r/HamRadio

Just did my Foundation (UK) exam online, and got 24/26!

I don't have a callsign yet. I'll get one when Royal Snail (yes, Royal Mail is really that slow) sends me a letter with instructions on how to log into the Ofcom system and get one.

73!

I’m slowly working toward getting my licence and kit, but am wondering about a suitable antenna. I live in Eastern UK (Suffolk) and live in a mid terrace house. A very small backyard. Lots of houses adjoining and to the rear. About 7x10 meters.
I will eventually be doing mostly CW I think once I get my code back up to speed, listening and transmitting. And of course doing the amateur’s license test. But I want to make a start and getting suitable antenna in place is probably the best move because if I can’t do that the test is moot!
So experts, what’s a good idea? Slim Jim, long wire, pole?
Thanks

Hi everyone,

I'd really like to buy a new radio. There are two models which I'm considering. First is Yaesu FT-450D and the second one is Yaesu FT-891. I live in Europe and already have G90. Most of the time I'm using non-resonant antennas. I'm quite new HAM (one year) and I'd like to upgrade to 100W and "something bigger".

Ft-450D I found used in very good condition with original mic, power cable and original box for around 621$-702$ (exchange rates for today). Shipping from country where I live.

Ft-891 I found "brand new" on eBay for around 650$ shipped from Japan. I know that I'd also needed to buy an external ATU if I choose 891 plus there could be custom taxes.

Does anyone had experience with any of those radios or maybe even with both of them and would like to help me choose one? How do they compare to each other today? Most of the time I operate from home. I'd like to try something non-SDR based that's why I have chosen those two models.

I'd be grateful for any advices and help.

73

Hello,

I am not sure if this technically qualifies as Ham equipment, but I figured people here may know anyways because it is at least heavily related.

I picked up a Realistic Pro-41 10 Channel Programmable Scanner from Value Village last night, and bought some battires.

It turns on, digits come on the screen, and it does scan, but even after finding the manual online, and turning the volume and squelch as stated, I still get absolute silence at all times form the speakers, and even through headphones in the "ear" port.

Should I still be hearing at least white noise? What does literal absolute silence mean? Could something be broken?

What can I try, should I maybe open it and and clean some things, see if some wires are damaged or what?

https://www.scribd.com/document/410020066/Radio-Scanner-Realistic-Pro-41-PRO-41-Owner-s-Manual

So I literally just got done sitting for my tech exam and passed 33/35! I had the opportunity to try for my general but from the practice tests I took earlier today I didn’t want to waste the VE time. I’m going to study and go for my general in a couple of week! I’m just excited to finally get tested and get on the air before the end of the week!

I recently upgraded to a truck from a 4 door sedan. I had my Kenwood TMV71a in there and am moving it over to my truck. The power wire isnt long enough to go from my battery to where id like to put the radio but I dont see longer ones for sale. I imagine that I am left with either building one from scratch or extending the ones I have. I am leaning towards just extending the ones I have by cutting them and soldering an extension onto it. I figure this way I dont need to go buy new fuses and such. Curious what folks with more experience have to say here

I have a very intelligent friend who I would like to buy a gift for. He is highly technical and I have no idea where to start looking for a gift for him. Can you give me any suggestions? I was thinking about this poster from Amazon but any help would be appreciated. I belive he has his license as well.

https://a.co/d/0fJzHwrb

Hey y'all! I recently moved to Oahu and wanted to connect with some other hams. I submitted a club application to what appeared to be the most active club but haven't heard back. None of the clubs that I have seen appear to be up to date online but I would like to potentially meet some other hams. I've never been apart of a club before and I don't have a lot of amateur radio experience. I've been licensed for a few years now but haven't done much besides watching YouTube videos and getting a HT that I haven't really used. If anyone has any info on what the radio scene is like on Oahu please let me know! Thanks

I'm just getting started in ham and don't have any equipment yet. Should I be looking for something like a UHF/VHF handheld? Reputable brands? Any must-have accessories that you would recommend?

Ive been waiting over a week now to get my license. I have some questions:

I was able to get my GMRS license no problem. Does the FCC treat GMRS and Ham differently?

My felony was reduced to a misdemeanor after I completed my probation. Should I have just answered "no" to the felony question?

If my application does get denied or stays permanently in limbo, should I re-apply and just answer "no" due to the fact my conviction was reduced to a misdemeanor.

My conviction was almost 20 years ago. It seems unfair to keep "punishing" me all this time later to participate in a hobby I have always loved and admired. It bums me out.

TIA

I got my general a few weeks ago but, still haven't gotten a radio but, wondering about which Antennas I should get. I have a decent size yard at 1.25 acres or I could possibly roof mount something. I'm thinking if possible 1 for 70cm & 2 meter, then another for 6-80m. I don't want to go the tower route but, di-poles, fan di-poles, long whip type antennas all peak my interest for HF. Pretty much just don't want to go the tower route even though I have room.

Let me know your thoughts.

Also, if you're interested, I was considering starting with something cheaper for radios like the Xiegu G90.

Hi all, shot in the dark here. I am attempting to help my dad build a sequencer for his Yaesu FT-991A radio. Our plan is to use the TX GND pin from the TUN/LIN jack. My understanding is the TX GND pin is an open collector (it doesn't specifically say this in the datasheet, but from other online sources this seems to be the case) that is floating unless the radio is actively transmitting, in which case it is switched to ground.

Because it is floating, we have tried an internal 40k pull-up resistor on an arduino configured as an input for the TX GND pin, and have also tried an external 4.7k pull-up resistor to 5V (arduino VCC), and no matter what when the radio is turned on (but not transmitting) this seems to be pulled to ground. When the radio is off we see the pull up resistor working as expected.

We have the radio configured for TUNER SELECT = LAMP. I am not sure if the radio is damaged or we are missing something here. When we plug it into his mirage B1016 amplifier it seems to work fine, but when I probe with DMM or use the arduino to read the sensed voltage level it shows it is grounded even while not transmitting. The grounds are connected between the arduino and pin 3 on the TUN/LIN, which is used as the reference.

So to summarize:

radio off - TX GND pin is high (expected due to pull-up) radio on, not transmitting - TX GND pin is low (unexpected) radio on with DIN connector removed from radio - TX GND pin is high (expected due to pull-up)

One thing worth noting, there is also a 13V OUT pin on the DIN connector that measures 0V between ground. Seems there may be a broken fuse here... but not sure that is really relevant to the issue here.

Thanks to any input in advance.

Posted this a while ago but there have been improvements since then, better quality map image, improved colours on propagation pages, added smooth scrolling to DX spots page.

Two new dashboard pages, taking the total to seven.

PSKReporter — reception reports for your callsign plotted on the world map, one marker per four-character grid, coloured by band, with a band legend and a furthest-report line.

POTA Spots — live Parks on the Air activator spots, with an optional great-circle distance filter from your locator and an option to hide automated RBN spots.

GitHub link

As the title reads... What do you think? Inconsiderate? Acceptable?