Amateur/Ham Radio
///////////////////////////////////////////
Weekly Q&A Thread [12/26/2014]
Posted: 26 Dec 2014 12:02 AM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...read_12262014/
Heres your chance to ask questions that you think may have been asked
before, or that might not require their own thread.
This is a great place to get answers about choosing or operating first
radios, as these threads often get ignored due to their frequent
reappearance on the front page. Youll have lots of eyes here.
No question is a dumb question!
Upvote questions and good answers. It improves their visibility!
submitted by AutoModerator
[link] [10 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
I've always liked his stealth antenna setup using homemade open wire.
Posted: 29 Dec 2014 12:50 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...a_setup_using/
submitted by va3db
[link] [5 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Antenna building on the cheap
Posted: 29 Dec 2014 11:32 AM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio..._on_the_cheap/
hey guys,
I was strolling around walmart a couple days before christmas and I noticed
that walmart was selling some clothing line ( for drying clothes outside)
made of plastic coated galvanized steel.
At 35$ for 200ft, that seems like a great price for so much wire. But is
galvanized steel ideal for making antenna elements? submitted by
YesSirIdLikeAnother
[link] [15 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Self-spot for W100AW
Posted: 29 Dec 2014 09:20 AM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...ot_for_w100aw/
I will be operating W100AW sometime after 1pm EST today, Ill post
frequencies in this thread. Work the station and pick up some extra points
for the cenntennial challenge. submitted by Chucklz
[link] [12 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Picking up computer audio on 11 meters- how to avoid?
Posted: 29 Dec 2014 12:20 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...meters_how_to/
I was scanning 11 meters the other day and came across a curious broadcast-
it was classic rock, but I could never quite tune it in. It always sounded
just a little off frequency, fuzzy and not quite right. I tried USB and LSB
to no avail. I let me wife hear it because it sounded odd, and the most
startled look came over her face. She unplugged her headphones and turned
up the speaker audio on her laptop- it was the same thing.
First of all- how weird is that? Its not even a transmission. My only guess
its creating radio interference, and the amplitude variation has a distinct
audio signature, like, you know, AM mode radio.
Secondly- can I use a preselector or noise reducer to filter that out?
submitted by citizenoftheorionarm
[link] [6 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Humorous Coincidence
Posted: 29 Dec 2014 10:20 AM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...s_coincidence/
For Christmas I got a VHF/UHF mobile setup - a Kenwood TM-V71A with a Comet
SBB-5 antenna. Today the antenna came in the mail, and something I found
very humorous happened when I opened it.
I opened the antenna and was looking at it, messing with the fold, etc. It
is my first antenna as I am a new ham, so I was just admiring it. I started
holding it up at about the height it will sit at on my car just to see, and
our home security system alarm went off as soon as I did.
A little background: we are having a bedroom painted today, and so there
are two gentlemen painting in a different part of the house. It appears
that when drilling, they hit a wire for a smoke detector which tripped the
alarm and set off a fire alarm. However, I didnt know that at the time.
My first thought was, how in the world is this interfering with the siren
speaker if it isnt hooked up to anything?? I was holding the antenna right
beside the siren speaker (and nearly dropped it when I jumped from the
siren going off).
After a minute or two I made the connection that it must have been the
painters and went to go resolve the alarm. I know now that it had
absolutely nothing to do with the antenna, but it was a very well timed
coincidence that definitely threw me for a loop.
Also, for the rest of the story (which is also funny, now that its over)
about disarming the system despite the fact that it is broken and wouldnt
respond to any commands, check out my post in /r/homedefense. In case you
cant sense the urgency in my tone, I posted that while the siren was
actively going off. submitted by ntilley905
[link] [4 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Extra Study Materials
Posted: 29 Dec 2014 10:29 AM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...udy_materials/
Local club is starting up an Extra Course here in a couple of weeks. This
is how I did my tech and General with the help of QRZ too. Worked well.
My understanding is that the Extra material is much more difficult. This
class they are teaching with the ARRL book.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/087...TVPDKIKX 0DER
and require it.
I have read that people like the Gordon West Extra book more than the ARRL
book.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/094...TVPDKIKX 0DER
Not being huge into sitting and reading a manual to learn something
wondering on your thoughts on if both were worth getting.
While I dont have much experience or a HF radio, I thought it was good to
get the Extra while the Tech and General are still fresh in my head (Got
both in 2014), and what else am I going to do on a Tuesday night in the
winter for 7ish weeks. Thoughts? submitted by Liquidretro
[link] [8 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Any opinions on the soft66rtl?
Posted: 29 Dec 2014 11:49 AM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...the_soft66rtl/
http://zao.jp/radio/soft66rtl/
It looks like a good deal, Id like to use it for receiving 2M band
waterfalls.
It appears to have a SMA connector, does anyone know its impedance? Or
really have a suggestion for an antenna to use with it?
Perhaps with the ANT500?
http://hakshop.myshopify.com/collect...scopic-antenna
submitted by eean
[link] [5 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
I think I found a radio in my closet...
Posted: 29 Dec 2014 02:14 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio..._in_my_closet/
I recently moved into a new flat in Prague, and in my closet I found what
must have belonged to a previous tenant. Lots of radio related pins. Photos
of what I imagine was the tenant, and possibly a radio club? I really have
no idea.
Hoping some of you out there might shed some light on this or point me in
the right direction to find out more. Im incredibly curious what all this
is!
Heres an album of what I found. submitted by nefarious_n
[link] [4 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
[Reddiquette] Let's talk about upvotes and downvotes
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 06:45 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...and_downvotes/
Ive noticed in the last few weeks, it appears there are one or two users
who persistently, and fairly quickly, downvote nearly all new threads
submitted during the afternoon and evening US time. This results in the
thread dropping to 0, and often dropping quite a ways down the front page.
I suspect these users are some of our recent trolls that have been banned.
We as the moderators have the stated goal of preventing this subreddit from
becoming the quagmire of negativity and flame wars that larger ham radio
forums like QRZ and eHam have become over the last few years. So far our
efforts, but especially the efforts of our users, have been pretty
successful. This effort includes encouraging and utilizing proper
reddiquette.
Ive also noticed that comments generate dramatically higher vote counts
than most threads, and that comment voting is usually quite effective in
highlighting good comments and burying junk. When the subreddit was
smaller, this lack of upvotes on threads was not an issue, as all posts
remained visible on the front page for some time. However, as we increase
in volume, posts are often disappearing from the front page in only 12
hours, sometimes faster with this retaliatory downvoting.
As such, I would like to ask our users to make a concerted effort to upvote
topical and thoughtful threads, even if you dont directly participate in
them. if you do comment or vote on comments in a thread, then please,
please take a moment to vote on the thread itself. Its important to
maintain the quality of posts appearing on the front page, as well as
giving topical threads their fair shot.
Threads should only be downvoted when they are off topic, in violation of
our subreddit rules, or are intentionally disruptive.
With your help, we can keep /r/amateurradio a positive, helpful, and
encouraging place for all of our users. submitted by hamsterdave
[link] [27 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
UK Test Preparations
Posted: 29 Dec 2014 02:49 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio..._preparations/
Hey there. Im completely new to Amateur Radio and hoping to get my
Foundation Licence some time (Im in the UK). There isnt a club near me that
offers training, but Ive come across a few books and websites that seem to
teach everything that will be on the test. The only problem remainng being
that I have no clue how I would physicaly sit the test. Could anyone
suggest how Id be able to get my licence without the help of a club? Also,
appologies if Ive posted this in the wrong section. Thanks. submitted by
TrueJiNx
[link] [1 comment]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Got my present a couple days late.
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 08:03 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...ple_days_late/
submitted by ItsBail
[link] [10 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Funny HT problem
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 07:50 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...ny_ht_problem/
One of my HTs, a Yaesu VX177 (70cm) starts my Keurig coffee maker whenever
I key up the radio. Gotta make sure the coffee maker is turned off if the
radio is used or else youll have coffee all over the kitchen counter. Good
thing I didnt blame the wife or kid this time. submitted by Ricky50
[link] [25 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Ohm's law and a calculator
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 11:55 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio..._a_calculator/
Hi, im haveing a hard time getting ohms laws down and am takeing my test on
the 5th for tech, how do i do ohms law on a caculator?
E.X What is the voltage across a 10-ohm resistor if a current of 2 amperes
flows through it?
I Have a Sharp EL-W535 calculator
Help me understand how to do the math ? / any help grasping this stuff?
submitted by evilroots
[link] [10 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Mobile RF issue
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 10:22 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...bile_rf_issue/
I enjoy working HF from my truck when Im on the road, or simply parked
somewhere sipping a cup of coffee. Due to the nature of the truck I drive
my best HF antenna option turned out being shortie hamsticks mounted on the
West Coast mirror arms on the doors. I generally keep a 20m stick on one
door and a 40m stick on the other, with a coax switch on the floor to
switch between them. This works really, really well, with some awards to
show for it, and a long path contact to Norway in the logbook. My only real
problem with the setup is RFI. On 20m phone I found I can use my
speedometer as a modulation meter, with the needle perfectly following my
voice, though it tends to bury the needle at times, and on 40m phone my
taillights (LED) blink with my voice. Obviously RF is getting into trucks
wiring (speedo is electric) and causing these things, but preventing it
does not seem to have a good solution.
Any ideas?
(Happens with the truck running or off, no difference) submitted by
eldergeekprime
[link] [26 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Recommendations for a receiver only?
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 10:20 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...receiver_only/
Some of the older people in my ham radio club have often talked about some
of these receivers that they have... and that they receive much better than
most ham radios. They go from alllll the way down to all the way high. (I
dont know exact ranges, but I know they cover all the VHF/UHF spectrum it
seems, and I would presume a good chunk of HF too).
Are there recommendations of what to look for (affordable/cheap) that do a
good job? submitted by neocharles
[link] [13 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Ok Reddit hams, just learning and need some advice
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 04:49 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...d_some_advice/
Hello all - glad to be posting again after my first post where everyone
made me feel super welcome. Now I need some advice, if you please.
I have recently purchased a 2m J-Pole from KB9VBRs website
(https://www.jpole-antenna.com/shop/2...-pole-antenna/)
and Im looking to get that setup on my house. I have an old satellite dish
mount I could use to get it up in the air 6 feet or so, or possibly mount
it in the attic. My hamshack is in the basement so Id like to be able to
operate from it vs outside in the freezing cold or in my truck.
My big question is, what kind of cable run should I do? Im using a HT as my
first radio, a Boafeng BF-F9 which is 1-4-8 watt. I guess my big concern is
loss from the cable. Can I run 25 or 50 feet of RF58 without too much worry
or is that a bad idea? Is there a better cable to use in this case? I guess
how long I can get the cable might help me decide where its going.
Last thing - for anyone who has a roof mounted / attic antenna, how have
you gotten the cables to your destination and do you have any tips?
Thank you in advance!
73,
KE8AAN submitted by KE8AAN
[link] [12 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Yaesu VX6R display flashes twice when turning on sometimes
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 06:51 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...en_turning_on/
Hi,
So I just got myself a VX6R off eBay and I love it. Its basically new with
the box and everything. Nothing is wrong with it at all. The only thing is
that Ive noticed that occasionally when I turn it on, instead of just
having the backlight turn on once and display the voltage, it will flash
the blacklight once and then it will come back on with the voltage. There
are no other symptoms that would hint a PLL Unlocking issue. Any ideas? Ive
contacted Yaesu, and it will probably be a while before I get a response.
submitted by idoescompooters
[link] [6 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
x1m worth it?
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 08:46 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio.../x1m_worth_it/
Im looking at the x1m as an ultra low budget hf radio. My plan is to use
ham radio deluxe with it. anyone use one before or know if their worth it?
im also looking into the x-108 but its a bit more than i wanted to spend.
submitted by _T_nasty
[link] [5 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
New radio user - Legalities in Aus
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 08:03 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...lities_in_aus/
After purchasing a UV5R I was curious to find out whether it is possible
for people to tell whether you are using a >1w radio if you transmit on a
frequency used by toy walkie talkies. I am going for my license test in a
few weeks and I was just curious about how authorities can detect you.
Thanks submitted by waitingforam8
[link] [8 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Amplitude Demodulating BPSK31 with opamps.
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 04:01 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...1_with_opamps/
submitted by adx
[link] [2 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Reciprocal license from US to Germany
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 05:10 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...us_to_germany/
Hi, I was wondering if anyone here has received a reciprocal license to
work in Europe. I currently have a general class license and Ill be moving
to Germany next summer. Id like to know what kind of paperwork is required
and how soon I should request the reciprocal license. submitted by
no_fedora
[link] [12 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Advice on Entry Level Starter Rig
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 04:04 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...l_starter_rig/
I am looking to getting more involved into Ham radio besides the HT I am
currently using. I have my Gen license and want some advice on an entry
level Rig. I would like to be able to work the US or with favorable
conditions internationally, so possibly an HF Rig. I would prefer not
spending a boat load of cash, a used rig less than $250-300. Any Thoughts?
Thanks. submitted by Outspoken_Peasant
[link] [10 comments]
///////////////////////////////////////////
Issue tuning 40m Hamstick Dipole
Posted: 28 Dec 2014 04:14 PM PST
http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio...mstick_dipole/
I have gotten a pair of MFJ hamsticks for 40m and was going to set it up
into a dipole on top of a PVC pipe that I use for 2m and 440. I set it up
with the whips all of the way out, but was unable to find a resonant
frequency. No matter how close or far out the whips were, there was no SWR
under 10:1. Does anyone have an idea on how to troubleshoot this? I know
the analyzer is working, since I tested it on an Alpha antenna right
before. submitted by daisy055
[link] [6 comments]