Official Colorado HAM and cheese thread

Thanks Steve!!!

Nice website! Bookmarked!

Been having fun with the little Yaesu FT-70DR and it is rock solid! There are some pretty active HAMs on the various repeaters I check in with between Centennial Apt and Monument so its nice to see folks "chattin".

Had a friend come over this weekend to evaluate the home for HF and we have TONS of attic space to run a couple of options for HF so heading down that rabbit hole this week

 

So, is it time to brush up on your CW, or take a few more tests to get some access into those HF areas?

 

Hello, I have had my ham for a few years now, (KE0EIA) and finally lining up what to get. Probably going to get the ftM-400 for the radio and a Larsen antenna. My main question are there any recommendations for wiring, such as should I get a power filter? And what coax would be recommended, it if I really matters.



https://www.gigaparts.com/larsen-nmo2-70b.html

 

The FTM-400 has been a great radio for me so far. I'm still taking my time on getting the APRS going so I can't comment there. Currently with the price reduction there has been some supply issues, expect a longer wait time for delivery.

I went with a COMPACtenna https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-016475 on my hood with a Diamond lip mount https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-003079 . This is a very low clearance setup that is performing well. I went this route because of tree issues with roof mounting. I've broken my cb antenna 2 in the last year. I suffer with CB being up there because unlike the 2m/70cm the performance suffers an extreme amount.

 

Cool deal, I am thinking for the mount of going full nerd project and build my own Arduino based folding mount. Just because I can. And I am also whipping up a roofrack to toss it all on

 

Got my Tech license about a week ago and just got my

$18 Baofeng UV-5R VHF/UHF Dual Band Radio 144-148MHz 420-450MHz Transceiver

Baofeng UV-5R. Trying to hit off the Green Mountain Repeater (W0TX, 2 miles and LOS from my place). Anyone in the area or want to help me see if it works? PM me. I've had a scanner for a bit and I never hear much action on any of the 2m channels.

Not sure if I'd get much or better luck with the 2m or 70cm simplex call channels?

 

Try the 145.145 repeater. That usually has people on it a lot

 

Has anyone in Colorado built a codeplug for the Retevis RT3 or TYT md380 DMR radios that they would be willing to send to me? supposedly they are interchangeable.

 

Just got my MESO brake light installed with NMO.

 

Looks nice up there

D'ya think that you got a good enough connection back to the roof for the NMO? Also, do you think that the whole thing is strong enough to handle a few branch hits on the antenna?

I've been eyeballing these for my 2nd Gen, and haven't been able to form a solid opinion... (yet)

 

Very Cool, @YamaDirtrider Whats the status on your version?

 

Nice!

 

I haven't gotten to test the antenna much yet but it is very flexible. It actually has to flex to get in and out of my garage. The mount is really sturdy and thick, so i don't think it will easily break.

 

Need time and a test subject to use for the light. Metal has been cut for weeks now

 

Currently installing a FTM-400 and studying for my license.

Anyone have suggestions for a NMO mount antenna that isn't too tall or is flexible enough that trees won't present an issue. Already have the mount installed.

Also, I assume anything will work for an external speaker?

 

If you use a stereo speaker your good, if you use a mono speaker MAKE SURE to use the adapter that came with the radio!


So far I’ve been using a tram nmo and antenna. 1180 I think it’s short and looks like a cell phone antenna

 

You might check this guy out. Both Brian and I have been running it and reception/broadcast has been nothing short of awesome..

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-016475

 

You put a dilda on yer anus?

 

Not sure that would work too well with my roof mount and branches.

 

Might not. But it is short. On a flexible antenna branches coming that low could snap a flexible one. So could be good, could be bad.