radio club to allow us to conduct a short formal net at set times.
We could also perhaps get a frequency plan set up for folks here. (If emergency arises, go to: ____ repeater, _____ freq simplex, ___ Channel GMRS (cobra/motorola/etc radios), or ___channel CB)
If we have a lot of folks in a certain area, we will probably have to break up the regions of colorado in separate groups. (Eastern/Western Colorado, etc)
Just a thought. This would be a valuable skill to practice for the folks who have recently gotten their ticket and have not actually talked much.
Perhaps we should start by polling the folks who live in harder to reach areas, what repeaters they can get to. Then we know what repeater would work best for most of us.
Then we can informally meet there at certain times, and get a feel for when the most of us might be free.
Then we can ask the repeater owner/radio club to allow us to conduct a short formal net at set times.
We could also perhaps get a frequency plan set up for folks here. (If emergency arises, go to: ____ repeater, _____ freq simplex, ___ Channel GMRS (cobra/motorola/etc radios), or ___channel CB)
If we have a lot of folks in a certain area, we will probably have to break up the regions of colorado in separate groups. (Eastern/Western Colorado, etc)
Just a thought. This would be a valuable skill to practice for the folks who have recently gotten their ticket and have not actually talked much.
I fall in that category of being new and not talking much. I listen a lot and most of the radio talk is out of my league and beyond my current scope of interest. I'll chime in if general talk is interesting but I would do so more if I knew some like minded folks from this forum were on a net. I would also join a repeater club if we found one that would host us. I'm up for simplex too but my transmit range is not so hot unless I'm hitting one of those high up repeaters. I'm thinking about buying a 50 watt radio for my loading bench and an outdoor antenna. Need to do a lot more research before I get that far.
I suppose we could pencil in a time where we just show up on a repeater that seems central to most of us and just chat.
I would however like to keep mention of "COAR15" away as much as possible... perhaps refer to here as just "the board" or something like that. Our Callsigns are publishe and so is our addresses. Last think we need is for someone listening with a scanner to put together our addresses with "ohh they are into expensive hobbies".
What I have heard that works well with three or more people is one person talks and names the next person to talk and so on. round-robin through the attendees.
Does anyone know if the repeater in Breckenridge is operational? I drove through there today and couldn't key it up. I've never tried to access it before, so I may have my radio programmed incorrectly.
Does anyone know if the repeater in Breckenridge is operational? I drove through there today and couldn't key it up. I've never tried to access it before, so I may have my radio programmed incorrectly.
These ones? I'll try them on my way home from work in about an hour I think I have them programmed. Although I might not be able to either not sure they can see the metro area.
http://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/LocationSearch.php?state_id=08&type=city&loc=Breckenridge#sthash.THP3WEUd.dpbs
one of them has a split tone... fyi
I was able to get to the 146.700 repeater and got a good signal report. That was from I225 and 6th avenue. The other two I couldn't even get a repeater CW Identification reply.
HoneyBadger
10-09-2014, 18:01
I bought a FT-60R a few weeks ago. Also bought an extra battery pack, a 12VDC car charger, a programming cable, and a Diamond SRH320A antenna for it. I'm about to start reading this thread from the beginning and start studying. I took a practice technician's test without knowing anything about Ham and scored a 28/35. A few of them were lucky guesses, and quite a few were caught up in the cobwebs from several years ago. I didn't think there would be so many questions on simple electronics diagrams and principles. I definitely don't know any of the Ham protocol. I looked up some local repeaters and was able to listen in easy enough, but that's not very useful for me yet.
When you listen you will get how others talk. plus if you flubb up usually people are cool about it.
Us folks really need to nail down a weekly time to meet on the radio, and a repeater that most of us can get to.
I bought a FT-60R a few weeks ago. Also bought an extra battery pack, a 12VDC car charger, a programming cable, and a Diamond SRH320A antenna for it. I'm about to start reading this thread from the beginning and start studying. I took a practice technician's test without knowing anything about Ham and scored a 28/35. A few of them were lucky guesses, and quite a few were caught up in the cobwebs from several years ago. I didn't think there would be so many questions on simple electronics diagrams and principles. I definitely don't know any of the Ham protocol. I looked up some local repeaters and was able to listen in easy enough, but that's not very useful for me yet.
I ran through the questions at hamstudy.org for a few hours before taking the technician test. It has the entire test bank and will keep giving you the questions you miss more frequently so that you improve quickly. Spend a few hours there and you'll probably score perfectly on the test.
I bought a FT-60R a few weeks ago. Also bought an extra battery pack, a 12VDC car charger, a programming cable, and a Diamond SRH320A antenna for it. I'm about to start reading this thread from the beginning and start studying. I took a practice technician's test without knowing anything about Ham and scored a 28/35. A few of them were lucky guesses, and quite a few were caught up in the cobwebs from several years ago. I didn't think there would be so many questions on simple electronics diagrams and principles. I definitely don't know any of the Ham protocol. I looked up some local repeaters and was able to listen in easy enough, but that's not very useful for me yet.
Get the AA battery adaptor for your radio if you don't already have it. You'll have added utility in SHTF or emergencies.
Us folks really need to nail down a weekly time to meet on the radio, and a repeater that most of us can get to.
I'd very much like that. I need practice not sounding like an idiot.
GilpinGuy
10-12-2014, 07:45
OK, I just read through this entire thread and I'm interested. I have ZERO knowledge of this stuff beyond what I've read here.
Since I live in the mountains, is it even worth getting into this? I've read some comments about "line of sight". I have about 50 yards from my house to thick trees, and I spend 90% of my driving time up here. I don't want to spend a bunch of time/$$ for nothing.
I think amateur radio is even more important in mountainous areas. How is your cell coverage? With repeaters, you can communicate in an emergency even when there is no cell coverage.
I don't use my HT often, but take it with me on every trip, no matter where I go. If bad things happen, I only need to get a msg to another HAM and I trust the msg will be relayed. From anywhere, to anywhere, any time of day.
OK, I just read through this entire thread and I'm interested. I have ZERO knowledge of this stuff beyond what I've read here.
Since I live in the mountains, is it even worth getting into this? I've read some comments about "line of sight". I have about 50 yards from my house to thick trees, and I spend 90% of my driving time up here. I don't want to spend a bunch of time/$$ for nothing.
Can you see the top of any mountains that have a repeater up there? I think Lookout Mountain and Pikes Peak?
http://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/LocationSearch.php?state_id=08&loc=Gilpin&type=county#sthash.w6ZzrnXj.dpbs
Gilpin Repeaters. I think I was successful at contacting the two on Thorodin Mountain with my Baofeng before.
HoneyBadger
10-12-2014, 14:27
He should be able to hit Pikes Peak, but it really depends on the immediate terrain. If you live in a valley and can't see pikes peak, then you probably won't be able to hit it.
GilpinGuy
10-13-2014, 13:14
http://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/LocationSearch.php?state_id=08&loc=Gilpin&type=county#sthash.w6ZzrnXj.dpbs
Gilpin Repeaters. I think I was successful at contacting the two on Thorodin Mountain with my Baofeng before.
Thorodin Mountain is pretty close. Sweet - thanks!
Thorodin Mountain is pretty close. Sweet - thanks!
If you are not sure about wanting to get into the hobby. Get a Baofeng radio for 30 bucks on Amazon. They are very capable, and can get you a feel for it before you go spending money on some serious radios. Your License is going to be 15 bucks. So all together you can get into the hobby for way less than $100 bucks.
This is the one I bought (UV-5R):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H4VT7A/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I was listening to my Baofeng just today.
I was listening to my Baofeng just today.
I have several stashed in strategic places.
Going to eventually set up my Baofengs to transmit to my car or bug out Trailer which is set up as a cross-band-repeater to transmit to a repeater on one of the mountains.
I know my car radio is capable of it It is just one of those "to do" items.
Singlestack
10-21-2014, 19:49
If you are not sure about wanting to get into the hobby. Get a Baofeng radio for 30 bucks on Amazon. They are very capable, and can get you a feel for it before you go spending money on some serious radios. Your License is going to be 15 bucks. So all together you can get into the hobby for way less than $100 bucks.
This is the one I bought (UV-5R):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H4VT7A/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Great advice. Give it a try with little investment. If you find its not for you, not much invested. I had my Baofeng for a year before deciding I wanted to get more into it and joined ARES. Got an Icom ID-51 for Christmas last year, and its an incredible radio. Better then the Baofeng in all ways except cost. But now I have the Baofeng as a backup, and it goes with me on daily walks.
One thing to consider, Gilpinguy, is to get some local height on an antenna - makes all the difference in the world. I only have 4-5Watt HTs that I use from my basement study, but have 60' of good coax to an attic mounted Diamond X-50AN 2M/70cm antenna. Sounds fantastic and I can hit other HTs 10 miles away on simplex (no repeater) without a perfect LOS.
A technician level license and an inexpensive dual band HT ought to be considered mandatory survival gear.
buffalobo
11-07-2014, 09:02
If you are not sure about wanting to get into the hobby. Get a Baofeng radio for 30 bucks on Amazon. They are very capable, and can get you a feel for it before you go spending money on some serious radios. Your License is going to be 15 bucks. So all together you can get into the hobby for way less than $100 bucks.
This is the one I bought (UV-5R):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H4VT7A/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Great advice. Give it a try with little investment. If you find its not for you, not much invested. I had my Baofeng for a year before deciding I wanted to get more into it and joined ARES. Got an Icom ID-51 for Christmas last year, and its an incredible radio. Better then the Baofeng in all ways except cost. But now I have the Baofeng as a backup, and it goes with me on daily walks.
One thing to consider, Gilpinguy, is to get some local height on an antenna - makes all the difference in the world. I only have 4-5Watt HTs that I use from my basement study, but have 60' of good coax to an attic mounted Diamond X-50AN 2M/70cm antenna. Sounds fantastic and I can hit other HTs 10 miles away on simplex (no repeater) without a perfect LOS.
A technician level license and an inexpensive dual band HT ought to be considered mandatory survival gear.
Gotta love when the most recent posts have the answers/advice you are looking for.
Time to go back to the beginning and read entire thread and pull the trigger.
Gotta love when the most recent posts have the answers/advice you are looking for.
Time to go back to the beginning and read entire thread and pull the trigger.
Meh just go for it, get to the practice tests online. I put the bookmark on my phone, and every time I had a few extra minutes I would go through a few questions. All of the questiuons are published so you will not get a surprize.
Ohh and before you take the test... go through the General test questions too... Whhen you pass the Tech, you can go ahead and take the General (and extra if you then pass the General) for no extra money. Worse case scenario it is a free look at the test.
If you can't get licensed for whatever reason right now. Get a cheap radio like the baofeng. You can do everything except transmit. So why not?
If you don't like it I will buy your radio from you LOL.
Would someone please post a link to amazon or ebay with the correct part to go from the baofeng to the magnetic car mount antenna? I used to have the link but I can no longer find it.
Any other helpful parts links would be good to.
Thanks
Do you mean the adapter? The baofeng needs a SMA-Female: Here is a mag antenna that should work.
http://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-BF-S112-Two-Radio-Speaker/dp/B008RZ0EQ0/ref=pd_bxgy_misc_img_z
Here is one for SMA to BNC (My Scanner Antenna has a BNC)
http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Convert-Adaptor-Two-way-BaoFeng/dp/B00B4OWULS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415591574&sr=1-1&keywords=sma+to+bnc
Many Magnetic antennas require different connectors. Here is one that will attach a Baofeng to a PL-259 (Like a CB connector.)
http://www.amazon.com/Reverse-PL-259-Adapter-Female-Baofeng/dp/B005F5FL5O/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415591344&sr=1-3&keywords=sma+to+pl-259+adapter
The two best upgrades I have done to mine is the 14" whip antenna:
http://www.amazon.com/ExpertPower%C2%AE-430Mhz-Antenna-BAOFENG-KG-UVD1P/dp/B008Y2SPE4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415591022&sr=1-1&keywords=baofeng+14%22
and the speaker mic thingy:
http://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-BF-S112-Two-Radio-Speaker/dp/B008RZ0EQ0/ref=pd_bxgy_misc_img_z
They also make a AA battery pack which is useful.
For some reason the Speaker mic seems to make everything sound better.
The 14" whip antenna upgrade seems to work for me even in a moving vehicle.
The programming cable makes things really really easy. I should have added that to the suggested upgrades. However I could not imagine programming it without the cable. LOL
I like the extended life battery as well, but it makes it considerably longer but easier to grip. If you like the compactness of the baofeng I wouldn't get the extended battery. But it does make the run time longer.
gnihcraes
12-27-2014, 18:18
Did we have a backup power/solar thread? emergency charging of devices like cell phones?
I'm getting back to work on my portable solar power project. If there isn't a thread, I'll start one.
ChadAmberg
12-27-2014, 19:08
Anyone else doing digital modes on HF? I've been working a lot of stations around the planet on JT65 lately...
HoneyBadger
12-27-2014, 21:13
Did we have a backup power/solar thread? emergency charging of devices like cell phones?
I'm getting back to work on my portable solar power project. If there isn't a thread, I'll start one.
Please do. I would like to get a few semi-portable panels that could intermittently power a few important devices/appliances. Not sure what kind of battery setup I would need.
My handheld HAM will be here next week. I'll have to start studying and get my license soon.
Also, for portable solar, I ordered this guy a week ago:
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-ALLPOWERS-Technology-Blackberry-Smartphones/dp/B00J2OC2B0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1419011276&sr=8-4&keywords=solar+panel
I don't know how much juice you're looking to get but this seemed like a good option for when power goes out or for camping trips. I plan to use it to charge up the portable electronic battery/recharger things, then use those to charge the electronic devices.
This is the type of battery/charger I'm talking about. http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR1maabcSfcz4UcWZ7gi990fN42hUWMk cu26GU8kFIoYDkciQ669KQklg
zimagold
12-29-2014, 19:35
Anyone else doing digital modes on HF? I've been working a lot of stations around the planet on JT65 lately...
I was running PSK31 this spring back in Pennsylvania. Still trying to figure out the HF antenna in Condo now that I moved and don't have a yard.
GilpinGuy,
Buying that Baofeng in the link in an above post is likely cheaper than the gas it'd take you to get to Boulder & home but I'd be happy to loan you one of my Yaesu FT-60R's if you want to see if you can hit a few repeaters from your front porch. I have friends that live in one secluded spot in Gilpin county and I simply cannot hit any repeaters from their property but that's potentially a unique scenario. PM if you want to borrow a radio to see how your location does.
ChadAmberg
12-30-2014, 10:44
I was running PSK31 this spring back in Pennsylvania. Still trying to figure out the HF antenna in Condo now that I moved and don't have a yard.
I have a yard but am kind of lazy, so I went with an SGC-239 external auto-antenna tuner in my little shed, connected to a ~100ft loop of wire that kind of goes up the side of the house, and around the fence. Lots of folks use the SGC tuners connected to random lengths of wire, maybe you can simply hang a wire out the window? Or connect one end to a tennis ball real good, and throw it up into the gutter whenever you want to use it. Alternatively, I hooked my tuner up to my gutter and used that as an antenna. Worked pretty well when it wasn't raining!
gnihcraes
01-03-2015, 19:22
anyone want to step up their radio presence? not mine, just surfing and found it.
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4797706026.html
(http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4797706026.html)
I wonder if the equipment is included and what exactly that equipment is? Such poor photos, difficult to tell.
Gas price is down and it might be possible to afford driving that V10 around. :)
Could be an interesting project.
sellersm
01-08-2015, 13:41
Anyone tried the new Baofeng BF-F8HP? More power, bigger battery, other cool stuff: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MAULSOK/
buffalobo
01-08-2015, 14:05
Anyone tried the new Baofeng BF-F8HP? More power, bigger battery, other cool stuff: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MAULSOK/
Looks good, especially for folks just getting in Ham radio.
zimagold
01-08-2015, 17:23
Haven't tried the BF-F8HP, I have 3 of their radios. Favorite is definitely the UV-82. I believe its considered commercial grade and feels better made with solid audio reports.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E4KLY34/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1420759078&sr=8-1&dpPl=1&dpID=41lNMs06ueL&ref=plSrch
Having said that, I have no real complaints about the other models. Programming has been fine with them, just feel a bit like a home science project.
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