Official Colorado HAM and cheese thread

I just unscrew the antenna from the base for car wash, low garage, etc.

@BDN my whole set up is pretty brainless. Didn't put any @thefatkid technicianing into it, just set it up and ran it and it works well.

So easy even a choo choo aficionado could do it.

 

Do you have a body mounted antenna for the 2m/70cm stuff?

 

nope. Tram mag mount.
handheld, external mic/speaker, battery adapter for power, antenna adapter for tram mag mount on roof, cable ran in through back slider (can even close/latch the slider)
the whole set up can be installed or removed in under 5 minutes.

I think it's just not as hard as your 200jiggawatt breaker breaker rubber ducky stuff.

 

If i need it down for some reason, I'll just tip it over... For the garage, it'll just hit... Maybe I'll just keep it like that.

 

Generally most people with have more "plug and play" luck with mag mounts. Even with CB those mag mounts do really well when they are close to center mass. They generally have a really good factory tune knowing they are going to be roof stuck.

Try a ditch light bracket mount or off of the bed rail, even the front bumper

 

Hey Brett, do you mind if I ask where you found that deal? Thanks!

ETA: Disregard. I'm guessing it's Amazon based on previous posts.

 

@BDN I have become proficient in CHIRP over the last few weeks and have a good "master" file built. I have already programmed 6 Beofangs with the file. I can help you out with the programming. I have a Beofang now for walking around and I am working on a Yaesu that will stay in the truck all the time.

 

Did you not like the master file we had started on earlier in the year?

Hated it so much you didn't even want to collaborate on it?

One thing to note about the baofeng radios... Even radios that look identical, with identical model numbers, can have different firmwares and not accept the same img file.
Best practice I've found is to download the stock setup, save it, then save a copy and import channels and settings into that file and upload it back on to the radio.

 

Order the radio with standard battery, then add the 3800mah to it. They charge the extra 13 bones for the battery either way, Alone or with radio. Sorry, on my phone or could explain better.

 

Thanks, Brett

 

I don't recall this file you are referring too. But that doesn't say much.

Screw .IMG files. Everything is just saved in .CSV. I copy and paste it over. I have had zero issues not VR3 and VR5 models with this method and CHIRP. Biggest issue is have seen is the radio being programmed initially on different COM'S and CHIRP does not auto detect that.

 

it's in the OP. I had to shame @aero3685 into bolding it and everything so old folks like you could see it.

The idea behind the common file was that all of our colorado wheeling group could have identically programmed radios making channel selection easy for new users until they get the hang of offsets and tones for repeaters and such.

I'LL PUT ANOTHER LINK RIGHT HERE FOR YOU GRAMPS

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B0nBiqObudNyQjFFZ3RxdWFucjg

I'd be interested in seeing what you came up with.

 

Cool. The Moab ones would be nice to add to mine. I haven't filtered down Utah yet. I also have race channels on my file that I sourced somewhere.

Basically what I have done is grab a master file of all channels and repeaters by state for the western states in .CSV from CHIRP. From there I can tailor build a file for the Beofang based on where I will be since it is limited to 127CH. Just copy and paste he CSV files together until I have what I want. Then import that into CHIRP and copy/paste it over to the radio load file.

I need to start building a file for the Yaesu. But it will be easier because I don't have to filter out so much since it will hold 1000CH. Also the Yaesu does not play well with CHIRP. So I will again build the file in CSV first and then import it into the Yaesu programming software. I also got the proprietary Yaesu cable that I will leave attached to the radio after install. I will tuck the cable until I need to program the radio again. I will just pull it out and attach it to my Surface.

 

That was part of the reason I chose my kenwood. It works OK with chirp......the same file for everyone should make things easy......

 

Yeah but I wanted the data cable anyways for future programming and the software comes with the cable.

 

Sorry for disappearing, wanted to add. The "regular" battery makes the length of radio "small/ short" kind of like trying to hold one of those mini cell phones. The 3800 battery adds over an inch and much easier to hold the radio for my big mits.

 

What are you getting for approx distance with the upgraded antenna? Sorry if that was already answered...

 

Never really tested it but once on Alpine loop we were in Animas Forks and I could talk to buddy coming out of American Basin up the switchbacks somehow (Cinnamon Pass high point between us)

 

Those using the Magnetic Antenna's, what are you using to keep the Antenna set screw from coming out (Which is why I stopped using it)