tweiss3
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Posts posted by tweiss3
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Yea. In my case, its more beneficial to run separate lines as I might also include a mast mounted pre-amp for better receive.
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Yea, I was searching last month for a switch that would hold up at 1200MHz. Couldn't find a single one. Well, if I remember, there is an old bird switch that is NLA, but was about $2000. I decided the project would have better results if I just went and ran individual hardlines for what I needed, and either manual switch at the base station, or physically move the coax between radios.
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I did try to get to the ISS again a few weeks back. Using my 9700 and this application https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9WZDNCRDNDF7, I was able to hear it and other satellites, but the time frame is so short, and its such a mess trying to get in, it takes some patience. I also realized I need to upgrade feedline to get better reception on UHF, as the 75' of 400MAX is not excellent.
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I'm always surprised what can be done with only 5 watts on HF when things align.
Since becoming licensed in 2020, I have 93 countries confirmed, totaling 648 grid squares. Lots of Europe and South America. I also got a new Africa station on Monday that isn't in my total log yet.
- marcspaz and PACNWComms
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I have learned on RPM14, you have to be careful when setting up their tables. At times, they want the TX input first, and if you put RX like any other software, it throws "out of band" errors, because you didn't calc the proper offset for the TX. Very different software, can't tell if I am doing anything correctly as I don't have any hardware to test.
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So you did or didn't get it programmed over BT?
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No, you are looking for something more like an RF sensing disconnect switch: https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-1708b-sdr
They also make things called RF limiters. I have them installed on the vehicle scanners to protect the front ends, but they can only handle/block 10W, so a 50W radio + antenna separation it keeps working. Once you exceed it's limit, there is a diode in them that pops and you would have to replace it, so it won't work well when you jump to 50W.
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2 minutes ago, kidphc said:
NIce.
At least you can do that. Can't even do that with the XTL5k. You need to hook up to at least one radio to read the serial before you can even open a file.
What version RPM is that?
That is Kenwood's stuff. All the kenwood softwares allow you to program a codeplug without the radio first.
BTW, RPM14 from Harris is very interesting. Take what you know about motorola and kenwood combined, and toss it out the window.
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12 minutes ago, kidphc said:
Spoke to him and he said none available with the current feature set. They are out there but hard to find at that price point, and get gobbled up at a pretty penny.
Like I said, It's not a need to have, and I have the time to sit and wait. I don't need Phase 2, just U+V without wideband disabled.
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37 minutes ago, kidphc said:
Appreciate it, got a quote for about $2500-2600 for a dual brick NX mobile with entitlements and software from a friend who is a Kenwood dealer.
On a side note:
Too bad there is now real way to get around the Wideband issue on UHF. unless it was enabled on purchase or a demo model. L3Harris has no part97 grant, nor do they care. If the USCG Aux can't get L3Harris to enable wideband on the 70cm portion d for their fleet, we will probably never see it. Well unless someone finally hacks it, highly doubtful.
So adjusting gain and screaming in the mic as I kiss the radio with each word will be the only way to be heard at times on 70cm and GMRS.
That must be missing some features/entitlements, otherwise that's correct for hardware. I paid retail for my 5800 deck.
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43 minutes ago, kidphc said:
A lot of these CPS even in the same line have a steep learning curve. Take a XTS5000 versus its mobile version the XTL5000, the code plugs aren't really any where near the same. Even require 2 different CPS software. I think the APX series they were trying to unify the mobile and portable CPS.
I hear horror stories of trying to get software for the Kenwood NX series if you don't have a dealer that is Ham friendly. Much less assistance on programming. Guess that is why a lot of Hams stick to Motorolas.
The NX series isn't hard to get. If you are really interested in the wideband, let me know, I can point you to the dealer I used who was very friendly. He also helped @Lscottwith entitlements.
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49 minutes ago, Lscott said:
Talking about "Mission Plans" I wonder if it's like the Kenwood TK-5210's. I don't have any of them, seen them for sale. I did install the software to see exactly what features are available. Yikes! these are nothing like any of the other Kenwoods I have.
For the 5210 you create named groups of channels called "Personal". Then you can create zones and populate them with selections from the named "Personal" channel lists. You can have the same channel appear in more than one zone. This way you don't need to duplicate channels.
This sounds almost like early version of Armada (for the Viking series radios). I haven't actually used the software yet though.
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46 minutes ago, kidphc said:
Yup that is exactly what the mission plan is. Hence, why I wish it was a feature on all radios. After loading it performs a soft reboot.
What is your idea of a reasonable price? Problem is buying used could be a problem since you are not sure what you are getting. So the seller is almost critical.
Exactly. I'm not exactly itching to buy one, its expensive and a bit outdated. I'm really looking for the $800 range, but I don't have the cash burning a hole in my pocket right now either. It's also pushing the cost towards the line in the back of my head "just get a VP8000", since I have someone to help me with issues, and I've actually held it/messed with the menus.
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Yes, I have been looking for a 100P for my collection. I have figured out how to program, but haven't found one to buy yet (for reasonable prices). The problem I see is half of them have Wideband Disabled on the entitlement list, which is a deal killer. Programming is very very interesting, as is having multiple mission plans (having a rotation of codeplugs to swap out on the go without a computer as far as I understand it).
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I think you are over thinking how to get to your designated simplex. Look into a pair yagi antennas pointed at each other to use just for the hard to reach family. You will also hear the other much better as well.
Look at the numbers:
Your 25W into an assumed 6db gain omni antenna = 99W EIRP
Take the same antenna, boost the power to 100W and you get 398W radiated, but in all directions, and no improved receive from your intended family member.
Take your same 25W radio into a 10.2db gain yagi = 261W EIRP, with better ears and less likely to cause interference to anyone else. There will also be more benefit if you don't have 6db gain on your current antenna. This is taking zero line losses into account.
Edit, if you get one of the Yagis that has 12.2db gain, you end up with 414W EIRP with your existing 25W radio.
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Are these "no ground plane" antennas, cause based on your photo, you don't have nearly enough ground plane under that antenna as installed.
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TK890H. Just be careful if you want to also use it on ham frequencies. It's designed for 450-480, and needs additional heat dissipation on the final if you intend to use it below 450.
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You aren't going to get survey grade location with anything unless you are running a survey instrument (such as a Trimble R6 running VRS to be on state plane with a complete data collector). Anything you will get in the retail market will still be 3m (10 ft) accuracy at its best, which would be enough for your use.
If it were me, I would just use a basic tablet and a spreadsheet. Put columns for northing and easting, get a radio that can measure the signal in db or dbm, and put that in column 3. Add other columns for comments and note readability or not. Compile when you get home, then add to your software.
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I run Larsen (NMO2/70SH and NMO150/450/758) both because they perform well and the spring. My truck roof is 6'7", and I regularly go in parking garages that are 7'2" without a place to stop and remove the antenna. I wouldn't waste your time retuning your existing antenna with a spring (spring is about $25), just get one with the spring already.
The NMO2/70SH is centered on the ham bands, but is not bad on GMRS. The NMO150/450/758 is centered on the commercial frequencies, is better for GMRS, worse for ham but still acceptable.
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Back on topic.
Thank you for this write up. It does demonstrate what has been said before, but the pictures are worth a thousand words.
How did you hook up the TinySA? Are you using a bias tee or an attenuator? What equipment do you have for that. I have a TinySA, and do like it for the features to price ratio. I just don't have all the proper connectors to make hard connections without blowing it up.
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This doesn't have anything to do with the base premise of this thread, which we should get back to....
But, @WQWX838, I have to disagree with your above post. As a licensed PE, I take no except to @marcspazmaintaining a title of engineer, be it senior engineer, engineer II or another. The distinction is the title Professional Engineer, the license and what you can and cannot do (i.e. stamp plans/calculations). I have a few young engineers under me that are not yet licensed, but they are still engineers. I also know plenty of other engineers in adjacent fields that the PE is not needed in their role for their engineering practice, and therefore may never get the licensure, yet sure are engineers. As a side note, in those fields, though the PE is not needed, it is often the gateway to move up into management, even though it will never be needed.
@Sshannon correct me if I'm wrong, but that's how I see it.
- SteveShannon, marcspaz and WRUU653
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Kenwood TH-D75A Tri-Band Handheld Transceiver with D-STAR and APRS
in Amateur Radio (Ham)
Posted
Wait till the official announcement and details this week (could be today when the Hamvention opens) as Kenwood has shown up to Dayton this year.
The keypad looks more robust than the D74 (I lost a key on mine). I also hope the battery life is better than the D74. Honestly, I probably won't see any need to get it though. I'm more interested to see if they have a mobile counterpart announced as well.