Amateur Radio FAQ

Andybrown · Jan 1, 2019

Bring back Morse Code.
73 de Old Timer

cms1528 · Jan 19, 2019

Free amateur license clasd

I thought some might be interested in attending if you want to upgrade to Extra class license...great instructor teaches this. True rocket scientist.

When: Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Starting Thursday, January 24, 2019

Where: National Electronics Museum – 1745 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD 20190

A free twelve (12) week “HAM” Radio (Amateur Radio) Extra course will be held in the National Electronics Museum Tuesday evenings, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., starting Thursday, January 24, 2019. This course is to help prepare for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Extra Class license examination. Prerequisite is the FCC General Class License. There are no Morse code requirements for this class. Though the classes are free, students are to purchase their own current ARRL Extra Class License Manual – 11th Edition (see available on-line sources listed below).

Space accommodations are limited, so please RSVP to reserve a spot in this class.

Known on-line source links for current ARRL Extra Class License Manual – 11th Edition:

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Extra-Class-...l+ham+radio+license+extra+manual+11th+edition
ARRL - http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Extra-Class-License-Manual-Spiral-Bound/
Ham Radio Outlet - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-014856
Also, available for purchase in some Barnes and Noble retail locations.
To RSVP and for additional information, please email Melenie Maule at: Melenie.Maule@ngc.com or call 410-765-0589.

gamer_jim · Jan 23, 2019

Anyone participating in the hospital net tonight?

http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/maryland-dc

Time for the monthly MDC Section HF Hospital Net (HFHN) Start time is 1900L on 3820kHz January 23, 2019 NCS is Wanda, KA3AHI, Brandywine, MD The purpose of the Net is two fold: To find out who we can touch during an actual disaster when local communications have failed. Secondly, to hold the frequency for the MD Emergency Phone Net should the need arise. You do not have to reside in the MDC Section nor associated with our hospital program, but if you are, we'd like to hear about it. Everyone may join in on the fun. If the frequency gets a little crowded, look for us 'down stream or up stream' about 5kHz. The MDC Section HF Hospital Net is held on the Wednesday following the third Monday of every month. The next Net is February 20, 2019. Pass the word to others. Please check in if only to give us a holler. Looking for a big turn out.

Keystone70 · Jan 23, 2019

Unfortunately, I don't have 80m working

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

cstone · Jan 23, 2019

I hope this class is offered again later in the year. I have my General and would love to upgrade to Extra. This sounds like an awesome opportunity. Thanks for sharing the information. :thumbsup:

cms1528 said:
I thought some might be interested in attending if you want to upgrade to Extra class license...great instructor teaches this. True rocket scientist.

When: Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Starting Thursday, January 24, 2019

Where: National Electronics Museum – 1745 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD 20190

A free twelve (12) week “HAM” Radio (Amateur Radio) Extra course will be held in the National Electronics Museum Tuesday evenings, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., starting Thursday, January 24, 2019. This course is to help prepare for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Extra Class license examination. Prerequisite is the FCC General Class License. There are no Morse code requirements for this class. Though the classes are free, students are to purchase their own current ARRL Extra Class License Manual – 11th Edition (see available on-line sources listed below).

Space accommodations are limited, so please RSVP to reserve a spot in this class.

Known on-line source links for current ARRL Extra Class License Manual – 11th Edition:

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Extra-Class-...l+ham+radio+license+extra+manual+11th+edition
ARRL - http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Extra-Class-License-Manual-Spiral-Bound/
Ham Radio Outlet - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-014856
Also, available for purchase in some Barnes and Noble retail locations.
To RSVP and for additional information, please email Melenie Maule at: Melenie.Maule@ngc.com or call 410-765-0589.

K31 · Feb 8, 2019

Upcoming Tech and General License classes at the Anne Arundel Radio Club. March 9, 2019 and April 27, 2019, respectively.

https://www.w3vpr.org/sites/default/files/flyers/2019SpringTechnicianClass-New.pdf

https://www.w3vpr.org/sites/default/files/flyers/2019SpringGeneralClass-New.pdf

Boxcab · Feb 12, 2019

Picked up a Yaesu FTM-100DR/DE. It came with a programming cable, but it does not look like CHIRP supports it.

Any recommendations for software?

.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

K31 · Feb 13, 2019

Boxcab said:
Picked up a Yaesu FTM-100DR/DE. It came with a programming cable, but it does not look like CHIRP supports it.

Any recommendations for software?

ymmv

Boxcab · Feb 13, 2019

K31 said:
ymmv

Yeah, I watched that last night. He appears to be speaking in tongues as he describes the process. :innocent0

There is also third party software ($25 - $30) available, but it appears to be specific to one model. I have some familiarity with CHIRP and hate having learn another program for use once or twice a year. :tdown:

Ah well, I'll keep looking before I jump into anything.

.

Keystone70 · Feb 13, 2019

Boxcab said:
Yeah, I watched that last night. He appears to be speaking in tongues as he describes the process.

There is also third party software ($25 - $30) available, but it appears to be specific to one model. I have some familiarity with CHIRP and hate having learn another program for use once or twice a year.

Ah well, I'll keep looking before I jump into anything.

.

I own two of these. You either use the Yeasu software (free) or RT Systems software ($25) . The main difference is you can import frequencies directly from Repeater book.com thru the internet using the RT software.
Your choice. That's all there is.

This is an excellent radio, by the way. You made a good purchase.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Boxcab · Feb 13, 2019

Keystone70 said:
I own two of these. You either use the Yeasu software (free) or RT Systems software ($25) . The main difference is you can import frequencies directly from Repeater book.com thru the internet using the RT software.
Your choice. That's all there is.

This is an excellent radio, by the way. You made a good purchase.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Thanks Keystone. Not what I wanted to hear, but not unexpected.

Any words of wisdom/tribal knowledge/lessons learned on the FTM-100 worth sharing?

Thanks.

.

Keystone70 · Feb 13, 2019

Boxcab said:
Thanks Keystone. Not what I wanted to hear, but not unexpected.

Any words of wisdom/tribal knowledge/lessons learned on the FTM-100 worth sharing?

Thanks.

.

It's an excellent radio. Enjoy.
If you have any specific questions, let me know. I'm always willing to share

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Engine4 · Feb 28, 2019

So, apparently these Quansheng HT's are supposed to be better than the Baofengs. Anyone had any experience with them?

https://www.americanpartisan.org/2019/02/quansheng-uv-r50-more-bang-than-baofeng/

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Quansheng&ref=nb_sb_noss

K31 · Mar 4, 2019

Engine4 said:
So, apparently these Quansheng HT's are supposed to be better than the Baofengs. Anyone had any experience with them?

https://www.americanpartisan.org/2019/02/quansheng-uv-r50-more-bang-than-baofeng/

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Quansheng&ref=nb_sb_noss

No experience but I'm not sure the author knows what cross band repeat is.

Keystone70 · Mar 4, 2019

K31 said:
No experience but I'm not sure the author knows what cross band repeat is.

I would have to agree. Sounds like he's taking about split as if it is cross band.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

motorcoachdoug · Mar 5, 2019

Does anyone have any EFJohnson 5100 ascend series system keys? I already have the 1234 and 987 dummy keys but wondering if anyone else here has any system keys...

Bigfoot21075 · Mar 18, 2019

Engine4 said:
So, apparently these Quansheng HT's are supposed to be better than the Baofengs. Anyone had any experience with them?

https://www.americanpartisan.org/2019/02/quansheng-uv-r50-more-bang-than-baofeng/

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Quansheng&ref=nb_sb_noss

I have had great luck with My Baofeng BF-F8HP;

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-F...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VWKRED2XRVADF6ZVY0QV

It is easy to program with the cable (sold separately of course) using Chirp. The interface is fairly common sense, I can send and receive on it while sitting in my house with the duck antenna. It is 8 watts also.

K31 · Mar 18, 2019

Given the uncertainties of ChiCom HTs status according to the FCC, I think it would be better for anyone shopping for an HT to buy one from one of the Japanese manufacturers for now. A working used one if you are short on funds.

Unless of course you find a ChiCom model that has Certification (in another service) and will work only on amateur frequencies.

gamer_jim · Apr 2, 2019

new QTH setup

The XYL and I are looking at buying another house. One location has a very nice shack space and spot in the yard for a tower.

Does anyone have any opinion on the Cushcraft MA5B?

It's advertised as 20-10M beam antenna. I've read tons of reviews and all 16 pages on eham.net for it. Mostly the reviews are positive with folks posting that they can make contacts around the world with it, even on 100 watts.

In addition to this beam I was going to keep my existing EFHW Myantennas.com wire. It runs 80-10M.

For the tower, should I attempt this myself or have it professionally installed?
If professionally installed, are there any firms in there area you would recommend? The new QTH is in south central York County PA.

Is there much of a difference between 40' high and 60' high? I'm concerned about cost. I'm looking at Palco Electronics and they sell the entire tower kit (including hinged base, mast, tower, parts, etc.) 40' for about $870. 60' for $1,636. There are mature trees easily reaching 50'.

Any other recommendations or wisdom? The new QTH isn't a done deal yet. We still have to get inspectors and possibly qualify for a rehab loan so there are a lot of hurdles yet.

Thanks in advance.

K31 · Apr 2, 2019

Have you checked local rules about installing a free standing antenna?

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