Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

I downloaded this but just went through free Q&A route instead. Here and there, while on conference calls and a few evenings. Maybe 5-6 hours if you're good with the electronics fundamentals. I have a business trip coming up so I'll study for the General while I'm gone I think.

EDIT: There's also a free app by Roy Watson called Ham Radio Exam - Tech and General that are the same as the QRZ Hamtest format.

 

Cool thanks! I’m constantly wasting life away studying for grad school exams but I figure a few hours during my holiday break should be no issue lol. Or at least that’s what I’ve been telling myself the past couple years I’ve tried to set aside time to do it.

 

Hamwhisperer.com. Look him up on You Tube. He has sets for the tech and general license. These are all I did except practice tests on my iPhone. Had a buddy do the same thing, Tech and General.

 

Unfortunate news for me. License is listed as Terminated. Granted and Cancelled on the same day. Hopefully I'll be able to figure out why.

Update: System Error. The automated system that issues callsigns ran everything twice. Affecting several people.

Update #2: Error was sorted out. Reissued another callsign. Now it's KM6OGJ.

 

I live in HOA territory so I don't many options either. For HF, I take a Kenwood TS-440s out to the park and set up my Buddistick. For VHF/UHF, I am strictly mobile or handheld. If I really really need to set up VHF/UHF at home, you can get the N9TAX roll up up j-pole and hang it from a plant hook, a tree branch or a makeshift PVC antenna mast with an umbrella stand. They don't have a real good SWR unless you get the feed point 5 or more feet off the ground. I like the idea of picking it up and putting the antenna away when I'm not using it so HOA or nit picky neighbors can't say shit about it.

For just about every ham radio product there is a YouTube video of someone using it.

First thing you do before buying a radio or an antenna is figure out what your interests are and what you want to do. So many options: repeaters, APRS, Satellites, DMR, HF, , Summits On the Air, SSTV, data modes, CW, SSB on VHF and so much more. I have a buddy that has never ever talked into the microphone on a radio, he only does QRP data modes on HF.

 

When I install comms I usually run straight to battery, but has anyone run power to a UHF/VHF radio to an AUX fuse panel?
I've done this with my CB with no issues.

Main reason why is the stock harness for the radio is way too damn short for my run so I bought a new power/ground connector and will be crimping and running one strand of power wire, and don't feel like sourcing the pins/housing for a fuse holder, and don't want a prewired one that needs to be soldered. SO this way, I run 1 strand power wire with a crimped terminal, directly to Bussman fuse panel.

 

My cb and ham are both run like that (to fuse panel).
No issues for me.

 

As a university professor who teaches in a graduate program, let me wish you luck on your grad school exams (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.).

You should have time over the holiday to study for the exam. I wasn't the most skilled at electronics, but passed my Tech with approximately 10 hours of study time through hamradiolicenseexam.

 

I have a fused connection running from battery to under the drivers seat terminated with Anderson powerpoles plugged into a rigrunner power distro box. from there I power my radios and anything else I need power for.
Anderson Powerpoles are clean and easy. Widely used in amateur radio and other hobbies. If you don't know someone that has the crimping tool then you'll have to buy the crimp tool for $40.

 

Every extra on my truck, including ham radio, goes to a fuse panel that has a 100amp break between it and the battery. If I am swapping batteries or jumping someone, then I trip the breaker first, protecting my radios and other stuff.

 

I once blew the protection diode to one of my 2m radios that was wired directly to the battery with just the supplied 15amp fuse when jump starting..

 

Awesome thanks!

Thanks for the encouragement! I’m sure I’ll find the time. Now that I have a few more resources, it’ll just be down to my motivation to do some more studying in my off time.

My plan is currently to use a 25A rated deutsch connector as my quick disconnect and run the power to my aux panel in the same manner like your setup. I’ve never seen those powerpole connectors before, I’ll have to look into those for my next project since they have higher amp ratings than what deutsch offers.

Awesome. I currently have my 80amp panel outfitted with an 80amp fuse. I usually just disconnect the main AUX power cable if I’m messing with my wiring.

 

Powerpoles are also the accepted standard for lots of ARES and RACES organizations, that way anyone can plug anything into anything else and it will work.

 

I resisted powerpole connectors for a long time. They are expensive, but convenient once you start using them

 

Yea... You're going to have to open that up and show us what's going on under that cover.

 

Blue sea fuse panel, A/B battery switch. Switches are for the USB charger and bed LED lights. 200w of solar panels on the roof rack charge 2 Trojan T-105s in the bed (225ah). It all runs an edgestar fridge in the back 24/7, plus occasional inverter stuff. I put the A/B switch in to switch to truck power for long trips. An IOTA 55amp IQ4 power converter is inside as well in case there's no sun at campgrounds.

 

Vanity callsign got approved today! KD7TRD checking in!

 

NICE!! Very cool callsign

 

Nice, @llibrm is N7TRD

 

I like it. I was debating if I wanted to choose a vanity call or not. I spent a while thinking what I would use and then held off. But I think I'll still do it. I was reading elsewhere about how old school hams frown on vanity's because it disrupts the whole regionalization intent, but really, if the FCC doesn't care, then why should we? Maybe just more rag chewing fodder.

Bummed the one I would request is in use already.

Question: How long did approval take and does it fullly displace your systematically assigned call?