XPost: rec.radio.amateur.misc

Amateur/Ham Radio

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gonna try some audio equipment for ic735. goth these partnered mic
compression unit and equalizer. just need a good mic, and those 8 pin to
xlr cables now

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 09:52 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v715v8/gonna_try_some_audio_equipment_for_ic735_goth/

submitted by /u/Big-nose12
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The club lent me a Drake TR-4C. It glows in the dark!! This is going to be quite the rabbit hole

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 08:45 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v7g2q7/the_club_lent_me_a_drake_tr4c_it_glows_in_the/

submitted by /u/mr_noun
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I Have A Stupid Question

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 08:34 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v7fvwy/i_have_a_stupid_question/


Let me preface this by saying I know absolutely nothing about radio theory.
I stumbled across this page a few and am now interested in radio. I have a
dumb question though.
Are radio waves that all the services use (ham,FRS/GMRS, etc,) naturally occurring? Or are these waves being generated from a central location that could be shut down/stop working?
As radio waves are what’s relied upon in disaster situations, it made me wonder what happened if they went out/if it’s possible? Google didn’t do much in answering this question. Thanks for putting up with me! submitted
by /u/Express-Orange1
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I got a free oscilloscope. What can I do with it?

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 08:16 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v6ygw3/i_got_a_free_oscilloscope_what_can_i_do_with_it/


Got an analog oscilloscope for free. I checked it against a simple wave generator kit I assembled, and it seems to work well enough.
But now I am kind of at a loss: what the heck would I use it for?
submitted by /u/EtOHMartini
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Officially a New Technician Op!(?)

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 01:24 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v6q60z/officially_a_new_technician_op/


Literally just got my callsign about like 3 minutes ago as of writing this. Took the test on Saturday, got an email on Monday for payment, got my call
sign next day at 1:10am.
Just started getting into this hobby so I am still completely new to most things. I got my GMRS license 3 days before I took my exam for the
Technician. I was so eager to get my ham license, I studied for about 3-4 hours, then scheduled the exam for the next day. Ended up getting 31/35! I
do already have my ham radio ready to go as well, just have to wait for morning/evening to try and make first contact! Thanks to this sub for the
help as well for some great information on exam study apps/guides.
submitted by /u/WizeJb
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ICOM-7610 vs Flex 6600M vs Elecraft K4/K4D

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 02:47 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v78ohd/icom7610_vs_flex_6600m_vs_elecraft_k4k4d/


(Posted this same topic over in a Facebook group, looking for a variety of opinions)
I realize this question has probably been asked before in different
contexts by different people. Im a relatively new Ham, having received my ticket in December, and having mostly worked with Drake Twins (R-4C, T-4XC, etc). These tube radios were great fun and I like tinkering with things,
but its time to get something more modern and more convenient. My primary interests are FT8 and occasional SSB voice.
I visited reps for all three of these radio lines at SEA-PAC, so Im
familiar with the basics of the radios and the leadtimes involved. The ICOM
I can have in a week or less. The Flex in a couple months. The Elecraft in
6 months.
While Im a computer/software guy and the architecture of the Flex was
really interesting, I also like to fidget with hardware knobs. This has me leaning against the Flex which doesnt have the nicest panel, and toward the Icom or the Elecraft. The Icom is cheaper than the Elecraft, has a standard internal tuner which the Elecraft has as an additional option. The Elecraft
has a much higher resolution video output, more suitable for an external monitor (which would be nice for panadapter output). Im leaning toward the
Icom as it seems like a good price/performance point and the availability
is sooner.
Does anyone have hands-on experience with both the 7610 and the K4 (and optionally the Flex) who could give me some practical advice? Thanks.
submitted by /u/smbaker1
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Portable CW Paddles Recommendation

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 06:23 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v6vft8/portable_cw_paddles_recommendation/


Im looking for a nice set of CW paddles for portable ops for field day.
Most portable ones I see are made to be held in the hand, but Id prefer one
for tabletop use. As long as it would fit in a small backpack without
adding a ton of weight, it should work.
Ive considered taking my Bencher BY-2, but its a little on the bulky side. Anyone know of anything good? Something like this would be nice, but it
would come in too late for FD: https://www.ebay.com/itm/233759527337
submitted by /u/minorsecond
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Can you help me troubleshoot if I bought the correct antenna?

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 08:59 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v7gbj5/can_you_help_me_troubleshoot_if_i_bought_the/


I have this radio X-Bass QFX J-22U (post isn’t mine but it shows the labels with info): https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m44847471286/?iv_code=AVYRPP&object_id=m44847471286&object_type=item
And I replaced its broken antenna with this one: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07ZPQLW4H/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_6CJ0GBX9SBCX7NSW21V1_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
When i finally get a good tune, if I turn the volume knob it messes up the signal and makes it sound like it moves away from the station.
The FM stations are either way too quiet or way too loud than a normal functioning radio
And then I hear nothing on SW1 or SW2.
Did I mess up this antenna replacement? submitted by /u/funkrockparty
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Anyone else getting hams asking if they use Amazon?

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 08:27 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v7fqsc/anyone_else_getting_hams_asking_if_they_use_amazon/


I’m wondering if any others are receiving an email from (-mods tell me if I should list the ham’s callsign) a ham with a 5 in his call.
I’ve only had three contest QSOs with him, the last QSO was in April 2021. His email does not mention me by name.
Hi, Sorry to bother, Do you order on Amazon?
I checked QRZ and his email listed matches the one he sent the email from.
I figure this is scam but wanted to see if he replies so I said sorry but I don’t use Amazon.
So are any of you receiving similar emails? submitted by
/u/nutsofficialsnack
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FRS Radio Question

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 07:59 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v7f82r/frs_radio_question/


My employer has us use FRS radios at work. Since these radios are
unlicensed can my employer legally control how we use these frequencys at
work. Like tell what we can and cant say on the radio? Or would they need licensed business band radios for that.
Example: Me and a coworker clock out and continue talking on the same
channel as work, could we legally get fired for that? Not interference but
when nobody else is talking? submitted by /u/DaDrewBoss
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Sorry for doubting you /u/SnooCats407, /u/PKCore, /u/squoril and /u/mpelletier92

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 09:14 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v6m78j/sorry_for_doubting_you_usnoocats407_upkcore/

submitted by /u/wrtcdevrydy
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New ham, next step?

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 08:18 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v6yj5w/new_ham_next_step/


I just passed my technician exam the other day and am waiting for my
callsign. I was drawn to amateur radio after getting a scanner when I went
to the Indy 500. I really dont have a specific plan for what I want to do within the hobby, so Im wondering if anyone has any advice on what
direction to go next. Should I invest a mobile station for my truck, get a
good HT, or focus on a home base station? With whatever I do, I want to
have as many options as possible so I can see where this takes me. I dont
know anyone personally who is into the hobby, but plan to get in touch with
my local club. Any direction would be greatly appreciated. submitted by /u/habanerosky
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How do I avoid spending all my money on QRP/portable HF gear?

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 10:17 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v71veg/how_do_i_avoid_spending_all_my_money_on/


Ive been doing research on FT8/JS8call and been practicing CW for a while. Ordered a (tr)usdx and the stuff to build a LiFePo4 battery pack, and Im planning on using my fishing pole/slinky endfed for the time being, and Ive
got several options Ill be testing for the computer side of things
Do you guys use xiegu/ICOM/Yaesu radios and feel like youre getting a lot
more out of them? Do you use amps and antenna tuners in the field?
My impulse is to drop a few thousand dollars on everything that looks neat,
but the tiny voice of reason I have left has hit the brakes submitted
by /u/Motorboat_Gator
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Ugly balun 20 feet away from feedpoint?

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 02:02 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v77kxd/ugly_balun_20_feet_away_from_feedpoint/


Good day all,
Im currently using a 20m Inverted V and would like to add an Ugly Balun
(UB) to it.
To it keep it stealth (as much as an inverted V can be) I would like to
place the UB where the coax gets into the house right next to my lightning arrestor. That would place the UB 20 feet away.
Of course closer to the feedpoint is better but keep in mind that Im trying
to reduce the "visual footprint".
I understand that a balun is better than no balun at all but since it would
be placed 20 feet away from the feedpoint I was wondering if there would be
any disavantage to that kind of setup.
Thanks.
edit: Im aware that an Ugly Balun is acting more as a CMC choke than a real balun. Thats also why I thought of adding one in the system. submitted
by /u/mpelletier92
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Can someone explain to me how the VHF contest this weekend works? I read
the rules, but I learn from understanding examples.

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 10:35 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v72d92/can_someone_explain_to_me_how_the_vhf_contest/


Ive never done a contest, but I understand the hf contests. the VHF contest
I dont really understand. Do you only get credit for one contact (per mode
per band) per gridsquare or is it 1 point per contact, even if they are in
the same grid square? I dont have a allmode transceiver so I can only do FM
and data. I could ask locals to help me with an allmode radio, but Im
traveling fishing with family this weekend. I cant complain too much b/c if
you look up my gridsquare, youll see why I cant complain.
Basically, if I got on the radio for an hour before I leave and make 5
contacts on 2m and 70cm each, they would all be in one (maybe two)
gridsquares. Would I only get 1 point per band (excluding the band
multiplier) because all of them would be in one gridsquare? Or would I get
one point per contact regardless?
I see rovers is an option since Im driving to Seward next weekend. Would it
be worth it for me to make contacts during my drive this weekend? Would I
have two score sheets, one for rover and one for my base station calls?
Ive tried reading blogs and other articles on this subject but Im still not understanding how the VHF contest works submitted by /u/thehotshotpilot
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What's like a baofeng, but better?

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 01:29 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v76qf7/whats_like_a_baofeng_but_better/


So Im looking into getting a relatively cheap radio, but one that is a bit better than the dinky baofengs out there.
I primarily use HF and dont have much for a VHF collection, but while Im
out hiking, 4x4ing, or hunting with friends Id like to be able to talk with them, as well as connect to repeaters.
In short, what Im trying to find is a radio that meets at the very least,
most of these criteria:
- Cheap, say maybe $80 CAD if possible
- Waterproof or resistant (IP67 if possible)
- Front programmable
- Unlocked wide TX range (Or unlockable with a modification to the PCB)
- VHF (and UHF if available too, but mainly looking for VHF)

Thanks! 73, VE7KWZ submitted by /u/PxlPlcr
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Waterfall Issues with Xiegu G90?

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 11:35 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v73xvs/waterfall_issues_with_xiegu_g90/


Hey folks, Ive got a question / problem with my Xiegu G90. For background,
Im running the latest firmware, have tried reflashing twice, as well as a factory reset, nothing seems to help. From what Ive heard about Xiegu
warranty service, it seems like a factory warranty exists in name only.
Since Ive had it (6 months), the waterfall and spectrum display sometimes freeze up while tuning around the bands, usually in the presence of a
stronger signal. I see this most often when someone is tuning up on a frequency. Ill be dialing around the band, and see a carrier spike off to
one side of my center frequency, then the spectrum scope freezes up and
wont move until that spike fades. While this is happening, the dial
frequency will still change but the center frequency displayed on the scope doesnt move. This problem tends to go away on its own when the strong
signal goes away. Its really annoying. I figured hey, its a cheapo CN
radio, probably just a weird software quirk, maybe itll be fixed in a
firmware update. It wasnt.
Fast forward to the last week, with the weather warming up and the sun
coming out. Ive been doing more portable operation in the sun, and this
problem has gotten terrible. after about 45 mins to an hour of operating,
the spectrum scope locks up almost entirely and the tuning gets really unpredictable. Today when it happened, I tested it on the broadcast AM band because I know there are signals there, and Its behavior is difficult to describe. We have a strong AM signal here on 1.080 MHz, and I tuned it in successfully, so I thought okay, the receiver is working. Then I started
tuning up and down from the carrier freq and the station would drop out as expected around 1.075, but then it didnt come back until I had tuned all
the way back up to 1.080. Also, the displayed amplitude on the spectrum
scope dropped a great amount when I tuned off the carrier. I tuned around
like this for a while, unable to replicate any predictable behavior, with
the signal just dropping out at seemingly random distances from the carrier
and coming back at other random distances, and the spectrum display
bouncing all over the place.
Sorry for the novel, but Im at a loss as to what could be causing this, and
Im loathe to send it back to China for repair for nearly the cost of
another one. This is my only shortwave rig, and without it Im basically out
of the hobby until I can get a new radio, which is several big purchases
down the road for me at least. Anyone have any ideas at all?
Thanks. submitted by /u/grilledch33z
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How's this for an attic antenna for 20m?

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 07:43 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v6xkja/hows_this_for_an_attic_antenna_for_20m/


My attic is about 30 long (at least the parts that I can easily access),
and Im wondering how this would do? I want to get on HF, and I know this
would only be for 20m, but there always seems to be a lot of activity
there. Would I be able to make decent contacts with this around the USA and
in other countries?
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/mfj-1779c submitted by
/u/physical_kid
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My Heathkit SO-4550 started up fine at first but now shows this. I messed
with some knobs while it was off and am not sure if it's broken or misconfigured. Help?

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 09:08 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v6m3q4/my_heathkit_so4550_started_up_fine_at_first_but/

submitted by /u/RandomTerrariumEvent
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Can two Yaesu FT-60rs act as walkie talkies? What would be the range
between the two without a repeater?

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 04:46 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v7bd84/can_two_yaesu_ft60rs_act_as_walkie_talkies_what/


New to ham, love my new Yaesu FT-60r and looking for extra reasons to buy a backup! If I bought a second one and SHTF, could someone else use my backup
and communicate with me like a walkie talkie without a repeater? What might
the distance be?
Thanks and sorry if my I sound like a total newbie... since I am ha
submitted by /u/RogueKnave
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Best HF band when limited by antenna size

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 05:12 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v6tuxk/best_hf_band_when_limited_by_antenna_size/


Hello, When I ask which HF band I should use for long range communication, 40m/7MHz and 20m/14MHz is the answer and most of the time, if there should
be only one, 20m is the winner. Most people I ask are using base station
with huge antennas on rotators. My car is my shack. I have a mobile (not portable, I dont want to need any deployment of anything) HF car
installation and a 140cm 40m/7MHz antenna on the car roof, because of the advices. I can also buy a 120cm 14MHz antenna. Considering that the
wavelength is halved but the size of the antenna is not, I suppose that the receiving and transmitting quality will be way better on the 14MHz antenna
than on my 7MHz antenna. Am I correct? submitted by /u/Fade78
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Last Minute Replacement Antenna for Wildlife Telemetry?

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 06:32 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/v6j62p/last_minute_replacement_antenna_for_wildlife/


EDIT: sorry, my initial description of the problem was a bit ambiguous. the transmitters were attaching to the spiders have theyre own built in
antennae, which are not a concern. the problem is that i dont have a
suitable antenna to attach to my receiver in order to pick up the
transmitters.

im doing research on a new species of spider. part of our plans involve
putting radio transmitters on them and tracking their movements.
unfortunately, i havent heard anything from the vendor who was supposed to
be sending our antenna. as my work in the field starts in two days and cant
be delayed, im a bit concerned.
im currently scrambling to find some sort of substitute, but im woefully unfamiliar with radio technology. plus, given the short time frame, my
options seem rather limited. this is the receiver im using. both it and the transmitters operate between 148-152MHz. im considering the following
options: get any old antenna i can find at that range, like this or this. problem is i have no idea if antennae are generally universally compatible
with receivers. if not, what should i be looking at? id appreciate any recommendations for antennae too. we may be able to get a hold of a 3
element yagi from a previous project, probably this model. it wont be tuned
to the same frequency as our transmitters though, iirc, its closer to 170-174MHz. i kind of understand the basic principles of yagi antenna. just
not sure how much a difference that will make, or how easily i could adjust
it with a bit of jury rigging my engineer friend is building me a tape
measure yagi as an emergency backup. anyone every try this? is that a
totally hopeless concept?
thats about all i have. id really appreciate any advice/insight/recommendations, as im panicking a bit. submitted by /u/santos_malandros
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