Calguns.net  

Home My iTrader Join the NRA Donate to CGSSA Sponsors CGN Google Search
CA Semiauto Ban(AW)ID Flowchart CA Handgun Ban ID Flowchart CA Shotgun Ban ID Flowchart
Go Back   Calguns.net > OUTDOORS, HUNTING AND SURVIVAL > Camping, Hiking and Outdoor Activities
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Camping, Hiking and Outdoor Activities Camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities within.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #761  
Old 02-14-2019, 12:56 PM
NapalmCheese's Avatar
NapalmCheese NapalmCheese is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: San Jose
Posts: 5,840
iTrader: 4 / 100%
Default

KM6xxx
South Bay
Tech
Just a UV-5R with a couple of antennas in 2m and 440.

I sometimes hang out on the Charlie repeater, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of traffic.

I want to build a 40m QRP CW rig but, for space considerations for the antenna, might go with 20m instead (would be easier to string a dipole in my attic). Do I know CW? Nope, but that's why I want to build the radio so I can listen and learn!
__________________
Calguns.net, where everyone responding to your post is a Navy Force Delta Recon 6 Sniperator.
Reply With Quote
  #762  
Old 02-14-2019, 6:09 PM
Carcassonne's Avatar
Carcassonne Carcassonne is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Northern California SF Bay Area East Bay
Posts: 4,848
iTrader: 34 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by blackandredwarrior View Post
Ok that's a little more info. Sounds like you're looking at digital modes in 2m/70cm band. ...
I am looking more towards 10M band. I read that there are some Winlink stations on 10M, but I do not know if they are in Northern California.

I need a frequency/band that I can use in the mountains or middle of B.F.Egypt. As far as I know 2M and 70cm will not work in the mountains.
__________________
Be sure to ask your doctor if depression, rectal bleeding, and suicide are right for you.

In the United States a person's expertise on a subject is inversely proportional to their knowledge of the subject: The less they know about something, the more they become an expert on it.

I am being held hostage in a giant insane asylum called Earth.
Reply With Quote
  #763  
Old 02-25-2019, 8:21 AM
INFIDEL151's Avatar
INFIDEL151 INFIDEL151 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: COMMIEFORNIA
Posts: 625
iTrader: 40 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by NapalmCheese View Post
KM6xxx
South Bay
Tech
Just a UV-5R with a couple of antennas in 2m and 440.

I sometimes hang out on the Charlie repeater, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of traffic.

I want to build a 40m QRP CW rig but, for space considerations for the antenna, might go with 20m instead (would be easier to string a dipole in my attic). Do I know CW? Nope, but that's why I want to build the radio so I can listen and learn!
Get a magnetic loop antenna, small and portable. Like an MFJ 1788.
Reply With Quote
  #764  
Old 02-25-2019, 3:43 PM
Spyder's Avatar
Spyder Spyder is offline
Honorary MLC
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: In a shack, in the woods
Posts: 16,091
iTrader: 126 / 100%
Default

Guess I should start reading up here. Just ordered an Icom 5100 to put in my truck.
Reply With Quote
  #765  
Old 02-25-2019, 3:46 PM
NapalmCheese's Avatar
NapalmCheese NapalmCheese is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: San Jose
Posts: 5,840
iTrader: 4 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by INFIDEL151 View Post
Get a magnetic loop antenna, small and portable. Like an MFJ 1788.
Yeah, I need to do a little more research but a mag loop seems to fit the bill. I'll check out the 1788.
__________________
Calguns.net, where everyone responding to your post is a Navy Force Delta Recon 6 Sniperator.
Reply With Quote
  #766  
Old 02-25-2019, 9:09 PM
BillyGoatCrawler's Avatar
BillyGoatCrawler BillyGoatCrawler is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Northern Ca
Posts: 2,583
iTrader: 3 / 100%
Default

I have a Yaesu FTM-100dr in my truck that I like. I got it used on eBay about a year ago. Makes for a good 2m/70cm rig with APRS for relatively cheap.
__________________
Kunar Prov, A'stan '08-'09, 1-26 INF
Reply With Quote
  #767  
Old 03-07-2019, 10:34 AM
POLICESTATE's Avatar
POLICESTATE POLICESTATE is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 18,183
iTrader: 25 / 100%
Default

Question for my fellow gun-but HAMs. I live in an HOA that bans antennas. I'm thinking about two options.

Strap one to the outside of my chimney (which I do not use) on the back of the house where it cannot be seen from the front or sides. I would mount it such that the antenna rises about 12" or so above the top of the chimney and since it would be slim at that point should be unseen by anyone and should not affect propagation.

Or just go with the attic route. I have a very highly-peaked roof, and since my main HVAC unit sits in the middle of the attic I could just use a magmount and use the HVAC unit as a ground plane for the antenna. My roof is not lined with foil or anything like that, just wood and asphalt shingle.

The attic route would mean a much shorter feed line run, I would say about 75 feet or so to my rig. The chimney route would be loooong. Probably way too long to make it worth it just to get one outside.

The antenna in question is a Comet dual band 2m/70cm I've had for a long time that I do not use anymore because it's longer than I would like on my car. It's about 5 feet in length, I'd say about 3.6dB gain on 2m and 7dB or so on 70cm.

What do y'all think?
__________________
-POLICESTATE,
In the name of the State, and of the School, and of the Infallible Science


If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.


Government Official Lies
. F r e e d o m . D i e s .
Reply With Quote
  #768  
Old 03-07-2019, 10:38 AM
bluenoise's Avatar
bluenoise bluenoise is offline
Maker of Sound
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Norther
Posts: 14,975
iTrader: 3 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by POLICESTATE View Post
Question for my fellow gun-but HAMs. I live in an HOA that bans antennas. I'm thinking about two options.

Strap one to the outside of my chimney (which I do not use) on the back of the house where it cannot be seen from the front or sides. I would mount it such that the antenna rises about 12" or so above the top of the chimney and since it would be slim at that point should be unseen by anyone and should not affect propagation.

Or just go with the attic route. I have a very highly-peaked roof, and since my main HVAC unit sits in the middle of the attic I could just use a magmount and use the HVAC unit as a ground plane for the antenna. My roof is not lined with foil or anything like that, just wood and asphalt shingle.

The attic route would mean a much shorter feed line run, I would say about 75 feet or so to my rig. The chimney route would be loooong. Probably way too long to make it worth it just to get one outside.

The antenna in question is a Comet dual band 2m/70cm I've had for a long time that I do not use anymore because it's longer than I would like on my car. It's about 5 feet in length, I'd say about 3.6dB gain on 2m and 7dB or so on 70cm.

What do y'all think?
I'd try in the attic first and then move to the roof, if it doesn't work well enough in the attic.

Are you looking for simplex range, or are you having trouble hitting all the repeaters you want to hit?
__________________
bluenoiseise.........Click HERE to support the CRPA Foundation
lllllllllllllllllllllll..........by shopping Amazon.com
<img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/bluenoise/spatula_small.jpg border=0 alt= />....."Socialism, in general, has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it." -Thomas Sowell
Reply With Quote
  #769  
Old 03-07-2019, 10:44 AM
POLICESTATE's Avatar
POLICESTATE POLICESTATE is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 18,183
iTrader: 25 / 100%
Default

Mostly for working machines in the area, I can't hit downtown Dallas from my car parked in the driveway mainly because I'm screened off by houses and horizon a little, but getting an antenna up about 20 feet off the ground or so will likely do the trick. There are other machines as well, always other machines.

Simplex is nice if folks are close, but as I become more active and join clubs/races and now that I've got my new call without the dreaded California "6" in it I don't feel shy about getting on the air again
__________________
-POLICESTATE,
In the name of the State, and of the School, and of the Infallible Science


If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.


Government Official Lies
. F r e e d o m . D i e s .
Reply With Quote
  #770  
Old 03-07-2019, 10:48 AM
POLICESTATE's Avatar
POLICESTATE POLICESTATE is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 18,183
iTrader: 25 / 100%
Default

But to your point, yeah I think the attic route is the better route, mainly to keep the line shorter and thus the signal loss. I might even one day construct something bigger and hang it from the rafter, the upper-most peak of the roof is probably 15-16' off the floor of the attic so I have a LOT of space to work with.
__________________
-POLICESTATE,
In the name of the State, and of the School, and of the Infallible Science


If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.


Government Official Lies
. F r e e d o m . D i e s .
Reply With Quote
  #771  
Old 03-07-2019, 11:16 AM
bluenoise's Avatar
bluenoise bluenoise is offline
Maker of Sound
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Norther
Posts: 14,975
iTrader: 3 / 100%
Default

Once you go HF, then you'll have antenna/HOA issues.

You could go with the "antenna disguised as a flagpole" route in that case. Who in Texas would block you from putting up a flagpole?
__________________
bluenoiseise.........Click HERE to support the CRPA Foundation
lllllllllllllllllllllll..........by shopping Amazon.com
<img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/bluenoise/spatula_small.jpg border=0 alt= />....."Socialism, in general, has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it." -Thomas Sowell
Reply With Quote
  #772  
Old 03-07-2019, 12:11 PM
kemasa's Avatar
kemasa kemasa is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Ventura County, CA
Posts: 10,706
iTrader: 6 / 100%
Default

Try the attic first. You can go up in the attic with a magmount and a battery to run the radio (just don't be too close to the antenna, especially at high power). See how it works and go from there. You could also do the same thing with the chimney, but realize that while you think that they can't see it, that doesn't mean that they won't see it. If somehow they see it, then you can have a problem.
__________________
Kemasa.
False signature edited by Paul: Banned from the FFL forum due to being rude and insulting. Doing this continues his abuse.

Don't tell someone to read the rules he wrote or tell him that he is wrong.

Never try to teach a pig to sing. You waste your time and you annoy the pig. - Robert A. Heinlein

Last edited by kemasa; 03-07-2019 at 12:32 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #773  
Old 03-07-2019, 12:22 PM
POLICESTATE's Avatar
POLICESTATE POLICESTATE is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 18,183
iTrader: 25 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bluenoise View Post
Once you go HF, then you'll have antenna/HOA issues.

You could go with the "antenna disguised as a flagpole" route in that case. Who in Texas would block you from putting up a flagpole?
Yeah I'm not going to go HF, I don't have that kind of time, I'm just starting to come up to speed on IRLP and Allstar. Those will keep me busy for a while.

I can put up ONE flagpole, and I can fly ONE flag from it at a time. 20' flag pole would be nice. I would want to fly USA flag and Texas flag together but that is not allowed. Not sure how folks would take to me flying just the Texas flag alone. I guess I would figure out who the liberals are real quick though.


Quote:
Originally Posted by kemasa View Post
Try the attic first. You can go up in the attic with a magmount and a battery to run the radio (just don't be too close to the radio). See how it works and go from there. You could also do the same thing with the chimney, but realize that while you think that they can't see it, that doesn't mean that they won't see it. If somehow they see it, then you can have a problem.
Yeah that's what I'm going to need to do, just try it out, fortunately I have a mobile unit I use with rental cars and I can take that up there and the magmount with it and I have power up there and all that. I have plenty of space to stay for enough away when transmitting, though in my car the antenna is probably 6 feet away from the front seat and 2 feet from the back but whatever haha.

I was looking at the chimney, it's not brick, it's wood siding because it's one of those crappy gas fireplaces so not rated for real fire. Because of this though I can mount the antenna such that is sits just inside the trim and I have no HOA neighbors behind me. The folks on the sides of me are cool and people behind my property on the sidewalk (which is really rare) would be too far away to see it. I could even spray paint it to match the siding color.

My biggest issue with that location though is the length of the feed line going back to my HAM "shack" on the other side of the house. It would be at least 100 feet to snake it around all the right places to make the trip.
__________________
-POLICESTATE,
In the name of the State, and of the School, and of the Infallible Science


If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.


Government Official Lies
. F r e e d o m . D i e s .
Reply With Quote
  #774  
Old 03-07-2019, 12:34 PM
kemasa's Avatar
kemasa kemasa is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Ventura County, CA
Posts: 10,706
iTrader: 6 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by POLICESTATE View Post
Yeah that's what I'm going to need to do, just try it out, fortunately I have a mobile unit I use with rental cars and I can take that up there and the magmount with it and I have power up there and all that. I have plenty of space to stay for enough away when transmitting, though in my car the antenna is probably 6 feet away from the front seat and 2 feet from the back but whatever haha.
The difference with the vehicle is that the antenna is outside and is separated by metal, which blocks the RF.
__________________
Kemasa.
False signature edited by Paul: Banned from the FFL forum due to being rude and insulting. Doing this continues his abuse.

Don't tell someone to read the rules he wrote or tell him that he is wrong.

Never try to teach a pig to sing. You waste your time and you annoy the pig. - Robert A. Heinlein
Reply With Quote
  #775  
Old 03-07-2019, 2:58 PM
POLICESTATE's Avatar
POLICESTATE POLICESTATE is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 18,183
iTrader: 25 / 100%
Default

I have a shorter antenna and there is the glass, but the tip of the antenna is still above the roof line a little bit. Trunk mounted. Not so sure about the back seat but I don't talk on the radio when I have family in the car anyway so all should be well.
__________________
-POLICESTATE,
In the name of the State, and of the School, and of the Infallible Science


If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.


Government Official Lies
. F r e e d o m . D i e s .
Reply With Quote
  #776  
Old 03-07-2019, 11:19 PM
BillCA's Avatar
BillCA BillCA is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 3,821
iTrader: 4 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bluenoise View Post
Once you go HF, then you'll have antenna/HOA issues.

You could go with the "antenna disguised as a flagpole" route in that case. Who in Texas would block you from putting up a flagpole?

For those HF operators with HOA issues, this "invsi-tenna" might be a good solution. Essentially an antenna woven into a sunshade. Clever idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIwmfqK4jJM


For VHF uses, there are "stealth" antennas like these.
https://shop.heathkit.com/shop/produ...pipetennatm-10

Last edited by BillCA; 03-07-2019 at 11:31 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #777  
Old 03-08-2019, 4:01 PM
Carcassonne's Avatar
Carcassonne Carcassonne is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Northern California SF Bay Area East Bay
Posts: 4,848
iTrader: 34 / 100%
Default

March is Yaesu month at Ham Radio Outlet if anyone is interested.

https://www.hamradio.com/



.
__________________
Be sure to ask your doctor if depression, rectal bleeding, and suicide are right for you.

In the United States a person's expertise on a subject is inversely proportional to their knowledge of the subject: The less they know about something, the more they become an expert on it.

I am being held hostage in a giant insane asylum called Earth.
Reply With Quote
  #778  
Old 03-08-2019, 5:45 PM
GlockN'Roll's Avatar
GlockN'Roll GlockN'Roll is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: SOUTHERN CAL
Posts: 3,405
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

For mobile/UHF/VHF, I chose the Yaesu FTM 400xdr for its' wealth of features, including APRS, dual VFO, altimeter,compass, gps, Fusion digital...


http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd...5&isArchived=0

I also use it indoors with a Dual band Diamond antenna.

Very happy with the performance and features.


For HF, I went with the ICOM 7300 and a OCF dipole antenna.

Seriously considered the PT-991a, because it was smaller and includes HF/VHF/UHF.




http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd...5&isArchived=0


Ultimately went with the IC7300 as it has a much nicer screen and waterfall scope.




Listening to a Washington state net on the IC7300 right now.
http://icomamerica.com/en/products/a...0/default.aspx


Also very satisfied with it.
__________________

Discreet, Legal Carry in 37 States...
Reply With Quote
  #779  
Old 03-18-2019, 1:13 PM
POLICESTATE's Avatar
POLICESTATE POLICESTATE is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 18,183
iTrader: 25 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carcassonne View Post
March is Yaesu month at Ham Radio Outlet if anyone is interested.

https://www.hamradio.com/



.

I took full advantage, bought a FTM-7250 for my office desk and for road trips in rental cars, and a FT-70D HT.

__________________
-POLICESTATE,
In the name of the State, and of the School, and of the Infallible Science


If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.


Government Official Lies
. F r e e d o m . D i e s .
Reply With Quote
  #780  
Old 03-18-2019, 1:29 PM
POLICESTATE's Avatar
POLICESTATE POLICESTATE is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 18,183
iTrader: 25 / 100%
Default

So back to the attic antenna thing. I looked at a lot of options, and a lot of HAM forums and FB groups dedicated to amateur radio.

#1 I am not the only one who has to resort to this
#2 If you don't have a metal roof, or a Radiant Barrier it can work pretty well if all you've got is plywood and asphalt shingles like I do.
#3 There are more opinions about grounding in this circumstances than you might think

There is a repeater west of my house a bit, I can hit it with my car parked in the driveway with a Comet SSB-5 antenna but it's parked on the east side of the house so it's got all that house and the stuff in it to transmit through. It's not a full-quieting reception but it's usable.

Putting a mag-mount Tram antenna in the attic and using with my Yaesu FT-60 HT gets me better reception.

So after looking at various antenna systems, and also (of course) considering to build my own I settled on a Diamond X-50A (SO-239 connector). It's 66" long, I was tempted to go with the X-200A which is 8 feet but the price jumped a bit for not a whole lot of gain and the X-300A at 10 feet would only have about 6-8" clearance from the peak of the roof and I didn't want to deal with that.

75 feet of LMR-400 cable from ABR industries run down the wall in my office and around the wall to wear my Yaesu FTP-7250 is sitting on the corner of my desk. I used a 1.25" black iron pipe bolted into a 2x6 which is in-turn supported by a 2x4 and anchored into the support of the roof.

I have about 15 feet of slack in the cable so if I feel like I want to move the antenna at some point I have plenty of options.

Hooked everything up, and tested SWR:
At 5 watts testing various freqs from 144-148 and 430-450 I got no higher than 1.1:1

At 50 watts testing 2m and 70cm I got no higher than about a 1.4:1 in the 70cm side but most of that was 1.2:1 and the 2m side was under 1.2:1 or under.

Signal report on the repeater was loud & clear at 5 watts.

Now comes the time-consuming, but fun exercise of running through more machines further and further away to see what kind of distance I can get.

__________________
-POLICESTATE,
In the name of the State, and of the School, and of the Infallible Science


If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.


Government Official Lies
. F r e e d o m . D i e s .
Reply With Quote
  #781  
Old 03-22-2019, 5:19 PM
Old Marine Old Marine is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 768
iTrader: 33 / 100%
Default

sub'd

cause I don't have enough expensive hobbies started in the name of what if...…………..
Reply With Quote
  #782  
Old 03-22-2019, 6:42 PM
RudyN's Avatar
RudyN RudyN is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Santa Clara County
Posts: 2,276
iTrader: 3 / 100%
Default

I have a two story house and have a 2m/440 J pole in the den closet. In the attic I have a dipole. The dipole is not as good as my vertical that was on the roof, but I had problems with the HOA so it came down. I have a much better vertical in the garage and may put that one up some day.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
__________________
Rudy N
NRA BENEFACTOR MEMBER
CRPA MEMBER
Reply With Quote
  #783  
Old 03-28-2019, 10:29 AM
Carcassonne's Avatar
Carcassonne Carcassonne is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Northern California SF Bay Area East Bay
Posts: 4,848
iTrader: 34 / 100%
Default

Heads up.

California's new sales tax law takes effect in 4 days. Any out-of-state companies who do $100,000 worth of sales to California residence OR more than 20 sales to California have to start charging sales tax (figure 10%).

Anyone looking to get a high dollar ham radio may want to purchase it now from Gigaparts.

Icom also has a rebate going on until March 31.


.
__________________
Be sure to ask your doctor if depression, rectal bleeding, and suicide are right for you.

In the United States a person's expertise on a subject is inversely proportional to their knowledge of the subject: The less they know about something, the more they become an expert on it.

I am being held hostage in a giant insane asylum called Earth.

Last edited by Carcassonne; 03-28-2019 at 10:32 AM..
Reply With Quote
  #784  
Old 03-28-2019, 12:30 PM
Carcassonne's Avatar
Carcassonne Carcassonne is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Northern California SF Bay Area East Bay
Posts: 4,848
iTrader: 34 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by POLICESTATE View Post

If those straps holding your ducts are metal and in increments of 1/2 wave length of the frequency you are transmitting you might get reflections which will do funky things to the radiation pattern. You may want to connect them all together with a wire (and maybe ground them) so there is less chance of reflection. The aluminum foil on the duct may act as a connector. Check with a multimeter.

You could make a simple vertical dipole out of bare copper wire and hang it from a beam with a weight on the bottom. Make one for 2M and one for 70CM and put a frequency splitter (or whatever it is called) to send the signal to the appropriate antenna. The feed line (usually coax) needs to be at 90 degrees from the dipole for at least a certain length; I can't remember, but I think it is 1/2 wave length.


.
__________________
Be sure to ask your doctor if depression, rectal bleeding, and suicide are right for you.

In the United States a person's expertise on a subject is inversely proportional to their knowledge of the subject: The less they know about something, the more they become an expert on it.

I am being held hostage in a giant insane asylum called Earth.

Last edited by Carcassonne; 03-28-2019 at 12:32 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #785  
Old 03-28-2019, 1:02 PM
Carcassonne's Avatar
Carcassonne Carcassonne is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Northern California SF Bay Area East Bay
Posts: 4,848
iTrader: 34 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GlockN'Roll View Post
...
Ultimately went with the IC7300 as it has a much nicer screen and waterfall scope.

Also very satisfied with it.
I am going to try out "Ham Radio Deluxe" to get the benefit of a large screen on a mobile radio.

https://www.hamradiodeluxe.com/


.
__________________
Be sure to ask your doctor if depression, rectal bleeding, and suicide are right for you.

In the United States a person's expertise on a subject is inversely proportional to their knowledge of the subject: The less they know about something, the more they become an expert on it.

I am being held hostage in a giant insane asylum called Earth.
Reply With Quote
  #786  
Old 04-22-2019, 8:33 PM
GlockN'Roll's Avatar
GlockN'Roll GlockN'Roll is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: SOUTHERN CAL
Posts: 3,405
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carcassonne View Post


I am going to try out "Ham Radio Deluxe" to get the benefit of a large screen on a mobile radio.

https://www.hamradiodeluxe.com/


.

Any updates on HRD?
__________________

Discreet, Legal Carry in 37 States...
Reply With Quote
  #787  
Old 04-22-2019, 8:42 PM
Harley Hound Harley Hound is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: The Gem State
Posts: 223
iTrader: 1 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GlockN'Roll View Post
Any updates on HRD?
It's well worth the money, i use it all the time.
__________________
Chuck
Reply With Quote
  #788  
Old 05-17-2019, 3:54 PM
Carcassonne's Avatar
Carcassonne Carcassonne is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Northern California SF Bay Area East Bay
Posts: 4,848
iTrader: 34 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GlockN'Roll View Post
Any updates on HRD?
No, I don't even have an antenna yet

Here is some free software similar to HRD.

https://www.dxlabsuite.com/


Here is some for Android and iPhones apps (not free).

http://www.wolphi.com/



.
__________________
Be sure to ask your doctor if depression, rectal bleeding, and suicide are right for you.

In the United States a person's expertise on a subject is inversely proportional to their knowledge of the subject: The less they know about something, the more they become an expert on it.

I am being held hostage in a giant insane asylum called Earth.
Reply With Quote
  #789  
Old 05-17-2019, 4:23 PM
GlockN'Roll's Avatar
GlockN'Roll GlockN'Roll is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: SOUTHERN CAL
Posts: 3,405
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carcassonne View Post


No, I don't even have an antenna yet

Here is some free software similar to HRD.

https://www.dxlabsuite.com/


Here is some for Android and iPhones apps (not free).

http://www.wolphi.com/



.

What antennas are you considering?


There are a lot of great options out there, depending on your budget, of course.


__________________

Discreet, Legal Carry in 37 States...
Reply With Quote
  #790  
Old 05-19-2019, 9:58 AM
Carcassonne's Avatar
Carcassonne Carcassonne is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Northern California SF Bay Area East Bay
Posts: 4,848
iTrader: 34 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GlockN'Roll View Post
What antennas are you considering?
An inverted V wire antenna for 30M and 20M. I also need a 1:1 current balun.



.
__________________
Be sure to ask your doctor if depression, rectal bleeding, and suicide are right for you.

In the United States a person's expertise on a subject is inversely proportional to their knowledge of the subject: The less they know about something, the more they become an expert on it.

I am being held hostage in a giant insane asylum called Earth.
Reply With Quote
  #791  
Old 01-25-2020, 11:55 AM
GlockN'Roll's Avatar
GlockN'Roll GlockN'Roll is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: SOUTHERN CAL
Posts: 3,405
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carcassonne View Post

An inverted V wire antenna for 30M and 20M. I also need a 1:1 current balun.



.
I went with a DX40 from radio wavz.

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-008370

It is a good cheap way to cover a lot of bands easily...
__________________

Discreet, Legal Carry in 37 States...
Reply With Quote
  #792  
Old 05-12-2020, 9:09 PM
Uxi's Avatar
Uxi Uxi is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,155
iTrader: 2 / 100%
Default

After 6 years of a General license finally ordered a KX3 instead of just playing with HTs.

Thus never gave antenna setups as much thought as I am now... Going to want 80m and 40m for sure and probably 160 though I don't want it super duper obvious from the street what I'm up to. lol.

That and grounding are my biggest concerns. Then I'll be in the attic running some coax.
__________________
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." -- Thomas Jefferson

9mm + 5.56mm =
.45ACP + 7.62 NATO =
10mm + 6.8 SPC =


Et Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis; Jn 1:14
Reply With Quote
  #793  
Old 05-13-2020, 4:41 AM
bluenoise's Avatar
bluenoise bluenoise is offline
Maker of Sound
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Norther
Posts: 14,975
iTrader: 3 / 100%
Default

Congratulations!
__________________
bluenoiseise.........Click HERE to support the CRPA Foundation
lllllllllllllllllllllll..........by shopping Amazon.com
<img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/bluenoise/spatula_small.jpg border=0 alt= />....."Socialism, in general, has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it." -Thomas Sowell
Reply With Quote
  #794  
Old 05-13-2020, 7:28 AM
DolphinFan DolphinFan is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,458
iTrader: 4 / 100%
Default

KN6***
Passed Technician in October 2019, Passed General January 2020.
Using an AnyTone 578III Pro with Comet CX333 antenna mounted at 23’-33’
HF rig is a Club borrowed Yaesu 757 and matching tuner. The antenna is home made inverted V in 20 & 40 meters on a 21’ mast at 23’-44. It has not been analyzed and I get out all over the place with 100w or less.
I will get before the coupons expire is an ICOM 7300. I’d like to get a Comet 250B but am continually told it is a dummy load. I will eventually get an Elecraft KX3 for SOTA activations
I may make an end fed hiding it inside the mast.
Right now it looks like a Christmas tree with wires and insulators coming off on different sides.
It is made from old speaker wire, insulators are made from PVC with nylon string.
I am a member of:
ARRL
PAPA Systems
GLAARG, VE
OMISS
YL SYSTEMS
SO CAL SOTA

I hope to pass my Extra before the question pool changes June 30
Reply With Quote
  #795  
Old 05-13-2020, 11:47 AM
Humboldt Leatherneck's Avatar
Humboldt Leatherneck Humboldt Leatherneck is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Up in the hills, above the beach in the foggy redwoods
Posts: 433
iTrader: 1 / 100%
Default

For those newer Hams, you can make your own antennas instead of buying commercial made ones.

It helps if you have reference material for designs, such as books put out by the ARRL.



Or there is a website for amateur radio AC6V . com that has an antenna homebrew page. They list several "stealth antenna" projects there. Be aware that it is an older website, so some of the links don't work anymore...

http://ac6v.com/antprojects.php

A home brew 2 meter colinear J-Pole, and a 4 element 2 meter quad made from simple materials. The J-Pole is made from 3/4 inch copper pipe, and the 4 element quad boom is 1 inch PVC pipe with a wooden dowel inside for rigid support, and the spreaders are from 3/8 inch wooden dowels.



For almost all of my many HF wire antennas/ dipoles, full wave loops, delta loops, etc., I use 450 ohm ladder line (balanced feed line) thru antenna tuners. That way an antenna built for a fundamental frequency on 160 or 80/ 75 meters, can be used for all of the HF bands up thru 29 Mhz.
__________________
Member of the N.R.A., Marine Corps League, and American Legion.
Reply With Quote
  #796  
Old 08-02-2020, 3:28 PM
GlassJax GlassJax is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Modesto
Posts: 94
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

KN6HAG - general

My son got his Tech at the same time this last January

Just using a small handheld Baofeng with a homemade 1/4 wave ground plane antenna that allows us to open up all the local repeaters. From here in Modesto, my son talks with people from Fresno to Sacramento. He even has a contact from London, England who was on the Mount Oso repeater via EchoLink
Reply With Quote
  #797  
Old 08-03-2020, 8:30 PM
Uxi's Avatar
Uxi Uxi is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,155
iTrader: 2 / 100%
Default

Spent a week in Sequoia with the KX3 at about 6000'. 20 meter was pretty sparse but 40 meter was kicking. Too bad my camp site had critters with especially voracious appetites this year and my bug spray wasn't quite up to snuff for night CQ. QRP was still challenging, too... mostly because alot of the hams on the HF don't seem to ever want to shut up and kept on yammering, so I'd tried another station and then by the time I got back they would be gone.

At home, planning on a fan dipole hopefully to cover at least 10, 20, 40, and 80. I'll leave 160 and maybe 80 for another project.
__________________
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." -- Thomas Jefferson

9mm + 5.56mm =
.45ACP + 7.62 NATO =
10mm + 6.8 SPC =


Et Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis; Jn 1:14

Last edited by Uxi; 08-04-2020 at 8:44 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #798  
Old 08-04-2020, 1:29 AM
wiyakpa wiyakpa is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 6
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

Ft8 has been decent lately also

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #799  
Old 10-13-2020, 10:23 AM
emtmark's Avatar
emtmark emtmark is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South of Gilroy CA
Posts: 2,494
iTrader: 12 / 100%
Default

KN6FLM



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________
I know what this man needs.............bring me the vodka
Reply With Quote
  #800  
Old 10-13-2020, 10:37 AM
bluenoise's Avatar
bluenoise bluenoise is offline
Maker of Sound
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Norther
Posts: 14,975
iTrader: 3 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by emtmark View Post
KN6FLM



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Congratulations and welcome, Mark!
__________________
bluenoiseise.........Click HERE to support the CRPA Foundation
lllllllllllllllllllllll..........by shopping Amazon.com
<img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/bluenoise/spatula_small.jpg border=0 alt= />....."Socialism, in general, has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it." -Thomas Sowell
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 9:56 PM.




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Proudly hosted by GeoVario the Premier 2A host.
Calguns.net, the 'Calguns' name and all associated variants and logos are ® Trademark and © Copyright 2002-2021, Calguns.net an Incorporated Company All Rights Reserved.
All opinions, statements and remarks made by Calguns.net on this web site and elsewhere are solely attributable to Calguns.net.



Seams2SewBySusy