:smiley_shrug:
I ordered a signal mirror on AliExpress as a test to see about giving them as prizes. I got it in the mail today. Imagine. if you will, being lost at sea or the backwoods, dehydrated, sun-baked, and slightly delirious, when you hear an aircraft overhead. You grab your signal mirror and, reading the instructions on the back you decide to go with the first line and strangle yourself instead of trying to understand the instructions:
IMG20230622165224.jpg
I kept reading "foresight" as "foreskin". And that's without the benefit of dehydration/delirium.
I would think remaving an alight-point on the round of foreskin would quite painful, but that's just me ...
I was generally fine until 5. Now I'm trying to figure out if I'm having a brain fart or a stroke or if the last bit of 5 ("and alight-point remave to the round of foresight") is just in a language I don't speak.
I have been meaning to get an actual signal mirror, though.
Quote from: Anianna on June 22, 2023, 08:27:19 PMI was generally fine until 5. Now I'm trying to figure out if I'm having a brain fart or a stroke or if the last bit of 5 ("and alight-point remave to the round of foresight") is just in a language I don't speak.
I have been meaning to get an actual signal mirror, though.
For the price that I paid ($3.34), it's not a bad signal mirror, but it's gone up since then. LINK (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802984429377.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.1.145e68fb1GGOZ4&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.291025.0&scm_id=1007.13339.291025.0&scm-url=1007.13339.291025.0&pvid=b445b25b-4293-4723-ab35-303d193b98cc&_t=gps-id%3ApcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller%2Cscm-url%3A1007.13339.291025.0%2Cpvid%3Ab445b25b-4293-4723-ab35-303d193b98cc%2Ctpp_buckets%3A668%232846%238112%231997&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%213.8%211.79%21%21%21%21%21%402103247116874868737423858ebdf9%2112000024475902920%21rec%21US%214183842382&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa)
Oh. Another Chat Thread on one of my obsessive interests.
I won't be wasting any time on here, I'm sure. :icon_crazy:
I ran the ARRL Inter. DX Contest, SSB: 0000Z, Mar 2 to 2400Z, Mar 3 QRP (5 Watts) and operated about 20 of the 48 hours.
175 contacts in 61 different countries/geographic areas. (The UK is one country, but Hams treat England, Scotland, Wales, Nothern Ireland and the Isle of Man as separate areas for contacts. This happens on a number of different places.)
I couldn't get Asia or the Middle East, but covered most of South America, Europe (to Ukraine), a good portion of the Caribbean and a few contacts in Africa. 10M (28MHz) and 15M (21MHz) were the big contact makers, but 20M (14MHz) was good as well. 20M was jam packed and running only 5W there were few opportunities to make contacts. I made a handful of contacts on 40M (7MHz) but it was also clogged and not a great band for international contact with only 5W. I didn't even try 160M (1.8MHz) or 80M (3.8MHz).
My antenna set-up was 3 vertical ground plane antennas: 40M/15M (you can tune both bands on 1 antenna), 20M and 10M. All were wire antennas attached to fiberglass telescoping poles. The radio was an Elecraft KX3.
So the other day I picked up a pair of TIDradio H3-Ham HTs. I felt I got a good deal on them 2 with extras for $75. I did have one DOA battery pack, probably overly discharged sitting on a shelf somewhere, but TIDradio customer service is sending a replacement so not a huge concern.
Then the TIDradio H8 caught my eye. The clear version was interesting but then I saw one in lime green and, BAM, it was ordered. It showed up today and it didn't take long to realize I'd made an oopsie... this was the GMRS version. But, these radios, and the H3, have a small secret, you can power switch configurations during power up with just some key presses. You can even completely unlock the radio.
Press and hold the PTT + # and turn it on to switch to Ham mode
Press and hold the PTT + 0 for GMRS
Press and hold the PTT + * to unlock all the bands
So, with a few keypresses I quickly made my lime green GMRS radio into a lime green Ham radio. Next came programming the thing, which is my least favorite radio activity. These radios do allow for programming via Bluetooth though, either from your phone or from another radio, which is pretty handy when you can't find any of the six usable programming cables that you own and you don't want to wait to get the one you just ordered from AliExpress or the one from Amazon that's going to take a week. (ask me how I know)(of course, I found two of the cables after ripping my desk and office apart)
If you install their app on your phone and setup an account on their server you can easily save configurations for any of the three modes, ready to be reloaded if you switch modes. There's also a web version as well.
I've been doing some tinkering with the forum profiles. If you have a ham callsign or GMRS callsign you can now enter them into your forum profile and the system will display an antenna icon (ham) or HT icon (GMRS) in your profile info. Hovering a cursor over either will display the callsign.
Seldom used thread but anyways.
So the move is coming up, Ms and I were talking an i thought " hey want walkie talkies for the trip." we will each have a vehicle, on interstates and highways. Pretty close together, but ya know someone going to have to get between us.
No time to take HAM course and get licensed, maybe a GRMS since it's just a form and money right? I will be shopping on Amazon so my question is what radio's do y'all think would work best? I would like simple operation , pick a channel/sub channel leave it there, and just push to talk. If a plug in car charger is available for it great, also if it has a umm " CB " type of mic available for it great. I would just clip the radio to something and have the mic on me or like the sun visor.
GMRS could be a good option. Some models will charge from USB, so you can use that to charge while in use if not prohibited by the manufacturer. If you really want to get fancy you can run an external car antenna for the hand held radio too. It is $35 for the license for 10 years and you can both use the same license because it applies to all immediate family. External CB-style mics are often available too.
Quote from: Rednex on November 13, 2024, 02:47:14 PMSeldom used thread but anyways.
So the move is coming up, Ms and I were talking an i thought " hey want walkie talkies for the trip." we will each have a vehicle, on interstates and highways. Pretty close together, but ya know someone going to have to get between us.
Hey Airball
I was on Amazon and saw these They any good?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D7S9CJ1W/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A21D4HV7MUNGCJ&psc=1
Those don't look bad, although I don't have any direct experience with them. They seem to fit the bill for what you want and they price is not bad. They should also be fairly easy to set up since you can just both tune to the same channel. But if you want to get fancy down the road they can be programmed with GMRS repeaters and such.
For comparison, these are what I started with when I got my GMRS license:
https://www.amazon.com/BAOFENG-Weather-Receiver-Rechargeable-Headsets/dp/B0B3DRG9GC
Quote from: Rednex on November 13, 2024, 03:03:55 PMHey Airball
I was on Amazon and saw these They any good?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D7S9CJ1W/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A21D4HV7MUNGCJ&psc=1
I have one of those GM21 sets in dark green. Seems to work well and I have no complaints.
Me again
So for the BAOFENG GM21 I kinda picked stuff out , i ain't had a CB in any of my trucks in a long time so this is kinda what i was used to. If y'all got any ideas on something better, thats cheap but quick let me know. I just googled what works with this.
The radios
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D7S9CJ1W/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A21D4HV7MUNGCJ&psc=1
Magnet mount antenna
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HNGVJY9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A2R5GYOJGKN5P7&psc=1
Hand mic
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QGNGG7D/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A39FQA149TJD8E&psc=1
Quote from: Rednex on November 14, 2024, 05:30:04 AMMe again
So for the BAOFENG GM21 I kinda picked stuff out , i ain't had a CB in any of my trucks in a long time so this is kinda what i was used to. If y'all got any ideas on something better, thats cheap but quick let me know. I just googled what works with this.
The radios
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D7S9CJ1W/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A21D4HV7MUNGCJ&psc=1
Magnet mount antenna
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HNGVJY9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A2R5GYOJGKN5P7&psc=1
Hand mic
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QGNGG7D/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A39FQA149TJD8E&psc=1
Those'll do. FYI though, every one of that style antenna I've ever owned has had the magnet come loose at some point in its lifespan and had to have it reglued.
Okay, the new phone that I bought myself just is not working out... It's too much of a beast, an electronic dumbell. I can get an upper body workout just trying to read texts on it. And it's difficult to hold. I mean really difficult. The power button is on the right side, and it's also a fingerprint reader. The slightest touch on it and the screen you were reading changes to something else, and holding a phone that big, that smooth and slippery without grabbing the sides is a futile dream.
I'm a bit of a dunce on coms and can't even effectively get my Meshtastic gadgets functioning (I'll try again later). What is the general opinion of those more knowledgeable than I regarding POClink ultrarange dual mode walkie talkies?
https://poclink.com/
If I understand correctly, they work on the 4G LTE network for range, but also work as peer-to-peer walkie talkies when the LTE network isn't available, but I'm not clear what the range is in peer-to-peer mode in which you can set up private communications similar to Meshtastic.
I'm also not clear if I am understanding them correctly. They are currently running an offer that preorders for their latest model won't incur recurring network charges, but they will be charging annual subscription fees on future orders.
Is this something I should even be interested in?
Quote from: Anianna on October 26, 2025, 07:11:25 PMI'm a bit of a dunce on coms and can't even effectively get my Meshtastic gadgets functioning (I'll try again later). What is the general opinion of those more knowledgeable than I regarding POClink ultrarange dual mode walkie talkies?
https://poclink.com/
If I understand correctly, they work on the 4G LTE network for range, but also work as peer-to-peer walkie talkies when the LTE network isn't available, but I'm not clear what the range is in peer-to-peer mode in which you can set up private communications similar to Meshtastic.
I'm also not clear if I am understanding them correctly. They are currently running an offer that preorders for their latest model won't incur recurring network charges, but they will be charging annual subscription fees on future orders.
Is this something I should even be interested in?
I would recommend against them, but then I have better options open to me. As for those units themselves, I've not seen specs on power levels, but I suspect that in peer-to-peer, they're simply FRS radios, given the lack of a license and the non-removable antenna. As such, range is going to be pretty limited, maybe as much as 2-3 miles in ideal conditions, but 1/2 mile of less is more realistic in our kinds of environ ment, less in cities.
Something to also consider is that the 4G LTE network is very dependent on the internet and will likely be very overloaded in any crisis. And long-term, expect to see the 4G network start to be phased out. We've already killed off 2G, 3G is on its last legs, and 6G is just over the horizon (currently being tested in some markets). Telecomms do not like keeping old equipment sucking up resources when the greater profits come from newer tech.
With my kids moving away, some to the other side of the state, is there anything decent that doesn't require us all to get a license that can act as a backup for cell service when cell service becomes unreliable?
Quote from: NT2C on October 26, 2025, 07:31:41 PMQuote from: Anianna on October 26, 2025, 07:11:25 PMI'm a bit of a dunce on coms and can't even effectively get my Meshtastic gadgets functioning (I'll try again later). What is the general opinion of those more knowledgeable than I regarding POClink ultrarange dual mode walkie talkies?
https://poclink.com/
If I understand correctly, they work on the 4G LTE network for range, but also work as peer-to-peer walkie talkies when the LTE network isn't available, but I'm not clear what the range is in peer-to-peer mode in which you can set up private communications similar to Meshtastic.
I'm also not clear if I am understanding them correctly. They are currently running an offer that preorders for their latest model won't incur recurring network charges, but they will be charging annual subscription fees on future orders.
Is this something I should even be interested in?
I would recommend against them, but then I have better options open to me. As for those units themselves, I've not seen specs on power levels, but I suspect that in peer-to-peer, they're simply FRS radios, given the lack of a license and the non-removable antenna. As such, range is going to be pretty limited, maybe as much as 2-3 miles in ideal conditions, but 1/2 mile of less is more realistic in our kinds of environ ment, less in cities.
Something to also consider is that the 4G LTE network is very dependent on the internet and will likely be very overloaded in any crisis. And long-term, expect to see the 4G network start to be phased out. We've already killed off 2G, 3G is on its last legs, and 6G is just over the horizon (currently being tested in some markets). Telecomms do not like keeping old equipment sucking up resources when the greater profits come from newer tech.
This ^^^
And these are also $165-200/each (depending on how many you buy), so not exactly a bargain. There are a ton of these on the market from lots of different companies. Just look up "PTT LTE walkie talkie" and you'll find all sorts of listings. If you're just wanting the group walkie talkie functionality, you can get smartphone apps that will do that for free.
Quote from: Anianna on October 26, 2025, 07:40:19 PMWith my kids moving away, some to the other side of the state, is there anything decent that doesn't require us all to get a license that can act as a backup for cell service when cell service becomes unreliable?
No. Nothing short of a private hardline.
Just in case anyone here has an old Starlink setup in storage that they haven't used lately, better dig it out and install the updates, or else it will end up bricked: https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-bricking-select-starlink-dishes-on-nov-17-how-to-protect-yours
I was sorting through my HT collection and my HT antenna collection, checking power levels and also checking antenna SWR, trying to match up the better HTs with the better antennas, and I made some startling discoveries.
All of my UV5R-Minis output 5 watts or better on both VHF and UHF, all had the lowest SWR with their stock antennas, and least you believe Baofeng really nailed it with this model, every one of them (I have six) had the same problem...the nut on the antenna connector was so loose the meter was rattling. I snugged them all up a bit with the blade of a pocket screwdriver (the old Baofeng standby of using the volume knob as a wrench <hidden feature> didn't work on the Minis, so I ordered a proper X wrench) to ensure good contact with the radio frame.
My Radtel RT-817, which was supposed to put out 18 watts on VHF and a little less on UHF, puts out 16.3 watts on VHF and a whopping 19.6 watts on UHF. All tests were done (using a 20-watt dummy load for power tests) on the respective band's calling frequencies. It also came with a pretty crap stock antenna (2.5 VSWR on VHF and 2.2 on UHF), and this was true of all three Radtel radios (RT-817, RT-880G, RT-950 Pro) that I own.
Testing continues!
In other news, I finally got that recalcitrant pair of LoRa nodes to accept new firmware by doing it on my laptop and using CAT 8 cable to the router and a brand new USB-A to USB-C data cable rated 10 Gbs
Now I just need to configure my local network. The good mounting bracket for the solar node will arrive tomorrow, and I just have to bolt that together with the node on my galvanized steel pipe mast. I do have a better antenna coming for it but it will not be here until January 8th.
Quote from: NT2C on December 30, 2025, 05:39:01 PMIn other news, I finally got that recalcitrant pair of LoRa nodes to accept new firmware by doing it on my laptop and using CAT 8 cable to the router and a brand new USB-A to USB-C data cable rated 10 Gbs
Now I just need to configure my local network.
This is a little like Wesley Crusher saying:
"Captain! If we reconfigure the sensor array to emit a tachyon carrier beam, we can tap into the whosimewatt's thingamagiggy and renergize the food replicators. We'll be able to make chicken Mcnuggets again and then we can all go home!"
Just had the most confusing and frustrating customer service experience with a telecom company.
I still have that big, clunky Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra 5g walkie-talkie phone. It's too massive to carry as my regular phone, but it makes a good backup when I'm traveling.
I had an account with Ultra Mobile for it, but I forgot to update my payment info on the account when we got new bank cards last year and then somehow missed the payment requests they sent, so they closed the account. I found out two weeks ago when a different Spectrum SIM contacted me to say I was going to need a new SIM card because they were changing them. This is the SIM that I use in my travel router/modem so I have internet on my laptops even in the field. But I got the two confused with each other, so when the new SIM arrived yesterday I put it in my phone and had all sorts of issues because the SIM is data only (and the phone is a PITA to fit SIMS in because it has a double SIM carriage with a micro SD carrier on the back, and one of the three always falls out as you try to reinsert it) but eventually I figured it out and just cancelled that account. Then I went to Ultra Mobile to fix the issue there but the account was gone, so I pre-paid for a new plan $249yr for uncapped/unlimited service and 25GB per month mobile hotspot.
It wasn't until after the charge went through and the new SIM order went in that I noticed they're running a nice family plan promotion: 3 lines, unlimited (same as the single plan I bought) for $85mo forever (as long as you keep the account activated). Since we're currently paying almost $200mo for just our two lines I told my wife about it (save $120mo is a good deal) and she was interested.
That was where things stood last night. Today I went to log in to my new account, but their portal wouldn't let me in. The new account info, being almost the same as the old cancelled one, the portal kept saying the account didn't exist. After 45 minutes with their chatbot, I finally got a human who could fix the problem, but it would take 24 hours. Okay, cool, but here's a question. Can I upgrade to the three-line family plan and get credit for the unused plan I bought yesterday? No, they don't do that. Went around and around with the agent, trying to figure out a way, but the best she could offer was to cancel the new account, wait two weeks for the refund, then see if they still offered that family plan. Or, use up the one-year plan and see if they offer it next year.
I said, screw it, cancelled the new plan, and will look for a different company for our three lines.
:tickedoff: