Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Someone on tw was developing one. I was waiting for meso to do a BD 3rd brake light insert for the 2nd gens before i jumped on both.

 

Sorry no skillz to change this to David!


You enjoying the Western Slope?

Would love to find something out there

 

I left it to the student to derive the equations and in so doing satisfy himself or herself (or itself, I don't know what is appropriate now) that they are in fact correct.

Weather sucks, nothing to do, traffic 24 hours a day. No one should live here. Unless they want to offer me a job. In that case the weather is great!

 

Yep, Pic from last memorial day

 

I don’t math good, leave that crap for the engineers and smart people.

 

DIRT KARTEL 2005+ TOYOTA TACOMA 3RD BRAKE LIGHT MOUNT

https://www.evilmanufacturing.com/lights/2005-toyota-tacoma-third-brake-light-baja-designs

Comes with an NMO mount option plus LED running and brake lights and a BD chase light.

 

Any word on if the LEDs interfere with the RX/tx?

 

Not sure about the little side lights, but the BD S2s are not a problem. I have a bunch of BD stuff on mine, and I have yet to have an interference issue.

 

Do you have it? Would like to see more than the single closeup pic on Instagram they have for Tacoma.

 

I don't. Having a rack and RTT means an upgraded 3rd light is just pissing money away.

 

As of this morning I can now add 'AG' after my call sign.

 

Congrats!

Anyone wondering, /AG or /AE means the ham just passed the upgrade exam (AG being to Amateur General, AE to Extra) and is waiting for the FCC to update the database to reflect his or her new privileges.

BTW, this is a test question on the exam.

 

I'v had the Kenwood TM-D710G in the Taco for a little while now, but wanted to add a speaker. Radio is under the passenger seat with wires through the console to the head unit mounted on a Lido mount. Another Lido mount holds my Android tablet that runs APRSDroid buletoothed to a Mobilinkd TNC connected to the radio.

While adding a speaker to the headliner I also added a very small CB. I had a monster CB in my old truck, but have no space for it in the Taco. I use it for Bear and traffic reports while making frequent trips to Dallas to visit family, and some groups wheeling aren't HAMs, so they use CB. Yeah, I'm a HAM, but still have use for the good ol' CB.

I took the front of the MFJ speaker, soldered a longer speaker wire to it, and used washers to make the original screw heads larger to hold on the top side of the headliner. Cut a small hole for the magnet to fit through.





Used a bed accessory mount from Caliraised for the Everhardt antenna.



I had some LMR 400 from my previous truck. It runs along the frame, through the floor under the passenger seat, and up to the top of the B column. A short RG8 from there to the radio. SWR is 1.5:1 on 1, 1.1:1 on 20 and 1.5:1 on 40. using a RigExpert to tune.



Some finished views with the APRS setup running.






Have a GearKeeper holding the mic up. Attached to the edge of the dome light housing.

I used an 18 gauge shielded power wire to help reduce RF interference, and added ferrite chokes on each end.



I already have 1" braided straps bonding all body parts to the frame to alleviate RF interference, and improve the counterpoise/ground plane.



Have the Kenwood running on the Larsen in the center of the roof. Yep! Drilled a hole in the roof of my brand new Taco! Oh, and I got my Radio Operator plates put on!

 

@tacoma16 is looking for some information on getting certified in Canada if anyone has any experience or help they could offer


Just dug up some small generic stuff for you.


Full site here

1. I am interested in becoming an amateur radio operator. How do I go about it?
   In order to become an amateur radio operator, you must pass the basic examination with a mark of 70% or greater. It is recommended that you read RBR-4: Standards for the operation of radio stations in the Amateur Radio Service,RIC-3: Information on the Amateur Radio Service, and RIC-9: Call sign policy and special event prefixes before taking the examination. You will also find on this website the Amateur radio exam generator, which is a learning tool for prospective Amateurs and accredited examiners. In order to take the exam, you must contact an accredited examiner in your area. Contact information can be found on the Accredited examiners page.
   
   
2. I have looked on your website and there are no Accredited Examiners in my area. How can I take my Amateur Exam?
   Contact the Amateur Radio Service Centre (ARSC) to discuss what options are available in this situation.

 

Thank you!

@Joe23 does this help us?

 

Can you maybe help me understand something better. I picked up a mobilinkd and have been talking to the guys at hammadeparts for the cables to hook it up to my yaesu. The cables will connect to the mic rj-11 and to the speaker port. What I don't understand is how my mic and speaker will continue to work. Do I need to get splitters for these so that the mic and the tnc can both be connected?

 

If you're using the FTM-400 the only way for a TNC to control it is to connect to the data (out only) port and the mic port. Otherwise it will only display info on a tablet, but not transmit. Not sure if a splitter would work.

 

https://hamstudy.org/
has options to study for
US - Tech, General, Extra
Canada - Basic, Advanced
French Canada
FCC Elements - 1, 3, 6, 7R, 7, 8, 9

 

@tacoma16

 

You'll need to build a splitter. It's annoying when radios don't include a port on the back.

Although it's difficult / impossible to use a radio for APRS and voice at the same time. You need to be on the APRS channel for APRS, where there should not be any voice traffic.