Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Winter field day plans anyone?

 

very cool. Have looked into doing that.

I have these caps on it too. I will test with the hose again

 

That is what I did for both of my roof mount antennas

Same here, but I didn't stop there, I believe my truck now weighs an extra 200 pounds due to sound deadening.

 

Congrats! Exact same situation for me, missed 1 too many on the General. When I walked in and told the VE I wanted to take the Tech and General tests, he chuckled and said "we'll see" after the first exam. Had a great conversation with the VE team after the graded the General Exam and talked through what I missed. Still have not been back to take it again but will one day.

 

So my antenna just got delivered I must not have paid attention when ordering but I accidentally ordered an antenna with a

$38 pl259 USA made PL-259 improved double shielded rg-58u for firestik antenna K-8A 18-foot single cb/ham coax cable

pl259 connection. So it won’t work. Does anyone have the a link to a good one on Amazon with a nmo mount ?

 

I did the rest of the truck, as well.

 

That is some heavy stuff! But it helped quiet my old truck.

 

Which did you get?

 

Comet

 

20m Sota antenna, KX3, battery, from the front yard and porch. Operating off battery. Now if the loading coils would show up so i can get the lower bands on this sota antenna.

Whats your plans?

 

I need to get back into HF, I upgraded in GTMO and enjoyed using the HAM shack down there. I made all kinds of contacts, but since I have been home (a few years now) I haven't done anything with HF. I would like to pick up a nice mobile unit that I can move to my truck when I travel.

My temporary call sign while in GTMO was KG4TM, alas, I cannot use it anywhere else.

 

Heading out to a lake in Maine. Will set up the portable Bob house, throw up 36' of portable mast with a 80m ocf wire and hang out. Hoping the ice is thick enough that I can drive the truck out to camp.

 

This is what I ordered. SBB-5 SBB5 Comet Original 146/446 MHz Dual Band Mobile Antenna

 

I am new to amateur radio, and to be honest, i've never been great with radio electronics. I am taking my test in 2.5 weeks to become licensed. That being said, I am looking for some (basic) information. I have searched throughout this forum and many others (HAM specific), so I am hoping that maybe y'all can help me out.

What I'm seeking is a list, broken down kindergartener style, of what I would need in total for a ham radio set up in my tacoma focusing on electronic equipment needs. I don't need info on hardware brackets or anything like that because I can find those solutions later, but any tips would be appreciated! I am trying to organize everything that I will need so I can start purchasing once I decide what my needs/wants are. I don't need an extravagant set up, just something reliable and not junk. Thank you!

 

I've been really happy with my Diamond NR770. Comes in black or chrome and can fold down.

https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Original-NR770HB-Dual-Band-Antenna/dp/B00MANF3L6

 

Anyone use this book?

I am getting ready to study for my Tech license (finally) and thought this would be a good reference book.

 

Take what I say with a grain of salt but this is what I just purchased

radio: Kenwood 710ga
Antenna: comet sbb5
Nmo hard mount cable 14’
3x2 aluminum scrap (had laying around)
Green lee 3/4 punch (non conduit model)
Anderson power poles.

 

I skipped the book all together. Ham whisperer on Youtube does a GREAT job on explaining the material and has section quizzes after each episode that match the exam questions. Then hit Hamstudy.org to get all the questions down pat.

Then again, I just wanted to pass the test because I def don't use my tech license to its fullest potential. I didn't need to know all the stuff about the ionosphere, etc.

 

Checked that one and it’s saying it’s a

$38 pl259 USA made PL-259 improved double shielded rg-58u for firestik antenna K-8A 18-foot single cb/ham coax cable

pl259 connection too. I need a nmo to pl259

 

Good catch. NR770HB-NMO is the product code for the nmo one.