Official ONSC HAM Thread

[GLTHFJ60]

For your antenna, I think this is the one I have. I've got this and a shorter Larsen I put on when offroad to catch fewer trees. I'm a fan:

Larsen NMO2/70B

Super cool dstar stuff!! It's a digital entry point to the ham radio network of repeaters. Makes sense now.

 

[izzyandsue]

I ordered this morning 2, I got NMO locations on the truck. The Browning is a flexible, I may keep it in the truck as backup. The Commet was recommended for the "radio upgrade" I am thinking about

Amazon.com: Comet Original CA-2X4SRNMO 144/446 MHz Dual-Band WideBand Mobile Antenna w/ NMO type Connector: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: BROWNING BR-180 Amateur Dual-Band Mobile Antenna: Electronics

 

[izzyandsue]

Anyone interested in a TYT TH-9800 quadband? It does get CB. Thinking of selling it to fund my upgrade. It is Amazon.com: TYT TYT-TH-9800 Two Way Radio: Cell Phones & Accessories this one, I got it in December 2016 and I have all the original hardware, box, manual, etc. Also have the programming cable. Thinking $150

 

[izzyandsue]

And the replacement is here! Icon ID-5100a, I have had it for 2 days now, and really liking it. Besides the ver well made fit and finish, love the large touchscreen, long names on memory, ease of programming with RT systems, ability to program with SD card, downloadable repeaters with SD card, and the gots location based search for near repeaters. That's pretty cool.
I was able to load up the D-star repeaters, and see myself up on the computer screen. All via the antenna and local repeater.

Faceplate on magnetic mount, I just used a steel angle braket from Lowes

 

[izzyandsue]

Lesson Learned while Cross Band repeating: the radio will use the full amperage for transmitting, and maybe transmitting for a long time. Make sure your power supply has enough capacity for continuous use if you do the cross band.

My situation yesterday, using the ID-5100a during storm, set up cross band so I can connect with the county Skywarn and listen and provide info. Then used my handheld to go downstairs and report on hail size and wind. Worked great, but radio shut down when 12Amp power supply over heated. The radio pulls 13Amp in TX mode, so, yeah, duh Izzy.

edit: Ordered Alinco 32Amp power supply, 30 Amp continuous use. DX Engineering one.

 

[BenMara]

Been doing some Amateur radio stuff since ive been laid off work.

 

[BenMara]

ive posted alot more on IG

 

[jamesurq]

Anyone interested in a TYT TH-9800 quadband? It does get CB. Thinking of selling it to fund my upgrade. It is Amazon.com: TYT TYT-TH-9800 Two Way Radio: Cell Phones & Accessories this one, I got it in December 2016 and I have all the original hardware, box, manual, etc. Also have the programming cable. Thinking $150

View attachment 1494467 View attachment 1494468 View attachment 1494469

You sure it does CB? the 4 frequencies are outside of the 26.somthing to 27.something that CB is....

 

[izzyandsue]

Yes, tested on the field and trails many times. My Yaesu Vx-6 handheld receives CB as well, I just shot a quick video with the radio on CB rx, used my handheld CB to send from about 60ft away. The Vx-6 can also receive from 3.995 Mhz Deutsche Welle, Voice of America, BBC, Radio Russia, all AM. But it wont Tx. The TYT did transmit out of the box on CB bands as purchased via Amazon in the US. The range is short, but you can hear it. 26.965 MHz is CB channel 1, 27.405 MHz for 40.

The Yaesu VX-6R is pretty amazing for its size:


Caveat for anyone else: There are many who believe it will not work. I know better than to argue with beliefs, so I will agree with whatever beliefs you come up with.

 

[jamesurq]

Weird that it wouldn't list it as capable of CB on Amazon.... But cool that it does work. If I hadn't bought a CB and a handheld HAM I'd be all over it.

 

[SeanLX]

The internet chatter can be confusing.

Always best to hear it from someone who's had one.

 

[izzyandsue]

When I was looking for my first mobile, in true "Izzy the Engineer" fashion I spent 100 hours (lets say worth $10,000) on how to spend that $200. Found and read the TYT user forum on yahoo, and there is one guy You are being redirected... who convinced me to get it. Sweet little radio, but one too many for me. I now just have 2 mobiles and 2 handhelds, plus 2 FRS and one CB.

 

[izzyandsue]

I have never used or seen either the TYT or VX-6 used on CB. ..but I'm still confused by internet chatter.

That was proof that the VX will receive but I think the question / confusion is about either one can transmit AM on CB band.

If I understand, you used an actual handheld CB to make that video so we know it will transmit the proper mode. Can your handheld CB pick up a transmission from the TYT or VX-6? If you say it will I trust your answer.

Correct, I used my handheld CB to show now the VX-6 receives the signal.

The only radio I had that transmitted on CB was the TYT, out of the box, as sold in the US via Amazon. And it only transmitted short distances, convoy style, 2-300 ft, its an FM radio not an AM. Now, you need a license to transmit on that frequency with an amateur radio, CB's would max out at 4 Watts and dont require a license. Many HAM mobiles can transmit 50W.

 

[BenMara]

Be sure you have the appropriate antenna for the freq your transmitting on... or Say good bye radio...

 

[izzyandsue]

The only dislike on the ID-5100 is the mike is connected to the main unit, not the display head. Not a big deal if the unit is close to you, but in my desk it is behind me on a file cabinet. So I wanted an extension of that cable, Icom are $75. But, I tested a regular 8pin FJ45 Amazon.com: UGREEN Ethernet Extension Cable Network Cat6 Extension Patch Cable RJ45 Cords Shielded Male to Female Connector, 6ft/2m: Computers & Accessories cable, and it worked! $7.99 from Amazon, hard to beat.
Make sure you get the male to female one, not the male to male standard internet cable. The DOD won't pay for that conversion anymore.

 

[Rice]

Weird that it wouldn't list it as capable of CB on Amazon.... But cool that it does work. If I hadn't bought a CB and a handheld HAM I'd be all over it.

CB rx is fine but CB tx is not legal.

 

[izzyandsue]

ARRL, fighting for your rights to erections;

"AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT IS INTRODUCED IN US SENATE – The Amateur
Radio Parity Act of 2017 was introduced in the US Senate on July 12,
marking another step forward for this landmark legislation. Roger
Wicker (R-MS) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are the Senate sponsors.
The measure will, for the first time, guarantee all radio amateurs
living in deed-restricted communities governed by a homeowner's
association (HOA) or subject to any private land use regulations, the
right to erect and maintain effective outdoor antennas at their homes.
The Senate bill, S. 1534, is identical to H.R. 555, which passed the US
House of Representatives in January. For further information, see
Amateur Radio Parity Act is Introduced in US Senate"

 

[izzyandsue]

Got this pic monitor stand today, metal mesh, with a sliding tray under it. Very convenient for radio and related paraphernalia. The mesh helps lift it off the table and more air flow. New power supply is nice too.

 

[izzyandsue]

Digital radio, this is crack cocaine stuff, can't stop upgrading. Now I am building a DStar access node for home... EBay stuff helps keep the cost to 1/2 retail, that's better. Still, need to buy more!

 

[Phares]

Picking up a Yaesu 857D this evening for the rig. I will be reading through this entire thread again to check out y'alls setups etc. I'll probably be contacting alpha antennas to put together an antenna package to have me up and running.

Izzy, that setup is amazing.