Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

The college doesn't have a club. Unless it's like a secret or something lol. I'm taking my test at a local club.

And thanks for all the help!

 

I like how the ft270r is waterproof. Do these things last long? Can I plan to buy one and have it for a long time? And just to start for a handheld is a mono and good enough to learn on? Its still a little pricey, but if I got this and saved up for a mobile unit, I will have two quality radios.

 

+1 on getting a mobile set up. You can get a ft1900, mag mount and nmo antenna for under $200. I started out with a 1900 and it worked great. After about 1 year I got bored and bought a ft-8800. The 8800 is the only radio i have in the truck and it works great. I have install pics and whatnot if you have any questions.

 

I have both the ft60 and 270. Also have a couple baofengs. the 60 and 270 i have are well over 2 yrs old. We use them on dirtbikes almost every weekend and they get covered in dust and have not had one single issue. Long story, but a friend dropped one of my ft60s out of the window and i watched (in the mirror) it get run over by our 10,000lb twin axle trailer. We went back to go get it and the screen didn't work, except everything else worked, so it is just used for simplex comms. You can still change freqs and everything if you can remember the interface.

On the other hand, I do have a couple of baofengs and they are nice to have around if you want to loan radios out or something like that. They are throw away radios. I have had the ptt button go out on one and another had the speaker go out. For $25, that what you get.

 

can you share a link to your radio install? Just got my truck this month and I'm installing V71a next weekend. I've seen a few already, got a lot of ideas. But more pics would be great.

 

http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php/topic,106657.0.html

 

Call Yeasu about a new screen. Not sure what they would charge to do it, plus round trip shipping, but I bet you can do it yourself.

 

I think after hearing this im looking towards a ft270r. The durability factor is a big plus. It sounds like a good start and something I can keep and depend on. After hearing that those baofengs are low quality, the last thing I want is to get my first radio and it not work worth a crap. I'm guessing it being mono band will have to due for now.

 

Awesome! Mono band is never a bad idea. When you master it, you will want to move on to dual band and thats how your collection of radios will start. The baofengs, lets put it this way. It's better than nothing...But if I was expecting to handle an emergency situation, that would not be my first pick.

 

Yeah, the baofeng would work for what i am using it for NOW, but.... obvioulsy it will probably be replaced. I can play with the ft270r for a good time, and even after I get a mobile setup in the truck, it can still be a solid backup or use for outside the truck. Do it right the first time. cuase if you don't, your going to end up spending more money in the long run. Thanks guys!

 

Would you happen to be working the Parker 425 race next weekend?

 

I'll look into my mobility setting tonight. Sorry for the delay responding

 

No, I was scheduled, but I have to work.

 

That's too bad. I'm going to be in the 1037 car as co-dog for the first lap. I'll be in Parker from the 4th to the 4th for the race..

 

I velcroed my V71a to the carpet under the drivers seat and velcroed the control head on top of the steering column. Been that way for over a year, no problems

 

Has anyone built their own 2m Slim Jim antenna using 1/2" copper pipe?

I'm thinking of building one and mounting it to the chimney of my house. There are a lot of guides with all of the measurements. My problem is that I don't have a SWR meter for 2m antennas.

Soldering the pipes is easy, finding a good way to mount it on a stucco house could be difficult.

But the slim jim antennas look like a cheap and easy way to build your own quality 2m antenna.

 

I made a slim jim out of 450 ohm ladder line. Works well to roll up in a back pack. Very easy to make. Never made it out of 1/2" copper. I have made a couple j poles out of copper though. If you haven't home brewed a slim jim/j pole, I would recommend it to do it at least once. It's a good thing to know how to build, but if you are tight on time and you want to have a couple, I would purchase them from KB9VBR. I am not endorsing his products, but i have bought a couple antennas from him and holy wow they work great.

Oh and your call sign is badass by the way.

 

I bought a roll up slim jim from that guy. Haven't had a chance to use it yet.

 

huh, didn't know he made roll up slim jims. I'm sure it will work great, just like all his other stuff.

 

Oops, the guy i got the roll up slim jim is N9TAX