Official ONSC HAM Thread

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@the gimpey one

Here you go - check this out :)
Reading now. Will I even be able to get reception with only the handheld unit. Just looking to be able to hear u guys on the trail until I take the test and buy more equipment.
 
Reading now. Will I even be able to get reception with only the handheld unit. Just looking to be able to hear u guys on the trail until I take the test and buy more equipment.
A $30 Baofeng will surprise you. Throw in another $15-20 for a magnetic rooftop antenna and it will reach miles beyond a FRS walkie talkie, and less headache than a CB for sure.
 
I went to the Union county Amateur Radio meeting (UCAR) yesterday for the first time. Nice group of folks, small group. Saw a presentation on PSK31 from a member who just hook up to the club antenna with his laptop. Within minutes, he was "texting" with some random person in Cuba. Pretty interesting stuff for low power communications.
There is a couple of apps for ipad, I may try one later. Anyone here work PSK31 yet?
 
I went to the Union county Amateur Radio meeting (UCAR) yesterday for the first time. Nice group of folks, small group. Saw a presentation on PSK31 from a member who just hook up to the club antenna with his laptop. Within minutes, he was "texting" with some random person in Cuba. Pretty interesting stuff for low power communications.
There is a couple of apps for ipad, I may try one later. Anyone here work PSK31 yet?

No, but I happened upon this thread the other day after reading about APRS....not that I have any working knowledge of either, just reading.

Cool SW for APRS users
 
Well, it's been a while. I have restrained myself as much as I can so:
Here you go.
 
I was studying heavily in December. I signed up for an IT certification instead and dropped HAM. I need to get back on it and just take the test.
 
Looking forward to Field Day, got this new antenna, and a fender mount, mag mount, and the roofrack mount. Planning on moving antenna from roof rack to fender when in trials to minimize whacking.

Amazon.com: ExpertPower 42.8" Dual Band Stainless Steel Mobile Whip Antenna PL-259: Home Audio & Theater

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I was studying heavily in December. I signed up for an IT certification instead and dropped HAM. I need to get back on it and just take the test.

You could walk in there with no study and pass the Tech exam, imho.
 
You could walk in there with no study and pass the Tech exam, imho.
I have taken 3 to 4 dozen practice tests and still scored only 70 to 90%.
 
I have taken 3 to 4 dozen practice tests and still scored only 70 to 90%.

Run through the questions a few more times and you'll pass. You only have to get 26 out of 35 questions right.
 
Anyone using D-STAR on radios? I have taken the "classes" and looking to jump on it. Liking the Icom ID-5100A Deluxe.
 
What does D-STAR get you? I read up a bit but I can't see what benefit it gives the mobile HAM station.
 
D-Star is the most prolific of the digital voice modulation flavors. So adds the data portion to the radio, DPRS for location, text capability, images, etc. You don't need a radio if you have a DV dongle with an internet connected PC.

This is a little "promotional" but gives you more info. There are a few hours of instruction from the last HAMVention

 
Finally broke down an bought a Beofung portable. So I can hear what you guys are saying on the trail next time. Since I am legally not allowed to respond, I shall also be learning morse code so that I can respond with my truck's horn or smoke signals.
 
Taking all cars to the car wash today, its my 100th wedding anniversary and needed clean cars for dinner. Something was odd on the LC antenna, the angle was off. Bad antenna! Amazon.com: ExpertPower 42.8" Dual Band Stainless Steel Mobile Whip Antenna PL-259: Home Audio & Theater broke, has a weak point. Broke just driving around on highway. Going to Gorilla glue it, see if works, but will not be my primary anymore.

So time to order a better one:

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

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D-star, got it working today from my desktop. There's a registration process with your call sign, used the charlotte repeater for that. Then got the DV Dongle, cheapest way to try it out. Then download software and connect headset to PC, and good to go. Connected to a discussion being held from the carrier Midway radio shack in San Diego, and popped my digital radio cherry.

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The software is very easy to run once you view the training modules on youtube. Connected to Reflector 1, the optimus prime refLector

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Dv dongle lights blink like crazy when connected
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A session screen opens up next to the main interface, and lets you see what you are doing and what others are doing.

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On the D-star site, you can see who is connected to the reflectors or repeaters, this below is the one I connected to. Next steps will be to use this a bit, and decide on buying new rig radio or not, the ID-5100a is the one I am thinking about.

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Hmmm. Radio for anniversary present!?!? Need someone to call my wife...
 

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