Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

I think I incorrectly assumed that since I was could receive so clearly and with such a good signal that I'd be able to transmit just as easily. Didn't take into account they are probably broadcasting at a much higher power.

 

It's not that far away. Maybe hips though.

Theres someone with a hotspot for dmr down there. I can ask if he has any local knowledge i.e. RF holes you may be in or more active repeaters.


Try calling out on the national simplex too. Maybe you can find someone local for help as well

 

This is likely your issue.

 

Gonna try all the things mentioned. Thanks for the help! Helps to just talk it out sometimes.

 

Try this one

The club repeater is on 145.490 MHz with an offset of - 600kHz and uses a PL of 167.9 Hz.

 

I don't have my radio with me, but is that the Franklin one?

 

Alright, who's got a GD-77 and wants to help me figure out what is wrong with mine?
Here's a video. Ignore my dog chowing down in the background.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zZWDxe3SAQkNWsvv6

 

Couldn't handle the bruins win. Just got top excited.


Haha check yo inbox

 

You using the stock antenna with the Baofeng? You probably will need a better antenna to get out with. Also if you are trying to get into the repeater from inside your truck it will cut down your transmission range without a antenna on the truck. You can get a decent mag mount for not a lot and will improve your setup tremendously. Other option would be a mobile radio instead of a ht for use in the truck.

 

For those running mainly 2m Dx Engineering has the Kenwood TM-281A on sale right now for $137.95. You'll be able to run 25-65w mobile.

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/kwd-tm-281a


For those wanting to use 2m/70cm the Kenwood TM-V71a is also on sale there for $354.95.

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/kwd-tm-v71a



Free shipping on them also. Pair one of these with a nice antenna and you'll have a solid setup.

 

I did upgrade the antennas to 1/4 waves. Probably a combo of transmitting power on my end and lack of line of sight from the mountains. All attempts were made in my house or place of work. Definitely plan on getting a mobile set up in the truck!

 

I like the price on the 281, but unless you NEED a dual bander today, it might be worth lusting a bit. I got my v71a for just about $300.

 

You left out the going deal for a D710???

 

Meh. The D710 hovers right around the same all the time. I saw it for $549 but I paid $557 for mine in Sept last year. Seems like it's always right around that area. Unless you're seeing a deal I'm not? Regardless I love my D710 and it's worth every bit of that price. Great do just about everything rig. Also most people won't go for the price of the D710 so there's that.

Probably a good thing I didn't go by HRO today when I was 20 minutes away because I may have come home with another radio from there.



But since we're talking deals if anyone want to get into DMR with a discount there's a deal running on the

$170 Ailunce HD1 Ham Radio, DMR Handheld Two Way Radio, Dual Band Portable Radio, Digital Radio with GPS, FM Radio 3200mAh Rechargeable SMS, Long Range Walkie Talkie for Hunting Hiking (Black 1 Pack)

Ailunce HD1 right now for $50 off. Use code: RetevisAmateurRadioDay

I don’t have one but @m603holden really likes his. One other local guy has one and likes his also.

 

X2.

The hd1 is one tough, waterproof nugget. With front panel programming !




& @medic2230 I'd upgrade the V71a but I gotta save money for the 7300.






I mean 7100.





But maybe the 7300....

 

I wanted a dual bander with APRS so I went for the D710 from the get go.

Now I want something with 6m in it too and of course hf.

 

If you transmit with a portable, you can not receive the same repeater on another portable nearby. It's something called de-sense. Even though they're on different frequencies. Boafengs in particular are more susceptible to de-sense due to having no filters on the receiver front end. If you transmit near your stereo antenna on the car, it probably will not receive broadcast FM. Every time my radio transmits an APRS packet, my FM broadcast receive is interrupted.

The fact that you are hearing the repeater tail, indicates that you are activating the repeater. It's highly probable that you have your radio programmed correctly. You're wife didn't hear you a couple miles away? That is surprising. It's possible that you're just barely close enough to activate the repeater, but not close enough to get a usable signal into it's receiver.

 

Repeaters should be balanced. Even if they have 100w transmitter, they're not transmitting that much power. A duplexer will probably take 2db. A combiner might have more then 3db loss. More then 3db loss means you have less then 50w out of the combiner. Take away feedline loss up a couple hundred feet of tower and you lose more power. If there is a pre-amp near the antenna, it's not uncommon for a repeater to hear a 5w portable better then the portable hears a 100w transmitter. That being said, alligator repeaters do exist. You might have one.

 

Ooo. Alligator repeater ? As in big mouth tiny ears?

 

I have signed up to volunteer my time as a Ham for an upcoming charity bicycle ride. My employer recently announced that they will pay for some volunteer hours each year. Would it be legal for me to accept payment from my regular employer (who is not involved in the event and will not benefit from it in any way I can think of) for my time?

Looking for opinions, not legal advice. Also requesting any personal experience you may have in the area.