Got my GMRS license grant today. WRXD445
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.
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.
Ordered a Baofeng GM-15 and a programming cable to use for GMRS.
Ordered two more batteries for it.
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.
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) (https://baofengradios.us/accessories/battery-case-aaa-or-aa.html)
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) (https://baofengradios.us/accessories/battery-case-aaa-or-aa.html)
No, the UV-5 et.al. use the BL-5 pack, this uses the BL-13UV pack.
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. :smiley_beard:
Spent the early morning (woke up at 0430 for some reason) hours programming the UV-13, which is proving to be a PITA
Dug out my DJ-G7 to start prepping for June VHF contest.
Does clearing space in my attic for a fiber install count? :D (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...
Renewed my ARRL membership for another year.
I charged my personal phone, and work phone. Does that count?
NT2C didn't say it had to be radio related... :)
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. :smiley_knipoog:
Quote from: EBuff75 on May 20, 2023, 09:01:59 AMDoes clearing space in my attic for a fiber install count? :D (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.
Quote from: MacWa77ace on May 22, 2023, 11:23:50 AMQuote from: EBuff75 on May 20, 2023, 09:01:59 AMDoes clearing space in my attic for a fiber install count? :D (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).
Learning the ropes of email sent via ham radio WinLink (https://winlink.org/). 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
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.
Ordered a couple of new radio mounts from Lido Radio (https://www.lidoradio.com/). I'm not sure which I'll end up using, or what parts I might mix and match to make it work but I got:
- Lo-Pro Mount (https://www.lidoradio.com/products/lopro-mount-with-quick-release-for-yaesu-ftm-100-ftm-200-ftm-300-ftm-350-ftm-400-ftm-6000-and-ft-891)
- Heavy Duty Cup Holder Mount with Speaker (https://www.lidoradio.com/products/heavy-duty-cup-holder-mount-with-external-speaker-included-fits-ftm-100-ftm-200-ftm-300-ftm-400-ftm-6000-ft-891)
- An Extension to clear the Jeep's gearshift (https://www.lidoradio.com/products/lm-rx)
I've been working on my comms setup in the Jeep, replacing my old faithful Yaesu FTM-350AR with a new Yaesu FTM-300DR. Mounting the FTM-350AR in the Jeep had been problematic, with no good place for the radio head and the wife's prohibition on anything "stuck, glued, or screwed" to any part of the dash or console, and nothing blocking the vents. That left the cup holders or a beanbag mount. I hate beanbag mounts (wife loves them for her GPS when she drives the pickup), leaving the oversized Jeep cup holders that proved to be larger than the cup holder mount I had. Sticking it into a foam can cozie did the trick though and I used it that way for many years, with the radio body stuck in the driver's seatback pocket and plugged into the 12vdc socket in the console, and a Tram glass mount antenna back on the rear side window.
IMG20230605235625.jpg
IMG20230605234816.jpg
I'm still using the same antenna but the new radio needed a new mount. After a few huge headaches from Lido Radio outright lying about shipping my order and then only giving a refund after a very heated phone call with the owner I built a new mount using parts from Akron.com and a few others. I still need to find my old speaker from my previous truck and mount it under the dash (or pair the Bluetooth on the radio with the Jeep's sound system), and I have a slightly better attachment point for the head that I'll be making when the key parts arrive tomorrow but otherwise, it's done until I decide to run power from the fuse block under the hood.
IMG20230605234720.jpg
IMG20230606182255.jpg
Dug out my "Emcomm Case" filled with HTs and radio repair gear and started the process of cycling all the batteries on the various chargers/conditioners and ordering replacements for ones that failed, something I do annually.
Not sure if this belongs under comms or transportation but I think comms is the better fitting choice.
I'm adding ditch light brackets with very focused pod driving lights to the Jeep. I already have a glass mount VHF/UHF antenna on it that handles my amateur band radio but I want to install a GMRS rig so I bought a bracket that bolts to the ditch lights and provides a mounting point for an NMO mount. For that I'm using a Midland low-profile NMO antenna connector and will have a Browning 450-470mHz spring-loaded antenna on it. A nice, inexpensive yet sturdy setup.
I'll post pictures when it's all installed.
Ordered a Wouxun KG-1000G GMRS radio (https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-1000g.html) for installation in the Jeep prior to my trip this coming July.
Reconfigured the Kia from VHF rover configuration to "normal" ham use. Only a week afterwards...
Quote from: NT2C on June 16, 2023, 11:36:16 AMOrdered a Wouxun KG-1000G GMRS radio (https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-1000g.html) for installation in the Jeep prior to my trip this coming July.
And... I ordered the wrong model. :headbang:
It arrived today and it's the regular "G" model, not the "G+" version that I wanted. My fault entirely. And I will not be doing business with this company again. I contacted them via the chat function on their site and spoke with an agent named Stephen who had to be the most unhelpful and dismissive customer service rep that I've dealt with in many years. He absolutely refused to answer any questions regarding getting the replacement shipped back to me overnight (at my cost) and just kept telling me to fill out the RMA form. Then, on the RMA form there was a mandatory box asking if "the package" was opened or not. Which package? The shipping box or the product package? The product package had no seals or anything, so do they mean the shipping box? I tried to ask Stephen but he refused to answer, just said, "There's a comment box on the form." Bitch, this is a
required entry on the form. I can't submit it without filling out that entry, so which package are we talking about??
The dude pissed me off so much I'm just going to return it for a refund. I don't need to do business with folks like this.
Spoke with the supervisor and worked out a deal. The radio is headed back to them, UPS overnight and will be exchanged, and the new one overnighted back to me.
And... they still managed to fuck it up.
They got the radio Wednesday. Wednesday afternoon I get a UPS notice that I have a package coming from E-Com Solutions for delivery Tuesday. WTF? The place I ordered from is in South Carolina? About the right weight though (5.9lbs vs 6.1), and they were supposed to ship it back overnight. They were very insistent that I include a letter telling them what it was being exchanged for, what card to charge it to, and how to ship it, so I had that on top of the radio box inside the shipping box. Maybe this is the distributor they buy from and they screwed up on the shipping?
Okay, so I'll still have most of a week to install it.
Then I get a voicemail today (my cell phone was off) that they just refunded the radio I sent back and was there another radio or something that I wanted? Double WTF? Triple WTF? What the hell is coming from Wisconsin? Did they just ignore the letter? Why did they wait two and a half days?
I finally contacted someone there who knew what he was doing and the replacement radio, a Wouxun KG-1000G Plus, is being immediately shipping UPS overnight - Saturday delivery.
Still no idea WTF is coming from E-Comm Solutions.
Damn GMRS radio install is kicking my ass. I ran a new power lead for the ham radio all the way to the fuse block using silicone-insulated 14ga. wire but now I'm having trouble running power for the GMRS to the same location because I'm running out of wire. I also still haven't managed to get the antenna cable run.
Then, to top it all off, mounting the two radio heads is proving to be a fucking bear. There are industry-standard mounting bolt patterns and screw sizes. Does either radio head use them? Fuck no, but I need to mount both to an aluminum "universal" mounting plate that only has those patterns. The plate is also several inches too long, which means it blocks the only other cup holder up front. What I really need to do is make a smaller mounting plate but I don't have the materials.
It... lives. :panic:
It's even kinda nicely done. Just needs some more tidying up at a later date, and a place to hang the second microphone.
Now... how to add an HF rig...? :icon_crazy:
Jury rigged a 80 foot flagpole as a vertical for Field Day.
Downloaded all repeaters within 100 miles of home, programmed up the mobile radio and checked them from various locations.
Ordered a bunch of UV-5R handhelds to use for next Field Day and/or as emergency response kit.
Realized yesterday that I must have borked my APRS settings while in Idaho so I reloaded everything from the micro SD card and got it working again.
Ordered the parts to replace the glass mount antenna on the Jeep with an NMO mount on the hood.
One of my FRS walkies has an issue and has for a while [might be a bad speaker]. I was looking at buying another set of two on amaz0n but then decided to go GMRS set of two, but when searching for that a bunch of Baofengs came up and I saw a couple sets of two UV-5R's at OK prices/deals.
The only thing was they were the UV-5R's [isn't that an older version. I have some UV-5RV2+'s and a BF-F9V2+ and thought they were the better model.] One set was $38 and another was $56 [which I just now found for $52 see link below] but that set came with the 15" whips and programming cable and two PTT mics AND were listed as 8 watt. None of which were selling points for me 'cause I already have a bunch of accessories for them, but I put both deals in my cart and a set of 4 Baofeng GMRS radio's in there too and closed the window and thought I'd figure out the UV-5R vs other models thing later and to avoid an impulse buy.
Couple days later I'm getting something completely different on amazon. Something that I 'really' needed. And noticed that the first set of UV-5R's was on a lightning sale for $32, fifteen minutes to decide :headbang:. I hadn't looked into and compared the model versions yet.
TL:DR I ordered them. $38 might not have been a deal but $32 for two HAM's is IMO, hopefully they're not counterfeits, says from Baofeng Store.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4KFTNHG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-3800mAh-Battery-Rechargeable-Handheld/dp/B0894TLF23/ref=sr_1_26?crid=1W127KL0MWGT8&keywords=Baofeng+UV-5R&qid=1693499539&s=electronics&sprefix=baofeng+uv-5r+%2Celectronics%2C102&sr=1-26&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61-I2GpFMaL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)
:smiley_thefinger: amaz0n lightning sales!
Quote from: MacWa77ace on August 31, 2023, 11:54:41 AMOne of my FRS walkies has an issue and has for a while [might be a bad speaker]. I was looking at buying another set of two on amaz0n but then decided to go GMRS set of two, but when searching for that a bunch of Baofengs came up and I saw a couple sets of two UV-5R's at OK prices/deals.
The only thing was they were the UV-5R's [isn't that an older version. I have some UV-5RV2+'s and a BF-F9V2+ and thought they were the better model.] One set was $38 and another was $56 [which I just now found for $52 see link below] but that set came with the 15" whips and programming cable and two PTT mics AND were listed as 8 watt. None of which were selling points for me 'cause I already have a bunch of accessories for them, but I put both deals in my cart and a set of 4 Baofeng GMRS radio's in there too and closed the window and thought I'd figure out the UV-5R vs other models thing later and to avoid an impulse buy.
Couple days later I'm getting something completely different on amazon. Something that I 'really' needed. And noticed that the first set of UV-5R's was on a lightning sale for $32, fifteen minutes to decide :headbang:. I hadn't looked into and compared the model versions yet.
TL:DR I ordered them. $38 might not have been a deal but $32 for two HAM's is IMO, hopefully they're not counterfeits, says from Baofeng Store.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4KFTNHG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-3800mAh-Battery-Rechargeable-Handheld/dp/B0894TLF23/ref=sr_1_26?crid=1W127KL0MWGT8&keywords=Baofeng+UV-5R&qid=1693499539&s=electronics&sprefix=baofeng+uv-5r+%2Celectronics%2C102&sr=1-26&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61-I2GpFMaL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)
:smiley_thefinger: amaz0n lightning sales!
In my obsessive research before I bought my set. The only advice I found was that most (if not all of these Baofeng radios) are basically the same. Many of the reviews for the UV-8 etc. for example. Which are supposed be 8 watt radios. Are really just 4 or 5 watt radios. I was very interested in a higher watt version. But in researching everything from facebook groups, to amazon reviews, to hobby websites it seemed to make little difference which one you bought. So I just stuck with the UV-5s from the Baofeng Amazon store. I think mine were $19(?) Each. So you got a good deal.
In my entry level emergency comms kit thread below I came across what I believe to be the most knowledgeable guy on this subject. Now that you've gotten your radios. Do yourself a favor and check out his reviews and recommendations of additional gear to go with your radios.
He basically puts together a two UV-5 set. Which includes all the batteries, chargers, cases and programming cables you want and why. As well as where to get them.
https://ufozs.com/smf/index.php?topic=1285.0
Thanks for the reminder.
I've had Baofengs for a few years and have a bunch of accessories and have my CHIRP setup so when I get new ones I just hook 'em up and program 'em with all the channels and repeaters and preferences.
My next project is to have them connect to a military headset/mic with a U94 jack. But I'm not doing that until i buy the relatively expensive headset and that's not in my immediate budgets. So I have a workaround setup now that uses the standard jacks connecting thru a PTT speaker/mike and splitting into a Walkers sound suppressing / amplifying headset. But its not waterproof. So the PTT speaker mic is the mic and the headset is the speaker. It works. :smiley_shrug:
the 5R's are supposed to be 5 watts / 1.1 watts @ (2m/70cm), my BF-F9 is power selectable (1W /5W) or H and L on the display. I don't have any HP's or tri powers.
ETA: just messed with the BF-F9 and the power selector button ['#'] displays either H M or L for High Medium Low? Its not in the manual. Is this a tri power? Maybe that's the '+' in the BF-9RV2+ model number
Had another of these bad boys delivered.
IMG20230906214906.jpg
Got one for $20 on woot.com but it had a defective battery pack so they sent a replacement and said keep the other one. Works fine on C batteries, and I can fix the battery pack. I just bought a third to give as a gift.
I got my two pak. They look legit.
(https://i.imgur.com/D28tnXa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/y8LPXdf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/shakmIK.jpg)
Took all of 5 minutes to program both. And only was 5 minutes because somehow I 'effed up my computer's BIOS after programming the first one so it wouldn't read the second one. :eek1: Normally I have the radio off and plug it in and turn it on, but for the second radio, the radio's screen went wacko when I did that, so I had to have it on on and working and THEN plug it in. That took a minute to figure out. I thought it was a virus at first because I had lost my wifi connection also and couldn't re-establish it. I just finished programming the second one and then I restarted my computer 'cause of wifi issue, and got a BIOS message that it had repaired my BIOS. And the wifi worked again. :smiley_shrug:
(https://i.imgur.com/pbQFpiU.jpg)
Please no hate on the old laptop I use for CHIRP. THX
The main noticeable physical differences are there is a 'band' button in the front for switching bands on these two UV-5R's. Not that once you're programmed up you will need to do that. You can change the bands on the V2+ and BF9's thru the menu, but its a three step process. The antennas are different but are labelled Baofeng. And they don't have that metal speaker grate. Another little difference is there is no welcome message displayed on 'radio on', I usually put the model radio in the welcome. And then the UV-5R has two different FM radio bands. 65-79khz and 79-107khz. I think the range is 65-107 on the other two models, but not 100 percent sure as there's no broadcast under 88khz in my AO, but I can key in 65+.
(https://i.imgur.com/EEeHEbA.jpg)
Left: New UV-5R Middle: BF-F9V2+ Right: UV-5RV2+
The UV-5R's come with only two channels programed as seen on its screen.
The quick keys I use the most are also the same on the UV-5R as the other two types.
The batteries only seem to charge to 8.0v where all my other batteries charge to 8.4v. Maybe the radio's voltage reader only reads to 8v. I haven't switched them to the other radios to read the voltage yet.
Now I'm looking at these FRS radios because I still didn't get dedicated FRS radios. :smiley_thefinger: amazon flash sales.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DM7AEY4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AIHFP4MVXMM7V&th=1
I haven't programmed my Baofengs yet. I have them charged and the programming cable. But everything has been put on hold with my wife in the hospital. And my new Jeep. I also have a new main pack I need to load all my stuff into.
That smaller form factor used Dell comouter I bought last year is a POS. But I think it will work for programming. I do like the small form factor tho. And have a new mini oc picked out and in my shopping list.
Once I program these I want to purchase some better accessories. Headsets, extra batteries, a case of some sort for each probably molle compatible, and some form of dc charger.
IIRC I also found a freq and settings download for my area. So I may not have to customize anything. I think I may have already combined a couple lists for that already. I put this on the back burner awhile ago. Once I get my Jeep and new pack sorted I'll get back in this.
Yeah, only 127 memory channels on the Baofengs, but I combined and edited multiple lists using the CHIRP software and copy and paste etc. I also edited and custom named most of the 'channels' so I can Identify them as 'prepper' channels, repeaters, etc. It took a while but I did it on the laptop when I had spare time. Once you get your list 'saved' you can use it for each new radio and it only takes a minute. But it is ALL in the initial setup.
My list is really specific to my immediate AO as far as the repeaters, and in Florida we have our SARNET, which is a group of linked repeaters so someone in Key West can talk to someone in Pensacola, but its mostly for emergency traffic. You're not supposed to talk for more than a few minutes on it. Although last night at 6pm there was Directed Net going on it. I'd never checked that channel at that time and didn't know about it. That wen't on for a half hour. :smiley_shrug:
I usually go on this other Directed net on a local repeater for my drive home at night. But have been missing it lately, that one is really just a bunch of check-ins and is kind of boring. But I found this one on the SARNET last night that was interesting in that they did talk about 12v battery setups and even what multi tool to carry for emergencies. I only caught the end of it as that is when I was programming the two new radios.
But I'm regularly up to Orlando/Titusville area and so have all the SARNET repeaters from here to there programmed and labelled. For instance, the tower near my work I have labelled it BRSAR70 and BRSAR2 for BRoward SARnet 70cm and 2 meter respectively. Then the one by my house up in Palm Beach is WPBSAR7 for 70cm and WPBSAR2 for 2 meter. You only get 7 character alpha numeric labels on Baofengs, so you got to get creative, sort of like a personalized license plate. And local repeaters I label by their call sign and then -R for repeater. Mainly 'cause the labels are large type and the repeater +- symbol on the screen of the Baofeng is really small so its easier to see when you're scanning or scrolling thru channels. Another thing you can do is save radio specific and frequency specific settings such as the backlight color and duration, welcome message, squelch levels, squelch steps which I highly recommend you adjust those on the Baofengs because the defaults are way to tiny, and transmit power levels by channel. Even the battery saver can be set. Just some suggestions for when you get started. Someone else may even have a better system they can relate to us.
And I do have a few frequencies that are considered or promoted as universal 'Survivalist' or 'Prepper' meet up frequencies, most of which I got from ZS.
Quote from: MacWa77ace on September 07, 2023, 11:27:29 AMYeah, only 127 memory channels on the Baofengs, but I combined and edited multiple lists using the CHIRP software and copy and paste etc. I also edited and custom named most of the 'channels' so I can Identify them as 'prepper' channels, repeaters, etc. It took a while but I did it on the laptop when I had spare time. Once you get your list 'saved' you can use it for each new radio and it only takes a minute. But it is ALL in the initial setup.
My list is really specific to my immediate AO as far as the repeaters, and in Florida we have our SARNET, which is a group of linked repeaters so someone in Key West can talk to someone in Pensacola, but its mostly for emergency traffic. You're not supposed to talk for more than a few minutes on it. Although last night at 6pm there was Directed Net going on it. I'd never checked that channel at that time and didn't know about it. That wen't on for a half hour. :smiley_shrug:
I usually go on this other Directed net on a local repeater for my drive home at night. But have been missing it lately, that one is really just a bunch of check-ins and is kind of boring. But I found this one on the SARNET last night that was interesting in that they did talk about 12v battery setups and even what multi tool to carry for emergencies. I only caught the end of it as that is when I was programming the two new radios.
But I'm regularly up to Orlando/Titusville area and so have all the SARNET repeaters from here to there programmed and labelled. For instance, the tower near my work I have labelled it BRSAR70 and BRSAR2 for BRoward SARnet 70cm and 2 meter respectively. Then the one by my house up in Palm Beach is WPBSAR7 for 70cm and WPBSAR2 for 2 meter. You only get 7 character alpha numeric labels on Baofengs, so you got to get creative, sort of like a personalized license plate. And local repeaters I label by their call sign and then -R for repeater. Mainly 'cause the labels are large type and the repeater +- symbol on the screen of the Baofeng is really small so its easier to see when you're scanning or scrolling thru channels. Another thing you can do is save radio specific and frequency specific settings such as the backlight color and duration, welcome message, squelch levels, squelch steps which I highly recommend you adjust those on the Baofengs because the defaults are way to tiny, and transmit power levels by channel. Even the battery saver can be set. Just some suggestions for when you get started. Someone else may even have a better system they can relate to us.
And I do have a few frequencies that are considered or promoted as universal 'Survivalist' or 'Prepper' meet up frequencies, most of which I got from ZS.
What are the universal prepper freqs?
Quote from: Moab on September 07, 2023, 03:30:40 PMWhat are the universal prepper freqs?
just google.
https://survivedoomsday.com/emergency-radio-frequencies-preppers-must-know/
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c0/97/83/c0978300276113a4425a71cddf306dbe.jpg)
I have zero to do with anything radio related, but those frequencies are still a good idea to know.
Thanks for the info, Mac.
Quote from: NT2C on September 06, 2023, 09:08:18 PMHad another of these bad boys delivered.
IMG20230906214906.jpg
Got one for $20 on woot.com but it had a defective battery pack so they sent a replacement and said keep the other one. Works fine on C batteries, and I can fix they battery pack. I just bought a third to give as a gift.
And another just showed up on my doorstep. :awesome:
Quote from: NT2C on September 08, 2023, 12:45:26 PMQuote from: NT2C on September 06, 2023, 09:08:18 PMHad another of these bad boys delivered.
IMG20230906214906.jpg
Got one for $20 on woot.com but it had a defective battery pack so they sent a replacement and said keep the other one. Works fine on C batteries, and I can fix they battery pack. I just bought a third to give as a gift.
And another just showed up on my doorstep. :awesome:
Now hear me out...
(https://media.tenor.com/9Vuv9DxBJdEAAAAd/bart-megaphone-bart.gif)
Quote from: EBuff75 on September 08, 2023, 12:59:08 PMQuote from: NT2C on September 08, 2023, 12:45:26 PMQuote from: NT2C on September 06, 2023, 09:08:18 PMHad another of these bad boys delivered.
IMG20230906214906.jpg
Got one for $20 on woot.com but it had a defective battery pack so they sent a replacement and said keep the other one. Works fine on C batteries, and I can fix they battery pack. I just bought a third to give as a gift.
And another just showed up on my doorstep. :awesome:
Now hear me out...
(https://media.tenor.com/9Vuv9DxBJdEAAAAd/bart-megaphone-bart.gif)
So, I should order more? :icon_crazy:
I'd been looking at pocket radios that cover AM, FM, shortwave, and weather. Finding a decent one with weather band is strangely difficult, particularly for the smaller radios (unless you want to pay a lot of money). I'd come across the Retekess TR110 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/325517966339) and it looked like a good option, but had balked at the $100 price tag on it.
But a sale popped up on eBay that lowered the price to $70 and I wavered. Then, when I was looking at it today, I realized that there was a 20% discount on top of that! Okay, for $55 I'll bite. I have their (much cheaper) V115 radio, which uses the same lithium-ion battery, of which I have a few spares. So I'll put one of those in with this radio and have plenty of power for it. Should be here within the week.
Had this in my Dropbox.
Another channel list
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vZofshYkZoJPqq8e1B15NHRP75ShHoA3/view?usp=drivesdk
Quote from: EBuff75 on September 11, 2023, 10:59:47 PMI'd been looking at pocket radios that cover AM, FM, shortwave, and weather. Finding a decent one with weather band is strangely difficult, particularly for the smaller radios (unless you want to pay a lot of money). I'd come across the Retekess TR110 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/325517966339) and it looked like a good option, but had balked at the $100 price tag on it.
But a sale popped up on eBay that lowered the price to $70 and I wavered. Then, when I was looking at it today, I realized that there was a 20% discount on top of that! Okay, for $55 I'll bite. I have their (much cheaper) V115 radio, which uses the same lithium-ion battery, of which I have a few spares. So I'll put one of those in with this radio and have plenty of power for it. Should be here within the week.
This radio is sold under a few different brand names.
In my research for a small shortwave radio the Tecsun PL368 is a much better radio. For about $30 more (Amazon price. Possibly cheaper on Aliexpress). Countycomm also makes some excellent accessories for it. Including a long wire antenna and a stand. As well as a rubber case and some other items. This is very well supported radio as its reputation is so high. They also sell the radio but iirc its more expensive.
This is the review I started with.
https://swling.com/blog/2021/07/tecsun-pl-368-an-everyman-review/
Swling.com is the place for radio reviews from all over the world. In this basic review he links to a more indepth review. Read that one too. Read the comments on each review too. The big thing with this radio is to get the latest firmware version. Any problems listed in reviews or comments have been fixed. But they were minor. Iirc the indepth review and/or in its comments lists the Amazon seller. They only sell with the latest firmware upgrade.
Tecsun Digital PL368 AM/FM/LW/SW Worldband Radio with Single Side Band Receiver (Black) https://a.co/d/8JDMXYp
Started programming radios for our annual fall camping trip.
Got this from AliExpress
IMG20231115133628.jpg
Might keep it, might make it a contest prize. :smiley_shrug:
(Note: All the instructions and most of the box text is in Chinese. No English instructions.)
Quote from: NT2C on November 15, 2023, 01:02:57 PMGot this from AliExpress
IMG20231115133628.jpg
Might keep it, might make it a contest prize. :smiley_shrug:
(Note: All the instructions and most of the box text is in Chinese. No English instructions.)
That's a really good radio. I am sure you can find english instructions. You mught try radioreference or swling.
Quote from: Moab on November 15, 2023, 03:21:12 PMQuote from: NT2C on November 15, 2023, 01:02:57 PMGot this from AliExpress
IMG20231115133628.jpg
Might keep it, might make it a contest prize. :smiley_shrug:
(Note: All the instructions and most of the box text is in Chinese. No English instructions.)
That's a really good radio. I am sure you can find english instructions. You mught try radioreference or swling.
Got a set from Australia in PDF format. :)
Finished programming all my current working HTs, all 14 of them (updated all my programmers). Removed the Yaesu FTM-100DR from the pickup truck I'm giving to
@12_Gauge_Chimp (left parts of the glass-mount antenna on the glass). Ordered extra batteries for the newer HTs that didn't already have at least two extras. Explored options for swapping the firmware on my UV-K5 (8) (not sure exactly what I want it to do and may just roll my own firmware). Started revamping my old portable comms case to better accommodate the new HTs.
I vote that NT2C starts a thread on instructions for rolling your own firmware for HT's
I'd read that. :smiley_knipoog:
Quote from: MacWa77ace on April 24, 2024, 12:34:52 PMI vote that NT2C starts a thread on instructions for rolling your own firmware for HT's
I'd read that. :smiley_knipoog:
Go here: https://whosmatt.github.io/uvmod/
Pick and choose
Save and flash
I was in ATL last week and made the pilgrimage to HRO. I finally have a backup VX-6r and picked up a couple of extras. Hoping I can get a bit of break this week to work with some of my gear before Field Day.
Sorting out the end load channel data for a set of UV-5R8W radios. With 128 memory locations, I have a lot of room to play with
BTW - these are TID radio sets, even tho marked as Baofeng's.
Once I got the software loaded on the PC they have done the read/write without a hiccup. Sadly, the software does not support all of the internal choices of the rig.
These will support everything up to 520 Mhz, so GMRS/FRS monitoring is possible.
Quote from: TACAIR on May 19, 2024, 01:58:47 PMSorting out the end load channel data for a set of UV-5R8W radios. With 128 memory locations, I have a lot of room to play with
BTW - these are TID radio sets, even tho marked as Baofeng's.
Once I got the software loaded on the PC they have done the read/write without a hiccup. Sadly, the software does not support all of the internal choices of the rig.
These will support everything up to 520 Mhz, so GMRS/FRS monitoring is possible.
Are you able to test if they are actually 8w? I would be interested in an 8w Baofeng. Keep us updated. Interested in these.
Quote from: NT2C on April 28, 2023, 08:41:20 PMGot my GMRS license grant today. WRXD445
How long did that take?
Thanks
I just completed my application. Pretty painless as far as these things <>FedGov<> go.
Renewing my ham ticket will be a breeze as I've done everything else.
Today I rescued my comms storage bin from a water leak in my basement. The bin was being dripped on, but the water all stayed on the top and didn't make it inside. Whew!
Quote from: TACAIR on May 20, 2024, 02:28:08 PMThanks
I just completed my application. Pretty painless as far as these things <>FedGov<> go.
Renewing my ham ticket will be a breeze as I've done everything else.
Yeah, my ham ticket got auto-renewed when I got my vanity call. I'm good through the end of my lifetime if family tradition holds true.
(no male in the family has lived past 72 since the mid-1600s and I turn 68 this year, call renews in '28)
Quote from: EBuff75 on May 20, 2024, 02:44:13 PMToday I rescued my comms storage bin from a water leak in my basement. The bin was being dripped on, but the water all stayed on the top and didn't make it inside. Whew!
You can fit a lot of comms stuff in a rifle-sized, waterproof hard case from HF. Just saying...
Quote from: NT2C on May 20, 2024, 04:48:39 PM(no male in the family has lived past 72 since the mid-1600s and I turn 68 this year, call renews in '28)
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2Fe5%2Fc5%2F34%2Fe5c5340cf4dc9a8b98f3e51b0fab2468.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=eb2d05fcd189c63976fee3a3abafcc07a63083aac76e3af590f87ee04ee3bb29&ipo=images)
Quote from: NT2C on May 20, 2024, 04:50:57 PMQuote from: EBuff75 on May 20, 2024, 02:44:13 PMToday I rescued my comms storage bin from a water leak in my basement. The bin was being dripped on, but the water all stayed on the top and didn't make it inside. Whew!
You can fit a lot of comms stuff in a rifle-sized, waterproof hard case from HF. Just saying...
The tote would be water-resistant if I could close it. The problem is there's an antenna in it that's too long for the bin. So the lid isn't snapped on and was just laying on top. Fortunately, all is well and the leak (an improperly tightened water line on the toilet following a recent toilet mechanism repair) has been resolved. Since this is likely a one-time issue I'm probably safe going forward! Besides, the shelves were built to fit these totes and a larger case that would fit the antenna would then have to be stored somewhere else.
Quote from: NT2C on May 20, 2024, 04:50:57 PMQuote from: EBuff75 on May 20, 2024, 02:44:13 PMToday I rescued my comms storage bin from a water leak in my basement. The bin was being dripped on, but the water all stayed on the top and didn't make it inside. Whew!
You can fit a lot of comms stuff in a rifle-sized, waterproof hard case from HF. Just saying...
God I'm still thinking about that half off deal we missed on those from a week or two back. Ever since seeing that video of the guy set it up for 7 or 8 pistols I've wanted one. Had I seen that video a week earlier we'd have caught it.
Did you see the price comparison to the Pelican version? It was like over $200 iirc
Rethinking my gear packing for field day and started the last 2 ics classes so I can enroll in an Auxcomm class later in the summer.
Volunteered with the comms team today at a local Memorial Day event. Got to observe how the local county emergency management operates for public events. Also got to use some of the Motorola apx series radios and a plum case internet node.
Finally have in hand the AA cell battery trays for my UV-5R8W HTs. Now, all my HTs have an AA cell tray.
Quote from: TACAIR on May 27, 2024, 02:31:48 PMFinally have in hand the AA cell battery trays for my UV-5R8W HTs. Now, all my HTs have an AA cell tray.
Is there a battery tray for a 18650 flashlight? I tried staying with AAs for years. But to no avail. I guess they might make a AAA tray. Or could use maybe the cr123's? They make those in disposables. We just discussed this. But I just found that sooner or later I needed to charge batteries. So the AA thing went out the window.
Have you found an AA option for everything that works? And provides a sufficient emergency advantage?
Renewed my ARRL membership, this time without a print copy of QST. :(
Membership is expensive enough at $59yr. but now if you want a print copy of QST it's $30 more. It used to be included with that $59 membership fee. If they want to make it separate then they should at least lower the basic membership cost.
Quote from: NT2C on July 09, 2024, 09:19:17 AMRenewed my ARRL membership, this time without a print copy of QST. :(
Membership is expensive enough at $59yr. but now if you want a print copy of QST it's $30 more. It used to be included with that $59 membership fee. If they want to make it separate then they should at least lower the basic membership cost.
And that my friend is example #2457 of how to raise prices without raising prices.
Last week I re-programmed the Yaesu radios (FT-60 and FT-8800). Added a ton more repeaters in my region and kept the same channel across both as they are my EDC radios. I will do something similar with my ICOM ID-51A, I will just add in DSTAR repeaters to the end of the scanned list.
In the process of reorganizing our entire house and garage. I uncovered a couple Pelican 1400 cases. One even has a complete unplucked foam set.
My Boafeng hand held set is nearly complete. 4 radios (need to set up my new laptop and finish programming them), extra batteries (including USB charge), chargers, back up battery pack, strong signal antennas, earpieces (although I still want to upgrade those. Suggestions?), some pouches (but might need a couple universal mount ones. AliExpress has several.). Also including an analog scanner. Although my birthday list includes the Uniden BCD436HP. That automatic trunking scanner. But we'll see. My list is pretty long. Lol
Anything I'm forgeting?
Anyway. I think I'm going to set everything out and see if I can fit it all in a well organized pelican 1400 case or two. I'm sure it will fit in two of them. But not sure how I want to distribute that. Maybe two complete sets of two radios each? Or radios in one and accessories in the other? I also have a nice set of Midland GMRS radios I think might be worth throwing in. If they fit.
I still need to go thru that thread I created about the basic affordable emergency comms load out that guy came up with. That used sets of Baofengs. There may be a few other small items I need to add.
I've set up cases for surveillance equipment, radio equipment and tons of other stuff in pelican cases before. But it's been awhile. Any fresh advice or ideas?
I was thinking of some sort of moisture control. Maybe additional waterproofing for each radio? Idk. Haven't researched it in several years. I used to save those little sylica packets to throw in. But there must be a better commercial product now.
I need to figure out my Apache 4800 case for pistols too. But man just with three or four pistols and mags of ammo. That thing is heavy. I almost wish I had purchased two or three of the smaller ones. And distributed different pistol types throughout. At least half of them are not really used. More like backup revolvers just to have as extras. Or maybe I'll outfit the 4800 as a range case for the pistols I do use. With assorted supplies. And get a case just for the backups.
Quote from: Moab on July 09, 2024, 06:19:15 PMIn the process of reorganizing our entire house and garage. I uncovered a couple Pelican 1400 cases. One even has a complete unplucked foam set.
My Boafeng hand held set is nearly complete. 4 radios (need to set up my new laptop and finish programming them), extra batteries (including USB charge), chargers, back up battery pack, strong signal antennas, earpieces (although I still want to upgrade those. Suggestions?), some pouches (but might need a couple universal mount ones. AliExpress has several.). Also including an analog scanner. Although my birthday list includes the Uniden BCD436HP. That automatic trunking scanner. But we'll see. My list is pretty long. Lol
Anything I'm forgeting?
Anyway. I think I'm going to set everything out and see if I can fit it all in a well organized pelican 1400 case or two. I'm sure it will fit in two of them. But not sure how I want to distribute that. Maybe two complete sets of two radios each? Or radios in one and accessories in the other? I also have a nice set of Midland GMRS radios I think might be worth throwing in. If they fit.
I still need to go thru that thread I created about the basic affordable emergency comms load out that guy came up with. That used sets of Baofengs. There may be a few other small items I need to add.
I've set up cases for surveillance equipment, radio equipment and tons of other stuff in pelican cases before. But it's been awhile. Any fresh advice or ideas?
I was thinking of some sort of moisture control. Maybe additional waterproofing for each radio? Idk. Haven't researched it in several years. I used to save those little sylica packets to throw in. But there must be a better commercial product now.
I need to figure out my Apache 4800 case for pistols too. But man just with three or four pistols and mags of ammo. That thing is heavy. I almost wish I had purchased two or three of the smaller ones. And distributed different pistol types throughout. At least half of them are not really used. More like backup revolvers just to have as extras. Or maybe I'll outfit the 4800 as a range case for the pistols I do use. With assorted supplies. And get a case just for the backups.
Pick up some DeoxIT from Caig Labs. Comes in a bunch of different formulas and formats but the stuff is awesome for fixing buttons that stop working, battery leakage on terminals, scratchy controls, etc. Amazon carries it.
CAIG Labs on Amazon link (https://www.amazon.com/stores/CAIGLABORATORIES/page/A4D0C09F-7D4B-443E-9FF9-F1C1FC19CD82?ref_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto)
Quote from: NT2C on July 09, 2024, 06:28:07 PMQuote from: Moab on July 09, 2024, 06:19:15 PMIn the process of reorganizing our entire house and garage. I uncovered a couple Pelican 1400 cases. One even has a complete unplucked foam set.
My Boafeng hand held set is nearly complete. 4 radios (need to set up my new laptop and finish programming them), extra batteries (including USB charge), chargers, back up battery pack, strong signal antennas, earpieces (although I still want to upgrade those. Suggestions?), some pouches (but might need a couple universal mount ones. AliExpress has several.). Also including an analog scanner. Although my birthday list includes the Uniden BCD436HP. That automatic trunking scanner. But we'll see. My list is pretty long. Lol
Anything I'm forgeting?
Anyway. I think I'm going to set everything out and see if I can fit it all in a well organized pelican 1400 case or two. I'm sure it will fit in two of them. But not sure how I want to distribute that. Maybe two complete sets of two radios each? Or radios in one and accessories in the other? I also have a nice set of Midland GMRS radios I think might be worth throwing in. If they fit.
I still need to go thru that thread I created about the basic affordable emergency comms load out that guy came up with. That used sets of Baofengs. There may be a few other small items I need to add.
I've set up cases for surveillance equipment, radio equipment and tons of other stuff in pelican cases before. But it's been awhile. Any fresh advice or ideas?
I was thinking of some sort of moisture control. Maybe additional waterproofing for each radio? Idk. Haven't researched it in several years. I used to save those little sylica packets to throw in. But there must be a better commercial product now.
I need to figure out my Apache 4800 case for pistols too. But man just with three or four pistols and mags of ammo. That thing is heavy. I almost wish I had purchased two or three of the smaller ones. And distributed different pistol types throughout. At least half of them are not really used. More like backup revolvers just to have as extras. Or maybe I'll outfit the 4800 as a range case for the pistols I do use. With assorted supplies. And get a case just for the backups.
Pick up some DeoxIT from Caig Labs. Comes in a bunch of different formulas and formats but the stuff is awesome for fixing buttons that stop working, battery leakage on terminals, scratchy controls, etc. Amazon carries it.
CAIG Labs on Amazon link (https://www.amazon.com/stores/CAIGLABORATORIES/page/A4D0C09F-7D4B-443E-9FF9-F1C1FC19CD82?ref_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto)
Awesome. Thank you.
You can get the accessories to setup a 'mobile' HT in your car. You just need:
a Mobile antenna, magnetic mount or clamp on for HAM frequencies. click here (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=magnetic+ham+radio+antenna&crid=152V97RM2VUQO&sprefix=ham+mag%2Caps%2C101&ref=nb_sb_ss_pltr-data-refreshed_1_7)
An antenna adapter to connect your HT to the mobile antenna. click here (https://www.amazon.com/DHT-Electronics-Handheld-Antenna-Quasheng/dp/B00COKNKS8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3RBJK754DPF31&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2SCjKT3IT9aE3-A8I9yXkaWOLztLOiumK5AnYNONA-8T4wK4uWAL4ZYBsjp3tc0O6q35ut80BbvXfGO6_Klq95ZBC5g7RP28VPNVdU4eA42Jl9RMNPPoEQsXxvQMizuzXrb3rxsm3E0GwStz1z77KfWNcwX7up0MAvkLCtaFu8fWPUk2gGpOHN8Bq-f7vCgiUGY6licLLKUa1UMRW32ttBi65lJYYpOG9nmb-VD7Tz0.szpKuLS02n5WzgzHvk2S71iLBeUpT8nihHIttSOHbHU&dib_tag=se&keywords=baofeng+antenna+adapter&qid=1720618928&sprefix=beofeng+antenna+a%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-2)
A way to mount it in your car. click here (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=baofeng+car+mount&crid=2NLYVUM7277SH&sprefix=baofeng+car+mount%2Caps%2C103&ref=nb_sb_noss_1)
A PTT mic and way to mount that for easy access.
Optional: 12v charging adapter to plug into the car.
You can get a noise cancelling/amplifying headset setup. PTT or VOIP. And all the accessories for that.
(https://i.imgur.com/e7Qbc9C.jpg)
Not sure where to put this but Prime Day Deal on 2) Baofeng 3800mAh batteries for $20.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MNTFD4P/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_7?smid=A1GCFDV7RY77XP&th=1
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/810FIlxXWhL._AC_AA180_.jpg)
I don't have prime so I won't be doing this for my comms setup today. But someone could. :awesome:
Quote from: MacWa77ace on July 16, 2024, 11:49:57 AMI don't have prime so I won't be doing this for my comms setup today. But someone could. :awesome:
Like me. :greenguy:
Just curious why you guys don't like Prime?
Quote from: Moab on July 16, 2024, 03:42:53 PMJust curious why you guys don't like Prime?
It's to expensive [or not worth it IMO]. 'Cause I still get free shipping on Amazon. All the same movies/TV shows on FreeVee, and all the music on youtube music. If Prime let you download the MP3's, then maybe but probably not since the price increase.
Quote from: Moab on July 16, 2024, 03:42:53 PMJust curious why you guys don't like Prime?
Where did I say that? :smiley_chinrub:
In case you don't follow the bargains section. HF pelican cases one third off. I think would fit 4 handhelds and accessories perfect. Or 4 or so handguns.
https://ufozs.com/smf/index.php?topic=2452.0#new
Charged a dead radio battery.
Okay, this is a bigger deal than it appears. I bought a pair of those batteries that Mac mentioned above, but when they came in one was defective and wouldn't charge in my drop-in charger, just blinking red/green.
Usually, that just means that the voltage dropped below the point that the charger could start charging it. (Likely sat in storage for over a year) Such batteries can be recovered by paralleling them with a charged battery for a few minutes to get their voltage up, then drop them in the charger. That wasn't working well on these because my desk is a plastic table and they kept squirting out from under my fingers as I tried to juggle two batteries and keep short wires connected to the right terminals.
I contacted Amazon and they sent out replacements and wanted the bad ones back. Not being a dummy, I decided not to send them back until I had the new ones in hand and charged.
While I was waiting I decided to try something else. These batteries have a secondary coaxial charge port, and I just happened to have the cord for it. Sure enough, using the port seems to bypass the battery protection circuit in the battery, and the protection circuit in the cord wasn't as fussy about the voltage and allowed it to charge.
I now have four fully charged extended batteries for my UV5Rs
@NT2C Can you schematic that technique using of one battery to charge another?
I'm surprised you didn't have patch cables customized to do that already. [If I'm imagining how its done correctly.]
FETA: I recovered a dead 19.2v drill battery pack that wouldn't charge by using a better charger once.
Just positive to positive and negative to negative. Works with most pairs of Li-ion battery packs. Just make sure they're the same capacity and voltage. If you see sparks you did it wrong.
Keep them connected a few minutes, just long enough to put a bit of a charge on the dead one, then it should charge properly again. Works with dead tool packs too.
Added a short "can" style NMO VHF/UHF antenna to the Jeep's inventory of spare antennas. This is for those times when off-roading through heavy brush where branches would break my regular antenna.
Just finished a road trip from NH to OH (Camp Perry to be exact), along the way I made an overnight stop in Moshannon State Park in PA. Managed to hear plenty of contacts on 20M/40M; 10M was dead. It was actually the only way I heard about the events in Butler as I was completely off the grid at the campsite.
While I could hear just fine, trying to transmit provided negative results. I was running QRP on my FT-818 with a EFHW 10M Dipole and a 20/40M vertical. Also attempted to listen into JS8 but that was a failure as well.
My plan is to get back to an area that is not congested on the electromagnetic spectrum and give it a go. I was limited on time during the road trip so I did not perform a full diagnostic like I could at the home QTH.
On the lighter side, I have a deal coming for an IC-7300 which will allow me to move my Kenwood TS-480 back into the mobile.
Well, now that I've got a programming cable, I loaded our local CERT channels into my new TIDRADIO TD-H8. I did find one error that I pointed out to our radio guy (a fat-finger entry in one of the channels in the file he sent out) and for some reason, not all the settings copied/pasted correctly when I was building my own file. Fixed all of that by hand before uploading.
Unfortunately, while the repeater is active, the guy running it is out of town right now and won't be around until this weekend for us to do a radio check. Guess I'll have to wait until then. I did print off labels with my callsign to put on the radio so I won't forget it. There's a spot on the side that's probably meant for it (inset area about an inch long and maybe 3/16-inch wide), but I also put one over the logo on the front, since that's easier to see when I'm holding it.
And the battery meter on the radio is terrible. It's just got three blocks and one of the batteries went from showing two blocks (after running 9 hours) to being completely empty just 45mins later. The life is okay, it's just that the battery remaining calculation is poor.
I have seen a custom reflash that has a percentage based readout instead which might be better. Not only that, the reflash gives you a bunch of different options for the layout and colors in the display. The chat thread about it was for the H3, but the guy who did it apparently has one for the H8 too.
I'm still looking at radio pouches, but most of them tend to be molle and I really want one with a belt clip. I've got a couple of contenders, but haven't ordered anything yet.
Oh, and I have a GMRS guide coming from Amazon. Figured that it wouldn't hurt to have some printed materials to refer to, rather than depending completely on YouTube! :)
Tested the CERT repeater with our radio guy tonight. He tried a few different handsets on his end and I used my H8. Testing went well, both with the repeater, and simplex. We're about 1.25 miles apart, but it's a lot of houses, small businesses, and trees in between. I did get significantly better reception with the longer antenna (the radio came with both a 6-inch "rubber duck" and a 15-inch whip), but it'll be good to have both of them, since many of our events are fairly compact where the smaller antenna will work better.
Still doing a lot of reading and watching videos. I did listen in a bit this evening. There were a few guys chatting about refrigerator repairs. Both of them had a tendency to talk for minutes at a time without a break, which I understand to be rather poor radio etiquette. It sounded like this must be a regular chat for the two of them. They were both on big base stations (one of them said his was 50 watts), so they came through VERY clearly. Not sure how far away they were, since neither of them mentioned their location.
I also heard the tail end of someone doing a radio test of a TIDRadio of some type for his YouTube channel. But he didn't say specifically which radio, or what his YT channel is, so no way for me to subscribe! I also heard someone broadcasting from Toledo, OH, which is about 50 miles away. Not bad for GMRS, even with a repeater.
And I keep finding minor issues with our radio plan that I've been emailing to the guy who set it up. Just tonight, I realized that he'd switched up two of the channels in relation to the "Line A" restrictions (being that we're close to Canada). I've made the fixes on my radio, but he'll need to reprogram the ones he's been setting up for our members. We're just setting the power output to 'Low' for those channels (19 and 21), so if anyone accidentally keys up while on one, they're less likely to broadcast a strong enough signal to upset anyone.
Ordered one of these and downloaded the app to my phone and my tablet:
(https://us03-imgcdn.ymcart.com/46269/2024/06/11/1/6/16054789cb2be936.jpg?x-oss-process=image/quality,Q_90/auto-orient,1/resize,m_lfit,w_1500,h_1500/format,webp) (https://www.verotelecom.com/VR-N76-Dual-Band-Handheld-Radio-p2511333.html)
For those of us who are hams and who want to use APRS, Morse, and even ASSTV, this is a nice little unit.
I'll also be picking up a spare battery for it, a Bluetooth mic, and the amplifier.
Finally got off my butt and put connectors on a whole bunch of coax.
Quote from: Z.O.R.G. on September 01, 2024, 09:56:38 AMFinally got off my butt and put connectors on a whole bunch of coax.
I usually sit on my butt when I do that but you do you. :greenguy:
Quote from: NT2C on September 01, 2024, 10:56:17 AMQuote from: Z.O.R.G. on September 01, 2024, 09:56:38 AMFinally got off my butt and put connectors on a whole bunch of coax.
I usually sit on my butt when I do that but you do you. :greenguy:
:smiley_clap:
I went to the local ham radio club monthly breakfast to meet some of the hams who joined the club after I quit 10 years ago. It just happened that one had a pickup truck full of stuff from a ham's estate that was donated to the club and which they were selling to raise money. I went out and found a nice 2m antenna for $20.
I looked it up when I got it home because the mount is missing U-bolts and I wanted to see if I could buy replacements from the manufacturer since they were metric. Other than that the antenna is in new condition, not even dusty.
Guess how much it sells for?
$526.08 https://www.tessco.com/product/144-162-mhz-unity-gain-omni-fiberglass-antenna-with-n-female-connector-37462 (https://www.tessco.com/product/144-162-mhz-unity-gain-omni-fiberglass-antenna-with-n-female-connector-37462)
IC-7300 arrived the other day. Took the FT-818 / FT-8800 out to VT while I was competing at Camp Ethan-Allen. Tried playing around with APRS on DireWolf with YAAC and APRIS32 but lucked out. Same with JS8Call. I got a few elmers local to me that I may enlist the help from.
Picked up a new SWR/power meter for mobile use. Prime Day sale knocked 23% off the regular price so just $46.39
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71vBtztd8CL._AC_SL1500_.jpg) (https://a.co/d/6KfMAob)
Been checking into the local net on the FT-818. Rubber duck antenna was not cutting it but the trusty N9TAX ladder keeps coming in clutch even with only 6 watts being pushed. Still haven't fired up the IC-7300 as I need a new power supply. I donated my old one to a buddy to get him up and running on 10M.
And I swear, one day I will buy the Meshtastic devices that have been sitting on my wish list for two years...
Quote from: Skidjit on October 24, 2024, 06:59:21 PMBeen checking into the local net on the FT-818. Rubber duck antenna was not cutting it but the trusty N9TAX ladder keeps coming in clutch even with only 6 watts being pushed. Still haven't fired up the IC-7300 as I need a new power supply. I donated my old one to a buddy to get him up and running on 10M.
And I swear, one day I will buy the Meshtastic devices that have been sitting on my wish list for two years...
One of these and a used PC power supply makes a decent switched supply.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0liLCo
Finally making headway with APRS via DireWolf and Pinpoint. Good data coming in, along with setting up an iGate. Tested sending messages to SMSGTE with no luck so now to tackle that problem next.
IC-7300 is up and running on voice and JS8Call. Now the fun begins with antennas. 10M is solid 1:1-1.5 SWR, 20M is 1:2 but 40M is off the charts. In a challenging area RF wise but every day we are making progress.
Got my Amateur call sign today. Pretty fast turn-around since I took the exams on Saturday and Monday was a federal holiday. Now to put some nicer HTs on my Christmas list than a UV-5R. :greenguy:
Quote from: airballrad on November 13, 2024, 09:03:34 AMGot my Amateur call sign today. Pretty fast turn-around since I took the exams on Saturday and Monday was a federal holiday. Now to put some nicer HTs on my Christmas list than a UV-5R. :greenguy:
FT-60 is an almost bulletproof workhorse of a dual bander. Just saying...
I'm seeing good things about TD-H3. I know Chinese radios have a rep, but I am hopeful that I can get the features I want without breaking the bank. I also really like the idea of USB and Kenwood so I can keep accessories universal in my setup.
Quote from: NT2C on November 13, 2024, 09:13:05 AMFT-60 is an almost bulletproof workhorse of a dual bander. Just saying...
Quote from: NT2C on November 13, 2024, 09:13:05 AMQuote from: airballrad on November 13, 2024, 09:03:34 AMGot my Amateur call sign today. Pretty fast turn-around since I took the exams on Saturday and Monday was a federal holiday. Now to put some nicer HTs on my Christmas list than a UV-5R. :greenguy:
FT-60 is an almost bulletproof workhorse of a dual bander. Just saying...
:eek1:
$234 on amazon? i can buy a set of lvl III+ plates for less than this HT costs. It better be bullet proof.
$159 on HRO.
What's a good price on those?
Quote from: airballrad on November 13, 2024, 09:27:56 AM[snip] I also really like the idea of USB and Kenwood so I can keep accessories universal in my setup.
I now have so many Baofeng accessories that any HT using other than K plug would be expensive just to get all acessorized. Baofeng was supposed to be an entry level HT story. :smiley_shrug:
$160-$180 is a good price range, though I paid well over $200 for each of mine. They saw me through a helluva a lot of public service events and various emergencies like hurricanes at Red Cross shelters. They've been dropped, rained on, kicked, and one was dropped out of the bucket of a 50' manlift onto frozen grass.
The case is polymer but the inner chassis is metal and that makes a big difference. The dial squelch is also a joy to use, especially when mobile (when you can't spare the attention to dig in a settings menu). If they could cross-band repeat from U/V or V/U they'd be perfect but when used with a crossband repeater at an event they give you great mobility.
I worked as net control for many of my club's PS events and emergencies (club did and still does upwards of 25 PS events yearly, including major events like the USMC Historic Half Marathon) and my normal procedure was to park my truck at the NC station, raise a J-Pole on about 26-32" feet of fiberglass mast with LMR400 coax going back to my truck 50W mobile rig that could do x-band repeat and then just use the HT to reach the truck rig. If I was doing NC duty at one of the canoe races on the river I could park the truck in a parking lot and walk the shores of the river and still do my NC duty. I generally carried two spare battery packs on me, and had a drop=in charger setup in the truck. Nice, solid little radios.
IMG20241113110924.jpg
IMG20241113110917.jpg
Now, that TD-H3 and the H8 are also fine little rigs, and I own several of them that live in the gloveboxes of each vehicle.
My FT-60 has been my go to HT since 2016. I can even check into my local net using it and a N9TAX J-Pole with no issues and a good signal report.
Ok so i went and got an FRN and payed for the GMRS license. This site Midland cb's helped figure the application out. The FCC license manager page is acting up and won't load, so don't know call sign. When the Ms. wakes up i will go over the Amazon cart with her and get a pair of those BAOFENG GMRS Radio GM21's
https://midlandusa.com/blogs/blog/why-do-i-need-a-gmrs-license-how-do-i-get-it?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA3Na5BhAZEiwAzrfagJmjtkewZrTOfmywUWGQaJ1XCO4kmGWLScpnzA-AI-9Drdbb-bWI1BoCRUkQAvD_BwE
Quick edit got my call sign WSFV989.
I got a few Radiodity GM-30s on the way from their BF sale. Looking to pick up a portable mast this week. Going to check the HRO local to me on Friday (Highly, HIGHLY doubt there will be raging crowds at an HRO on BF). If nothing is in stock there, I'll order from DXEngineering.
Our group went with the GM-30s and the Baofeng version. I wanted them to have something with NOAA and basic functions while we get a few more to get their ham ticket.
I'll be making the trip to HRO later this month for a new HF rig.
New mobile install.
(https://i.imgur.com/ONpAew0.jpeg)
Inspired by my recent foray into mobile GMRS and VHF/UHF radio comms, I dug out my old Cobra 75 WX ST radio. Damned if the rubber coating on the main wire isn't rotting away. :smiley_crocodile:
Of course, this radio and its accessories were discontinued years ago and are now unobtainium. Fortunately there is a guy selling a homebrew replacement on eBay for $12, so at least I have an option. The connection is still solid for now, and it fired right up when connected to a 12V source. Even picked up some chatter from the Interstate right away!
Purchased a new $500 router system for UFoZS HQ.
I've been a TP-Link fanboi for a lot of years now, our last three routers have been from them, one extender is from them, and all of the hubs/switches are from them.
Early this morning the news broke that the US Govt. is about to ban the company's routers. Oh. Crap.
I immediately went router shopping and settled on a system by Linksys.
After discussing it with She Who Pays The Bills, she agreed we had to replace the system we have but wanted to wait until Saturday when she got paid. I agreed with that but then gave the matter more thought back in my office and changed my mind and pushed to buy it immediately. My reasoning is that this news only broke this morning, it's Thursday and the week before Christmas. Most people are pretty tapped out on disposable income at this point, but many get paid tomorrow. Tomorrow the tech-savvy will lead the rush and routers will quickly sell out. What will remain will have overly inflated prices due to the sudden buying spree. What I just paid $500+ for will likely go for $700+ by Saturday.
The new system is a Wifi 7 mesh system (which I'm not a big fan of but there's no escaping them these days) that will help, hopefully, to eliminate the garage area dead spot we have (hard getting a signal from my office on the extreme opposite corner, through a firewall and two steel fire rated doors) yet still allow me to direct wire a lot of stuff in my office that only has direct, no wifi, such as our NAS. It will eliminate our current access point in the laundry room and replace it with a node that will serve that end of the house. I'd love to put another node in the garage itself but at $300 ea. I can't currently justify the cost. At least the system is easily expandable.
Edit: I'm not aware of any ISPs currently using TP-Link-branded or manufactured routers, but if there are, this is going to go "'Tickle Me' Elmo" nutso. Router prices will be in the four-digit range for even basic models.
Why don't you like mesh? I set one up at my FIL's last year and it works great compared to my router and extender setup at home. Which for some reason my phone seems to like to auto connect to the one I'm farthest away from. So I have to manually switch moving from one side of the house to the other etc. :rolleyes1:
I'd love to set mesh up at my house but can't afford it.
TP-link, TP-link ...
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tenor.co%2Fimages%2Fd638daabb115a4669c6811d7bc4b2967%2Ftenor.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=ce7bc971922e5b4f1798d47095ffd33fe321ea553f29dacc9e7340526d168c48&ipo=images)
I'll have to look what one of my old wifi routers was, might have been that. But got replaced for newer tech.
Funny story:
I have a NetTalk wireless Voip. And had it auto connect to that old router i'm thinking of cause that was what I was using for internet when I got the NetTalk. Then I got a new router and had the NetTalk conntect to that. We'll I hardwire as much as I can and I needed a hub. So I used that old wifi router as a hub hardwired to the new router.
The new router was setup to reboot weekly to self heal. But every week I'd lose my NetTalks connectivity. I tried a bunch of stuff to fix this, thought there was something wrong. So I set it up with a permanent IP on that router. No Joy, then changed the routers schedule to 2 week reboots. Lost NetTalk every two weeks then.
Fiiiiinally figured out that when the new router rebooted the NetTalk would auto connect to the old router which had no internet connection. :icon_crazy: I got a small switch and used that instead of the old router and that fixed the issue.
I've got a Netgear Orbi mesh system (2 nodes, wifi6) that I use here. I picked it up about a year and a half ago to replace a really ancient router that topped out around 38Mb/s (IIRC the newer system is rated for 5.7Gb). It's worked great so far and it made all of my dead spots go away. Heck, I can walk half-way down the street and still use my network now, whereas the old one required an add-on booster just to get to the basement! One of the reasons that I picked a Netgear router was that it's a US-based company and they don't use China for manufacturing.
Follow-up question to the group: Does anyone know if there are issues with WiFi7 and home automation equipment? I know that several friends of mine had to run secondary wifi setups using old routers for their automation equipment (lights, switches, thermostats, etc) because they wouldn't work properly with newer routers (and this was with WiFi6).
Might be something to watch out for if you have that kind of stuff set up at your house.
I'm not a fan of mesh because of how it can degrade a signal and add latency when data hopping. It's also much more prone to outside interference when installed near other networks. Then there's the financial cost and the issue of where nodes need to be placed for optimal connectivity. Configuring them to avoid interference can be a royal PITA. There's only so many channels per band, and out of those channels there's only a few that don't overlap. When routers only used a single channel per band things weren't great but still manageable. With mesh systems, now you're using multiple channels per system, and shit gets filled up fast, resulting it lag and packet loss due to data collisions. You're a ham, right? Ever to any contesting? Multiple mesh systems in a small area, such as apartments, condos, or joined houses creates giant "dogpiles" on the channels that your data has to negotiate a way though.
Quote from: EBuff75 on December 19, 2024, 03:06:36 PMFollow-up question to the group: Does anyone know if there are issues with WiFi7 and home automation equipment? I know that several friends of mine had to run secondary wifi setups using old routers for their automation equipment (lights, switches, thermostats, etc) because they wouldn't work properly with newer routers.
Might be something to watch out for if you have that kind of stuff set up at your house.
It's a risk you take anytime you upgrade to a new standard. Going from 4G to 5G for example. Depending on what standard your device was set to use and what standards the new system supports you can lose connectivity. To give an example, when 2G was shutdown nationwide it caused problems because the auto industry is generally 5-10 years behind the tech industry, so all the in vehicle data systems were using 2G connectivity. Jeep/Chrysler for example had to create and mail out OSB II dongles to owners that allowed the systems to use 3G. Mine never worked right and I shitcanned it. So yes, it can be an issue but such is life in our digital world.
(https://www.cdebyte.com/upload/image/20230506/6381898790337402614072962.png)
Here's a handy chart showing the years each standard came out.
(https://versatek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/WiFi-Generations.png)
Here's another that shows which 802.11xx each is.
Fortunately, our house doesn't use many "smart" things due to prohibitions by my wife's employer. What ones we do use can always be hardwired. You can always add a lower-class node to a network if needed. For example, say you have an old device that only supports to 802.11n (wifi 4) and your new wifi 7 system doesn't support that. You can generally add a wifi 6 node from the same manufacturer to your networks and let that node communicate with the older device(s).
Quote from: EBuff75 on December 19, 2024, 03:06:36 PMFollow-up question to the group: Does anyone know if there are issues with WiFi7 and home automation equipment? I know that several friends of mine had to run secondary wifi setups using old routers for their automation equipment (lights, switches, thermostats, etc) because they wouldn't work properly with newer routers (and this was with WiFi6).
Might be something to watch out for if you have that kind of stuff set up at your house.
Sounds like they may be using different security settings router/device, they have to be the same. The other thing could be the channel frequency. 2.4 vs 5, 6 ghz. I know some older equipment of mine won't see the newer channel frequencies and might not have the newer security protocols.
Quote from: MacWa77ace on December 20, 2024, 07:49:48 AMQuote from: EBuff75 on December 19, 2024, 03:06:36 PMFollow-up question to the group: Does anyone know if there are issues with WiFi7 and home automation equipment? I know that several friends of mine had to run secondary wifi setups using old routers for their automation equipment (lights, switches, thermostats, etc) because they wouldn't work properly with newer routers (and this was with WiFi6).
Might be something to watch out for if you have that kind of stuff set up at your house.
Sounds like they may be using different security settings router/device, they have to be the same. The other thing could be the channel frequency. 2.4 vs 5, 6 ghz. I know some older equipment of mine won't see the newer channel frequencies and might not have the newer security protocols.
After upgrading my router, I ended up buying a new laptop because the old one wouldn't work with the new router. Apparently the "backwards compatibility" still wasn't quite right as far as matching up to my 10 year old computer (which I believe was 802.11n, or WiFi4). I had to use a USB wifi dongle that I bought as a stopgap until I replaced the computer. So it's not just home automation stuff that might not work!
@EBuff75 that's kinda strange. I never thought of that since I have a 2006ish Windows 7 laptop that will connect to my work's router which is state of the art. It also connects to my home router which is old, a Belkin AC1200 802.11a/b/g/n.
I really only use this laptop to program HT's using CHIRP. or convert cd's I find at garage sales to MP3's using an old version of itunes that sets up all the meta data in the file and doesn't require a sub to use.
(https://i.imgur.com/pbQFpiU.jpg)
Annnnd, of course right after we buy it on Amazon for over $400 for a two-node system, Woot today had the same system on sale for $319. :tickedoff:
The only good thing was that they also have single nodes for $90 less than MSRP, so I picked one up for the house. I'll keep the main node in my office, move the one from the pantry to the LR/DR area and put the third node in the garage.
https://computers.woot.com/plus/prices-dropped-on-linksys-routers?ref=w_gw_dd_3
Installed a bracket for a permanent VHF/UHF antenna on my truck. Also tried a new dual-band antenna that is only 4 inches tall, but the SWR for VHF is awful (oh, yeah, got a new SWR meter too).
New HT and mobile antennas from signalstuff arriving tomorrow; excited to see how those perform.
My 25' collapsible whip is halfway between the dealer and me.
Quote from: Butler Ford on January 19, 2025, 12:28:58 PMMy 25' collapsible whip is halfway between the dealer and me.
Delivery anticipation is the worst. Antenna delivery anticipation is worser. I have three dual-band Signal Sticks on the way.
Since our CERT switched over to GMRS last fall when the PD analog repeater that we'd been using (we have their old cast-off Motorola radios) was turned off, I bought a Tidradio TD-H8 to use. It has worked quite well for me, but it lives at home, ready for me to grab it if needed. Since I try to keep a fairly complete kit in both vehicles, I bought two more of them, programmed them so that they're set up the same way, and then bought some clamshell cases to store everything in so that I can keep on in each vehicle.
The kits that I bought included all of the following: instruction manual, lanyard, two batteries, 6" antenna, 15" antenna (Tidradio version of the Nagoya 771G), wall charger, USB-C charging cord, belt clip (which I installed), and shoulder mic.
TD-H8_contents.jpg
I took an educated guess at a case that would be big enough to fit it all and this one (https://a.co/d/fLviOMN) managed it, although just barely. In hindsight I'd have found one that was slightly larger, but it works. The instructions, a channel reference sheet (that shows which channels I programmed with what), the short antenna, and the lanyard all go into the pocket on the left. Everything else fits over on the right.
I'll put one case in each vehicle and then I'll be good to go for any surprise CERT call-outs, or if I should need to use the radio in some other situation.
TD-H8_case.jpg
@EBuff75 - I like the idea of the clamshell for the radio. Mine just flails around and hence I don't take it with me as often as I should.
Quote from: KentuckyCarbine on January 27, 2025, 09:18:39 AM@EBuff75 - I like the idea of the clamshell for the radio. Mine just flails around and hence I don't take it with me as often as I should.
The whole idea with those is that now the radios can live in the vehicles without me needing to think about them. I'll need to remember to check the batteries periodically, but otherwise they should be there and ready to use for many years now.
Quote from: EBuff75 on January 27, 2025, 09:37:04 AMQuote from: KentuckyCarbine on January 27, 2025, 09:18:39 AM@EBuff75 - I like the idea of the clamshell for the radio. Mine just flails around and hence I don't take it with me as often as I should.
The whole idea with those is that now the radios can live in the vehicles without me needing to think about them. I'll need to remember to check the batteries periodically, but otherwise they should be there and ready to use for many years now.
My solution to the batteries problem is finding AA battery holders for the radios going into vehicle storage, then putting the required number of lithium batteries into a vacuum-sealed bag and putting that with the radio. Lithiums are good for 10 years, give good power output, and the AA battery case can be used with commonly found alkalines.
Quote from: NT2C on January 27, 2025, 09:54:30 AMQuote from: EBuff75 on January 27, 2025, 09:37:04 AMQuote from: KentuckyCarbine on January 27, 2025, 09:18:39 AM@EBuff75 - I like the idea of the clamshell for the radio. Mine just flails around and hence I don't take it with me as often as I should.
The whole idea with those is that now the radios can live in the vehicles without me needing to think about them. I'll need to remember to check the batteries periodically, but otherwise they should be there and ready to use for many years now.
My solution to the batteries problem is finding AA battery holders for the radios going into vehicle storage, then putting the required number of lithium batteries into a vacuum-sealed bag and putting that with the radio. Lithiums are good for 10 years, give good power output, and the AA battery case can be used with commonly found alkalines.
Those standard rechargeable packs are made from lithium batteries. I haven't done a storage test but think I have a couple extras that aren't in any radios that I can measure the voltage on later. IME they charge to 8+ volts and then sink to the 7.4 over time. I usually charge those 'spares' every couple years. But they are at 7.4 volts.
I'll get back to you.
I have an Alkaline 9v on my old radioshack scanner that lives in my glovebox, in the florida heat that is IDK how many years old and still works.
Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 27, 2025, 11:14:40 AMQuote from: NT2C on January 27, 2025, 09:54:30 AMQuote from: EBuff75 on January 27, 2025, 09:37:04 AMQuote from: KentuckyCarbine on January 27, 2025, 09:18:39 AM@EBuff75 - I like the idea of the clamshell for the radio. Mine just flails around and hence I don't take it with me as often as I should.
The whole idea with those is that now the radios can live in the vehicles without me needing to think about them. I'll need to remember to check the batteries periodically, but otherwise they should be there and ready to use for many years now.
My solution to the batteries problem is finding AA battery holders for the radios going into vehicle storage, then putting the required number of lithium batteries into a vacuum-sealed bag and putting that with the radio. Lithiums are good for 10 years, give good power output, and the AA battery case can be used with commonly found alkalines.
Those standard rechargeable packs are made from lithium batteries. I haven't done a storage test but think I have a couple extras that aren't in any radios that I can measure the voltage on later. IME they charge to 8+ volts and then sink to the 7.4 over time. I usually charge those 'spares' every couple years. But they are at 7.4 volts.
I'll get back to you.
I have an Alkaline 9v on my old radioshack scanner that lives in my glovebox, in the florida heat that is IDK how many years old and still works.
I was talking about non-rechargeable lithium primary cells, not lithium-ion rechargeables.
Quote from: NT2C on January 27, 2025, 11:33:34 AMI was talking about non-rechargeable lithium primary cells, not lithium-ion rechargeables.
I understood that, just not the why on the AA's instead of just keeping the standard packs if the standard battery packs last a couple years in storage. Maybe not 10 years though, like i said the longest I let mine go is a couple years before topping off. Cost? You'd have to buy the adaptor packs.
I don't know if keeping the packs uninstalled make them last longer than keeping them installed in the radio either over long periods though. I have unused emergency backup radios that I also charge at the same time as the uninstalled batteries [every couple years] and the voltages are usually the same for both. I measure them using the internal voltage meter on the radio to one decimal place, not a VOM to a few decimal places.
That scanner battery is an anomaly. I literally think its the original battery and that scanner is a radioshack analog. That's old. Not sure though.
Field Day is my cue to charge most of my handhelds that don't see routine use. My "oh crap" handhelds are the same ones that I take to field day for "loaner" radios for a visiting ham that shows up without a handheld to make a contact with our VHF station. The odd-ball frequency ones (220, 900 & 1,200 MHz) get charged before VHF contests.
The start of hunting or fishing seasons I charge the ones that live in the packs specifically for the activity.
This way pretty much all of them get charged/used once a year.
I'm rather fond of the ability for many newer cheap handhelds to charge from USB sources. While my batteries for HTs are all lithium rechargeable, I almost always have the ability to charge them from the same sources I have on hand for my phone. Not to mention solar etc by the same connector type.
Tested and confirmed on a BF-F9V2+
I think I'm still going to use my needle nose pliers to tighten that nut though. Metal on Metal.
Checked the voltage on my spare, rechargeable, lithium battery packs and compared a VOM reading to the internal battery meter's reading on the radio. These stored batteries are only about a year off a fresh charge and are 7.4v. When I charge them they usually charge to 8.0+v.
3800 mAh = 8.21v on the VOM and 8.1 on the internal
1800 mAh = 8.09 on the VOM and 8.0 on the internal
1800 mAh battery that was attached the radio and has some use but was probably recharged at the same time read: 7.43v on the VOM and 7.4 on the internal.
(https://i.imgur.com/TZLWAHz.jpg)
IIRC I did an internal volt meter comparison between multiple radios and the same batteries a long time ago and there was a variation between readings on each radio but it was only 0.1v +/- . So IMO those internal meters aren't as accurate as a VOM. But they're more than good enough for a quick field reading.
Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 27, 2025, 11:14:40 AMI have an Alkaline 9v on my old radioshack scanner that lives in my glovebox, in the florida heat that is IDK how many years old and still works.
Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 27, 2025, 11:48:57 AMThat scanner battery is an anomaly. I literally think its the original battery and that scanner is a radioshack analog. That's old. Not sure though.
:eek1: You're not going to believe this. I got stuck in an all lanes closed traffic jam yesterday so I pulled the scanner out to see if I could pickup any info. I was listening to music on my phone also, using noise cancelling earbuds. And then I keep hearing this beeb every once in a while and think that's weird even for the trance music I was listening to on my phone.
Then I glance down at my scanner and its off. What?!? Turn if off an on again and start scanning, and shortly hear that beeping. It's the same song and I'm like 'annoying right'?
Then the scanner went off again. I then realize it was a low battery beep and the beep was coming around my earbuds. not part of the music.
When i get home I test the battery which wasn't a 9v alkaline. But 4 lithium AA batteries. 3 are 1.8v and one is 1.2v so I replace it. Those were not the original batteries but what a jinx I gave myself by mentioning the lifespan on these. :smiley_shrug:
Well I guess this explains why that alkaline 9V hadn't leaked yet. :icon_crazy:
Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 27, 2025, 11:14:40 AMI have an Alkaline 9v on my old radioshack scanner that lives in my glovebox, in the florida heat that is IDK how many years old and still works.
Well, I hadn't actually planned on getting a new cell phone, especially given this one was $1200 and I just had a new battery installed last year. But it has been 5 years since I bought this and it's starting to show its age technologically. Then this popped up in a video I was watching and...
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0830/0573/5193/files/product-armor-26-ultra-walkie-talkie-1.jpg) (https://store.ulefone.com/products/armor-26-ultra-walkie-talkie)
How could I pass it by? :smiley_shrug:
And yeah, it has a built-in 6W (as measured by a ham on Reddit who has one) dual-band HT, in addition to a host of specs that put my current phone to shame.
:eek1: :eek1: :eek1:
That is a rare combination of capabilities, and I will be very interested to see what you have to say about it as you have time to fiddle.
Quote from: NT2C on February 19, 2025, 05:39:10 PMAnd yeah, it has a built-in 6W (as measured by a ham on Reddit who has one) dual-band HT, in addition to a host of specs that put my current phone to shame.
I went down a rabbit hole last week about what Winlink is, what it can do, and what is needed to use it. As my local amateur radio club has a VaraFM node that I can hit with a UHF HT, I grabbed couple items online and got to playing with things.
Today I sent myself an email over radio. Then I sent an SMS message to my phone over radio. It was a very strange feeling to hear modem noises again. :icon_crazy:
Quote from: airballrad on February 20, 2025, 01:49:18 PMI went down a rabbit hole last week about what Winlink is, what it can do, and what is needed to use it. As my local amateur radio club has a VaraFM node that I can hit with a UHF HT, I grabbed couple items online and got to playing with things.
Today I sent myself an email over radio. Then I sent an SMS message to my phone over radio. It was a very strange feeling to hear modem noises again. :icon_crazy:
You mean these noises ?
https://youtu.be/gsNaR6FRuO0?si=PgxjUS3MjABz9ffy
Quote from: airballrad on February 20, 2025, 01:46:03 PM:eek1: :eek1: :eek1:
That is a rare combination of capabilities, and I will be very interested to see what you have to say about it as you have time to fiddle.
Quote from: NT2C on February 19, 2025, 05:39:10 PMAnd yeah, it has a built-in 6W (as measured by a ham on Reddit who has one) dual-band HT, in addition to a host of specs that put my current phone to shame.
Unfortunately, in order to give it the HT functions they had to take out the FLIR thermal imaging that their other phones in this series all have. But my wife may be getting one of those. :greenguy:
Well, the new phone is... rugged. And heavy. Very heavy. And large. Quite large.
You wouldn't think a 1/4" would make that much difference in screen size, but it does. It's 1/4" wider, 1/2" longer, and 3x as thick as my current phone... with my current phone in its protective armored case. If I take my current phone out of its case then the new one is 1/2" wider, 3/4" longer, and 3.5x thicker. Oh, and about half a pound heavier. Maybe more.
it is currently in its 33w dock taking its initial charge. Presently it's at 8%, up from the 1% it was at 30 minutes ago. It can charge up to 120w and comes with a 120w charger and beefy cord rated 6A but I thought it best to go slowly with the first charge.
I will try to get a picture of it next to my current phone when I can.
Edit: have a picture of the phone but not the two together because I need on the take the photo and I can't hold both at the same time and take a selfie.
Today I re-wired my mobile VHF/UHF radio to use a switched circuit so that when I inevitably forget to turn off the radio that it will not run down my battery. :icon_crazy:
Quote from: airballrad on February 28, 2025, 02:20:35 PMToday I re-wired my mobile VHF/UHF radio to use a switched circuit so that when I inevitably forget to turn off the radio that it will not run down my battery. :icon_crazy:
Why not just program it with a 90 minute auto shutoff?
Huh. I managed to overlook that feature when I was reading the manual. Well, good to have options. If I end up moving it back to a always-on circuit now I have a way to keep my carelessness from biting me. Good catch!
Quote from: NT2C on February 28, 2025, 03:23:58 PMWhy not just program it with a 90 minute auto shutoff?
Quote from: airballrad on March 02, 2025, 09:53:51 PMHuh. I managed to overlook that feature when I was reading the manual. Well, good to have options. If I end up moving it back to a always-on circuit now I have a way to keep my carelessness from biting me. Good catch!
Quote from: NT2C on February 28, 2025, 03:23:58 PMWhy not just program it with a 90 minute auto shutoff?
I usually keep mine set that way unless I'm working an event or driving long distances. For events I reset it to an hour longer than the event. For long distances I set it to 5 hours.
Auto Power Off for this one gets you OFF/30min/60min/120min. So better than nothing, but limited. So switched power is a good fit. The truck is a diesel, so idling or even running off the batteries gets me some time. I can't set this up as a crossband repeater or anything (that's an upgrade for another time).
Quote from: NT2C on March 02, 2025, 10:01:47 PMI usually keep mine set that way unless I'm working an event or driving long distances. For events I reset it to an hour longer than the event. For long distances I set it to 5 hours.
This weekend I got onto HF for the first time. A friend who has been into the hobby for a long time asked when we could do an HF contact and I told him I did not have the budget for an HF rig. So a week later, one appears in the mail (does this sort of thing happen a lot?). After some reading, some shopping, and some soldering I was throwing wires up into the trees in my backyard. I was wild to hear some of the traffic coming in after dark.
Congrats on the new rig. I've really enjoyed HF. I'm assuming you've already found the Hurricane Watch Net and Sarnet?
Twice yearly recharging of the portables and all extra batteries.
I did not know about HWN, but I do now! Unfortunately I am in a hole for Sarnet at the moment. The Sarasota repeater is down because FDOT pulled down the tower for road construction and the Sunshine Skyway repeater got taken out by Milton. Fortunately there are a lot of other local resources for me including the Big Stick (NI4CE).
HF has been a blast; I made contacts this weekend with stations in Slovenia and Italy. This evening I found a quiet slice of the 40m band and tuned in some distant web-based SDRs and heard my voice propagating to Belgium, the UK, and Michigan. This truly is an endless hobby.
Quote from: Braums on July 07, 2025, 10:08:56 AMCongrats on the new rig. I've really enjoyed HF. I'm assuming you've already found the Hurricane Watch Net and Sarnet?
Quote from: airballrad on July 13, 2025, 09:26:37 PMI did not know about HWN, but I do now! Unfortunately I am in a hole for Sarnet at the moment. The Sarasota repeater is down because FDOT pulled down the tower for road construction and the Sunshine Skyway repeater got taken out by Milton. Fortunately there are a lot of other local resources for me including the Big Stick (NI4CE).
HF has been a blast; I made contacts this weekend with stations in Slovenia and Italy. This evening I found a quiet slice of the 40m band and tuned in some distant web-based SDRs and heard my voice propagating to Belgium, the UK, and Michigan. This truly is an endless hobby.
Quote from: Braums on July 07, 2025, 10:08:56 AMCongrats on the new rig. I've really enjoyed HF. I'm assuming you've already found the Hurricane Watch Net and Sarnet?
Boggles the average person's mind that we hams can communicate vast distances with very minimal equipment.
I remember one summer night with my old truck, sitting in a back corner of the lot at the local gas station/convenience store that overlooked the main CSX line for the East coast and waiting for a train so I could report details about it to another ham in West Virginia who was a train nerd/spotter via VHF. While I was waiting, I fired up one of the truck's HF rigs and got into a QSO with a nice gent in Siberia. Right about that time, the sheriff's deputies started rolling in and parking all around me on a break for coffee and to talk with their lieutenant for night orders. I was friends with many of them and one in particular came over to say hello. He was former NYPD and knew my brother from his days on that force. He waited while I finished the QSO and logged it on my laptop then asked. "Who was that you were talking to? They sounded Russian."
Completely blew his mind when I said, "Yeah, he's Russian and in Siberia."
"You can talk to a Russian guy in Siberia on a little radio like that (Icom IC-706MKIIG with an auto tuner) and a CB whip (20M ham stick but he couldn't tell one from the other) clear as a bell, and I can't reach my HQ from the other side of the county with a radio that takes up half my trunk." He walked away slowly shaking his head while I cracked up. I didn't have the heart to tell him the guy had been trying to work Latin America
long path, overshot and got me in Virginia on a 100 watts and a ham stick. Longest contact I've made since.
In the middle of a PCS move right now. Waiting on signing a lease so yesterday I went a head and mapped out repeaters along the way for my potential commute in my mobile (Yaesu FT-8800) and portable (Yaesu FT-60) rigs. Mapping out the GMRS repeaters for the Radioddity GM-30s. Also looking to add CB to the mobile lineup.
The FT-818 is setup as a dual "Get Home Bag" and POTA radio; programmed the same repeaters as the above rigs.
Wish listing the gear I need to setup the IC-7300 for portable ops; the Kenwood TS-480HX may return as the full time home station for HF.
All the above rigs have also been programmed with the standard S2 Underground frequencies.
Started fiddling with APRS and learning what it can do. Minimal investment to get up and running with a handheld, and the idea of being able to communicate and get weather reports even in an area with compromised communications infrastructure is neat.
Quote from: airballrad on July 22, 2025, 10:01:09 PMStarted fiddling with APRS and learning what it can do. Minimal investment to get up and running with a handheld, and the idea of being able to communicate and get weather reports even in an area with compromised communications infrastructure is neat.
I played around with APRS last year enough to get signals decoded using DireWolf and PinpointAPRS. Transmitting was a whole another issue. That's still a work in progress.
I have been using both Pinpoint and Direwolf on my PC, but also the aprs.fi app on my phone. I am lucky enough to have multiple gateways and digipeaters nearby so I don't have to troubleshoot around that. I can get over 50 miles in two hops, so the chances of getting a message out that way during a disaster aren't bad.
Quote from: Skidjit on July 25, 2025, 05:58:13 PMI played around with APRS last year enough to get signals decoded using DireWolf and PinpointAPRS. Transmitting was a whole another issue. That's still a work in progress.
Picked up a Radtel RT-880G handie-talkie. I'll need extra batteries for it, and the flap over the USB C programming/charging port is the cheapest piece of crap I've ever seen on a radio, making the ones on Baofengs look positively first-class in comparison. I've had the thing all of two hours now and already it refuses to stay locked down and sticks out just enough to constantly irritate your hand. I'll probably tear it off at some point, possibly within the hour. But I do like the rig so far.
The radio does have a functioning APRS mode with a GPS, so it has that going for it. My VGC HT will also do APRS but has to link to my phone to do it.
Inverted V HF antenna I threw together last weekend. 23' painter's pole from Home Depot, 16ga speaker wire, cheap 1:1 balun, and knockoff Anderson Powerpole connectors from Amazon. Some paracord, S-clip biners, and zip ties I had laying around. Probably $100 all told for components (the painter pole was $40 and the balun was $30). It is segmented with the Powerpole connectors to work on 10m, 20m, and 40m (with bonus 15m). I was making contacts all over the US and DX contacts into Europe with it. It is also portable since it does not need a tree to set up.
Picked up a Radtel RT-817A HT (18W), and a Radtel RT-950 Pro (APRS works on this one, unlike on my RT-880G)
Been trying to get my three new Radtel radios (RT-880G/RT-817A/RT-950 Pro) programmed and ready to use but fucking Radtel can't seem to decide on a standardized programming cable; can't get their shit to be CHIRP compatible; can't get the Chinese spyware out of their software and firmware; can't write a decent, readable, comprehensive manual to save their miserable hides; and it's making me a bit grumpy.
In other news, I got the 817A semi-programmed, enough to be able to use the local repeater and 2M Calling.
Updating firmware, charging batteries, repairing antennas, and programming new frequencies on most of my HTs today and tomorrow.
CQ POTA CQ POTA CQ POTA; I just hunt and peck P2Ps and usually get activated in an hour or less.
Just bought a Digirig and cables to hook it up to most of my HTs. I've always had an interest in digital modes but stuff changed so quickly the past 10 years that it would have been a full-time job to keep up. Now that things have stabilized and slowed a bit this seemed like a good re-entry point.
Looked up my GMRS call sign. No, I am not WSHW 99.7 the voice of Purdue, I'm WSHW908.
Just need to order the fuse block, radio, and get it installed in my Tacoma.
Bought a pair of LoRa nodes to experiment with.
Edit: Experimented, and the score is one node that is somewhat functional ($125 solar node that came with useless mounting hardware). two nodes blinking uselessly and refusing to connect to anything or allow firmware flashing, and a node combined with a power bank that I may send back without opening since it's from the same manufacturer (Heltech) as the non-working pair.
If you asked me today what my opinion of LoRa as an emergency communications method is, I'd bust out laughing at the absurd idea.
Now if I could only figure out how to turn these fucking things off. They go off, but come back on 15 minutes later.
I DO have a carpenter's hatchet handy, freshly sharpened.
Damn Li-Ion batteries, ruining my revenge for the 9 hours wasted today working on these shits.
Picked up a set of 6 aH LiFePo - size of small 'exit sign' batteries. Super-super low self-discharge rate. Has an internal BMS.
Just the thing for my portable rigs power owing to very light weigh.
Santa brought me a Xiegu G90 HF radio, so it will now be easier for portable amateur HF operation. Hopefully at some point I will pick up an antenna that will allow for mobile operation on those bands as well.
Also scored another portable 100W solar panel set, so I can now have two of those running into my battery bank for off-grid radio operation.
I either lost a pair of UV5R minis that I thought I had, or I never bought them when I thought I did. Either way, I could only find one and left that in my wife's Pilot, so it was time to buy, charge, and program a new pair, this time in green. :awesome:
Quote from: NT2C on May 08, 2026, 02:01:30 PMI either lost a pair of UV5R minis that I thought I had, or I never bought them when I thought I did. Either way, I could only find one and left that in my wife's Pilot, so it was time to buy, charge, and program a new pair, this time in green. :awesome:
I found my long lost ID-51 in a boot just a few months ago. :smiley_shrug:
I recently became a member of ARES/RACES for two of my local counties; one partners with their county EOC, and the other with the American Red Cross and local hospitals.
This has been beneficial in helping build community (a prep I feel strongly about), as well as helping me focus gear acquisition around what will be useful for emergency communications within my area and also outside for message passing.
Discovered that one of my Tidradio H8's appears to have died. I'll get on the forums to see if they have any suggestions, but it won't send or receive, despite appearing normal at turn on. At the same time, one of the batteries for it has stopped working. It shows full charge (green on either the charger, or using the USB charge port), but won't power the radio. On top of that, the 771 antenna that came with it fell apart on me (the threads pulled out of the antenna body).
The reason I was checking it all was because we had our local festival / fireworks this past weekend and I needed it for CERT. Fortunately, I've got a few others and was able to use another radio instead. Of course, the belt clip on that one immediately self-destructed, forcing me to swap them. Not sure what GMRS god I offended, but leave me alone - at least until the paperwork goes through so that the police department can give us their old radios to use! :awesome:
Definitely reach out to them. I had a TD-H3 that stopped working after less than a year, and when I reached out to support they asked a few questions and then sent a new one my way. I'm not sure what their criteria are, but they seem to be quick to provide good service. I've been pretty happy with them otherwise, so I hope they take care of you too!
Quote from: EBuff75 on June 15, 2026, 10:19:41 PMDiscovered that one of my Tidradio H8's appears to have died. I'll get on the forums to see if they have any suggestions, but it won't send or receive, despite appearing normal at turn on.
Purchased a Starlink Mini and 300GB/mo roaming plan. I may bump this to the Unlimited plan at some point.
This will have a mounting position on the roof of either my Jeep or my wife's Honda Pilot, possibly both, as well as a pipe-mounted position on our rear deck. This will give us another option when the cable goes out, especially if that includes the 5G network. This also gives me a good option other than hotel Wi-Fi when I travel, and a good data path when I'm off the beaten track, as I'm wont to go.
Flexibility is key to any comms plan. This massively restructures ours.