Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

I'm a new prosepective ham on a budget and I'm trying to decide between the

$125 BTECH UV-25x2 (Second Gen.) Mini Mobile 25 Watt Dual Band Base, Mobile Radio: VHF, UHF Amateur (Ham)

BTECH UV-25x2 and the

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

Anytone AT-778UV/779UV. Does anyone here have experience with both? I'd be programming them with chirp if that matters.

I'm open to other dual band mobiles that fall in the 15-35W range and around $120-$130 as well.

 

$134 AnyTone AT-778UVII Transceiver Mobile Radio Dual Band 25W VHF/UHF VOX Vehicle Car Radio w/Cable

https://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-AT-7...mzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0


This one comes w/ the cable for the Anytone. I have the 778UV in my truck. My only gripe is that it COULD be louder, but that's also when I have the music on, windows down, 60MPH - no s&$% it's going to be hard to hear

I programmed in w/o the cable (LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE...) and it wasn't bad, but CHIRP would make it a lot easier.

 

Back in about 2013ish (for inflation references) I got into Ham for right at about $100 - and spread out over probably six months.
Baofeng
Upgraded antenna
Upgraded battery
12 Cig adapter
Mag mount antenna
Book to study
Apps (free)
And then $20 for the test.

By today's standard that would be about $140 plus the additional blood money the FCC charges of $35 that I didn't have to pay then. So still less than $200 today and if you get a nicer radio you will bump up to that $200 ($33/mo for 6 months). I haven't had either of the radios you mention but would lean towards BTech over Baofeng (better radio software) and I have handled a TON of cheapo Chi-comm radios and prefer the Wouxun (pronounced Ocean) radios. If I had it to do over I would get a KG-UV9D+. https://wouxun.com/radios/KG-UV9D(Plus).aspx


It is a little spendy if you are on a budget at $170 but worth it. Almost Yaesu FT-60 territory which is another great radio (amazing front side receiver - very signal sensitive)

$180 ＷOUXUN KG-UV9D Plus 7 Band Including Air Band Two Way Radio

https://www.amazon.com/ＷOUXUN-KG-UV...id=1689906141&sprefix=kg-uv9d+,aps,195&sr=8-1

I do realize you may not be in a spot to spend that - no shame at all. When I started I was in the same boat so I got the $25 Baofeng and I haven't managed to kill it yet.

 

I have the 778UV. It's a good radio. Easy to program with CHIRP. I chose it over the Baofeng 25x2 and I'm glad I did. I have a couple Baofeng UV-5Rs, they're OK for what they are, I think the Anytone is a little better quality.
If you're going to roll the dice on Baofeng, why not go for the 50w model?

 

I think I'm not going to roll the dice, I haven't talked to anyone that said to get the baofeng over the anytone

 

Tested Jun 30th at 10am AK time, notified by FCC to pay the fee at 1400AK time, and paid immediately. Call sign issued by the next morning Kilo Lima 5 Papa Foxtrot.

 

Hell yeah dude! When I did it it was in the middle of the pandemic. Glad to hear the process has been streamlined.

 

Nice! General? They don't usually hand out 2x2 calls to Techs.

 

I was surprised also, but the government works in mysterious ways. Working on getting the truck ready for HF while I have ample “garage space” at work in SD.

 

I always wanted to get a diamondback bed cover so I could put a screw driver antenna right in the middle on that cross brace.

 

Not ready to commit to drilling the diamondback cover yet! But you can improvise.

 

Nice Pilatus

 

Drill a hole in the roof!

 

Well…. we will see. The mag mount was a plan B. Since I got the antenna mount and cables mixed up lol. The initial plan was to use the mount on the diamondback for the 2m/70cm Comet antenna, until I get the HF gear.

 

She is a rez runner, old and beat up!

 

HF in a 3rd gen is pretty tough as the fuel pump and fuel pump controller PWM puts out a lot of noise. Playing while the truck is running is nearly a no-go. Playing while stationary is easy enough, however. I've put a bug catcher in the bed with the radials all willy-nilly in the bottom of the bed. It worked decently well considering. It's at least a reasonable way to check how much noise you are going to be dealing with on HF.

edit: here is the bug catcher:

 

Understatement of the year. 3rd gen HF is useless.

 

I've listened to some CW while driving.... a little.

 

We used to make at least 2500Qs mobile in the FL qso party in my 2004 Tacoma. When I got my 2017 Tacoma we did about 500, and we didn't bother operating the second day. We did CW, same antennas (hamsticks) on the same trailer hitch mount.

 

Yep, I believe it. It's a real bummer, I wish there was a feasible way to make it better.