Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

congrats on passing the test. When I took the General class exam they offered me the Extra test for free but I declined since I hadn't viewed any of the material. I an amateur operator not an appliance operator and I want to know the material not just pass a test. I'm just weird that way. The General test isn't very difficult, there is even some repeated material from the tech test.

 

^^Agree with your thinking. I did a lot of reading for the technician class test but only did the study guide practice test once. I wanted to learn the material not just memorize all the test pool questions. I have the book and study guide for general and will study and test when ready. Even if I would have passed without studding I would have done the reading.

 

hey guys! Been having my little

$40 baofeng uv5r dual band 3800mah rechargeable two way radio walkie talkies for adults with earpiece,speaker mic and programming cable full kit (black-1pack)

baofeng uv5r for a while now, but never got my licence or anything.

How difficult is it and how much does it cost?

Also whats a decent but budget friendly ham radio? I know the XO guys run the yaesu but its a little higher than my price

 

A Tech license is easy to get and only about $30 for the test fee. You can buy Gordon West's or ARRL's study book or you can use tons of free online sources (downloadable PDF, Youtube videos, practice tests, etc). I have heard it takes about 14 hrs of studying to get your Tech.

When you ask about a budget friendly ham radio, we need a few more details about what you are looking for. Another, better, handheld radio or a mobile radio to mount in your truck? Ham radio and budget friendly aren't two phrases that usually go hand in hand. However, if you do your homework, you will be much happier saving up and buying something a little more expensive, but does everything you want. Your local buddies are you best source of info, buying a similar radio to theirs will give you their knowledge to help with setup and using the different features. But that doesn't mean you need to start there. A lot of people, me included, start with a cheap HT (handheld) with a magnetic antenna on the roof. Then bought a better HT and eventually bought a good mobile unit and antenna.

What do you plan to use the new radio for? Is there something you have heard about that has tickled your curiosity?

73s

 

WI7MJQ, up and running mobile with my TH-D710G. I have APRS working, but still learning all that it offers. I listened to some NETS but have not made a voice call yet. Still working on getting confidence up.

 

Just purchased a

$59 Comet SBB-5nmo SBB-5 SBB5 Comet Original 146/446 MHz Dual Band Mobile Antenna

Comet SBB-5nmo. Gonna mount it on my ARB like this. It's 38" so that will put the top of it about the height of my cab. Anyone else run like this?

 

I have that Comet antenna, I'm not impressed by the performance. The RX is better than the TX. I've tried it on mine and my wife's vehicles and can't seem to tune the SWR down. It's a little high when I transmit 50 watts I had originally bought a couple years ago for my jeep a couple years ago. I use it now when I run APRS in my truck trasmitting at 10 watts. Your mileage may vary.
Diamond NR770HBNMO is a solid antenna for 2meter/70cm.
Your planned mounting location will work but the truck may distort the signal pattern a bit. Ultimately you want the entire antenna above the vehicle. Mine is mounted on the bed rail so it's not above the truck so it is not completely above the vehicle but it works just fine for my needs.

 

Thanks for the input. I just got it delivered this weekend and will be installing it today. I know ideal location is the center of the roof but there is no way it would last with what I do. Here's to hoping it's better than the factory rubber ducks that come with the radio.

 

You will definitely have see a performance increase over the rubber duck.

 

Sooo butting right in here...

Anyone have pics of a FTM400 mounted in the trucks?

Weighed out a bunch of pros n cons and this seems like the best fit for me... now just wondering where you guys mount its bigger than average face plate.

Right now I'm thinking in my second sunglasses holder (cuz who needs 2? ) or built into the headliner are the best places that are clean/factory looking and won't block any hvac/radio, etc.

 

I looked at mounting it in the sunglasses holder, and it is definitely doable with a little modification. I ended up just buying a cell phone cup holder mount and using that while in use and then storing it in the center console when not in use.

 

Yeah I like a very clean and professional look on anything and everything, so the holder seems like one of the best options...

my only concern is if I wanted to look up real quick or crank a dial quick while driving, how big of a nuisance/safety concern is it going to be versus if it was mounted in plain view in front of me

 

C'mon you FTM400 ham'ers, I know there are more of you out there lol

When I search, I can see lots of comments about people using them, but minimal pics...

 

Here's another ftm400

-PyroTaco
KK6KND

 

That's another option I'm thinking... I just worried about the passenger bumping their legs off it, invading their space over there

Your thoughts?

 

How about a bracket that raises the mirror and has a ram ball mount under it?

http://www.birddawgindustries.com/mirror-riser.html

 

I don't seem to have any issues with people striking it.

-PyroTaco

 

I have one of those. I had a scangauge then my ultragauge under the mirror, I found it defeated the purpose of the bracket... which I thought was to get the mirror up out of the way so you have more windshield

 

True. You don't really gain much by moving the mirror other than being able to put something where it was. A net gain/loss of zero visibility essentially.

 

Similar setup here, not the same radio though. No problems with my passenger either. I keep it locked up when not in use so wanted it without a bunch of cables dangling around. The Cat5 cable for the faceplate just pulls out of the dash and then tucks back inside when not connected. Had to drill a small hole in the underside of the radio bezel. Dash plate is a Panavise, mic holder is made from RamMount parts.