Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

I have a V71a and use a straight piece of CAT6 cable about 4’ long. Crimped my own ends too. No issues at all for about 1 1/2 years with daily usage. Yes, there’s an issue with the mics themselves but I haven’t had any yet. A local that I talk to uses his V71a at home with a 25’ cat cable so that he can sit in front of the TV and yack on the repeater. No issues either and he’s used this set up for quite a few years (10ish). Maybe it’s the quality of the crimps or cable?

 

The Kenwood cables do have a mini coax for the mic (pin 6) and ground (pin 5) next to it but even Kenwood had some counterfeits I guess sneak in that were just straight cables. Unshielded Ethernet cable should work, at least better than a straight through cable, as long as you make sure the mic and ground are on the same twisted pair. It's better if the mic line is shielded, though.

The problem in my case was with DTMF mics. It seems to want to couple switching noise from that on my mic line. It went away completely when I used a plain non-DTMF mic anyway.

 

When making your own cable extension for Kenwood mics, don't use a standard Ethernet pinout. Pair 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 instead.

@joshuajayg you should definitely strain relief the connector. I have my mics come under the front seat. I zip tied the mic cable to the bar that adjusts the front/back. So when I tug on the mic there is no tension on the connector.

 

I posted earlier about my beginnings into ham. This is the transceiver I am looking at buying because I wanted FM, DMR and APRS as well. Any comments on this one would be appreciated:

https://youtu.be/3pWIfwBtsEE

 

One thing to note about the Anytone AT-D578UV is that the face does not (and AFAIK can't be hacked to) separate from the body, which might be a significant issue for mounting mobile. It does seem to check all the boxes otherwise and I think people have been satisfied with the performance of it and the HT versions (AT-868 & AT-878) that it derives from.

 

I have been looking at that one as well. It’s $400 and the Icom ID-4100 is just under that. Debating between those two.

 

Hey folks, just got my Tech license KN6GYX hope to get in contact with ya! I just ordered the yaesu FT-8900r. Diamond four band cr 8900 antenna. I will be ready to pimp some watts by next week!

 

I didnt want to get into digital yet too much work/info plus you need wifi/internet connection that means another monthly payment.

 

That's a large antenna. Make certain it has a stout mounting point and avoid tree branches.

 

Wut?

Why do you need WiFi/internet for any digital mode? Ft8 does require accurate time, but you don't need internet for that.

 

Thats only if you're going to have a hot spot device and access the digital networks that way.

There are repeaters that use digital modes which are strictly radio frequency.

 

6m FM is a lonely place.....

 

. That it is.


The only use we have for 6m FM is there's a 6m repeater up hear that has good coverage into the north country and is linked to 2m/70cm

 

Ok thanks i just heard that about 6m last night and i know about the hot spot but wondering if it could function off my sprint hot spot with no additional charge?

 

What brand did you go with for the Bigger Antenna? Is that a 49” 1/2 wave?

 

It’s a tram 49” 5/8 wave

 

Happy Birthday @MonkeyProof

Hope you had another great one!

 

Wow 5yrs ago i passed my Extra exam... and an amateur 9yrs in June... wow FB reminds you of your accomplishments

 

Congrats on the anniversary. I’m studying for the extra right now and am just about ready to take the test.

 

Good luck bud.