XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated
Amateur/Ham Radio
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Pleasant surprise in ULS this afternoon after passing my General last night
- thanks to the VEs at AARG for the speedy "paperwork!"
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 12:53 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryhn52/pleasant_surprise_in_uls_this_afternoon_after/
submitted by /u/jewelcj
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Yaesu Vx-8. Probably my favorite HT that's no longer produced.
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 08:14 AM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryb0gg/yaesu_vx8_probably_my_favorite_ht_thats_no_longer/
submitted by /u/TornadoCondorV2
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Does your radial kit measure up? Totally not what I expected when I read
the article title lol!
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 10:56 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/rytujb/does_your_radial_kit_measure_up_totally_not_what/
submitted by /u/radiofreqcq
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My journey, to date:
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 08:47 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryrn2c/my_journey_to_date/
Greetings all,
One year ago, almost to the day, I began my journey into the world of
amateur radio. Now, Im an old guy, ham radio was something that people my
dads age did. Ive always had an interest, but never pursued it.
Anyway, 1 year ago I started studying materials on the internet, with the
goal of getting my technicians, and realized that my electronics knowledge
was extremely lacking. So, I diverted my path to electronics for the past
year. After two oscopes, a signal generator, multiple power supplies, an electronic load, 3d printer, parts galore, mcuss etc, Ive finally decided
that I can pause my study of electronics and continue to study for my
exams. (I also had bought an RTL-SDR so I had a tiny bit of knowledge
gained from that.)
Upon a recommendation here I found myself at hamstudy.org and started going through their flashcards. Ive spent countless hours on those and practice
tests and finally feel ready to take my technicians exam.
So, in a little more than 12 hours from now, I take my exam. Its been a
long road to get here, and not surprisingly, my study of electronics made a good portion of the exam questions pretty easy for me. The rest of it I
have a good enough understanding to know what I dont know, or at least part
of it. I certainly will make sure to err on the side of extreme caution
after I get my call sign, whenever that may be, until Ive listened and
observed enough. I know Ill make mistakes, but hopefully the stupid ones
will be few and far between.
I cant say I understand everything Ive learned, I do not. But, I will. Come
Jan 22 I start a 4 week in person class for my generals. Good times and Im
very glad I started this before I up and died.
Wish me luck!
Also, Im open for thoughts on my first radio. Since Im going for my general classes in 2 weeks and testing in 6 weeks Im not sure if my first radio
should be a 2 meter or 10 meter or something else altogether. I live in a
small apartment and cant really put any antennas outside. Im not going to
worry about cost at this point, first I want to find the type of radio I
want and then Ill look at best how to get one.
Edit: does the above question even make sense? I really dont know much
about the hardware yet...
Any and all help appreciated! submitted by /u/Black6host
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Elmer Requested: Please check my math and assumptions regarding NVIS
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 01:58 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryj5qa/elmer_requested_please_check_my_math_and/
I have recently fallen into a rabbit hole regarding NVIS propagation thanks
to Fiedler and Farmers excellent book Near Vertical Incident Skywave Communications. Special thanks to u/ArmstrongRotor for mentioning it in the comments on my last post about mobile NVIS antennas.
So the book explains critical frequency (𝑓o), critical angle (θ), maximum usable frequency (MUF) and the formula to derive it, given as MUF = 𝑘 ∙ 𝑓o
∙ secθ
For the moment I will omit 𝑘, but lets come back to it. So using the examples in the book I see that for an NVIS hop of 25km a θ of 4.775° is implied, and the current 𝑓o at my locations is ≈ 6MHz, so I convert to radians and get MUF = 6 ∙ sec(0.083339472) = 6.02MHz
Then I do some geometry and I see that an NVIS hop of 200km will have a θ
of 28.072° , so I get MUF = 6 ∙ sec(0.489948828) = 7.5MHz
This is not what I expected but I think Im beginning to understand. A
broader critical angle implies a longer path through the ionosphere, which means more interactions between the energetic particles that make it up and
the radio waves. This effectively raises the critical frequency for further NVIS hops. Is this assumption, and the calculations I made to arrive at it correct?
Also, Fiedler and Farmer decsribe 𝑘 as
"a constant slightly greater than unity which depends primarily on path
length"
I cant seem find any further definition of this. Im assuming its 𝑘 from the Planetary K-index but that doesnt seem entirely right either as a 𝑘 of zero would nullify everything in this equation.
Thanks in advance for any help and corrections.
**edit** Spelling and Grammar submitted by /u/Turingrad
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Help. Should I Be Worried?
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 09:27 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/rysdk3/help_should_i_be_worried/
I was plugging in my software cord to disable transmission until I get my license and I accidentally hit my PTT button, should I be worried? Not
trying to break any laws lol submitted by /u/x1337x1776x
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No idea what I'm looking for
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 08:54 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryrrua/no_idea_what_im_looking_for/
Oh hello everyone. Perhaps with this incredibly vague question. My
grandfather has been a HAM for as long as I can remember ( K4JAC ) . He
builds most of his own radios , has a radio room he talks to everyone ok nightly for minimum the last 30 years that I know of at least ( he
mentioned not as many of his friends are on anymore so I guess he hasnt had
as many people to talk to). His garage and shed are full of old radios so,
I guess its safe to say he knows his radios. Anyways , I visited him for
the first time in 3 years ( live out of state ) . His wife ( my
grandmother) of over 70 years recently unexpectedly died , he lives alone
and I cant imagine how lonely he is, he has his radios . He mentioned that
he was thinking about buying a new radio which surprised me since he mosly
just builds his own as far as I know. I asked what kind and he was kind of vague, I believe he just said it was a 2 way radio for around 600 but thats
all he said . I was under the impression that 2 way radios were more of
just walkie talkies of HTs, I cant imagine thats what he is talking about
as I know a lot of those are mostly line of site or have to hit a repeater
and cant go too far, I know the ones he has always used he talks to people across the country. Can anyone with this incredibly vague information help point me in a direction. Thanks and sorry for the novel. submitted by /u/Haerveu
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Hacking Ham Radio for Texting
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 04:51 AM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ry6peb/hacking_ham_radio_for_texting/
submitted by /u/KJ6BWB
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2 meter kite
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 03:27 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryl6uu/2_meter_kite/
I have my technician license and live in Michigan where uhf and vhf bands
are not particularity active. I am in college so funds are limited thus I
am relegated to handhelds. I have been thinking about putting an antenna on
a box kite and sending it up 1,2, or even 3 thousand feet but the losses in
the coax would be horrible and it would be expensive. I have thought about making it a cross-band repeater or strapping a raspberry pi on it and controlling the radio over wifi. I am looking for ideas, comments, or
anything that will add to the project. The image attached is the coverage
for the radio at 2000 ft AGL and at 5 watts with a j-pole.
https://preview.redd.it/nivx1oafoca81.png?width=1160&format=png&auto=webp&s=6f0f926e4bbddd0ccaa7567b81322137328099ef
submitted
by /u/WeGoodHomie
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KE4CEJ (Formerly KK4RRN) - East Carbon, UT
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 07:38 AM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/rya6mn/ke4cej_formerly_kk4rrn_east_carbon_ut/
Hello, all!
My name is Matt. I was originally licensed in 2013 as KK4RRN.
My grandpa, Robin Stone, of Plant City, Florida (my hometown) was
originally licensed as KE4CEJ in 1993. When he received his Extra ticket in 2007, he changed his call to WK4TY (W “Because he had to”, K for Kat, his longtime friend and roommate, the region code of 4, and TY, after Ty, his favorite cat.)
He fought for YEARS to get me into radio. I never gave him ear.
Grandpa became a Silent Key in 2008.
Five years of much guilt-ridden study later, I got my ticket. When I did, I made a promise to myself that the first person I contacted would become
someone with whom I would maintain contact, come hell or high water.
That was Dave Rockwell (KK4PXE, later W4PXE). Dave was licensed shortly
before I was, but he does a bang-up job of helping me with answers to questions, which really proved helpful when I upgraded to General in 2014.
Upon receiving my General ticket, I called my mom and told her I was
looking to change my call. KK4RRN was a mouthful, but had a wonderful
rhythm for CW, which I rarely used.
“Take KE4CEJ! Grandpa would be proud that you had his old call.”
So I did. And here I am.
When I moved to Utah, I had a Kenwood TM-G707A with a remote head kit. Six months after moving, my car was stolen, and my radio has been gone for a
year. I miss it, and would love some help getting some inexpensive
equipment to get back on the air.
Would anyone be willing to help me with this endeavor? submitted by
/u/ke4cej
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Back-ordered DX Eng balun came inordered MFJ one to get going sooner.
Should I bother swapping outwill a different brand of 4:1 current balun
make a difference or is a balun just a balun?
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 11:06 AM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryf3nq/backordered_dx_eng_balun_came_inordered_mfj_one/
submitted by /u/Ok-Piano-4745
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[OC] Products made from unobtainium
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 05:00 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryn78b/oc_products_made_from_unobtainium/
The other day I received an email from a fellow amateur, Elwood WB0OEW.
Weve been exchanging email for a little while and having been in the hobby since before I learnt to ride a bicycle, hes always got some interesting insight into something Ive said and an encouraging word to share.
This time he introduced me to a project he built and published a couple of years ago. Its a variable frequency standard, built from parts and, at the time, costing all of about $150, more on that shortly. Compared to the microwave oven sized HP-606A signal generator sitting on my bench in bits,
with some diligent layout, this project could fit inside one of the valves
that drives that massive hunk of equipment.
As an aside, truth be told, Im a little afraid of the HP. It managed to pop
the RCD, a residual current device, or safety switch, in my house and in
doing so, took out the UPS that powers my main workstation, so, not unexpectedly, Im reluctant to repeat the experience. Once I understand precisely what happened, Ill pick up the restoration efforts and based on
what I learnt today, it might get me where I want to go faster.
Elwoods frequency standard is a very interesting project that delivers a
very precise Variable Frequency Oscillator or VFO with an accuracy
approaching 1 part per billion. His project uses an Arduino to control a
touch sensitive display, read a knob and set and correct the frequency
using a GPS as an accurate external time source. Its all very compact, easy
to follow and I immediately thought that this would be an excellent project
to build with a little twist.
Im thinking that it would be really great to have this device sit on your
local network and make it remote controllable.
The heart of this frequency standard project is a chip called an Si5351.
The Silicon Labs Si5351, to use its full name, was first sold by Mouser in
2010 and has been popular since. Youll find it in all manner of places, including the Linux kernel source tree, the QRPlabs QCX and BITX to name
two, the Elecraft KX2, scores of Arduino projects and countless frequency source products and projects used in amateur radio.
The Si5351 is a configurable clock generator. Think of it as a programmable crystal that can be configured on the fly, as often as you like. For configuration, it uses an I2C bus, or Inter-Integrated Circuit
communications protocol, a special serial bus intended for chip to chip communications, invented by Philips Semiconductors in 1982. Thats the same Philips from the light bulbs and audio cassettes, CD, DVD and Blu-ray, also
the Philishave. To complete the picture, Philips Semiconductors became NXP
in September 2006.
Back to our frequency standard project.
I wondered if I could cut out the Arduino from the actual correction
process, since I didnt need a display or a knob and discovered that the
Si5351 comes in several flavours. Elwoods design uses the A-version, but
theres also a C-version that has the ability to take in an external clock,
like say that from a GPS, and correct within the chip itself.
With that information in hand, I figured that I could use a simple Wi-Fi capable system on a chip, something like say an ESP8266, to configure the
clock and take care of communications with the outside world. In the
process Id learn how to do a bunch of new things, including my first foray
into generating RF, first time writing actual firmware, first time
designing circuits and no double many more firsts.
Then I hit a snag.
It seems that the Si5351 has gone from commonplace to zero in stock. Not
just zero in stock in Australia, or the US, no, zero in stock anywhere.
There are a few A-version breakout boards, that is, the chip on a circuit board, available from one supplier. There is also a new compatible chip, an MS5351M, available from China, but thats a drop-in for the A-version, not
the C-version.
So, where it stands is that I can almost taste the design, essentially
three chips, an almost trivial circuit board, some SMA connectors, a power source and an external GPS antenna, something that would represent the very first circuit I actually designed, which is a long way from reading the
circuit diagram for my Commodore VIC-20 back in the days before I owned a soldering iron.
It did bring me face to face with an odd realisation.
There are components that we use in day-to-day use, ones that are common,
used across many different industries, that come from a single source. I
should also mention that this particular manufacturer just got sold to
another company, which doesnt help matters.
Nobody seems to know how long this shortage might last with forecasts
varying wildly, but Im beginning to wonder how many of these kinds of components exist and how we might reduce our dependence on single supplier hardware.
Im also starting to look at using an FPGA to do all of this in software,
but thats going to take some time, of course we could start using valves
again. My 1960s era HP signal generator is starting to look much less intimidating.
Im Onno VK6FLAB
TL;DR This is the transcript of the weekly Foundations of Amateur Radio
podcast - for other episodes, see
http://vk6flab.com/ submitted by
/u/vk6flab
[link] [comments]
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Mobile DMR hotspot/Cellular modem in Pelican case
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 07:06 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryps34/mobile_dmr_hotspotcellular_modem_in_pelican_case/
Ive been playing around with this idea for the last few months, and was
curious what people thought.
Looking at using (what I believe is) a pelican 1500 for the case., with a
RPi based duplex hotspot, and Cradlepoint IBR 1700.
For power Im a bit less clear. Leaning towards a Omni 20+, but in playing around with it Ive had trouble setting it correctly to power both devices
with passthrough charging. Primary use case would be plugged in either in a vehicle, or to AC power. This is one spot where Ive very open to suggestion. The other question is antenna placement. My thought is to use splitters,
and have a set internal to the case, and bulkheads on the outside either
for attaching to vehicle mount, or putting the internal antennas on the outside. Is there an obvious issue there Im missing?
Id also be inclined to put half to the left and half to the right side of
the case. Any suggestions on that arrangement, or for how to finish it in
the cleanest way? Im inclined to mark it up and then drill each with a
power drill. It might be nice to do some kind of exterior plate, but Im not sure how Id go about that. submitted by /u/Adiventure
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A beginners question on frequencys
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 08:05 AM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryasq8/a_beginners_question_on_frequencys/
I’m trying learn as much as I can about amateur radio. My biggest question. And I don’t know enough to convey it into google. But why does a Beofeng
UV5R display large numbered frequencies (144.500) vs someone’s base station radio display a smaller numbered frequencie say (20.000). Are these the
same measurement of frequencies ? I need to do a ton more reading and
watching videos. Thank you in advance. submitted by /u/Maggot_Slayer
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MagLoop on a car?
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 06:30 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryp2bf/magloop_on_a_car/
Ive been doing alot of reading about magloops but I cant find an answer
about this:
Will the steel/metal of a car interfere with a magloop in any discernible
way?
I know magloops are directional and not omnidirectional.
I was thinking that a dual-loop magloop mounted so that the hoops were
pointing in the same as the direction of travel (towards the front & back
of the car) would have the lowest wind cross-section, and it wouldnt be terribly tall either. 3/4" copper tubing should be stiff enough to
withstand highway wind-speeds too.
Do you think its feasible, or would the metal of the car hinder my efforts
too much? submitted by /u/pi8b42fkljhbqasd9
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Can anyone give me the spring size on the straight key attached to the
MFJ-557, Code Oscillator?
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 10:15 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryt7ef/can_anyone_give_me_the_spring_size_on_the/
submitted by /u/sturnus-vulgaris
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SOTA Activation Equipment Advice
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 08:29 AM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/rybcrb/sota_activation_equipment_advice/
Hello Everyone!
Im looking for some advice. Im going to try for my first SOTA UHF
Activation this weekend and want to make sure that Im taking what I need
with me to make sure I get through ok. In addition to everything else Ill
be bringing, I plan on taking my ICOM ID-5100E which will be powered by a
12V 10Ah Lead Acid battery. What Im wanting some advice on is the antenna
Ill use with it.
I have a few options - a home-brewed 1/4 wave ground-plane antenna or a mag mount Diamond NR770HAB Dual Band antenna. I feel like the Diamond will be
my best bet but will require carrying a bit more equipment while the 1/4
wave will be the opposite. Im just on the fence and thought Id see if
anyone here has anything that would push me in one direction!
Thanks for any advice yall have to share! submitted by /u/dandee2stories
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Any idea where I can find this replacement part? Yaesu RA0400600...cannot
find it anywhere.
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 07:39 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryqdz4/any_idea_where_i_can_find_this_replacement_part/
submitted by /u/fullchooch
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Yaesu FT-450D and Digimaster Pro 3 Trouble
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 02:50 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/rykckp/yaesu_ft450d_and_digimaster_pro_3_trouble/
I hope someone with a FT-450D and using a digimaster pro can help me. I am using an external sound card and serial cable usb to do FT8 on WSJT-X which works fine. I purchased a Digimaster Pro 3 to cut down on cables and noise.
I can not get the Digimaster to work with CAT on the FT-450D sound works
fine. I am wondering if I have a problem with the 3.5mm cable to db9 it may
not be a good one or maybe a setting I am missing? When I turn on the digimaster it clicks three times tx on the radio but will then give an
error message in WSJT-X. I used the same set up I use with the straight
cable runs. Any help or advice would be much appreciated I have not had
much luck talking with Neil at ZLP. submitted by /u/psychmantd
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Attempting to restore a 1953 Crosley 10-135 All American 5 vacuum tube AM
radio
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 06:17 PM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryosy8/attempting_to_restore_a_1953_crosley_10135_all/
Replaced all the capacitors and vacuum tubes and removed IF transformers,
which are original, but no joy. Still makes motorboat noise with only minor volume control authority. Anyone in the Atlanta GA USA area with experience with these restorations? submitted by /u/ub3rhund
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What is ATV or fast-scan TV under Part 97?
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 09:24 AM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryco4p/what_is_atv_or_fastscan_tv_under_part_97/
MFJ and some Chinese companies are selling ATV transmitters for 70cm, 23cm, 9cm, and 5cm, but I’m curious to what they are under Part 97. I hear
stories about amateur radio operators strapping them to hot air balloons,
model rockets, model airplanes, broadcasting at ham events with a hat with
a camera/transmitter combo, etc. They even mention them in the ARRL for Technician and Extra books, but they don’t go into much depth. Wouldn’t they be illegal because they’re a form of broadcasting? Would it be considered as a form of telemetry when they’re on model vehicles?
submitted by /u/joe_rt
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ARRL grant for Space Telerobotics using Amateur Radio (STAR) to use APRS to remotely control robots on the ISS
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 06:34 AM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ry8r1x/arrl_grant_for_space_telerobotics_using_amateur/
submitted by /u/brianjester
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Dusting off the Yaesu FT-530
Posted: 07 Jan 2022 08:08 AM PST
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ryavlo/dusting_off_the_yaesu_ft530/
Folks I just found this in my storage unit and it works in 100% condition
no problem. Im wondering if this radio will still be of use to me or if I should upgrade to the new-fangled fancy HTs?
Any real reason anyone can think of indicating the radio will be useless or
if I should upgrade anyway? submitted by /u/memorex1150
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