Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

I just got my call sign yesterday. KM4OTJ.

 

You could have a look at FRS radios (or the ones which are combination FRS/GMRS). On the FRS channels, you don't need a license. The ones from Motorola seem to get good reviews, but I don't have any direct experience with them. Here is a link to their web site showing their radios: http://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/products/two-way-radios/consumer-two-way-radios.html

Once you find one that you like, just do a Google search on the part number, and you can find some places to purchase them. I've had good luck with Amazon.

 

Thanks man, we already own some FRS/GMRS radios, those are going to be personal... so we are going to be carrying ~ 18-20 of those...

I already talked to the other guys of the other vehicles and ageed about CB for each truck...

Again, thanks for your help!

 

Somehow I didn't see the other responses. Sorry to repeat what everyone else said.

In any case, I hope to see pics of your trip to Moab. Have a great time, man. I'm jealous...

 

Congrats. Its way better as I'm sure you've already experienced

 

I've been utilizing comms for work for over 20 years. This is the first time I've been licensed as an individual.

 

My Yaesu FT-2800M popping fuses instantly as soon as I place one into the fuse holder. I think I may have blown the surge protection diode labeled as D301 during a recent wheeling trip since my Optima Yellow Top battery was having issues resulting in many jump starts during the couse of the run. I conducted a diode test using my multi-meter which gave 0v or no reading across both sides. Also getting the same result when ohming it out. Also has continuity both ways, that diode is toast! Now I have to decide if I want to try and replace the diode myself or find a local HAM that would do it for some beer or something.

 

@MonkeyProof my money is on you drinking the beer and fixing it yourself
(Yaesu FT-2800M Technical Supplement, Parts list, page 25 D301, SURGE ABSORBER, P6KE18A, Q9000630)
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Littelfuse/P6KE18A/?qs=zHiv0nsVGmrzXA7EREGWOg==
Also, a quick search on the bless'ed interwebs suggests that you check your alternators output too as the D301 protects against large spikes.

 

Awesome info, will make it easy to find and replace that diode.

I can tell you that the alternator and charging system has been thoroughly tested finding the alternator is fine and the Yellow Top battery having a bad cell. The battery had low CCA's and would not charge over 10.5V. My rig was jump started at least 10 times that night using various jump packs and jumper cables. It was the very last jump start I got that blew the diode, I'm sure of that. The Yellow Top has been replaced under warranty.

 

This is one of the reasons most of my accessories are on the blue sea fuse panel and a 100 amp breaker. If/when I need to jump start mine or someone else truck, i trip the breaker before hooking up. Just FFT.

 

I have everything tied into a similar fuse panel without a breaker, guess what I'm installing tomorrow ?

 

Super smart!

 

Put my 5/8 wave on this morning. makes a big difference.

 

could you do a couple detail photos on the mount, and how it's attached to the AC door?
Thanks

 

I's that one of those diamond mounts?

 

It's a brc mount with a

$43 pl259 USA made PL-259 improved double shielded rg-58u for firestik antenna K-8A 18-foot single cb/ham coax cable

pl259 antenna. The whip is a larsen.

 

Looks to be a heavy duty lip mount. There are many different styles and brands, here is a picture of the one comet makes.

 

That's exactly what it is