Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

146.580 around here is way more active than the calling freq. Normally on Saturday morning there will be a lot of folks on because the have the time and are around the house.

But the repeater would probably still be the easiest. Just giving options.

 

I use the nite ize magnet mounts. They don't grip too hard, but they hold on real nice.

 

You might want to look into 1/4 wave antennas. I keep a little 12" whip for parking garages. The performance really isn't as bad as you would think, given it's size.

 

I just passed my tech exam this morning. A handheld is the next step while waiting for the FCC.

 

Congratulations! You'll likely get your call by the end of next week if the exam results are promptly posted. I'm waiting on the Yaesu FT 2DR HT to clear backorder... I decided on and commited to investing in the Yaesu C4FM system fusion and recently picked up their ft 400 XDR and installed it in my taco. Next step for me is to create a personal hotspot to take advantage of all the radio's digital capabilities. Learning curve is still steep for me. Good luck and have fun!

 

Congrats and welcome to the community!

 

What area of NH are you out of?

 

Southern NH along the MA border town of Pelham.

 

AA1W on the K1CA VHF repeater. He would be a good resource for hotspots

 

Thanks for the lead. I'll look into that.

 

No prob. We are normally all in there in the morning

146.850

 

More GMRS options

https://baofengtech.com/gmrs-50x1

 

Interesting.

I have 2 of their GMRS-V1 handhelds. Didn't see the mobile when I bought them. Guess that's new. I'm assuming it's like the handheld models, in that it's a regular model with firmware that limits it's transmit capability to GMRS only.

 

Yup. Coming soon

https://qrznow.com/gmrs-50x1-50-watt-gmrs-mobile-radio-from-btech-is-released/amp/

 

I think you are asking where to mount it?

Ideally you want it high and with a good mass under it. As in on the roof near center of mass.

Mine is on the rack with a motor mount. Works great. Write up in build thread via the “electronics” link.

 

It will be mounted on the roof rack on a plate. More asking how to wire, bond ,and ground, if there is a standard approach to it and if there are specific/recommended wires to use

 

Got it. I predict all of us hams will have a gambit of opinions on antennas! I have always chosen cab roof to maximize the ground plane with good results. I know a lot of hams add a bonding strap and even over engineer the body panel bonding theory. I have not felt this has provided a measurable performance enhancement. Others have, especially at frequencies where it is more dependent.

To me, clean, waterproof connections with a feed line relatively short (but not in phase with your preferred frequency - I don’t have a 2 meter length of coax for instance), does the trick nicely.

Start simple and test away!

 

Yaesu 7900 deleted; Yaesu 8900 installed and comms checked! Even programmed the buttons on the remote, so I can avoid looking down inside the cab as much as possible.

Repeater function is gonna come in handy come race season too. Sometimes the 8w HT isn't enough to reach Weatherman from one side of the course to the other but I need to talk away from the truck.

 

Same here! After passing, I stopped at the HRO near my house and picked up a Yaesu FT-60.

 

Congrats!