Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

That's the book I used (paper bound.) I purchased it in 2014 and used it to study for my test on Saturday. I just read it straight though (skipped electrical theory) and did all the practice questions as they came up. Hamexam.org is what I used for a more up to date question pool. Theory and rules don't really change over the years but the question pool fluctuates.

 

I can check later when home, but I believe this the antenna I am using. Comet makes the SSB series with an NMO mount but I do not see them on Amazon. I picked mine up while in Huntsville at Gigaparts.

$53 Comet Original B-10NMO 146/446 MHz Mini Dual-Band Mobile Antenna 12" NMO Connector

https://www.amazon.com/Comet-Origin...refinements=p_89:Comet&rnid=2528832011&sr=8-6

 

If you get your ticket we can help you look for used gear too if you'd like to keep it affordable. Not sure what your budget is. Another good resource are the VE's you'll take the test with. Chances are they'll be part of a local club and they might even have something to lend you while you get into it. They'll most likely be very nice people.

It's a weird test. It's nice because everyone there wants you to pass. If you need any help or have questions don't be shy about asking.

Especially with a dope username like yours. Love me some corgi butt.


Typical mobile set up you're looking at
-Radio
-Coax cable
-Antenna (+how you'll mount it)

Really you can get into it for under $80 with a handheld radio, mag mount antenna, and cable.

My man

 

I used this. But also watch some YouTube videos. Ham Radio crash course is another OK one.

Tons of views on how to study. I'm in the camp of studying the answers to pass the test. The real learning came for me when I started to use my license. I knew where to refer to in the books and applied it. Before it was just text. When you're using the info it becomes a bite more tangible.

 

Thanks for the responses.

I think I will get the book. I want to know some of the theory in addition to the test questions.

But, as @m603holden said, it is just text until you start using it.

 

Yup. Don't get me wrong. Still read through it. But more so do it so it becomes familiar and when you need it you'll know where to look.

 

When installing my radio, programming it, and looking into other functions (satellites, APRS, SSTV, I learned a lot about what I was reading. I got active before I was licensed. I built a TNC and started a dual band yagi before I tested. Made sense when I started playing with the hardware.

 

Sorry, but I have no NMO mount experience but I have this same antenna. Mine is attached to a Comet lip mount which is attached to the hood on the passenger side. Works great and no noise.

 

Quick intro - Newbie to Tacomas but have been in the commercial two way business / licensed ham for 30+ years, callsign is NC4AB.

I managed to skim all 313 pages of this thread over the past couple of days looking to pick up some ideas for mounting an ICOM 7000 and now have some things to try when I get my truck this week.

Thanks to all the contributors for the many ideas !!!

Andy

 

Solid second post! Welcome!

 

So if I’m hooking up the d710 to my blue sea can I eliminate the fuses at the terminal connectors and just keep the other fuse closest to the radio? The blue sea is fused but didn’t know how that would work. There would basically be 3 fuses in Line if I didn’t. Also does the d710 have to be turned on or is it possible to put it on a switched circuit with one of my relays?

 

You want the fuse at the blue sea as it is closest to the battery
I have also heard that the fuse at the radio is good to keep and can prevent you from blowing your radio.

Im keeping both fuses

 

Correct but the wires I’m seeing on some of the videos it has a fuse at the battery connection (they aren’t using blue seas they are just connecting straight to the battery. In theory I should be able to cut that one out right ?

 

If you are connecting it at the blue sea then that will be your replacement for the fuse that you are seeing right at the battery post.

 

For any of you that are into building your own stuff, I found a voltage sensitive relay circuit. I plan to use this to turn off the TNC I will have connected to my radio under the seat. I may also look at how to make a time delayed voltage sensitive relay.

For those of you with a dual battery setup and auto disconnect relay, this is the same circuit you use. Or if you have a simple time delay relay, it's the same idea still. I don't have another battery wired in but that may come in time.

http://www.easymades.com/2019/01/dual-battery-system-part-01-diy-voltage.html

 

Found the antenna and ordered so for a complete mobile setup I’m in it for just north of 600.00 I just about threw up.


Also incase anyone was in the market for a new radio but not in a hurry. I was so torn between the d710 ga and the 400xdr I added both to my cart @ gigaparts.comband let them sit there flip flopping back and forth between two. After letting them sit there over night probably about 16 ish hours or more I get an email from gigaparts. “You’ve got great taste” “but hesitant on placing your order? This might entice you” and it was code for almost 25% off. So I deleted the 400xdr and it dropped the price of the d710 down to 479.99 so I took the chance and ordered the d710. Now we wait.

 

I did a similar thing. They sent me an email with a discount. 10% off. I waited still because I wasn't ready to buy. Got another email; 15% off. Later I got a third back to 10% off. I used the 15% off code. My total bill came in at $425.82.

 

Yep. It seems they are the best when it comes to it for me. I couldn’t deal with hro’s website it’s so damn hard to search on there so I said screw it

 

I also liked the customer support at gigaparts.com. I used their chat and the guy was helpful. I think you said you also chatted with a lady who was trying to help you decide on what to get.

 

Yep. She was leaning me more towards the 400xdr but she did tell me whatever I buy as long as I don’t trash it they have a 30 day return so I can swap it out. I just hope that doesn’t happen lol.