Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Wait til the legit cable is 80 bucks. You will try chirp and the cheapo first. I need to try my new cheapo notebook with chirp

 

I to own a cheap-o cable

I found the driver I needed in the depths of the Internet. When that radio died, 4 years later, I decided to a) not buy a cheap chinese radio again b) switch to RT Systems. Two of the best choices I have made in ham radio. Neither was cheap, but the number of headaches that have been avoided, worth every penny. I still like and suggest chirps to people, but I have upgraded and do suggest it to people when they reach that point.

I still haven't converted my kenwood HT to RT Systems, but it came with decent software that has access to all ow the radio's features and a standard mini-usb cable. One day I will bring it into the fold.

 

all you guys with cheapo's but no cheopo drivers?

 

HAD cheap-o!

I think mine was running on an XP machine, I don't think I ever did anything with 7/8. I know I failed to get the old drivers to work on my mac, that might have been my breaking point.

 

On our last trip, one of the Baofeng's would transmit, but not encode audio, until I cycled power on it.

Good thing we were just using them as toys for my 5-year old.

Sorry, I can't help there.

 

I had a Wuxon, before buy Chinese was cool. Was a great HT, my first, got me into the hobbie after a year or two of having my license and doing nothing with it. I loaned it out after I got my mobile and that guy enjoyed it for another year before the display went out. $120 to fix of $90 for a new one. So I bought an FT-60. That has been loaned out since the week I got it.

 

I did, figure out the rigging for my HT on the bike. Antenna is installed, just waiting on one more piece for the mount and then I'll be good to go. Still need to add power, but one thing at a time.

I'll look for my mock up pic.

 

Forgot to order the ball mount for the HT mount doh! It's on it's way now.

The mount is for a Kenwood D7a, back when Ram Mount actually made radio specific mounts. They still have them in stock, was like $11. Got the dremel out and made a few minor adjustment to make it fit. it is a tight fit, but I ordered the ram mount quick release, so I can take the whole mount of the arm in just a few seconds.

Not going to run this every day, but for APRS or chatting while on the long ride to work, it will be nice to have.

Edit for pics of the mount

 

Going in next monday to take the technician exam!

 

Good luck! I look forward to congratulating you on Monday evening!

I'm going in on Feb. 6th to take Element 4 (Extra)

 

I have a 8 dollar cable for my Baofeng with a legit looking plug for the usb side. It works well with chirp. I bought a cheapo 15 dollar cable for my Kenwood. It will only work if I open the Kenwood software then Chirp, I have fought with drivers all weekend and that is the workaround i found. I could not justify 75 dollars that HRO wants for the legit kenwood cable especially since kenwood gives away its software for free. I have had the cable since march and just got around to giving it a shot this week after getting a new laptop. The baofeng i got going back in April. I really want to look into IRLP now that I have a computer that computes instead of a chromebook that Chromes.

 

Anyone have a Kenwood PG-2W laying around that they don't need?

It's a dc cable for a Kenwood TH-d72a, although I think it is the same for all kenwood handhelds.

They seem to be going for ~$20 at all the usual places, figured it was worth asking you lot first.

 

Anyone use an SMA QuickConnect adapter/plug before? Like this:


https://www.digikey.com/Web Export/...F/Emerson_SMAQuickConnectors.pdf?redirected=1

Trying to find a fast way to disconnect the HT from the bike when I want to go inside. Not leaving this radio out to be grabbed. Ordered a Ram Mount quick disconnect to be able to remove the radio and the mount quickly. Now to figure out the Antenna connection.

 

I've never seen one of those before. That's pretty slick. I'd want to put it on the analyzer to make sure it didn't have any significant effect on SWR to be safe.

 

Here is a link to another brand, they say they are made for testing equipment, with no ill effects. I wonder about durability as well. Only use in a testing environment, or can they be used in the real world on a fixed mount?

http://www.winchesterelectronics.com/products/series/kings-rf-connectors/qc-sma-quick-connect/

 

Your best bet for a quick disconnect might be to use a SMA/female BNC adapter then cut the end off your coax and attach male BNC.
I wouldn't trust that adapter. It might work, but you might be slowly killing your radio.

 

I was thinking the same thing, but didn't say it. BNC is the ideal "quick disconnect" HT antenna mount.

 

After doing a little more reading it seams it might be a viable option if the one your looking at rated for 50 ohm.
I saw one site that sells 24 inch jumpers for $117

Ive always hated that manufacturers started using SMA. I was perfectly happy with BNCs

 

For those doing APRS and talking on 2 meters, especially when your on an off road excursion with a group, how do you have both vhf radios going without them causing interference to each other?

 

Keep your antennas apart, at least 2', ideally as far apart as you can manage.