Leaderboard

I have a GMRS license and I decided I wanted my amateur radio license as well. So I studied for the Technician test for the last few weeks off and on, and I took the test this morning. (Side note: I live in California, but currently visiting Wyoming, so I took my test in Wyoming. The VE's were happy to have me.) I passed the Technician test 100%. Then the VE's asked if I wanted to try the General test, which I was completely unprepared for. Turns out I am pretty good at guessing, I almost passed (I scored 25 out of the required 27 to pass). My favorite part was when the VE was grading my general exam, he was shocked that I actually got as many correct as I did. "Unbelievable" was his exact word. Just thought I would share. I guess my point is that for the folks that complain about the testing, it really isn't that hard.

To truly piss-off the right people you need video.

As you say, they’re not cheap, but compared to the pricing of a new truck the pricing is minuscule.

Yep, I would like to go all the way to Amateur Extra! I actually enjoy the reading and studying part of it.

The tech test is so easy that not wanting it shows unwillingness to apply any effort. For the average American, it is probably no more difficult than your state's driver's license written exam.

Criticism accepted. The limitations of text communication, it is hard to convey emphasis and tone.

Yes, mobile installs are all comprimises. You want about 1/2 wave length of the longest minimal separation, if you can. But that is not always possible. I have about 8 feet from my 2m/70cm antenna and gmrs/70cm antenna. I noted the other night even when transmitting at 5watts on the 2m/70cm antenna (I was using 70cm fusion at the time). It was tripping out the xtl5k (gmrs/70cm) really badly. Like opening squelch on a frequency, i was scanning gmrs repeaters on the xtl5k. From my calculations, it was about 30MHz difference. The physical radios are some 6 feet apart. One in the glove box. The other on the third row molle panel. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

My post was very clear. What I'm saying is exactly what I said, not what you think I said.

There is a company, Diesel Power Products, that makes an NMO mount that sandwiches between the cab and HMSL (High Mount Stop Light). Josh from Ham Radio Crash Course installed one on his new 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning. They're not cheap, at $360. They also make a dual NMO for $436. https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/p-bulletproof-diesel-third-brake-light-antenna-mount-17-21-superduty?variant_id=19192&gclid=CjwKCAiAmJGgBhAZEiwA1JZolr5krfYYI3FLAQpq4JQItmmOf3GdAd-GxnoAgbdszuyTFw5P9gPShRoC8y0QAvD_BwE

Hams have very few limitations compared to other services. They are hobbyists, who are allowed a to do things with radios that are strictly forbidden on other services. They may make their own radios; their radios are not required to be certified to a particular standard, they are allowed higher power and many, many frequencies. They earn that trust by demonstrating a knowledge of the rules and regulations as well as by demonstrating a level of technical knowledge necessary to participate in such experimental radio pursuits. All other licensed service regulations are designed around utility users of those radios and require the manufacturers to provide a radio that is not easily configured to violate regulations. TL;DR? Ham radio operators are licensed to engage in advanced experimental radio as hobbyists. As such the requirements are stricter and require more technical and regulatory compliance knowledge. Why would anyone want the guvmint to dumb it down by removing the test requirement?

Morning all..... This will be somewhat multi-topic and I've posted before some time ago about the same. First of all, I am very interested if anyone would be interested in starting a club in the south east portion of Virginia. We have a club in northern and south west Virginia but nothing here in the south east AKA Hampton Roads area. I am a member of a few repeaters in the area. If anyone would like to consider starting something like this, please reach out. Secondly, I'm very interested in setting up a repeater to increase the options here nearby. In Yorktown, VA, we do have a repeater that covers a portion of the lower county area but I'm much closer to the Yorktown proper area not within reach of the Tabb repeater. I'm not really a "radio" guy and do understand many basics but expertise isn't in my wheelhouse. Nevertheless, I would like to look in to doing something like this if there's anyone that would like to help. Thanks in advance.....

Does anyone have experience with both the Wouxun KG-UV9D Mate and the KG-UV8H and is willing share your impression of them? I have a KG-935G Plus for GMRS, and I am wondering if I should lean towards the KG-UV8H, but I also like the feature set on the KG-UV9D Mate.

6 year olds. Kids that can read above grade level can pass the test.

I've thought about getting the SureCom SW-102. Like you say, just looking for the big errors. Would like the RigExpert Stick 230, but doesn't do UHF. Would have to get the Stick 500. Not cheap.

I don’t. It’s a gift I have.

This part I agree with, but your comment about “there is no if” totally missed the context of what @wruu653 said and was unnecessarily negative.

Sure I agree with higher is always better but the “if” I was referring to is if it will be enough to reach the repeater OP was hearing.

BTW, here the video that @SpeedSpeak2Me was referencing indirectly - thanks!:

I went with a little bit more expensive setup thru 67 Designs along with a BuiltRightIndustries dash mount. Since I was getting some arms for a phone/device/GPS unit holder, I ordered some other parts to help mount the KG-1000G + face plate. I will need to mod the face plate just a tad with extra holes, or over size the current holes. I just got all the parts in to do the work so no pics right now. I will post a link to the specific mount I'll be using for the faceplate. This is the mount: https://www.67d.com/products/pro-series-diamond-plate-alternative-with-clamps?variant=43824363340030 Using this ball mount : https://www.67d.com/products/series-20-trackball?variant=8213399011431 With this dash mount (vehicle specific) : https://builtrightind.com/products/dash-mount-ford-f-250-f-350-f-450-2022-12-screen The dash mount style is pretty common just depends on the manufacturer.

I personally am not aware of any part 95e approved radios that would allow to make this change. I think the thought is if you are following the rules and using compliant radios it’s a non issue. The concern is then at least limited to those already stepping out of the regulations. Like painting lines for a crosswalk, if you step out you probably know it. Amateur Radio is painting their own lines within guidelines they have learned and have demonstrated by passing an exam for their license. My thoughts anyway FWIW.

Good. Maybe I can make you a hardcore Kenwood guy yet. ?

Take a look at this antenna. It does work well on GMRS a is a 20" length. Super-Elastic Signal Stalk — Signal Stuff

What time does the popcorn stand open? Go to https://hamstudy.org and work at the study guide for two weeks, and you will pass. My teen age grandkids all passed on the first try.

You want 50 ohm. That’s basic.

You asked a question that results in a very specific answer. As soon as you use the word "best" without defining what qualities are important to you and as soon as you said "least amount of signal loss" you boxed in the people who might suggest something. You probably don't really mean "best", although I cannot possibly know for sure. Most of us cannot truly afford the "best." You also probably don't truly mean "least amount of signal loss." Again, I cannot possibly know for sure. Perhaps you should provide additional information. Do you have an unlimited budget? Then by all means lean towards Hardline. What's your actual communications situation?

Least amount of loss, aircore hard line. Like heliax. Usually, used on repeaters. Avg $2-7 a foot. Most commonly used for 100ft. Probably lmr400. Acceptable cost and acceptable losses. Avg $1-4 a foot. You could also look at lmr600, but it gets to aircore levels of stiffness, which can make routing difficult. Keep in mind the connectors also come into play. Really high quality "n" connectors can average $25 each. So it's best to set the budget. Your expectations and meet in the middle or what you are comfortable with. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

You can "stack" them for more power gain too. Using two will give you another 3db.