Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

My vanity took abuot 20 days IIRC. When you fill out the form, you can add a bunch of choices. They'll pick the first one that's valid/unused.

I picked one that kept my region but was easier to say/understand.

 

Finally got my NMO installed. Used a Breedlove 3” puck NMO. Took a few hours to do everything cleanly but it’s finally all done. Just need to bust out my SWR meter and tune my maxrad antenna.

 

Check your requested call sign on the ULS first before requesting it so you know which ones you want are available or not. If it isn't being used right now and was cancelled or the sign shows inactive for a few years, the call sign will be yours generally.

 

I went with it, but kept region 7. Mainly because region 7 is the best region

 

Years ago, around 35 years ago I was looking at getting into HAM radios but in this area I was finding it hard to locate anyone to get more info from. Finally, about 25 or 30 years ago I meet a couple down the road that were helping me up to the point of finding out due to my hearing, Morse code was not going to happen. So after that I never looked into it again.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, my son said he was looking at Ham radios for use in his 4Runner. When I said I would except for the Morse code he informed me that had been dropped from the license. So now I've started looking again but I have to be honest, the most I know about Ham radios is you spell Ham . . .H.A.M. Is there a good website or book for dummies anyone could suggest for me? I've read some of this thread but it soon went well over my head and the thought of having to read it all for a link just didn't appeal to me at this time because what I've seen so far, as I stated is well over my head. Thanks for any guidance you can offer.

 

hamstudy.com is a good one and was built by the guy who taught my class. After a week of practice, I almost passed my general exam blind after passing my tech test. Honestly, just google HAM practice test, and a bunch of good results will come up.

 

I'll take a look at it, thanks.

 

Go to You Tube and Look up Ham Whisperer Technician. He has sets of videos for the Tech and General tickets. That is all I used and passed both with flying colors, I did have some APPs on my phone where I took practice exams.

 

Hey guys, is $500 for a Kenwood TM-D710GA a price that should not be passed up?

 

Seems like a pretty normal price.

 

Thanks

 

Finally finished the ham install. I'm happy with the fabricated antenna mount (will put a shot of black paint on it later today). The antenna wire was fed through a grommet under the driver's seat. At approximately nine hours, which included fabrication, testing and programming the radio, it's one clean install.

 

id be worried about the bed flexing and that mount hitting the cab while offroad, otherwise it looks like a clean install

 

If the bed flexes THAT much, he has a lot more serious issues than the mount hitting the cab.

 

Nice clean install. Is there any way that the antenna could smack into the back of the cab?

 

Pretty sure it does.
$1 says the mount hits the cab.

 

#2GenProblems

 

I don't off-road enough to generate that much flex, but it was factored into the equation.

No, not for a small NMO 2-meter - it's not a cb whip with a lot flex.

 

Replaced my old universal hood bracket with one made for Tacomas by West Crystal. Old one rubbed the hood, this one fits great and real sturdy.

 

i dont think the bed sides are adequately bonded to the frame