This can't be good.... a gun club with a ham radio problem!! I can see a heated discussion followed by a pile of smoking electronics
I am Jason n1iic, in Bow, N.H. near Concord. I have been a ham for holy shit, 20 years now! I was originally licensed in Ct when I was 18. I am mostly on 6/2/440 but I have 900FM along with 160-6 all modes. The week before field day I picked up a Flex-3000 and that has been an amazing radio to say the least. It is normally on the air, but due to my health and the weather I need some antenna work. I can load the beam on some lower bands but it far from optimal.
I have only read the last 10 pages, so you will have to forgive my laziness lol.
Good info. Buy him dinner and flowers and he'll be yours
I've got the HF radio working tonight for the first time. It took me a while to figure out how to even hear anybody. I have to figure out which bands use USB and which us lower.
10mHz is used because back in the day it was the easiest to design 10mhz into all the home brew rigs for switching and filters. A LSB signal below 10 mHz when (inverted?) would be USB above 10.
Packet radio: Is it still active? I have a TNC that I won in a Karma and am thinking it's time to give it a try (it's vintage 1993). Will there be anything to hear if I go through the effort?
Not only is packet used for traffic, but look into APRS also.
So 2 days ago I asked one of the engineers here at work if he know where I could get a 2 meter SWR locally. He's an Extra so I figured he might know of a place. He said he'd get back to me. Yesterday I mailed out a book of mine to someone on the forum on my dime just because I figured he'd enjoy it. I got into work this morning and found a MFJ SWR meter sitting on my desk along with a bag full of PL-259 and SO-239 connectors and a note that says "good luck with your antenna build, let me know how it works out." Karma, man, it's real.
I have two viewpoints on this one, lol. This is exactly what ham radio is about- the camaraderie as you guys are learning just between yourselves. Most hams will be more than happy to help out others like this if they can. It's easy to collect stuff over the years and finally realize that someone else needs that SWR meter more than you do.
The second point is MFJ, affectionately known as mighty fine junk, more effing junk, etc. Ok at best on a budget (can't beat free!!) but spend the extra money if you can on a better name, especially on tuners. I have had the most problems with them.
Take a visit to HRO and get a real SWR meter that can do HF as well as VHF. Stay away from the rat-shack version.
Agreed, but I have had better luck with RS than MFJ. It's going to be expensive getting HF and VHF/UHF in the same box, nevermind two totally different applications. Get one for HF/6, and one for VHF/UHF. I like cross needles since it shows forward, reflected, and SWR in a quick look.
While I'm waiting...I have a question... My radio goes through these waves of clarity and noise. I'll be talking and everything is clear as a bell...then like someone fliped a switch...I get all this static over the voice...then, like a switch it's clear again...
IS this normal? I don't get it on my HT...I wonder if it's the connections or if it's just what's going on in the air outside...
I agree on a microwave, etc. A big culprit is dirty (RF) switching power supplies.
One other thing that you should know about crossbanding..... if you crossband into a repeater, you will not be able to talk until the repeater completely stops transmitting. This is fine for repeaters that have short tails, but long tailed repeaters will be a bitch because they can go for a while before someone lets the tail completely drop.
If you have the luxury of the tone only transmitting when there is an input signal to the repeater, that rocks. Otherwise I program mt 8900 to not transmit the received repeater signal by putting a 99.95 offset into it and listen to the repeater directly on a Kenwood TH-F6A if at all possible.
For those of us that got our licenses at the Tech-in-a-Day class last Saturday, the FCC has posted the call signs. That only took 1 week!
My 11yo son Allan is KB1TRB
I am AB1LT
Congratulations on going straight to Extra! Imagine 10+ years ago when you would have had to sit through 6 elements instead of 3! Novice, Tech, General, Advanced, Extra, and 20WPM.
Go to
this link. Click on LICENSES and search by your FRN number, or search on "last name, first name initial" (you have to get the format just right.
It's got to be entertaining not only to hear the nearly sequential calls, but anyone trying to keep them straight! lol
Now all I need is some gear. Anyone know if the Ham Flea Market in Marlborough next Saturday is worth the trip?
It's been 3 years since I went to Marlborough but its always been a good flea. I hope to go, but might be doing the Laconia Sled Dog Races if they happen. Not much snow left after that rainy warm spell we had.
I am thoroughly impressed that you guys got together and did this. I am so proud. *sniff
Jason