Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

I've been a ham for about 20 years now and a geeky dork for 48 (I'm an electrical engineer). I still haven't settled on that one right radio set up, constantly changing and tinkering. FWIW, my $0.02 for a brand new ham is to get to know your local clubs and Elmers and don't spend a ton up front. The reason to get to know local hams is they'll probably give you a radio, at least one to use until you figure it out, or sell you one cheap. But if not and you have to buy one get a basic 2m radio, $150 or whatever. It'll work for any initial need - chatting on a repeater, doing truck-to-truck - until you figure it out and when (not if) you buy something more fancy you can alway find something to use a 2m mobile for, like an APRS station, go box, home station or sell to another new ham.

 

I'll be working portable this Saturday if anyone one is going to be on Hf. Setting up on the ice.

 

Is it normal for the guy giving you the test to ask a series of questions that are on the test to tell you if you’re ready? The local ham group founder just called me and wanted to make sure I know what to bring what not to bring and then asked me about 10 questions without the answers. I missed 1. He said you’ll do just fine.

 

Really like my FTM-400. There are lots of Fusion repeaters here in Colorado though. If that wasn't the case I would probably go with something else.

 

Not something many hosts or VEs (ARRL Volunteer Examiner) might take the time to do but it's nice for him to have done. Good luck! And yeah, if you got 9 of 10 randomly you're fine.

 

X2. Good luck

 

What I've? What bands? What times?

 

Hoping 10am and beyond on Saturday. I'll probably start on 20, move to 15 and end up in 10 and 6 by the end of the day.

I'll try to float in the 14.280- 14.320 range.

 

Mines even stupider. I have been moving it around several times as I installed my rack lights. Will mount it with tnuts this spring but for the time being it’s a lameass hose clamp!

 

Ok so I narrowed it down to a yaesu 897d. Anyone have any personal experience with one? I found one local for $450.

 

I have a FT-857D, same internals in a smaller box for mobile instead of portable. These are fine analog radios. Pretty long in the tooth technology-wise (audio only DSP), not considered exceptional but it's reasonably sensitive, reliable, easy to use. It'll get the job done. They were around a long time and a lot of people have them. I have extra filters in my FT-857, a 300Hz CW and a 2kHz SSB. Price-wise, I dunno, seem about right since most seem to be asking in the $500 to $600 range for them. If it's in good shape seems like a good deal.

https://www.universal-radio.com/used/sold120.html

https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?search/99778792/&q=ft-897&o=date&c[node]=7

 

Hey, I'm testing Saturday too. Skipped one test due to poor timing last week. Best of luck.

I already set up a TM-V71A in my truck and have been listening (not much happening around here.) Building a satellite antenna today. Built my own Mobilinkd TNC already. I'm enjoying the hobby and haven't even transmitted yet. Looking into SSTV too since it's peculiar and easy to implement.

 

Good deal. Use the app or the qrz website and keep taking the practice tests is what I’ve been doing. Ever 10 times taking it it starts recycling on the qrz. I did it until I constantly made a 34/35. The biggest one that kept throwing me off what one of the T8 sections about transformers and transistors

 

There are a fixed number of pool questions. All you have to do is take the practice exams enough times to see all of them and you can literally memorize everything.

 

Right. That’s what I did. I took it over and over. Then would wait a few hours take it again rinse and repeat so it was fresh in my
Mind. But the one I keep missing every single time has the transformer and transmitter as both answers. I’ll take my 34/35 and be good lol.

 

I read the ARRL exam book then started taking practice exams. I like the knowledge, makes things more understandable for me.

 

Taking technician class 2/1 and 2/8 with the exam at the end.

Got myself an Anytone AT-778UV

$124 AnyTone AT-778UV Dual Band Transceiver Mobile Radio VHF/Uhf Two Way Radio

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B071DQPNCW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Nagoya UT-72 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B016SIJX28/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wondering if I should hardwire to the battery or tap into the cigarette lighter lines? Trying to protect myself from potential amp draw while my truck is parked.

Thinking about placing the Anytone in the glovebox. Any reason I shouldn't?

 

Wiring directly to the battery is a much better idea. It will decrease the amount of vehicle electrical noise your radio will pick up. The radio shouldn't draw any wattage if it is powered off. Not sure if yours has it but mine has an auto shutoff feature. The cigarette lighter might be electrically noisy and low amperage.

Only problem mounting the radio in the glove box or center console is heat dissipation but that's a lot of transmitting. I mounted mine under the seat and put the head unit on the dash. Without a removable head unit I would probably mount it to the right of the shifter (3rd gen).

 

Yeah I went the budget route here. I will wire directly to the battery and just for extra protection from the cheap mobile unit I'll put a switch in line with it.

 

Good idea. Or a relay with the activation wired to the accessory bus.