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Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

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

  1. Sep 18, 2017 at 3:27 PM
    #3141
    seniorredwood

    seniorredwood Assistant to the Regional Manager

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    Thanks man!
     
  2. Sep 18, 2017 at 4:24 PM
    #3142
    foy1der

    foy1der Well-Known Member

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    I'm just the messenger, the world is full of shitty people. Sometimes a little effort keeps the shit inside the shitty people.
     
  3. Sep 18, 2017 at 4:25 PM
    #3143
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Oh I agree, I wasn't directing that at you in any way. Sorry if it came off like that.
     
    foy1der[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Sep 20, 2017 at 4:14 AM
    #3144
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    So there's a local off roading event next weekend, and a few of us have ham but are all new to it. I'm taking the lead and said I'd pick some frequencies.

    Is there any rhyme or reason to picking frequencies, or do you just pick random ones? Is there a site or something I can view to see any local frequencies I shouldn't use? How many different should I have predestination? I was thinking 3-4. Thanks guys!
     
    seniorredwood likes this.
  5. Sep 20, 2017 at 6:48 AM
    #3145
    Chipskip

    Chipskip N7MCS

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    http://www.k0nr.com/wordpress/my-articles/2m-frequency/


    2m Band Plan
    As approved by the ARRL VHF-UHF Advisory Committee,
    simplified by KØNR to reflect usage in Colorado.

    The Colorado Council of Amateur Radio Clubs (CCARC) publishes the official 2 Meter Frequency Use Plan for the 2 Meter band in Colorado.

    144.000-144.100 CW
    144.100-144.275 Single-sideband (SSB Calling Frequency = 144.200)
    144.275-144.300 Propagation Beacons
    144.300-144.500 OSCAR (satellite)
    APRS Frequency = 144.390 MHz
    144.500-144.900 FM Repeater Inputs
    144.900-145.100 Packet Radio
    145.100-145.500 FM Repeater Outputs
    145.500-145.800 Misc. and experimental modes
    145.800-146.000 OSCAR (satellite)
    146.010-146.385 FM Repeater Inputs
    146.400-146.595 FM Simplex
    (National Simplex Calling Frequency = 146.52 MHz)
    146.610-147.390 FM Repeater Outputs
    147.405-147.585 FM Simplex
    147.600-147.990 FM Repeater Inputs
    Note: The FM channel spacing in Colorado is 15 kHz (repeaters and simplex).
     
    NotRed likes this.
  6. Sep 20, 2017 at 6:54 AM
    #3146
    Chipskip

    Chipskip N7MCS

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    When I programmed my radios, I always program in 4 simplex freqs. If you are going to run with the same guys on a regular bases, this is a good idea for all of you, make sure to leave room between to avoid interference. I also print out list of all my programmed frequencies and all the info. So I can look at a piece of paper and what channel/freq/tone/label everything is. This makes it easy for me to quickly find a channel, tell someone the freq.... because my memory sucks.
     
    NotRed and Nyctoyota like this.
  7. Sep 20, 2017 at 7:29 AM
    #3147
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Thanks again for helping me out. I really appreciate you taking the time!
     
  8. Sep 20, 2017 at 7:19 PM
    #3148
    cheuer

    cheuer Well-Known Member

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    Note that each region can have its own band plan and so simplex channels (the frequencies you should use within the FM Simplex ranges in the above list) may vary slightly, based on if they use 15 kHz or 20 kHz spacing. KØNR discusses this and lists the common simplex frequencies for both channel spacings on this page: http://www.hamradioschool.com/what-frequency-do-i-use-on-2-meters/
     
  9. Sep 20, 2017 at 7:20 PM
    #3149
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the additional info. I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow and get some frequencies picked out.
     
  10. Sep 21, 2017 at 7:25 AM
    #3150
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Guys I'm official! My ham is KC3JVL.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2017
    PNWTacoma, crackils, foy1der and 2 others like this.
  11. Sep 22, 2017 at 9:38 AM
    #3151
    foy1der

    foy1der Well-Known Member

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    Awesome! Congrats!
     
    EatSleepTacos likes this.
  12. Sep 25, 2017 at 12:22 PM
    #3152
    MonkeyProof

    MonkeyProof Power Top

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    Can't decide between the Yaesu 400XDR or the Kenwood TM-D710GA. Main feature I am looking for is APRS which both radios have.

    What are some thoughts and recommendations?
     
  13. Sep 25, 2017 at 12:27 PM
    #3153
    Chipskip

    Chipskip N7MCS

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    Go with the 710GA for better APRS function, unless you need/want the digital mode of the 400.

    Kenwood has always taken a more serious approach to APRS over Yaesu.

    Also, do you have a Kenwood HT? They have Sky Command that lets you control a radio with your HT.
     
    MonkeyProof[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Sep 25, 2017 at 12:43 PM
    #3154
    demo243

    demo243 Well-Known Member

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    I was looking at both of those for dual receive and aprs ...

    Ended up going with the Yaesu 100dr to save some cash... Aprs but only single receive.

    Those two are very similar but very different especially from a visual point of view

    Can't remember exactly but I think the Kenwood is easier to connect to a tablet to allow it to work with aprs droid

    I know my 100dr doesn't easily connect to anything in use

    With that said my 100dr has a microsd card slot that allows me to program the radio on the computer and upload it to the card and then just plug the card in. Not needed IMG to bring the body in it a laptop out

    The 400 is a big screen and I read mixed reviews about the touch screen... But the Kenwood seems outdated...

    Where do you want to mount it?

    I put my 100 dr on a scan gauge mount above the mirror and I love it up there . I've seen the Kenwood up there but highly doubt the. 400 would fit

    I was lucky and was able to go play with them at HRO and settled on the 100dr

    If dual receive isn't necessary you could check the 100dr or the icom 4100 - I came really close to getting the 4100 as it has an optional blue tooth card that lets you connect to a phone app to find and program nearby repeaters. It will also search memory and find your nearest repeater based on your gps location which would be great for those who travel alot.

    At the time I couldn't justify the cash for the 4100 so I went with the Yaesu 100Dr

    Seriously considered the Kenwood v71+mobilinkd+Android tablet or the 710-- for me the 400 was out because of size and touch screen.

    Been very happy with the 100dr

    However if the icon 4100 was dual receive it might have been a no trainer

    Also to consider is the menu systems

    The Kenwood seemed tough ... The 100dr was easier to me

    I will say though... I haven't used most of the radios capabilities... Mostly just local repeater use and a couple random simplex calls.
     
    MonkeyProof[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Sep 26, 2017 at 2:05 PM
    #3155
    92PathSE

    92PathSE Well Known "member"

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    FTM-100 owner here. I like the radio, but you can't really do automatic APRS and listen to anything else at the same time. You could use dual watch, but it could(and will) send out a packet on a normal voice freq at any time. The only way to prevent that is to tune to the APRS freq and leave it if you want to do the auto tx. It would be really nice if the radio had a way to set a specific APRS freq where it would only do auto tx on just that freq, but it doesn't. It would be really nice if you could assign a mic button to manually tx the packet, but you can't.

    I assume the 400 and 710DG are better is this regard. Both were way out of my price range, though.
     
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  16. Sep 26, 2017 at 3:25 PM
    #3156
    crazysccrmd

    crazysccrmd Well-Known Member

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    On the 710 the only thing you have to do is remember to turn the TNC on/off when setting the VFO to/from APRS, and that's a fixed function button on the radio head.
     
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  17. Sep 26, 2017 at 5:16 PM
    #3157
    MonkeyProof

    MonkeyProof Power Top

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    Right now the 710 is on sale for $539.99 at Hamcity and the 400XDR is $550.99 at HRO after instant discounts and a $50 rebate. Which is why it's really hard to decide between the two right now.
     
  18. Sep 30, 2017 at 6:50 PM
    #3158
    DocTaco

    DocTaco Well-Known Member

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    Congratz to you new and upgraded license holders, remember there is a lot of diff modes and freqs to play on. Got my first call in 1966, I was 13 at the time. Have done many modes over my 51 yrs licensed. Before all the digital modes , I was a CW junkie. Done everything from HF , VHF , UHF , SAT, and Moonbounce. Current mobile is Icom 2820 dual band vhf/uhf DMR . Have had HF in 2nd Gen but not very effective, just not enough metal to make a decent ground plane. The 2820 has removable faceplate and I put rest of radio under back seat. So guys, venture out, get with your local club and check out all the things you can do, pick some you might like and go for it. 73's de WN4E C. Ky.
     
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  19. Oct 1, 2017 at 7:48 PM
    #3159
    45longcolt

    45longcolt Well-Known Member

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    I second all of the above. Look into SSTV as well. It's cool taking a pix on your phone and sending that pix via radio to another radio and then the pix is displayed on a remote computer. Tech license is all you need to do this, I have done it from one Baofeng UV-82HP to another one and the computer program, MMSSTV, saves the incoming images so you can just keep sending them. Check out this link; I used an audio interface module between iPhone and the radio. Signalink on the receive side between radio and laptop.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWg6s4gzrII
     
    jubei, jmaack, G.T. and 1 other person like this.
  20. Oct 2, 2017 at 8:36 AM
    #3160
    cak

    cak Well-Known Member

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    Those of you with APRS in the cab that uses a separate GPS puck - where are you mounting the puck? I'm moving a D710A to my 2017, trying to figure out all the mounting options. I kind of like the idea of having the control head up near the A-pillar, though I'm a bit concerned about a) drilling there and b) air bag operation.

    VY 73 de chris K6DBG
     

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