Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

jeebus

I may be echoing more of an old guard obnoxious opinion when I say this, but I am suspicious such a thing reallllly exists. I think (subjectively, my opinion) once you get into the ~150-200$ range, anything above that is just gravy. Diminishing returns, so to speak. I don't use my HT for APRS or DMR, I know to do that you're into the 200$ range, but 800$ used for a radio, if it isn't pooping diamonds, to me that's not worth it.

The other thing too is the Baofeng HTs - similar to the Tacomas - the aftermarket support is huge. I can go on Amazon and get a USB charging battery, a battery delete using the AC port, a handheld mic, etc and it's all there. In fact, I have done that (the handheld mic is absolute garbage, by the way, the earpiece is all right though, that's what I use. Can't hear anything on the hand mic, especially with road/trail noise added!)

 

I'm not aware of an $800 used HT. The Kenwood I mentioned can be found for $450-$500 and I still said thats too pricey for me. It does a LOT but if you done want those features, it's not interesting.
Baofengs are priced right but you get what you pay for. By "quality", I mean something made by the top 3 manufacturers without spurious emissions, are physically built well, have quality audio, and offer a menu that doesn't require a Chinese translator to understand. You don't have to spend $300 to do that. I have two UV-5Rs and one crossband Retevis. They work but they aren't fantastic.

 

I wouldn't buy an analog only boefang. I have a couple retevis DMR HTs. Because DMR is the wave of the future.

 

I read a couple articles about the Baofeng emissions that claim that on current "Btech" radios, especially the cheap handhelds, the emissions have been greatly reduced. Who knows?
Chinglish? Learn it, love it.

 

This is where I went with it - this is showing open box like new 850, so I guess more of the used category less "like new" might be less.

 

Ah, yes. I think that option is out of stock too.

This is where I find used stuff... https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/kenwood-th-d74-extra.799213/

 

They don't even make that model anymore..... Kenwood's new Dstar HT is around $600. But Dstar is nothing but boomers. It was hot 6-8 years ago, not so much now.

 

I'm not sure Kenwood makes anything for amateurs anymore. Most of their VHF UHF lineup is dead.

 

You're right. There are no more kenwood HTs.....

I love my TS590 though.

 

Their mobiles are gone too. 281, 71A, 710G all are discontinued. Luckily I have all three and two of the 710.

 

"Their mobiles are gone too. 281, 71A, 710G all are discontinued. "

 

Hey everyone, I'm taking my technician exam on March 6th and I'm currently working my way through the question pool using the HamStudy app.

Does anyone have any hot tips they wish they'd known before going into their first exam or things they wish they'd practiced on a UHF/VHF handheld or RTL SDR?

 

If you're not a EE or have electronics background its easier to just memorize the answers to the tests.

I'm a biologist. I would have never passed that nasty Advanced test 25+ years ago if I didn't memorize the answers. And I am not embarrassed to admit it.

 

100% brute forcing the question pool! I'm a software engineer and so far the only way my degree has come in handy is remembering "kilo-mega-giga-tera"-byte for unit scaling.

 

Edit:

I recall there's a few questions about frequency ranges and what ranges you can transmit on, specifically where data is permitted. I found it helpful to commit the limits of the 2m and 70cm bands to memory.

 

I don't think there is any point in trying to use radio first. But I'd suggest you get that FRN figured out quick.

 

I'm taking the Technician test tomorrow and I think I'll pass. Trying to decide between radios. Looking at at 25w dual band mobile. Radio, programming cable and antenna under $200. Nobody likes them, but the

$125 BTECH UV-25X2 (Second Gen.) Mini Mobile 25 Watt Dual Band Base, Mobile Radio: VHF, UHF Amateur (Ham)

BTECH UV-25X2 is the leading contender. Second choice is probably the

$124 AnyTone AT-778UV Dual Band Transceiver Mobile Radio VHF/UHF Ham Radio for Vehicle Car Radio

AnyTone AT-778UV. Nagoya UT-72 antenna.
The UV-25X2 is cheapest on the Baofeng website. The AnyTone is on Amazon, I would prefer not to shop there. Other retailers, not so sure.
Either of these radios would probably do the job, at least for a while. Opinions welcome.

 

2m only but a great price: https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/yaesu-ft-2980-2m-transceiver.801218/

No valuable opinions for you on those three radios you mentioned, sorry.

 

I've been having fun with HF Packet. I leave my radio running at home during the day and at night when I am not around then when I come back there's mail in my inbox. I look at who beacons and send them mail as well. You can carry on conversations without having to be at the radio.

 

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-181A1.pdf

"Don't do crimes on ham radio" - FCC

Wonder what prompted that......?