Amateur Radio FAQ

Keystone70 · Apr 4, 2018

Engine4 said:
Newbee question here, is a 9:1 unun used to balance the wire antenna to the radio?

The 9:1 unun is to balance the antenna to the feed line. The endfed antenna tends to have a very high impedance that will not fly on the radio. The unun brings it down to a reasonable level. It still is off; but the internal antenna Matching network will match up to 3:1. The antenna is not actually tuned to any frequency hence the high impedance. Not ideal; but it works when you are limited to what you can put up. Mine is matching up (by the internal tuner) on 40, 20, 30, 12 and parts of 10 and 6 meter. Not bad for a $50 investment.

gamer_jim · Apr 5, 2018

K31 said:
Always buy the genuine FTDI chip cables. Too many bad knockoffs of the Prolific chips.

I just tried the cable on my Linux pc and "lcusb" didn't recognize there being a device present.

I contacted the seller and hopefully they will send me a replacement cable. If not then I'll buy a genuine one. I'm really getting irritated with all the counterfeit junk being sold on amazon these days.

Where should I purchase the real deal?
https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-Genuine-Programming-BaoFeng-Kenwood/dp/B00HUB0ONK

Or somewhere else? Is there a local radio shop I could patronize?

edited to add:

What do you think of this antenna for the UV-5RTP?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC4PWQQ/ref=psdc_2230642011_t2_B00HUB0ONK

Keystone70 · Apr 5, 2018

gamer_jim said:
I just tried the cable on my Linux pc and "lcusb" didn't recognize there being a device present.

I contacted the seller and hopefully they will send me a replacement cable. If not then I'll buy a genuine one. I'm really getting irritated with all the counterfeit junk being sold on amazon these days.

Where should I purchase the real deal?
https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-Genuine-Programming-BaoFeng-Kenwood/dp/B00HUB0ONK

Or somewhere else? Is there a local radio shop I could patronize?

edited to add:

What do you think of this antenna for the UV-5RTP?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC4PWQQ/ref=psdc_2230642011_t2_B00HUB0ONK

I have that Nagoya antenna. Tried to compare with the stock and the reports I got back was it didn't make any difference. Also, there is a big conterfit market on that antenna. Watch out.
Take a look at the Diamond ***77*** antenna. The exact model varies on the connector you need. This one really works.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Winged Pig · Apr 5, 2018

gamer_jim said:
I just tried the cable on my Linux pc and "lcusb" didn't recognize there being a device present.

I contacted the seller and hopefully they will send me a replacement cable. If not then I'll buy a genuine one. I'm really getting irritated with all the counterfeit junk being sold on amazon these days.

Where should I purchase the real deal?
https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-Genuine-Programming-BaoFeng-Kenwood/dp/B00HUB0ONK

Or somewhere else? Is there a local radio shop I could patronize?

edited to add:

What do you think of this antenna for the UV-5RTP?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC4PWQQ/ref=psdc_2230642011_t2_B00HUB0ONK

I purchased both the NA-320 antenna and the cable directly from Baofeng. Same price that I found on Amazon and I received my order in a couple of days. I believe your radio is still supported. Here's the website:

https://baofengtech.com

gamer_jim · Apr 6, 2018

Thanks for responses.

The dealer sent me an email saying the USB cable included with that package does not work on Windows 10. Like I said, I couldn't get it to work on my older Linux PC either.

I purchased the real cable from Baofeng along with the Diamond SRJ77CA.

Keystone70 · Apr 6, 2018

gamer_jim said:
Thanks for responses.

The dealer sent me an email saying the USB cable included with that package does not work on Windows 10. Like I said, I couldn't get it to work on my older Linux PC either.

I purchased the real cable from Baofeng along with the Diamond SRJ77CA.

That is a good antenna and the cable will work find. Good luck.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

K31 · Apr 6, 2018

gamer_jim said:
I just tried the cable on my Linux pc and "lcusb" didn't recognize there being a device present.

I contacted the seller and hopefully they will send me a replacement cable. If not then I'll buy a genuine one. I'm really getting irritated with all the counterfeit junk being sold on amazon these days.

Where should I purchase the real deal?
https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-Genuine-Programming-BaoFeng-Kenwood/dp/B00HUB0ONK

Or somewhere else? Is there a local radio shop I could patronize?

In the past on Amazon I've always bought from "Valley Enterprises" and never had a problem except that sometimes they were sold out and were waiting for more. But the last cable I bought was a USB to RS422 and I bought one that said "genuine FTDI" and didn't have a problem on windows 10. I never had a problem returning something to Amazon in the return period bought on Prime and it it didn't do what it was supposed to they paid the return shipping.

edited to add:

What do you think of this antenna for the UV-5RTP?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC4PWQQ/ref=psdc_2230642011_t2_B00HUB0ONK

I don't like to carry an HT with an antenna of that length. It might work if it's in a holster with a speaker/mic or mounted some where but otherwise it will dig into you while you carry it.

Also, if you look at the lower 1/3 or so you'll see it has a denser portion. That is going to make it relatively inflexible if it's anything like the one I have that looks like that.

GOG-MD · Apr 6, 2018

gamer_jim said:
Thanks for responses.

The dealer sent me an email saying the USB cable included with that package does not work on Windows 10. Like I said, I couldn't get it to work on my older Linux PC either.

I purchased the real cable from Baofeng along with the Diamond SRJ77CA.

Not totally surprised. Most ham software seems to be designed for older versions of Windows. Mac and Linux compatibility is spotty at best. If you have access to an older version of Windows (XP or 7 - heck, you could even try Win98), you could try installing it in a virtual machine on your Windows 10 computer.

GOG-MD · Apr 6, 2018

gamer_jim said:
I contacted the seller and hopefully they will send me a replacement cable. If not then I'll buy a genuine one. I'm really getting irritated with all the counterfeit junk being sold on amazon these days.

Where should I purchase the real deal?https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC4PWQQ/ref=psdc_2230642011_t2_B00HUB0ONK

I buy a lot of things on Amazon, but never ham gear. Ham Radio Outlet, DX Engineering and Universal Radio are where I tend to buy, along with the manufacturer websites. You don't get counterfeit crap from any of these guys, and they stand behind their products.

K31 · Apr 6, 2018

GOG-MD said:
Not totally surprised. Most ham software seems to be designed for older versions of Windows. Mac and Linux compatibility is spotty at best. If you have access to an older version of Windows (XP or 7 - heck, you could even try Win98), you could try installing it in a virtual machine on your Windows 10 computer.

Chirp does a pretty awesome job of staying up to date especially considering it is freeware.

JPG · Apr 6, 2018

Anyone use this antenna? $20 Lifetime warranty.

https://signalstuff.com
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/13357
https://www.facebook.com/signalsticks/

Engine4 · Apr 6, 2018

JPG said:
Anyone use this antenna? $20 Lifetime warranty.
https://signalstuff.com

Just ordered one, the reviews are positive.

Engine4 · Apr 7, 2018

The Carroll county Radio Club will be putting on a General class may 5 & 6th, & testing the following Saturday.
https://k3pzn.net/course/

markgrutz · Apr 7, 2018

Engine4 said:
The Carroll county Radio Club will be putting on a General class may 5 & 6th, & testing the following Saturday.
https://k3pzn.net/course/

Perfect timing on this one. Hopefully I can actually make it and pass! Thanks for posting.

Mark

Engine4 · Apr 8, 2018

There's a hamfest scheduled for May 27th at the Howard County Fairgrounds, with free testing.

http://www.marylandfm.org/Hamfest.htm

ToolAA · Apr 8, 2018

Engine4 said:
There's a hamfest scheduled for May 27th at the Howard County Fairgrounds, with free testing.

http://www.marylandfm.org/Hamfest.htm

I’ve never been to one before. I guess I’m going to start practicing for the exam. It’s been on my todo list for wuite some time.

Thanks.

Engine4 · Apr 9, 2018

JPG said:
Anyone use this antenna? $20 Lifetime warranty.

https://signalstuff.com

Fast shipping, even on the weekend, got it today. Haven't had much time to test it, but I hit the Frederick repeater from Westminster with it, but that's not saying a whole lot cuz I can do that with the rubber duck one too. The plus is that it's supposed to be indestructible.

Engine4 · Apr 10, 2018

What is the putty that you put on connections to make them waterproof outside?

K31 · Apr 10, 2018

Engine4 said:
What is the putty that you put on connections to make them waterproof outside?

I use self-fusing silicone tape such as this:

https://www.amazon.com/X-Treme-Tape-TPE-XZLB-Silicone-Triangular/dp/B01J51XYTI/

I use black just to help with U/V resistance in areas of direct sun.

It may not work in all instances due to the shape but that is what I've used so far.

It comes in a lot of widths and lengths.

Engine4 · Apr 10, 2018

Thanks!

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