Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

I picked up one of the new Kenwood KES-3 speakers for a project I am working on. Thank thing is small and loud. I plugged into my FT-8800r and set it next to the Yaesu MLS-100 speaker, while I was working on my truck this weekend. First thing I noticed was the size. It is smaller than the MLS-100 in every way, including the mounting bracket. The second thing I noticed was how loud it was. I immediately had to turn the volume down.

After this project, I may consider getting another KES-3 to replace my MLS-100.

 

Ha!
Just took an online HAM test and failed by 1 question.

Shouldn't be too hard once I've seen some study material

 

Was at an ARCO gas station earlier this week, the noise emitted from the gas pump was resonating on 146.52, was S9! Lol

 

Right on! Care to explain this nOOb how did you get the MEDEVAC? What frequency do they use and what is your license that get you to those aircraft bands?

Reading all this gets me all pumped up to get off my ass and study for the exam.

 

Finally got my license, I've been wanting to since I was 9 and it's 40 years past that. And yeah, I get my license and guess what? Airwaves full of lunatics. I guess I'm not surprised but I am very disappointed.

 

Dont be disappointed scroll that VFO look for someone interesting and key up. There is a vast amount of Freqs out there, Ive been a Gen since 2012, and i still havent talked on all the bands....

There is a vast RF world out there, ask questions.
I just recently picked up my unicorn radio, ive been eyeing since i got my Tech License. Got the base model Elecraft K3

 

Get your Extra. Hang out with us on the bottom parts of the bands.

 

Wish i had space for 160 to see whats the hype about it

So boring, im a rag chewer, no DX. Always end up listening to the 3.927 crowd.

 

You gotta get to the bottom of 80M... The lids and CBers in the top part of 80 grate my nerves

 

If you want some DX try 17 it's a nice band very few ding dongs. I do 80 for local stuff (maybe 200-500 miles and enjoy 80 AM. 6 at night AM with the local guys. I'm seldom on 20 for the same reason you stated I got over that crap 40 years ago.

 

So I know it's an apple to an orange question...

I'm looking for an HF antenna to compliment my all mode radio.

The radio's permanently mounted in the truck(atm), so no base use. I'm stuck between a screwdriver or a buddiepole type antenna.

I doubt I'll be driving around and trying to dx. I'll most likely be interested in hitting the lower HF while I'm camping or poking around later at night at home. Setting up a tripod is a bit more annoying then lugging around one of those screwdriver antenna controllers. And having a $500 screwdriver antenna mounted to the truck is a little unsettling . Opinions?

 

screwdriver for 80-10 dipole for 160m in trees, Par omniangle for 6m if i was camping, if have time 160m dipole 600ohm fed, and tuner

 

Both the antenna's I quoted state they're rated from 160m-6m by adding additional options(coils)...
I'm in high desert alot, so no trees.

And like my particular radio, I'm looking for a "swiss army knife" option.

 

I have used the Firestick type of antennas and was less than impressed your results may vary. They are a pain to store and you have no choice but to stop and switch antennas to change bands. With out a doubt the screw driver is the way to go. Frankly I would skip 160 meters the screwdriver antennas are very large and with out a capacitance hat are not real effective not real good while driving. At best you will be QRP on 160 meters even if you could do 200 watts. Yes with coils they can be matched that will make the radio happy but your ERP still will be in the mud. I run a LilTarheel with a longer whip and do pretty good on 80 meters many eastern European contacts. The longer whip may not tune 6 meters if that is some thing important to you. You really don't need a controller they are handy but a simple switch will do the same thing. Switch bands and listen for the greatest noise on that band then use your radios SWR meter to fine tune.

 

So 857D, and Lil tarheel 2, no controller, and I'm good?

 

Yeah it will work the controllers make it easier most antennas come with a DPDT switch. They also come with a toroid choke do not skip that install and if you can find a bigger one install it! Every thing about the antenna is RF hot motor and all including the control wiring so if you don't use a choke you'll never get the antenna to tune. I have a controller that works like the push buttons on a radio you set the antenna to the lowest SWR push and hold the button and it remembers the turns count. That being said there is a slight lack of accuracy with a small antenna like a LiLTarheel because the motor drifts. I use the SWR meter and tweak the up/down buttons to get the SWR spot on when I change bands. I have plenty of time (I'm retired) so I just pull over and set it to lowest SWR. I have not heard real good things about the auto SWR controllers seems like they are a bit problematic.

 

Got out and tested out my new setup. Rain and lightening required special protection.

 

Nice Mobile op station

 

Chip,

What is with the co2 tank?

 

Thank you. I need to extend the speaker wire another 3-4' and make some sort of piece I can put in the window to allow the wire to go through and block out rain or other stuff.

It's for airing up the tires after a run or "powering" air tools on the trail if I ever need them.

I did a full wright up of my camping weekend and the weather around the ham race we were working.

http://stouffer.me/M3/mogollom-monster-2014/