1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Discussion in 'Sports, Hobbies & Interests' started by The Traveler, Jan 29, 2013.

  1. Jan 15, 2020 at 10:36 AM
    #6121
    m603holden

    m603holden @Koditten Pirate Radio member #063

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2014
    Member:
    #140581
    Messages:
    11,732
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Marteeen
    New England
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma DCSB OR MT
    Lots of sail boat fuel
    I'll be working portable this Saturday if anyone one is going to be on Hf. Setting up on the ice.
     
    k8md and Kheiron like this.
  2. Jan 15, 2020 at 2:20 PM
    #6122
    Newlife

    Newlife Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2013
    Member:
    #106845
    Messages:
    8,570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Knoxville TN
    Vehicle:
    2020 t4r orp
    Bone f’n stock for now
    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.
     
    m603holden likes this.
  3. Jan 15, 2020 at 3:11 PM
    #6123
    Boomer3731

    Boomer3731 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2016
    Member:
    #195239
    Messages:
    484
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCSB TRD Sport
    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.

     
    m603holden and HP11 like this.
  4. Jan 15, 2020 at 4:01 PM
    #6124
    DaveInDenver

    DaveInDenver Not Actually in Denver

    Joined:
    May 18, 2013
    Member:
    #104390
    Messages:
    3,618
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Grand Junction
    Vehicle:
    2008 Super White TRDOR AC 6MT
    Unexceptional
    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.
     
  5. Jan 15, 2020 at 4:44 PM
    #6125
    m603holden

    m603holden @Koditten Pirate Radio member #063

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2014
    Member:
    #140581
    Messages:
    11,732
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Marteeen
    New England
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma DCSB OR MT
    Lots of sail boat fuel
    X2. Good luck
     
  6. Jan 15, 2020 at 7:04 PM
    #6126
    k8md

    k8md Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2018
    Member:
    #244081
    Messages:
    422
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    2015 Silver TRD Sport
    What I've? What bands? What times?
     
  7. Jan 16, 2020 at 4:29 AM
    #6127
    m603holden

    m603holden @Koditten Pirate Radio member #063

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2014
    Member:
    #140581
    Messages:
    11,732
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Marteeen
    New England
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma DCSB OR MT
    Lots of sail boat fuel
    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.
     
  8. Jan 16, 2020 at 8:19 PM
    #6128
    Cudgel

    Cudgel “Tonka”

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2017
    Member:
    #214640
    Messages:
    4,307
    Gender:
    Male
    Live in: An Ocean of Plastic Trash
    Vehicle:
    2017 OR DCLB
    ICON8 Lift -285s. upTOPoverland rack.
    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!
    4393836D-4409-4CBC-9B39-1545D04A300C.jpg
     
    Newlife[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Jan 17, 2020 at 5:11 AM
    #6129
    cllowe24

    cllowe24 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2015
    Member:
    #167538
    Messages:
    630
    Gender:
    Male
    Mid Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2015 access cab
    Billstines with 885 coils 2”aal Lce header, pro dry drop in filter, charcoal filter removal, light bar in grill, ditch lights, yaesu dual band radio, and a bunch of other junk
    Ok so I narrowed it down to a yaesu 897d. Anyone have any personal experience with one? I found one local for $450.
     
  10. Jan 17, 2020 at 5:35 AM
    #6130
    DaveInDenver

    DaveInDenver Not Actually in Denver

    Joined:
    May 18, 2013
    Member:
    #104390
    Messages:
    3,618
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Grand Junction
    Vehicle:
    2008 Super White TRDOR AC 6MT
    Unexceptional
    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
     
  11. Jan 17, 2020 at 7:13 AM
    #6131
    joshuajayg

    joshuajayg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2019
    Member:
    #313511
    Messages:
    638
    Gender:
    Male
    Moab
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Off-Road MT
    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.
     
  12. Jan 17, 2020 at 9:15 AM
    #6132
    Newlife

    Newlife Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2013
    Member:
    #106845
    Messages:
    8,570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Knoxville TN
    Vehicle:
    2020 t4r orp
    Bone f’n stock for now
    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
     
  13. Jan 17, 2020 at 9:29 AM
    #6133
    DaveInDenver

    DaveInDenver Not Actually in Denver

    Joined:
    May 18, 2013
    Member:
    #104390
    Messages:
    3,618
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Grand Junction
    Vehicle:
    2008 Super White TRDOR AC 6MT
    Unexceptional
    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.
     
  14. Jan 17, 2020 at 9:35 AM
    #6134
    Newlife

    Newlife Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2013
    Member:
    #106845
    Messages:
    8,570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Knoxville TN
    Vehicle:
    2020 t4r orp
    Bone f’n stock for now
    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.
     
  15. Jan 17, 2020 at 10:52 AM
    #6135
    joshuajayg

    joshuajayg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2019
    Member:
    #313511
    Messages:
    638
    Gender:
    Male
    Moab
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Off-Road MT
    I read the ARRL exam book then started taking practice exams. I like the knowledge, makes things more understandable for me.
     
    k8md likes this.
  16. Jan 17, 2020 at 3:08 PM
    #6136
    NateWest

    NateWest Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2017
    Member:
    #217427
    Messages:
    247
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Maple Valley WA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Super white DCSB TRDOR
    Taking technician class 2/1 and 2/8 with the exam at the end.

    Got myself an Anytone AT-778UV 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?

     
  17. Jan 17, 2020 at 3:36 PM
    #6137
    joshuajayg

    joshuajayg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2019
    Member:
    #313511
    Messages:
    638
    Gender:
    Male
    Moab
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Off-Road MT
    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).
     
    NateWest[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Jan 17, 2020 at 3:46 PM
    #6138
    NateWest

    NateWest Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2017
    Member:
    #217427
    Messages:
    247
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Maple Valley WA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Super white DCSB TRDOR
    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.
     
  19. Jan 17, 2020 at 4:05 PM
    #6139
    joshuajayg

    joshuajayg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2019
    Member:
    #313511
    Messages:
    638
    Gender:
    Male
    Moab
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Off-Road MT
    Good idea. Or a relay with the activation wired to the accessory bus.
     
    k8md likes this.
  20. Jan 17, 2020 at 6:55 PM
    #6140
    Newlife

    Newlife Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2013
    Member:
    #106845
    Messages:
    8,570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Knoxville TN
    Vehicle:
    2020 t4r orp
    Bone f’n stock for now
    So I went to a ham meet with one of the largest clubs in my area. No luck on free radios. But a guy there is selling his icom (coincidentally he “upgraded”to the yaseu 400) its the icom 2730a. He said if I wanted it he’d give me his comet antenna and the radio and help me install for 200.00 I can get the radio new from gigaparts for 241.00 but the antenna is about another 50 ish. I don’t know if that’s such a good deal. But I’m still researching the icom.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top