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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> The HAM RADIO THREAD /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1386732315 Message started by ZAR on 12/10/13 at 19:25:15 |
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Title: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/10/13 at 19:25:15 To prevent other threads from being over run with ham radio and shortwave QRM let's try to use this thread for radio related chatter. If the Mods see fit,maybe it could be stickie'd so it's easier to find. This way we can toss about ideas,set up skeds or ??? If we try it for a month and it's not serving a purpose the Mods can kill it with my blessing! KG4ZAR Larry 50.125/50.135mhz |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Bluesman on 12/11/13 at 03:18:04 Cool idea. QRV now and then on 18+21MHz, with wire vertical and 50W. Have worked into Washington state, CA and AZ on rare occarions, but keep hearing lots of stations from MI and south/eastward. 73/SM7SCJ/Rick (who used to be a 6m buff in an earlier life, with 170 or so DXCC worked from 1989 to 2002 (10-100W, dipole to 5-el yagi). Avid VHF/UHF DXer, too) |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 12/11/13 at 08:58:14 Very cool!! I am in!! Next goal, to get power or at least rechargeable power, from the Savage. I think the 7.4V battery needs 8V for recharge. Dane 73 KK6HSZ |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/11/13 at 11:12:50 So, whats CW? Im just a shortwave guy right now. Id Like to have a ham set. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 12/11/13 at 11:34:05 243B3D3A2720112111293B377C4E0 wrote:
Continuous Wave - used for Morse Code as I understand it... You should have a Ham club around you where you can get the Technician license materials and such. There is a megaton of radio content online and the prices for radios have come way down. My first handheld I got a few months ago came out to $60 including a separate spare battery and a separate USB computer cable that allows me to set up all the frequencies with my choice of a couple free software programs. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Bluesman on 12/11/13 at 13:51:23 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvxSb0IurKM |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by pgambr on 12/11/13 at 14:57:45 No disrespect intended, but do those things really work? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Yonuh Adisi FSO on 12/11/13 at 15:35:36 When my dad called me yesterday for my birthday he spoke to me about getting my ticket. I don't know much about these things but I reckon it's more than a coincidence that this thread showed up today. I'm thinking of setting up a radio sometime when we get back to Nevada. So what kind of advice would ya'll give a 100% unadulterated don't know a darn thing about it newbie? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/11/13 at 16:03:13 062831213729252A440 wrote:
At least give me a reason to want to see that clip |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Boofer on 12/11/13 at 22:04:11 Don't know nothin' about Ham Radio 'cept when the ship hits the sand they can relay messages around the US (or the world) and help gov't or other organizations with logistics and tactics, even when towers and power are down. :) |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/11/13 at 22:17:15 Back in the 70's & 80's I messed with CB a good bit. I talked a long way several times, thats fun,I listen to hams on the shortwave sometimes, Ill stumble across them on Sat morning once in a while, Waaay on OUt in the boonies, Yonuh, Ham would be a good thing, |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Yonuh Adisi FSO on 12/11/13 at 23:07:36 203F393E23241525152D3F33784A0 wrote:
That's what I am thinking, it would also be a good life line especially out in northeast Nevada where my place is. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/13/13 at 19:13:23 7C4A4B504D64414C564C250 wrote:
That's what I am thinking, it would also be a good life line especially out in northeast Nevada where my place is. [/quote] Yonuh ham radio would be a big help out there. Don't try to depend on 2 meter radios going through repeater systems though. They are great for normal conditions and close ranges of less than 30 miles. When a storm comes through and flattens the repeater tower you're down to 5-15 miles depending on the terrain. If you step up to the General class license you get privledges on the HF bands,which can provide communication over thousands of miles,while still providing local communications. Either way you'll have a blast and meet a lot of different and good people! |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/13/13 at 21:16:16 Id like to see advice from the experienced about just what radio to buy, what to expect to pay, entry level stuff, antenna/tower, just a general rundown of How to Start out |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by clueless-FSO on 12/14/13 at 15:57:21 Hey ZAR, AB4XO here in Alabama. Don't do much 6 meter. Chase DX on HF. JOG, bought my first radio for around 300. I have a nicer radio now, but still using an antenna I built. You don't have to learn any code (CW) at all. If you can work on a motorcycle, you can get a ticket(license). ZAR, any 80 or 40 meter capabilities? Tnx, Jim |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/14/13 at 17:07:32 How hard is ( & how expensive) building an antenna? I have tubing to go as tall as I need.. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/14/13 at 17:21:37 Hello Jim. Good to see you here! For 10 years I've been saying I'm going to get my general ticket but with all the fun I've had on 2 meter SSB and 6 meters I've just not got around to it :o . |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/14/13 at 17:27:33 67787E7964635262526A78743F0D0 wrote:
JOG antennas can be as cheap and easy or as expensive and complicated as you want to build. My 6 meter antenna took all of 1/2 hour,2 aluminum shafts from a weed-eaters and maybe $3 of pvc pipe fittings. You can work around the world on 102' of wire strung between a couple of trees or build a 43' tall verticle of aluminum tubing. That's the beauty of ham radio antennas....there's lots of experimentation room! |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/14/13 at 19:19:22 What make radio would you stay away from? Whats a good entry level radio? I can build an antenna, Im pretty sure. I have all kindsa 16 gauge wire on a reel.,hundreds of feet.. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/14/13 at 20:05:15 514E484F52556454645C4E42093B0 wrote:
As long as you stay with the major brands ....Yaesu, Kenwood, and Icom you'll be ok. That's talking about new or at least more modern radios, wether VHF/UHF or the HF bands. If you're interested in older tube type equipment,what us hams call "boat anchors" due to their size and weight, Drake(very collectible and expensive!) Heatkit(also very collectible)and a couple of other brands do perform well also if properly tuned and aligned. When getting started you take a test and get licensed as a "Technician" class operator. That gives you operating priveldges from 6 meters(50 megahertz) to well into the microwave frequencies,as well as voice on the 10 meter band between 28.300 and 28.500 megahertz. The antennas for these bands are fairly small and easy to build from proven designs. The next step up is the General class license. This gives you operating privledges on all of the radio spectrum available to hams with some limitations. The antennas for these frequencies can range well up into hundreds of feet but there are many designs that are much more compact. Some HF mobile antennas are no larger than the old familiar 102" CB whip antenna. Many HF antennas will cover a wide range of frequencies across the bands by using an antenna tuner. TO get a feel for equipment prices and types you can go to websites of ham radio shops like www.aes.com and www.randl.com. Rand L is about an hour and a half drive from me. I've dona a fair amount of business with them and been well pleased. You can also see used equipment for sale at www.swap.qth.com. Most of the sellers are hams and are pretty straight and honest, but like anything else on the net,you always check out the seller and take your chances. I know this is a long post but maybe it helps answer some of your questions. Larry |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/14/13 at 20:27:05 Just another thought JOG......as for a "started radio....most new hams start with 2 meters....that's 144.00 megahertz to 148 megahertz. That is mostly FM mode. You can talk simplex...direct communications between stations, or by using a repeater,which picks up your signal and retransmits(repeats) it back out for longer distance communications. I've owned some of all the brands I mentioned above for 2 meter radios but I have a few favorites. In the house I use a Kenwood TR7950. It's a old(circa 1984) 2 meter base/mobile radio that is just about bulletproof. Trouble is you can buy a brand new 2 meter radio with more features for what the 7950 sells for today. The other 2 meter radio I highly reccomend is one I just bought new a month ago,a Yeasu FT2900. The price was $189 but I also got a $40 rebate. The FT2900 is a basic radio but it has weather alert built in and has a very nice sized display that is easier for older eyes to see in the truck. It also has 75 watts of power that really reaches out there. The third radio,and one that I wish I had back was a Kenwood TS711A. It also is a circa 1984 radio but is strictly a base unit. It is capable of not ony FM but also the SSB and CW modes. They are getting scarce and will bring $450 to $550. Like many older radios they may have some issues that need attention and some repair parts are hard to find. Anyway,that's something for you to chew on a while ;D Larry |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Yonuh Adisi FSO on 12/14/13 at 21:47:25 Thanks Zar, that helped me a bit as well. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by old_rider on 12/14/13 at 22:44:06 Is it true morse code is no longer required for liscense? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/15/13 at 05:55:17 2D2E26302B262730420 wrote:
That is true OR. Code was dropped for all classes of license a few years back. Having said that,it is also true that there is more interest in code now than ever before, so while code is not required,it is far from dead! |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by clueless-FSO on 12/15/13 at 06:52:33 QTH.com is a site I have both bought and sold on. Most hams are honest. I have never had a problem, but I'm sure it does happen. 2 meters is a good starting point. You will get to meet some of the people there as it is usually more local. Big 10 meter contest this weekend. Worked Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, Germany, South America........on and on. When I can't ride.......I ham it up! |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/15/13 at 23:19:23 Lots to chew on, thanks |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 12/16/13 at 11:13:57 584741465B5C6D5D6D55474B00320 wrote:
My first radio (handheld): BaoFeng UV-5R+ Dual-Band 136-174/400-480 MHz FM Ham Two-Way Radio (Black) 1 or 4 Watt selectable power for $36. I got a spare battery for $10 and a computer connector cable for $10. About $60 total (have yet to use the spare battery, ;D ) So Cal has a sufficient repeater network, I would imagine Texas repeater networks blows anything we have right out of the water. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by walterpump on 12/16/13 at 12:35:17 Jim VE3NWN here: The answers to most of the questions from the previous posters can be found at the best amateur radio website: http://www.arrl.org/ American Radio Relay League. Equipment can be obtained inexpensively and antennas can be built. I run an Icom IC-735 HF rig that I bought for $150. Along with my keyer, mike, antenna tuner, power supply, and 6 band vertical antenna, less than $500 buckaroos. Of course I have lots of other goodies (its sort of like owning a motorbike) including 2 metre capability but I have been an AR operator since 1983. One of these days I will get into 6 metre activity (50mHz). CW, morse code can be a lot of fun and challenge but so is voice operation (phone operating). 73's to all (--... ...--) Jim Oh, I forgot, I bought 2 HD dynaglide mufflers and clamps on the weekend ($50) and will be fitting one of the mufflers on my Savage along with rejetting the carb. If finances permit I will be putting Progressive shocks on the bike, progressive springs in the front, a fork brace, new rubber (Pirelli Route 66's) and the Vapor Digital Dash I know I'm getting for Christmas :D Oh, just got back from 1-1/2hrs snowshoeing up in the farm fields - life is so tough!!! |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Ragnar444 on 12/16/13 at 15:52:43 As a kid I just loved anything to do with radios. Recently dug up this old relic I had since the late '60s. Lost count of the number of hours I would lie asleep at night listening to it with a pair of the most uncomfortable 2000 ohm headphones. :-? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Ragnar444 on 12/16/13 at 15:54:12 I'm still looking for ways to 'lie asleep at night'. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/16/13 at 17:24:18 5063656C6370363636020 wrote:
Nice old Heathkit ragner. Which model is that? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by clueless-FSO on 12/16/13 at 18:00:22 I built the " Star Roamer" 5 band SWL as a kid. Wow, brings back memories. Pointed me towards my career servicing medical imaging stuff. Remember Allied Radio? Then it was Allied-Radio Shack. We know what it is now. Dynaco was the stereo on the cheap that sounded great. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/16/13 at 18:04:34 3F3C386167666D65550 wrote:
clueless are you talking about Allied Electronics in Indiana? The folks that made Knight kits? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Ragnar444 on 12/16/13 at 19:01:06 It was a 3-tube Heath-Kit GR-81 I received on Christmas morning at the age of 11. Good times. :o |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Ragnar444 on 12/16/13 at 19:15:34 Recently purchased an old Hallicrafters Sky Buddy II on ebay. Can't wait to fix it up. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/16/13 at 19:18:27 6A595F56594A0C0C0C380 wrote:
Sweet!!! Real radios glow in the dark! ;) ;) |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/17/13 at 07:04:22 5C6F69606F7C3A3A3A0E0 wrote:
What do you intend to do to it? REplace the caps? Are you tech savvy enough to tune it? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Ragnar444 on 12/17/13 at 12:02:59 The guy I purchased it from on Ebay was awesome! He included all the replacement capacitors for free along with detailed instructions. Would love to own a Hallicrafters 'boat anchor' receiver from WWII. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/19/13 at 07:49:28 Six meters is open in the USA! Monitoring 50.135mhz and 50.125mhz KG4ZAR EM78 |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by walterpump on 12/19/13 at 13:18:36 3A2132600 wrote:
Man I wish I had a 6 metre rig I would try to QSO with you. The rig I would like to find is the TenTec 6n2 which has approx 20W out on 6 and 2 and would also provide 2 metre SSB. Hope you contact someone ZAR. 73's |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 12/19/13 at 15:46:18 5C4754060 wrote:
How far can you get on 6 meters with, say, 50 watts? Anyone on 10 meters? I know it's best during daytime but just checking. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by walterpump on 12/19/13 at 16:08:24 41646B60446969606B050 wrote:
How far can you get on 6 meters with, say, 50 watts? Anyone on 10 meters? I know it's best during daytime but just checking.[/quote] EM78 - near Cincinnati, if I'm not mistaken. I am in southern Ontario Canada, I think near FN04 but not sure. 73's |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/19/13 at 19:35:38 6E78756D7C6B696C7469190 wrote:
Man I wish I had a 6 metre rig I would try to QSO with you. The rig I would like to find is the TenTec 6n2 which has approx 20W out on 6 and 2 and would also provide 2 metre SSB. Hope you contact someone ZAR. 73's[/quote] The TenTec 6n2 is one of the rigs I keep an eye out for also. Great receive and audio out. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/19/13 at 19:44:42 3B2D2038293E3C39213C4C0 wrote:
How far can you get on 6 meters with, say, 50 watts? Anyone on 10 meters? I know it's best during daytime but just checking.[/quote] EM78 - near Cincinnati, if I'm not mistaken. I am in southern Ontario Canada, I think near FN04 but not sure. 73's[/quote] Dane my best 6 meter contact was with 9Y4D in Trinidad/Tobago. That was 2453 miles on 100 watts. Two days later I worked him again on 10 watts. SO if the band is wide open 10 watts will take you a long way. If it's not....50 watts will get you 25-35 miles. And walterpump..... I live about 1/2 way between Louisville Kentucky and Cinncinatti Ohio. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by walterpump on 12/20/13 at 05:20:14 7F6477250 wrote:
How far can you get on 6 meters with, say, 50 watts? Anyone on 10 meters? I know it's best during daytime but just checking.[/quote] EM78 - near Cincinnati, if I'm not mistaken. I am in southern Ontario Canada, I think near FN04 but not sure. 73's[/quote] Dane my best 6 meter contact was with 9Y4D in Trinidad/Tobago. That was 2453 miles on 100 watts. Two days later I worked him again on 10 watts. SO if the band is wide open 10 watts will take you a long way. If it's not....50 watts will get you 25-35 miles. And walterpump..... I live about 1/2 way between Louisville Kentucky and Cinncinatti Ohio. [/quote] Hi Guys: Roger the 10 watts taking you a long way, which brings me to another great 6M rig that I keep my eyes open for - it's the Ranger Communications RCI-5054DX. The model with the DX suffix has output of 25 watts on SSB and 10 watts on the other modes. I would love to get a second hand unit, put together a simple antenna, like maybe a Moxon and get started on Six. 73's Guys and have a super Christmas. Jim VE3NWN |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 12/20/13 at 14:11:21 140F1C4E0 wrote:
How far can you get on 6 meters with, say, 50 watts? Anyone on 10 meters? I know it's best during daytime but just checking.[/quote] EM78 - near Cincinnati, if I'm not mistaken. I am in southern Ontario Canada, I think near FN04 but not sure. 73's[/quote] Dane my best 6 meter contact was with 9Y4D in Trinidad/Tobago. That was 2453 miles on 100 watts. Two days later I worked him again on 10 watts. SO if the band is wide open 10 watts will take you a long way. If it's not....50 watts will get you 25-35 miles. And walterpump..... I live about 1/2 way between Louisville Kentucky and Cinncinatti Ohio. [/quote] Awesome!! Thanks!! I am thinking about a new radio to get longer range bands but if 6 and 10 meters can cover the distance then maybe I will get a rig that can transmit one or both of those. My wife keeps saying "great, i'm going to have one of those houses with all the weird antennas all over it" and I say "No, baby, I wouldn't do that!!" Turns out I might be a liar, ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/23/13 at 18:52:44 Dane I will caution that 6 and 10 meters can be fickle mistresses. Like I said before, I've talked almost 2500 miles on 10 watts on 6,and other times.... there's nothing at all unless you have some local stations on SSB or FM repeaters. With the cost of 6 meter dedicated radios you can almost buy a all-mode all band rig like the yaesu FT847 or Icom 706 and have more used HF bands when 6 and 10 are dead. As to the age old delima of SheWhoMustBeObeyed and enough wire and tube above the house to draw contact from Mars..... one simple wire antenna can tune up on all HF bands with a tuner. That leaves the need for only a couple of antennas for 6 meters and 2 meters. You get the ability to talk where you want and she sees only a little metal in the sky ;) |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/24/13 at 09:56:03 Ive got a place & a wife who isnt against having a radio & doesnt mind an antenna. Im a shade broke right now, BUT, she is not against gettin a ham setup. I wouldnt wanna spend a lot on a radio dedicated to a small segment of the band, especially if I could get one that did more for less $$. The thing is getting INTO that "community". I dont know anyone who has a radio, I dont think I know anyone who knows anyone who has a radio,,so, finding that radio thats been retired & is sitting in a box under a bench that someone would sell for Cheeep isnt likely to happen,, I dont even know how to find a Hamfest kinda deal,, Id expect to see something in Spring. People get out their stuff & have a swap meet.. but where? When? Theres someone around who would help, I know, just finding that person,, |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by verslagen1 on 12/24/13 at 10:07:50 easy, find the local club. we gotta swapmeet here every last saturday of the month. 2 or 3 of those guys every time. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/24/13 at 10:27:07 26393F3825221323132B39357E4C0 wrote:
JOG you can find a 2 meter radio used for around $100 that will get you started. Add another $30-50 for a 12 volt power supply and a home made antenna and you're good to go. I've even picked up used 2 meter rigs for $25 that just needed a speaker or something small. There are lots of guys around Tx and La cause I hear them(and talk to some of'em) when 6 meters is open. As to hamfests, do a google for hamfests bor your zip code. That should get you some not too far from you. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/24/13 at 10:29:41 5F4C5B5A45484E4C4718290 wrote:
Lucky you Versy! I here a lot about those big swaps out in Cali with all the old ham gear going for cheap. I'd love to make a couple of trips to them. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/24/13 at 19:48:28 697670776A6D5C6C5C64767A31030 wrote:
JOG a good place to start finding ham radio clubs near you is www.texashams.org and www.TexasVHF.org . Also check out the Longview/East Texas Club website at www.letarc.org They may be close to you or at least point you towards a group that is. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/24/13 at 20:46:58 Well,, AWWRITE! I went googlin & didnt find hoot. Ill look at that stuff tomorrow,,Thanks. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 12/26/13 at 21:57:14 756E7D2F0 wrote:
Good to know, thanks!! Anyone use 40 meter? Any General or Extra out there with some advice on consistent long distant frequencies? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by old_rider on 12/27/13 at 13:53:56 Buddy of mine says you can put an antenna in your attic, is this possible? I've got a wood roof/w shingles, I can't see that stopping a signal. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/27/13 at 19:17:19 4241495F4449485F2D0 wrote:
OR your buddy is 100% correct! Many hams that live in those dang "restricted" communities use antennas inside the attic. It works for vhf/uhf and the HF frequencies both. Another trick is to run a wire antenna just along the edge of your roof. A thin wire antenna along the roof is almost never noticed. Other "stealth" antennas for HOA restricted areas include "flagpole" antennas and ever using the gutter as an antenna. That's one of the neat things about ham radio,there's so much to experiment with. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by old_rider on 12/27/13 at 23:37:00 Ok... the length is what i'll have to deal with... the design I have in mind is a bit.... different... Imagine 4 or 5 sides with a ^ in the middle, about 4' tall... kinda like this: ____/\___/\___/\___/\____ in a square pattern for directional use N,S,E,W would that work?? How long would each leg have to be? total length? and the up and down leg(s) into the garage, how long should they be? or is that part of the total length? should a 6 meter ant. be shorter than a 10 meter? Wire thickness? thinner better? I'm giving this a bit of thought cause I got a little bit of time on my hands now-a-days. Maybe I should hit a site or two and read a bit... just throwing stuff out there.... Thanks Oh, afterthought... should the ^ lean in or out? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by old_rider on 12/28/13 at 00:02:21 Um... local craigslist add... a good start?? http://panamacity.craigslist.org/ele/4198079829.html |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/28/13 at 00:41:27 I guess every manufacturer has a low point, but Ive never heard of a crummy Drake. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/28/13 at 06:50:24 3231392F3439382F5D0 wrote:
OR the ^ I'm not sure about but I'm thinking that they will work against each other by bouncing the signal rather than directing it. Need to do more research on that one. A 6 meter antenna is for sure shorter than a 10 meter one,providing they are at the same wavelength.... i.e. 1/4 wave @ 6 meters is 58" and 1/4 wave at 10 meters is about 98". For comparision, 2 meters is 19.5" @ 1/4 wave. As fore wire thickness, I like a bit larger diameter as the bigger the wire the more broad-banded the antenna. That means you can cover more of a band with lower reflected power, SWR or standing wave for you old CB'ers out there. That's also why antennas are made with tubing. You can build a shorter antenna that will still cover a complete band with low SWR. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/28/13 at 07:25:28 484B43554E434255270 wrote:
Like JOG says, Drake never built a crummy radio. There are a couple of "buts" though. The TR-3 was made back in 1961 so it's got a lot of age on it. It is a tube radio instead of solid state so it requires a warm-up period(normally 30 minutes) before everything stabilizes and it's ready to transmit. Also tubes weaken and burn out with time and the 12JB6 final drive tubes are getting hard to find and very expensive to replace. On the other hand, if you're looking for a WTSHTF radio,this one is a good one to have as the old school technology will not be affected as much by EMF and is solid as a rock. The price is a bit high for my area but who knows.... everything is going up. I would suggest picking it up in person and making the seller demonstrate it! |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 12/30/13 at 16:31:56 6E7566340 wrote:
I was looking around at 6 and 10 meter propagation and there are internet tools that seem to indicate when the sporadic-E is good. Here is one site - http://www.dxmaps.com/six.html - and I am sure you are all familiar with this and other sites. What amazed me, though, was the heavy traffic at 40 meters to Europe and the traffic to Japan on 60 meters. An HF rig will cover 160 meters through 10 meters and those are the bands that seem consistently "open". That might be the way to go, I am wanting to make a portable setup that the instructor my my class built. Radio, fans, speakers and such were in one brief case and the solar recharged LIon batteries and regulator were in a second case. Could talk for days out in the wild between recharges. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 12/30/13 at 20:28:29 5C79767D5974747D76180 wrote:
I was looking around at 6 and 10 meter propagation and there are internet tools that seem to indicate when the sporadic-E is good. Here is one site - http://www.dxmaps.com/six.html - and I am sure you are all familiar with this and other sites. What amazed me, though, was the heavy traffic at 40 meters to Europe and the traffic to Japan on 60 meters. An HF rig will cover 160 meters through 10 meters and those are the bands that seem consistently "open". That might be the way to go, I am wanting to make a portable setup that the instructor my my class built. Radio, fans, speakers and such were in one brief case and the solar recharged LIon batteries and regulator were in a second case. Could talk for days out in the wild between recharges.[/quote] Dane for pure DX contacts 10-80 meters is no question the way to go,with 20 and 40 meters being the two best bands. Then again,17 meters is great for US contacts and sometimes DX according to a friend of mine. Back to the propagation maps.....DX Sherlock is the one I've found best for me. Most all the 6 meter guys use it,as well as many HF operators. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by walterpump on 01/15/14 at 12:51:21 Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Reply #45 - 12/20/13 at 14:11:21 Alert Board Moderator about this Post! Quote ZAR wrote on 12/19/13 at 19:44:42: walterpump wrote on 12/19/13 at 16:08:24: Dane Allen wrote on 12/19/13 at 15:46:18: ZAR wrote on 12/19/13 at 07:49:28: Six meters is open in the USA! Monitoring 50.135mhz and 50.125mhz KG4ZAR EM78 How far can you get on 6 meters with, say, 50 watts? Anyone on 10 meters? I know it's best during daytime but just checking. EM78 - near Cincinnati, if I'm not mistaken. I am in southern Ontario Canada, I think near FN04 but not sure. 73's Dane my best 6 meter contact was with 9Y4D in Trinidad/Tobago. That was 2453 miles on 100 watts. Two days later I worked him again on 10 watts. SO if the band is wide open 10 watts will take you a long way. If it's not....50 watts will get you 25-35 miles. And walterpump..... I live about 1/2 way between Louisville Kentucky and Cinncinatti Ohio. Hey all you HAMS. Bought an Azden PCS-7500H, 50watts FM on 6. Used, and not in my possession yet but I am ready for it with antenna up and power supply waiting. So will be trying to make a few QSO's with it. Keeping my eye open for an MFJ-9406X, 10watt SSB & CW rig then I will have Six covered. Working on my OHR 30M trcxv build. All components on circuit board and next will be all the wire interconnections. I am in Southern Ontario also, in Grid FN14fh. 73's all |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 01/17/14 at 17:01:10 Very nice, Walter! My ultimate goal is to have a solar rechargeable brief case radio that transmits in the HF range. Di-pole antenna can be unrolled and strung between two trees. With antenna, batteries, solar panels and radio parts I hope to have everything fit into two brief cases and be able to transmit around the globe from any location. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by raydawg on 01/18/14 at 08:01:58 My dad was a RO. He had his ham and side bands. I helped him erect a tower on top of out tract house, neighbors hated it, years before all the CC's and other laws telling a person their home was not really theirs do do as they wanted ;D I would listen to him talk to others from many destinations, and of course watch him on his speed key. He built many of his own radios....some of those tubes were a work of art! His call was W6ELE. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/18/14 at 13:29:59 Ham radio? http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4716768698697954&pid=15.1&w=126&h=126&p=0 |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by mpescatori on 01/19/14 at 09:54:44 7351 from IK0MIL. I wasn't the licensee, IK0MIL being the handle of the military radio at the Army School of Signals where I was posted as Courses Officer. I had two colleagues who were the licensees (one was I0IOJ, currently I2IOJ, I forget the other) but the three of us would stay up nights all the way to dawn (and in the summer, that can be a very pleasant time!) http://files.qrz.com/j/i2ioj/Ten_Iori.jpg We had a whole wall plastered with QSL cards ! IK0MIL's current operator is I0XNH Aaaaahh... the good old days (when I was young... the Logical Song)) |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by walterpump on 01/19/14 at 16:16:40 Sounds like good plan Dane Allen. Very cool stories raydawg and mpescatori On a Suzuki Savage note I have a DynaGlide muffler to install on my bike as soon as we get a break in the weather; and a digital dash. Might be getting Sporster rear shocks and drag bars also. Love modding bikes:-) Weather is snowy, blowy and 25F or lower. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by old_rider on 01/22/14 at 09:52:30 Still looking around in the area, for a starter... hows this ? http://pensacola.craigslist.org/eld/4276752840.html |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by walterpump on 01/22/14 at 11:27:50 Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Reply #69 - Today at 09:52:30 Alert Board Moderator about this Post! Quote Still looking around in the area, for a starter... hows this ? http://pensacola.craigslist.org/eld/4276752840.html Looks pretty old to me old rider. Big and heavy and tough to get parts if required. Lots of newer receivers here http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/portable.html; like http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/portable/4033.html in a portable unit for around $100. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 01/25/14 at 14:52:33 667B6E78686A7F6479620B0 wrote:
Now that's what a ham shack should look like! ;D |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 01/25/14 at 14:54:59 51525A4C575A5B4C3E0 wrote:
OR that is a classic reciever. Very collectable. If the unit powers up and recieves properly it's a good price but check out the availability of tubes. Replacements may be very pricey and hard to find. Overall,it would be a decent recieve only starter. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 02/21/14 at 15:08:02 Just got my Kenwood TM-281A 2 meter mobile that will be the prototype basis for my HF self-contained, solar-rechargeable backpack radio platform. Will do a 2 meter dipole antenna to simulate the 40 meter dipole which I will need to figure out how to string up in the wild. I figure once I figure out the nuances of a 2 meter dipole I can then scale up. Kite and balloon are a couple of possibilities. It would be nice to have a helium tank and a pump with which I can retrieve the helium from the balloon and return to the tank, all on the same battery pack that recharges in the sun. At this point, just trying to get the prototype up and running. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by ZAR on 02/21/14 at 17:16:23 Dane around here the popular methods of getting an antenna up in the field are potato guns and "wrist rocket" slingshots. With either of these and some strong nylon cord or heavy fishing line you can get a dipole or wire antenna strung between two trees up close to 50' high. opps! Just thought about where you are. Is it likely you'll be in an area where there are no tall trees,only scrub-brush? In that case check with a local college science dept. for a couple of weather balloons. Of course then you have to worry about people taking potshots at the balloon! |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/22/14 at 08:57:39 4B6E616A4E63636A610F0 wrote:
You some kinda SPY,, Boooy? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 02/22/14 at 12:46:39 Over the past 40 years or so I've had fleeting thoughts about getting into ham radio, but two things always stopped me: Code and real knowledge of electronics. So, OK, code is gone now from the test. But what level of electronics knowledge do you need to have now to pass the first test, and then the second one to get more powerful equipment? That band that is 148 MHz is just right above what I'm used to - the aircraft communications frequencies which top out at 135.95. These are all "line of sight", so unless you've got an antenna really high, you aren't going very far with your signal. To get into HF, can an ignoramus like me, who knows nothing about electronics, get the required license? |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by horseshoe_george on 02/22/14 at 15:03:24 [quote author=535C505A515C575B5C4B5E5C4B390 link=1386732315/75#76 date=1393101999. These are all "line of sight", so unless you've got an antenna really high, you aren't going very far with your signal. To get into HF, can an ignoramus like me, who knows nothing about electronics, get the required license?[/quote] Jerry most of the line of sight work is done thru repeaters on mountain tops that provide wide coverage. You will need to learn something about electronics to get any of the licences but the questions are all published in advance so its not too hard really. George AA1PD |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 02/23/14 at 21:02:29 0A1102500 wrote:
I saw pictures of trees...in a book...once... ;D Yeah, I would be lucky to find two cactus close enough to each other yet I expect they would just topple over under tension. I'm thinking box canyons and flat scrub land. But if I ever do get near to two trees that are close enough then I am sure gonna use that sligshot idea. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 02/23/14 at 21:04:51 293630372A2D1C2C1C24363A71430 wrote:
You some kinda SPY,, Boooy?[/quote] When our new President-for-Life is appointed I would like to get a heads up and let some others know that "camp season" is about to start. I've had enough education, don't need to do it all over again ;) |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 02/23/14 at 21:10:23 414E4248434E45494E594C4E592B0 wrote:
That is what I thought too. There is more electricity theory and such in the Technician class. A lot about how not to electrcute yourself, which I found very valuable. Another part that is stressed is to not get on the air and act like a jackass. It definitely is not the "10-4 good buddy" of yesteryear and you will learn some very basic knowledge about what a capacitor and resistor does. The most interesting part I found was how radio waves get around and why some frequencies work better that others under various conditions. Also, I am not sure it is accurate that you get more powerful equipment with higher licenses, rather, you get access to more frequency ranges and the radios associated with those ranges. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Bluesman on 02/24/14 at 13:19:43 Dane Allen - For HF I can recommend the Elecraft K1 kit. Equipped with internal ATU option board and boards for 40,20 and/or 30 and 15M.....you will be a very happy QRP camper. You need a glass fibre fishing rod of some 5-6m length, a roll of household electrical multistranded isolated wire to make some simple wire verticals + radials, and the K1. And...the CW keyer. The K1 can do CW only. It will run from a battery powered by solar panels, or from solar panels directly. I have run this setup for a year or two from my balcony and my VW camper and scored about 120 countries on 15m, best DX being 12000 km away. With 5 watts. 8-) Now...if CW isn´t in your plan...you will need a different approach. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Dane Allen on 02/24/14 at 14:24:23 143A2333253B3738560 wrote:
I want to do CW and I have a Koch trainer all set up, just need to make the time. CW is definitely on my to do soon list. |
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Title: Re: The HAM RADIO THREAD Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 02/24/14 at 14:27:45 Not on my list. I went thru flight school when you still had to know enough code to listen to a navigational beacon and identify the station by its 3 letter code identifier. Since the identifier was continuously broadcast, you could listen over and over again. It took me forever to get it. |
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