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Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Discussion in 'Sports, Hobbies & Interests' started by The Traveler, Jan 29, 2013.

  1. May 17, 2018 at 2:28 PM
    #3561
    brentw59

    brentw59 Well-Known Member

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    I just went to the arrl website did the practice exams. I probably studied for 5 days before the test and did about 5 practice exams each day. It was for the tech exam and i missed 3. I took the general without having studied for it and missed 3 to many. It was very easy to pass don't overthink it just read each of the questions and answers all the way before answering.
     
  2. May 17, 2018 at 5:10 PM
    #3562
    m603holden

    m603holden @Koditten Pirate Radio member #063

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    IMG_20180517_195534.jpg This is how I'm normally packed. When I take the test I'll ask the guys there for Input as well.

    What will be the best placement for an antenna? I've seen opinions everywhere from ditch bracket, bed rail, off the back of the truck...

    Unfortunately the roof is a bit of a no go as you can see. Thanks !
     
  3. May 18, 2018 at 1:45 PM
    #3563
    jim532

    jim532 .

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    Study both the tech and the General now and take them both at the same time. If you're competent with the tech test, the General should be easy if you spend some time studying it. Use https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/ to study for the General, it costs $29.95 but worth it. It's an adaptive learning platform. Also, the No Nonsense study guide is great supplemental free study material. It's free for tech class test.
     
  4. May 19, 2018 at 12:23 PM
    #3564
    vssman

    vssman Rocket Engineer

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    Hello fellas,

    Just passed my tech license today - 35/35 right. In retrospect, I should have taken a shot at the general as well but that's what it is. So, I'll be in the market for a transceiver. Suggestions? Nothing too expensive and that will work on frequencies for tech and general levels. It seems like I only know enough to be dangerous....
     
    Old Marine Cal likes this.
  5. May 19, 2018 at 12:34 PM
    #3565
    Chipskip

    Chipskip N7MCS

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    Those two things don't go together. Especially if you want mobile. You can get a decent, cheap radio for the tech 2m/70cm. But when you start getting into HF, things get a little more complicated. For a home shack, you can get some fun project radios for much cheaper, $40-100, you just get to build them yourself. For a prebuilt HF radio, you can a pay a lot. The Yaesu 857D is a great radio thats does everything, they go for around $800 used.
     
    TXPROMAN and vssman[QUOTED] like this.
  6. May 19, 2018 at 2:14 PM
    #3566
    Chipskip

    Chipskip N7MCS

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  7. May 19, 2018 at 5:05 PM
    #3567
    45longcolt

    45longcolt Well-Known Member

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    This is all I used to pass my Tech and General tickets other than Practice exams on my iPhone.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jomk_c9LLa4&list=PL7564E84F0A8082FD

    For the General test. The videos are a little old but 95% of the questions are the exact same as nowadays pool of questions.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvPVrfoKK0o&list=PLPZCI2NN6bWmAnIhX68zr5OpeT3Ax0Dbo

    For the Extra ticket I watched the Dave Casler You Tube videos. I took (165) practice exams for the Extra ticket within 2 month's time. I failed the first 20 miserably. Last (20) I aced them. 73's, William, N5WOI.
     
    Gunshot-6A and Chipskip like this.
  8. May 22, 2018 at 4:57 AM
    #3568
    k8md

    k8md Well-Known Member

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    What band? For 2m/70cm Probably as far back as possible on that frame over the bed. Or one of those mounts that bold to the driver side rear bed, and stick out through the tailgate.
     
  9. May 22, 2018 at 9:15 AM
    #3569
    gunn_runner

    gunn_runner www.gunnphotoservices.com

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    Having a nice lunch in the Taco, listing to CLE tower on my TYT 9800. :)

    20180522_121251.jpg

    20180522_121355.jpg
     
    llibrm and Chipskip like this.
  10. May 31, 2018 at 1:25 PM
    #3570
    Ossaris

    Ossaris A Bad Person Doing Good Things

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    Hey all! Created a new thread here as to not pollute this one too much. Looking for some recommendations for new truck radio. Been using team vehicles and a handheld Wouxun but some more power would be awesome.
     
  11. May 31, 2018 at 9:54 PM
    #3571
    SPComa

    SPComa Well-Known Member

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    F03D4E7D-CE32-40A6-9AB7-E73D04B82C93.jpg
    Installed Yaesu FT8900
     
    rob1208 and cllowe24 like this.
  12. May 31, 2018 at 9:55 PM
    #3572
    SPComa

    SPComa Well-Known Member

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    Comet UHV-4 quad band antenna...
     
    rob1208 and Old Marine Cal like this.
  13. Jun 4, 2018 at 2:46 PM
    #3573
    pmstoy10

    pmstoy10 Well-Known Member

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    yeah...me too. Passed Tech yesterday, they offered me to take General....I just wanted to get out of there at that point.
    I ended up with a kenwood v71a mobile unit from a vendor @ the local hamfest where I took the test. Now to figure out antenna & mount (probably ditch light bracket due to cap coming on an off throughout the year)
     
  14. Jun 4, 2018 at 3:16 PM
    #3574
    demo243

    demo243 Well-Known Member

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    Diamond NMO770 for an antenna - been running this with my Yaesu 100dr for a while now and been very happy. Its hit plenty of tree branches and what not and still going strong on a BAMF tailgate mount. Or I have heard good things about the Larsen NMO2/70.

    Get yourself some coax with an nmo mount attached.

    Something like this --- doesn't have to be from this vendor (never order from them--- got mine off of ebay since I needed 20ft of coax for the rear tailgate mount on a longbed)

    https://www.arcantenna.com/laird-an...fPzgPu7ZhMyR8QfeehWX1ECDe1TAI91oaAltFEALw_wcB

    With a ditch bracket or tailgate mount you'll probably want a 3/8" nmo mount and be sure to seal the nmo side with some RTV sealant since typically that section is under the roof when used for a roof mount.
     
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  15. Jun 4, 2018 at 3:20 PM
    #3575
    arctic04trd

    arctic04trd VA7XTE

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    How do you like it?
     
  16. Jun 4, 2018 at 3:55 PM
    #3576
    pmstoy10

    pmstoy10 Well-Known Member

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    Great! Thanks! :cheers:
     
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  17. Jun 4, 2018 at 5:15 PM
    #3577
    demo243

    demo243 Well-Known Member

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    Let me know if you have any questions. Im not the most knowledgeable person here... but got my fair share of knowledge from research happy to help
     
  18. Jun 4, 2018 at 6:16 PM
    #3578
    pmstoy10

    pmstoy10 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, I'm seeing that now that I'm running through the thread. :cool: Now I'm just trying to decide if ditch light mount (driver's side) is the best idea re: continued exposure, etc. Makes me consider more of the tailgate mounting plate like yours.
     
  19. Jun 5, 2018 at 6:40 PM
    #3579
    llibrm

    llibrm OH NOOOOOO!

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  20. Jun 5, 2018 at 7:12 PM
    #3580
    pmstoy10

    pmstoy10 Well-Known Member

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    I couldn't tell you, but I just ordered this for my new setup with a cap.
     

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