Cap City Build & BS AF

Yeah....they were filming the opening footage of Bro-O-Rama 2019

 

If that works...then I'll never get sick.

 

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That would be awesome!!! My truck is getting pretty rediculous for driving around the city.

Even the cops were gawking lmao

 

Edited...meant to say they were "filming".

 

Me ---> <--- Chadwick

♡ ya Brotatochip

@ChadsPride

 

Mark!

 

Never!

 

Brakes done!

One stud stripped taking the tire off.

Off to get a new stud and lug nut.

 

My wife said that I didn’t need to swear. She has never had to replace a stud.

 

Do soccer mom's in their VW Tiguans look at you funny while driving your beast in the city?

 

The Baofeng lineup offers very capable handheld devices at great prices. I went with the more expensive

$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 that I scored for $40 bucks on a Amazon lightening deal (regular price is $63).

I felt like it had all the features I would need in a great little handheld starter radio. It gets great reviews on Amazon and when I did searches on HAM radio equipment sites it scored high on those as well.

It has a lot of great features. Including a built in LED on the top that can be used in both continuous and flashing strobe modes.

Last night I used some Amazon credits and ordered a IP67 rated mic. This way, with my magnetic mount exterior antenna connected, I can leave the radio in a cup holder and clip the mic to my shirt so it's right there.

My kit also came with a wearable ear/mic piece and this radio has the VOX feature. That's basically Voice Operated Transmission (fyi X always refers to Transmission, TX = Transmit & RX = Receive)

There are definitely higher end units but I wanted to spend less until I knew what I was doing. Plus, when that time comes, this will be perfect as a backup or bug out bag unit. Or if you're on the trail and another HAM operator forgets their radio you have a spare, especially if they are your spotter.

A lot of people have the BF-UV-5R too and are very happy with it. The F8HP is the 5R 3rd Gen.

 

Think that little hand held can reach me here in Tx?

 

I don't judge.

 

It's way too early for this nonsense!

 

Yes, like @medic2230 Murphy said, long range communications are possible because of what they call "repeaters". Think of them as cell towers. They are very tall antennas typically erected by private citizens, but sometimes are paid for by government agencies like emergency management agencies.

Basically you lock in on a repeaters frequency and transmit to it and then it sling shots your signal to another, and another and so on, ultimately to your destination.

With a CB, you turn the dial to channel 19 and hope for the best. With a HAM radio you find very specific frequencies using slightly more sophisticated methods.

 

Got the new stud and lug nut, also picked up 6 beers, might be one of those days.

 

When I got introduced to digital it was a game changer. So easy to contact someone else anywhere in the world quickly I haven’t even messed with long range analog. I don’t have my General yet so HF is out for me at the moment. I believe I attempted to transmit on my Baofeng once before switching to digital and never looking back. 2 days after getting my ticket my buddy hooked me up with a vhf Motorola mobile and a Radioddity GD-77 dual band DMR. Told me this would get me by till I got my own setup. I got hooked on the DMR clarity and ease of talking worldwide on it.

Did you know Disney World has a DMR repeater in Orlando? It’s owned by the Disney emergency radio club. It’s open to the public to use in the area and if you are visiting Disney or just want to talk to someone down there. It’s not for emergencies only though, you can use it at any time. I’ve tried for a while to make a contact down there but haven’t yet. Going to keep trying because I’d like to get one of their QSL cards from them. Haha. I think they chose that name for the abbreviation of D.E.A.R.S. ( Disney EARS ). Lol

I’m not sure if they have a analog side to it though.

 

What hardware do you have?