What did you do for your comms setup today?

NT2C · April 28, 2023, 08:41:20 PM

Got my GMRS license grant today. WRXD445

Moab · April 29, 2023, 11:29:29 AM

Quote from: NT2C on April 28, 2023, 08:41:20 PMGot my GMRS license grant today. WRXD445

That is awesome. I need to do that. I have a set of higher end Midlands in camo. That I have never used. But reside in my bug out bag.

I picked up a pair of Baofeng 5v's last month. But still have not programmed them. Or started studying for the license.

We used to use two ways alot more when we lived on the beach. It was before cellphones. And my son was always out on the beach while we were at home. We had a couple sets of FRS radios we used. They were extremely cheap. But the early ones out of china had amazing reception. I still have them. They look like toys. But work really well.

Z.O.R.G. · April 30, 2023, 01:58:52 PM

I put up a G5RV-JR (7-30 MHz) antenna at the camp. I didn't have much time to play with it, but I did work the bands and made at least 1 contact per band.

NT2C · May 06, 2023, 02:06:14 AM

Ordered a Baofeng GM-15 and a programming cable to use for GMRS.

NT2C · May 08, 2023, 07:18:08 PM

Ordered two more batteries for it.

NT2C · May 09, 2023, 05:09:58 PM

Ordered a Baofeng UV-13 Pro V2. While I have plenty of portable HTs to use, including my trusty old Yaesu FT-60s and even a commercial Motorola HT, this has the advantage of using the same battery packs as the GM-15 GMRS radio, meaning I can carry two radios that are lighter in weight than my others and can use each other's battery if needed.

Z.O.R.G. · May 11, 2023, 06:21:08 AM

Do they use the same batteries as the UV-5? If so, you might want to try one of theses.

Battery Case AAA or AA | BAOFENG USA (baofengradios.us)

NT2C · May 11, 2023, 07:44:16 PM

Quote from: Z.O.R.G. on May 11, 2023, 06:21:08 AMDo they use the same batteries as the UV-5? If so, you might want to try one of theses.

Battery Case AAA or AA | BAOFENG USA (baofengradios.us)

No, the UV-5 et.al. use the BL-5 pack, this uses the BL-13UV pack.

NT2C · May 19, 2023, 02:40:11 PM

Got my UV-13 in today's mail, now to get it programmed. I need to dig out the laptop I use for that, and old Toughbook a friend gave me that has all my radio programming stuff... which is duplicated from the honking big widescreen laptop by my feet that has not been plugged in for a few years.

NT2C · May 20, 2023, 05:46:13 AM

Spent the early morning (woke up at 0430 for some reason) hours programming the UV-13, which is proving to be a PITA

Z.O.R.G. · May 20, 2023, 08:08:53 AM

Dug out my DJ-G7 to start prepping for June VHF contest.

EBuff75 · May 20, 2023, 09:01:59 AM

Does clearing space in my attic for a fiber install count?

(that's where I'm going to ask them to put in the drop and the modem/router)

What I've learned so far: Man, I really, really, really need to clean out my attic...

NT2C · May 21, 2023, 01:54:25 PM

Renewed my ARRL membership for another year.

Rednex · May 21, 2023, 05:02:34 PM

I charged my personal phone, and work phone. Does that count?

Z.O.R.G. · May 21, 2023, 09:09:38 PM

NT2C didn't say it had to be radio related...

NT2C · May 22, 2023, 03:12:04 AM

Quote from: Rednex on May 21, 2023, 05:02:34 PMI charged my personal phone, and work phone. Does that count?

I don't care if you Windexed your signal mirror, it counts.

MacWa77ace · May 22, 2023, 11:23:50 AM

Quote from: EBuff75 on May 20, 2023, 09:01:59 AMDoes clearing space in my attic for a fiber install count? (that's where I'm going to ask them to put in the drop and the modem/router)

What I've learned so far: Man, I really, really, really need to clean out my attic...

Have them put a battery backup on your cable modem. or you should put one on it.

I have one on mine and when I lose power, I can keep on gaming cause internet stays up, tv stays on, Playstation stays on . [cable box and streaming device also, and wifi and router also] I luv battery backups.

EBuff75 · May 22, 2023, 11:27:44 AM

Quote from: MacWa77ace on May 22, 2023, 11:23:50 AM
Quote from: EBuff75 on May 20, 2023, 09:01:59 AMDoes clearing space in my attic for a fiber install count? (that's where I'm going to ask them to put in the drop and the modem/router)

What I've learned so far: Man, I really, really, really need to clean out my attic...

Have them put a battery backup on your cable modem. or you should put one on it.

I have one on mine and when I lose power, I can keep on gaming cause internet stays up, tv stays on, Playstation stays on . [cable box and streaming device also, and wifi and router also] I luv battery backups.

Yep, I've got a UPS and the modem/router is part of what runs on it. I've mainly used it for short-term outages so that I can stay online for work (I work from home).

Blast · May 22, 2023, 12:43:37 PM

Learning the ropes of email sent via ham radio WinLink. It's a program that converts emails into digital signals that are then broadcast over the air to be picked up by special repeaters connected to the internet, where they are then sent like regular emails to the intended recipient. With special equipment, you can also send emails directly to other radios without needed the internet, which is extremely useful. Note, the radios do need to be hooked to a computer. Once I have the hardware I'll write up a how-to.
-Blast

NT2C · May 22, 2023, 05:40:08 PM

Bought a new radio for my Jeep. It's a nice, new Yaesu FTM-300DR which will replace my FTM-350AR. The FTM-350AR will probably get installed as an additional dual-band radio in my trailer when I get it back. It'll join a 50W Wouxan dual-band mobile in there, a 40W Motorola UHF repeater, and a slew of HTs.