Official Colorado HAM and cheese thread

Software is in the files tab, towards the bottom of the page

www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=106&encProdID=227201D29C822AEFF8482F3367495319&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

 

Looks like you need the program just above what ya highlighted.
@pop.tremuloides confirm what version your radio has, but you Shound have the XDR v4.00 or v4.01

 

This RT Systems software is totally worth the $25 for Yaesu in my opinion. Local, Broomfield company.

It allows you to import straight from RepeaterBook to get a good collection of repeaters.

Using the SD card is my preferred method.

 

Just got off work. Ben, Josh and Ryan......

Will attempt the cable and software stuff tonight! Thanks for enlightening me on this!!!!!

I did manage to get APRS to work and @cjclark31 saw me on google.fi so it is working now just need to get it the way I want it.

 

Thoughts on half-wave vs quarter-wave antennas, especially for mountain driving/comms?

I live on the Front Range, but would obviously be commuting in and past the mountains frequently. Quarter-wave antennas I've heard, because they're stubbier, launch the waves higher than a half-wave would. The thought here is that the extra height would be enough to get you to a repeater, especially in the steeper portions of the Rockies.

What's everyone using for antennas?

 

I use a stubby Compactenna 2m/70cm mainly for tree clearance, hood lip mounted with a Diamond k400s NMO mount about 8" from the right side. I've had pretty solid simplex and repeater operation throughout the front range.

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-015797

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-006519

 

I’m using a Comet SS-680SBNMO antenna on a ditch light bracket on the drivers side of the hood. I’ve been pleased with my ability to transmit/receive. It’s 1/2 wave on 2m band and 5/8 wave on 70cm.

 

Anyone running this?

https://www.gigaparts.com/powerwerx-lf-1-pp.html

 

Are you chasing a noise issue?

I don't have any coupled signals so I have never searched one out.

 

Just every once in awhile with RT, trying to decide when I go full radio if this is worth doing or not.

 

Used HAM classifieds
https://swap.qth.com/c_radiovhf.php

 

X2 on this antenna The APRS signal is awesome.

 

My brain hurts after this. So much trial and error.

 

I'm wondering if it would work with the CB radio. At $30 it's not exactly cheap, and they market it for 2M.

 

The UHF/VHF Rugged Radios operate on ham frequencies and require a license to operate. Actually, some of their HTs are just rebranded Baofeng units, despite them claiming they don't know anything about Baofeng. You can get an

$19 BAOFENG UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black), 144-148MHz & 420-450MHz

UV-5R on Amazon for a third of the price.

CB operates at ~26-27 MHz and is limited to 4 Watts.

 

There is nothing special about Rugged Radios in terms of frequency operation. They are just a brand, like Yaesu, or Icom, or Baofeng. They operate on ham frequencies and require a license to do so just like the others.

Your work radios on the other hand are probably limited to FRS/GMRS frequencies on UHF/VHF and do not require a license to operate. These units are physically unable, as programmed from the manufacturer, to transmit outside of those limited FRS/GMRS frequencies. And they were probably only 2 Watt radios because that is the FRS limit.

 

The radios they use for frac are generally a commercial band, that the frac companies pay to utilize.

 

You aren't SOL, you would just need to get an amateur license in order to use those radios.

 

FCC has been cracking down on BF because of their ability to transmit on MURS/FRS/GMRS frequencies out of the box while not being Part 95 certified. I'm not sure how it has all shaken out but it was rumored that newer BF radios would have those frequencies restricted. I think what you are alluding to is people working MURS/FRS/GMRS frequencies on their BF units. And while technically those frequencies don't require a ham license, it is illegal to transmit on them without a Part 95 certified radio, and also illegal to transmit above the 2-4 Watt limits on those frequencies.

I don't doubt that many people buy these radios and don't even know they are using them illegally.

 

My 5W Baofeng with enhanced rubber ducky is always scanning whenever I'm driving around. It's not common that I'll hear actual chatter, but I'll pick up a lot of static. I ALWAYS hit static on 172.800. Anyone know what this channel is? Can't seem to find anything on radioreference.com.