Official Colorado HAM and cheese thread

Who are you calling "the general"?

 

Saturday May 7th, I'll be one of the VEs at a testing session in Bastrop, TX.
Putting my new (Feb. 2016) Extra class license to work.

 

When requesting a passcode for APRSDroid, it asks for my grid square, where do I find such an animal? Its not on my license PW.

Google knows.
http://www.levinecentral.com/ham/grid_square.php

 

Google also knows that there's no need to request a passcode.
http://apps.magicbug.co.uk/passcode/

 

Don't wait for something you b could find yourself

 

So is the

$63 BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery

BF-F8HP the best inexpensive option?

Brandon and I over our celebratory wings (Plus Jakers and Ben) last night realized we passed a test but still don't know much about actually the best radio for us.

Next year I plan on getting a higher "grade" set-up (money Tree is bare after Bumper/ Winch/ Fogs) but looking for something really portal for now that I can use for spotting next year.

 

Any recommendations for a magnetic mount antenna for the Baofeng? Theres tons on Amazon, but I'm sure some are better bang for the buck than others. Maybe a cheap option and a more expensive option that I can also post the links to the first post for easy reference by others.

Working on trying out the APRS stuff and figure a better antenna will help out.

 

Snagged a cable from radio shack this morning. APRS works!

 

What mobile device are you using to connect to BaoFeng?

 

Just an older Nexus 7 (no cell service) with the APRSdroid app installed. 3.5mm male/male cord between them.

But I can put myself on the map, and I found some part of the APRSdroid where it'll show that there are other call signs in certain directions from me, but they dont pop up on the map. How do I get that to work?

Radio is on 144.390.

 

Need to marry a stereo cable to a mic/headphone cable.
May even need to add a resistor

Some guy sells little circuit boards you could use

 

Need to marry a stereo cable to a mic/headphone cable.
May even need to add a resistor

Some guy sells little circuit boards you could use

 

To see other people? I did the little tracking thing, havent driven around with it yet, but it seems to be sending stuff out fine.

http://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&call=a/KEOBTP&timerange=3600&tail=3600

 

Yeah the audio cable goes into the mic input of the radio so it's only good for your phone to send out through the radio.

 

Sommovabish! So then do i need one of the tnc whatchyamadoodles or just that special cable?

 

Yes

 

Lol i presume that's a yes to both....

Amazon have any good cost efficient contenders for both needed parts?

 

Yes to either.
Making your own cable would be cheapest.
I'll see if I can find the link again

 

There may be better ones, I don't know.
This is what I got and I've hit a repeater 46 miles away with no problem.
Tram 1185 Amateur Dual-Band Magnet Antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045EQUBK/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_C9slxb9QKZ11K

 

Is this what you are talking about?
https://willbradley.name/2015/08/09/aprs-via-rf-cable-for-connecting-aprsdroid-to-a-baofeng-radio/

That looks like it's asking for melted stuff... I can crimp connect stuff, but my history with soldering, not so good.