r/HamRadio

hello im having a problem trying to upgrade the firmware on my xpr 3500e. currently its at R02.22.03.1001. i am able to program it find and read the device. im using a cable from bluemax49er. ive tried multiple versions from the newest one to the one right above it and every thin in-between. i have the ftid driver installed.

I'm a pretty new ham. Just got licensed the 19th of last month. General class. I've been participating in the 13 colonies special event. It was all smooth sailing until I got down to 2 standard stations left. Folks tailgating when they can't actually hear the calling station, purposefully waiting for a weaker station to reply to the call to step on them, tuning up for extended periods of time right on frequency, arguing over everyone, replying when the given partial call isn't even close to theirs, etc... Namely the pileups for K2C.

It just seems like, compared to the first majority of stations I worked through pileups for in the first few days of the event, it's been the wild west for K2C. Feels like I'm back on CB trying to "shoot skip" on CH6 or something. Countless stations keying up over the event station, laying down a 1 minute or more CW carrier, etc... Seems like all the studying I did about good operating practice and hams policing each other just went out the window. Feels like I'm hanging out on 7200 or something.

Is this just the norm for big special events like this? Do I just need to accept that this is how special events go and get over it? Idk, maybe I am just overreacting but it feels so contrary to everything I learned while studying to get my license, and everything I've experienced elsewhere since I've been licensed. Heck, even since I started listening via webSDRs years ago.

Why is there always pirates and crazy people on this frequency?

Hey guys, i’m pretty set on buying the g90 as my pota rig( my home rig is a yaesu 897d) To use with my buddipole or random homemade antenna experiments.

My only concern is should I buy it now from radiooddiy with a package or wait for hamfest and try to get something used (like an old 857?)

edit: Purchased G90 $465 package deal from raddioidity and a 10 ah battery.

Would there be a website for ham radio for 2meter/70cm/33cm/23cm like mygmrs website has. I really like the coverage maps to know what area i am covering and if i can hit that repeater.

Thanks for the help!

Hey everyone, I'm super new to all of this and I'm looking to get a setup so I can listen to my local airport and the aviation traffic around here. I need a recommendation for both a radio and a good antenna to go with it.

I'm trying to keep the whole thing under 100 bucks total. I don't care if the stuff is brand new or used off eBay, just whatever gets me the best results for the price.

For reference, I live in a flat area in Florida about two and a half miles away from the airport, and there aren't really any big buildings or thick trees between me and the planes.

Right now, I have a Baofeng UV-5R+ with a Nagoya 771 antenna, but it doesn't support the AM airband at all. I also unfortunately got one of the newer firmware versions that is totally locked down and unable to unlock. For my next radio, I want something that handles AM aviation and a radio that is cable of unlocking.

Anyways, thank you for the help in advanced. Please keep in mind that I’m new so if I explain anything that just doesn’t make sense, please just clarify.

Please keep in mind that I am still really new to this, so if it feels like I'm misunderstanding how something works or if I didn't explain what I'm looking for perfectly, please let me know. Still learning here, and thanks for the help in advance!

I made my decision** **check the comments

THANKS GUYS🙏

That’s it. The title says it all—I passed!!! I’m so excited!
I took a month-and-a-half-long class, then I spent another month using HamStudy to prepare for the exam. I kept failing the practice tests… until, finally, I started passing them. Now the real work begins because I still have no idea what I’m doing. But that’s okay! I’m just happy to have passed.

I recently got my general ticket about a year ago. Finally got the chance to pick up my first HF rig, a second-hand Xiegu G90. I’ll be taking a trip down to my local HRO to pick up a battery, but looking for any tips or tricks regarding gear or beginner’s setup for when I get the radio. Antennas, batteries, connectors, coax anything. I appreciate all of your time even if you just read this!

So i have gotten a tm-281A and a X-30N antenna and i want to talk to some italians lol! so if you could connect to the vis repeater and we could talk a lil bit my qth is split and my callsign is 9a1cbm

Hey guys! Thanks again for the encouragement in my other post. I passed general.

When I wanted to get into amateur radio back in march I decided to purchase the ham radio prep course and bought the all 3 package.

After technician I kinda stopped the studying for general to enjoy a taste of amateur radio. When I wanted more hf privileges I started the general class a month ago and with a lot of procrastination-finished today.

Should I go ahead and start the extra class now? I am 17 and there’s a ham fest July 11th where I can take the test in person free of charge. So since today is the 3rd I have a strict study deadline.

All I know about the extra test is it’s 50 questions out of 600 plus in the pool.

If I start studying now watching the videos and doing the course work is it doable in 8 days?
Is extra worth it? Should I take another break and pay the $15 online exam fee later in the year?

Thanks guys and 73!

Good afternoon everyone!

Just wanted to ask if anyone has tried the new PoC radios? I got a set of the AT-1, and they are really nice for price, and lifetime service.

I understand it’s not a relevant question for the group, but thought someone might have tried them.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

Hello! With a lot of studying I feel like i’m ready to take my general. I have it scheduled for 12pm online. I took my tech online with the same testing group so i know how they operate.

I have taken about 8 practice tests and passed every one with 74-90s (81 average) on ham radio prep and another web site and scored 84 on one.

I feel pretty good about passing the test, I mean I did pass about 8 tests in a row.

What are some things you guys would recommend me do to prep for the big day tomorrow?

Edit:

PASSED!! Thanks guys for all the encouraging words!! Now onto extra!!