- Joined
- Nov 15, 2018
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- 2,045
LMFAO, I F'N KNEW YOU WOULD KNOW!!!
Btw, I do have a login for RR.
I keep my book so that I have some hardcopy reference.
Radio information guide
- Thread starter WileECoyote
- Start date
Btw, I do have a login for RR.
I keep my book so that I have some hardcopy reference.
I read most of this thread, I have no desire to quote any of you, so here:
Most Police frequencies are still open, some did switch to trunking/coded, but the freedom of info folks filed tons of lawsuits and those that hadn't switched, stopped. All depends on where you are.
No need for expensive books, unless you have more coffee tables than you know what to do with. https://www.radioreference.com has anything and everything you need. Also, www.repeaterbook.com is amazing. Most radio programming apps allow you to import directly from repeaterbook.com. That is especially great for road trips, downloading the repeaters along the route.
For any HT, cheap or not, replacing the rubbing ducky, as mentioned is the best mod you can do. Then do the MARS/CAP mod. Haven't found a radio that didn't have a youtube video on how to do this. Now, if I am ordering on line from a ham company, I'll pay the extra couple of bucks for them to so it. Basically you are paying them to warranty the product as doing the mod, voids your warranty. Next, buy a good mag mount, the position, size, and ground plane will seem like it doubles the abilities of your HT instantly. Beyond that, buy a mobile until and install it properly (seriously, this is a small thing that can cause serious problems). Also, tons of LED lights or radios..... can't have both (although LEDs are getting better, just not the cheap ones).
Get the Nifty Radio Guide for all of your radios. None of us can remember how to do everything on our radios. I love them. I also print out a list of all the frequencies I have programmed in a radio and attach it to the back of the Nifty guide. The Nifty stay in the vehicle/bag that a radio is in. Watch youtube videos on how to use it. The cool features your radio can do and you don't know about.... don't help you. Know you equipment to the best of your ability.
Use software to program your radio, it makes life so much easier. CHiRPS is free and there are a couple of other free ones out there. I have switch to RT Systems software and love it. It makes my life so much easier when I do need to change things. I have 4 radios (2 mobile, 2 HT), so changing something for an event in all of them can be time consuming unless you have something you like and can copy/paste between radios. Some don't like RT Systems because they require a program for each radio (~$30) and their cables (~$15). After fighting with cheap cables and free software, I welcomed the system that works. Plus I can use their cable for other programs. They recently released MAC OS versions for most radios.
Legal/illegal... Most things are NOT grey area. Get a ham license, it's about $30 and takes about 14 hours of study time (TONS of free study material out there). Any Freq is open to anyone in a Life or Death situation. "Emergency" leaves too much up for interpretation, stick to L&D. We are doings things that we shouldn't because we think no one cares. Well people do care! Ham frequencies are self monitored, meaning the FCC doesn't monitor it, however they have granted permission to people to be snitches. Most of these people are old and retired, meaning if you piss them off, they literally have nothing else to do but track you down (it is a game to them) and they can use your house number or license plate to file a complaint with the FCC. Enough evidence and complaints, and you could see a fine in the mail. It really depends on where you live and how grouchy the monitors are. Then in some areas, it seems everything and everyone is doing illegal stuff and complaining does nothing. But that person isn't really someone we want to base your life on. The other issue with using illegal bands is the war over bands... wi-fi, cellular, commercial... there are tons of industries and company fighting for ever step of every frequency. Luckily ham bands haven't been hurt by any of this, we have actually benefited, but that won't last for ever. Eventually someone will want a piece and they will point out things like: No one uses it... it's always illegal traffic... etc... etc. Keep our bands for us and future generations by staying legal on them.
73s
N7MCS
Most Police frequencies are still open, some did switch to trunking/coded, but the freedom of info folks filed tons of lawsuits and those that hadn't switched, stopped. All depends on where you are.
No need for expensive books, unless you have more coffee tables than you know what to do with. https://www.radioreference.com has anything and everything you need. Also, www.repeaterbook.com is amazing. Most radio programming apps allow you to import directly from repeaterbook.com. That is especially great for road trips, downloading the repeaters along the route.
For any HT, cheap or not, replacing the rubbing ducky, as mentioned is the best mod you can do. Then do the MARS/CAP mod. Haven't found a radio that didn't have a youtube video on how to do this. Now, if I am ordering on line from a ham company, I'll pay the extra couple of bucks for them to so it. Basically you are paying them to warranty the product as doing the mod, voids your warranty. Next, buy a good mag mount, the position, size, and ground plane will seem like it doubles the abilities of your HT instantly. Beyond that, buy a mobile until and install it properly (seriously, this is a small thing that can cause serious problems). Also, tons of LED lights or radios..... can't have both (although LEDs are getting better, just not the cheap ones).
Get the Nifty Radio Guide for all of your radios. None of us can remember how to do everything on our radios. I love them. I also print out a list of all the frequencies I have programmed in a radio and attach it to the back of the Nifty guide. The Nifty stay in the vehicle/bag that a radio is in. Watch youtube videos on how to use it. The cool features your radio can do and you don't know about.... don't help you. Know you equipment to the best of your ability.
Use software to program your radio, it makes life so much easier. CHiRPS is free and there are a couple of other free ones out there. I have switch to RT Systems software and love it. It makes my life so much easier when I do need to change things. I have 4 radios (2 mobile, 2 HT), so changing something for an event in all of them can be time consuming unless you have something you like and can copy/paste between radios. Some don't like RT Systems because they require a program for each radio (~$30) and their cables (~$15). After fighting with cheap cables and free software, I welcomed the system that works. Plus I can use their cable for other programs. They recently released MAC OS versions for most radios.
Legal/illegal... Most things are NOT grey area. Get a ham license, it's about $30 and takes about 14 hours of study time (TONS of free study material out there). Any Freq is open to anyone in a Life or Death situation. "Emergency" leaves too much up for interpretation, stick to L&D. We are doings things that we shouldn't because we think no one cares. Well people do care! Ham frequencies are self monitored, meaning the FCC doesn't monitor it, however they have granted permission to people to be snitches. Most of these people are old and retired, meaning if you piss them off, they literally have nothing else to do but track you down (it is a game to them) and they can use your house number or license plate to file a complaint with the FCC. Enough evidence and complaints, and you could see a fine in the mail. It really depends on where you live and how grouchy the monitors are. Then in some areas, it seems everything and everyone is doing illegal stuff and complaining does nothing. But that person isn't really someone we want to base your life on. The other issue with using illegal bands is the war over bands... wi-fi, cellular, commercial... there are tons of industries and company fighting for ever step of every frequency. Luckily ham bands haven't been hurt by any of this, we have actually benefited, but that won't last for ever. Eventually someone will want a piece and they will point out things like: No one uses it... it's always illegal traffic... etc... etc. Keep our bands for us and future generations by staying legal on them.
73s
N7MCS
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I am thinking about buying a mobile unit HAM radio. I don't want to spend a ton of money right now, but I am tired of using the weak UV5R handheld unit. TIred of charging batteries, and I want something a little more powerful to actually reach a decent distrance. I'm not trying to talk to people as far away as possible. Also small size is a big bonus since I can mount a small unit into my dash easily.
I came across this unit. Seems like a good cost and decent reviews. I also have very little knowledge about radios, so let me know what to look for if this one is not recommended.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XCDWT6V/ref=emc_b_5_t
I came across this unit. Seems like a good cost and decent reviews. I also have very little knowledge about radios, so let me know what to look for if this one is not recommended.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XCDWT6V/ref=emc_b_5_t
Itaro
Seriously, FJB
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2018
- Messages
- 13,115
This is the one I have. You have to have it modified for the upper bands that we usually transmit on, but it's a great radio.
Just bought the Kenwood. I don't care enough to keep shopping for all the little things. This one seems to pop up wherever I look with great reviews. The only negative seems to be that it doesn't have UHF instead of dual band. Doubt that's really even an issue. My little boafeng has been pretty good to me for the cost, but it's starting to have it's issues (battery life and battery not connecting well). I want a better radio for desert season so this will solve my problems.
Also bought the Nagoya UT-72 magnetic antenna. Should be good enough for me. Maybe eventually I'll do a permanent mounted antenna down the line.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016SIJX28/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016SIJX28/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Either look online for the how to modify it, or take it to a shop and have them do it. Mine was modded when I bought it.
Mag mount works just fine. I knock it off on branches every once in awhile, but it's better than. Ripping the roof open.
I'll look up how to modify it. Why am I modifying it again?
They make antennas that are on a hinge so that branches only knock it over instead of breaking it off.
EDIT: maybe I am wrong. Looks like they just fold over but needs to be pulled up to lean it over. idk. I bought magnetic either way
You won't be able to get above 151.000 on the channels. It's just like a transistor or something that has to be soldered I believe.
Gotcha! I'll have to check it out and figure what I need to do.
Well after some extremely quick research it seems like the modification is also extremely easy. Just need a soldering iron and tweezers.
Yeah the hinged antennas require you to actually open and close them by hand.
Check out a spring-loaded antenna like this one
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/cma-ss-460sb
I have mine installed on a big magnet in the middle of the roof, so far no complaints whatsoever.
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- Nov 15, 2018
- Messages
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It's "locked" into place. You have to PULL UP and then FOLD OVER. Spring mounted ones are typically pretty "stiff" and will take minor hits without damaging the antenna and, in all actuality, the antenna mount. Personally, I'd rather break the antenna than the mount/mounting base.
Anyways, built-in springs are meant for light hits and the like. So don't go treating it like a "whip antenna" that can take more abuse.
^^^ THIS... opens up the bands
Nice antenna with pretty good specs.
@AssBurns just watch for wattage as the one you got will be good to handle the wattage from that radio. Also, NEVER NEVER grab the antenna portion while it is transmitting!!! If for whatever reason you have to "touch" the antenna??? Especially, the high wattage antennas such as that. A 10W, eh... it is very likely okay to handle for quick grabs/movements? Definitely, I would have to say, +50W and above, start thinking twice. Just a word of caution when "RF burns" can take place.
Finally, just me personally, I would have chosen a dual or tri or quad band myself. People don't seem to realize the options of having "other bands". Going for the high wattage rigs will "reach". Yes. But you also have to take into consideration of too many rigs putting out +HIGH wattage on the same and/or similar frequencies and now you have channel interference, stepping on, blah blah blah when in such close proximity. It rarely should happen, but just know that that is also the case as well. A typical rule of thumb, "ALWAYS transmit on the lowest power unless you have to up the wattage to gain contact." That Kenwood is a 65W, which IS really good, don't get me wrong. Just saying that you'd be surprised how far a 25W rig will go. Plus, 65W is BS either way if in canyon and/or similar as all that power and you're still affected by line-of-sight situations... ultimately. Low frequencies, SHOULD do better either way in situations like that anyways, but just saying that having other frequency bands (i.e. dual, tri, quad) is also a really good thing.
That smaller unit would have been perfect for an ashtray location. It's where I have my Cobra 19 DX IV.
EDIT: I didn't watch the YT vid, but I believe it is a "resistor" removal. Very similar when working on, say an older Yaesu VX-5R handheld when doing the same similar mod. Either way, it should be VERY EASY to do the mod.
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Good point. I usually keep mine at 25w. I only use 60 if we're expecting people to meet us where there's no cell service so I can reach out further.
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- Nov 15, 2018
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That is exactly how it should always be handled. Awesome Danny!!!
Personally, I have a 2m dedicated max 55W mobile, but I also have "other options"... like the picture:
I SWEAR TO GOD I'm gonna finish this beginning of next year.
MonkeyProof
PowerTop
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2018
- Messages
- 660
I made a homebrew 2m/70cm ground plane base station antenna using 3/32" welding rod and a SO239 chassis connector. Should be portable enough to use as a base stattion antenna at remote locations if needed.
I found an old tube of welding rod that's been sitting in a corner since the beginning of time. Too rusty to be used for welding so I made good use of them.
A drill and a 3m scotch pad took care of the rust, good enough to use as radials. I'll probably need a tetanus shot because I didn't wear a mask, I breathed in more rust dust than I should've.
Used a 1/4" extension as my dowel to create the coils. The length of the coil is about 1-1/4" with even spacing in between each wrap. I made a few and picked out the best of the bunch. The 2m side is 9-1/2" long, and the 70cm side is 6-3/4" long. The coils are necessary because they act as an RF choke that separates the two bands
Soldered the short 70cm side to ring connectors:
Vertical radial soldered in place to the SO-239 connector:
And the mostly finished antenna. I just need to figure out how to weatherproof it:
I found an old tube of welding rod that's been sitting in a corner since the beginning of time. Too rusty to be used for welding so I made good use of them.
A drill and a 3m scotch pad took care of the rust, good enough to use as radials. I'll probably need a tetanus shot because I didn't wear a mask, I breathed in more rust dust than I should've.
Used a 1/4" extension as my dowel to create the coils. The length of the coil is about 1-1/4" with even spacing in between each wrap. I made a few and picked out the best of the bunch. The 2m side is 9-1/2" long, and the 70cm side is 6-3/4" long. The coils are necessary because they act as an RF choke that separates the two bands
Soldered the short 70cm side to ring connectors:
Vertical radial soldered in place to the SO-239 connector:
And the mostly finished antenna. I just need to figure out how to weatherproof it:
That's legit.
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- Nov 15, 2018
- Messages
- 2,045
THAT is SWEET!!!
I'm doing something similar for a work project, but mine has to be on a "smaller scale" and likely going to be single banded only? So, it should be fairly easy.
Either case, I need to make my own like you did.
Again, VERY NICE!!!