XPost: rec.radio.amateur.misc

Amateur/Ham Radio

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(tr)USDX is an amazing little kit. 57 from norway to Bulgaria and Italy on
20m usb today

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 10:58 AM PST https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/tbxdo4/trusdx_is_an_amazing_little_kit_57_from_norway_to/

submitted by /u/royalfarris
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History behind call sign formats?

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 08:58 AM PST https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/tbui8p/history_behind_call_sign_formats/


What can I tell about a US radio operator from their call sign? The FCC database shows several hundred hams in my area, and most of them are 2x3
signs like K*6***. I understand 6 means California, but whats the rule for choosing the first two letters? The possible options are K, N, W, AA-AL,
KA- KZ, NA-NZ or WA-WZ, but I dont know how those letter ranges are doled
out.
A few people have 2x3 W*6*** call signs. I would guess the W means the call sign was originally assigned to an east coast resident, but 6 means
California, so... ?
There are also quite a few 1x3 Nd*** call signs, where d is any digit, not
just 6. Are these vanity call signs? Why do all the 1x3 signs begin with N,
and none with other letters?
I dont see any 1x2, 2x2, or 2x1 call signs in my local area. I would have expected to see some, since I thought these were available to Extra Class licensees.
Ive read some of the info about call sign construction and vanity call
signs, but this doesnt match what I expected to see. submitted by /u/blinkybit
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What is this symetrical digital signal on 7.6225MHz?

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 02:56 AM PST https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/tbnnge/what_is_this_symetrical_digital_signal_on_76225mhz/

submitted by /u/WWWallK
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Would a "Vector Network Analyzer" or a "Spectrum Analyzer" be a more
effective tool for tuning a 10w Duplexer.

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 08:13 AM PST https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/tbtj6m/would_a_vector_network_analyzer_or_a_spectrum/


I’m setting up a mobile repeater box and need to tune my Duplexer, thank
you. submitted by /u/Pogchamp_Mcpoggers
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Made a dipole for 20m but getting bad SWR readings?

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 10:18 AM PST https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/tbwfui/made_a_dipole_for_20m_but_getting_bad_swr_readings/


Hello, Im kind of new to Ham Radio, but I just passed my General exam last week. I made a simple dipole antenna using copper speaker wire for 20 meter band but I cant get the SWR reading under 3.0 for some reason? Each side of
the dipole is at around 16 feet 9" inches in size. I had it hanging off my outdoor balcony last night in a "V" configuration and tried testing it with
5W speaking my call sign and "testing" into the mic and testing a few spots
up and down the 20 M band, and the SWR seems to be constant which is just
above 3.0 on all the spots I tested. Id think that this is a bad connection
on the dipole itself, but Id tested the continunity with my volt meter
several times and thats not the problem. By the way I have an air core
coaxial looped 16 times around a plastic bottle about 6 inches wide just
below the dipole feed point. Also using a MFJ Versa Tuner II. Im not sure
whats going on with this dipole at this point?? Any tips anyone might want
to share with me on this? submitted by /u/revelinbones
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Tinned marine wire for antenna?

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 09:43 AM PST https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/tbvi6x/tinned_marine_wire_for_antenna/


I have some tinned marine grade wire I plan to use for an HF antenna, since most RF is transmitted on the skin of the wire, is there significant loss
if the copper is coated with a less conductive metal? submitted by /u/TechnicalFinish1671
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Field Day tips?

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 11:33 AM PST https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/tby4n7/field_day_tips/


Im in charge of my clubs Field Day activities this year. This will be the
first FD Ive run, although Ive participated in several. Any tips /
suggestions for a smooth event? submitted by /u/popefelix
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General advice for apartment setup?

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 01:32 AM PST https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/tbmhhy/general_advice_for_apartment_setup/


Hi all,
I’m living in an apartment next semester. It’s in the attic of a late 19th century house that’s been repurposed. Do you guys have any advice
(literally anything at all) on setting up an apartment shack? Particularly,
in a way that doesn’t annoy the neighbors and landlord, haha.
I’d love it if I could swing an HF setup, but I don’t know how practical that would be given the space constraints. If not, I still see some
potential in the VHF realm because of how high off the ground it is. What
are your thoughts?
Thanks a lot! submitted by /u/Professor_Stank
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Kenwood TM-71 Project

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 07:17 AM PST https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/tbsbyu/kenwood_tm71_project/


Hi all, I am a technician working on my general class. Been messing around
for a while with this Kenwood I have. Used to have it in my car, but
realized I wasn’t using it a ton. Realized that I was bringing handhelds
and things on camping trips, and started to wonder if I could bring the
Kenwood along.
Basically, I think it would be cool to use the Kenwood as a portable
basecamp unit, while also using its crossband repeat function to extend the range of handhelds going out on hikes and things around the campsite. Does anyone have recommendations for how to do this? Good portable power
stations and collapsable/portable antennas that will maximize
functionality? Just looking for pointers here. Thanks in advance!
submitted by /u/chiaturamanganese
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Antenna selection question (for Hamo Can project).

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 06:59 AM PST https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/tbrxp5/antenna_selection_question_for_hamo_can_project/


Hi all. So I’m new to this hobby. I only have a GMRS license so far, but I’ve been doing a lot of listening on HAM frequencies and I’m looking forward to getting my technician’s license.
Anyway, I’m a project guy. And my current project is a Hamo Can. I’m planning to put a BTech UV-25x2 into a 30 cal steel ammo can. But I’m
having trouble selecting an antenna.
I need something telescoping because the ammo can is only about 10”x6.5”x3.5”. But just about all the telescoping antennas that I have found online that would fit into the can are rated at 10w max. Using these
10w antennas would reduce the potential of this radio, correct? In addition
to reducing potential, would using a 10w antenna risk harming my 25w radio
in any way?
I have one of those 48” Abbree tacticool antennas which claim to be 20w. I plan to use this until I find something more substantial (since these
things don’t do well in wind). Could anyone recommend an antenna that they believe will fit my needs?
Notes: (1) I’m planning to use a BNC female bulkhead in the can. (2) It’s essential that the antenna can fit inside the box. I want to keep the whole thing waterproof. (3) If anyone is interested, I’m an electrical/wiring novice so I’m applying the “keep it simple, stupid” approach to the can. I’m velcroing a 12AH LiFePo battery to one side of the can, and bolting the radio the other side. This leaves just enough space to mount Quicksilver Radio’s Antenna Mount which includes a hole for a BNC bulkhead and also a small switch (which I need to prevent the radio from slow draining the battery). I’m not doing anything fancy with charging, just using the
supplied 2A wall charger directly into the built-in DC charge port. And I’m not wiring in a volt meter. There’s a fuse in the chain so if the battery sends too much power (it shouldn’t because I invested in the fancy Bioenno battery), then the fuse will save my radio. If any of my logic is off here please let me know. submitted by /u/wagetraitor
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