Ham Radio - Blog Posts

I recently bought a Moonraker 80m - 6m antenna, thinking I could mount it onto the same conduit pipe that I mounted my 2m antenna on. What i learned is that the conduit pipe is in no way suitable for a large, heavy antenna, and could break under the antenna's weight. Guy wires are also a must with the Moonraker.

Had to meet a client the other day and when we were done talking about work he asked me if I like my mobile radio. The next 50 minutes went pretty fast, talking about antennas.

Backs are printed!

Frames completed after 17.5 hours.

All done printing the faceplates!

Finally!

As always, there's an adhesion issue, but at least I have it printing again. I started over after adding painter's masking tape which appears to be working...for now.

It has me pinpointed

Got it updated and connected to my phone but it's the only one in the area. Need to build a mesh

Finally figured out how to get guy's firmware to flash properly.

It has been crazy tonight on 40 meters

My homebrew 1/4 wave vertical antenna was damaged and I've had a hard time resoldering the main element back on, sooooo I'm thinking of a J-pole made from copper piping. In the planning stage just now but hopefully within a week I'll start assembly.

Images taken from Pinterest

Layer separation using the new direct drive. This is a new learning curve and I may have to change some settings.

Installed the new direct drive extruder and hot end onto the 3D printer and successfully tested the extrusion of filament. Now to start a print!

Performing 3D Printer surgery

This is the civilian version of the application of the same acronym developed by the DoD for tactical purposes. The name of the app is the same but the acronym meaning has been changed based upon differing mission sets and to meet the needs of civilians, first responders and law enforcement. As a stand-alone, this app has little use aside from that of Google earth, however, when combined with a meshed network of communication devices over multiple users, this app can become an unparalleled asset among amateur radio operators in an emergency comms environment.

Learned about the MIDCARs and the ECARs nets from a Facebook group and tuned in this morning. I was encouraged to go ahead and check in, so no need to just listen in until I feel I've learned enough about them. I heard a call for any stations to check in and I got real excited, grabbed my mic, keyed up and got that TX-Error again. I downloaded the Japanese band plan (because this radio came from Japan - see previous posts) and learned that I will not be able to transmit on frequencies above 7.200Mhz on 40 meters. It's all good, I'll just have to save up and try and get a comparable radio with similar capabilities. Meanwhile, I'll just listen in to these great nets.

I bought this Yaesu FT-897 as a gift to myself for passing the General Class exam last month. I was going to buy an antenna but decided to make one myself to learn more about them, so I made a field expedient, 1/4 wave end-fed. I had gooten into amateur radio with my dad who became a silent key nearly three years ago. After hearing the radio crackle to life with the sounds of a 40 meter net I forgot about how I wouldn't be able to use it on all amateur bands (because it's a Japanese model), and I wanted to run and tell my dad all about it. I wanted to throw my call out but I figured I'd better just listen for now. I was as excited as a boy on Christmas.

... --- ... We've all heard the dits and dahs of the morse code signal for S.O.S. ... --- ... It's been used in every type of entertainment medium. It's also the name of steel wool cleaning pads. ... --- ... S.O.S. wasn't formally adopted by the International Telecommunications Union until around 1908, so did no one need help before then? Before the ITU adopted ... --- ... there was -.-. --.- -.., or CQD. Come Quick Danger was the common call for help prior to the S.O.S. ... --- ... The radio operator aboard the Titanic had sent out various calls for help over morse code with CQD DE MGY, MGY being the callsign of the ship, before alternating between CQD and S.O.S. ... --- ... Alot folks have thought the meaning of the S.O.S. is "save our ship," or "save our souls," but the letters have no real meaning. The meaning can be found in the simplistic and easily remembered dit dit dit dah dah dah dit dit dit tones. The ITU believed that operators and listeners alike would better hear and understand the call for help. CQD lives on in amateur radio though. A general call of CQ can be heard over the airwaves for other stations to hear and respond. And now, ... --- ... you know ... --- ... the rest of the story, --. --- --- -.. -.. .- -.--!

73

Artwork by F. Allen Gilbert, 1909

If you dont hear from me...I mean....free radios

I was about to order a shelf so I could upgrade my station but remembered I had a kitchen rack I wasn't using. It'll do for now. The station is a work in progress.

My current mobile setup

ABBREE AR-780 Radio Speaker Mic: https://a.co/d/af3opVk

Baofeng BF-F8HP dual band 2 meter/70 cm, 8 watts: https://a.co/d/0W3d42g

HYS Car Suction Cup: https://a.co/d/dYjQQi5

SMA Female to SO239 Female: https://a.co/d/0iFIZCT

All parts printed and assembled to check for accuracy. Again, there's no license required for this one. Stay tuned!