Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Thank you, I'll look into it.

 

What are your thoughts?

 

It was never going to be $50; it was planned tactic to get something in between $25 & $50...this is something that I hope we can have repealed. RACES and ARES should now start to charge for their support...

 

I think he scowls a lot.

I have contradicting opinions within my own mind. The libertarian in me says, back off! The FCC does next to nothing for amateur radio. They only process paperwork they require. Practically no enforcement and no assistance. $35 is next to nothing but I don't like paying taxes when I see no return.

 

FCC does nothing for Ham besides regulating airwaves and keeping up a pretty simple database. Nor is there a substantiation that they have the power to "tax".

 

They keep taking away the Bands Amateurs do not use..

 

I wish new licenses remained free. I'm ok with a token fee for renewals. $35 is not that much to ask for, IMHO.

I wish the charge for vanity calls was even more. Charge $100 for a vanity application and double it for every other vanity application made under that same FRN in the last 2 years. I'm sick of the 1x2 call sign hoarding.

 

I watched N4TRD for a year and got it...... yay me.

 

Well done! My mistake in that post my call is N6TRD. I get a lot of people asking about it now. yay you. yay me.

 

Oh, fyi, I still have your advise on the 2739a. I just have not pulled the trigger, I am regearing and getting a new suspension, this month and that is sucking up my money........ My old Yaesu still works fine. Baofeng, while a POS does a decent job in close proximity............

 

Did you get a license plate? I need to renew plates this month. The NC Amateur Radio license plate is god awful and boring, but I might get the call sign on a normal vanity plate. I dunno. Going to the DMV just sucks ass.

 

That is awesome!! I need to re-gear now too! The sliders, skids, and bumper do make the truck drag ass a bit now. The 2730A is still a great radio I always get compliments on how clear and strong the signal sounds through the repeater. Only thing is... this past trip I learned that having APRS available is important for me at least. Since I am out alone it is a good idea for people to see my position on the map and the FT-3DR I brought with APRS did not cut it. I just ordered a Yaesu FTM-300 which will go in the truck and the 2730A will be my analog base station in my house.
I am hoping we get the $2000 stim check and that money is going straight into gears!
My vanity license plate through California is 4B TACO. I have been waiting 5 months now and nothing. CA DMV makes me want to eat a bullet some times.
The vanity plates is a great idea! You should do that!!
You going 529 or 488??

 

Between my wife and I, we make to much..... Fukmeh. I know the six hundred checks already went out as some people that I know got them on Monday.

I am going 5.29 and OV Tune the following week. With ARB locker in front, it is $4k, double fukmeh. Oh well, who needs savings......

As far as radio, I really do not use 2m/440 all that much, it is mostly bs between the same old guys. They all came over with the no code tech class and were CB’ers.

 

For shits and giggles, I have my old ICOM HF rig with a vertical hooked up to my old Taco battery. I have some solar panels, the next time I am in the mountains, up high, I will try to do some fun DX..... At least that is the plan.....

 

Received my Signal Stuff NMO mobile antenna. wow didnt know my Larson 2/70B was so abused.SWR was all out of wack.
I think this SS NMO antenna will take more abuse. No coil in the middle like the mentioned antenna. Out the box 2m SWR 2.0 70cm SWR 1.5

 

It is smaller though right and not sticking up as far?
Also I talked to Signal Stuff and they said the antenna was made out of some super durable alloy with titanium in it I think. I do not have the email anymore and I forgot the materials name.
That being said I do kind of agree there is no coil in the center to aid with bending and not breaking.
If something happens though signal Stuff should give you a new one. The little Signal Stalk TX's and RX's well for such a small antenna.

 

Yep shorter than Larson 2/70B.

 

Sounds like a nice antenna for a roof mount. How sturdy does the connection to the base look? I've got their HT whip and the 3d printed collar makes it seem flimsy, granted it's still a soldered connection to the threaded adapter base.

Until I find the perfect antenna for my rack, I'll keep it bumper mounted. Need to be able to offroad still without a limb taking off the antenna.

 

I have an NMO through the center of the roof.

 

a hole in the roof