Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Like this, its just a flexible dual band 16" antenna that is cheap and will take a beating. Down side is it doesn't receive or transmit as well as larger antennas, but will work fine in a group.

 

Ahh ok gotcha

 

I was going to suggest EXACTLY what @bluewaters182 said. The only thing I'd change is which mount. Because the hood is mostly flat there I'd recommend the much stronger Diamond K600 mount. With the understanding that while off road you're going to want to use a flexible antenna like the Comet SBB-1, or a spring base antenna like the Comet SS-460SB

 

what is the make and model of said cheap flexible a antenna

 

Nagoya makes one also for SMA mount.

 

http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1200&products_id=30158
Or a less expensive alternative is a jetstream, I can't find it listed on R and L's site. They are local to me so thats where I go for stuff. I'll keep looking for it.

 

hi guys. complete novice on the ham thing so was hoping for a little advice. i'm getting a Baofeng BF-F9 and want to get a mag mount antenna to boost the range. is there a good plug and play option that wont cause any issues with the radio? i found the one below on line, any thoughts? thanks!
http://www.amazon.com/Nagoya-UT-106UV-Dual-Band-Antenna-SMA-Female/dp/B00F8W88PY

 

So I went by my local radio shop today and had a chat with the guys there. Ended up grabbing a Larsen wide band whip, and a tacoma specific fender mount as well as the corresponding coax cable, ran into a separate issue when I took apart my interior to run the cable, so I ran out of time but I managed to get the cable routed and antenna mounted... it was dark so I don't have any pics but the antenna is model

$56 nmo150c larsen 144-174 mhz NMO field tunable antenna - chrome

nmo150c. Gonna end up putting the radio in the center console in front of the shifter. Just gotta make some holes for wires

 

What I recommend:

• SMA Female to SO239 Female Adapter $8.00
• Tram 1185 Amateur Dual-Band Magnet Antenna ~$21

 

My mom never told me I got mail from the ARRL. It had my CORES registration info in it so I have a FRN now. But still no call sign is showing up when i do the search. Its been a month...

 

This is weird since a lot of folks get it in 2 weeks and sometimes less.
Try calling (888) 225-5322

 

I had my call sign in our database the morning after my exam. I guess your system is a little slower in the states.

 

It's the feds, not the states. Also has to do with who you take the test from. There is ARRL and then another (can't remember their name). The other doesn't charge and can process everything a lot faster than the ARRL. @gray223 have you contacted the group/club that you took the test through? I think they are going to be your biggest help at this point.

 

The system is federal here as well and it works the same way where it matters who you take your exam from and how they fill out and send in the required documents. When I said "the states" I wasn't necessarily referring to any state level government but the US as a whole. I guess maybe that's Canadian Lingo?

 

No I haven't yet. But I think I will be contacting them soon. Havemt got a radio so I'm not in a huge hurry. Just didn't think it would take this long

 

Didn't mean to jump on you. I guess it was lost in translation, eh. In the US, the separation of States and Federal powers/rights/obligations is a big deal. They each carry so much red tape, it's important to figure out which one you're dealing with or you will be lost forever.

 

So this happened.... Got an email back from the people I took the exam with.

I can see why you never found your call sign: they have you listed as Chance D. Gary. Somebody made a typographical error (and it wasn’t you – your name is clearly spelled correctly on the candidate roster AND your Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination!)


Your call sign is KD9FLB.


I suggest you call the ARRL at 1-888-277-5289 or e-mail them at hq@arrl.org and let them know that they have your name misspelled, so they can correct it. This is the first time I have seen someone’s name misspelled, and I hope they correct the mistake quickly.



No wonder I could never find it lol

 

Congrats! On another topic, I'll be driving to SE Wisconsin by way of St. Louis some time Sunday. Don't suppose you're along that corridor?

 

I am-ish. About an hour east of St. Louis.

 

Are you referring to me?? I don't live in st louis