In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Any Ham Radio Operators on FHC?

Discussion in 'Hobbies and Interests' started by Well Seasoned, Dec 2, 2019.

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  1. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    The wall wasn't built in a day. Eager to see continued progress from here.

    Just caught the tail end of this areas Friday night talk group. If you get digital sometime, I'll get you the contact & color code etc.
     
    Well Seasoned, Feb 28, 2020
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  2. Chaz

    Chaz

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    :yes:

    Gotta work on the laptop, gonna backup files and do a clean sweep/reinstall on it, check out various software packages and such.

    The TS590SG is computer ready and the seller sent the USB cable as well.

    I'm also planning to fix the older big screen TV with HDMI and get that into the mix.

    You doing FT8?
    What band?

    Oh, so much to do & learn.
    :):)
     
    Chaz, Feb 28, 2020
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  3. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    I don't think it's FT8, I could be wrong, and am not that familiar with it. It's not through the computer, but rather the baofeng dm-1701, switches to both digital & analogue. My closest digital repeater is on Cannon mountain (tower elev 4200ft) here in New Hampshire. Was listening to local talk group, that's over & now listening to folks from across the country & Russia. Really amazing!
     
    Well Seasoned, Feb 28, 2020
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  4. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Listening to San Diego & Lakeside California clearly, & Europe kind of distorted.
     

    Attached Files:

    Well Seasoned, Feb 28, 2020
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  5. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Setup on computer looks similar to this for digital.

    dmr_programming_code_plug-09_channels_information_update_scan_list-1038x576.png


    But For my uv5r I use chirp which is a different program
     
    Well Seasoned, Feb 28, 2020
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  6. Hoytman

    Hoytman

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    I love Kenwood equipment!
     
    Hoytman, Feb 28, 2020
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  7. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Well Seasoned are you running DMR?

    There's so many digital aspects it can be hard to nail down.

    My Baofeng can't do digital, so unless/when I go SDR, I'm not capable of DMR on VHF/UHF.

    Myself as well.

    I really looked at the Icom 4300, as it is a great machine at a great price.

    But.. I came close to a purchase of an IC-4600, and realized there are a few features on the 590 that I like vs the 4300.

    I really like having the knobs vs digital menu options.

    I like the dual antenna capability.

    I like the overall sound quality better from all the videos I've watched and listened to.

    But also.. I've always been a Kenwood or Alpine fan. Just no beating either for sound quality.

    At the end of the day, I'm in the KW for about the same price as the 4300, the only thing it lacks is the built in SDR aspects.

    But with the KW software and a laptop, I've got a heterodyne system with SDR capabilities.

    I'll be learning a lot more, and updating.

    73
     
    Chaz, Feb 28, 2020
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  8. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Yes that particular radio DMR. Have you had any luck with your vehicle antenna?
     
    Well Seasoned, Feb 29, 2020
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  9. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Not as much as one would hope.

    I can hit the same repeaters with the whip antenna.

    But I've not found anyone local (yet) to test distance off of the repeaters.

    That would be a good indicator of the antenna vs the whip antenna.
     
    Chaz, Feb 29, 2020
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  10. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Well, I apologize.
    :confused:

    I did not do a build thread.

    But I did work on the J-pole antenna today.
    I have the antenna made but need to order cable and connectors yet.

    I used this site for dimensions..

    J POLE ANTENNA DESIGN CALCULATOR by K4ABT

    A couple pics..

    Before soldering..
    20200301_154736.jpg

    Post soldering..
    20200301_172402_HDR.jpg

    Complete with end caps & all.

    I haven't sweated copper pipe in quite a while, but it went together fairly smoothly.
    :)

    Of course, I cut and fitted everything together and double checked measurements before soldering.
    :yes:

    Got aggravated today, tried to get on the repeater while out for a walk with Holly, and another op could barely make out my call sign as I was hitting so poorly.
    :confused:

    Could hear him clear as day, but I'm just not getting signal out good enough.
     
    Chaz, Mar 1, 2020
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  11. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Well Seasoned do you use echolink at all?

    Saw today where the Ham club I'm thinking of joining has an echolink node.

    Haven't looked into it much yet, but yet another option.
    :cool:
     
    Chaz, Mar 1, 2020
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  12. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    My club is on the allstar net.

    LARK Littleton Amateur Radio Klub Home


    Check out the repeater! I'm yet to go up there.... 2 million dollar insurance policy!


    Pic1.JPG Pic2.JPG Pic3.JPG Pic4.JPG Pic5.JPG Pic19.JPG
     
    Well Seasoned, Mar 1, 2020
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  13. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    I'm still learning, but once your jpole is up, you should be able to hook it up to another radio or your shack rig and turn that into the repeater. When your out walking a distance from your house, you should be loud & clear.

    Do you have a way to get swr readings when your build is complete?


    Cool man! :thumbs::thumbs:
     
    Well Seasoned, Mar 1, 2020
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  14. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Not at the moment. I'm gonna check with the club as I'm sure someone has an SWR meter that I can use.

    Supposedly having followed the instructions, this should be in the 1.5:1 range.
     
    Chaz, Mar 1, 2020
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  15. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Should be.... these things can be touchy I've heard. Good luck on your build.

    I don't have much experience sweating pipes.... I'll have to find the plans I was looking into.
     
    Well Seasoned, Mar 1, 2020
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  16. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Chaz, Mar 1, 2020
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  17. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Chaz, Mar 1, 2020
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  18. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Good stuff! Watched that, then got lost in some pink floyd for awhile.....
     
    Well Seasoned, Mar 1, 2020
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  19. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    And a climb....


    Or the ski lift
     
    Well Seasoned, Mar 1, 2020
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  20. Chaz

    Chaz

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    That happens to me often.
    :):):)
     
    Chaz, Mar 1, 2020
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