Is it common for people to not respond on repeaters? I’ve tried talking on multiple local repeaters for several days and no response. Only comms I’ve heard was during a net which was pretty cool. I can’t find any local facebook pages for my area to coordinate with people.

Hey! Basically I have only gotten my licence in the last week and today was my first time on the air. I was using a 20w xiegu and a battery on a portable setup in the middle of nowhere.

I found a quiet frequency and started calling CQ over and over. I sat in the cold for 1.5 hours and had managed to make just a SINGLE contact over in Midwest US (I'm in Scotland).

Is it normal to get this few contacts or am I doing something wrong?

Worked Europe and the UK plus South America with less then 100w and a wire J-pole from North Central Wi. My radio is a 42yo TS-930s. Im amazed at propagation and quality Kenwood gear. Just a great day!

I want to get into HF but unsure what equipment I need. Obviously I need the transceiver but at what point do you get the power supply and what kind of antenna is needed? Do I need anything besides those three (mic too)

Edit: what kind of power supply will power nearly all? So I could just buy once. Also what websites do yall use for the best deals?

Hello, would like to get your opinion on this:   

( I'm learning about back up communication for the local area (UK). I'm interested in local communications on VHF/UHF and want to buy my first receiver equipment to listen to local clubs and HAMS etc. )

I'm totally a beginner, and I'm a person who likes the retro furniture aesthetics. Would I be a fool to buy something like this over a newer item?  

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326316293850

Yaesu FRG-965 (9600) VHF/UHF Communications Receiver

Do these things hold value the same way vintage / retro furniture does?

Another issue is that I need buttons that are easy to press due to disability. Would these be easier to operate ?

Most grateful for your help.

Why would the Kenwood 890 only have 1 16w driver but the empty spot for a second driver and the other radios like icom 7600 have 2 15w drivers?

thanks

https://preview.redd.it/8wbh6dmbpxyd1.jpg?width=951&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b639f3b7e077002de79843340969a179d9847f56

https://preview.redd.it/umffyu8dpxyd1.jpg?width=3648&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b255696a5d1e38435644afefc6283f5c8ecafb87

https://preview.redd.it/ghoaslxdpxyd1.jpg?width=769&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8b988f0a6b12e25e9eff57b07fb1686c86a682fe

Hi all,

I'm Canadian and tentatively looking into the process of getting a license. I'm finding lots of study materials online and based on what I know already, I think I can pass. I'd like to know what to expect when taking the exam though, and I would ideally like to take it remotely. If that is not possible, I'll need to work out specific accommodations with the testing center.

In case this needs saying, I'm blind but I still have good access to technology using screen reading software. This means I can read plain text, but images are a lot harder (even if they are images of text). This means I can certainly study and take practice exams. However, if I'm in an unfamiliar testing center I might not have the same level of access, particularly if it is a pen and paper exam.

I looked for resources related to remote testing, and mostly found pages with specific people offering to administer them. If I did take a remote exam, as long as I was able to have a text copy of the file and fill it out using a computer, I would be more than okay with that.

Should I start reaching out to the people who I find on Google? Are there any specific resources I should be looking at? I feel like I'm very qualified to learn the material and actually internalize it, as I'm pretty interested in most of the things I'll be tested on; but I need to make sure the actual exam isn't going to be a giant pain.

Thank you in advance:)

Hello, I'm totally a beginner, I'm housebound and fairly unwell yet I am wanting to learn about back up communication for the local area (UK). I'm interested in local communications:

So does that mean not HF? whats the minimum distance on HF?

Should I only be thinking VHF? Does that mean a 60-905 Mhz receiver is the right one?

Most grateful for your help.

Does anyone have an intro guide for a total noob to the WSJT-X software? Maybe with suggestions on ‘easy’ things to do first? I bought a WSPR Receiver from ZachTek thinking this was the easiest thing to start with but got quickly lost.

I've recently been interested in Ham Radios, but I don't know where I should go to get the license

6 Land to Asia!

I bought the Technician manual a few years ago and have dragged my feet getting my license. I see that it's exam questions and answer key are good through June 30th, 2022. Would it be fine using the manual I have currently or would it be a good investment to buy the new addition?

I've been a technician ham since i was in high school, finally got my general a couple years ago and then got an HF rig. Two actually.

I purchased the FTDX1200 from a local club first. Its in great shape. I have updated all the FW.

I got the 891 off a facebook group for a smoking deal. I had to buy a tuner for this one and a few accessories but this one is great too.

I go back and forth on which one of these I should sell. The 891 is nice and compact and seems to be more in-vogue, so I assume it would be easier to sell. The 1200 is a workhorse boat anchor, seems pretty robust. If I ever have to work on it, way easier to service. Oh, and I have the box.

I'm leaning towards selling the 891 because i could probably buy something super portable (QRP) and SDR with a tuner for what i can get for the 891.

Any wisdom out there for me?

I am very interested in Ham but know absolutely nothing. Where in the absolute hell do i start? How do I learn and get licensed?

Hi all. I’m just getting started in the hobby and am hoping for a suggestion. I’ll be getting my licenses and would obviously start with just listening before transmitting... Can anyone recommend a handheld that would be a good value for starting out, longest range, that will allow me to operate with a general license? Thanks!

Been away from the hobby since covid. Used and had an IC7300, loved it, but living in Florida this year, it was destroyed along with most of my stuff, during our hurricanes.
I would like to replace it with a radio that I can use mobile maybe for Pota and use at home. Can be HF only. I’m decision paralysis due to reading so much about them, what would you recommend?

73 W4ZEE

Want some more distance lol not sure looking for budget options

Some people it seem that the Baofeng Mic is not very good and I'm looking for a suggestion.

I have a MFJ and a Yeasu microphone and the speaker/mic jack will not fit (the 2 pins are too close together). Is anyone using one of their microphones wit a Baofeng and has found an adapter?

Thanks!

I bought this g90 second hand a couple months ago and finally have some time to start using it. The problem i have is that it takes so long to tune to a frequency! A short click on the vfo knob doesnt change the tuning rate. Every manual I have found says it should adjust the tuning rate but mine seems stuck in the 10 HZ section. I cant find anywhere to adjust the function of the short click of the vfo so I have turned to reddit to help.

I factory reset the radio. The firmware is 1.74.

If anyone has any information that can help, it would be much appreciated!

I passed my Technician on the 31st of October. Spent yesterday installing my Diamond X300 on my chimney yesterday with my son in law. Fired everything up and pushed out a CQ on 146.520 and within a minute was talking to K8BO over 30 miles away. I confess, I did not expect a contact this quickly. Reached out to my local club to get involved with some experienced operators. I am also preparing for my general. This is going to be fun. KF8CMT. Cheers all!

Every time I make a cable, when I install the connector, I feel I end with both a half melted dialectric and a cold solder joint. I wonder if this is because I'm using a soldering iron without a lot of power (cheap pen style) so it takes me too long to heat up a big part, like the pin, and that means heat has enough time to reach the dialectric enough to melt it.

What soldering iron and what power or temperature should I be using? I feel I may need to go shopping here.

Please help

Like the title says...

I recently got a 12v 20ah LiFePO4 battery to use with my HF radio. I've run the radio with the battery and it works fine.

I'd like to carry the battery around in something like a large plastic ammo can, and in addition to that, I'd also like to install in the can a 12v USB car charger so I can also charge my phone, and man it would be great if I could also power a 2m/70cm radio if I want while I'm outside with the HF radio, and...

You get the idea.

Memories of that scene in Christmas Story with the plugs plugged into plugs plugged into plugs come to mind (showers of sparks every time it's touched, etc). I picture a similar fire/explosion hazard if I connect too much to this battery.

So...can a battery expert out there either warn me to not ever EVER connect more than one thing to a single battery, or tell me that I'll be fine if a few things are on one battery or...some other fate that I have not anticipated?

I'll buy another battery or two if necessary.

Thanks?

I am a ham, but this isnt exactly ham radio question. But I know peoeple here know how to install systems in vehicles. I'm installing this cellphone booster in a truck at work. Only problem it's going into an Army HUMVEE which doesn't have a cigarette plug outlet, and that's what is on the end of the power cord. It has its own on and off switch on the wire.

Should I look at cutting the male cigarett lighter end off and going right to the battery, like on my TY 9800, or add a fuse? Or maybe install a cigarette lighter in the truck itself I stead?

Thanks in advanced