Just to make things easier, the true HAM RADIO discussions will remain here for licensed users. GMRS, FRS, LTE, CB, NOAA, Satellite and other non-HAM scanners, receivers and transceivers will be moved to a different area to consolidate all those threads into a different area. While GMRS has some application in the HAM discussions, dedicated GRMS radio discussions will be in the other area as they don't actually require 'testing' for a license or have various levels of license. Just trying... Read more ..read more

I built an 8-element dual band cubical quad antenna for 2m & 70cm. I finished it this morning and will be putting it on the tower mast at 30' tomorrow afternoon when a fellow ham is available to lower and raise the tower. Should be interesting to see what sort of reach this baby has with its 13.8 Db calculated gain. I'll be checking its performance with my 5W dual band Wouxun HT as well as my 50W Yaesu FT-8800 in the shack. Details to follow. Here are a few pics before it goes up. The boom... Read more ..read more

I have Tentec 40/20 QRP transceiver. I was checking the power out and found that the rig will light a 12 volt bulb Bright on 40 but very dim on 20 meters. I am 91 no longer have any test equipment. Why so dim on 20 and bright on 40 meters ..read more

i was inspecting a tower and just wanted to show the importance of properly wrapping tape. you can see a water bubble on the top wrap ..read more

Yes its surprising how morse is gaining popularity again, i am still re learning it after 50 years idle. I have been teaching some introductory classes for the boy scouts and Camp JJ ( a special needs childrens camp) Its fun seeing the kids faces when after a few short lessons recognize their name in morse code from a practice oscillator. When you explain and show them apps on their phone they can practice with. They just need to choose a coding buddy to chat with. I did however caution... Read more ..read more

This last week since I retired has me thinking of things in the dim past. Some should stay there, others have lessons to be learned. I was assigned to a USAF-R Wing as NCOIC of Comm One of the first issues that came my way was an issue with the command post HF radio system. They alleged the antenna was broken keeping them from contacting the aircraft. I looked at the antenna and stated, nope, that's not it. it was the '160 meter' element that had an issue, and we were not using any... Read more ..read more

Hi all, I started getting into ham over 35 years ago then my life changed directions, now I'm back. I'm taking my technician exam later this week and have a 2m/70cm radio set on order. I'm interested in making some antennas (for up at camp, house, & portable, etc) and wondering what at minimum equipment I'll need for tuning and analyzing them. As far as budget it's super tight. I was hoping for recommendations on kits that I can build on a budget. Any help is appreciated. Thanks... Read more ..read more

Any Hams here who check into HF nets? If so, what you using? Me? Georgia Single Side Band Net at 6pm EST on 3.975 MHz Georgia Traffic and Emergency Net 6:15 on 3.9825 MHz Alabama Traffic Net Mic at 6:30 pm EST on 3.965 MHz Georgia CW Training Net at 9pm EST on 3.549 MHz Using a Yaesu 3000 to drive a Yaesu FL2100B to about 500 watts out into a G5RV at 40 feet. Tuner is Palstar AT2KD ..read more

5 elements on 2 meter and 10 elements on FRM/GMRS for direction finding. This was definitely not a $20 half-hour project like other tape measure beams on youtube. I'm $105 and 2 days into this and still need to do the feed points/matching, balun, diplexer and switchable attenuator. My first problem came when the 4-way PVC adapters had an internal shoulder and a few elements would be too close for the entire adapter. You think i could find a 1 1/16 drill bit in town? Nope. Had to find an old... Read more ..read more

I used to be bigtime into CB when I drove big rigs. Like everyone else, I've been through a slew of radios. After I got out of driving, I bought an RCI 2995 for yakking with guys on the road and offering them good deals on great eats from my restaurant. I moved my whole rig home after we closed and set my Imaxx 2000 up on a hill. Between the sun and the wind, the top section snapped off right at its base. I haven't used it in years because as anyone who uses or monitors 11 meters knows... Read more ..read more